IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


n 

D 
D 
D 

n 
□ 

□ 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommag^e 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g^ographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Pianches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  Mure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  ma^ 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  inese 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 

Additional  coniments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


n/ 


D 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


Pages  de  couleur 


□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pellicul^es 


Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolor^es,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 


□    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtach^es 

0Showthro)jgh/ 
Transparence 


Transpar 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualitd  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t^  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  fa^on  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


10X 

14X 

1riX 

22X 

26X 

30X 

y 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

3ire 
details 
ues  du 
t  modifier 
ger  une 
)  filmage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  con.ract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grSce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6x6  reprcduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  !a  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


/ 
u6es 


Original  copi^j  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  film6s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  'END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  •-^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


aire 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
roproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  dcagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


by  errata 
ned  to 

lent 

une  pelure, 

fapon  d 


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H  I.-Ti'i;  IC  A  L,    r/ri  OLOC  IC  AL.    AND    IMiACTlCAL, 


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PIUNCIPAL    DISEASES 


O  F      T  H  k) 


INTKKIOK    \'ALL1:Y   01'   XOimi   AMERICA, 


A  S     T  II  K  V     A  V  I'  E  A  li     I  N     T  II  V. 


CAI'CASIAN,    ArillCAN,    IXDIAN'.    AXD    KSUri.MAl'X    VARIIlTirs    OF 

rrs  roiTLATioN. 


IJV    DAXlKli    DKAKK,    M.   T> 


C  I  X  C  I  \  N  A  T  I  : 

W  I  N  T  II  R  ()  ?    1? .    S  M  I  T  H     .'V,     CO.,     T  U  B  L  I  S  II  E  R  S 
1' II 1 1,  A  1)  K  I.I' II I  A  :   liinci;,    i:i,i,i(ii"   &,  co. 

NKW     VdRK       MASd.N     &      LAW, 
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Katurcd  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1840,  by  Damkl 
DuAKK,  i\[.  D.,  iu  the  Clerk's  (Jirieo  of  tlio  District  Court  of  tlio  United 
States,  for  the  District  of  Oliio. 


CIXCINNATI: 
Morgan   and    Ovcrcnd,    Printert . 


TO 


Tin:  ni YsiciAXs 


OF    Till. 


1  X  T  E  R 1 0 II  V  A  L  L  E  Y  0  ¥  X  0  IT  1'  1 1  A  M  1  ]  11 1 C  A, 


T  III  -i 


IMPERFKCT   ATTi::\irT 


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,'  Damkl 
e  United 


TO     LA  \ 


AN   EXTENDED    FOUNDATION 


I' OR 


/    IILSTOilY   or  ITS  DISEASES. 


IS    REsrLCTFl-LLY    IXSPRinKI), 


BY    THEIR    F  E  L  T,  0  W    1,  A  BORER, 


THE  AUTHOR. 


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V  I!  E  I'  A  (.;  E . 

Tin;  o])jcct  propo^^ed  in  the  lollowiiii,'  work,  i.s  to  i;'i\'c  an  account 
of  the  cauHcs,  symptoms,  patliolo;;y,  and  treatment,  of  the  princi- 
pal didoaseH  of  an  extensive  portion  of  Nourii  A>n;i(i(.v  —  its 
lNri:nioR  VAf.M-.v.  In  exploring  it,  for  tlic  purjioac  of  collcctinu 
facts,  tiic  Author  endeavored  to  leave;  hchinil  him  all  opinions 
but  the  sini,'le  one,  that  he  who  would  observe  correctly,  must 
have  no  theories  cither  to  nmintain  or  destroy. 

To  say  that  he  has  always  been  faithful  to  this  rule  of  observa- 
tion, would  be  rash  ;  but,  lie  iiifii/  say,  that  he  has  sincerely  and 
earnestly  desired,  to  keep  himself  under  its  sway.     I  le  nmy  allirm, 
still  further,  that  it  has  been  his  constant  aim,  to  purify  from  er- 
ror, the  facts  he  was  collecting' ;  and  lie  trusts,  therefore,  that  all  the 
more  important  will   be  f'-^und  substantially  correct.     Neverthe- 
less, the  country   to   whicli    the  work   relates,   is    of  such  vast 
geographical  extent,  that  he  cannot  doubt,  but  that  every  reader 
will  detect  some  errors,  in  what  relates  to  the  topography,  climate, 
or  diseases  of  his  own  locality. 

But  while  the  object  of  this  work  is  to  embody  facts,  drawn, 
by  personal  intercourse,  from  numerous  living  physicians,  or  from 
publications  made  by  them  and  their  predecessors,  and  to  combine 
the  whole  with  his  own  observations,  he  has  not  been  unmindful 
of  the  discoveries  and  improvements  in  etiology,  j)atliology, 
and  practice,  of  older  and  more  enlightened  countries  ;  but 
sought,  as  far  as  they  have  become  known  to  him,  to  amalgamate 
the  foreign  with  the  indigenous,  and  thus  present  to  his  brethren  of 
the  Interior  Valley,  a  book  of  practice,  so  full  on  all  the  diseases 
of  which  it  treats,  as  to  make  it  a  useful  manual  for  daily  reference. 
He  is  obliged  to  admit,  however,  that,  while  seeking  after  knowledge 
among  the  physicians  of  his  own  country,  he  could  give  but  !'ttle 
attention  to  the  writings  of  those  w^ho  live  in  otht    jountries. 

Long  journeys  of  observation,  repeated  through  a  large  part  of 
several  years,  with  elementary  teaching  in  winter,  have  much 
abridged  the  time  for  bibliothecal  research  ;  and,  perhaps,  even 
diminished  the  taste  for  tliat  mode  of  inquiry. 

Extensive  as  his  explorations  have  been,  large  regions  of 
country  remain  unvisited  ;  and  many  conclusions,  at  which  he  has 


« 


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i'i!r:r.\CL:. 


nrrlvrd,  wu'jrUi  pos-ihly  liavo  hcvu  didrrrnf,  Imd  the  fufts,  wliirli 
tliost!  rt•gi(>ll.^  could  have  I'liriii^hid,  htcii  ohtainrd  hy  Iiiiii.  Vet, 
OS  his  npivoiKil  cxaiMin.'itioiH  \v(  re  carried  throiif,dj  eii^'htrcn  de- 
f^rvcA  ol'  lafiliide,  and  nrjirly  a-^  iriaiiy  <d'  h)iii'i(a(U',  he  tru.<t:^  that 
fa'.-tH  which  may,  la  some  (h':;ree,  stjind  as  representatives  of  tlie 
whoh',  /i(H-f  heen  e(dh'Cted  ;  and,  therefore,  lliat  no  ^'eneral  coii- 
•diision  will  bn  I'ound  radically  wronj;,'. 

Ah  announced  on  tlu;  title  j)ay;e,  it  is  llu!  (Ie.«i;^ni  of  this  wctrk  to 
treat  ol"  the  diseases  of  the  (laucasian,  Indian,  and  African  V'ari- 
«!ties  of  oiu-  population,  in  contrast  and  comparison  with   each 
other — the   lirst  hiung  the  standard   to   which  the  other  two  arc 
l)rou'i;ijt.     For  lliis  purpose,  no  other  country  presents  C(pial  ad- 
vantnji'es ;  Hincc,  iu  no  other,  do  we  (ind  masses  of  tlu-ee  varieties 
of  the  hnnifin  r;ic(%  in  ]>erinanent  Juxta-i)OHiti()n.     'J'iiere  is,  more- 
over, a  fourth  variety,  tiu;  Moni^olian,  represented  by  the  trilxvs  of 
Es(|uimau\',  whose  huts  of  snow  are  scattered  across  the;  iu)rthern 
extremity  ol' the  \'ailcy  ;  wlio  subsist  on   a  :  impKr  diet,  and  live 
in  a  lower  t(ini)ei'atuie,   tlian    any  other  known  portion  of   the 
human  race  ;  and,  therefore,  present,  in  their  habits  and  physiol- 
o^^'y,  nmny  points  of  intei'est,  to  which  he  has  given  such  attention 
as  the  books  of  voyages  and  trav(ds,  hav(!  enabled  him  to  bestow. 
In  his  traveling   intercourse,   with   his  brethren  and  collabo- 
rators of  the    Great   \'alley,  from   i'lorida,  through   to  Canada, 
inclusive,  although  going  among  tiiem  generally,  without  letters  of 
introduction,  he   has,  with  very  few  exceptions,  been  received  in 
the  kindest  manner,  and  allbrded  every  facility  in  their  power; 
for  winch  he   cheerfully  makes  this  jiublic  acknowledgment.     To 
designate,  by  name,  all  who  manifested  a  high  and  encouraging 
interest  in  his  enterprise,  would  be  to  form  a  catalogue  too  long 
for  introduction  here  ;  but  of  gentlemen  residing  without  the  United 
States,  he  is  not  at  liberty  to  omit  the  names  of  I'rofessor  Josej)h 
Morrin,  of  t^uebec,  Professor  Archibald  JIall,  of  iMontrcal,  and 
Captain  John   IJcnry  Lefroy,  of  the  lloyal,  oNIagnctical,  and  Me- 
teorological Observatory,  Toronto,  as  having  aflbrded  him   im- 
portant assistance. 

While  piosccuting  his  researches,  he  visited  the  larger  part  of 
the  military  and  naval  posts  of  the  Interior  A^alley,  both  Ameri- 
can and  British,  bearing  a  letter,  explanatory  of  his  object,  fi-om 
Major  General  Scott,  and  received,  at  each,  such  facilities  as 
were  practicable. 


II 
Ui^  n 
rati" 
lleiil 
dent 
fern  I 
m.'iiii 
pt.'iti 
trust- 

Th 
bool 
that 
but   1 
clim.'i 
tain  (I 
ting, 
the  r. 
(.'apta 
culed 
could 


1 


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ill),      ^'('t, 

lltCf'll     (ll- 

riK4:^  that 
:ci  of  the 
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s  work  to 
mill  V'ari- 
vitli  each 
r  two  arc 
r(jual  ad- 
)  varieties 
!  in,  morc- 
:!  tribes  of 
'  northern 
,  and  live 
)n  of  the 
[I  phyyiol- 
1  attrntion 
o  bestow, 
collabo- 
Canada, 
letters  oi' 
eived  in 
•  power ; 
nt.     To 
()iiraging 
too  long 
le  United 
|i'  Joseph 
•al,  and 
nd  j\Ie- 
Uini   im- 
part of 
A  me  ri- 
le t,  fi'om 
lities   as 


He  de.-ire.-<,  al.-<o,  to  ii'rord  the  name.'  of  tan-eral  yonng  jjentle- 
nil  n,  who  iiave  rendri'cd  him  various  kinds  of  aid.  in  the  prepa- 
ration of  the  work  for  the  jjre-iH.  They  nrc  hoctor  Charles  A. 
llentz,  Mr.  'rheo(h)re  S.  Dana,  and  Mr.  Cliailes  A.  Candund.  stu- 
dents of  niedieine,  and  .Air.  David  Smith;  «'afh  ol"  whnni  pi  r 
formed  tin'  pnrt  assij^ned  to  him,  in  the  most  faithfid  riud  /ealons 
maniur.  XotwiMistanding  this,  however,  it  is  fcarrd  that,  in  t!ic 
Ptatistical  portions,  some  (>rror.s  nmy  bo  found,  though  none  he 
trusts  of  gnat  maunitnde. 

The  hydrographical  map,  whieh  forms  the  frontispiece  of  ilu' 
bookjecemed  indispeiisable  to  its  plan  'J'iie  reader  will  pen-eivc, 
that  it  is  not  designed  to  represent  r:ivil  and  politi(.'al  divisions ; 
but  to  assist  in  connecting  what  is  said  on  medical  topography, 
elima'c,  and  the  iimit.s  imposed  by  latitude  and  altitude,  on  cer- 
tain disrnses,  into  one  system.  It  was  drawn  by  .Major  D.  I*.  W'hi- 
ting,  I'.  S.  A.,  who  also  drew  several  of  the  topographical  maps  : 
the  remainder  and  larger  part  were  from  the  accurate  iieucil  ol' 
Captain  ('.  A.  I'uUer,  V,  S.  Civil  Kngineer.  They  were  all  eve- 
cuted  under  the  author's  inspection,  out  of  the  best  materials  Ik; 
eould  eommand  ;  for  a  part  of  which,  togc^'lier  witli  many  u.-(  I'ul 
:estions,he  is  ind(d)ted  to  the  veteran  Topographical  Mngineer, 


PU 


m 


Colonel  Stephen  1 1.  I^ong,  V.  S.  A.  'J'he  engra\ in;':s  are  (ui  stone, 
])y  a  young  (icrman  artist,  jMr.  A.  Woeher,  of  Cincinnati,  and  will, 
the  author  trusts,  be  found  not  unworthy  oT  the  typographical 
execution,  under  the  supervision  of  Mr.  Charh"^  II.  I'ronson ;  whosu 
abilities  and  taste  as  a  ])ractical  printer.  hav(>.  overcoim^  many 
didiculties,  resulting  from  the  introduction  of  uu)i-e  tlian  a  huiulred 
Statistical  Tables,  and  from  the  absence  of  the  Author,  at  the 
University  of  Lnujsville,  during  the  past  winter,  while  the  work 
was  in  the  press.  I'inally,  the  Author  desire.s  to  express  his  obli- 
gations to  ^Messrs.  Winthrop  B.  Smith  &  Co.,  for  their  willingness 
to  turn  aside  from  their  ordinary  business,  and  become  the  pub- 
lisher.s  of  the  largest  original  work  which,  as  yet,  has  been  written 
and  printed  in  the  Interior  Valley  ;  thus  rendering  it,  in  all  les- 
pects,  an  indigenous  production. 


The  germ  of  this  work,  v.-as  a  pamphlet  entitled  ''  N't  fliers  C 


0!l- 


ccrnirtfr  Ctucinnnti,'''  printed  for  distribution,  forty  years  ago. 
The  greater  part  of  the  Interior  \'alley  of  Xorth  America,  was  at 
that  time    a   primitive    wilderne.'-s.      Ten   ycar.s    afterward,  the 


via 


PREFACE. 


ill 


author  formed  the  design  of  preparin  j;  a  more  extended  work,  on 
the  diseases  of  the  Ohio  Valley  ;  but  being  called  to  teach,  he 
bt  -ame  interested  in  medical  schools,  \vhich,  with  the  ceaseless 
hioors  of  medical  practice,  for  the  next  twenty  years,  left  no  time 
for  personal  observation,  beyond  the  immediate  sphere  of  his 
own  buf^iness.  Meanwhile,  settlements  extended  in  all  directions, 
with  which  the  area  of  observation  expanded ;  and  the  plan  of 
the  proiniscd  \/ork,  underwent  a  corresponding  enlargement.  He 
could  look  upon  this  long  delay,  without  regret,  if  he  were  con- 
scious, that  his  work  had,  thereby,  been  rendered  proportionally 
more  perfect ;  but  he  is  obliged  to  confess,  that  the  labors  of  a 
pioneer  in  many  tl'ings,  have  not  been  auspicious,  to  a  high  de- 
gree of  perfection,  in  any  ;  and,  that  a  new  country,  Vv^ith  its  di- 
versified scene,  and  objects,  is  not  favorable  to  the  concentration 
of  attention,  upon  any  one. 

lie  exp'^cted  to  have  introduced  into  the  first  volume,  the  article, 
Yellow  Fever,  but  found  it  would  swell  the  book  to  an  inconve- 
nient size.  It  will  make  the  first  part  of  the  second  volume  ;  the 
materials  for  which  have  been  chiefiy  collected,  and  considerable 
portions  of  it  written,  so  that  the  author  hopes  it  may  be  com- 
mitted to  the  press  in  about  a  year. 

On  the  manner  in  which  the  work  (when  finished)  will  be  re- 
ceived by  the  profession,  he  docs  not  attempt  to  form  a  prediction ; 
but  has  entire  confidence  in  the  justice  of  those  for  whom  it  is 
especially  designed.  lie  has,  also,  no  reason  to  doubt,  that  the 
periodictil  press  of  the  country,  will  treat  him  with  equal  justice; 
and  he  desires  nothing  more.  If  a  seC'  l  edition  should  be  de- 
manded, the  errors  which  maybe  pointed  out,  would  be  corrected, 
and  new  facts  and  observations  introduced  :  If  the  work  prove  a 
Tailurc  as  it  respects  public  favor,  the  author  will  not  be  without 
his  reward  ;  for  he  has  found  enjoyment  in  the  labor  of  producing 
it;  and,  having  confidence  in  its  general  accuracy,  knows  that  it 
must  stand  as  a  great  collection  of  facts;  a  p'cture  of  the  etiolo- 
gical condition  and  the  diseases,  of  a  newly  settled  country,  in  the 
middle  of  the  nineteenth  century;  with  which  future,  and  more 
gifteil,  medical  historians,  will  compare  the  causes,  phenomena, 
and  treatment  of  the  maladies  which  may  then  prevail. 
Cincinnati,  December  20, 1849.  DAN.   DRAKE,  M.   D. 


Introili 


work,  on 
teach,  he 

ceaseless 
ft  no  time 
re  of  his 
Urections, 
le  plan  of 
lent.  He 
vcrc  con- 
^rtionally 
3ors  of  a 
.  high  de- 
[th  its  (li- 
en tration 

le  article, 

inconvc- 

nne  ;  the 

riiderable 

be  com- 

11  be  re- 
diction  ; 
lom  it  is 
that  the 
justice ; 
d  be  de- 
jrrected, 
prove  a 
without 
oducing 
3  that  it 
i  etiolo- 
,  in  the 
1  more 
omena, 

1    D. 


TABLE    ^F   COxNTENTS. 


BOOK   FIRST. 

GENERAL   ETIOLOGY. 

PAOE. 

Introduction, -...  i 

PART    I. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL  Ax\D   IIYDROCIRAPIilCAL    ETIOLOGY. 

CHAP  TEH    I. 

GENERAL   ANALYSIS. 

Sect.  I.     Of  thr  Natural  Boundaries,  Area,  and  Aspects,        ....  f, 

II.     Of  tlie  Ilydrograpliical  System, 8 

III.  Of  Altitudes  and  Configuration, 19 

IV.  Geological  Outline, 2G 

V.     llydrographical  Basins,  ----.....  2;' 

CHAPTER  IL 

THE  SOUTHERN   IIYDR0(;RAPIIICAL   BASIN. 

GULF     OF     MEXICO. 

Sect.  I.     Position,  Form,  and  Area,  ..-.-...30 

II.     Depth,   - 33 

III.     Currents, 34 

IV.     Temperature, 3G 

V.     Tides  and  Inundations, 39 

VI.     Coasts, 40 

CHAPTER   Iir. 

THE  SOUTHERN  BASIN— CONTINUED. 

SPECIAL   MEDICAL   TOPOGRAPHY   Oi'    THE  COASTS    OF   THE   GULF   OF 

MEXICO. 

Sect.  I.  Vera  Cruz, .12 

II.  Tampico,  --  ........  44 

III.  Galveston  Island  and  Town,       ........45 

IV.  Havana,  and  the  Island  of  Cuba, 46 

V.  Key  West, 47 

VI.  Tampa  Bay  and  Fort  Brooke, 49 

VII.  Ponsacola:     Tlie  Bay  and  Town, 49 

VIII.  Mobile  Bay  and  City, 54 

IX.  Minor  Bays,      ...........57 

X.  The  Pino  Woods, 59 


1" 


■•:  i 


li 


i.'  * 


X  TABLE   OF  CONTENTS. 

CIIAPTKR  }y. 

THE  SOUTHERN  liASlN— CONTINUED. 

THE    DELTA   OF   THE   M1S.SIS.SII'1M — COXSIUEllLU   AS   A   TART   OF   THE 

GULF    {.OAST. 

.^cct.  L     D('scrii)tivi^  Hydrogrnpliy, Gl 

IF.     Else  and  I'all  of  llic  J.owiT  I\Ii.s.sis.sipj)i,            .....  CI 

HI.     Di'iiUi  of  tlio  Lower  ."Mississippi,          ......         -  6G 

1\'.     Toiiipiriiture  of  the  iviver, 07 

V.     Siispciuicd  Olid  Dissidvcd  .Mulrrials  of  tlii/  Rivei',          -         -         -         -  70 
VL     GoolofjicaLAiio,  J)i'plii,  Growth,  Strucliirc,  and  Clieniical  Composition  of 

the  Delta, 7.3 

VI L     \'(';j;ctaliuii,         ...........77 

VIIL     h^aliitary  Influences  of  the  Jussieua  Gi-aii(Hflora,      ....  79 

CIIArTJ'Jl  V. 

THE  SOUTHERN  BASIN— CONTINUED. 

LOCALITIES    IN   AND    AROUND    THE   DELTA   OF   THE   :\IISSISSirrL 

Sect.  I.     IMihtary  Posts, 8G 

11.     Tile  Balizo  and  I\larine  E.Ktreinity  of  tlio  Delt-.,      ....  88 

III.  N<'W  (irK'ans,    -         - 07 

IV.  Smaller  Towns  within  the   Delta. 105 

V.     Towns  on  the  Blurt's  of  tiifi  Delta, 108 

VI.     An  Early  Voyage  up  the  ^Mississippi, HI 

CHAPTER  VL 

THE  SOUTHERN  BASIN— CONTINUED. 

MEDICAL    TOrOGRAPHY     OF    THE    POTTOMS    AND    BLUFFS    OF    THE 

jMISSISSIPPI     river    ABOVE     ITS    DELTA. 

Sect.   L     The  Tensas  or  Conr.ordin,  Bottom,     .......  lOO 

11.     The  Tensas  ]?oltom,  ccnlinued  —  Localities  of  its  Bluffs,         -         .  123 

[11,1     The  Yazoo  Bottom, l-2'J 

III.  The  St.  iM-aiicis  Bottom, 131 

IV.  General  Remarks  on  the  preceding  Bottom, 13(1 

V.     American  15ottom,         .........  ];j7 

VI.     Upper  Mississippi,   --....-...  141 

CHAPTER  YII. 
THE  SOUTHERN  BASIN  — CONTINUED. 

MEDICAL    TOPOGRAPHY    OF   THE    REGIONS     Wl-.ST    OF    THE    GULF    AND 

OF    THE    [MISSISSIPPI    RIVER. 

Sect.  I.     Region  South  of  the  Rio  Del  Norte, 151 

II.     Basin  of  the  Rio  Del  Norte, 152 

III.  Southern  Texas, 157 

IV.  Valley  of  the  Red  River, 159 

V.     The  Arkansas  [iiver, 1G3 

VI.     'I'lie  Ozark  ."Mountains, -         .  Hi', 

VII.    The  Missouri  River, I6G 


MEDll 


Sect. 
Il 

III 

V 

\ 

V 

VI 

VII 

1: 


;ect. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


XI 


r 

OF 

THE 

_ 

Gl 

- 

Gl 

- 

CC 

- 

07 

- 

70 

sition 

of 

- 

73 

- 

77 

- 

79 

sirri. 


86 

88 

97 

105 

108 

111 


F    THE 


120 
123 
129 
131 
13(i 
137 
111 


.F    AND 


lol 
152 
lo7 
159 
1G3 
1G5 
166 


CITAPTKR  VTTT. 

THE  SOUTHERN   BASIN —CONTINI^ED. 

MEDICAL    TOPOGRAPHY     01'     THE     PiEGIOXS    EAST     t)F    THE     OUI, 

THE   :sn^-i;lSSH'l'[,    AND    SOUTH   OF   THE    OHIO   liASlX. 
^^ect.  T.     f!pn'jT.i;)liipnl  anil  (^iooIoL''ic:il  Outlines,       ---... 
n.     The  Coiuil'y  E;ist  iiiid  South  of  A|)i),'il;icliicola  I!av  and  River, 

III.  JJasin  of  tlic  A|i|)iiinclii('ola  River,    ------- 

IV.  Ilusiu  of  tlie  .A.lal);iina  River, 

V.     Hasin  of  the  Tu.=cah)osa  or  Eiaek  Warrior  RiviT,      .... 

VI,  Lnealilies  in  th(^  Basin  of  tlio  Tonihecl<l)ee,  .         .         .         -         - 

VII.  Outlines  of  the  Ri'gion  between  tlu;  Toniiiefikbeo  and  Mississippi  Rivers, 

VIII.  Basin  of  i'asca};oula  River, 

IX.  Basin  of  Pearl  River, 

X.  Rc;,rioii  between  the  Pearl  River  and  the  Mississip|)i  :     The  Blufl'-Zone, 

XI.  Tiic  Blutl'-Zonc  continued  :  \'alleys  of  the  111^  Black  and  Yazoo  Rivers, 

XII.  Remainder  of  the  Ivegiou  Suiitli  of  the  Ohio  Basin    .... 

XIII.  A  Gculoj;ical  tsection, 

CHAPTER  TX. 


AND 


I7G 
178 
ISl 
1S2 
189 
192 
200 
201 
203 
201 
208 
211 
215 


THE  SOUTHERN  HASIN —  CONTINUED. 
MEDICAL    TOPOGRAPHY     OF    THE   REGIOXS    EAST   OF    THE    MISSISSIPPI  : 

THE   OHIO    BASIN. 
Limits  and  n.>i\eral  Features, 


Sect.   I. 

II. 

111. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 

X. 

XI. 

XII. 

XI 11. 

XIV. 

XV. 


Troujrii  of  tho  River, 

Soutiiern  CJhio  Basin.     The  Tennessee  River,  - 
Basin  of  the  Cundicrland  River,    ... 
Basin  of  Green  River,     .         .         -         -         - 


217 
219 
222 
233 
230 


The  Left  Bank  of  the  Ohio,  from  Green  to  Salt  River:  Basin  of  the  latter,  2 1 1 


'•'ails  of  the  Ohio,  Louisville,         .         -         -         - 
Basin  of  the  Kentucky  River,-         -         .         .         - 
Basin  of  Liekiiiir  River :   Xorlli  East  Ki.'Utncky,    - 
General  Rcni;irks  and  ConelnsioMs,  -         -         -         . 
The  Ohio  River,  from  .Maysvill'-  to  Bit;  Sandy  River, 
Basins  of  tlie  Big  Sandy  and  Guyandotle  Rivers, 
B  isin  of  the  Keiiawlia  River,         .         .         .         - 
Basin  of  the  AIonon;raliela  River,    .         -         .         - 
Pittsburgh  and  its  Di  ,'endenciis,  -         -         .         - 


21G 
219 
251 
257 
253 
259 
2f.1 
2G1 
271 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  SOUTHERN  BASIN  — CONTINUED. 

MEDICAL    TOPOGRAPHY    OF    THE    RE(HONS    EAST    OF   THE   MISSISSIPPI: 
BASIN   OF   THE    OHIO,  ON   THE   NORTHERN   SIDE   OF   THE  RIVER. 


275 


Sect.   I.     Bisiu  of  the  .Alleirhnny  Riv^T, 

11.     Basin  of  Beaver  Rivi'r,  Connoaut  Lake,  Bcnver  and  Erie  Canal,     - 

III.  Ilasin  (if  the  ^Inskin^nm  River,       .---...        201 

IV.  The  Ri'iiion  between  the  Muskingum  and  the  Scioto  Rivers  —  Hocking 

R  ver, 290 

V.     Basin  of  the  Scioto  River, 292 


VI.     The  Mi 


Hisin  —  Citv  of  Cincinnati 


:97 


4 


i 


VII.     Northern  Banks  and  Hills  of  the  Ohio  River,  from  the  Oreat  Miami  to 

the  Wubasli,      .........  302 


M 


Xll 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


t 


VIII.     Busin  of  Wliilo  River,      - 
IX.     liasin  of  tlic  WalKi.sh,  - 
X.     Ruiiiaiiider  of  tlio  Oliio  Bu.sin, 


309 

:ui 

316 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  SOUTHERN  HASIN  — CONCLUDED. 

REOIONS     EAST     OF    THE    Ml^SISyU'PI     RIVER,    AND     NORTH   OF    THE 


OHIO    BASIN. 

Sect.  I.  General  Views, 

IL  Basin  of  the  Kaskaskia  River, 

III.  Basin  of  the  Illinois  River,  - 

IV.  Basin  of  Rock  River,      -        -         .         . 
V.  Ilcniuin(Jer  of  the  Southern  Basin, 


31'J 
320 
3-^0 
327 
330 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  EASTERN  OR  ST.  LAWRENCE  HYDROGRArillCAL  BASIN. 

GENERAL    VIIAVS    OF    THE    WHOLE    BASIN  :     LAKES     SUPERIOR,     JIICHI- 

GAN,   AND    HURON. 

Sect.  I.     Basin  of  Lake  Superior, 333 

IL     Basin  of  Lake  IMicliigan,      --.-....  33G 

[X.]     Basin  of  L;iko  Huron, 315 

[VI.]    Straits  between  Luke  Huron  and  Lake  Erio  :  Lake  St.  Clair,         -  351 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  EASTERN  OR  ST.  LAWRENCE  BASIN —  CONTINUED. 

BASIN    OF    LAKE    ERIE. 

Sect.  I.     Basin  of  the  River  Raisin,        ---.-...  3f)'J 

1 1.     Basin  of  the  IMaunice  River  and  Bay,     ---...  ,'jGO 

IH.     The  Sandusky  Basin, .'iCG 

IV.     Basin  of  Huron  River,          --..-...  3(39 

V,     Basin  of  Black  River, 371 

VI.     The  Cuyahopa  Basin, 370 

VII.     Basin  of  the  Chagrin,      ----.,,..  375 

VIII.     Basin  of  Grand  River, 377 

IX.     Lake  Shore,  from  Painesville  to  Buffalo, 378 

X.     City  of  Buflalo, 380 

XL     Northern  side  of  the  Erio  Basin,       -         - 3g2 

XII.     Remarks  on  tlio  Basin  of  the  Upper  Lakes,  -         -         -        .         .  35^4 


CHAPTER  XIY. 

THE  EASTERN  OR  ST.  LAWRENCE  BASIN- 

BASIN    OF    LAKE    ONTARIO. 


•CONTINUED. 


Sect.  I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 

Vll. 


Hydrograpliical  outlines,  ---..... 
Basin  of  tiie  Niagara  River,  --.... 

The  Lake  Shore  from  Niagara  River  to  Genessco  River,   - 
Basin  of  Genessee  River,      ----... 

Basin  of  Oswego  River,  with  its  Lakes, 

Basin  of  Black  River,  -----... 
Coast  of  Lake  Ontario,  from  Niagara  River  to  Burlington  Bay,  ■ 


389 
390 
392 
394 
400 
405 
40G 


VIII 

ix.! 
x.i 


Sect.  l.| 

11. 

III. 

IV.l 

V. 
VI. 

VII. 
VIII. 


Sect.  I. 
U. 


t 


309 

nil 

316 


OF  TUE 


3ia 
320 
3:20 
327 
330 


lASIN. 
,    MICIII- 


333 
336 
315 
351 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

VIII.    Coast  nnil  Basin  of  iiako  Ontario,  from  Burlinfjton  Bay  to  the  Valloy  of 

tlio  TrtMit, 

IX.     Basin  of  Hk;  Trent,  and  tlie  Buy  of  Uninlo, 

X.     Kingston, 

CHAPTER  XV. 
THE  EASTERN  OR  ST.  LAWRENCE  BASIN -CONCLUDED. 
Sect.  I.     Tlic  River  St.  Lawrenci-,  from  Lako  Ontario  to  tlio  Island  of  Montreal, 
II.     Basin  of  Ottawa  River, 

III.  island  and  City  of  Muntrral, 

IV.  Region  Soutli  and  North  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  between   Montreal  and 

Qnrhcr,  ..-------- 

V.     Quebec,-         ...-------- 

VI.     Estuary  of  the  St.  Lawrence, 

VII.     Pardlel  hetween  the -Mi.ssissipiii  and  St.  Lawrence  Rivers, 
VIII.     Of  the  St.  Lawrence  as  a  jilace  of  Sunnner  Resort  fur  Invalids,      - 

CIIArTER  XVI. 

THE  HUDSON  AND    ARCTIC  HYDROGRAPHICAL  BASINS. 

INTRODUCTION. 

Sect.  I.     The  Hudson  Ilydrographical  Basin, 

II.     The  Arctic  llydroirraphical  Basin, 

Conclusion  of  Tojiojjraph;-,     -.-•--- 


ZUl 


■103 
411 
413 


111 
417 

418 

420 
■1-Jl 
420 
•130 
432 


437 
412 
44G 


\i 


;d. 


350 
360 
306 
309 
371 
372 
376 
377 
378 
380 
382 
3S4 


389 
390 
392 
394 
400 
405 
400 


PART   II. 

CLIMATIC    ETIOLOGY. 

CHAPTER  I. 

NATURE,    DYNAxMICS,    AND    ELEMENTS    OF    CLIMATE. 

Sect.  I.     General  Views,         ......---- 

II.     Causes  wliich  modify  the  Climate  of  the  Interior  Valley, 

CHAPTER  IT. 

TEMPERATURE  OF  THE  INTERIOR  VALLEY. 
Sect.  T.     Mean  Temperature  of  the  Year,       ...---• 
II.     Extremes  of  Heat  and  Cold, 

III.  Distribution  of  the  Mean  Annual  Temperature  through  the  Seasons, 

IV.  Distribution  of  Temperature  through  the  Months,         ... 
V.     Pairs  of  Months, 

VI.     Diurnal  and  Sudden  Variations,    --...-. 
VII.     Mean  Temperatures  Deterinincrl  by  Induction,  .         .         .         . 

VIII.     Temperatures  of  St.  l/ouis  and  Cincinnati,  with  Diagrams,    - 
IX.     Curve  of  Mean  Temperature  of  the  Interior  Valley,  .        .        . 

CHAPTER   III. 
ATMOSPHERIC  PRESSURE  OF   THE  INTERIOR  VALLEY. 

Sect.  I.     Introduction, 

II.     Barometric  Observations  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri,         .         .         .         . 

III.  Barometrical  Observations  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,       .... 

IV.  Barometric  Observations  at  Hudson,  Ohio, 


447 
449 


453 

ITS 
485 
4'I6 
507 
510 
516 
''•19 
u30 


531 
.531 
536 
541 


1^1 


11' 


xir  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS, 

narometric  <  )l)servatioiis  at  Toronto,  Cuiiiulu  \\  est,         .         .         - 
Hiiroiiu'tric  ()l)sorviitions  at  Monlri-al,  (Junaila  East,  ... 

(ieinT.ilizatioiis,    .--.-..-  .- 

I'liy.siological  and  Etiological  ElTccts  of  varying  Atniosiilicric  rres^ure, 

CllAPTKK  lY. 

WINDS  OF  THE    INTERlOll  VALLEY. 

Introductory  observations,    ----.- 
T,il)nlar  Vitnvs  of  tlio  \\'iiid  at  our  .Military  Posts,       ... 
Tabular  Virvrs  of  tin;  Wind  !:t  various  Civil  Stalions, 
Ordi-r,  Rolativo    Prevalence,  Cliaracteristics,  and  ElVects  of  our  Various 
Winds,       ........ 

CIlAPTEll  [IV]. 

AQUEOUS    METEORS. 

Sect.  T.     Tvainaud  Snou',        .-....- 
II.     Clear,  Cloudy,  Rainy,  and  .Snowy  Days,  .... 

III.     Humidity,    ...-.--. 


1 


[IV.] 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 


Sect.  I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 


51.5 

r).")0 

5.50 
5JG 


r)57 

.5.")0 
5C4 


591 
GUI 


CHAPTER  V. 

ELECTRICAL  PHENOMENA;  DISTRIBUTION  OF  PLANTS  AND  ANIMALS. 

Sect.  I.     Atmospheric  Electricity. — Thunder  Storms. — Hurricanes,     -  -        CIl 

I        Climatic  Distribution  of  Plants  and  Aniuu.ls,  ...  go;; 


Sect. 


II. 
ill. 
IV 

V. 
VI. 


PART    III. 

PHYSIOLOGICAL  AND  SOCIAL  ETIOLOGY. 

CHAPTER  T. 

POPULATION. 
Sect.  I.     Division  into  Varieties,     -...----- 
II.     Caucasian  Variety. — Historical,  Chronological,  and  Geographical  Anal- 


ysis, 


III.  Physiological  Characteristics, 

IV.  Statistical  Physiology,  .... 

CHAPTER  IT. 
MODES   OF   LIVING. 
Sect.  I.     Diet.— Solid  Food,  .... 

II.     Liquid  Diet  and  Table  Drinks,       .         .         - 

III.  Water, 

IV.  Alcoholic  Beverages,     .        .         -         -        - 
V.     Tobacco,  ...... 


637 

6.38 
611 

650 


653 
657 
601 
6CS 
673 


CHAPTER  III. 

CLOTHING,  LODGINGS,  BATHING,  HABITATIONS,  AND  SHADE-TREES 
Sect.  I.     Clothing,      ..-..-.- 
II.     Balliing,  ........ 

III.     Lodgings,      ...-.--. 


I 


IV.     Habitations, 
V.     Shade-trees.  ■ 


676 
679 

671} 
6S1 
6S3 


SPECUL 
S3ct.  L 
IL 
III. 


545 

5j0 
;g«ure,      556 


r.57 

5G4 


Various 


572 


587 
5'Jl 
GUI 


ANIMALS. 
Gil 


637 

il  Anal- 

638 
61t 
C50 


653 
657 
CGI 
6G8 
673 


IE-TREES. 
676 
679 
671} 
6f;i 
6S3 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IV. 
OCCUPATIONS,  PURSUITS,   EXHRCI.-i;,  AND  RECREATIONS. 

Sect.  I.     Agricultural   Lalmrs, 

II.     Commercial  Pursuits,  .-.-_... 

ill.     Aliuiniraud  Siiieltiug, 

IV.     Salt  Making, 

V.     Mi'chaiiical  and  Chomical  .Arts,  anil  Maiuifuclures,    -         -         .         . 

VI.     E.xurcisc,  Refi-atiou,  aiul  Amusement. 

Conclusion  of  Hook  First, 


XV 


GR4 

GS5 

g:ii 

GDI 
61)5 
696 
701 


ROOK  SECOND. 

FEBRILE    DISEASES. 

TAUT   I. 

AUTUMNAL      F  F,  V  F  R. 
CHAPTER  T. 

NOMENCLATURE,  VARIETIES,  AND    GEOCiKAPIIlCAL    LIMITS   OF  AU- 
TUMNAL   FEVER,    TOC ETHER    WITH     THE    TOPOGRAPHICAL    AND 
CLIMATIC  CONDITIONS  UNDER  WHICH  IT  PREVAILS. 
Sect.  1.     I>    liohclaturc.  —  Variety.  —  IdiMility,  ....  7^3 

II.     Gi.'ojrraphical  Limits,  -------         701 

III.     Coiiiiilioiis  which  impose  Googra])iiical  Limits,  and  give  unequal  preva- 
lence to  Autumnal  Fever,  .....  7Q9 

CHAPTER  II. 
SPECULATIONS  ON  THE  EFFICIENT   CAUSE  OF   AUTUMNAL   FEVER. 
Sact.  I.     Meteoric  Hypothesis,         - 716 

II.  ;\Ialarial  Hypothesis,      --- 7]g 

III.    Vegeto-Aiiimalcular  Hypothesis, >        723 

CHAPTER  III. 

MODE  OF  ACTION,  AND  FIRST  EFFECTS  OF  THE  REMOTE  CAUSE  OF 

AUTUMNAL  FEVER. 

Sect.  L     Application  of  the  Poison, 728 

II.    Mode  of  Action,  --.- 732 

CHAPTER  IV. 

VARIETIES  AND  DEVELOPMENT  OF  AUTUMNAL  FEVER. 
Sect.  I.     Varieties,          ----.--...-        734 
II.     Development  and  Pathological  Character, 736 

CHAPTER  V. 

INTERMITTENT  FEVER— SIMPLE  AND  INFLAMMATORY. 
Sect.  I.     Simple  liitermitteuts— History  and  Pathology,  -  -  -         712 

II.     Treatment  of  Simple  Intermittiuls,  -  .  -  -  743 

III.  Intlammatory  Intermitteuts,    ------         751 


>,     i 


:'l 


■■) 


f  m 


mv. 


1 


^ 


I  i  ■ 


lii 


XVi  TABLE  or  CONTENTS. 

C1IA1»TER  VI. 

MALIGNANT  INTERMITTKNT  FEVER. 

Sect.  L    Cononil  'liHtorj-,      -.--...  7jG 

II.     Sjiii])ton)aloloj;y,        .......  75,^ 

HI.     I'atliolojjy  and  Comjjliciitions,  .....  764 

IV.     Tr-atmi.'.'ii  in  tlie  I'iiroxysin,   ---.-.  76.') 

V.     Trfatmcnt  in  tlio  lutcriiiissioii,        .....  773 

VI.     Conclusion,      -..-.-..  77^ 

CIIAPTEll  YJI. 

REMITTENT  AUTUMNAL    I'EVKR  —  SIMPLE   AND  INFLAM.MATORY  — 

CON.SIDERED  TOGETHER. 

.Sect.  I.    Symptoinn,  .--.-...  779 

II.     TreaUiient,       .--.-...  75^ 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
MALIG^  ANT  REMITTENT  FEVER. 

Sect.   I.     (ioneral  Remarks, -  794 

II.     Diagnosis  and  Futliology,  .--.....  795 

III.     Treatment, idO 

CHAPTER  IX. 

PROTRACTED,  RELAPSING,  AND  VERNAL  INTERMITTENTS. 

Sect.  I.     Chronic  and  Relapsing  Cases,  -..---..  809 

II.     Vernal  Interniittents, 811 

III.     Treatment — Hygienic  and  Medical,  ......  y^.j 

CHAPTER  X. 

PATHOLOGICAL  ANATOMY  AND  CONSEQUENCES  OF  AUTUMNAL 

FEVER. 

Sect.  I.     Mortality  of  Autumnal  Fever, 818 

II.     Condition  of  tl'.e  Ulood  iii  Autumnal  Fever, 819 

III.  Pathological  Anatomy  of  Intermittent  Fever,         ....  820 

IV.  Pathological  Anatomy  of  Remittent  Fever, 823 

V.     Consequences  of  Autumnal  Fever,       ...  .        .  831 

CHAPTER  XI. 
CONSEQUENCES  OF  AUTLMNAL  FEVER. 

Sect.  I,     Diseases  of  the  Spleen  :  General  Views,  .-..--  835 

II.     Splenitis,     -.--.---...  83S 

III.  Sujipuration  of  the  Spleen,       ...-..--  840 

IV.  Enlargement  of  the  Spleen,  .......  842 

V.    Diseases  of  the  Liver, 849 

VI.     Dropsy,        ...........  855 

VII.    Periodical  Neuralgia, --  663 


cough. 


756 

758 
7G4 
7C5 
773 

77d 


MATORY  — 


'III 


'ENTS. 


779 
78i 


794 
795 
7D9 


809 
811 

yi4 


TUMNAL 


818 
819 
820 
823 
831 


835 
838 
840 
842 
849 
855 
663 


i 

I 


PRINCirAL   DISEASES 

01'  '11 1  r. 

INTERlOil  \ALLEV  OV  NOHTJI  AMEillCA. 


GENERAL   ETIOLOGY. 


IXTIiODCCTlON. 

Tiirr.E  nvo.  dii^cascs  wliicli  opcur  indcpemlcudy  of  .ill  Icnnvrn  cxtornnl  iiiflu- 
cnocs,  wliicli  alVei't  indlvid'ials  of  all  ra(?es,  ami  present  in  :ill  cases  Substan- 
tially tlio  same  symptoms  aii'l  lesiuiis  of  stni<'turc ;  of  wliicli  caiicor,  fungus 
li,Tm;ito(los,  melanosis,  -wens,  cataract,  or-sllieations,  apojiloxy,  and  various 
elirouie  airectious  of  tlie  sl<iM,  may  be  cited  as  oxamjiles.  There  are  others. 
do])enclinf;  on  known  ami  common  causes  to  whieli  man  is  exposed  in  ;ill 
countries,  climates,  and  states  of  society ;  such  as  inflammations  from  Ttiffhin- 
iual  injuries,  burns,  or  <\e  i'lgestion  of  acrid  poisons,  which,  respectively, 
present  nearly  the  same  characteristics,  wherever  or  in  whatever  race  they 
occur.  Others,  again,  result  from  specific  causes  which  arc  r(})roduccd  in  the 
bodies  of  the  sick,  whereby  they  spread,  with  great  uniformity  of  symptoms, 
to  all  who  are  exposed;  such  as  small  pox,  cow  pox,  measles,  and  hooping 
cough.  Tn  reference  to  all  these,  and  other  diseases  which  might  be  men- 
tioned, it  may  be  said,  that  the  observations  made  in  one  country  arc,  in  the 
main,  cf^ually  applicable  to  every  other.  The  maladies  are  the  common 
scourge  of  (jur  race ;  i.  d  the  knowledge  of  their  symptoms,  lesions,  and 
treatment,  the  common  heritage  of  our  }u*ofcs.sion. 

On  the  other  hand,  there  arc  diseases  which  scarcely  ever  occur  but  in  cer- 
tain climates,  localities,  or  states  of  society;  of  which  Ave  may  select  i- v 
illustration,  yellow  fever,  autumnal  intermittent  and  remittent  fever,  plague, 
pneumonia,  goitre  and  cretinism,  gout,  scurvy,  and  mania,  most  of  which, 
moreover,  in  different  countries,  ages,  and  races,  exhibit  some  variety  of  type, 
and  demand  some  peculiarity  of  treatment.  Here  then  is  the  foundation  of 
local  medical  history  and  practice;  a  basis  Avhich  docs  not  support  the 
whole  nosology,  and  yet  is  broad  enough  for  a  large  superstructure,  when- 
ever an  extended  rcgiim  constitutes  the  field  of  in(|uirv. 
1  ^     • 


S!'|«  i\ 


■  t*! 


u.  in 


1  ''^. 


il 


1  .1.; 


1 


2 


LNTRODUCTION. 


[book  I. 


Tliat  nifiiiy  pliysicians  ovcrrato  tho  dogrco  of  variation  from  a  common 
stamLird  will  'h  tho  disoast's  of  (lilTiTcnt  countrii.'.s  present,  T  nm  ((uitc  eori- 
vlnci'd  ;  but  feel  eiiually  usHurcd,  tiiat  if  tlio  maladies  of  cacli  CKiiiitry  wore 
studieil  and  described.  •  'tliout  a  rcfercnec  to  those  of  any  other,  it  would  bo 
found,  if  tho  state  of  i..  il  seienec  wero  equal  in  thcni,  that  tho  works  thus 
prodneed  would  not  be  .  utublo,  I)ut  that  eaeh  would  be  better  adtipted, 
as  a  book  of  etinlngy  diagnosis,  and  jiractiec,  to  the  |in»feHsion  and  jiodjdo 
amon;:;  whieh  it  was  written,  than  to  any  otiier.  llatr  murk  better,  would 
depend  on  the  various  identities  and  discrepancies  whicii  might  exist  between 
tho  countries  thus  c(,mpared.  Tf  their  geolngical,  hydrograpliical,  topogra- 
phical, climatic,  sucial,  and  pliysidlogical  conditions  wero  nearly  the  same,  of 
course  their  medical  histories  would  bo  much  alike ;  but  if  they  differed 
widely  in  one  or  several  of  these  cunditiiins,  a  corresponding  diversity  would 
appear  in  tho  respective  histories  of  all  tiio  diseases,  whieh  admit  of  modiflca- 
tion  from  causes  refcjrablo  to  those  heads. 

Tho  work  on  which  wo  nro  entering,  is  an  attempt  to  present  an  account, 
etiological,  symptomatica!,  and  therapeutic,  of  tho  most  important  diseases  of 
a  particular  poviion  ()f  tho  earth  ;  not  of  a  state  or  jxilitical  division,  for  it  is 
indirectly,  and  to  a  very  limited  extent  only,  that  civil  divisions  can  originate 
varieties  in  the  character  of  disease.  Physical  causes  lie  at  the  bottom  of 
whatever  diU'erenees  tho  maladies  of  different  portions  of  the  earth  may  pre- 
sent ;  and  hence  the  region  which  a  medical  historian  selects,  should  have 
well-i^'i  ;ed  natural,  and  not  merely  conventional  boundaries. 

The  iNTKiaoii  A^\^I.KY,  or  deeply  depressed,  intermontane  plain  of  North 
Amuiica,  has  been  already  announced,  as  the  region  to  which  this  work  re- 
lates. Great  valleys  have  both  alpine  and  marine  borders,  and  the  medical 
historian  should  comprehend  them  in  his  researches.  Faithful  to  this  duty, 
and  adopting  a  hydrographical  method,  I  have  ascended  our  streams  to  their 
mountain  sources,  or  descended  them  to  the  sea,  at  points  exceedingly  dis- 
tant from  each  other.  The  vast  extent  of  this  field  of  iiuj^uiry  would,  at  first 
view,  seem  to  bo  a  great  disadvantage,  but  is,  in  fact,  highly  favorable  to  tho 
development  of  results ;  as  it  enables  us  to  trace  a  disease,  in  continuity, 
from  its  points  of  greatest  prevalence,  to  its  disappearance  under  new  physi- 
cal or  moral  and  social  conditions. 

To  these  conditions  I  wish  now  to  direct  tho  attention  of  tho  reader. 
When  they  are  subjected  to  a  first  analysis,  we  find  them  resolved  into  three 
principal  groups.  Tho  first  comprehends  all  that  belong  to  the  earth,  con- 
sidered in  tho  composition  and  mechanical  arrangement  of  its  superficial 
strata,  tho  qualities  of  its  soil,  and  the  amount,  distribution,  and  quality  of  its 
waters :  these  are  the  telluric  or  geological  influences.  The  second  compri- 
ses all  that  belong  to  tho  atmosphere,  in  its  mechanical  action,  sensible 
qualities,  and  adventitious  impregnations:  which  make  the  climatic  or  mete- 
orological influences.  To  the  third  belongs  whatever  appertains  to  society, 
considered  in  reference  to  national  physiology,  density  of  population,  diet, 


BdOK    I.] 

drinliM, 

iinproM 

It  i.i 

e.''HCH     Ml 

rcfurrc 
incln(iiii 
ration  \\i 
In  (If.' 
noicd  th 
been  att 
which,  fr 
uection, 
i'enerall'i 


t 


[book  I. 

in  a  ciiiiiiiiori 
m  quite  con- 
country  were 
r,  it  w(»ul(l  1)0 
lio  works  tlius 
•ttor  ailiiptcii, 
in  and  jicoplo 
bctte;',  would 
exist  between 
lical,  topogra- 
>'  tlic  same,  of 
they  difi'urcd 
iversity  would 
it  of  niudiflcu- 

t  an  account, 
lit  diseases  of 
'isiun,  fur  it  is 
can  originate 
he  bottom  of 
rtli  niuy  pre- 
I,  should  have 

lin  of  North 
lis  work  re- 
tlio  medical 
to  this  duty, 
cams  to  their 
eediiigly  dis- 
ould,  at  first 
orable  to  the 
continuity, 
now  physi- 

thc  reader, 
d  into  three 

earth,  eon- 
s  superficial 

uality  of  its 
Olid  conipri- 
on,  sensible 
tic  or  mete- 
to  society, 

ation,  diet, 


■OOK  I.) 


INTRODUCTION. 


8 


drlnkM,  clothing,  occupations,  amu.wmcntH,  intcllcr tual  cultivation,  and  mtTal 
iiuiirovt'iiient :  in  whiih  arc  cniltraced  the  .social  and  ph_v.'<i.ilogical  inflmnccs. 

It  i.s  not  necc9.sary  to  decide  that  all  th('"agcnts  capabht  of  producing  dis- 
00SC8  not  found  in  other  countries,  or  of  moditying  those  which  are,  can  Lj 
referred  to  tlie.so  heads;  but  they  will  certainly  coiiipnhcnd  the  majority, 
including  the  most  important;  and  whatever  remain,  will  fall  under  conside- 
ration with  the  jiarticuhir  disca.<es  which  tiiey  either  occa.siuu  or  moilify. 

In  describing  our  topography,  climate,  and  states  of  society,  I  might  have 
noted  the  relative  prevalence  of  many  diseases ;  but  such  a  course  would  have 
been  attended  with  numerou.^  embarra.ssments.  I  selected  two,  therefore, 
which,  from  universal  observation,  are  known  to  have  a  most  iiitiniate  con- 
nection, in  their  origin  or  prevalence,  with  soil  and  climate ;  and  have  very 
generally  noted  the  degree  of  their  occurrence,  or  their  absence,  in  each 
locality;  thus  endeavoring  to  maintain  in  the  mind  of  the  reader,  the  con- 
nection which,  in  nature,  exists  between  topograjihy  and  etiology.  He  must 
not,  however,  forget  that  this  connection  is  nut  limited  to  those  diseases,  but 
must  expect  that,  in  the  study  of  many  others,  a  reference  to  the  topogra- 
phical descriptions  on  which  we  are  about  to  enter,  will  freijuently  be  made. 

As  an  introduction  to  the  difficult  ta.sk  of  topographical  description,  over 
so  large  a  surface,  I  have  attempted  to  prepare,  as  it  were,  a  geographical 
back  ground,  fitted  (to  continue  the  metaphor)  to  bring  out,  more  distinctly, 
the  characteristics  of  each  locality.  Tims  a  comprehensive  outline  of  tlio 
physical  geography  and  h^'drology  of  the  whole  region,  precedes  all  local 
description;  and  in  the  unsettled  portions  of  the  valley,  comprehends  all  that 
seemed  necessary  to  our  purpose.  I  have  also  sought  to  ^ivo  the  progressive 
topography  a  geological  basis,  a  liydrographical  guidance,  and  a  climatic 
order,  all  of  which,  it  will  bo  seen,  was  in  sonic  degree  practicable.  ]3egin- 
ning  with  the  shores  of  the  Culf  of  Mexico,  and  advancing  north,  wo  pass 
successively  over  all  the  geological  formatiuns  of  the  valley,  from  the  newest 
to  the  oldest.  Again,  commencing  at  the  gulf,  we  start  on  a  proper  hydro- 
graphical  base  line,  and  by  ascending  the  Mississippi,  are  guided  in  the  same 
direction  as  before.  Again,  in  starting  from  the  gulf,  below  the  twenty-third 
degree  of  north  latitude,  wc  get  a  tropical  base  line  for  otir  climates ;  and  in 
advancing  to  the  north,  reach,  progressively,  higher  latitudes,  greater  eleva- 
tions, and  further  distances  from  tuu  sea.  Finally,  while  ascending  the  Mis- 
sissippi, if  we  turn  from  it  to  the  ;ast  or  west,  we  constantly  attain  to  a 
higher  level  and  a  dryer  surface. 

If  we  pass  out  of  the  valley  of  that  river  into  the  basin  of  the  Creat  Lakes 
and  the  8t.  Lawrence,  we  find  similar,  though  less  striking,  relations.  Thus, 
in  descending  to  the  south,  from  the  summit  level  beyond  Lake  Sujiorior  to 
the  western  end  of  Lake  Erie,  wc  pass  regularly  from  older  to  newer  geologi- 
cal formations  —  from  a  wetter  to  a  dryer  surface  —  from  higher  to  lower 
levels ;  and  when  we  turn  from  the  extremity  of  the  latter  lake,  and  p.dvance 
in  the  direction  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  we  pass  from  newer  to  older  geological 


1 


■A 


INTRODUCTION. 


[book 


iloposlts,  —  from  lower  to  lii;^lior  liititiulcs,  iiiul  fnun  Iilglior  to  lowur  elova- 
tinii.s,  until  wo  roiicli  tlic  tiiks  in  tliiit  river.  Lastly,  if  wo  pass  ovor  tlio 
(liviiliii^  rid^ro  lictwocii  tlic  waters  of  the  .loutlierii  ami  iiortlitrii  parts  of 
tlio  Valley,  iiiid  desccml  tlio  rivors  wliicli  diHeiiibogvio  into  the  frozen  seas 
«)f  tlio  north,  wo  travel  most  of  tho  way  over  primitive  rocks,  aro  constantly 
arriving  in  a  higher  latitude,  and  as  constantly  sinking  to  a  lower  level, 
until  wo  reaeh  tho  ocean. 

It  has  In.'en  my  aim  to  keep  these  various  relations  in  view,  and  so  to 
proceed  with  tho  descriptions,  as  to  have  no  Ideality  insulated,  hut  each  to  fol- 
low Boino  other  in  a  natural  sequenee,  and  thus  to  arrange  the  whole  into 
one  topographical  system. 

With  what  degree  of  success  this  olijcet  has  boon  accomplished,  each 
reader  will  iluternnne  fur  hiniseU";  while  all,  1  trust,  will  approve  the  method, 
and  admit  the  iuhcrent  dillieuUics  of  its  csceutiou  on  so  great  a  gcalo. 


TOIM 


I 


!l|l" 


I.  N.s 
begins  wi 
tho  contii 
tomporati 
<!uU"  of  > 
Hudson  I 
two  dcgro 
■g  Apjialachi 
degree  of 
the  inime 
torrid  zoii 
Ocean, 
diverge  fi 
regularly 


II.    A 

to  speak 
eighteciitl 
seventiotl 
meridian ; 
decree  of 
tho  one  1 
western  i 
longitude 
If  we  a 
the  Valle; 
the  whole 
uninhabit 


[book  I. 

to  lower  t'lcva- 
e  jmcs  (ivor  the 
iIktii  jtnrts  of 
Ik'  iVi'Zcii  seas 
ari!  euii.staiitl)' 
a  lower  level, 

icw,  and  so  to 
l)iit  cueli  to  fol- 
tlio  wliolo  intu 

injdislicd,  each 
70  the  method, 
a  Ecalo. 


I 


^ 


J/AJiT    FIIJST. 

TOlHXiRArillCAL  AND  lIVDllOiiUArillCAL  KTIOlAKiV. 


CHAPTER  I. 

(1  KNiniAL    ANALYSIS. 

SKCTIOX  T. 

NATI'RAL   nOUNDAllIES,   AliKA,   AND   ASPECTS. 

T.      NaTIUAI,   IJolIND.MilKS. — TllC    TnTKUIOU    Vai.I.DY     of    NoKTII  AMKRtCA 

begins  witliiii  tlic  trnjtics,  and  t(Tniin:itoH  witliln  tlie  polar  circlt' ;  traviTsin^r 
tlio  eontiiHMit  from  nouth  to  iiortli,  and  jiassini;  tlirougli  tlic  ontiri'  novtlieni, 
temperate  zone.  In  the  south  it  rests  upon,  and  is  deeply  indented  liy,  tlio 
Gulf  of  i^fexleo;  in  the  north  it  bears  a  .similar  relution  to  the  Polar  Sea  and 
Hudson  l>ay:  the  latter  penetrating,'  it  so  deejdy,  as  to  come  witliin  twonty- 
two  de^rrei's  of  latitude  of  tlio  (Inlf  of  ."NIexico.  On  the  cast  its  limits  are  the 
Appalachian  Monntains,  which  extiMid  from  tiie  thirty -tlurd  to  the  litty-third 
degree  of  latitude,  each  end  terminating  in  a  low  water  shed.  On  the  west, 
the  immense  chains  of  llocky  and  Sea-side  Mountains,  beginning  within  the 
torrid  zone  and  ending  beyond  the  p^lar  circle,  seclude  it  from  the  Pacific 
Ocean.  These  mountain  borders,  as  may  bo  seen  on  the  map  (P/.  I), 
diverge  from  each  other  as  they  cross  the  continent,  and  thus  the  ^'alley 
regularly  widens  as  it  passes  from  south  to  north. 

II.  AuKA. — Of  the  area  of  this  great  intermontano  region  it  is  not  easy 
to  speak  with  much  precision.  To  the  south  its  latitudes  vary  from  the 
eighteenth  to  tlie  thirtieth  parallels;  in  the  north,  from  the  littieth  to  the 
seventieth.  In  the  south,  its  eastern  margin  is  found  near  the  eighty- first 
meridian ;  its  western,  in  tho  one  hundred  and  fifth ;  but  in  the  fifty-third 
degree  of  latitude,  it  advances  cast  to  the  fifty-sixth  meridian,  and  west  to 
the  one  hundred  and  si.xteenth;  finally,  in  the  sixty-eighth  parallel,  its 
western  margin  is  found  in  the  one  hundred  and  thirty-sixth  degree  of 
longitude. 

If  wc  assume  eight  millions  of  square  miles  as  the  area  of  North  America, 
the  Valley  cannot  bo  estimated  at  less  than  six  millions,  or  three-fourths  of 
the  whole  continental  surface.  Its  northern  half,  however,  is  rendered  nearly 
uninhabitable  by  the  state  of  its  surface  and  its  climate;  and,  therefore,  the 


■}\ 


*f  - ' 


»T! 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I. 


PART   I.l 


portion  wlilch  presents  objects  of  immediate  interest  to  the  medical  ctiolo- 
gist,  doc  not  exceed  three  millions  of  square  miles,  of  which,  as  yet,  not 
more  than  one-third  has  acc^uired  even  a  sparse  civilized  population. 


gcnorall 
whicli 


1 

i 


m 


III.  Asi'ECTS. — The  Rocky  Mountains,  which,  as  wo  have  seen,  constitute 
the  western  boundary  uf  the  Great  Valle}',  are  a  continuation  of  the  Cordil- 
leras of  .Mexico.  Their  course  is  nearly  north  west,  to  the  twenty-eighth  or 
thirtieth  parallel;  then  north,  to  the  forty -fourth  or  forty-fifth,  and  then 
north-north  west  to  the  seventieth,  where  they  reach  the  Polar  Sea.  Their 
elevation,  which  becomes  rather  greater  as  we  advance,  varies  from  ten 
to  fourtoerK  thousand  feet.  They  are  composed  of  many  chains,  closely 
united  by  offsets.  Their  average  distance  from  the  coast  of  the  I'acific 
Ocean,  to  which  they  lie  nearly  parallel,  is  about  ten  degrees  of  longitude. 
Very  near  that  coast,  however,  there  runs  another  chain,  of  narrower  base,  but 
equal  or  greater  altitude,  especially  in  the  far  north,  where  some  of  the 
peaks  rise  to  the  bight  of  fifteen  or  sixteen  thousand  feet.  These  moun- 
tains originate  in  the  peninsula  of  California,  near  the  tropic  of  cancer,  and 
terminate  about  the  sixiietli  degree  of  north  latitude.  They  are  called,  by 
Ilumbuldt,  the  Ca'ifornian  Maritime  Alps  —  by  Fremont,  the  Sierra  Nevada. 
Many  -if  them  arc  volcanic.  The  valley  of  the  Oregon,  or  Columbia  Eiver, 
lies  between  this  chain  and  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  makes  its  way  to  the 
Pacific  through  the  former,  about  the  forty-sixth  parallel. 

The  physiiuan  who  would  understand  the  true  character  of  the  climate  of 
the  Interiur  ^^alley,  from  south  to  north,  cannot  too  strongly  fix  his  attention 
on  these  lengthened  and  elevated  mountain  chains,  which  so  eflPectually  cut  it 
off  from  the  genial  influences  of  the  Pacific  Ocean.  In  descending  upon  the 
plain,  of  which  they  constitute  the  western  buttress,  we  find  that  they  rise 
from  five  to  sis  thousand  feet  above  it.  Reyond  the  fiftieth  degree  of  north 
latitude,  a  chain  of  lakes  approaches  them,  and  a  long  river  flows  near  their 
base  into  the  Polar  Sea.  Rclow  that  parallel  the  lakes  are  distant ;  the 
rivers  generally  flow  off  at  right  angles  from;  these  mountain  chains ;  und 
spurs  and  tracts  of  hill  or  high  table  land  project  from  them,  or  are  lound 
insulated  upon  the  plain,  of  which  the  most  elevated  and  extensive  are  the 
following : 

1.  The  Sweetwater  Mountains  and  Black  HUh. — Shooting  out  from  the 
flanks  of  the  Rocky  ^Mountains,  between  the  forty-second  and  forty-tiiird 
parallels,  the  Sweetwater  mountains  bear  to  the  east,  from  the  one  hundred 
and  ninth  to  the  one  hundred  and  sixth  meridian ;  when,  receiving  the  name 
of  Rlack  Hills,  they  stretch  off  to  the  north  cast,  and  terminate  about  the 
forty-sixth  parallel.     Their  altitude  ranges  from  four  to  eight  thou&and  feet. 

2.  The  Llano  Estacado,  or  Staked  Plain,  lies  south  of  the  last,  in  mean 
latitude  thirty-fom  degrees  north,  and  m,  an  longitude  one  hundred  and  two 
degrees  west.     It  may  be  regarded  as  an  extensive  tract  of  table  land,  the 


as  a  ru!. 
eighth 
the  :\Iis| 
undeterl 


% 


[book  I. 

medical  ctiolo- 
ch,  as  yet,  not 

lation. 

seon,  constitute 
of  the  Curdil- 
onty-eighth  or 
fifth,  and  then 
ir  Sea.  Their 
irics  from  ten 
chains,  closely 
of  tlie  I'ucific 
3  of  longitude, 
•ower  base,  but 
;  some  of  the 
These  moun- 
of  cancer,  and 
are  called,  by 
Mcrra  Nevada, 
ilunibia  lliver, 
its  way  to  the 

the  climate  of 

lis  attention 

ctually  cut  it 

ing  upon  the 

that  tliey  rise 

gree  of  north 

iws  near  their 

distant ;  the 

chains ;  aud 

or  are  lound 

iisive  are  the 

out  from  the 
forty-tiiird 
one  hundred 
ng  the  name 
te  about  the 
iOus,and  feet. 

ast,  in  mean 
red  and  two 
le  laud,  the 


PART    I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


general  surface  of  which  is,  by  estimate,  two  thousand  feet  above  the  streams 
which  flow  around  its  steep  acclivities.* 

3.  The  Ozark  Mountains. — They  commence  not  far  from  the  eastern 
margin  of  the  Llano  Estacado,  of  which  they  ought,  perhaps,  to  be  regarded 
as  a  ruggod  continuation ;  and,  bearing  north  cast,  terminate  about  the  thirty- 
eiglith  degree  of  north  latitude  and  the  ninety-ilrst  of  west  longitude,  near 
the  ^lissouri  river.  Their  l>rcadth  is  not  great,  and  their  elevation  (as  yet 
undetermined)  is,  pcrliaps,  not  above  that  of  the  Llano  Estacado. 

4.  The.  Colcau  des  pralrira,  a  table  land  rising  to  tlie  hight  of  eighteen 
hundred  and  even  two  thousand  feet,  and  distributing  the  rivers  which  origi- 
nate upon  it,  between  the  Mississipjii  and  jMissouri.  Its  head  or  northern 
extremity  is  in  latitude  forty-six  degrees  north. 

Such  are  tlie  chief  protuberances  on  the  groat  inclined  jilain,  which 
descends  from  the  eastern  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  to  the  synclinal 
axis,  or  trough,  of  the  Valley. 

Let  us  pass  to  a  similar  survey  of  the  eastern  side  of  the  Valley. 

As  we  have  already  seen,  the  Appalachian  .Mountains  limit  the  Valley 
plain  to  the  ea.st.  In  lengtli  and  breadth  they  are  but  little  more  than  one 
third  as  great  as  the  Rocky  Moun^nins, — in  altitude,  about  one-fourth; 
though  a  few  r-vmmiits,  botli  in  the  south  and  north,  rise  to  more  than  one- 
third  of  the  elevation  of  the  highest  points  of  the  western  chain.  Their 
general  course  is  north  east,  and  mostly  parallel  to  the  western  shore  of  the 
Atlantic  Ocean.  They  are  composed  of  interrupted,  but  nearly  parallel, 
ridges;  which,  between  the  latitudes  of  forty-two  and  forty-six  degrees,  are 
cut  tlirougli  in  two  places  to  the  level  of  the  plain  of  which  tlicy  are  tlie  eas- 
tern rampart,  and  in  one  place  to  tlie  level  of  tlio  sea.  On  their  \.  .3tern  side, 
they  are  flanked  by  an  elevated  belt  of  hills,  from  the  latitude  of  forty-two 
to  thirty-three  degrees ;  where,  in  North  Alabama,  it  turns  to  the  west,  and 
approaches  the  ]\Iississippi  in  the  direction  of  the  Ozark  ^Mountains.  The 
plain,  which  stretches  from  the  Appalachian  chain  to  the  trough  of  the  Great 
Valley,  is  much  narrower  than  that  of  the  opposite  side ;  and,  although  in 
general  more  rugged,  presents  no  hills  or  table  lands  approaching  in  hight 
the  Ozark  IMountains,  the  Llano  Estacado,  or  the  Black  llills.  That  which 
constitutes  the  greatest  difi"erence  in  the  aspect  of  this,  compared  with  the 
last,  is  its  interruption  above  the  forty-second  degree  of  latitude,  uy  the 
Great  Lakes,  and  the  formation  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  which  makes  its  way 
tlirough  the  Appalachian  chain:  —  for  this  there  is  no  parallel  on  the 
western  side. 

The  northern  part  of  thr,  interior  of  the  continent  presents  much  less  of  a 
valley  aspect.  The  Rocky  Mountains  continue  to  the  Polar  Sea,  near  the 
seventieth  degree  of  latitude ;  but  the  Appalachian  range  expires  before  it 


«,1 


1 


II' 


*  Commerce  of  the  Prairies.     By  Josiah  Gregg,  now  M.  D. 


8 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I  BOOK    1. 


I'ART   I.] 


m 


readies  the  Labrador  cu,v?.t  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  about  the  fif'ty-tliirJ  par- 
allel. Thus  it  may  be  saiil,  that  a  great  flat  stretches  across  the  uorthcrn 
part  of  the  continent  from  the  llocky  3Iountains,  mIucIi  is  repeatedly 
indented  by  the  sea,  from  tlie  mouth  of  3IcKenzie  River,  ear  the  ter- 
mination of  the  Ttocky  IMountains,  round  to  the  coast  of  Labr;  lor,  resting  on 
the  (lulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 

It  will  be  seen  from  these  statements,  that  the  eastern  side  nf  tlie  Litcrior 
Valley  is  much  less  protected  from  the  influences  oi  the  Atlantic  Ocean, 
than  the  western  is  from  those  of  the  Pacific. 


SECTION  IL 

IIYDROGRAPIIIGAL  SYSTEM. 

We  must  now  take  a  brief  preliminary  view  of  the  hydrology  of  the 
region,  the  boundaries,  area,  and  aspects  of  which  have  been  comprehensively 
sketched. 

L  Seas. — Penetrating  deeply  into  tlie  southern  and  northern  sides  of  the 
Valley,  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  Hudson  ]5ay  (two  mediterranean  seas) 
exert  a  decided  influence  on  its  physical  character;  for  they  give  a  great 
extent  of  inland  sea  coast;  while  they,  respectivel}',  draw  to  themselves,  from 
opposite  directions,  many  large  rivers  which  originate  near  each  other  in  the 
central  parts  of  the  ^'alloy,  and  thus  establish  a  sort  of  water  axis  through 
the  continent,  nearly  in  the  direction  of  the  meridian. 

II.  Lakes. — ^Vhile  the  south-western  third  part  of  the  Valley  is  nearly 
destitute  of  lakes,  the  other  parts  present  them  in  countless  numbers.  The 
smaller  appear  to  be  dispersed  without  any  kind  of  order ;  but  the  larger, 
present  a  series,  or  system,  which  merits  attention.  Commencing  with  Great 
Bear  Jiake,  a  large  sheet  of  water  in  the  north-west  corner  of  the  "Valley, 
near  the  Arctic  Circle,  west  longitude  one  hundred  and  twentj'-seven  degrees, 
the  lacustrine  chain  stretches  toward  the  south  east.  To  that  lake  at  first 
succeeds  a  series  of  smaller  ones,  with  intervening  straits,  which  connect 
them  with  Great  Slave  Lake.  After  this  follows,  in  the  same  range,  Tiake 
Athabasca,  then  the  smaller  lakes  Wollaston  and  Peer,  then  Lake  "Wnnii- 
peg,  of  larger  size,  and  near  it  the  well-known  Lake  of  the  "Woods,  in  the 
forty-ninth  degree  of  north  latitude  and  ninety-fifth  wes<  longitude,  with 
which  arc  connected,  by  the  river  Winnij)og,  a  considerable  series  of  smaller 
lakes.  The  chain  now  suddenly  ex])ands  into  great  dimensions;  the  first 
Unk,  Lake  Suporim",  being  tlie  largest  on  the  continent.  To  this  succeed 
Huron  and  [Michigan,  and  then  Erie,  which  approaches  the  flanks  of  the  Appu 
lachian  Mountains,  in  the  latitude  of  forty-one  degrees  north,  and  the 
longitude  of  eighty  degrees  west.     "With  Lake  Erie  the  axis  changes  from 


I 


south  0 
mounta 
several 
many  si 
world 
Bear,  S 
middle 
Churcl 
Superio 
fourths 
scries  n 
the  norl 
chain 
ninety- 
axis  inti 
To  the 
surface 
known  ? 


[BOOK   I. 


TART   I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


9 


fty-tliird  par- 
thc  iiortliern 

is  repeatedly 
ear  the  ter- 

lor,  resting  on 

if  tlio  Interior 
tlantic  Ocean, 


rology  of  tbe 
npreliensively 


1  sides  of  the 
raneau  seas) 
give  a  great 
insclve.«,  from 
1  utlior  in  tlie 
axis  through 

ley  is  nearly 

niLers.     The 

it  the  larger, 

g  with  Great 

the  A'alley, 

vcn  degrees, 

lake  at  first 

jieh  connect 

range,  Lake 

juko  "Winni- 

oods,  in  tlic 

gitiide,  with 

s  of  f^nialler 

is;  the  first 

his  succeed 

f  the  Appu 

!i,  and   the 

langes  from 


south  east  to  nortli  east,  and  is  continued  in  that  direction,  parallel  to  the 
mountains,  through  Lake  Ontario,  until  it  roaches  the  St.  Lawrence ;  which  haa 
several  lacustrine  expansions,  and  is  connected  laterally  with  Chaniplain  and 
iiuiiiv  .'iniallcr  lakes.  This  is,  per]ia]is,  the  longest  series  of  lakes  wliioli  the 
world  contains.  The  superfluous  waters  of  those  which  lie  I'arthest  north,  as 
Rear,  Slave,  and  Athabasca,  flow  into  the  Arctic  Sea.  Further  south,  the 
middle  portions  (of  wliieh  Lake  Wiimiiieg  is  chief)  jiour  their  waters,  through 
Churchill  and  Nelson  Elvers,  into  Hudson  Ikiy.  The  eastern,  from  Lake 
Sujierior  to  Lake  Cluimplain,  flow  into  the  fiulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  For  three 
fourths  of  !*■;  length,  that  is,  from  (!reat  Hear  Lake  to  Lake  ^Michigan,  the 
series  runs  almost  parallel  to  the  I'ocky  ^lountains;  diverging,  however,  to 
the  north  at  an  angle  of  a  few  degrees;  wliile  the  last  fourth  part  of  the 
chain  lies  parallel  with  the  northern  Ajipalachian  ]\rountains.  About  the 
ninety-seventh  degree  of  west  longitude,  in  Lake  Wiiuiipcg,  the  lacustrine 
axis  intersects  the  river  axis  between  Hudson  ]}ay  and  the  (iulfof  iMexico. 
To  the  north  east  of  this  extended  chain,  on  every  side  of  Hudson  ]>ay,  the 
surface  abounds  in  lakes,  but  they  arc  generally  small  and  without  any 
known  systematic  distribution. 

nr.  EivERS. — The  invention  of  steamboats  has  given  a  new  impulse  to 
settlements  on  the  banks  of  rivers.  There  we  find  the  largest  cities;  and 
between  them,  where  tlie  banks  and  bottom  lands  are  sufficiently  elevated, 
wo  have  the  densest  rural  population.  Thus  our  rivers  have  become  objects 
of  paramount  interest  to  the  medical  etiolgist;  and  without  a  full  considera- 
tion of  them,  but  little  can  bo  said  on  the  endemic  felirile  diseases  of  tlic 
country,  lleserving  all  details  for  subsequent  chaiiters,  T  prop(j,>-e,  in  tliis 
preliminary  and  perspective  view,  to  present  a  rapid,  yet  systematic,  enu- 
meration of  the  most  important.  For  this  the  way  has  been  prepared,  by 
the  general  survey  of  oiu*  momitains,  elevated  plains,  seas,  and  lakes,  with 
some  of  wliich  every  considerable  river,  either  at  one  or  the  other  of  its 
extreniities,  is  connected.  In  calling  them  over,  it  will  be  advantageous  to 
do  it  by  the  centers  or  axes  in  which  they  originate.  Of  these  centers,  some 
are  entirely  within  the  A'alley — others,  among  the  mountains  which  constitute 
its  lateral  boundaries.     I  shall  begin  with  the  former. 

1.  Ydlhij  llijilrografliical  Axes  and  Centt'rs. 
A.  Of  these  centers  the  ii.ost  im[)ortant  is  the  region  wliicli  lies  west  of 
La]:e  Superior,  in  mean  latitude  forty-seven  degrees  north,  and  mean  longi- 
tude ninety -five  degrees  west.  Its  position,  as  may  be  seen  on  the  map 
(P/.  /.),  is  near  the  superficial  center  of  the  continent.  Its  average  elevation 
is  about  fi[\eQ\\  hundred  feet  above  the  sea,  its  greatest,  less  than  two  tliou- 
sand,  and  still  it  sends  off  vast  rivers,  in  three  different  ciirection^. 

a.  The  ^[hsis<!ippi  Rising  under  its  own  proper  name,  and  also  1)y  its 
great  tvibutary,  the  St.   Peter's,  or   Minisotah,  this  river  descends  to  the 


Xil 


'■'■M 


10 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[dook  1. 


PART   I. 


i. 


11 


i 

If'-'' 


11 


'•h 


1 

!"!' 


south,  tlirough  cightocn  degrees  of  latitude,  nnd  after  flowing  three  thousand 
miles,  chiefly  in  the  central  trough  of  the  (Jreat  A^alle},  pours  its  waters  into 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  under  the  twenty-nintli  parallel  of  latitude. 

h.  The  St.  Latorence  begins,  under  the  name  of  St.  Louis,  in  the  same 
region  with  the  Mississip])i.  By  a  rapid  descent,  it  throws  its  waters  into 
the  west  end  of  Lake  Superior,  to  issue  from  the  opposite  extremity  under 
the  name  of  St.  Man/s.  Lost  in  Lake  Huron,  it  reaj»pears  under  the  name 
of  St.  Clair  Rirr.r,  which  opens  into  the  lake  of  the  same  name;  whence  it 
emerges,  with  a  new  designation,  the  Detroit,  to  be  absorbed  by  Lake  Erie. 
Out  of  the  eastern  extremity  of  this  lake,  it  emerges  as  the  Niagara  River, 
to  precipitate  itself,  by  the  celebrated  Falls,  into  Lake  Ontario;  from  which, 
under  the  appellation  of  St.  Lawrence,  it  flows  north  eastwardly  into  the  gulf 
which  bears  its  name,  about  the  forty-eighth  degree  of  north  latitude,  and 
the  sixty-fourth  of  west  longitude,  having  a  length  of  about  two  thousand 
miles. 

c.  Red  River,  of  the  North.  The  sources  of  this  river  lie  on  the  same 
plateau  as  those  of  the  two  just  described;  whence  it  flows  directly  north, 
and  discharges  its  waters  into  Lake  Winnipeg,  from  which  they  issue  under 
the  names  of  Nelson  and  Hayes'  Rivers,  to  be  poured  into  Hudson  Bay,  in 
latitude  fifty-seven  degrees  north.  Its  length,  under  difi'erent  names,  is  about 
fifteen  hundred  miles.  The  bed  of  this  river  lies  nearly  in  the  same  meri- 
dian with  that  of  the  Mississippi,  and  they  flow,  though  in  opposite  directions, 
through  the  longitudinal  trough  of  the  great  Interior  Valley. 

B*  West  of  Lake  3Iicliigan,  in  the  mean  latitude  of  forty-five  degrees, 
and  between  the  longitudes  of  eighty-nine  and  ninety-two  degrees  west, 
there  is  a  hydrograpliical  axis,  which,  although  entirely  subordinate  to  the 
preceding,  deserves  to  be  noticed.  Its  general  course  is  south  east  and  north 
west.  To  the  north,  it  throws  into  Lake  Superior  a  few  short  and  unimpor- 
tant rivers,  —  to  the  east,  it  originates  Fox  River,  which,  passing  through 
Lake  Winnebago,  enters  Lake  3Iiohigan,  by  Green  Bay.  But  the  con- 
tributions of  this  axis  to  the  Mississippi  are  much  greater  than  to  the 
Lakes.  Thus,  beginning  in  the  north,  we  have  the  Si.  Croix,  Chipptwa, 
Sappah  or  Black,  Wisconsin,  and  Rock  iJi cert,  which  flow  to  the  south  west, 
and  enter  the  3Iississippi  at  something  like  equal  distances  f  om  each  other, — 
the  mouths  of  the  first  and  last  being  more  than  four  hundred  miles  apart. 
Of  the  whole,  the  Wisconsin  is  the  largest,  and  constitutes  the  principal  river 
of  the  state  which  bears  its  name.  This  axis,  the  mean  elevation  of  which 
may  bo  about  one  thousand  feet  above  the  sea,  abounds  in  small  lakes.  Its 
northern  and  eastern  margins  approach  very  near  to  Superior  and  Michigan; 
and  hence  the  small  number  and  short  course  of  the  rivers  of  those  sides, 
compared  with  the  opposite. 

O.     The  axis  last  described  lies  on  the  western  side  of  Lake  Michigan. 


On  the 
the  sta| 
drod  fl 
desconl 
Huron  1 
Lake  J\ 

D. 

there  is 
to  the 
extreml 
the  easi 
attains 
this  rii 
iu  the  I 
greates 
in  the 


"i 


[dook  I. 

rco  thousand 
s  waters  into 

in  tlio  same 
1  waters  into 
roniity  under 
icr  the  name 
3 ;  whence  it 
(  Lake  Erie. 
gam  River, 
from  which, 
into  the  gulf 
latitude,  and 
vo  tliousand 

)n  the  same 
roctly  north, 

issue  under 
Ison  Bay,  in 
ncs,  is  about 

same  mori- 
;e  directions, 


ive  degrees, 

igrces  west, 

nate  to  the 

t  and  north 

id  uninipor- 

g  through 

it  the  con- 

an   to  the 

Chippewa, 

outh  west, 

eh  other, — 

iles  apart. 

ncipal  river 

1  of  which 

akcs.     Its 

Michigan ; 

hose  sides, 


Michigan. 


PART   I.] 


INTERIOR  VALT,EY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


11 


On  tlio  opposite  side  of  that  lake,  tlirough  the  center  of  the  southern  part  of 
the  state  of  Michigan,  there  is  another  axis,  elevated  from  five  to  eleven  hun- 
dred feet,  from  which  the  Si.  Joseph's,  Kalamazoo,  and  Grand  ixifcrs 
descend  westwardly  to  Lake  ^lichigan;  the  Saginair,  northerly  to  Lake 
Huron ;  and  the  Huro?i,  Raisin,  and  part  of  the  Maumcc,  eastwardly  to 
Lake  Erie. 

D.  In  the  states  of  Indiana  and  Ohio,  south  and  south  west  of  Lake  I']rie, 
there  is  a  hydrographical  axis,  which,  although,  like  the  latter,  greatly  inferior 
to  the  first,  deserves  to  be  noticed.  Beginning  near  the  south-western 
extremity  of  Lake  Michigan,  it  gradually  rises  on  passing  out  of  Indiana  to 
the  east,  and  before  it  has  reached  the  western  boundary  of  Pennsylvania, 
attains  an  elevation  of  eleven  or  twelve  hundred  feet.  The  descent  from 
this  riJo'c  to  Lake  Eric  is  much  more  rapid,  because  shorter,  tlian  that 
in  the  opposite  direction.  The  western  part  of  this  axis  gives  origin  to  the 
greatest  number  of  rivers,  although  its  altitude  is  least.  Their  sources  are 
in  the  mean  latitude  of  forty  degrees  north,  and  longitude  of  eighty-five 
degrees  west.     They  consist  of  the  following: 

a.  The  KanJcakee,  or  true  head  of  the  Illinois,  which,  originating  in  the 
state  of  Indiana,  flows  nearly  west,  at  a  short  distance  from  Lake  Micliigan, 
into  the  state  of  IHlnois,  where  it  takes  the  name  of  that  state,  and  bearing 
to  the  south  west,  enters  the  Mississippi  Bivcr  above  the  mouth  of  the 
Missouri,  being  the  principal  river  of  the  state. 

b.  The  St.  Joseph's,  which,  originating  partly  in  the  north-oast  corner  of 
Indiana,  and  partly  in  the  south-west  corner  of  tlie  state  of  Michigan,  flows 
to  the  north  west  to  pour  its  waters  into  the  lake  of  that  name. 

c.  The  Wabash,  which,  beginning  in  the  western  edge  of  Ohio,  runs  west- 
wardly into  Indiana;  and,  at  length,  turning  to  the  soutli  west  and  south, 
crosses  the  state,  and  enters  the  Ohio  river,  one  hundred  and  thirty  miles 
fiom  its  mouth.  This  is  tlie  great  river  of  Indiana,  and  the  largest  tributary 
of  the  north  side  of  the  Ohio. 

d.  Tlie  Maumee.  Interlocking  in  its  origins  with  the  Wabash,  in  the 
states  of  Indiana  and  Ohio,  this  river  flows  in  an  opposite  direction  from  the 
last,  that  is  to  the  north  east,  and  enters  the  west  end  of  Lake  Erie, 
through  ]\Iaumee  Bay  —  being  much  shorter  than  the  Wabash. 

e.  The  Great  Miami,  whose  sources  niincle  with  those  of  the  last  two. 
It  descends  nearly  south  to  join  the  Ohio  Biver  near  Lawrenceburgh,  at  the 
boundary  line  between  Ohio  and  Indiana,  twenty  miles  below  Cincinnati. 

/.  Tlie  «S«?«Ztts/i-y,  which,  originating  further  cast,  flows  nearly  north  and 
expands  into  the  bay  of  the  same  name,  which  opens  into  Lake  Erie,  near 
the  city  of  Sandusky. 

g.  The  Scioto,  a  counterpart  of  the  last,  which  interlocks  in  origin  with  it, 


% 


■iii 


\  :  I 

i 
t 


m 


yVi^'M. 


12 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[llOOK    I. 


PART    I 


I     k. 


and  flowing  nearly  south  liy  Columbus,  tlic  capital  of  Ohio,  reaches  the  Ohio 
River  at  Portsmouth.     This  is  the  longest  river  of  the  state. 

h.  The  Cnjiaho^d,  M'hich  rises  iu  the  "  Western  Reserve,"  and  pursues  at 
first  a  western,  and  thou  a  northern  course  to  Lake  Krie,  at  Cleveland. 

i.  The  Muskhiguiiu  again  the  counterpart  of  the  Cnyahf)ga,  witli  which 
some  of  its  eastern  sources  interlock,  liends  considerably  to  tlie  west,  then 
turns  eastwardly,  ami  finally  joins  the  Ohio  at  Marietta,  nearly  in  the  lon- 
gitude of  Cleveland. 

j.  Grand  River,  the  origin  of  which  is  in  the  same  tract  with  tliat  of  the 
Cuyahoga,  takes  a  more  direct,  northern  c<jurso  to  the  lake,  which  it  enters 
near  Painesville,  thirty  miles  further  cast. 

k.  Big  Bcai-er  Rlrcr,  which,  under  the  more  dignified  names  of  Mnhnning 
and  Shmn/iqo,  its  elenu'utary  branches,  originiites  M'itli  the  last  two  rivers, 
but  flows  south  south  east,  to  unite  with  the  Ohio  at  the  town  of  IJoavcr, 
thirty  miles  below  l*ittsburgh. 

Besides  these  there  are  sev(;ral  smaller  rivers :  as,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
summit  level.  Portage,  between  !Maumee  ami  Sandusky,  and  Ifuro/i,  Vrrmil- 
liua  and  Blacl;  between  the  latter  and  Cuyahoga.  On  the  south  side,  the 
Little  Miami,  betweeu  the  Groat  Miami  and  Scioto,  and  Hocking,  between 
the  latter  and  .Muskingum. 

Tlius,  as  we  see,  this  is  an  important  hydrngraphical  axis,  giving  origin  to 
most  of  the  rivers  which  flow  through  Tiuliana  and  Ohio,  while  it  perlorms 
the  more  important  function  of  separating  the  waters  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
from  those  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  through  eight  degrees  of  longitude,  or  more 
than  four  huiulred  mih.'s.  This  axis,  dej)resscd  from  four  hundred  to  eight 
hundred  feet  below  the  hydrographical  center  west  of  Lake  Superior,  is,  like 
it,  a  plain  or  table,  with  numy  ponds  or  small  lakes,  and  numerous  swamps. 

E.  Far  to  the  south,  but  still  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  IMississippi,  we 
have,  iu  the  high  lands  of  the  states  of  Alabama  and  3Iississippi,  projicrly  a 
low  spur  of  the  Ajipalachian  chain,  a  fifth  h.ydrographical  axis,  frtiUi  which 
short  tributaries  of  Tennessee  Kivcr  descend  to  the  iiurth,  and  several  more 
considerable  rivers  flow  ofl'  to  the  south.  These  are  the  Yazoo  and  Big 
U/dc/i",  which  join  the  ]Mississip]ii,  and  the  Tombcckbcc  and  Tuscaloosa  ihiit 
unite  with  the  Alabama  to  form  the  iV/oii/r,  which  disembogues  into  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico. 

Such  are  the  interior  hydrogaphical  centers  on  the  eastern  side  of  the 
Mississippi.     ^\'e  must  now  pass  to  the  western,  and  begin  in  the  south. 

r,  In  the  northern  part  of  the  state  of  Texas,  far  iu  the  south  west  of  the 
Valley,  there  is  a  hilly  axis,  which  throws  out  the  Sabine,  Trinity,  Brazos, 
Colorado,  and  Nueces,  which  flow  into  tlie  Gulf  of  3Iexico. 


,K 


S. 


G. 

eight  I 
Besid 
a  tribi 
and  tl: 
Missis 

H. 

bend 
the  ca; 

^V 
centers 
suffice 
the  IMi 


li 


[UOOK   I. 

les  the  Oliio 

I  pursues  at 
elaiid. 

■\vitli  ■which 

I  -vvcst.  tlicn 

in  tlic  lon- 

tliat  of  the 
ich  it  enters 

f  ^J all  Oiling 
;  two  rivers, 
I  of  ])oavcr, 

1  sitlc  of  tlie 

n/i,  Vcnnil' 
th  i^iiU',  the 


itg,  IilUvocu 


ng  origin  to 
it  in'iiiiruis 
f  (if  31oxico 
Ic,  ov  more 
ed  to  oiirlit 
itir,  is,  hke 
swamps. 


PART   1.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


13 


G.  Ascending  northwardly  we  come,  between  the  thirty-sixth  and  thirty- 
ei<'hth  doi'rocs  of  latitude  to  another  center  —  the  Ozark  mountains. 
Besides  certain  branches  of  ^  Arkaiisas  River,  and  of  the  Great  Oxnf^c  — 
a  triliutary  of  the  Missouri  —  tlic  Gnxconai/r,  another  atHueiit  of  that  river, 
and  tlie  Maramac,  St.  Fmncis,  Wliilr.  Rircr,  and  Wu^hitM,  tributaries  of  tlio 
Missi.vsippi,  have  their  origin,  in  wliole  or  in  part,  in  the  Ozarka. 

'^  B.  Advancing  to  the  north  west  we  come  to  tlie  lllack  TTills,  in   the  great 

bend  of  the  Missouri  lliver,  which  send  all  their  streams  into  that  river  on 
the  east,  or  into  its  large  tributary,  the  Yellow  Htono,  on  the  west. 

^Ve  have  now  passed  over  all  the  important  hydrograj)liical  axes  and 
centers  of  the  southern  i)art  of  the  Great  Valley,  and  a  few  paragr;)phs  will 
suffice  for  those  of  the  north,  lying  beyond  the  great  Lakes  and  the  sources  of 
the  l^Iississippi. 

I.  Tlic  water  table  between  Hudson  Bay  and  the  Lakes  and  j^t.  Law- 
rence, sends  forth  several  rivers  to  the  former,  or  into  Lake  AViniiipog,  of 
which  the  Abbilihhc  and  Rupert  may  be  mentioned.  It  also  gives  origin  to 
the  Ottawa,  St.  Maurice,  St.  Amic,  and  Saguenay,  important  tributaries  of 
the  St.  Lawrence,  which  of  course  flow  in  an  opposite  direction. 

'1^  J.  Finally,  far  to  the  north  west,  in  the  sterile  regions  cast  of  Great  Bear 

Lake,  there  is  a  center  whence  the  Yellow  Knife  Rirer  flows  into  an  arm  of 
Great  Slave  Lake,  and  the  Copper  Miue  and  TkUw-ee-ckok,  or  Bacli's 
River,  into  the  Polar  Sea. 


2.  Mountain  Border  Axes  and  Centers. 

By  a  natural  transition,  we  ascend  from  this  part  of  the  Valley  to  the  most 
distant  of  the  mountain  axes  in  the  north  west. 


\  :i 


■  ^ 


sissipjii,  we 
properly  a 
roni  which 
leral  more 
10  and  Big 
loosa  that 
:o  the  Gulf 

ide  of  the 
south. 

vest  of  the 
y,  Brazos, 


A.  The  Northern  Bocky  Mountain  Axis.  In  the  magnitude  of  the 
rivers  which  it  originates,  this  is  the  greatest  axis  on  the  continent.  Its  mean 
latitude  is  fifty-one  or  fifty-two  degrees  north  west,  its  average  longitude  one 
hundred  and  fifteen.  Its  general  elevation  is  ten  or  twelve  thousand  feet ; 
but  it  embrace?  IMount  Brown  and  IMount  Hooker,  .vhich  rise  much  higher. 
Its  rivers  may  be  divided  into  those  which  flow  into  and  through  the  'X'alley, 
and  those  which  make  their  way,  in  the  opposite  direction,  to  the  Pacific 
Ocean.     We  begin  with  the  former. 

a.  3frtcA:(:ft~jc  JRu>c?',  of  which  the  most  northern  branch  —  latitude  fifty- 
nine  degrees — is  the  Liards  or  Turn  Again;  then  the  Vnjigah  or  Peace 
River;  lastly,  the  Athabasca.  It  flows  through  most  of  its  course  near  the 
base  of  the  mountains,  and  enters  the  Polar  Sea,  having  its  cmhouchure  in 
the  north-wGst  corner  of  the  Valley,  at  a  higher  latitude  than  any  other  river 
of  the  continent. 


14 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I. 


PART   I.] 


•'ill 


M 


(I  '^^"^ 

II  ,  ill 


I'.  .(! 


!il 


/;.  Tho  north  ami  soutli  brandies  of  the  Susk..i.chau'av,  wliich  flow 
eastwardly  to  Hudson  13ay. 

r.  The  Missouri,  wliich,  by  its  northern  branch,  tho  Maria,  lias  a  con- 
nection with  this  axis. 

d.  Frazcr  Rlccr,  which  fiows  southerly,  and  discharges  its  waters  into 
the  Pacific  Ocean  through  Vancouver  Sound,  in  north  latitude  forty-nine 
degrees. 

e.  Tho  North  Fork  of  Oregon  or  Columbia  River,  which,  after  uniting 
with  tho  South  Fork,  reaches  the  same  ocean,  a  little  r.bovo  the  forty-sixth 
parallel,  near  the  one  hundred  and  twenty-fourth  meridian. 

B.  The  Southern  llocky  Mountain  Axis.  The  mean  latitude  and  longi- 
tude of  this  axis  may  be  taken  at  forty-one  degrees  north,  and  one  hundred 
and  seven  degrees  west.  Its  average  elevation  is  eleven  thousand  feet.  On 
the  east  or  valley  side,  it  sends  down : 

a.  Tho  southern  rivulets  of  Big  Horn,  an  important  branch  of  the  Yellow 
Stow.,  which,  flowing  north  cast  tlirough  &ix  degrees  of  latitude,  unites  with 
the  Misssouri  under  the  forty-ninth  parallel. 

h.  The  Nebraska  or  Plalle,  which,  flowing  nearly  cast,  traverses  the  great 
inclined  plain  of  the  Rocky  I^^ountains,  and  empties  into  the  Missouri  Kiver, 
below  the  Yellow  Stone,  in  tho  forty-first  degree  of  latitude. 

c.  The  Ka?isas,  which  flows  nearly  cast,  to  unite  with  the  Missouri  below 
the  Platte,  precisely  at  the  western  boundary  of  the  state  of  3Iissouri. 

d.  Tho  Arkansa!!,  which  traverses  the  same  plain,  at  first  to  tho  east,  and 
then  to  the  south  east,  until  it  joins  the  Mississippi,  near  the  thirty-fourth 
degree  of  latitude,  thirteen  hundred  miles  below  the  Platte,  and  more  than 
two  thousand  below  the  Yellow  Stone. 

e.  Red  River,  which  has  less  connection  with  the  axis  than  the  last,  and 
after  flowing  eastwardly  for  several  hundred  miles,  turns  to  the  south-south 
east,  to  discharge  its  waters  into  the  jMississippi,  in  north  latitude  thirty-one 
degrees,  being  the  last  tributary  of  that  great  river. 

/.  The  Rio  del  Norte,  which  descends  to  the  south,  then  turns  to  the 
south  east,  and  discharges  its  waters  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  in  latitude 
twenty-five  degrees. 

As  the  Missouri,  after  receiving  the  Yellow  Stone,  Platte,  and  Kansas, 
unites  with  the  oMississippi,  it  follows  that  all  the  eastern  rivers  originated 
by  this  hydrographical  axis,  except  the  Rio  del  Norte,  discharge  their  waters 
into  the  gulf  through  that  great  river. 

On  the  western  side  of  the  Rocky  JMountains,  the  center  we  are  now 
considering,  originates : 


•< 


[book  I. 

(vliich   flow 

1ms  a  con- 

(vatcrs  into 
forty-nine 


tor  uniting 
forty-sixth 


and  longi- 
no  hundred 
1  feet.     On 

the  Yellow 
unites  with 

OS  the  great 
souri  Kiver, 

souri  IdcIow 
Duri. 

east,  and 
lirty -fourth 
more  than 

last,  and 
louth-south 
thirty- one 

irns  to  the 
n  latitude 


PART    I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


15 


.4 


d  Kansas, 
originated 
leir  waters 


m 


are  now 


"•  The  southern  fork  of  the  Columbia,  known  under  the  name  of  Lciris 
/iiri-r,  whicli  flows  nearly  nortli  west  to  join  the  Northern  Branch,  or  Clarke 
River,  at  Wallah  Wallah,  and  then  proceeds  to  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

h.  The  Rio  Colorado,  whicli,  i)ursuiiig  a  smith-we.stcrly  course,  enters  the 
northern  extremity  of  the  (Julf  of  California,  about  the  thirty-second  degree 
of  north  latitude. 

Let  us  now  turn  to  the  eastern  or  Appalacliian  mountain  chain,  beginning 
in  tlic  north.  Tlie  rivers  which  it  originates  are  smaller,  and  tho  hydro- 
graphical  centers  less  obvious,  but  still  recognizable. 

A.  The  elevated  White  and  Cireen  Mountain  axis,  sends  down  to  the 
north  the  Chaudiere,  Nicollet,  Yamaska,  Si.  Francis,  and  many  smaller  rivers 
to  the  St.  Lawrence;  to  the  west,  tlicy  pour  several  .streams  into  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  whence  tlicy  make  their  way  througli  the  RichcliciL  to  the  same  great 
river;  to  the  south,  they  give  origin  to  the  St.  John''<<,  Penobscot,  Kenne- 
bec, and  Connecticut,  which  flow  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

B.  The  Adirondack  center,  lying  between  Lake  Ontario  and  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  in  mean  latitude  and  longitude,  forty-four  and  seventy-four  degrees, 
has  an  average  elevation  at  four  thousand  five  hundred  feet,  and  originates  a 
number  of  rivers,  which  radiate  in  all  directions. 

a.  To  the  east,  it  sends  down  the  Saranac,  the  Au  Sable,  and  some  smaller 
streams  which  empty  into  Lake  Champlain. 

b.  To  tlie  north,  the  Salmnv,  St.  Jiegis,  Racket,  La  Grasse,  and  Oswe- 
gat  chic,  tributaries  of  the  St.  Lawrence. 

c.  To  the  west.  Black  Hirer,  of  Lake  Ontario. 

d.  To  the  south.  West  Canada  River,  ia  which  arc  the  celebrated  Trenton 
Falls,  by  which  it  descends  to  the  Mohaick.     Lastly, 

e.  The  Hudson,  which  flowing  also  to  the  south,  enters  the  Atlantic  Ocean 
at  New  York. 

The  area  of  this  center  is  small,  and  the  rivers  which  it  originates,  though 
numerous  and  abounding  in  water,  are  short. 

C.  Further  west  and  south,  in  the  mean  latitude  of  forty-two  degrees  and 
longitude  of  seventy-eight  degrees,  lying  in  the  states  of  New  York  and 
Pennsylvania,  we  have  anotlier  Appalacliian  center,  the  average  higlit  of 
which  is  about  eighteen  hundred  feet.  The  rivers  which  flow  from  it  are  as 
follows : 

a.  To  tlie  north,  the  Gennesee,  or  principal  river  of  Western  New  Y'  rk, 
which  discharges  its  waters  into  the  middle  of  the  south  side  of  Lake  <  'n- 
tario,  after  traversing  less  than  a  degree  and  a  half  of  latitude. 


I 


■  ^ 


n 


IG 


Tin-:  nuNxirAL  diseases  of  the 


[book 


PART  I.] 


I).  The  O.fwc^o,  wliicli  llk(3\vi.so  outers  Lake  Ontario,  nnd  disdiarpos  the 
water  of  many  long,  narrow  lakes,  wliicli  «ro  lod  by  .streams  which  originate 
iu  this  coiitur. 

c.  To  tho  cast  wo  have  many  of  tlic  western  branches  of  the  Siisqucfuni- 
nn/i,  which,  pursuing  nearly  a  south-easterly  course,  enters  tho  head  of 
Chesapeake  Hay. 

il.  From  the  south-western  declivity  of  this  center,  all  the  head  waters  of 
tho  A/li\<<-/iri)ii/  descend  to  form  that  river,  which,  pursuing  a  southerly  course 
to  I'ittslnirirh,  join.-^  tho  Mdiiniii^/i/ir/n  ;  wlion  the  united  stream  takes  tho 
name  of  O/ilo,  and  flows  in  a  west-south-west  course  to  the  Mississippi. 

D.  Jjetwcou  tho  thirty-in^hth  and  thirty-ninth  degrees  of  north  latitude, 
and  seventy-ninth  and  I'iglitieth  of  west  longitude,  in  the  state  of  ^'irginia, 
wo  have  a  third  liydrogra])liical  axis,  in  which  aro  found  the  celebrated  min- 
eral springs  of  that  state.  Its  average  levels  may  bo  given  at  two  thousand 
feet.     To  the  east  it  throws  off — 

a.  Tho  Polomac,  which,  after  bending  to  tho  north,  turns  south  easterly, 
and  enters  Chesapeake  Bay. 

/).  James  Rivcr,\\j'wg  south  of  tlie  last,  running  more  directly  cast,  and  en- 
tering the  siiuio  bay  near  its  junction  with  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

c.  To  the  nortli,  this  center  sends  out  the  Monongahela,  which  flows  in 
that  directi(jn,  to  unite,  at  Pittsburg,  with  its  larger  and  longer  fellow,  the 
Alleghany,  in  forming  tho  Ohio  river. 

il.  From  tho  same  center,  Grrcnhrlcr  River  passes  off  to  the  south  west, 
and  descends,  by  a  comparatively  short  course,  into  the  Kanaicha  7{ircr,and 
thence  into  the  Ohio. 


Pedee, 
tho  Atl: 

,/.  Tl 
which  c 
by  a  801 

r.  T 
between 
east  dirt 

Let  U: 

which  111 


i  ■ 


iliillll. 


S.  The  last  hydrographioal  axis  in  this  chain  of  mountains  is  found 
chiefly  in  tho  state  of  North  Carolina;  but  it  comprehends,  also,  the  south- 
west angb  of  Virginia,  tho  northern  parts  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia, 
and  the  oijstern  margin  of  Tennessee.  Its  moan  latitude  is  thirty-six  de- 
grees—  its  mean  longitude,  eighty-two  degrees.  Its  mean  elevation  Is 
greater  tlian  either  of  the  last  two,  being  not  less  than  throe  thousand  feet, 
with  some  peaks  much  higher. 

From  tho  eastern  and  southern  margin,  it  throws  into  the  Atlantic 
Ocean  — 

a.  The  Roanoke,  or  at  least  one  of  its  largest  branches,  which  enters 
Albemarle  Sound. 

h.  Cape  Fear  River,  wholly  within  the  state  of  North  Carolina,  which 
reaches  tho  Atlantic  Ocean  by  a  south-east  course. 

c.  The  Yadkin,  which,  on  entering  South  Carolina,  takes  on  the  name  of 


H 


[book  t. 

isolinrgos  tlic 
liitli  tiiigiiiato 

0  Simqiiehfoi- 
tlie   head  of 


oad  'wntors  of 
utlitvly  course 
am  takes  tbo 
isissippi. 

lortli  latitude, 

0  of  \'irgiuia. 

,'lebruted  inin- 

two  thousand 

soutb  easterly, 

,•  cast,  and  cn- 

yliifh  flows  ill 
er  fellow,  the 

0  poutli  west, 
ha  River, and 


ins  is  found 
,  the  soutli- 
iid  Georgia, 
irty-six  de- 
elevation  Is 
luusuud  feet. 


INTEinnil  VAM.KY  OF  XORTII  AMKRICA. 


i: 


;n 


tiic   Atlantic 

which  enters 

■olina,  which 

the  name  of 


FART  I.] 

Pnlei',  and  cotititming  in  a  direction  oust  of  soiitli,  dirtcharges  its  waters  into 
till-  Atlantic. 

(/.  '\'\\ii  Cntairlid,  m  \V(ifirr'\  the  ftmtil  Itirrr,  ami  t\\Q  Sa hula  Ulrrr, 
which  coiivcrjro  into  a  coniinon  troiiitli  that  hears  the  name  of  Saiiln-,  and 
hv  a  si'Utli-ea.sterly  course,  arrives  at  the  Atlaii,,i'. 

c  The  Scraniifili,  wliit-h,  for  most  of  its  course  serves,  as  the  divi*!!?!^' lino 
between  South  Carolina  and  (ieorj,'ia.  Jt  holds  a  direct,  and  iieuily  south- 
east direction  to  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

Let  us  iinw  turn  to  the  interior,  and  enumerate  the  most  important  rivers 
which  flow  over  it,  from  this  axis. 

/'.  Tlio  KriHiir/ia  Rii'i'r.  To  the  north  this  summit  level  sends  off  tlio 
Kennwha,  which  for  some  distance  hears  the  name  of  Nrw  Hirer.  Ita 
course  is  first  north  east,  and  then  north;  so  that  it  actually  passes  through 
th(!  etlL'e  of  the  hydron;ra|ihical  center  last  des(;ri'ied;  after  which  it  hcnds  to 
the  iiortli  west,  to  unite  with  the  Ohio  Kiver,  at  l'oii:t  Pleasant,  two  hundred 
and  seventy  four  miles  below  !*itt!<burgh,  about  tlie  thirty-ninth  degree  of 
latitude,  and  nearly  in  the  longitude  of  its  most  distant  sources.  Its  length 
•    is  greater  than  that  of  either  of  the  rivers  ju.st  enumerated. 

^■.  The  lii,ij:  SiLitilji  Rircr,  the  head  springs  of  wliicli  are  in  the  northern 
lirnw  of  this  center,  whence  they  descend  to  the  north,  and  uniting,  flow  into 
tlie  Ohio,  ab(nit  sixty  miles  below  the  Kenawha. 

//.  The  Kriiliick//  Hirer,  whicli  fl(i\vs  in  a  north-west  course  from  the  same 
margin,  and  joins  the  Ohio,  at  ('arr(dton,  between  ("iiicinn;iti  and  liouisville. 

/.  The  Cumhcrland  River,  wluise  sources,  like  th(^«e  of  the  last  two,  are 
found  in  the  north-west  flanks  of  the  same  mountain  center.  Its  course  is 
at  lirst  west,  through  tho  south-east  corner  of  Kentucky,  then  south  west 
into  Teniiossee,  then  west,  and  finally  north  north  west,  across  the  state  from 
which  it  had  departed,  to  the  Ohio  Kiver,  at  Sinithland,  fifty-six  miles  from 
the  junction  of  that  river  with  the  .Mississippi. 

j.  The  Tenne^sre  Hirer.  Tlie  origin  of  this  river  is  largely  from  the 
liydrograpliical  center  we  are  now  studying.  The  main  trunk,  which  bears 
the  name  just  mentioned,  is  composed  of  the  Climli,  Ilo/sto/i,  Vienrli.  Braad, 
ana  Tni/icssee  proper.  Tho  llolston  connects  itself  mo.st  intimately  with  tl  > 
central  portions  of  the  summit  level,  where  it  interlocks  with  tho  sources  of 
the  Kenawha,  The  Tennessee,  constituted  by  tho  union  of  these  mountain 
streams,  descends  to  the  south  west,  through  tho  eastern  end  of  the  state 
which  bears  its  name;  thou  passing  within  sight  of  the  north-west  corner  of 
Georgia,  and  dipping  into  North  Alabama,  as  low  as  tho  latitude  of  thirty- 
four  degrees  thirty  minutes,  it  wheels  to  the  north,  and  traversing  the  states 
of  Tennessee!  and  Kentucky,  in  tho  meridian  of  eighty-eight  degrees  west, 
joins  the  Ohio,  of  which  it  is  the  largest  tributary,  at  Paducah.  forty-five 

miles  from  the  Mississippi.     This  junctiou  is  six  hundred  and  sixty  miles 
2a 


t^i 


K 


■■'\ 


'     1 


Hi 


1 


IH 


TIIK  PRINCIPAL  DIHKAHKS  OF  THE 


[boob  I. 


rART  i. 


Mi 


1  h 


boliiw  that  of  tliu  Keiiuwlia,  wliilo  thu  liuuJ  rivulutu  of  thu  two  rivers  uru  iit 
tlio  hunii)  Iiiciility. 

Ic.  C/iiiltfifntoc/i'i'  Hirrr.  Jin  mmrovf,  wliioli  iiitcrlnrk  witli  tlioso  of  the 
Toniicj^siH',  arc  fniniil  cliiclly  in  tlto  Htiiti>  of  <ienrgiu,  ami  tlio  ftnutli-wt'st 
corner  (tf  North  Curnlina.  At  lirHt  its  oourso  i»  ftoiith  west,  but  nt  loii^'th 
ciiaii;.'iiig  to  the  south,  ami  liccdinin;.'  a  iKiiiixhirv  lino  ln'twccii  (icur^rja  ami 
Alabama,  it  (ravcrsi'S  iniilillc  l^'iorida,  ami  rcacln's  the  (liilf  of  .^lL'xi(•o, 
through  Ai)|ialailiicola  Hay,  below  tho  thirtioth  degruo  of  latitude,  and  u  littlo 
west  of  th(5  eiglity-IH'th  degree  of  west  lon;,'itude. 

/.  Tiio  Aliihiimn  llirr.r.  About  the  latitude  of  thirty-live  degrees,  and 
loncitude  of  eighty-four  degrees,  that  is,  fniii  tiie  western  out  iers  of  this 
liydrographical  axis,  tlio  Alabama,  ui.'l«i  tlie  name  of  Coosi.iratln;  after- 
ward Coiisii,  has  its  origin  in  tlie  mn'tuern  part  of  (icorgiu.  Kntering  the 
state  of  Alabama,  near  the  north-east  eorucr,  it  holds  ■*  south-south-west 
course  to  the  (Julf  of  Mexico,  near  the  south  east  corner  of  the  state;  having 
been  joined  by  the  'J'ti/lnponsii,  whose  sources  are  a  liitlo  south  of  its  own. 

Such  are  the  principal  rivers  which  arise,  in  whole  or  in  ]iart,  in  tliis  great 
hydrographical  axis,  which  constitutes  the  southern  extremity  of  the  Appa- 
lachian cliaiii.  Subordinate  to  these,  however,  there  are  several  others  wliich 
originate  in  the  outlitTS  and  hill  lands  that  Hank  the  mountain  platform.  On 
the  Atlantic  side,  they  are.  the  Capr  Frar,  Pi-i/rr,  and  AhitaiiKilui,  of  the 
Carolinas  ami  (leorgia.  On  the  continental  or  valley  side,  the  <ti/i/nii<lut(e, 
in  Virginia,  and  Lick'nii:;  and  (incii  llircis,  in  Kentucky,  which  discharge 
their  waters  into  tlio  Ohio. 

The  radiatiou  from  this  axis  extends  roiuid  three  fourtlis  of  a  circle,  that  is. 
from  the  cast,  by  the  south  and  west,  to  the  north;  atid  the  states  traversed 
by  the  rivers  which  th(Micc  flow  olf  are,  \'irgiiiia,  in  its  south-western  por- 
tions, the  Carolinas  r.nd  (Georgia,  a  small  part  of  Florida,  the  larger  portion 
of  Alabama,  and  nearly  the  whole  of  Tcinicsscc  and  Kentucky. 

To  the  seventeen  i)reccding  valley  and  n"iuntain  hydrographical  axes,  nearly 
all  the  rivers  of  the  continent  may  b>j  referred.  In  their  origins,  however,  they 
are  not  actually  limited  to  the  centers  and  axes  witli  which  they  liavc  their 
chief  connection.  Thus,  the  portions  of  UKmntain  which  lie  between  the  five 
Appalacluan  centers  just  described,  act  as  water  sheils  between  the  Atlantic 
plain  and  the  Interior  N'alloy;  the  whole  range  of  the  llocky  Jbiuntains 
throws  down  streams  into  tlie  heart  of  the  continent,  and  also  into  the  Pacitic 
(Jccan,  yet  they  chiefly  flow  from  the  two  portions  of  that  chain  which  have 
been  indicated.  Still  further,  within  the  Valley,  a  water  shed  everywhere 
divides  the  streams  of  the  north  from  those  of  the  south;  and  yet,  the  cen- 
ters and  axes  west  of  Lakes  Superior  and  ^Michigan,  and  south  of  Lake 
Eric,  send  out  nearly  all  the  rivers  which  have  their  origin  icithin  the 
Valley. 


It  ha 
vcrseil  1 1 
lAxis,  wl 
?ippi  IS 
x.\\'<  mil 
latitud ' 
north 
a  ..■': 
tcon  m. 


■^ 


[DUOK  I, 

rivors  uro  in 
tlioHO  of  tlie 

0      .MUllth-WCHt 

\>\\t  at  l('ii;:tli 

(ii'iir^riii  unci 

f   i>t'   Mfxici), 

u,  atul  u  little 

(lo^ri'OH.  nml 
It  id's  of  tliis 
iraltcc,  iil'tor- 
KiitL'iiiiy  tiui 

til-SOUtil-\V08t 

state;  liaviiig 

of  its  own. 

,  ill  this  frreat 

of  tlio  A|i|ia- 

otliers  wliicli 

ilatfiinn.     On 

■  IHItlld,  of  tlic 

iillji'i  llildtlc, 

ch  disci largu 

irclo,  tliat  is. 
L'M  traversed 
western  jior- 
;er  [)urtiuii 

axes,  nearly 

lowever,  they 

y  liave  their 

veen  the  five 

the  Atlantie 

Jlountains 

the  Paeitic 

which  have 

everywlicre 

et,  the  eeu- 

ith  of  Lake 

within  the 


PARTI.)  INTKRIOR  VAIJ.RY  OF  NORTIf  AMERICA.  10 

siicrioN  III. 

AI,TITri)F:s  AND  CO.VFir.Cn AT[ON. 

It  has  been  already  intiniati'd  that  the  inti'vicr  of  the  eiuilinent  is  tra- 
versed l»y  a  deo|i,  wimlini.'.  IniiL'itiidinal  de|iresslun,  eonstitutiiif;  a  KviKTiiml 
axis,  wliich  extends  froiu  the  (Inlldf  .Mexii-o  to  Hudson  Hay.  Tin!  Missis- 
siiiiii  is  found  in  this  trough,  through  two  thousand  one  hnndn'd  and  ninety- 
t\V"  udK's,  ami  nearly  sixteen  degrees  of  latitude;  that  is,  from  the  gulf,  in 
lasitudo  twenty-nine  «legrees  iinrth,  to  the  nmuth  (tf  St.  IVter's  Kiver.  in 
n.rth  latitude  forty-four  degrees  lifty-two  minutes.  Ilercf  the  axis  iiiakeD 
a  w"'.'  :<'■  to  tlio  west,  iiud  incloses  the  latter  river  for  four  hundred  and  thir- 
teen iiiiKs,  to  the  uip|ier  end  of  IJig  Stone  Lake,*"  into  which  the  St.  I'eter'w, 
liavin.'  its  origin  iu  the  adjacent  Cotrnu,  des  prairies,  on  the  west,  dischargcH 
it.*  w.itors.  Within  three  miles  of  this  point,  to  the  north,  is  the  siiuthern 
end  of  Lake  Traverse.  The  ground  between  tliem  is  low,  and  when  the  St. 
Peter's  is  swulleii,  it  somotiiiies  sends  a  portion  of  its  waters  into  this  lake, 
so  that  causes  have  passed  from  one  to  the  other. t  Kruni  the  other  extremity 
of  Lake  Traverse,  Swan,  or  Sioux  Creek  flows  to  the  north,  and  unites  with 
lied  Ili\ir,  whii'h,  having  descended  from  the  highlamls  to  the  east,  now 
occupies  the  synclinal  axis  to  Jiake  Winnipeg,  in  north  latitude;  fifty  degrees 
twenty  minutes.  I'ruin  the  north  end  of  the  latter  lake,  in  latitude  lil'ty-threc 
degrees  forty-two  minutes,  to  Hmlsnn  15ay,  in  latitude  fifty-seven  degrees,  the 
axis  embraces  Nelson  lliver,  Having  traced  it  to  the  sea,  let  us  return  to  the 
summit  level  or  culnunating  line,  between  Pig  Stone  and  Traver.*e  Lakes. 
Its  distance  from  tlie  (lull"  of  .^lexicn,  fnllowini'  the  .sinuosities  of  the!  trough, 
is  two  thousand  six  hundred  ndle.-i ;  its  hnigitude  ninety-six  degrees  thirty-four 
minutes  we.st ;  its  latitude  forty-five  degrees  thirty-five  minutes,  or  s  ,. teen 
degrees  thirty  minutes  frum  that  of  the  cmboucliun  of  the  ^lississippi.  Its 
altitude,  ('ohmel  Long  assures  me,  cannot  exceed  nine  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  feet,  if  .Mr.  Nicollet  be  correct  in  assigning  nine  hundred  and  sixty-six 
feet  as  the  elevation  of  Pig  Stone  Lake.  This  gives  a  rise  from  the  (iulf  of 
Mexico  of  nearly  twelve  inches  for  every  iiiinutc  of  latitude;  and  of  four 
inches  and  a  half  for  every  mile,  following  the  course  of  the  river. 

As  the  distance  from  this  lino  of  culmination  to  Hudson  Pay  is  but  twelve 
degrees  thirty  minutes  of  latitude,  and  the  li>ng  level  of  Lake  Winnij)eg 
intervenes,  it  follows  that  the  descent  of  tlie  trough  to  the  north  is  under  a 
different  law  from  that  to  the  south.  To  Lake  Winnipeg,  now  estimated  by 
Colonel  Long  at  the  elevation  of  seven  hundred  and  Htty  feet,  the  fall  is 
gradual  and  moderate  ;  from  that  lake  to  Hudson  Bay,  precipitous. 


J 


t    '1 


»  Nicollet.      ITydrograpliical  ba.sin  of  the  Upper  Mississippi,  1841. 
t  Narrative  of  an  Expedition  to  tlie  source  of  ttie  St.  Peter's  River,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Stephen  H.  Long,  Major  U.  S.  T.  E.     Compiled  by  N.  H.  Keating,  l&S.J. 


20 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[DOOK    I 


A  projection  or  profllo  of  tliis  water  cu,  vc  may  be  seen  in  PL  II.  Fig.  1. 
Its  ii'irtliorn  extremity  is  three  degrees  tliirty  minutes  wo'^t  of  its  southern, 
the  l(in;:itu(le  ui  the  latter  being  eighty-nine  degrees  six  minutes  west,  that 
of  the  former  ninety-two  degrees  thirty-six  minutes;  but  at  the  summit 
level,  as  we  liave  just  seen,  it  is  ninety-six  degrees  thirty-four  mhiutes,  and 
at  the  efilux  of  Nelson  lliver  frum  Lake  Winnijjeg,  ninety-eight  degrees,  or 
nine  degrees  west  of  the  mouth  of  the  ^Fississippi. 

A  wide  and  deej)  current  from  the  north,  nmst  have  excavated  this  trough 
across  the  continent,  and  TiUkc  Traverse  and  IJig  Stone  Lake,  are  but  hollows 
or  chasms,  left  filled  with  water  when  that  river  ceased  to  flow.  They  arc 
long,  narrow,  serpentine,  and  lie  in  the  course  of  the  obsolete  river.  They 
resemble  the  pools  of  a  wet-',veather  stream,  during  a  drought,  or,  more 
exactly,  the  crescent  lakes  of  the  lower  Mississippi,  which,  as  we  shall  here- 
after see,  were  once  portions  <-f  its  ancient  channel. 

The  width  of  these  lake?  is  from  one  to  two  miles,  and  the  immediate 
valley  in  which  they  lie  but  two  or  three  times  as  much;  then  comes  a  rise  of 
fifty  or  one  himdred  feet.  ,vith  a  gradual  ascent  beyond,  to  the  elevation  of 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  or  two  thousand  feet,  on  tlie  Cotciui  dcs  prairies 
to  the  west,  and  another  nearly  as  high,  to  the  east,  on  which  the  31issis- 
sippi  originates. 

Such  is  the  great  continental  rqueduct,  which,  from  the  junction  of 
Red  River  with  tiie  Mississijipi,  in  the  state  of  Louisiana,  under  the  thirty- 
first  parallel,  to  the  Saskatchawan,  which  unites  with  Lake  Winnipeg  and 
Nelson  River  about  the  fifry-fourth  degree,  receives  and  transmits,  to  the 
seas  of  the  south  and  the  north,  all  the  superfluous  waters  v.hich  fall  to  the 
west  of  the  trough,  as  far  as  the  crests  "f  the  Rocky  Moui;tains. 

As  tliis  long  .synclinal  axis  runs  nearly  parallel  to  the  mountain  ranges,  the 
inclined  plain  which  lies  between  them  is  an  irregular  parallelogram.  Its 
general  aspect  is  to  the  east,  but  as  it  advances  from  the  mountains,  one 
portion  inclines  to  the  south,  and  another  to  the  north.  The  line  of  this 
culmination  leaves  the  Rock;,  Mountains  about  the  forty-eighth  or  forty- 
nintli  degree  of  north  latitude ;  and  advancing  a  little  south  of  east,  roadies 
Lake  Superior,  wliich  is,  as  it  were,  set  into  its  eastern  extremity.  On  its 
way  it  is  cut  through  by  tlie  trough  or  synclinal  axis  whicli  has  been 
described. 

Let  us  turn  to  the  region  east  of  that  axis.  Measured  from  south  to 
north,  its  length  is  nearly  as  great  as  that  of  tlic  western  plain,  but  its 
bi'oadth  far  less,  and  very  une(puil  in  different  latitudes.  Relow  the  l.Ui- 
tude  of  thirty-four  degrees  it  is  narrow;  it  then  suddenly  spreads  out  to  its 
greatest  width,  having  for  its  eastern  limits  the  spines  of  the  Appalachian 
Mountains,  from  North  Carolina  to  I'ennsylvania;  when,  about  the  latitude  of 
forty-one  degrees  north,  its  breadth  is  reduced  nearly  two  thirds,  and  so  con- 
tinues to  Hudson  Ray.  Through  this  plain  th  '"c  is  also  a  culminating 
ridge,  which  extends  from  the  mountains  toward  the  central  water  axis. 


■^ 


■;''% 


I 


.8 


N^  II 


[book  I. 

7.  //.  /•;,-.  1. 

:'  its  simtliorii, 
tcs  west,  that 
t  the  suniuiit 
•  niiimtt'S,  and 
lit  degrees,  or 

'd  this  trough 
re  but  luilUnvs 
w.  Tliey  arc 
river.  They 
Lght,  or,  more 
\e  shall  here- 

lio  immediate 
cines  a  rise  of 
le  elevation  of 
M  (Ics  pralnes 
h  the  31issis- 

;  junction  of 
er  tlie  thirty- 
\'inni[)eg  and 
nits,  to  the 
cl;  fall  to  the 


in  ranirc.s,  the 
loiTrani.  Its 
luiitains,  one 
line  of  tin's 
ith  or  forty- 
east,  roadies 
lity.  Un  its 
•h  has  bceu 

un  south  to 
iiiii,  but  its 
)\v  the  lali- 
s  out  to  its 
Appalaehian 
le  latitude  of 
and  .so  con- 
cuhniiiating 
water  axis. 


■^ 


r 


hi 


O 


.'J/o' 


yi'l 


^  \i'rit'fiithif)ti 


^  }l>iu[li  uj'tlftjiaiiirijt 


'.;,r/l  of  I  Il,nm.<l1 
tfiiiif*!  Jf  Mif.vtiitri 
y  /,„„  if 


t**-  hlJhttt/i  i>f  thr  t'bii. 


t\ 


}ht',ll,  ,'l'ir/iilr  H 


1^'  j-Tft/r/fn 


> 
n 

r> 

c 

30 


> 


\  r  i 


I 


SForh    riullw  II 


•Mna       /  Smitfu    I'Ufiii 


rr 

"S.r  fVr4  ri.,itxil 

^ 

^Ah,i  How  rr 

-  f 

(!,t,rinuf  fi  . 

h 

_—- ■^ 

*" 

f  l-rtiinj  K>rf 

5 

\\'lor.io,>y  Vork 


Farh   «/■  Itaii-int 


■e 


X         ■►  J'"\  Miii,//i  (;/■  liaiis,,,  n 


HooiKillr 


iM„„(h  or.>li.<K«„r,ll 


2j 

10 


3) 
O 


H 
o 


n 
o 

X 

J> 


< 

» 
H 

o 

> 


n 
in 

H 

5 

2 


.1 11,1, /it,  I, y  M" 


'\ 


%  4 


.  i 


1i 

i!i 


PAnT 


J 


rAiiT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


21 


•  ■  ^' 


From  tlio  .soutlicrn  side  of  this  elevation,  tlio  waters  ultimately  reacli  the 
(lull'  of  Mexico,  through  the  Mississipjii ;  from  tlio  northern  they  fall  into 
tlio  Lakes  and  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  reach  the  Atlantic  Ocean  to  the  north 
east. 

Here,  then,  is  a  now  and  distinct  hydrological  system  —  another  .'synclinal 
axis,  snmcwlnit  at  ridit  angles  to  that  which  has  been  delineated,  and  con- 
tiiied  to  the  middle  imrtioii  of  tlie  eastern  |dain.  It  hegiiis  with  Lake  Supe- 
rior, and  ends  with  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  Jn  times  past  it  had  extensive 
water  communications  with  the  last,  liy  several  rivers,  hut  especially  the  Illi- 
nois, which  originates  anmiid  the  southern  extremity  of  Lake  ^lichigan,  and 
Hows  to  th(!  ^Mississippi  througli  a  depression  in  the  intervening  harrier; 
which  is  so  deep,  that  in  times  of  flood,  canoes  have  passed  from  one  trough 
or  .svnclinal  axis  into  the  <ithcr. 

It  results,  from  what  has  been  said  on  the  deep  cuts  M'hich  traverse  the 
Interior  ^'al!ov,  that  two  voyagers  might  start  i'roni  the  (iulf  of  ]\lexico,  in  the 
latitude  of  twenty-nine  degrees  north;  and  ascending  the  Mississippi  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Illinois  river,  one  of  them  might  take  tlic  course  of  that  stream; 
pass  into  tlie  Lakes,  over  an  elevation  of  six  hundred  feet ;  descend  the  St. 
Lawrence  ;  and  make  his  exit  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  upon  the  lisliing  hanks 
of  Newfoundland;  twenty  degrees  north  and  thirty  degrees  east  of  his  place 
of  departure.  Tlie  other,  continuing  up  the  ^lississippi  and  over  the  I^ake 
Traverse  summit  level,  at  the  hight  of  nine  hundred  and  seventy  five  feet, 
would  descend  into  Hudson  Bay;  whence  he  might  ])ass  into  the  polar  seas, 
amid  perpetual  ices ;  ai'ter  having  traversed  more  than  forty  degrees  of  latitude. 

JiOt  us  develop  still  further  the  relative  altitudes  and  configuration  of  the 
intcrniontane  plain,  tlirough  which  such  voyages  might  be  performed,  by  suji- 
jiosing  curves,  like  those  in  P/.  II,  Fiv;.  1,  to  be  described  over  its  whole  sur- 
face: and.  ///•>■/,  of  those  which  might  pass  from  south  to  north.  If  one  were 
drawn  for  every  degree  of  longitude,  from  the  synclinal  axis  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  it  would  be  found  (if  its  extremities  rested  on  the  sea)  that  the 
convexity  of  each  would  be  greater  than  that  of  the  preceding;  and  that  the 
whole  would  traverse  the  rivers  nearly  at  right  angles.  It  would  also  be 
seen  that,  in  the  north,  the  lines  tlius  projected  would  approach  the  level  sea 
much  more  slowly  tlian  to  the  soutli ;  indicating  tliat  the  broad  region  west 
and  north  west  of  Hudson  ]jay,  inclines  to  tl;c  sea  in  a  very  gradual  niaiiner, 
and  thus  explaining  its  lacustrine  character,  l^  similar  longitudinal  curves 
wer  ^  projected  on  tlio  eastern  side  of  tlic  axis,  the  first  two  or  throe  would 
rise  v.itli  great  regularity,  jiass  over  the  high  ■p/atcan,  where  we  li.id  the 
sources  of  the  3Iississi)ipi,  of  Red  River,  and  the  St.  liOui.s,  and  then  sink 
to  the  level  of  Hudson  l{:iy,  by  a  rapid  descent,  intersecting  many  rivers  in 
their  progress.  The  next  would  disjilay  a  diflercnt  character.  Ascending 
from  tlie  gulf,  thev  wotild,  after  a  reirular  rise  to  the  latitude  of  thirtv-four 
degrees  north,  mount  over  the  spur  of  the  Appalacliiun  Mountains,  which  has 


• .  ■    5 


^':.i:\ 


: ..  .;i  ■> 


.     1 


22 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  t. 


,  t 


I  '  I 


boon  irciitioned  as  strctoliinrj  across  tlio  nortliern  part  of  Alabama  and  ]\Iis- 
3issi]t|ii;  dcHCciicl,  and  traversing  the  Tcnnossco,  Ciuubcrland,  and  Ohio  basins, 
at  <a  hill  summit  elevation  everywhere  nearly  the  same,  ascend  the  low  sum- 
mit level  between  the  Ohio  lliver  and  the  Lakes;  sink  to  the  level  of  the  lat- 
ter, and  beyond  tliem  rise  to  a  higher  level  than  attained  before,  from  wliioh 
to  decline,  at  an  equable  ratio,  into  Hudson  15ay. 

Such  a  line,  if  projected  on  paper,  would  not  be  convex  like  those  over  the 
great  plain  west  of  the  .Mississippi,  but  scr[)entine,  having  three  elevations  and 
two  depressions.  Further  cast,  wo  encounter  the  flanks  and  outliers  of  the 
Appalachian  Mountains,  which  prevent  one  of  these  depressions;  but  the  other, 
depending  on  tlT  lakes,  continues,  and  even  deepens  as  the  lake  surfaces  sink 
lower  in  the  cast. 

In  the  secoiifl  place,  let  us  give  attcntiim  to  the  surface  curves  of  eleva- 
tion and  depression,  which  might  be  drawn  transversely  to  the  ^'alle3•,  from 
east  to  Avest,  and  conserjucntly  at  right  angles  to  those  wlach  have  been 
described.  Everywhere  west  of  the  great  synclinal  axis,  such  curves  would 
rise  from  it  more  rapidly,  extend  further,  and  ultimately  attain  to  a  greater 
and  more  uniform  elevation,  than  those  which  niiujlit  be  extended  from  that 
axis  to  the  east.  Thus,  from  witliin  the  tropics  to  the  latitude  of  thirty 
degrees,  or  the  northern  coast  of  the  (jlulf  of  Mexico,  curves  drawn  from  west 
to  east,  would  descend  witli  great  rapidity  from  the  summits  of  tlie  Cordil- 
leras of  ^lexico,  at  the  altitude  of  ten  or  tv>elve  thousand  feet;  cross  the  gulf, 
and  rising,  terminate  on  the  mountains  of  Cuba,  and  on  the  still  lower  water 
table,  which  traverses  the  long  peninsula  of  Florida,  I'rom  south  to  north. 
From  the  northern  coast  of  the  gulf  to  the  shores  of  Lake  Michigan,  such 
lines  would  descend  rapidly  from  tlie  lofty  sjiines  and  peaks  of  the  luicky 
Mountains;  then  curve  more  gently  over  the  broad,  inclined  j)lain  wliich 
stretches  from  the  base  of  those  UKuuitains  to  the  synclinal  axis;  dip  into 
that  axis,  reiiscend,  and  traversing  the  narrower  and  less  elevated  ])lain  to 
the  east,  rest  on  tlie  sunnnits  of  tlie  Ajipalachian  range,  at  an  altitude  a  third 
or  fourth  as  liisih  as  that  <if  their  western  extremities. 

A  specimen  curve  of  this  class  is  given  in  PL  It,  Fig.  2.  For  want  of 
the  requisite  data  it  could  not  be  projected  under  one  parallel,  but  its 
extremities  diifer  only  a  few  degrees.  The  scale  on  which  it  is  executed  did 
not,  moreover,  admit  of  its  being  started  from  the  summits  of  the  Jiocky 
Mountains,  but  they  are  indicated  on  the  jilate.  Beginning  at  the  South,  or 
Fremont's  Pass,  it  takes  tiio  course  of  the  Sweetwater  and  I'latte  Elvers; 
passes  thence  to  the  Kansas ;  descends  that  river  to  its  mouth,  and  then  con- 
tinues down  the  Missouri  to  the  Mississippi;  —  having  traversed  the  great 
western  plain,  from  the  hight  of  tliirteen  thousand  live  hundred  and  seventy 
feet  (if  wo  Kiippoxc  it  projected  from  Fremont's  Peak)  to  that  of  three  hun- 
dred and  eighty-eight  feet,  tlie  elevation,  according  to  }vicollet,  of  the  great 
synclinal    axis,  at  the    mouth    of  the  3Iissouri  lliver.      It  now  reiiscends, 


TART   I.] 

and,  stil 
crosses  t 
may  be 
I'rofessoi 
feet.  * 

Tliis  p 
of  the 
between 
latitude 
change. 

A  line 
from  the 
the  surfif 


over  ill 


lis 


mini 


five   1 

ovi!r  the 

tion  of  th 

to  an  elev 

degrees,  v 

IVairie  di 

forty -two 

and  Lake 

water  sliei 

nect  lluroi 

of  from  ei^ 

Lake  Erie 

through  \\ 

Mohawk,  t 

terniinato 

latitude  of 

of  six  hum 

sink  to  the 

liawrence 

of  the  Adi; 

thonsaiid  i 

from  the  r 

the  surface 

six  feet,  or 

between  th 

*  Tlic  <h.t 
Illiiioi.>i,  1)1(1 
wi'.st  of  the  ■ 
the  siiunnit 
«ho\v  the  (lit 


[book  r. 

la  and  3Ii.s- 
Uliio  lia.sins, 
ic  low  sum- 
■1  of  tlio  lat- 
,  from  wliich 

loso  over  the 
cvatioiis  and 
tlicrs  of  the 
lut  the  otlior, 
iurfacoij  sink 

cs  of  clcva- 

"N'alloj-,  frciu 

ii  liave  l)Ocu 

•iirvcs  woiihl 

to  a  greater 

'il  frdiii  tliat 

(le  of  tlurty 

i\\  from  Wfst 

■  the  Corilil- 

ross  the  gulf, 

lower  water 

til  to  north. 

fhiiian,  such 

tlie  Kof.'ky 

jilaiu   which 

is ;  di])  into 

ted  pliiiii  to 

tude  a  third 

'or  want  of 

'1,  hut  its 

xeeutcd  did 

the   Juicky 

le  Siiuth,  or 

to  liivcrs; 

d  then  con- 

d  the  great 

lid  seventy 

tliree  lum- 

tlie  great 

re-'tseends. 


PART   I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


2n 


and  still  hearing  a  little  south  of  east,  passes  over  Illinois  and  Indiana: 
crosses  the  Olno  Kiver  at  tlie  Falls;  traverses  the  state  of  Kentucky,  and 
nt.iv  he  suiiiioscd  to  terminate  (iii  the  IJal.nm  Mountain  of  A'irginia;  which 
I'rofessor  llo'^ers  inibrms  me  has  an  altitude  of  live  thousand  tw   hundred 

feet.  * 

Tiiis  iiniflle,  wliile  it  demonstrates  tlie  true  valley  character  of  the  interior 
of  the  continent,  Avill  serve,  especially,  to  illustrate  the  portion  which  lies 
between  the  thirtv-third  or  thirty-fourth  and  the  forty-first  parallels  of 
latitude.  lu  pa.s.siiig  further  north,  the  form  of  the  curve  undergoes  a 
change. 

A  line  projected  in  the  forty-second  degree  would  descend,  like  the  last, 
from  the  summits  of  the  Roidcy  Mountains;  cross  the  synclinal  axis,  where 
the  surface  of  the  Mississip])i  is  six  hundred  feet  above  t'^c  sea;  then  curve 
over  liills  two  hundred  feet  higher:  then  sink  to  the  level  of  Lake  ^lichigan. 
live  hundred  and  seventy-ciglit ;  traverse  that  lake;  rise  to  one  tlionsand 
over  the  water  shed  hetwccn  it  and  Lake  Erie;  cross  the  south-western  por- 
tion of  that  lake;  and  ascend  the  mountains  of  New  York  and  i'ennsylvania, 
to  an  elevation  of  two  tlionsand  feet.  Anotlier,  in  t1ie  latitude  of  forty-three 
degrees,  would  describe  a  curve  1 1'  tlie  same  kind,  to  tlie  synclinal  axis,  at 
l'rairi(!  du  (,'liien,  where  the  surface  of  the  Mississippi  is  six  hundred  and 
fortv-two  feet  al)ove  the  sea;  then  ascend  the  water  table  between  that  river 
and  Lake  Michigan,  tliree  hundred  feet  higher;  traverse  the  lake  and  the 
water  shed  to  its  east  as  before;  sink  to  the  level  of  the  straits  which  con- 
nect Huron  with  Ih'ie,  live  Imndred  and  seventy  feet :  then  rise  to  the  chvatioii 
of  from  eight  hundred  to  one  thousaml  feet,  in  traver.-ing  (!anada,  north  of 
Lake  Krie;  then  sink  to  five  hundred  feet  at  the  Falls  of  Ni;igara;  pass  on 
through  Western  Xew  York,  near  the  same  level;  descend  the  valley  of  the 
Mohawk,  enter  that  of  the  Hudson,  and,  by  a  little  deflection  to  the  south, 
terminate  on  the  Atlantic  <  >cean.  at  the  city  of  New  York.  A  curve  in  the 
latitude  of  forty-four  degrees,  intersecting  the  svn(dinal  axis  at  an  elevation 
of  six  hundred  and  eighty-four  feet,  wouhl  have  all  the  infl:>xions  of  the  hist; 
sink  to  the  level  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-two  feet,  at  tiie  efflux  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  from  Lake  Ontario;  then  reiiscend,  and  terminate  on  the  summits 
of  the  Adirondack  Mountains,  in  northern  New  York,  at  the  altitude  of  four 
thousand  feet.  The  euvve  of  the  next  jiarallel,  fort^  -five  degrees,  descending 
from  the  mountains  like  the  rest,  wcmld  intersect  the  synclinal  axis  where 
the  surface  of  the  St.  Peter's  Jliver,  occupying  it,  is  nine  hundred  and  forty- 
six  feet,  or  thirty  feet  below  its  greatest  elevation ;  ascend  the  high  lands 
between  tl)at  river  ;     1  the  .Mississippi;  pass  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  eleva- 


*  The  (liila  for  this  rnrvo  are  derived  from  rremoiit,  Nicollet,  the  civil  enfiiiieers  of 
Illinoi.s,  Iiitlini;;i,  ami  Kciitiu-ky,  uiid  the  jreologists  of  \'irj,Miii:i.  Many  of  tlir  altitudes 
west  of  the  Mi^-issii)pi  arc  those  of  rivrrs,  at  low  water,  while  those  1o  the  east  are 
the  siiinmi!  h>ve!s  of  the  h.w  hills.  My  (h-aii;rhtsiiiai).  Captain  Fuller,  has  ondeuvoivd  to 
5ihow  the  different  kinds  of  sur.''uce  — prairie,  woodland,  and  river. 


M 


;0' 


1»»»J 


24 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nooK  I. 


rART    I.  I 


tod  oiijlit  linmlrofl  and  fifty-six  foot ;  riso  tonne  tlinus  1  bofnrc  de.sceii(liiip 
upon  Jiakes  .Micliii:an  and  ]Inr(jn,  with  tlioir  intorvonu.i>;  water  .shod  as  bo- 
foio;  tlion  travorso  Canada  AVost;  sink  to  tlie  levol  of  tlie  St.  Jiawronoc  a 
short  dihtanco  above  Montroal ;  and  linally,  l)y  a  rapid  ascont,  rost  on  tbo 
Groon  and  Wliito  .Mountains  of  Xow  England,  at  tiio  altitude  of  four  or  live 
tliousand  foot. 

Tlic  carve  of  f(trty-si.x:  doirroos  would  pass  over  tlio  lioad  of  tlio  C'olcnw  drs 
yjrrtir/'cv,  wlucli  i.s  two  thousand  foot  in  liigiit;  then  intorsoot  Eod  ilivor  in 
the  synrdinal  axis  a  littlo  north  of  its  ijreato.st  elevation,  at  tlio  altitude  of 
about  nine  Inindrod  and  sixt3'feot;  thou  rise  upon  the  sloping  plain,  from 
twelve  to  fourteen  hui\drod  foot  high,  on  which  the  Mis.sissippi  dosconds; 
then  rantro  over  the  water  shod  botwoon  Ijako  .Mioliigan  and  J^ake  Superior, 
at  a  still liiu'hor  altitude;  thou  sink  to  the  level  ami  pass  through  the  northern 
margin  of  Lake  Huron,  at  five  hundred  and  seventy-eight  foot ;  to  rise  again 
as  it  traverses  (,'anada,  to  the  general  bight  of  eight  or  nine  hundred  foot; 
then  descend  and  cro-s.s  the  St.  Ijawronoo  a  short  distance  above  tide  water; 
after  which,  suddenly  rising,  to  rost  upon  that  jxirtion  of  the  Ajipalachian 
chain  which  is  found  in  Lower  Canada  aiul  the  state  of  .Maine,  at  the  liight 
of  three  thousand  feet.  The  curves,  roprosenting  the  forty-seventh  and 
tbrtv-pighth  parallels  of  latitude,  cut  the  .synclinal  axis  whore  Ucd  Ilivor, 
which  still  occupies  it,  has  an  elevation  of  more  than  eight  huinlred  feet; 
■whonco  tliey  nnunit  upon  the  plateau,  about  fourteen  hundred  foot  high,  on 
which,  and  between  which  ])arallels,  the  31i.-sissippi,  Eed  Jliver,  and  the  St. 
]iOuis  have  their  sources.  From  tliis  elevation  they  descend  to  Lake  Supe- 
rior, six  hundred  and  twenty  feet,  which  they  traverse  from  end  to  end;  then 
reiiscend  to  tiie  g(!noral  elevation  of  one  tliousand  feet,  as  they  traverse 
Canada;  then  descend  to  tide  water,  in  crossing  the  St.  Lawrence  below 
Quebec;  whence  they  rise  upon  th.e  last  portion  of  the  Appalachian  Mountains, 
south  of  that  river,  and  cease  at  the  elevation  of  about  three  thousand 
feet.  The  parallel  of  f(jrty-nine  degrees,  gives  a  curve  which  descends  on  the 
watershed  between  the  Missouri  and  the  Saskatchawan  of  Hudson  Bay; 
dips  to  the  level  of  ab<mt  eiglit  hundred  feet,  in  erossing  lied  lliver  in 
the  synclinal  axis;  rises,  t<mchcs  the  Jiake  of  the  V\'oods,  passes  along  the 
water  shed  between  Hudson  ]iay  to  the  north,  and  liake  Superior  and 
the  St.  Jiawrence  to  the  south,  at  tl;e  altitude  of  fii'toon  or  eighteen  hundred 
feet ;  then  suddenly  sinks  into  the  ostuarj-  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  passes 
out  to  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  Tiiis  curve  is  distinguished  from  the  preceding, 
by  the  high  and  uniform  level  which  it  maintains;  and  by  representing, 
through  nearly  its  whole  length,  the  water  sliod  which  separates  the  streams 
which  ilow  into  JIudson  l>a_y.  Iron,  those  which  cast  their  waters  into  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  the  ]jakes,  and  the  St.  Lawrence. 

The  curves  of  the  next  two  parallels,  in  descending,  cross  the  synclinal 
axis  in  Lake  Winnipeg,  at  the  level  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  feet;  then  re- 
iiscend, but  not  to  as  high  a  levol  as  the  last;  pass  near  to  the  south-eastern 


projecti. 
lachiaii  c 

of    (lie   or 

The  li 
are  now 
or  Davis 
into  the 
Mountain 
of  evirv 
theii'  1"\\  I 
of  latilm 
thousand 
to  the  so 
rniiiato  in 

Thus,  y 
witii  thos( 
after  W',.>  r 
of  Mexico 

The  UK 
supposing 
tioiis  ovei 
thousand 
latitude  ol 
many  peal 
tion,  porh.'i 
of  three  tl 
ohian  rang 
tion  were  i 
terly,  it  w^ 
far  on  this 

Tiio  ])l;i 
or  the  syn 
would  pas.- 
portions  ol 
Missouri,  ( 
middle  Te 
A\'isconsin, 
uortli.  won 
series  of  h 
hundred  ai 
on  the  sui 
thence  dow 
wlnJo  Kill 
and   Winn 


[book  I. 

vo  doscciHliiifj 
r  slit'il  as  1)0- 
t.  Lawrence  a 
,  vest  oil  tlio 
uf  four  or  live 

he  Cofcfiii  lies 
lU'd  Jilver  in 
le  altitude  of 
iig  ]ilaiii,  from 
ij)i   desceiKls ; 
lake  Superior, 
li  the  northern 
to  rise  airain 
hundred  feet; 
ve  tide  water; 
3  Ajipalachian 
:>,  at  the  liight 
-seventh    and 
e  IJcd  Jliver, 
hundred   feet ; 
I  feet  higli,  on 
r,  and  the  St. 
0  Lake  Supe- 
to  end ;  tlion 
thoy  traverse 
renec  Leh)w 
1  Mountains, 
ee   thousand 
seends  on  the 
Judson  Bay; 
ed  llivcr   in 
es  along  the 
uperior  and 
teen  hundred 
and  passes 
le  ])reeeding, 
representing, 
the  streams 
ters  into  the 

tlu!  synclinal 
eet ;  then  re- 
outh-eastcni 


rART    I. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


25 


projoetion  nf  Hudson  IJay;  ri.-^e  over  the  expiring  extremities  of  the  Appa- 
laehian  chain  beyond  the  St.   Lawrence,  and  then  suddenly  sink  to   the  level 

of  the  ocean. 

The  hiizh  lamls,  or  mountains,  near  the  eastern  margin  of  the  oiuitinont, 
arc  now  at  an  ciiil,  and  the  valley  plain  opens  out  upon  the  Atlaiitii.'  Ocean, 
or  I)avis'  Strait.  We  liave  now  arrived  at  Hudson  Lay,  which  penetrates 
into  the  very  heart  of  the  continent.  On  the  west,  Imwcvcr,  the  Infty  I'ocky 
Mountain  horder,  continues  uni)roken  and  unreduced  in  altitude.  The  curves 
of  evuv  parallel  of  latitude,  descend  as  before  from  their snnimits,  andieach 
their  lowest  level  in  Hudson  ]5ay;  beyond  which,  through  eight  or  ten  degrees 
of  latitude,  they  rise  to  the  (uncertain)  elevation  of  nine  hundreil  or  one 
thousand  feet,  and  terminate  with  the  coast  of  Labrador.  From  the  sixtieth 
to  the  seventieth  degree,  tlie  curves  still  descend  from  the  high  level,  but  ter- 
minate in  Hudson  Kay,  or  the  straits  which  connect  it  with  the  ]'olar  Sea. 

Thus,  we  tiiid  that  the  curves  in  the  extreme  north,  are  almost  identical 
with  those  of  the  extreme  south;  and  that  the  eoidiguration  uf  the  ^'alley, 
after  wo  reach  Hud.^on  Bay,  is  nearly  the  same  with  that  around  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico. 

The  mechanism  of  the  Interior  A'alley  may  be  still  further  illustrated,  by 
supposing  certain  horizontal  ])lanes  or  linos,  to  lie  carried  in  various  direc- 
tions over  its  surl'ace.  Thus  a  horizontal  j)lanc,  at  the  altitude  of  twelve 
tlionsand  feet,  apj)lied  to  the  whole  range  of  llocky  3Iountains,  from  the 
latitude  of  eigliteeu  degrees  to  sixty-eight  degrees,  north,  would  cut  througli 
many  peaks,  and  pass  over  many  others;  the  excesses  and  defects  of  eleva- 
tion, perliaps,  nearly  cmnpensating  each  other;  ami  a  phn'c  at  the  elevation 
of  three  thousand  iive  hundred  or  four  thousand  feet,  applied  to  tlie  Appala- 
chian range,  would  give  nearly  the  same  result ;  and  if  a  plane  at  this  eleva- 
tion were  carried  from  the  entire  length  of  the  7\pp.''.  jhian  Mountains,  wes- 
terly, it  would  not  reach  tlie  llocky  .Mountains,  but  cut  the  great  prairies 
far  on  this  side. 

The  jdane  at  the  elevation  of  a  thousand  feet,  or  of  the  culminating  lino 
or  the  .synclinal  axi.s,  at  Jiake  Traverse,  nine  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet, 
would  pass  a  little  above,  or  rest  U])on,  or  cut  through,  the  sunnnits  of  those 
portiuiis  (,!' the  A'alley  which  are  comprehemled  in  the  following  states:  Iowa, 
Missouri,  except  the  Ozark  Hills,  north-eastern  Missis-jippi,  north  Alabama, 
nn'ddle  Tennessee,  western  and  middle  Kentucky,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois, 
"Wisconsin,  .Michigan,  and  Canada  West.  'J'he  same  plane,  carried  to  the 
nortli.  would  apply  with  c(pnd  accuracy  to  a  far  greater  area.  Finally,  a 
series  of  horizontal  planes,  rising  from  two  hundred  and  thirty-two  to  seven 
hundred  and  iil'ty  feet,  luid  then  sinking  tln-ough  the  same  scale,  would  rest 
on  the  surfaces  of  all  the  great  lakes,  from  Ontario  up  to  Winnipeg;  and 
theiU'C  down  through  Deer,  Athabasca,  and  Slave,  to  Great  Bear  J^ake;  the 
whole  lying  in  one  axis  (broken  only  by  the  high  lands  between  Superior 
and  "Winnipeg;,  and  ranging  with  the  longest  diagonal  of  the  Valley,  from 


I 


26 


TIIR  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nooK  1, 


I'ARf    I. 


south  cast  to  nnrtli  west.  Oiio  oxtreinity  of  tliis  ra?ijrn  is  in  latitude  furty- 
tliroo  tlc^'rnos  nortli,  and  longitudn  sixty-seven  degrees  west ;  the  other  in 
hititudo  sixty-seven  degrees  north,  and  longitude  one  hundred  and  twenty- 


<■      n 


four  degrees  west. 


m 


SECTION  IV. 

GEOLOGICAL   OUTLINE. 

Having  shown  tlio  jieculiar  gcograjdiipal  and  hydrograjiliioal  systrni  of  tho 
(Jroat  \'nl](!y,  it  will  bo  proper  to  give  a  comprehensive  introductory  notice  of 
its  mineral  geology. 

I.  Tlie  soil  or  loose  covering  of  the  surface  of  a  country  consists  naturally 
of  the  (h'hrh  of  the  subjacent  rocks,  gradually  accumulating  upon  them,  and 
varying  in  depth  and  (|iuilities  according  to  their  mineral  constitution.  As 
some  rocks  undergo  disintegrati(ni  nuich  more  rajtidly  than  others,  it  follows, 
that  they  have  covered  themselves  with  a  deeper  bed  of  their  ruins.  Thns 
the  shales,  marls,  and  soft  slates,  with  many  sand  and  limestones,  decay 
more  rapidly  than  granite,  or  syenite,  and  other  primitive  rocks,  and  there- 
fore have  a  thinner  soil. 

"When  the  rains  M'asli  tliis  pulverulent  tJchris  from  the  hills  to  the  valleys, 
it  is  Ixirne  along  by  the  streams,  and  gradually  deposited  in  beds,  which  arc 
raised  liigher  by  eacli  succssivo  inundation  oi'  the  banks.  These  are  the 
alluvial  grounds  or  bottom  lands.  In  composition  they  are  by  no  moans  so 
simple  as  the  soils  wliich  remain  in  si/i/,  fur  tlie  wreck  of  various  strata  are 
mingled,  and  a  variety  of  organic  matters,  transported  by  the  waters,  become 
enveloped  in  them.  By  this  transportation,  it  may  happen,  that  the  banks 
of  the  lower  portions  of  a  river,  or  the  shores  of  a  lake  in  which  it  disem- 
bogues, may  be  comjxisod  of  materials  widely  different  from  tlio  rocks  on 
which  the_y  rest;  of  which  our  Great  Yallc}- presents  many  striking  examples. 
All  its  rivers,  when  swollen  by  rains,  and  some  even  in  their  lowest  depres- 
sion, transport  a  variety  of  materials ;  and  often  deposit  them  at  great 
distances  from  their  original  beds;  thus  creating  a  nuisfc  extensive  and  com- 
plicated system  of  alluvial  grounds;  some  of  which  become  dry  after  the 
freshets  have  subsided,  wliile  others  remain  permanently  covered  with  water. 
in  the  form  of  shallow  jionds,  marshes,  or  mere  swales.  It  is  not  practicable, 
to  estimate  the  area  of  these  grounds ;  but  they  are  so  continuous,  that 
every  part  of  the  A'alley,  from  mountain  to  mountain,  and  from  sea  to  sea, 
might  1)0  traveled  over,  without  leaving  them  except  to  cross  the  streams  by 
which  the}'  have  been  deposited. 

IT.  What  has  been  said,  affords  but  a  limited  conception  of  the  surface  of 
the  Interi(»r  Valley.  Along  many  of  its  rivers,  and  even  mill  streams,  there 
are,  in  the  rear  of  the  alluvial  bottoms,  older  and  higher  deposits  of  trans- 
ported materials;  which,  it  may  be  seen  at  a  single  glance,  were  made  by 


rivers  nil  I 

same  valK 

times  reee 

a  third  tei 

the  organ  I 

longer  sub 

aggregate, 

f(jr  they  ai 

lU.'.V 

deposits  o 

viilleys  am 

Tliey  are  f 

least  fifti" 

oft  he  \'all 

their  arran 

they  have  1 

depi'sits,  w 

roi'ks,  at  v; 

depth  of  \v; 

bedded.-'^ 

Bubjeet,  am 

dilferent  n;i 

the  regions 

mineral  cliai 

by  filling  n 

Icveliiess,  ai 

IV.   Wei 

the  nature  ( 

of  our  physi 

along  its  syi 

out ;  eaeli  t 

eeedi'd  by  a 

that  we  pasj 

formations  \ 

met  uitli. 

alluvial  dcpo 

To  these,  in 

posit,   exten 

of  Illinois  ai 

Wisconsin,  n 

basin ;  t]]v\i 

and  lastly  u] 


[llOOK    I, 

hititudo  forty- 
;  the  dtlior  in 
il  and  twfutv- 


system  of  tlio 
ictory  notice  of 

isists  naturnlly 
\um  tlicni,  and 
istitntidii.     As 
lors,  it  follows, 
:•  ruins.     Tims 
estonos,  decay 
ks,  and  there- 
to tlio  valloys. 
lods,  wliii'li  arc 
riicso  arc  the 
y  no  means  so 
ions  strata  are 
vatcrs,  become 
at  the  banks 
ii.'li  it  disem- 
tlio  rocks  on 
'm<s  cxamjilcs. 
iwcst  dcpres- 
tom  at  irrcat 
ivo  and  oom- 
dry  al'tor  tlic 
d  with  water, 
t  practicable, 
tinuous,  that 
ni  sea  to  sea, 
ic  streams  by 

tlie  surface  of 
trcanis,  there 

iits  of  trans- 
cre  made  by 


PART    I. 


iNTiiniou  v.\i,i,i;y  of  noutii  amuiuca. 


river.s  incomparably  deeper  and  broader  than  tliMso  which  now  flow 


111 


27 
tlio 


same 


ilIcvH.     Tiicse  are  eoinmonly  called  si'cond  bottoms,  and  nni.;ht  sninc- 


tinii'S  rt'i'eive  a  still  hiirhcr  numerical  dcsiirnation  ;  for,  now  and  tiien,  wi;  sec 
a  third  terrace.  From  the  great  length  of  time  since  they  were  d(]H  sited, 
the  oriranie  matter.'^  which  they  enveloped,  are  dissidved;  and,  as  they  are  no 
lon!;rer  sul)ject  to  river  inundations,  thiir  surfaces  are  seldom  marsliy.  in  the 
aaLTcate,  these  ancient  dcjiosits  arc  of  less  ana  than  tlie  recent  ;ill,iviuns, 
f(jr  they  are  found  aloni.'  a  part  of  our  rivers  only. 

III.  Nearly  related  to,  if  not  identical  with,  these  old  terraces,  an*  the 
deposits  on  the  general  surface  of  the  country;  overspreading  the  hills  and 
vallevs  alike,  andvarxing  in  depth  I'roni  a  I'mv  feet  to  a  inindrcd  or  more. 
Tlicv  are  found  from  th^'  level  <>['  the  st'a  in  the  south,  up  to  the  liight  of  at 
least  iifteen  huiulred  feet;  botii  on  the  mountain  slopes  and  elevated  portions 
of  tlie  \'allev  plaii'..  The  materials  which  c(Mnpose  them,  are  water  worn,  and 
their  arrangement,  not  less  than  their  miscellaiieons  character,  shows  that 
tliey  liave  been  transported  from  tlie  north.  Nearly  eoi^xtensive  with  these 
depi  sits,  we  find  inuneiise  bowlders,  or  blocks  of  granite  and  other  primitive 
at  vast  distances   from  their  parent  strata,  indicating  not  only  f^reat 


roc 


lei'tll  o 


f  wat( 


r,  but  bnovs  of  moving'  ice  in  whiel 


til 


ev  must  liave  been  im 


bedded.'*^  31edical  geology  does  not  rc([uire  a  furtlier  develojinient  of  this 
Bulijeet,  and  it  only  remains  to  add,  that  these  deposits  have  receivi'd  the 
dilfcrent  mimes  of  diluvioii,  dril't,  and  post  tertiary;  and  that  they  give  to 
tin;  regions  in  whicli  they  abound,  a  surface  wliich  liears  no  relation,  in  ita 
mineral  character,  to  the  rocks  which  are  buried  up  beneath.  They  have,  also, 
by  filling  np  the  ine(|ualities  of  a  rocky  surface,  produced  one  of  greater 
levelness,  and  thereby  favored  the  ])roduction  of  jKUids  and  marshes. 

I  \  .   We  must  now  penetrate  tlie  loose,  upper  eoveriii'js,  and  brieflv  indicate 
tl 
of 
al 


le  iia 


ture  of  the  strata  lielow.     Tn  doing  this,  if  we  iM'gin.  as  in  tlie  study 
lur  physical  geograiihy,  at  the  Gulf  of  ^lexico,  and  proceed  up  the  ^'alley, 


1 1 ;  I  If 


its  synclinal  axis,  we  shall  find  that  different  rocks  successively  crop 
out;  each  to  constitute  the  surface  for  a  certain  space,  and  then  to  be  suc- 
ceeded by  a  deeper,  wliich  has  emerged  from  beneatli  it.  Wc  shall  Jilso  find, 
that  we  pass  progressively  from  tlie  very  newest  to  the  oldest;  though  nil  the 


forniatioiis  which  lie  between  those  extremes,  in   all  countri 


es,  niav  ni 


it  bo 


met  with.     'J'hus,  around  the  Culf  of  3Iexico,  we  begin  on  broad  and  deep 
ts;  then  rise  on  diluvial  or  post  tertiary,  and  then  on  tertiary. 


all 
To  tl 


u\ial  (leoosi 


lese,  ni  soiitl;ern 


Ahil 


lama   ami 


31 


ississiiun,  sn( 


eceds  a  cretaceous  de- 


posit,  exf ending    into  west    Tennes.see;    followed    by    tl 


ne    eoa 


.fill 


\V 


iiiois  a 
isconsin,  u 


nd  31 


issoun : 


th 


len,  auvancinir,  we  arrive,  ui  northern  iiluiois 


1    f( 
Tlli 


rniations 


and 


pon 


the  Devonian  shales  and  sand  stones,  which  underlie  the  coal 

ones,  and  slates, 


basin;  then  upon  the  Silurian  or  transition  limestones,  saiidst 
and  lastly  upon  granite  and  other  primitive  rod 


ve  rocks;   winch  stretcli  nor 


tlierly 


*  Dralic.     Trans.  Amcr,  Ph.  Soc.    New  Series,  Vol.  II,  Ic'l?'. 


2S 


TIIR  PRINCIPAL  DISKASns  i  »F  TIIK 


[book  I. 


TART    I.  I 


P 


from  [jiikc  S'ljH'rior  to  the  Vohw  Sea.  To  tin.'  cast  and  wtst  nf  tlio  line 
Buppiiscfl  to  lii.vo  l)cpn  travcli'fl  over,  most  of  tlicso  fonnatiotis  f<|)i'oiiil  out 
with  LTcat  r('j.'Miirity  and  ani|ilitudt.'.  'i'lius,  tlioro  is  a  ^(.'oln^rical,  nut  lotis 
tlian  a  '_'<'oL'ra])liica1  unity,  in  tlio  Intoiiur  N'allcy.  Not  llic  unity  of  a  sinj^lu 
forni.itioM,  cxi.stinir  I viTywIitTc,  but  tluMinity  of  ono  system  (<f  formations; 
(ie|iositod  on  a  seale  of  vast  extent,  and  sulise(|uently  .siilijeeted  to  the  same 
inflni'iires,  wliether  conservative  or  destruetive.  Jn  no  other  rountry,  over  an 
e(|na]  area,  is  tlie  geolo^'ieal  Htrueturo  so  sini|de  ami  niiifnrm;  in  no  tjtlier 
doo.s  it  so  decidedly  constitute  the  whole  into  one  natural  re;:ion. 

It  is  ail  ohvious  trntli,  that  these  formations  have  undergone  hut  few  dis- 
ru[iti  MIS,  from  any  force  actiii;^  beneath.  'J'he  Ozark  Hills  of  primitive  rock 
in  Arkansas  and  Missouri,  have,  it  is  true,  been  pusheil  u[)  throuidi  the 
pocondary:  and,  in  tlu^  former  state,  there  arc  some  volranie,  ap|iearani-es,  in 
the  midst  of  wliicli  we  find  the  hot  sjirini'S  oi'  Washita;  still  further,  the 
ii;reat  eartlnpiakes  of  IS]],  had  their  focus  in  the  same  qmirtcr.  15ut  the 
whole  re'j;ion  is  of  insiutnidinint  extent,  i-oniiiareil  with  the  entire  ^'alley,  wiiieh 
elsewliere  shows  scarcely  a  vestiixe  of  volcanic  action,  ll',  however,  the  rock 
formations  of  tlie  interior  of  the  continent,  ttill  lie  in  their  ori^dnal  position,  all 
that  were  de|tosited  are  iiot  here  now.  Our  best  ge(ilo<j;ists  have  come  to  the 
couelusiou,  that  much  has  ocen  waslcd  away:  that  vast  submarine  currents 
have  swept  the  contiucnt  from  mirth  to  south:  scooped  out  or  deepened  the 
A^dley  by  cutting'  down  its  strata;  produced  the  t'eiieral  h.'veln.ss  of  its  sur- 
face, and  finally,  left  upon  it  the  primitive  bowlders  and  other  drift  or  post 
tertiary  deposits,  which  have  been  described. 


SECTION    V. 
IIYDROGRAPIIICAL  BASIX^^. 

Tlie  further  study  of  the  physical  geography  and  topograpliy  of  the 
(Jreat  N'alley,  or  tropico-arctic  plain,  rcipiires  it  to  be  divided  into  regions, 
a  task  of  no  great  ditliculty  after  tlie  descriptions  through  which  we  have 
passed.  In  the  absence  of  mountain  ranges,  to  servo  as  natural  dividin,:,' 
lines,  itbec.imes  necessary  to  resort  to  rivers;  not,  of  course,  using  them  as 
they  are  employed  in  designating  the  boundaries  of  puliti^al  states,  but 
referring  to  their  arrangement  into  distinct  basins,  and  to  their  coidluenco 
in  di'Verent  seas.      On  this  principle,  then,  we  proceeil  witli  our  analysis. 

I.  AYhen  the  eye  rests  upon  tic  map  of  North  America  (7-*/.  /  ),  it  soon 
perceives  whore  the  great  water  sheds,  or  lines  of  division,  lie.  One  of  the 
most  iiuportant,  begins  in  the  Appalachian  ^loiuitains,  at  tlie  nortliern  sources 
of  the  Alleghany  lliver,  in  tlie  state  of  New  York,  about  uorth  latitude, 
forty-two  degrees  fii'teen  minutes,  and  west  longituile  seventy-eiglit  degrees 
and  thirty  minutes;  when^-e  it  proceeds,  almost  parallel  to  tlie  axis  ('f  JiUki 
Erie,  that  is,  to    tlie    sou'h    west,   until  it    reaches  the  forty-first  degree; 


when  it  tii 
Mi''higaii. 
the  river- 
It  has  iiuw 
rpialities  nl 
directi'iiis- 
St.    Iiawr( 
IJeyond  t!i 
liiiil  a  point 
bears  away 
^   degrees;  si 
kati'hawan 
which,  extc 
dcgrci's  of 
and  cuts  ot 
second  tinu 
of  thcAllc; 
sylvania,  \vi 
to  vary  IVm 
ha])s,  be  rei 
it  gradually 
the  clevatio 
depression  i 
region  west 
restored  to  i 
It  then  sink 
which    it   g 
Wount';i::s. 

The  easto 
Appalachian 
awha,  Cumh 
the  liiw  wall 
Florida ;  in  i 
as  alre;idy  d 

The  great 
the  gulf,  tl.r 
gin  of  ."\Iexii 
bama,  of  the 
the  gulf  by  t 
part  of  this 
I  shall  there 

II.    Starti 
we  advance  i 


'"^ 


[llOOK    I. 

rest  (if  tho  lino 

oris  s|ir(,'iiil  out 
ii;.fif:il,  111  it  loss 
nity  (if  a  ^^iiij^le 
(if  i'liriiiiitioiis : 
cil  to  tli((  saiiio 
ouiitrv,  over  an 
111 ;  ill  iin  otlicT 

oil. 

lie  Imt  few  (lis- 
jiriiiiitivo  rock 
ip  tliroiiL'li  tlic 
n|i|ic;ir;nii'OS,  in 
ill  furtliiT.  tlie 
rtir.  lint  tho 
■V  \'alK'y,  whii'li 
wovor,  tlio  rook 
iiial  jui^itiiin,  all 
iivo  ooiiio  to  tlie 
iiiariiui  ourri'tits 
ir  (1l'l'|H'11('(1  tliu 
i!.>s  of  its  suv- 
or  (Iril't  or  puf^t 


PART    1. 1 


INTIMlIOli  VAr,M:Y  OF  NoUTII  A.MI.IMCA. 


'![) 


)<:rapliy  of  tlio 
■il  into  ro^^ions, 
which  wc  have 
itiiral  dividing 
usill^•  tlioin  as 
,il  status,  hut 
heir  ooiiiiuonOL' 
analysis. 

"/.    J  ),  it  soon 

One  of  tho 

ntlierii  sources 

north  latitude, 

ciglit  do;j.roc!; 

axis  of  Lake 

y-lirst  dogroe; 


whoii  it  turns  northorly,  and  passing  round  the  hrad  or  snuthorn  oiid  of  l<ako 
Mii'hi;^'aii,  advanois  into  the  region  west  of  Lake  Superior;  iiaviiif^  scparatoii 
the  rivors  which  flow  into  tho  I  akos,  from  the  trihutaiics  of  tho  ,A!i>-si>>ippi. 
It  has  now  attained  tho  mean  latitude  of  forty-ei^^ht  do;:re.  s,  and,  hy  its  ino- 
(pialities  of  suriai'o.  dotermines  tho  waters  which  lall  upon  it,  in  three  dili'erent 
directions  —  toward  the  (lidf  of  .Mexico  by  the  Missis.-ip, ',  t!ie  (lulf  of  tho 
St.  Lawrence  hy  t!ic  Itivcr  St.  liouis,  and  iliidsini  IJay  hy  JU'd  liivcr. 
]{evond  this,  to  tho  west,  it  is  out  through  liy  tho  synclinal  a.\is,  in  whii-li  wo 
liiida  point,  whonco  the  streams  flow  to  tho  south  and  iioiili.  It  then  risisaiul 
hours  away  to  tho  l{ocky  Mountains,  in  nortli  latitude  lilfy-ono  or  li,ty-two 
de<rroes;  separatinir,  in  its  progress,  tht;  Missoiu-i  of  the  south  from  the  Sas- 
Icatidiawan  and  other  rivers  of  tlie  north.  Hero  then  wc  have  a  water  shod, 
which,  extending  from  one  nioimtain  rango  to  the  other,  traverses  thirty-six 
degrees  of  lon::itu(le,  changes  its  'atitudo  from  foily-twoto  lifty-two  degroos, 
and  cuts  otV  nearly  one  third  of  tho  \'alley  from  tho  rest.  Lot  us  survey  it  a 
Bocoiid  time,  with  a  view  to  its  altitudes.  .Loginning,  as  before,  at  tho  smireea 
of  the  Alleghany,  (J  enessee,  ami  SusijUchannah  rivers,  in  .New  Vork  and  renn- 
Sylvania,  wo  find  in  dilferont  [ilaeos,  the  mountain  elevation  ol'  this  water  shed 
to  vary  from  thirteen  to  eighteen  hvuidred  foot  —  fourteen  hundred  may.  per- 
haps, he  received  as  an  average.  (J oing  westerly,  thr<iugli  <  >hio  and  Indiana, 
it  gradually  sinks,  until,  at  Ciiicago,  in  I  Hindis,  it  has  i'alleii  to  six  hiiiidreil  feet; 
the  elevation  of  tho  lake  being  five  hundred  and  sovonty-eiglit.  h'roiii  this 
depression  it  rises  as  regularly  as  it  had  fallen;  and  on  following  it  to  the 
region  west  of  Lake  Superior,  at  the  sources  of  the  ^Mississippi,  we  find  it 
restored  to  its  mountain  elevation,  of  from  thirteen  to  seventeen  hundred  feet. 
It  then  sinks,  in  the  .symlinal  axis,  to  nine  hundred  and  seventy-iive ;  beyond 
which  it  gradually  riso.s,  with  the  great  inclined  plain,  to  the  lieeky 
Moiint'iii.'s. 

The  eastern  boundary  of  this  division  of  the  Croat  A'alley  is,  of  eourse,  tho 
Appalachian  3Iountain.s  at  the  sources  of  the  Alleghany,  .Moiiongahela,  Ivou- 
awlia,  Cumberland,  and  Tennessee  liivers,  round  to  tho  state  of  (Jeorgia;  with 
the  low  water  shed  tlimugh  the  western  part  ol  that  state  and  the  center  of 
Florida ;  in  other  words,  the  eastern  limits  of  this  jiortioii  of  the  (Ireat  Valley 
as  already  deiincd.     The  v,-estern  boundary  is  tho  Kooky  Mountanis. 

The  greater  jiart  of  tho  waters  of  this  extensive  region,  find  their  way  to 
the  gulf,  through  the  Mississippi;  but  the  ivers  of  Texas,  of  the  eastern  mar- 
gin of  Mexico,  of  tlie  eastern  siile  of  :\Ii.ssissipiii,  of  the  whole  of  south  Ala- 
bama, of  the  western  margin  of  Georgia,  and  the  western  lialf  of  Florida,  reach 
the  gulf  by  their  own  proper  clumnels.  Hence  the  ^Mississippi  drains  but  a 
part  of  this  region,  and  cannot,  properly,  give  its  name  to  tho  whole,  which 
I  shall  therefore  call  the  SouTiiKnx,  or  >Ii:xican  IIvDiioouAniicAL  Basin. 

IL  Starting,  as  before,  from  the  mountain  sources  of  the  Alleghany  River, 
we  advauco  northerly,  between  them  and  the  sources  of  the  Sus(|uehannah,  on 


n 


m 


80 


Tin;  riMNcii'.M,  diskahf.s  or  thf. 


(nooK  I. 


r*BT  I. 


!;■ 


tlio  riirlit,  nml  fliosi'  <<['  tlic  (icin<S!Si'i>  nml  O,«\vo!.'n,  of  Liikr  nntnrin,  mi  tlic  left 
III  the  viilli-y  of  the  Mi)lia\vk,  iili((iit  tlio  |)!iriilli'l  nf  turty-tlircM!  do^'roi'H,  tin- 
watershed  sinks  to  tli"  liii^lit  tit"  lour  IminlrL'il  iukI  twciity-livo  feet ;  hut  soon 
rises  ti>  tlio  altitmle  ufas  niiiiiy  tlioiisinnls,  ami  wimls  luiionj^  tlio  Adironihiek 
Mountains,  between  hukt;  Ontario  and  Lake  Cliainiikiiii  ;  wheru  it  sepnrates 
tlie  waters  wiiiili  IIo\v  into  tlioso  lakes  nnd  tin;  St.  hawrenee,  IVoiu  tliose  ot 
Hudson  Ikiver.  It  is  tliiii  dejiressed  to  oik'  liundred  and  forty-seven  feet, 
in-tween  tiiat  river  and  Luke  Clianiiilain  ;  to  riso  U|)on  tlio  (ireeii  Monntaiiifi 
of  N'erniont,  tin;  Wiiito  .^lountains  of  New  llani|is!iirL',  and  tlie  mountains  ot 
Canaihi  Hast,  to  tlieir  lenniniition  nt  Capu  (iaspe,  on  tlio  (lulf  of  St.  liaw- 
rcnt'o;  about  tlio  latitude  of  furty-eiglit  iI(>^'reos  iiortli,  and  longitude  of  sixty- 
four  deLTce.s  west.  On  tlie  north  sidt^  of  the  ^iilf,  it  reeoinnienceH  west  of 
Davis'  Straits,  not  far  from  the  sixty-fourth  meridian,  and  lifty-third  jiarallel: 
and  passing  south  of  Avest,  divides  tho  waters  of  the  St.  Lawreiieo  from  those 
of  lludsou  Straits  and  l)ay.  Apiiroai'hinj;  Lake  Superior,  it  winds  round 
tho  northern  curvo  of  tliat  lake  (to  wliieli  it  ajiproaclics  very  near),  separa- 
ting its  tributaries  from  the  rivers  of  the  southern  extremity  of  Hudson 
]Jay;  and  eontinuin;;  to  tho  south  west,  divides  tho  sliort  rivers  whieh  fall 
into  Lake  Sujierior,  from  the  loii;.'er  wiiich  llow'  into  Lake  Winnipeg;  until  it 
reaches  the  great  eulminating  ooiiter,  on  wliich  the  ^Nlississipjii  has  its  origin. 
From  this  jdateau,  round  tho  southern  t;i(lo  of  tho  Lakes  to  the  place  of 
Htarting,  on  tiio  table  laud  of  the  Appalachian  mountains,  tho  boundary  is,  of 
course,  that  already  tnieed  out.  'i'iio  area  of  this  ba,-in  is  m\u-]\  loss  than 
that  of  tho  southern  or  Mexii-an.  As  a//  its  waters  hud  their  way  to  the 
ocean  through  the  St.  L;uvrenc(>,  it  may  bo  named  tho  St.  L.vwhexcu  IIy- 
DUOiiKAi'uicAi,  Ijasin.  Other  a])pellatious,  however,  would  bo  almost  e((ually 
proper.  Hmbraoing  so  many  groat  lakes,  it  might  bo  called  tho  Basin  ok 
Tin:  Lakks;  and,  comprising  the  eastern  portions  of  the  A'alley,  a  term  ox- 
prossing  that  fact  would  bo  ajipropriate.  ]Oxtremo  precision  would  adopt 
]']asti;ii.\  for  tho  whole,  and  Lake  and  Si.  Laicrciicc  fur  its  two  great 
divisions. 

IIL  The  region  which  jmurs  its  waters  into  Hudson  Bay,  extends  from  the 
seventieth  to  tho  one  hundred  and  firtuouth  doureo  of  west  lon;:;itude ;  that 
is,  like  the  Mexican  Basin,  tpiito  across  tho  Interior  Valley;  while  that  last 
described,  is  sot  into  one  of  its  sides.  Tho  southern  boundary  of  the  region 
which  throws  its  waters  into  Hudson  Bay  is,  of  course,  the  northern  boun- 
dary of  the  two  basins  just  described.  Its  northern  boundary,  coinmoncing 
at  tho  Rocky  ^Mountains,  about  tho  fifty-fourth  parallel,  is  the  flat  water 
shed,  which,  running  to  the  north  east,  separates  the  waters  of  the  Athabasca 
River  and  Lake,  on  the  left  hand,  and  those  of  the  Saskatchawan  and  Mis- 
sinnippi,  or  Churchill,  on  the  right.  Turning  to  the  north,  about  the  one 
hundred  and  fifth  degree  of  longitude,  it  divides  tho  waters  of  Athabasca 
Lake,  and  Great  Slave  Lake,  from  those  of  Chesterfield  Inlet;  after  which, 


It  turns 
Thlewee 
Melvill.'    I 
Hudson  .<t 

ri'giou,  fro 
called  till- 

W.  T\, 

IIviUtOdKA 

continent, 

of    llud.xMI 

direi'tlou,  u 
dips  south 
Btreanis  w 
Course,  tlie 
about  the  s 
ty-lliird  to 
its  area,  wi 
of  lingitud 
brcailth;  st 
to  the  lliid,. 

^\"e    haV( 
divi  !rd  the 
1.  ThoS 
•J   The  !■; 
:;.  Tlie  II 

L   The  A 

Tu  conchi 
may  be  well 
chiefly  beloii 
iouthern,  to 
between  tho 
Basin  (  nortl 
portion  of  th 
Basin,  and  t 
In  popidatioi 
proceeding  U 


[book  I. 

id,  (111  tilt'  loft 
i>  (li'irnH'S,  till' 
L'L't ;  Imt  Hooii 
0  Adiriiinlack 
0  it  sc|mr!itt"s 
iVdlU   tluiso  ol 
ty-80vcn  toot, 
fii  Miiuntains 
■  iiKiuntaiiis  ot 
f  dl"  St.  Law- 
itiulo  ol'hixty- 
leiiccs  west  ul 
•tliiril  parallel: 
lice  IVdiii  those 
t  wiiitls  nmiid 
iioar),  f^i'liara- 
ty  (if  Umlsoii 
k'ors  wliicli  fall 
inipi';:;  until  it 
has  its  (ivi,!j;in. 
ti)  tho  iilacc  ul' 
bduiiilary  is,  of 
mu;li  loss  than 
oil-  way  to  tho 

AWKKNTli   IIy- 
iliiiuot  e(iually 

thu    ]).\.-lN  OK 

y,  a  tiriii  cx- 

wmild   adopt 

its    two   great 


tends  from  the 
iiiijitudt';  that 
while  that  last 
of  the  region 
irtherii  boun- 
y,  coininoiicing 
tho  flat  water 
the  Athabasca 
wan  and  Mis- 
labout  the  one 
of  Athabasca 
;  after  which, 


PAKT  ■■ 


INTEIUOli  VA1,LI;Y  Ol"  NOUTII  AMKIUCA. 


81 


it  turns  n.n-tli  eastwardly,  nnd  ^'ivos  ori^hi  to  ntreniiis  which  fall  infd  tho 
Tidewei'rlidk,  ur  llaek's  llivcr,  of  tho  PdlarSea;  beyond  which,  I'dimd  to 
>b'lviilc'  I'eiiinsulM,  it  has  not  been  traced;  iidr  has  that  to  the  Sdiitli  of 
lludsdii  .<trait,  iMlween  the  Hay  and  tiie  coast  of  Labrador.  The  witllh  nf  this 
reirldo,  frdiii  sduth  td  hd.tli,  isubout  twenty  degrees  of  latitmle.      It  may  be 

I'alled    the   lil|i>o,N    Ih  iPUOdllAllllfAI.    1{.\SI.N. 

I\'.  T'.^  n.'maimler  df  the  (Jnat  Interinr  \';illey,  constitutes  thf  I'ni.Ai; 
IIviiKoiiUAi'iin  \i.  1i\-in;  wliii'h  inebides  the  whdle  iidrtliem  sea  cua.-l  nf  tin.' 
continent,  fidii.  IJnlliii  I5a\  in  the  ilucky  Mountains.  From  the  proximity 
of  llndsnii  IJay  nii  t!ie  soutli,  the  Polar  IJasIn  ddcs  iidt  extend  far  in  that 
diri'iti'in.  until  after  we  have  [la-sed  westwardly  beyond  tinit  bay,  when  it 
dins  sdutli  td  the  lifty-fdnrth  degree  of  latitude;  and  embraces  the  various 
Btrcanis  which  make  np  .McKen/ie  liiver.  Its  western  boundary  is,  of 
Course,  the  lb  ky  Mdimtains.  Its  northern  boundary,  tlie  INihir  Sea,  is 
»bd\U  the  si,\ty-iiinth  er  seventieth  paralhd  —  its  Idiigltiides  fidiii  tlie  nine- 
ty-third to  the  one  liundn'd  and  tiiirty-seveiitli  degree;  but  in  estimating 
its  area,  wo  must  not  fdrgct  the  great  reduction  of  length  in  the  degrees 
of  Idiigitude  wifliiu  the  pdlar  cird",  where  this  IJasin  has  its  extreme 
breailtli;  .still,  it  is  of  greater  ana  than  the  St.  Lawrence,  thdiigh  n<it  eipial 
to  the  Ilndsdii  IJ;isiu. 

AVc  have  thus,  I'm"  tho  od  ivcnieni'o  of  future  tdpugraphieal  drsciiption, 
divi  h'll  the  (ireat  Interior  \'alleyiiito  four  iiatur:il  llvitKOdUAruicAi.  Dasins: 

1.  The  Povnii'iiN,  or  .Mkxicw. 

•J    The  Ivs-TKiiN,   L\Ki:,  nr  St.   Lawuiinck. 

:!.  The  lIci.soN. 

L  Till'  Akitic,  or  ror.Aii. 

Til  cdnclnding  this  general  geographical  and  hydrographical  aiial\sis,  it 
©ay  lie  well  to  say  a  word  mi  political  jurisdictidns.  Tin'  S(juthern  IJasin 
chiefly  belongs  to  the  I'liited  States;  its  south-wi'sterM  jinrtions  and  extreme 
loutheni,  to  Mexico.  The  St.  Lawrence  IJasin  is  divideil,  almnst  o(pially, 
between  the  United  States  and  (Ireat  Britain.  A  small  jiartof  the  Mexican 
Ba-in  ( Udrth  of  the  .Missouri)  lies  within  IJritlsh  jurisdiction;  while  a  larger 
portidu  of  the  Hudson,  jirojects  into  the  United  States.  All  tho  rest  of  that 
Basin,  and  the  wleilo  of  the  Arctic,  appertain  exclusively  to  (^ireat  Britain. 
In  [Mipnlation,  they  rank  in  tho  order  in  whiih  they  have  been  named.  T» 
proceeding  to  their  topographical  analysis,  we  shall  begin  with  the  Southern. 


I'll 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


BOOK    I. 


PART.    I.] 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE    SOUTIIEIIX    IIYDllOaRAPIIICAL    BASIX. 


(lULF   OF   MEXICO. 

In  profocding  to  analyze  the  .Soutlicni  Basin,  T  sluill  treat,  first,  of  the 
(jjulf;  .si;(;iiii(l,  (if  the  ]\Iissi,>!si|)pi  I'iver  and  its  banks;  tliiril,  of  the  regions 
west  of  the  (Julf  and  River;  fourth,  of  tlie  regions  to  tlieir  east. 

The  natural  relations  between  the  Gulf  of  .Mexico  and  the  Interior  \"allcy 
of  Niirtli  Anjeriea,  which  it  limits  to  the  south,  arc  so  intimate,  that  without 
a  preliminary  study  of  the  former,  no  successful  progress  can  be  made  in  the 
medical  toodgraphy,  hydrology,  climate,  and  endemic  diseases  of  the  latter. 
Beyond  tit  : ,  however,  the  gulf  has  claims  upon  our  attention;  for  the  com- 
mercial cities,  fortresses,  and  naval  stations,  which  must  forever  surround  it, 
re(pii''e  that  a  chapter  should  be  devoted  to  its  descrijition.  This  I  .shall  do 
under  the  following  heads  —  Pis  it  ion.  Form..  Area,  Depth,  Currents,  Tem- 
perature, Tides,  Iiiuadatioas,  and  Casts, 


SECTION  I. 

POSITION,  FORM,  AND  AREA. 

The  ninetieth  meridian  west,  and  the  twenty-fourth  jiarallel  north,  intersect 
each  other  very  near  the  center  of  tlie  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  thus  fix  its  mean 
latitude  and  loni>;itude.  The  extremes  of  the  former  are  from  a  little  below 
eigliteen  to  a  few  minutes  above  thirty  degrees  north  —  those  of  the  latter, 
between  eiiihty-one  and  ninetv-eii!,ht  decrees  west. 

FrdUi  Cape  Catoche,  the  termination  of  the  peninsula  (jf  Yucatan  in  the 
soutl),  round  to  t\v:  Bio  del  Norto,  i;i  the  west,  it  ■washes  the  coasts  of 
?»Iexico;  on  wdiich  we  find  Vera  Cruz  and  Tampico.  On  that  side,  the  Cor- 
dilleras approach  it  so  near,  that  some  of  their  peaks  can  bo  seen  from  its 
surface.  North  cast  of  the  Del  Norte,  it  washes  the  shores  of  Texas,  Louis- 
iana, .Mississippi,  Alabama,  and  Florida.  Its  remaining  laiul  limits  are  the 
Island  of  Cuba  to  the  south  t'ast.  Thus,  low  hiiuls  surround  it  on  every  side, 
except  the  west.  This  mediterranean  sea  has  two  important  connections 
with  tlie  Atlantic  Ocean:  one  on  the  south  by  the  Strait  of  Yucatan,  between 
Capi!  Catoche  and  Cape  Antonio,  whore  it  opens  into  the  Caribbean  Sea;  the 
other  ou  the  east,  by  the  Strait  of  Florida,  between  Cape  Sable  and  Havana. 

In  reference  to  the  terrestrial  zones,  it  is  divided  almost  Cijually  between 
the  torrid  and  temperate. 


Its  figll 
south  side 
the  Missis 
being  the 

Its  area 
thousand  t 
may  be  mi 
mands  of 
Interior  V 


The  folli 

by  Lieuten 

known  as 

beyond  tli( 

There  is  a 

few  miles  t 

north  (pf  Gi 

forty  miles, 

fathoms.     J 

north  east. 

TN'itli  a  line  i 

one  hundrec 

Florida.     S 

hundred  aii 

With  these 

fifty  miles  f) 

two  huudre( 

Thus  the 

curved  inch 

suggests  th; 

on.     At  the 

orations,  we 

latter,  to  rec 

the  two  has 

certain,  from 

lie  ( in  varic 

of  the  water 

proceeding,  i 

3 


[book  I. 


PART.    I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


38 


■< .  ir 


BAST  N. 


t,  first,  of  tlie 
uf  the  vogions 
t. 

uterit'i-  ^'allcy 
},  tliat  without 
)e  msidc  in  the 
;  of  the  latter. 
;  for  the  o(rin- 
cr  surround  it, 
This  I  .shall  do 
hirrcids,  Ttvi- 


north,  intersect 
us  fix  its  mean 
a  little  behiw 
le  of  the  latter, 

'uoatau  in  the 
the  coasts  of 
side,  the  Cor- 
|e  seen  from  its 
Texas,  Louis- 
limits  are  the 
It  on  every  side. 
Int  connections 
Icatan,  lietwecn 
Ihean  i^ea;  the 
le  and  Havana. 
Ijually  between 


Its  figure  rudely  approaches  a  broad,  irregular  oblong.  Its  north  and 
south  sides  are  pressed  toward  eacli  utlier,  near  their  middle,  by  the  delta  of 
the  Mississippi  and  the  promontory  of  Yucatan,  a  line  from  one  to  the  other 
being  the  shortest  by  which  it  can  be  crossed. 

It's  area,  if  we  take  seven  hundred  miles  for  its  average  width,  and  one 
thousand  for  its  mean  length,  is  seven  hundred  thousand  stiuarc  miles.  It 
may  bo  more  or  less,  but  exactness  on  this  point  is  not  re(iuu-ed,  for  all  de- 
mands of  our  object  are  satisfied,  by  knowing  that  immediately  south  of  the 
Interior  Valley  there  is  au  extensive  body  of  warm  water. 


SECTION  II. 

DEPTH. 

The  following  statement  of  facts  bearing  on  this  point,  has  been  sent  me 
by  liicutenant  Maury,  of  the  Hydrographical  Office.  Washington  : —  "  Little  i3 
known  as  to  the  deiith  of  the  central  part  of  tlie  Gulf,  except  that  it  is 
beyond  the  usual  reach  of  the  "  deep  sea  lead  " —  say  one  thousand  feet. 
Tliere  is  a  belt  of  soundings  all  around  the  Gulf,  varying  in  breadth  from  a 
few  miles  to  one  hundred  and  forty  or  one  hundred  and  fifty.  For  example : 
north  (if  Cape  Catoche  the  ^/ater  ,:rradnally  deepens  for  one  hundred  and 
forty  miles,  until  no  bottom  is  reached  at  one  hundred  and  ninety-eight 
fathoms.  So,  als'*,  fr(jm  the  1'ortugas  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles  to  the 
north  east,  it  deepens,  from  sixt^  fathoms  lear  those  islands,  to  no  bottom 
•with  aline  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-two  fathoms;  which  jioint  is  also  about 
one  lunidred  and  oiglity  miles  from  the  nearest  point  of  the  Peiuiisula  of 
Florida.  So,  too,  south  of  Appalachicola  the  slioal  water  extends  off  two 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  to  soundings  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  fathoms. 
Witli  these  exceptions,  if  you  will  draw  a  lino  parallel  to  the  shore,  and  about 
fifty  miles  from  it,  entirely  around  the  Gulf,  this  line  will  run  along  in  about 
two  hundred  feet  of  water." 

Thus  the  bottom  near  the  shore  of  the  Gulf  presents  the  junction  of  two 
curved  inclined  planes,  an  earthy  and  an  aqueous; — a  mechanism  wliich 
suggests  that  a  process  of  filling  up  has  long  existed,  and  may  still  be  going 
on.  At  the  same  time,  the  entire  bed  may  be  rising.  Admitting  these  op- 
erations, we  may  say,  that  the  former  leads  to  extension  of  the  land ;  the 
latter,  to  recession  of  tlie  waters.  And  that  a  change  in  the  relative  levtds  of 
the  two  lias  taken  place  within  a  modern  (geijlogical)  period,  is  rendered 
certain,  from  the  existence  of  long,  low  banks  of  recent  marine  shells,  whicli 
lie  (in  various  places  near  the  shore),  several  feet  above  the  present  level 
of  the  water.  At  what  ratio  this  process  has  been  carried  on.  or  is  now 
proceeding,  is  unknown. 


'i  '■  •  ' 


■  ■hi 


,: 


i!! 


liH 


.,1 


,'fi 

,-'-li; 

■i'^i 

i 

i 

' 

■4 

ilr 

il*' 

j  ■ 

lift 

-  ■  '!,' 

^H 

i 

it 

I 

in 


!'■  '.■■ 


34  THE  PRINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE  [book  i. 

SECTION  III. 

CURRExNTS. 

It  is  liold  as  a  fact,  by  niariiio  ]i}(lrogra])licrs,  tliat  the  trade  winds,  from 
the  coast  of  Africa  to  tluit  of  South  America,  by  acting  on  the  surface  of  the 
Atlantic  Ocean,  inii)ede  its  movement  to  tlie  east,  in  the  direction  of  the  earth's 
rotatiiiii:  and  thus  cause  an  accumulation  of  the  retarded  water  against 
the  American  continent,  between  the  tropics,  Mhcncc  it  flows  off  laterally. 
The  currents  to  the  north  are  all  tliat  demand  attention  from  us.  These, 
followinic  the  coast  of  iSoutli  America,  enter  tlie  Caribbean  Sea  by  the  "Wind- 
war  1  Lslands,  and  traversing  tliat  sea,  south  of  Ilayti,  Jamaica,  and  Cuba, 
pass  through  the  strait  between  tlie  latter  island  and  the  promontory  of 
Yuej,tan,  into  the  Gulf  of  3Iexico.  Humboldt  recognizes  this  current  as  a 
realitv;  and  Lieutenant  Browning*  informs  me  that  the  evidences  of  it  are 
conclusive.  First.  In  traversing  those  straits  and  the  Caribbean  Sea,  south 
of  Cuba,  a  ship's  dead  reckoning  reij^uires  an  alhjwance  of  half  a  mile  an 
hour  for  a  westerly  current.  Stcoiul.  When  ships  depart  from  Jamaica  for 
EnfThnd,  they  prefer  to  sail  to  the  west,  and  make  a  detovr  through  the 
Gulf  of  ^Fexiiio,  round  the  Island  of  Cuba;  thus  keeiiing  with  the  current, 
which  more  than  compensates  for  the  increased  length  of  the  voyage.  It 
would  appear,  however,  that  the  tropical  water,  thus  introduced  from  the 
Caribbean  sea,  does  not  make  a  circuit  directly  round  the  west  end  of  the 
Island  of  Cuba,  to  the  Havana  and  Florida  Straits ;  but  is  diflused  through 
the  Gulf,  performing  in  it  a  kind  v,f  circuit,  and  at  last  issuing  through  the 
straits  just  mentioned,  as  the  M'oll-knovn  and  celebrated  Gulf  Stream.  On 
this  point  Humboldt  holds  the  following  language: 

"  The  coast  of  3Icxico,  along  the  iMexican  Gulf,  may  be  considered  as  a 
dyke,  against  which  the  trade  winds,  and  the  perpetual  motion  of  the  waves 
from  east  to  west,  throw  up  the  sands  which  the  agitated  ocean  carries  along. 
This  currei>t  of  rotation  runs  along  South  America,  from  Cumana  to  the 
Istlimus  of  Darien ;  it  ascends  toward  Cape  (^atoche,  and,  after  Avhirling  a 
long  time  in  the  Afexican  Gulf,  issues  through  the  Canal  of  Florida,  and 
flows  toward  the  l-?anks  of  New  Foundland.  The  sands  heaped  up  by  the 
vortices  of  the  waters,  from  the  Peninsula  of  Yucatan,  to  the  mouths  of  the 
Rio  del  Norte  and  the  IMississiiipi,  insensibly  contract  the  basin  of  the 
Mexican  Gulf.  Geological  facts,  of  a  very  remarkable  nature,  prove  this 
increase  of  the  continent.  We  see  the  ocean  everywhere  retiring.  M. 
Ferrer  found,  near  Sotto  la  Marina,  to  the  east  of  the  small  to^m  of  New 
Santandor,  ten  leagues  in  the  intoiior  of  the  country,  moving  s.xnds  filled 
with  sea  shells.  I  myself  observed  the  same  thing  in  the  vicinity  of 
Antiaua  and  New  Vera  Cruz.     The  rivers  which  descend  from  tlic   Sierra 


PART  1.] 

Madre,  an 

increase  tl 

Furlhei 

writes  me 

"The  c 

varies  in  f( 

currents. 

circuit  of 

corroborati 

wliicli  ebb 

sonictinies 

south  east, 

rise  nor  fal 

Aii'i'in: 

to  its  term 

For  eight  ( 

reaches  tin 

the  east,  t 

two  degree 

Now,  by 

the  cast,  ev 

to  deposit  t 

ferential  ran 

while  it  was 

cause  the  di 

and  the  nev 

The  assume 

as  a  reality. 

should  certa 

Ft  fill  I  hi : 

the  Gulf,'frc 

the  IJalize,  t 

an  eildy,  ant 

delta  (,f  the 

from  (Jape  F 

the  water  is 

remainder  n 

Cub:i.  consti 

A  'hough 

nioveiiiciit.s  Ai 

to  the  Gulf,  1 

is  furnished  I 


It 


*  United  States  Navy. 


[book  I. 


PART  !•] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  a:\IF,RICA. 


85 


!  wintls,  from 
surface  of  tlic 

of  the  earth's 
ivater  against 
i  off  laterally. 
Ill  us.     These, 

by  the'SVind- 
ica,  and  (Juba, 
promontory  of 
i  current  as  a 
inces  of  it  are 
ean  Sea,  south 
lalf  a   mile  an 
ini  Jamaica  for 
/■  through  the 
th  the  current, 
he  voyage.     It 
luced  from  the 
est  end  of  the 
iflused  through 
Iff  throuirh  the 
If  Stream.     On 

lonsidered  as  a 
n  of  the  ■\\-avei? 
|n  carries  along, 
uniana  to  the 
|fter  wliirling  a 
)f  Florida,  and 
ped  up  by  the 
mouths  of  the 
basin  of   the 
ure,  prove  this 
retiring.      M. 
t(n,-u  of  New 
kif  s.inds  filled 

T    ~ 

Itho    vicinity  of 
lorn  the  Sierra 


Afiidro,  and  enter  the   Atlantic  Ocean,  have  in  no  degree    contributed  to 
increase  the  sand  bank."  * 

riirlhcr:  Lieutenant  3Iaury,  of  the  Ilydrographical  oihcc,  Washington, 
writes  nieon  this  subject  as  follows  : 

"The  current  fmm  the  (Jaril)l)ean  sea,  after  passing  the  Yucatan  Strait, 
varies  in  force  and  direction,  so  as  often  to  prtnlucc  many  eddies  and  counter 
currents.  Still,  my  own  opinion  is,  that,  for  the  most  part,  it  pcrfnrnis  the 
circuit  of  the  Gulf:  but  not  in  any  well-marked  or  constant  channel.  In 
corrnboration  of  tliis  I  would  mention  the  tides  at  Vera  Cruz,  for  instance, 
whii'li  ebb  and  flow  onc-e  in  twenty-four  hours  at  ordinary  times;  1)ut  wliich 
sometimes  flow  continuously  to  the  north  west,  and  at  other  times  to  the 
south  oa.'^t,  for  three  or  four  days  together;  sometimes,  again,  there  is  neither 
rise  ntir  fall  for  several  days." 

Ai^a'in:  The  course  of  the  Mississipjd,  from  the  nnrnth  of  the  Ohio  lliver 
to  its  termination  at  tlie  Balize,  seems  to  throw  some  light  on  this  subject. 
F(ir  eight  or  nine  hundred  miles,  its  bearing  is  west  of  south,  but  when  it 
reaches  tlie  vertex  of  its  delta,  at  the  mouth  of  Red  lUver,  it  turns  so  far  to 
the  cast,  that,  in  flowing  through  two  degrees  of  latitude,  it  makes  nearly 
two  degrees  and  a  half,  or  one  hundred  and  fifty  uiiles,  of  longitude. 

Now,  by  what  agency  has  the  direction  of  the  river  been  turned  and  kept  to 
the  east,  ever  since  it  reached  the  (!ulf  at  themoutli  of  lied  Uiver,  and  began 
to  deposit  that  silt,  of  which  the  delta  is  composed?  Has  not  a  gentle  circum- 
ferential movement  of  the  gulf  waters  carried  the  silt  in  an  eastern  direction, 
wliile  it  was  subsiding?  Such  a  movement,  however  slow,  would  of  necessity 
cause  the  deposits  to  tall  where  we  now  see  them  ;  that  is,  give  to  the  delta 
and  the  new  river  bed,  j)recisely  the  form  and  direction  which  they  exhibit. 
The  assumed  cause  explains  tlie  plieiiomena,  and  may  therefore  lie  admitted 
as  a  reality.  If  the  river  Ijcd,  on  entering  the  gulf,  turned  to  the  west,  we 
should  certainly  regard  it  as  evidence  that  no  currents  flow  from  that  direction. 

Fi It'll/ J/:  Lieutenant  IJrovrning  informs  me,  that,  near  the  ciistern  margin  of 
the  (lulf,  from  the  Tortugas  and  Key  West,  round  to  I'ensacola,  or  even  to 
the  IJali/.e,  there  is  a  gentle  current  from  south  to  north.  Tliis  is  evidently 
an  eddy,  and  implies  a  stronger  current  in  the  ojiposite  direction  ;  from  the 
delta  of  the  3Iississippi,  to  the  extensive  reef  which  projects  into  the  Giulf 
from  C;t|)o  Fh)rida  to  the  Tortugas.  Impinging  against  this  reef,  a  part  of 
the  water  is  returned  to  the  north,  along  the  coast  of  Florida,  while  the 
remainder  makes  its  wa_>  through  the  straits  between  that  peninsula  and 
Cub:i.  constituting  the  Gulf  Stream. 

Although  we  regard  this  Stream  as  depending  essentially  on  the  oceanic 
movenifuts  which  have  been  described,  wo  must  not  overlook  tlio  contributions 
to  the  <Julf,  made  by  the  rivers  which  enter  it.  A'ery  little  of  this  supply 
is  furnished  by  the  countries  lying  around  the  southern  semicircle  of  the  gulf, 


»  Pol.  Essays  on  New  Simin.  Vol.  I,  B.  I,  Chap.  iii.  p.  C2. 


■'V  •        I 


,i   'It 


30 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I. 


fur  all  tlio  rivers  of  wostoni  rtiba,  of  tlio  I'onliipula  of  Yucatan,  and  of  that 
portion  of  tlio  llc'imhlic  of  ."Sh.'xico,  wliit-li  lies  liotwoen  it  and  tlio  mouth 
of  tiio  llio  del  Norto,  near  the  latitude  of  twenty-six  deforces  north,  arc 
very  short.  Tf,  however,  the  river  supjilies  arc  almost  limited  to  the  northern 
half  of  the  (lulf,  they  are  still  nuich  greater,  relatively  to  its  area,  than  those 
received  by  closed  seas  generally,  or  by  the  universal  ocean;  for  that  jiortioii 
of  the  continent  from  which  they  are  derived,  is  nearly  three  times  as  great  as 
the  surface  of  the  (!ulf;  thus  reversing  the  projinrtiuns  of  bind  and  water  of 
the  globe,  taken  as  a  whole. 


SECTION    IV. 
te:\ii'eratuiu;. 

As  all  the  rivers  of  the  (Julf,  from  the  Kio  del  Norte  to  the  Cliattahoochee, 
flow  from  higher  latitudes  than  those  in  which  they  mingle  with  its  waters, 
(some  of  them,  indeed,  as  the  Missouri,  from  nearly  twenty  degrees  further 
north),  and  as  their  sources  arc  from  live  hundred  to  ten  thousand  feet  above 
the  (lulf,  the  \tater  they  throw  into  it  has,  of  course,  a  temperature  which 
must,  to  $Oim  extent,  reduce  that  of  the  water  with  which  it  mingles.  In 
the  absence  of  more  important  observations  on  this  point,  I  may  be  allowed 
to  state  the  following:  On  the  13th  of  March,  1?>43, 1  found  the  temperature 
of  the  mouths  of  the  3Iississip]ii  forty-four  degrees,  Fahrenheit.  Five  miles 
beyond  the  l)ar  of  the  S(mth  West  Pass,  the  river  water,  distinguishable  from 
that  of  the  Gulf  by  its  turbidness  and  yellowish  tint,  was  still  the  same  in 
temperature;  but  that  drawn  up  from  a  depth  of  sixty  feet,  being  brackish 
and  less  turbid,  was  fifty-one,  or  seven  degrees  warmer.  The  temperature 
of  the  earth  iu  that  latitude,  twenty-nine  degrees  north,  i.s,  however,  about 
seventy,  or  nineteen  degrees  greater ;  showing  that  the  31ississi]»pi  had  exerted 
a  cooling  influence  to  an  unascertained  depth.  Passing  laterally  out  of  this 
river  current,  to  the  distance  of  a  few  mil'^s,  in  the  midst  of  traus[)arent  salt 
water,  I  found  the  temperature  at  the  surface  fifty-seven  degrees.  Sound- 
ings were  not  made  at  either  station ;  but  as  they  were  at  the  same  distance 
from  the  shore,  and  the  bottom  is  known  to  be  an  inclined  plane,  the  differ- 
ence between  forty-four  and  fifty-seven  degrees  (thirteen)  was  undoubtedly 
attributable  to  the  Mississippi.  To  wliat  distance  in  the  (iulf  Jiat  difference 
extends,  is  unknown;  but  it  is  by  no  means  as  far  as  it  would  be, if  the  river 
discharged  itself  by  one  mouth  instead  o:  several. 

These  observations  were  made,  however,  when  the  river  water  had  its  min- 
imum temperature.  In  the  latter  part  of  summer  and  in  early  autumn,  it 
attains  to  more  than  seventy  degrees ;  when  its  cooling  effect  is  nearly  or 
quite  nullified.  A  few  days  after  these  observations  were  made,  I  found  the 
surface  of  Lake  Pontchartrain  and  Lake  Borgne — shallow  bays  of  brackish 
water,  lying  nearly  a  degree  further  north  —  to  be  fifty-six  and  fifty-five  dc- 


PART    I.J 

grees.     It 
whili'  tliL' 
latter;  wli 
On  tlio  sat 
open  (lull 
n.iy.  half 
doclc    ill    .) 
the  larges 
charges  it.- 
(>ffoct  of  r 
I'orty-iiine 
li>tli.  1  fol 
CuU;  off  1 
five  dogrei 
influoiice. 
Jbit,  of 
referable  ti 
with  so   ni 
which  liav 
forced  by 
called  "no 
.'Several  sue 
(Julf  is  dec 
estimable  ( 
he  had  seci 
long  eoiitin 
the  Florida 
At    wha 
rivers  and 
turo  of  the 
siderations 
vernal  cipi 
l5<43,  giv 
the  Mis.siss 
nine    and    ; 
according  ti 
At  what 
mum  heat? 
•'iutuninal  ci 
of  incroasui 

._^ l)alc's. 

l^'l.VUo 
IM'l,  .\j)r 


^^' 


r- 


[book  1. 

I,  and  of  that 
J  tho  mouth 
OS  north,  arc 
)  the  nortliorn 
.«a,  than  tho.<c 
)•  that  portion 
es  as  great  as 
and  water  of 


lliattahooclieo, 
ith  its  waters, 
L>grecs  further 
and  feet  above 
)eraturc  whicli 
t  nungles.     In 
lay  be  aUowed 
lie  temperature 
t.     Five  niiU's 
sruishable  from 
ill  the  same  in 
being  brackish 
e  temperature 
wevcr,  about 
n  had  exerted 
ly  out  of  this 
•ans[)arent  salt 
rees.     Sound- 
same  distance 
inc,  the  ditter- 
s  undoubtedly 
lat  difference 
be,  if  the  river 

r  had  its  min- 
irly  autumn,  it 
t  is  nearly  or 
le,  I  found  the 
ys  of  brackish 
d  fifty-tive  de- 


PART    I. 


INTERIOR  VALLMY  OF  NORTH  AMHRICA. 


87 


crees.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  tliat  no  river  of  any  size  enters  the  former; 
while  the  small  rivers,  Pearl  and  Pascagoula,  discharge  their  waters  into  the 
latter;  which,  therefore,  although  a  little  fnrtlier  S()Uth,  was  one  degree  cooler. 
On  tlie  same  vnvago,  1  found  the  temperature  outside  of  Dauphin  Island,  in  tho 
npi!n  (!uU',  but  ill  shallow  snuiidings,  lifty-si.s;  degrees;  in  ascending  .Mobile 
JJav.  half  a  di'grec  north  of  Lake  Horgiie,  fifty-two  degrees;  and  at  the 
d(u;k  in  Mdbili',  turty-niiie  degrees  and  a  half.  As  the  Alabama  lliver, 
tlie  largest  tributary  of  tho  (iulf  east  of  the  delta  of  the  Mississippi,  dis- 
cliarges  its  wati'rs  into  liiis  15ay,  we  have  additional  evidence  of  tlus  ciKiling 
etTect  of  river  water,  in  the  sinking  of  the  therinonieter  from  lilty-six  to 
forty-nine  degrees  and  a  lialf,  in  a  distance  of  fifty  miles.  In  1S44,  April 
ll'tli,  1  found  the  heat  fif  Lake  I'mitcliaitraiii  sixty-nine  degrees;  that  of  the 
(Iulf,  off  Dauphin  Island,  se'onty  degrees;  and  that  of  3Iobile  Kay,  sixty- 
five  degrees,  or  four  beln"- that  of  Pontehartrain ; — still  showing  the  river 
influence. 

But,  of  cour:  all  f\ui  cooling  of  the  'lortliern  margins  of  the  (Iulf  is  not 
referable  to  the  intlux  of  riVLT  water;  for  the  winter  exerts  its  influence,  and 
with  so  much  greater  cflect,  as  the  waters  are  slialhiwcr.  Still,  th(!  facts 
which  have  been  cited  demonstrate,  that  the  atmospheric  influence  is  rein- 
forced by  the  fluviatile;  and  at  certain  times,  when  the  mnuntain  winds, 
called  "norther.>,"  descend  and  sweep  over  the  (Iulf  with  great  velocity,  for 
several  successive  days,  their  cooling  influence  on  the  shallow  waters  of  the 
(Julf  is  decisive,  even  as  far  south  as  Key  West.  I  was  assured,  by  the  late 
estimable  Commander  Johnston,  U.  S.  N.,  that  when  stationed  on  that  coast, 
he  had  seen  mnny  of  its  fish  benumbed,  and  even  destroyed,  liy  (me  of  these 
long  continued  and  violent  winter  tempests,  acting  on  tlie  shoal  waters  of 
the  Florida  lleof. 

At  what  period  of  the  year  tlie  cooling  influence  of  the  northern 
rivers  and  tho  northern  winds,  effects  the  greatest  reduction  of  the  tempera- 
ture of  the  shallow  waters  of  the  (Jnlf,  is  not  known;  but  from  various  con- 
sideration.s,  wo  may  fix  the  minimum  between  the  end  of  ]\'bruary  and  the 
vernal  eipiinox.  If  this  be  correct,  the  observations  made  in  February, 
li^43,  give  us  the  minimum  heat  of  the  shallow  waters,  from  the  mouths  of 
tho  Mi.ssi.ssippi  to  3Iobile  Bay,  inclusive,  and  the  scale  is,  forty-four,  forty- 
nine  and  a  half,  fifty-two,  fifty-five,  fifty-six,  and  fifty-seven  degrees, 
according  to  the  saltncss,  not  the  depth,  (,f  tho  water. 

At  what  period  of  the  year  do  the  waters  of  the  ("Iulf  attain  tlioir  maxi- 
mum heat?  This  is  not  known,  but  vi  all  probability,  it  is  not  far  fi(jni  the 
autumnal  equinox.  The  following  observations  show,  imperfectly,  the  ratio 
of  increasing  vernal  temperature  near  the  shore. 


Dates. 


l>^l:t,  Miircii  i:t 

I'' 11,  Ai)ril     10 
"         "         24 


2<;_Poiitrhartrair..|     Lake   norgne. 


56" 
69" 


_Gulf._ 
56" 
7()0 


I     Mobile  Day. 
52"'^" 

80" 


I'M 


i 


i 


■:it 


)ri 


[■I 
J 


1 


II 


U8 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nooK  I. 


From  tlio.so  mniil)ei'S  it  appear,^,  tliat  tlio  rise  of  (^Julf  tenipcrature  in  the 
spriiiir,  is  at  the  rate  of  halt'  a  degroe  a  day. 

If  the  nortiicni  portions  of  the  (julf  arc  cooled  b}-  those  river  euircnts, 
the  siiutliern  are  wanned  by  the  great  marine  current,  which  enters  it  from 
under  the  eciuator,  through  the  Strait  of  Yucatan.  Under  these  influences, 
the  temperature,  in  traversing  it  from  north  to  south,  ought  to  rise  m(jre 
rapidly  than  it  would  from  the  mere  influence  of  climate;  but  we  arc  in  wa\it 
oi"  observations  on  this  point ;  and,  indeed,  I  have  not  been  able  to  collect 
many  experiments  on  the  tcniperatiu'c  of  any  part  of  the  Gulf,  beyond  the 
limits  just  given.  For  the  following,  I  am  indebted  to  Lieutenant  31aury,  of 
the  llydrographlcal  OHiee,  Washington. 

srnrAn:  tkmi'Khatirk  of  tiir  cvlv  op  mi:\K'o. 


\;iin<>  (pf  vo<M'l,  WliiTi'  frniii. 

Vitiidalia,  I  P(Mis;icolii, 

I'"iilinoulli,  I  Havaii:!, 

F;iliiii)Utli,  I  l'ciisac()l;i, 

FmIiiioiiIIi,  '  \'('r;i  Cruz, 

Faliiioiilh,  I  l*LMis;ic()la, 

]'"alin(uilli,  V^i'iM  '  rti/, 

I  Mis.<lssi[)j)i,  I  Key  Wi'sf, 


W'lii'R'  IpdiiihI. 


IMdiiili. 


Iliiviom, 

Key  West, 

Vera  Cruz, 

Taiiipcio, 

Muiilh  iif  Mississippi, 

Pi'iisa(  o!a, 

Pensafola, 


Nov.  anil  Dec. 
Novcniltor, 
Octolirr, 
l)('criili)rr, 

]'('l)riiary, 

Marcii, 

Aiigu.st, 


•|-rni.  .. 

I'wtlllT 

Aim. 

M;i.v. 

J-2" 

l^otT 

7(W 

81" 

7^-^ 

f2^ 

7.1" 

7(;'> 

57" 

(IP 

rj'J" 

75" 

yio 

Sf)" 

The  value  of  those  ob.sorvations  wo;dd  bo  mucli  greater,  if  the  latitmles, 
distances  from  land,  and  depths  of  watci,  had  been  noted.  The  highest 
among  them  is  eighty-six  degrees,  in  tlie  moi.th  of  August,  north  of  Key 
West.  3Ir.  Lyell  *  has  quoted  from  [Major  Eennall,  another  observation  of 
the  same  amount;  but  in  what  latitude  it  was  made  is  not  stated.  If  we 
receive  them  as  correct,  wo  may  conclude  thai,  the  heat  of  the  middle  and 
soutliern  jiarts  of  tho  Culf,  is  several  degrees  higher  than  tliat  of  the 
Atlantic  Oc^aii  in  the  saiie  parallels;  a  difl'ereiu-o  attributable  no  dmdjt  to 
the  introduction  of  tropical  waters  from  the  CariI)boan  Sea. 

The  cxistonco,  to  the  south  of  tho  Great  Interior  A'alloy,  of  this  immense 
basin  of  tropical  water,  having  a  temperature  several  degrees  higher,  th  i  i  if 
the  strait  between  Yucatan  and  Cuba  had  no  existence,  is  a  hydmli  :  i.-d 
condition,  which  deserves  tho  attention  nf  llie  meteorologist  and  etiitloglst 
of  the  A'alley.  If  it  were  replaced  by  land,  our  south  and  south-west  winds, 
in  Avinter  and  spring,  would  fall  far  short  of  producing  those  thaws  wliii/h,  at 
present,  they  infallil)ly  occasion,  oven  in  Canada,  if  they  continue  to  blow  fur 
a  few  days.  Taken  in  connection  with  tlie  IJoeky  ]\Iountain?,  it  also  explains 
the  surprising  reduction  of  temperatvu'e  which  follows  on  a  change  in  tlic 
course  of  the  wind,  from  a  few  points  south  of  west,  to  a  few  points  north  of 
west ;  by  which,  currents   that  have  passed  over  tho  warm    surface  of  the 


*  Principles  of  Geology.   Vol.  I,  p,  166. 


■4 


rvRT  I. 


("lulf,  arc  r 
The  physii 
on  its  coas 
to  the  mi>.< 


I.  Tii.i: 

sidcral'h.'  li 

of  small  b; 

(,'aptaiii  .\i 

that  they  o 

full  moons. 

tlirec  mont 

East  I'ass. 

during  tha 

When  the 

above  New 

Troost,  civi 

to  the  sout 

to  the  hight 

IT.  I.\L-.N 

their  ordina 

opposes  tlici 

over  the  low 

in  the  niont 

Biilcs  nj)  the 

Ciiursc,  inuii 

from  its  ton 

another  visi 

sun  display( 

Tlie  IGth  w 

from  the  ea; 

with  copiou: 

dation  was  ; 

their  boats. 

Anderson,  a 

In  3Iobilc 

a  south  win( 

and,  on  the  • 

several  incln 


It. 

1:1 


[hook  I. 

rature  in  tliu 

vvv  cui'vcnts, 
iters  it  tVoiii 
si;  iiifliu'uccs, 
to  rifse  niuro 
2  arc  ill  Avaut 
jIc  to  onllcct 
f,  beyond  the 
lilt  3Iaury,  of 


PART   I. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


89 


'I'l'MI.   CI 

'water 

.Mm. 

Max. 

T:i"" 

S'}"" 

7(r 

)^1^ 

-f,o 

f,00 

IV* 

TC" 

1  r)7'> 

(il" 

J  .VJ" 

T.-)" 

I  81°  '  SG^  i 

the  hititudcs, 

The    hi-liost 

nrtli  (if  Key 

servation   of 

ted.     Tf  wo 

iiiddK'  and 

that   of    tlie 

no  doubt  to 

this  in  mi  on  sc 

her,  tlin  if 

liydroli  ;..i.'-il 

nd  etioLiprist 

west  winds, 

ws  whiei!,  at 

toldow  for 

dsn  cxjilnins 

aiii'e   in  tlie 

iiits  iiovtli  of 

u'faee  of  the 


Ciulf,  are  roplaoed  by  currents  from  the  snowy  sunmiits  of  tliose  mountains. 
The  phvsieian  will  also  pereeive.  that  those  who  navigate  the  Gulf,  or  reside 
on  its  coasts,  must,  forever,  be  liable  to  the  diseases  whiidi  {irojiorly  belong 
to  the  most  southern  elianites. 


SECTION  V. 

TIDES  AND  INUNDATIONS. 

J  TiiiKS.— Along  all  the  northern  coasts  of  the  (Julf  the  tides  are  of  incou- 
sideral.lehigiit;  esiieeially  in  the  rivers,  where  tliey  are  less  than  in  the  heads 
of  small  bays  and  inlets.  In  the  month  of  the  .Mississipjii,  1  was  told  by 
Cajitaiu  Arnable,  the  observing  coiiiniaiider  of  the  towing  steamer,  i'lKcnix, 
that  they  ordinarily  rise  about  a  foot,  the  weather  being  calm.  At  new  and 
full  moons,  tiiey  reach  eighteen  inches.  jNIr.  Parker,  an  intelligent  pilot,  made 
three  moiitlis  of  daily  consecutive  observations,  at  the  IJalize,  in  the  South 
Ka^-t  Pass,  having  devised  for  the  purpose  a  graduated  scale.  The  highest, 
during  that  period,  was  thirty-three  inches;  the  lowest  less  than  a  foot. 
When  the  Mississippi  is  low,  the  tide  is  said  sometinics  to  manifest  itself 
above  New  Orleans;  the  water,  of  course,  being  fresh.  At  .Mobile,  Mr. 
Troost,  civil  engineer,  estimates  their  average  bight  at  a  foot.  At  Tampico, 
to  the  south  west,  they  rise,  however,  as  Lieutenant  liruwniug  informs  me, 
to  the  liight  of  four  feet. 

IT.  T.NCNiATioxs. — A  gale,  to  or  from  the  land,  may  raise  the  tides  to  double 
their  ordinary  hight,  or  prevent  them  altogether,  according  as  it  promotes  or 
opposes  them.  A  tempest  sometimes  drives  tlie  waters  up  the  rivers,  and 
over  the  lowlands,  creating  a  deluge.  At  the  Balize,  there  is  a  tradition  that 
in  tile  month  of  August,  ISPJ,  the  water  at  Fort  Ht.  Philips  (P/.  V  ),  tliirty 
miles  up  the  .Mississijipi,  rose  nine  feet  in  half  an  hour;  the  Balize  was,  of 
course,  inundated,  and  every  cabin  half  way  to  New  Orleans  wa,s  removed 
from  its  foundation  blocks.  In  August,  ]s:!l,  the  same  place  experienced 
another  visitation.  For  several  days  preceding  it,  the  reflected  light  of  the 
sun  displayed  a  greenish  tint;  showing  a  peculiar  condition  of  the  almosphcre. 
Tiic  PJth  was  rainy,  with  gusts.  At  night,  the  wind  became  suddenly  lixed 
from  the  east ;  and  blew  with  the  utmost  violence.  (.)n  tlie  17th  it  continued, 
with  copious  rain,  from  clouds  whicli  hung  very  Liw;  and,  by  night,  the  inun- 
dation was  at  its  hight.  Nearly  all  tlie  people  of  the  village  were  driven  to 
their  boats.  The  rise  was  many  feet.  These  facts  were  given  me  by  Mrs. 
Anderson,  an  observing  lady,  long  resident  at  the  T3alize. 

In  3Iobile  I?ay,  on  the  18th  of  October,  1S41,  as  Mr.  Troost  informed  me, 
a  south  wind,  of  five  days'  continuance,  raised  the  water  nine  feet  four  inches; 
and,  on  the  Itli  of  .March,  18P2,  another,  of  ten  days'  duration,  heaped  it  up 
several  inches  hidier. 


I 


M'-'x 


'm- 


MU      . 


■4. 


{■'>  .1 


'^ 


40 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISKASES  OF  THE 


[book  I. 


; 


41!)  I 


.f 


mm 


The  istliiiiiis  on  VfWuih  Now  Orlofiiis  is  built,  sufTors  oerasional  (Klugcs  of 
the  same  kind,  from  Luko  J'ontfliartrain,  wliic-li  convert  tliu  cyjiri's.s  swamps 
in  the  rear  of  the  city,  into  deep  ponds,  and  even  How  over  many  of  the 
streets. 

Ill  I'ensacola  IJa}-,  tlio  fury  of  the  waves  is  directed  upon  tlic  long,  narrow 
dune  of  wliite  sand,  calli'd  Santa  Kosa  Island  (see  /*/.  ///  ),  wliich  they 
mount  over,  but  tailing  into  the  I>ay  and  Sound  which  lie  in  its  rear,  do  no 
mischief. 

Sl.nilar  inundations  are  occasionally  oxporicncod,  from  the  same  cause,  on 
the  islands  of  Galveston  and  Key  West. 

In  short,  they  occur  throughout  the  whole  coast,  for  everywhere  it  lies  so 
low  as  to  permit  them.  IJut  they  never  happen  in  many  places  at  the  same 
time;  for  a  wind  which  may  occasion  them  at  one  locality,  might  blow  the 
water  from  another. 

The  low  shores  of  the  Ciulf  must  forever  remain  liable  to  these  deluges, 
and  of  course  they  will  always  abound  in  pools  and  marshes. 


SECTION  yj. 

COASTS. 

What  has  been  said  ou  the  shoal  waters  and  inundations  of  the  Oulf,  will 
suggest  the  general  character  of  its  coasts — vrcrjiirjicrc  loir.  From  A'era 
Cruz  around  to  Cape  Florida,  there  is  not  a  single  league  of  rocky,  or  iron- 
bound  shore  ;  nor  any  other  harbor  ei^ual  to  that  of  Fensacola,  the  entrance 
to  which  is  through  water  only  twenty-four  feet  in  depth.  Everywhere  the 
tides  and  waves  fluctuate  on  sloping  Ijcaches  of  sand  or  silt;  the  latter  being 
present,  however,  only  at  the  mouths  of  rivers;  and  where  it  can  be  kept  in 
place  by  the  I'oots  of  grasses.  T'  o  sand  is  generally  wliite,  and  so  fine  as  to 
be  readily  moved  by  the  waves,  or  drifted  by  the  winds.  IJy  these  agents, 
dunes  of  irregular  and  ever-changing  forms  arc  built  up;  some  of  which  con- 
stitute peninsulas,  while  others  are  severed  from  the  main  land,  and  converted 
into  crescent  islands.  The  watery  surface  is  not  less  diversified  than  the 
earthy.  Numerous  creeks  and  bays  of  every  size  and  form,  lagoons,  ponds, 
swamps,  and  marshes,  are  intermingled  with  the  earthy  deposits  and  drifts ; 
and  present,  throughout  a  terraqueous  margin ;  which  sufficiently  indicates 
that  the  surrounding  continent  is  advancing  u2)on  the  (lulf.  Some  of  the 
pools  and  marshes  consist  of  fresh  water;  others  are  brackish;  others  almost 
as  salt  as  the  Gulf  itself.  In  some  places  there  are  long,  navigable  sounds, 
or  lagoons,  between  the  main  land  and  the  dunes  or  sand  islands. 

The  principal  l)ays  are,  Tam[)a,  Appalachicola,  Pensacola,  and  ^Mobile,  to 
the  cast  of  the  delta  of  the  iMississippi ;  and  Galveston,  IMatagorda,  Espir- 
itu  Santo,  Corpus  Christi,  Aransano,  Santiago,  and  Tampico,  to  its  west. 


PART    I.] 

Hcsidcs 
the  western 

"The  sh 
first  to  the 
presents  a 
and  from  fo 
water  lakes 
shut  in;  otl 
by  several 

Rivers  en 
silt,  in  pro 
drained.  ( 
plislied  its  \ 
the  bottom 
commandiiii 
other  rivers 
eftect  has  n 
Oi)po>it(!  th 
fever,  than  t 
bottoms  abfi 
tertiary  plai 
eastern  side 
to  the  tortia 

These  ger 
and  west  of 
alluvial  depe 
however,  nui 
will,  thcrefoi 
of  the  coas. 


rr"^ 


[book  I. 

Ill  (Ulugcs  of 
|)ros,s  swaiii|)S 
many  of  the 

long,  narrow 
,  wlik-li  tliey 
t.s  rear,  do  no 

inic  cause,  on 

hero  it  lies  so 
s  at  the  same 
ii'lit  blow  tlio 

these  deluges, 


TART    !•] 


INTERIOR  VALLKY  OK  XORTFI  AMERICA. 


41 


the  Gulf,  will 

Froni  A'era 

(.•ley,  or  irou- 

the  entrance 

erywliere  the 

le  latter  being 

an  be  Icept  in 

d  so  fine  as  to 

these  agents, 

of  which  con- 

and  converted 

ficd  than  the 

agoons,  ponds, 

ts  and  drifts; 

iitly  indicates 

Sonic  of  the 

otiiers  almost 

igable  sounds, 


is 


nd  ^Mobile,  to 
agorda,  Espir- 
0  its  west. 


]}esidcs  these,  smaller  bays  and  lagoons  are  numerous.  In  reference  to 
the  western  c-rmst,  Humboldt  observes  — 

"The  sliore  of  the  pruvinces  of  Santandcr  and  Texas,  from  the  twenty- 
first  to  the  twenty-ninth  degree  of  iiortli  latitude,  is  .'singularly  festooned,  and 
presents  a  succession  of  interior  basins  from  four  to  five  leagues  in  breadth, 
and  from  forty  to  fifty  in  lengtli.  They  go  by  the  name  of  lagunas,  or  salt- 
water lakes.  Some  of  them  (as  the  Lake  dc  Taniiagua  )  arc  eoniphtely 
shut  in;  others  (as  the  L.  .Aladre  and  the  L.  de  San  IJernardo)  connnunicatu 
by  several  channels  with  the  ocean."'* 

Ivivers  enter  tlie  heads  of  many  of  the  bays,  and  are  filling  them  uj)  with 
sill,  in  proportion  to  the  extent  and  hfoscne.ss  of  the  surfaces  which  are 
drained.  Of  the  whole,  the  Mississippi  is  the  only  river  which  has  accom- 
plished its  work;  having  not  only  filled  up  its  bay,  but  built  up  land  from 
the  bottom  of  the  o]ien  sea;  —  an  achievement  which  has  resulted  from  its 
commanding  the  ri'.-.;ources  of  a  larger  portion  of  the  continent,  than  all  the 
other  rivers  frimi  (^apc  Florida  to  Vera  Cruz.  A  striking  and  instructive 
eftei't  lias  resulted  from  the  partial  filling  up  of  many  inlets.  Their  shores 
opposite  the  river  deposits,  are  everywhere  more  infested  with  autumnal 
fever,  than  further  down  their  estuaries,  near  the  Culf,  where  their  banks  and 
bottoms  aliound  in  sand  derived  from  the  margins  of  the  tertiary  or  post- 
tertiary  plain,  which  surrounds  the  Ciulf.  Beneath  these  deposits,  on  the 
eastern  side  of  the  Gulf,  wherever  rocky  strata  are  to  be  found,  they  belong 
to  the  tertiary  formation.s,  and  consist  of  friable  lime  and  sand  stones. 

These  general  descriptions  are  applicable  to  the  coasts  of  the  Gulf  east 
and  west  of  tlie  delta  of  the  Mississippi ;  but  do  not  apply  to  that  iminenso 
alluvial  deposit,  which  requires  to  be  described  separately;  that  description, 
however,  must  be  given  in  connection  with  both  the  Gulf  and  Kiver;  and 
will,  therefore,  be  deferred  until  we  have  examined  the  principal  localities 
of  tiie  coas.. 


*NewSpaiii,Vol.  II,  p.  185. 


ill 


r.4i 

I.        1 ' 

V 


-.'H 


,1 


^^1 


V.  '4 


42 


THE  riMNCirAL  DISEASES  01"  THE 


[llOUK    1, 


PART   I. 


^iiiiiyiiii 


CllAPTi  '^    HI. 

'I'  UK   S  0  U  T  H  K  1!  N    I?  A  .s  .  N ,   V  O  N  T I  N  T  ll  I) . 

SPECIAT.    MEDICAI,   TOrotiUAI'HY    OV   THE   COASTS    OF   THE    CCLF 

or   MEXICO. 

Fx  pr(i<'(M'(lin,L'  io  dosoribo  surli  Idciiitu's  iis  arc  of  interest  to  tlio  jilivsician, 
a  (Hiestioii  of  liinils  arises.  Sliall  uo  taku  tlioso  |)laeo.s  only  wliieli  stand 
ui)on  tlie  (lulf,  lilio  \'era  Cruz  and  Pensacola,  or  ascend  tlio  rivers  wliicli 
enter  it,  as  far  as  scttlcniciits  liave  Itcen  made  u|ion  tliein  V  Tlie  answer 
must  l)e.  that  tlie  former  woidd  Itc  too  restricted,  and  tlie  latter  too  extended. 
T  shall,  therefore,  take  the  intermediate  limits  of  tide  water,  which  will  carrv 
us  to  the  heads  of  the  river  estuaries  and  of  the  Utile  bays;  ami  enalile  ii.'-' 
tn  cmlirace,  in  the  zone  of  the  (iulf  coasts,  such  localities  as  Fort  IJrooke  anil 
]Mul)ile.  In  entering  on  this,  tlio  beginnin;:  ol  oiir  medical  tojiography,  T 
jiroposo  to  start  with  the  most  southern  locality,  A'era  Criiz,  on  the  western 
side  of  the  Culf,  and  travel  north  to  the  delta  ol'  the  Mississijipi ;  then,  tti 
begin  anew,  at  the  most  distant  jioint  in  the  south,  Havana,  and  travel 
northerly  to  the  sauic  delta. 


SECTIO.X  I, 

VERA  muz. 

Yi;i!.\  Cuvz,  the  most  populous  town  and  the  commercial  mctrnpidis  of  the 
Republic  of  ^Fexieo,  and  the  largest  city  of  the  western  (!ulf  coast,  has  at 
all  times  l)eoii  an  object  of  interest,  with  the  medical  etiologist ;  and  yet  1 
have  not  met  with  the  materials  for  a  satisfactory  description. 

Its  latitude  is  lit"  11'  Ti-J"  \.,  longitude  0(3"  S'  4;V'  AV.  Tt  wa? 
founded  liy  the  S|)aniards  near  the  clo,se  of  the  sixteenth  or  in  the  be- 
ginning of  tlie  seventeenth  century,  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago; 
on  the  spot  where  Cortes  first  landed  for  the  conquest  of  Mexico.*  We  are 
indebted  to  Humboldt,  for  a  sketch  of  its  topography. 

"It  is  situated  in  an  arid  jdain,  destitute  of  running  water,  on  which  tlio 
north  winds,  which  blow  with  impetuosity  from  October  until  April,  have 
formed  hills  of  nioviiic"  sand.  These  downs  (Mcs'nnos  dr  Arena)  chanirc 
their  form  and  situation  every  year.  They  are  from  eight  to  twelve  meters 
(twenty-six  to  thirty-eight  feet)  in  higlit.  and  contribute  very  much,  by  the 
reverberation  of  the  sun's  rays  and  the  high  temperature  which  they  ac((uire 
during  the  summer  months,  to  increase  the  suffocating  heat  of  the  air  of  A'era 


Clavigcro's  History  of  Mexico,  Vol.  II,  p.  296. 


Cruz.  15ct 
are  marshy ; 
naiit  water  i 
Kl  I'aiicho  ( 
nutives.  if 
niiioiig  the  t 
fices  of  \'er; 
(iccaii,  the  s 
rock  !.•<  to  bt 
giiiL'  the  sail 
tliis  water  p 
It  is  r;iin  wa 

is  "I   ;i   VI TV 
the  r,|i-t    i>   ii 

to  have  rocd 
mf'^-'iiK'^,  an 
Tennya. 
in  ci.-.fM|'iis,  II 
tioii  of  the  h 
▼hi'-li  the  ve 
milifiiry.  T 
UJ)"M  as  one 
^nr\\  was 

A.  i>.  isr., 

that  the  pojMi 
is  given  by  y 
oirciil;ir,  fnmt 
Baii'l  hills,  an 
up"ii  rain  coll 
answer  Ijut  \ 
the  water  of  i 
outsi:!,.  i,r  (ll, 
sert  d  dwelliii 
streets  (Piice  i 
an  air  of  inchi 

UpoM."t        \\x 

of  the  city..! 

'file  castle 
island,  in  fron 

Aceordiiiff  i 


*roiit.  E.s.  M 

+   .Voles  of  'I'l 

T  Uccolloctioii 


m 


[llOUK    I. 


PART    I. 


I\Ti;iiro|{  VAIJ.DY  OF  NOIJTH  A.MKKICA. 


43 


1-'   TIIH    iA'l.V 

1  (lie  iilivsician, 
y  wliifli  stand 
0  rivers  wliifli 
?  'I'lie  answer 
r  t'i'j  fxlt'iult'd. 
vliieli  will  carry 

and  cnaltlo  us 
'(lit  IJriinkL'  and 

t(i|ii';:i;ildiy,  I 
on  tlie  wt-'.stcru 
isipjii ;  then,  tu 
ana,  and  travel 


ictrnjiolis  (if  the 
f  ciiast,  lias  at 
ist ;  and  yet  I 

AV.      Tt  was 

(jr  ill  tlie  bo- 
I'ty  years  ago; 
liieo/'-     We  arc 

■.  (Ill  wliicll  tllc 
itil  Aiiril,  have 
Arr/ui)  cliaiiiri' 
I  twelve  meter.' 
•y  niueli,  liy  the 
li  tlicy  acfjuirc 
tlie  air  ui'  ^'era 


Cruz.  IJctwiM'ii  the  eity  and  the  Ardyn  (lavilaii,  in  the  midst  of  the  ilowns, 
are  marshy  gmunds  edvered  with  ni.iii;:Ies  and  nthcr  liriishwiKid.  Tiio  stiig- 
naiit  water  iil'the  I?a\iii  de  la  Tcmliladera,  and  the  small  lakes  nf  rildrniiga. 
Kl  llanclnt  de  la  llnrtali/.a,  and  Arjoiia,  neeasidii  inferinittent  levers  aiiKHig  tlic 
nutives.  It  is  imt  im|iriili;ilile  that  it  is,  also,  mit  eiie  nl'the  least  im|i(irtant 
aiiiiiiiL'  till'  fatal  causes  (pf  the  m/nitd  jirirfn,  or  yelhiw  fever.  Ail  the  edi- 
fices (if  \'era  Cruz  are  ('(instructed  of  materials  drawn  I'rom  tlie  lidtti.m  of  the 
ocean,  the  stmiv  haliitation  of  the  .Madrcjinres  (  |iieilras  di;  .Miicaia  ),  fur  no 
rock  is  to  he  found  in  the  environs  of  tlie  city."  "  Water  is  found  on  di^'- 
piiii:  the  sandv  snil  of  \'era  Cm/,  at  tlii;  deiilli  of  a  iiieteT  (  It.^  feet);  Imt 
tliis  wat(  r  iinicceds  fniiii  till' liltratimi  of  the  marshes  (innied  in  l!.e  dnwiis. 
It  is  rain  water,  whieli  has  lieeii  in  cdiitact  with  the  roots  of  ve^fctaliles ;  and 
in  111  ii  very  had  ((iiality,  and  only  us'd  for  washiii;.'.  'I'he  lower  jieojile  (and 
the  fact  is  iiii|i(irtaiit  for  the  medical  to]io(rra|iliy  of  A'era  Cniz)  are  (ibli;_'('d 
to  have  recourse  to  t!ie  water  of  ;i  ditch  (  r^'/'/"  ),  which  cuiiies  I'rnm  tht; 
W,','" /"!>',  and  is  somewhat  lietter  than  tlic  wdl  water,  or  tli;it  nf  tlie  lirook  of 
Teimya.  I'eii|ili,'  in  vnsy  circinnstances,  hdwever,  (hiiilv  rain  water  cdlleeted 
in  ci>teriis,  of  which  the  eoiistruetion  is  e.xtreniely  ini|ir(i|ier,  with  the  exee|i- 
tion  (if  the  lieautifiil  cisterns  ((il^:^//its  )  of  the  castle  of  San  Juan  dTlloa.  of 
▼lii'-li  the  very  pure  and  wholesome  water  is  only  distrilmted  to  tlmse  in  the 
military.  This  want  of  <rood  potable  water  has  be('n  for  centuries  hiokcJ 
Ujidii  as  one  of  the  iiumerdus  causes  of  tlie  diseases  of  the  inhabitants. "■''■ 

Such  was  the  situation  of  the  city,  in  isii;!.  iMirty-two  years  afterward, 
A.  I>.  l>'l."),  when  visited  liy  Xormaii,  it  was  not  materially  diU'erent,  exee[it 
that  tlie  iio]iiilatiiin,  which  ilumliiddt  stated  at  more  than  sixteen  thousand, 
is  .L'iveii  by  31r.  Xoriiiaii  at  six  thousand.  "The  form  of  the  city  is  si'ini- 
oirciilar,  frontiiii,'  tlie  sea.  It  is  situated  on  an  arid  plain  surror.nded  liy 
sand  hills,  and  is  very  badly  supplied  with  water, —  the  chief  reliance  being 
npen  rain  collected  in  cisterns,  which  are  often  so  poorly  constructed  as  to 
answer  but  very  little  purpose.  The  chief  resource  of  the  lower  classes  is 
tnc  water  of  a  ditch,  so  impure  as  frenuently  to  occasion  disease."  "  The 
OUtsiile  (if  the  city  hinks  solitary  and  miseral)]e  enough.  The  ruins  nf  de- 
serted dwelling  houses,  dilajiidated  public  edifices,  neglected  agriculture,  and 
street«;  (iiice  populous  and  busy,  now  still,  and  overgrown  with  weeds,  give 
an  air  (if  melancholy  to  the  scene,  which  it  is  absnlutely  distressing  to  look 
upon.  T  Mr.  Thompson  informs  us  that  there  are  large  swamjis  in  the  rear 
of  the  city..| 

'I  he  castle  of  San  Juau  dTllia,  stands  upon  and  nearly  covers  a  rocky 
island,  ill  t'roiit  of  the  eitv. 

Aeeordiug  to  Ilumlidldt,  the  rich  merchants  of  ^'era  Cruz,  at  tlie  time  of 


*Polit.  Es.  oil  New  Pp.niii,  Vol.  II,  p.  175. 
+  Notes  of  Travel,  p.  1)0— 'JG. 
i  Recollections  of  Mexico. 


l 


m\ 


Ml 

i 

li 

I; 

>■  1|  I 
''■■ 

I'       I.' 


IP'I^I' 


44 


TIIK  rillNCirAI,  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nooK  I. 


Iiis  visif,  Iiiid  siminior  rosidoiiroH  at,  tlic  inloriir  town  of  .fiilapa,  fuiir  tliousaiwl 
fix't  ali()ve  tliu  (itilf;  wlii.Tc  they  t'lijoyoil  ii "  oxil  aiitl  ajrroealili;  rctroat,  wliili; 
tho  Pim.''t  was  nlninst  utiiiilialiitaMi!  from  tlio  iniisfluitoos,  tlio  prcat  licat.  ami 
till)  yellow  fover."  Tliat  disease,  It  is  well  known,  prevails  in  N'eia  Ciu/, 
every  year;  suspeiuled,  or  nearly  ho,  (luriiif,;  the  winter,  Init  retnrninjr  after 
tlip  vi'rnal  ecjuinox,  witli  as  nmeli  certainty,  as  interuiitteiits  and  remittents 
roiMir,  l>'!fore  (he  aiitninual  e;(nin'i.\-,  aloni^  tho  rivers  of  Illinois,  or  Alahania. 
Aecitrdinpr  to  IfnndinMt,  it  never  extends  into  the  eovintry.  It  may  be  eoN 
looted  from  him,  tiiat  intermitteiits  nlno  ooenr  in  Vera  ('rnz,  and  nt  other 
places  along  that  roast;  Init  to  what  extent,  I  eannot  discover;  nor  whether 
a  disease,  answering:;  to  tho  remittent  antnnninl  fever  of  the  more  nortlieru 
portions  of  the  \'all"y,  ami  diNtinL'uisliahle  from  yellow  fever,  is  met  with 
there. 


SECTION  II. 

TAMIMCO. 

At  tlic  distance  of  al)out  two  hundred  miles  north-north  west  from  Vera 
Crux,  in  the  state  of  Tamaulipas,  wo  have  the  Mexican  town  of  Tampico. 
Its  position,  in  L.  "i-"  N.,  is  on  tlie  left  or  northern  bank  of  tho  Jiivcr 
I'aimeo,  innnodiately  below  the  junction  of  tho  Jliver  Tamissee,  and  six 
miles  from  tho  (lulf.  Tiieso  rivers,  which  resemble  deep  and  winding  canalji, 
descend  from  tho  Sierra  .Madre,  or  eastern  range  of  the  Cordilleras;  and 
travorso  tho  broad,  flat,  and  fertile  zone,  whieli  surnjunds  tho  western 
segment  of  tho  <!nlf.  Tho  I'anuco  flows  from  tho  south  west,  and  tin; 
Tumisseo  from  tho  north  west.  The  interior,  mountain  ciiy  of  Han  Luis 
Potosi,  stands  on  tho  head  waters  of  the  former.  Between  those  rivers,  ami 
also  to  the  north  and  south,  there  are  hmg,  narrow  lakes,  running  nearly 
parallel  to  the  (lulf  Coast,  with  many  conununieations  between  them 
and  tho  rivers.  The  region  around  Tampieo  is  not,  like  that  around  Vera 
Cruz,  a  vast  field  of  drifted  sand;  but  is  covered  with  a  [)roduetive  soil,  ami 
a  luxuriant,  natural  or  cultivated  vegetation.  Tho  town  is  built  on  a  belJ 
and  rocky  bank,  above  high  water  mark,  without  any  intervening  foul  beauli, 
as  tho  deep  water  extends  to  the  foot  of  tho  bank.  In  its  rear,  to  tho  north 
and  north-west,  the  ground  remains  wet  for  a  while  after  great  rains ;  hut 
there  are  in  that  quarter  no  permanent  ponds.  To  its  west,  between  tho  twu 
rivers,  there  is  a  lake  marsh,  and  on  tho  further  or  south  side  of  the  river, 
the  head  of  a  narrow  lake  which  stretches  off  to  tho  south.* 

Tami'Ico  is  tho  most  important  town  un  tho  w.'  stern  side  of  the  Gulf, 
between  Vera  Cruz  and  Galveston.  Tho  country  in  its  rear  is  attractive  to 
agriculturists ;   tho  rivers    which  traverse  it,  facilitate  conniiunication  witli 


*  Norman:  Rambles  by  Land  and  Water,  1845. — Lieutenant  Browning,  U.  S.  N. 


PART  I.J 

the  interior 
the  western 
and  New  < 
greater  as  i 
Jiicutenant 
in  ."•pring;  1 
which,  as  at 
endemic. 


This  is  at 
tho  state  of 
vith  (jhc  em 
The  San  J  a 
Iliver,  itsnni 
an  averiigi.'  ( 
bar,  wliii'h  I) 

Tlir  hi  a  a 
within  a  miii 
line,  to  a  len 
Is  between  t 
entrance  fron 
iBlaiid,  euiitai 
prcjiuontory  o 
put  a  eompa 
Gulf,  and  li; 
Itrong  sunt  111 

ThI-  City, 
Oent  to  the  h; 
front  of  the  f 
feet  high  in  i 
of  whieh,  is  i 
water  aecunii 
tlireo-cpiartc: 
The  [irincip.al 
and  on  the  s( 
which  rcceivt 
are  built  on  ; 
comfort,  t 

♦Texas;  by 

t  An  uccoun 

by  Ashbel  Smi 


[rook  t. 

,  four  tlioiisaiul 
i>  rotroiit,  wliilo 
L'rciit  licJtt,  iiiiil 

ill  Vt-ni  Cruz 
rcturniiip  at'tcr 
uiid  riMuit touts 
is,  or  Aluhanin. 

It  may  ])C  cnl- 
i,  and  at  otlier 
r ;  iKir  wliotlier 
more  nortlicrii 
LT,  is  met  with 


west  from  ^'oru 

vu  of  Tampico. 

k  of  the  llivcr 

luisscc,   anil  six 

winding  canali", 

Cordilleras;  and 

Is   tlio    western 

1  west,   and  tin; 

■'  of   San  Luis 

lieso  rivers,  aiid 

running  nearly 

between    tlieiu 

at  around  Vera 

luctive  soil,  ami 

uilt  on  a  LoU 

ing  foul  beacli, 

ar,  to  the  nortli 

reat  rains ;  Imt 

)et\veeii  the  t\V" 

ide  of  the  river, 

,de  of  the  Gulf, 
is  attraetivc  to 
mnication  witli 


riling,  U.  S.  N. 


P»RT   I. 


INTI-inolt  VAI.F.KV  III  NnUTII  AMIlllICA. 


45 


the  interior;  niul  the  liarlinr  itsolf  is  niori'  acccy.sihle  than  most  others  nn 
tlie  we.storri  si  lo  of  the  (Julf.  The  coimni'ni.d  iutercourso  liefwceii  this  |  laeo 
and  New  Orli'ans,  always  considerahU'.  is  Hlvdv,  herealtcr.  to  he  «••  iniudi 
irreater  as  to  give  to  its  im'dical  lip|iugra[)hy  a  d('ci(h'(l  inijinrtanfe,  l''rom 
Jjeufcnant  Uniwiiiiig,  I  learii  that  intermittent  fevers  prevail,  e«|H'ciiilly 
in  siiriuL';  hut  as  the  siunmiT  comes  on,  they  are  merged  In  yelhw  fiser, 
wldch,  as  at  N'eru  Cruz,  may  he  regarded  as  tlie  gri'at  and  nevur  failing 
endemic. 


srx'Tiox  ill. 

(1  AI.Vr.STON   ISLAM)  AND  T()\V\. 

This  is  at  once  the  name  of  a  hay,  an  island,  and  a  new  Anieriean  city,  of 
the  state  of  Texas.  Tiie  lln/hna  the  form  of  an  irregular  jiarallelngrain; 
.vitli  one  end  on  the  (iidf,  and  the  other  forty  miles  north,  in  the  emintry. 
The  San  Jacinto  enters  its  north-west,  and  the  llio  'I'rinidad,  or  Trinity 
Biver,  its  north-east  coriu'r.  Its  width  is  from  twelve  to  eighteen  miles,  with 
•n  average  de|itli  of  nine  or  ten  feet;  reduced  to  live  or  six,  over  lied  l"'ish 
bar,  whiidi  bisects  it  into  nearly  eijual  parts. 

'/'//('  Isliind  lies  with  its  eastern  half  immediately  in  front  ol  this  hay, 
within  a  mile  of  the  main  land;  and  extends  west  south-west,  in  a  straight 
line,  to  a  length  of  tiarty  miles,  with  a  breadth  of  four  or  five.  The  harbor 
is  between  tlie  eastern  end  of  the  i.>dand  and  the  mouth  of  the  bay,  with  an 
entrance  from  the  east.*  At  the  entrance  of  the  l)ay,  there  is  a  low',  flat 
island,  containing  about  one  thousaiul  acres,  which,  witii  ]}idivar  I'oint,  a 
promontory  of  the  nudn  laiul,  limits  the  harln/r  to  the  north,  (lalveston  island  is 
but  a  compact  bed  of  drifted  sand,  rising  a  few  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
Gidf.  and  liable  to  partial  inundation,  from  the  iluctiuitions  produced  by 
Itrong  southern  and  eastern  winds. 

The  Cii'v,  of  which  the  Fiat,  is  •J'.)"  IS'  N.,  and  Lou.  IHi"  iV  W.,  stands  adja- 
cent to  the  harbor,  on  the  north  side  of  the  i.sland.  Xt'ar  the  water's  edge,  in 
front  of  the  former,  the  surf  has  thrown  up  a  levee  of  sand  and  shells  about  two 
feet  high  in  its  center,  and  one  hundred  feet  broad  ;  immediately  in  the  rear 
of  which,  is  a  broad  depression,  so  low  tliat  high  tides  run  into  it,  and  raiu 
water  accumulates,  so  that  it  presents  either  a  marsh  or  a  sheet  of  water, 
three-(|uarters  (tf  a  mile  long,  and  from  one  to  three  hundred  feet  broad. 
The  principal  business  street,  called  the  Strand,  runs  upon  this  natural  levee; 
and  on  the  south  side  arc  the  warehou,scs,  which  run  back  over  the  morass, 
which  receives  their  filth.  The  rest,  and  more  interior  portions  of  the  city, 
are  built  on  a  dry  and  porous  soil,  and  present  an  aspect  of  cleanliness  and 
comfort,  t 


•Texas;  by  Mrs.  Mary  Austin  Hollcy,  1836,  p.  26. 

+  An  account  of  the  Yellow  Fever,  whicli  appeared  iu  the  city  of  Galveston,  1839  : 
by  Ashbel  Smith,  M.  D. 


■i 


i         •     t 


^v.jlj 

|«.  hi 


liffi 


I 


■!i 


I! .:  w  »■ 


.1 


4G 


THH  rRLN'CIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  i. 


I'lifil  alumt.  l!^;>(),  rjialvc'stnii  i^ilaiid  was  luiiiilialjitod ;  in  1807,  the 
cniiirratiDii  to  it,  from  the  T'liitcd  States,  l)t'f'aiiie  active;  in  1H-V.\  the 
city  ci'iitaiiiuil  from  two  tlidusaiid  to  two  thonsand  tivo  liundrcd  inhaliitants, 
and  tlic  iiuHilK,'r  lias  been  increasing  ever  since.  (Jalvoston  has  experienced 
.several  inva.«ions  of  yellow  fever,  when  that  disease  was  eiiidenu(^  in  New 
<  trleans.     It  is  al.so  lialile  to  tlie  eonunon  forms  of  antnniiial  fever. 

IJetween  (ialveston  and  the  delta  of  the  ^Iissis,~^i]»])i,  there  is  no  coast 
locality  of  interest,  and  in  pursuance  of  the  plan  already  annouuccd,  we  must 
now  transfer  ourselves  to  the  eastern  side  of  the  (lulf. 


SECTION   IV. 
HAVANA,  AND  THE  ISLAND  OF  CUBA. 

Althongii  the  Island  of  Cuba  makes  no  part  of  the  Interior  Valley  of 
North  America,  the  relations  between  them  are  so  intimate,  that  the  medical 
historian  of  the  la*ter,  should  include  the  former  in  his  descriptions.*  These 
relations  are  three  fold :  1.  The  meteorology  of  Cuba  gives  us  a  tropical 
starting  point  for  tabular  views  of  the  climates  further  north.  *J.  It  is  im- 
possible to  study  the  yellow  fever  of  the  northern  shores  of  the  Gulf,  without 
a  reference  to  the  city  of  Havana,  o.  That  city  and  the  island  to  whieli  it 
belongs,  are  the  chief  places  of  resort  for  those  invalids  of  the  A'alley,  who 
seek  a  southern  winter  residence. 

Cuba  is  a  long,  narrow  island,  lying  nearly  east  and  west,  between  tlie 
latitudes  of  twenty  and  twenty-tliree  and  a  half  degrees  north.  Its  extremi- 
ties and  center  are  elevated  and  broken;  in  fact,  may  be  regarded  as  a 
mountain  of  the  sea.  The  greatest  bights  are  in  the  eastern  extremity  of 
the  island,  where  the  Pico  de  Tarquino  rises  to  the  altitude  of  eight  thou- 
sand four  hundred  feet. 

But  as  this  portio.i  of  the  Island  lies  in  the  seventy-seventh  degree  of  west 
longitude,  it  is  too  renvite  from  the  (!ulf  of  !Mexico  and  the  coast  of  Flor- 
ida to  exert  an}'  perceptible  eft'ect  on  the  climate  of  eitlier.  The  Island, 
moreover,  presents  its  extremity  instead  of  its  side  to  the  fiulf,  which  greatly 
reduces  the  influcrice  it  nnght  otherwise  exercise.  Intermittent  fever,  but 
not  yellow  fever,  prevails  along  the  rivers  of  Cuba."!' 

Havana  (PI.  J)  stands  on  the  northern  margin  of  the  island,  ner.r  its 
western  extremity,  in  N.  Lat.  2:]"  !>'  liT",  and  W.  Lon.  -S-J"  li2'  53",  about 
one  hundred  miles  from  Cape  Flurida.  A  capac!'  •,;,,  Iiarbor,  M'ith  high,  rocky 
portals,  washed  by  the  (ivlf  Stream,  abounds  in  shipping,  at  all  seasons  of 


*  I  have  not  lirnn  nbli>  (o  tnoi't  with  any  full  (loscriptibri  of  tho  mndicnl  fopofrra[)liy 
of  Havana  ;  and  tiip  account  wliicli  I  expected  from  u  iiiglily  iutolligeat  medical  friend, 
once  rcsidrnt  tliere,  has  not  conic  to  hand. 

t  Notes  on  Cuba.     By  a  riiysician. 


fART    1.] 

the  year  e: 
tho    westen 
corner  of  t 
from  which 
row,   and  k 
ir.l!>.      its 
the  yellow  f 
ease  irom  t 
prevailed  as 
December,    ; 
year.      Tlui.- 
a  manner  iui 
New  ( >rlcaiis 
If  Havana 
because  of 
time  reipiirec 


The  water 

Georgia,  in  t 

sixty    feet,    j 

Bay.  twoiity- 

Theiice  to  Ca 

continues  to  s 

fflerireiice,  hov 

dred  miles,  th 

«re  the  T(jrtu 

bw  i.slaiids,  is 

and  corals.     ] 

whole  series,  i 

A'-7/   Wrst 

Island  is  aboii 

of   Florida,  an 

Stream  rollino 

Florida  Kecf,' 


*  Norman .    f 

t  Adventures 
1848. 

i  Bradford's  II 
II  Cayos,  Rocki 


[BOr)K    1. 

n  1!<:')7,  the 
in  is:;'.!,  the 
.1  iiihaliitaiits, 
is  cxj)crieiicecl 
oiiiio  in  New 
vor. 

;  is  no  coast 
iced,  we  must 


rior  ^'allcy  of 
at  the  moilieal 
:ions.'^  These 
us  a  tropical 
.  ±  It  is  im- 
}  CiiU',  withuut 
,nd  tu  which  it 
he  Valley,  who 

between  the 

Its  extrcnii- 

regardufl  as  a 

extremity  of 

eidit  thou- 

egree  of  west 
coast  of  Fh)r- 
Tlie  Island, 

wliicdi  greatly 
.unt  fever,  but 

and,  ncr.r  its 
.■1'  r)0",  about 
itb  hiali,  rockv 

all  seasons  of 


ic;il  toi)0<rra[)liy 
lucditul  frii'uJ. 


fART 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


4< 


the  year  except  the  h(jttcst.  The  city  stands  on  a  plain,  which  lies  on 
the  western  side  of  this  harbor,  and  is  surrounded  by  hills.  '"  In  one 
corner  of  the  plain,  near  the  harbor,  there  is  a  swamp,  the  exhalations 
from  which  are  waited  "ver  the  city  and  shipping.  The  streets  are  nar- 
row, and  kept  passably  dean,  t  Its  settlement  was  begun  by  Spain,  in 
ITillt.  Its  connnercc  is  with  nearly  all  the  civilized  world.  Ever  since 
the  vellow  f<!ver  attracted  attention,  or  was  recognized  as  a  ilistinct  dis- 
ease triim  the  remittent  autumnal  fever  of  the  temperate  zone,  it  has 
prevailed  as  an  endemic  of  Havana,  raging  epideniieally  from  April  until 
December,  and  occurring  sporadically  throughout  the  remainder  of  the 
year.  Thus,  in  reference  to  that  fever,  Havana  and  A'era  <.'ruz  are  in 
a  manner  identical ;  and  in  almost  every  alleged  case  of  its  importation  into 
New  ( )rlcans,  one  or  the  other  of  those  cities  has  been  assigned  as  its  source. 
If  Havana  have  been  accused  more  frequently  than  A'era  Cruz,  it  was 
because  of  the  gr.'atcr  amount  of  commercial  intercourse,  and  the  shorter 
time  required  for  the  voyage. 


SECTION   V. 
KEY   WEST. 

The  water  shed  or  central  swell  of  Florida,  which,  on  the  confines  of 
XJeorgia.  in  the  thirtieth  parallel,  has  the  altitude  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  or 
•fiixty  feet,  gradually  subsides,  and  after  passing  the  latitude  of  Tampa 
Bay,  twenty-seven  degrees  thirty  ininutcs  north,  is  no  longer  obvious.  1 
Thence  to  Oape  Sable,  the  southern  extremity  of  the  Peninsula,  the  surface 
iBoiitinues  to  sink,  and  at  that  pobit,  disappears  beneath  the  sea.  Its  sub- 
anergence,  however,  is  imperfect,  and  to  the  south-west  for  nearly  two  hun- 
dred miles,  there  is  a  series  of  reefs  and  keys,  ||  the  nni&t  distant  of  which 
are  the  Tortngas,  or  Turtle  Islands.  The  Ijasis  of  tliis  chain  of  sh.oals  and 
low  i.-laiids,  is  tertiary  limestone,  with  superincumbent  beds  of  sand,  shells, 
and  corals.  In  a  hygienic,  or  medical  poiiit  of  view,  there  is  but  one  of  the 
whole  scries,  which  deserves  attention,  and  that  is  — 

A'-//  Wfst  (PI.  /.),  formerly  called  Thompson's  Island.  In  position,  tliis 
Island  is  about  forty  miles  south-west  of  Cape  Sable,  the  southern  extremity 
of  I'lorida,  and  between  eiglity  and  ninety  north  of  Havana,  with  the  Gidf 
Stream  rolling  between.  It  makes  a  part  of  the  distinguished  and  dreaded 
Florida  Keef,  on  which  so  many  vessels  Lave  been  wrecked.     Its  greatest 


»  Norman  .   Raml)!(<9  by  Land  and  Water. 

t  Adventures  in  Ml'.xIcj  and  the  Rocky  Mountains,      J3y  George  F.  Ruxton,  Esq. 
1848.  J  fa 

i  Bradford's  Ilhr-strated  Atlas,  p.  139. 
II  Ciiyos,  Rocks,  Sp. 


■'X 


]1^ 


. '  v.'.r 


^•.  i'   Vt 


:^' 


■•■,■.! 


U 


ti 


ki 


iJ 


I  <l 


s>V 


48 


THE  PRLXCFPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I. 


TAHT  I.] 


lengtii  from  cast  to  west  is  seven  iiiile.s,  witli  an  average  breadth  of  two.  Its 
elevation  varies  from  that  which  permits  an  overflow  by  ordinary  tides,  up 
to  ten  feet ;  the  greater  portion,  however,  not  rising  above  sis  or  seven, 
T!ie  surface  (if  the  IsUmd  presents  many  niarslies  and  shalhjw  basins,  filled 
during  the  rainy  season  with  fresh  water;  whieli,  although  imbibing  from 
the  soil,  or  nteeiving  from  the  spray  of  the  (iulf,  snilieient  salt  to  render  it 
brackish  in  the  dryer  porLidUs  of  tlie  year,  is  the  most  potable  whic!  can  be 
obtained  in  the  Island.  The  surfaee  has  a  layer  of  soil  supporting  an  herba- 
ceous vegetation,  and  .shaded  by  a  growth  of  small  trees  and  shrubs.*  Seve- 
cral  years  ago,  Commander  Mcintosh,  U.  S.  N.,  while  stationed  at  Key  West, 
had  (as  ho  inf(»rmed  mo  )  a  numl)or  of  vistas  cut  through  this  jungle, 
along  which  he  dug  ditche;5,  and  allowed  the  tides  to  flow  'nto  the  marshes, 
and  the  fresh  water  of  t'.."  ;.reat  ra'ji.  to  flow  out;  whereby  the  salubrity  of 
the  Island,  as  he  believer,  I'ad  been  greatly  increased. 

Occasionally,  the  waves  throw  upon  the  shores  of  the  Island  an  immense 
quantity  of  sea  weed,  enveloping  nioUusca  and  other  marine  animals;  the  de- 
composition of  which,  under  the  action  of  an  almost  tropical  sun,  adds  greatly 
to  the  deleterious  qualities  of  an  atmosphere,  already  impure  i'rom  more  per- 
manent causes.f  These  deposits  are  made  under  the  influence  of  agitating 
winds,  which  are  sometimes  so  violent  as  to  drive  the  waves  over  the  whole 
Island,  and  produce  great  .:li,,'astation.  The  chief  settlement  of  the  Island 
is  the  town,  harbor  and  military  post  of — 

Key  Wkst,  in  N.  Lat.  24^'  a.T  and  W.  Lon.  81^'  52'.  For  a  while,  this  was 
the  principal  naval  station  of  the  United  States  for  the  (julf  of  ^Mexico.  It  lias. 
ever  since  been  a  military  post.  The  inhabitants  of  the  town  consist  largelv 
of  wreckers,  or  persons  engaged  in  saving  the  crews  and  cargoes  of  vessels 
wrecked  on  the  Florida  Reef. 

Yellow  fever  prevailed  at  this  place,  as  an  epidemic,  at  the  time  it  was  a 
naval  station ;  but  is  not  an  annual  visitant,  as  it  is  of  Havana,  ninety  miles 
further  soutli.      According  to  the  army  returns,  autunmal  fever  is  not  very 

prevalent.     The  average  ratio  of  intermitting  fever  is  twenty  per  cent. of 

remitting  fever  two  per  cent.t  It  can  scarcely  be  doubted  that  additional 
attention  to  tlie  surface  of  the  Island  would  render  it,  for  a  southern  locality, 
highly  salubrious. 


Tamp.\  B 

miles  into  tli 
wliich,  to  tli 
•    inhabitants, 
-;  Alafia,  an  inf 
is  one  hundr( 
criiitracted,  t 
Tliere  are 
^^^  vial  deposits. 
IP  wet  grounds, 
dry  and  suffici 
the  former  jir 
Four  IJro( 
bank  of  the  c 
It   has   bei 
■gcarocly  ever 
tliiit  I  if  iuteri/ 
•di.-casv  has  m 
lurg'ViMs:  whn 
tracti'd  (.Isewli 
Tampa  Ba\ 
minatiii!)  of  th 
at  HM  distant  | 
th'.'  iii.'St  soutl 


•  Dr.  .Alorgi'ii  ;  Pliil.  Jour,  of  llio  Med.  and  Tliys.  .Sci.     Vol.  viii,  p.  51. 
+  N.  Amer    INIod.  and  Surjj.  Jour.    Vol.  iii,  p.  24. 
t  Med.  Statis.  U.  S.  Arniv,  1840. 


I.  The  ben 
witli  the  Gulf 
which  i.<  tweni 
which  rise  but 

Tiiat  on  th( 
is  called  Fo.sti 


*  f'ommandor 

t  Med.  Statis. 

4 


[book  I. 

:i  of  two.  Its 
lary  tides,  up 
six  or  seven. 

buhius,  lilltid 
[nibibing  t'roui 
t  to  render  it 

wliic!  eaii  be 
:ing  an  herba- 
rubs.*  Sevo- 
.  at  Key  West, 
1  this  jungle, 
)  the  marshes, 
he  salubrity  of 

d  an  immense 
limals;  tlic  de- 
u,  addfi  greatly 
rom  more  per- 
ce  of  agitating 
over  tlie  whole 
t  of  the  Island 

while,  this  was 
Mexico.    It  has 

e(jnsist  largely 
goes  of  vessels 

time  it  was  a 
la,  ninety  miles 

x'r  is  not  very 
)er  cent.  — of 
lat  additional 

uthern  locality, 


PAnri.]  INTERIOR  VALLEY  Or   NORTH  AMERICA.  49 


SECTION  VI. 

TAMPA  BAY,  AND  FORT  RROOkE. 

Tampa  Ba^  (  P'.  I)  extends  in  a  north-east  direction,  about  thirty-five 
miles  into  the  ixninsula  of  Florida.  It  bifurcates  into  heads;  the  larger  of 
which,  to  the  west,  having  no  rivers,  and  being,  as  yet,  nearly  destitute  of 
iiiliiibitants,  may  be  dismissed  from  further  r.otice.  The  other  receives  the 
Ahifin,  Mil  innonslderalde  stream;  and  the  river  Ilillsboro',  whicli,  at  its  mouth, 
is  iiiu'  hundred  and  tliirty  yards  wide;  though  but  a  few  miles  up,  it  is  so 
(Mntracted,  that  a  steamer  can  with  difficulty  turn  in  its  channel. 

There  are  oyster  beds  at  its  junction  with  the  Kay,  and,  of  course,  no  allu- 
vial deposits.  To  the  east,  between  it  and  the  Alafia,  there  are  some  low 
wot  ;:rounds,  and  actual  marshes;  but  its  banks  and  the  coast  to  its  west, are 
dry  and  sufficiently  elevated,  bearing  open  forests  of  jiine  and  nerubby  oaks  — 
the  former  predominating  on  its  right  bank,  the  latter  on  its  left.* 

Fort  Brooke,  N.  Lat.  27"  57'  arid  W.  Lon.  82»  35',  stands  on  the  east 
bank  of  the  estuary  of  Ilillsboro'  River. 

It  has  been  regarded  as  a  highly  ralubrious  post.  Yellow  fever  has 
scarcely  ever  invaded  it.  The  ratio  of  remittent  fever  is  nine  per  cent. — 
■that  of  intermittent,  seventy-three  per  «ent.  The  high  ratio  of  the  latter 
idi.-ease  has  not,  however,  '^ostrnyod  the  ehiraeter  of  this  post,  with  our  army 
gurgoons;  who  have  observed  that  a  large  p'-oportion  of  the  cases  were  con- 
trairtcd  clsewhore,  when  the  troops  were  on  detached  service. t 

Tanijia  l»ay  affords  the  best  harbor  .south  of  Pensacola;  and,  since  the  tor- 
niinatiiin  nf  the  Seminole  war,  settlements  have  begun  uj)on  its  banks,  which 
jKt  U'l  distant  period  may  render  it  an  eligible  winter  residence  for  invalids  — 
fho  nii.ist  southern  to  be  found  on  the  Peninsula  of  Florida. 


\ 


SECTION  VII. 

PENSACOLA :   THE  BAY  AND  TOWN. 

I.  The  boantiful  B.w  of  Pensacola,  in  the  state  of  Florida,  is  connected 
with  the  Gulf  of  flexion,  by  a  strait  one  mile  in  width,  the  greatest  depth  of 
wliieli  i.s  twenty-four  feet.  The  banks  of  this  entrance  consist  of  sand  drifts, 
which  rise  but  a  few  feet  above  the  surface  of  tlie  water. 

That  on  the  west  side,  separated  from  the  main  land  by  a  shallow  lagoon, 
is  called  Foster's  Island;  that  of  the  opposite  side,  likewise  separated  by  :i 


»  fommandor  Jolinslon,  V.  g.  N.,  and  Dr.  Holmes,  U.  S.  A.,  MSS.  penes  me. 
+  Mfd.  Statis.  U.  S.  A.,  p.  296. 
4 


,i1 


if 

\* 

V         ; 

.'-y 

. 

'•'  '     1" 


.    'A. 


■■■'^' 


y 


50 


TIIH  PRINCIPAL  DIi^EASES  OF  THE 


[nooK  I, 


long,  navigablo  sound,  is  called  Hanta  Eosa  Island.  This  island  stri.'t(.'lii'.~ 
off  to  tlio  oast  fur  the  distanco  of  forty  miles,  being  from  one  to  two  miles  in 
width,  and  rising  in  some  plaees  to  such  a  hight,  that  its  wliite  sands  are 
visible  to  a  considerable  distance,  and  serve  as  beacons  to  tlie  navigator.  Its 
surface  j)rcsonts  many  little  jiools  and  marshes,  abounding  in  shrubs  and 
rattlesnakes,  and  is  generally  studded  with  tufts  of  a  heath-like  undershruL 
('  Crratiola  crlcoldcs  ),  among  which  there  are  a  few  scattering  and  stinituJ 
pines  and  live  oaks.  Its  whdle  outer  beach  is  lashed  by  the  waves  and  swcll.« 
(if  theCJulf.  Its  opposite  slioro  is  separated  from  the  continent,  by  Santa 
Rosa'Souiid,  just  mentioned,  Avhich  opens  into  the  l}ay  of  Pensaeola,  about 
three  miles  from  its  mouth.  From  below  the  junction  of  the  Sound,  the 
Bay  widens;  yet  one  shore  is  everywhere  distinctly  visible  from  the  other 
On  both  sides  a  post  -  tertiary  or  tertiary  plain,  from  tuenty  to  eighty 
feet  high,  composed  of  yellowish  sand  abuvo,  ami  white  sand  beneath, 
approaches  more  or  less  chjsely  to  the  margin  (if  the  ])ay,  and  constitutes  it.> 
banks.  At  the  distance  of  about  twenty  miles  inlaml,  the  Bay,  like  that  of 
Tampa,  tcrmiiuites  in  two  heads  or  subordinate  ba^s. 

The  eastern,  called  St,  ]\Iary  de  (ialves,  has  two  small  tributaries  bcarin: 
the  names  of  Yellow  Water,  and  IJlaek  Water  llivers.  The  western,  nanidl 
I'jscambia,  receives  the  waters  of  the  river  Eseaniliia.  The  two  former  oi 
these  rivers,  drain  but  a  small  tr.-ot  of  sterile  cnuntry,  and  tiierefure  throw 
into  their  receptacle  a  correspondingly  limited  quantity  of  silt.  Thiir 
estuaries,  however,  are  flanked  with  impenetrable  cypress  swamps,  as  may 
be  seen  by  a  reference  to  ./*/.  JII.  The  Kscamltia,  originating  in  the  state 
of  Alabama,  where  the  soil  is  fertile,  has  brought  down,  and  deposited  in  it- 
portion  of  the  bay,  an  extensive  bed  of  alluvion,  wliich  is  suificiently  elevatC'! 
to  support  such  trees,  shrubs,  ami  gramineous  plants,  as  delight  in  sub- 
aquatic  situations.  Among  the  last,  is  a  tall  culniiferous  grass  {Pliroi^miti 
coMinuiih),  having  ])erennial  roots,  but  annual  stems,  whieli,  by  their  luxuri- 
ant growth,  and  speedy  decay,  constantly  add  to  the  vcgetal)le  elements  i^; 
these  dej)i)sits  of  silt.  Near  its  moutli,  this  river,  like  the  others,  is  borderuJ 
with  broad  cypress  swamps,  which  are  terminated  by  higher  post-tertiar. 
deposits,  bearing  long-leaved  pines.  In  the  first  twenty  miles  from  the  Oul;, 
that  is  to  the  place  of  bifurcatim',  the  axis  of  Pensaeola  iJay  is  nearly  nnrtli- 
oast;  but  the  prongs,  or  subordinate  bays,  turn  to  the  north.  In  variiu- 
places  the  shores  are  skirted  with  narrow  salt  marshes,  and,  around  tlk 
heads  of  the  Bay,  especially  between  its  divisions,  there  are  extensive  cypres.- 
swamps. 

A'iewed  fnmi  an)'  position,  Pensacnla  Bay  is  an  object  of  much  naturai 
beauty.  Its  jiellucid  waters,  salt  eiidugh  to  abound  in  oyster  beds,  au 
encircled  at  their  very  edge  with  a  narrow  girdle  of  white  sand,  wliici; 
harmonizes  pleasantly  with  the  foliage  of  the  live  oaks,  magnolias,  cy[)resstv- 
hollies,  and  various  flowering  shrubs,  which  overshadow  its  margins,  aiiJ  ' 


1:-J:I 


>' 


O 


1  \\  ^  ':i 

■  a 

V 

1  r;  'V''', 

a  .1    .  i   ■ 

\ 

o 

' 

';  :r. 


■-•\ 


[nooK  I, 

;laii(l  strctL'lc- 
;o  two  niiks  in 
liito  sands  aro 
navigator.  Its 
in  slinili.s  and 
iko  untltTslirul 
n<:  and  stuntuJ 
avos  and  swell.- 
nont,  liy  Santa 
L'lisaodla,  abdut 
tlio  Sound,  tbf 
from  the  otliur 
Mity  to  ciglity 
sand  beneath. 
1  constitutes  it- 
Jay,  like  tliat  «i 

lutarics  Lcarin: 
western,  naniei 
two  former  i 
therefore  throw    ^ 
:)f    silt.      Tlitir 
wamps,  as  njay 
ng  in  the  stiiti' 
leposited  in  it- 
icicntly  elevate! 
delight  in  sub- 
ss  i^PliragmUo 
V  their  luxuri- 
le  elements  m1 
rs,  is  hordi.'i'L'ii 
r  pdst-tertiury 
I'mni  the  (lu!;. 
nearly  nm'tli- 
111  varii  u- 
d,  around  tJK 
tensive  eyprt'S.- 


le 


tl 


much  natura 

■ster   beds,  au 

ite  sand,  wliit' 

ilias,  cy[)resse> 

s  luargh's,  aii' 


I' 


s 


'Y    PART   I.] 


relievo  tlie 
shadiiw  till 
The  iiie< 
iiiteru.st  wit 
inijiiirtiiiic 
liarlmr  on 
tills  liay  a 
At  tliu  flit  I 
(if  Santa  I!. 
Fui't  Harrai 
anotlier  iiu 
mile  hiiflier 
one  to  tlie 
and  vllow  .> 
jilaee  to  j.Ia 
.   sueli  liicalitt 
i'-^!  the  soluble 
' ;  the  insoluM 
and  manure, 
are  speedily 
pears.     Still 
aecuuiulatioi 
thus  pools  or 
been  ireneral 
Yard,  as  nnn 
marsh,  and  s 
*  of  the  old  C 
keeping  still 
II.  Town 
i.s  a  level  pla 
water,  and  si 
where  enviroi 
narrow,  semi 
(Cup  I- CSS  us  I 
bushes  (.!/■/// 
prod net  of  r 
swampy  belt 
In  the  montl 
degrees  Fa  hi 
and  that  the 
the  water  of 
the  rays  of  t 
Pensacola 
made  before 


liPi'i 


J 


p\Rr  I. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  a:\IERICA. 


61 


rclicvu  tlic  soniljcr  I'lick  gvouiul   of  loiig-leavoil    jiiiio  woocls,  wliieh  uvor- 
sliailnw  the  higliLT  terraces. 

The  luedieul,  naval,  ami  military  histories  of  Pensaeola  Buy,  are  of  tMjual 
interest  with  its  scenery.  Tlio  first  merits  great  attention,  from  the  national 
importance  of  the  two  latter.  Constituting  the  only  sheltered  anil  capacious 
harhor  on  the  northern  semicircle  of  the  (lulf,  the  (lovcrnnient  has  made 
this  liay  a  naval  station,  and  erected  'he  various  works  necessary  to  its  defense. 

■  At  the  entrance  there  arc  three  fortifications:  Fort  I'ickens,  on  the  west  end 
'    of  Santa  llosa  Lsland;   I'ort  .MeOree,  nn  the  cast  end  of  Foster's  island;  and 

Fort  Harrancas,  a  mile  above,  on  more  elevated  ground.  At  the  distance  of 
another  mile,  on  the  same  low  sand  riilge,  stands  the  Navul  Hospital ;  and  a 
mile  higher  up  the  hay,  on  the  same  side,  the  Navy  Yard.  The  road  from 
one  tn  tlie  other  (tf  these  establishments,  pa.sscs  over  louse  dunes  of  white 
and  yellow  sand,  which,  by  the  action  of  the  winds,  is  continually  drifted  from 
place  to  jilacf.     These  sands  produce  pines  and  other  plants  that  flourish  in 

;  such  localitcs ;  but  their  recrements  do  not  accumulate  on  the  surface;  for 
the  soluble  parts  sink  with  the  rain  water  into  the  hiose  strata  beneath,  and 
the  insoluble  are  buried  up  by  the  action  (if  the  winds.  Even  the  mold 
ami  manure,  which  are  thrown  upon  the  gardens  attached  to  the  Navy  Yard, 
are  speedily  dissipated,  and  a  surface,  not  unlike  that  of  drifted  snow,  reiip- 

'.'  pears.     Still,  in  the  midst  of  these  dunes,  there  are  concavities  in  which 

■  accnniulatidns  of  so:-,  or  matters  impervious  to  water,  have  been  made,  and 
thus  pools  or  swales,  bearing  sub-aipuitic  shrubs  and  herbaceous  plants,  have 
been  generated.  They  are,  however,  of  limited  extent.  Above  the  Navy 
Yard,  as  may  be  seen  on  /'/.  ///,  there  are  two  bayous,  bordered  with  salt 
marsh,  and  surrounded  by  dry  and  elevated  jiine  terraces,  jiresenting  the  site 
of  the  old  Cantonment  Clinch.  Ten  miles  from  the  portals  of  the  Bay. 
keeping  still  on  its  western  side,  stamls  tlie  ancient — 

II.  Town  ok  Pkn-acola,  in  N.  Lat.  :iU«  2>''  and  W.  Lon.  ST"  12'.  Its  site 
'is  a  level  plain  of  lilown  sand,  rising  but  a  few  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 
water,  and  surrounded  by  the  post-tertiary,  pine-covei'cd  terrace,  which  every 
where  environs  the  IJay.  Between  the  town  plat  ami  this  terrace,  there  is  a 
narrow,  semi-circular  belt  of  swamp,  originally  covered  with  cypress  trees, 
(Cuprcsaus  disticha),  which  have  been  replaced  by  a  dense  jungle  of  Titi 
bushes  (Mijl()cariu7)i  ligustrinum).  Numerous  springs  of  soft  water,  the 
product  of  rain  upon  the  adjacent  plateau,  discharge  themselves  into  this 
swampy  belt,  the  extremities  of  which  are  salt  marshes,  of  limited  extent. 
In  the  month  of  March,  I  found  the  heat  of  these  springs  as  low  as  sixty-two 
degrees  Fahrenheit;  a  temperature,  which  shows  tlicir  origin  to  be  superficial, 
and  that  they  had  been  aifected  by  the  previous  winter.  By  these  s])rings 
the  water  of  this  paludal  t'-act  is  kei)t  pure;  and  by  the  compact  Titi  grove, 
the  rays  of  the  sun  are  prevented  from  acting  on  its  surface. 

Ponsacola  is  an  old  town,  and  settlements  near  the  outlet  of  the  Bay  were 
made  before  that   of  the  town.      Having  belonged  successively  to  Spain, 


A  ^:ii 


sA 


M 


62 


'IIIE  PRINCIP.AL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[UOOK   I, 


t 


tAvr  I.] 


Franco,  Engliiinl,  and  tlio  United  States,  its  pojiulation,  iniprovcnicnt."  and 
modes  (if  livin;:,  offor  a  niixtiiro  of  tlic  wlidlo.  The  liouscs,  ninstly  of  wood, 
are  cliiefly  Ixiilt  in  the  Spanisli  and  Freneli  stales,  and  scatteriiigly  distrilju- 
tcd  over  the  j)lain. 

Apart  from  tlio  jieojde  of  the  town,  tlie  seainiMi  of  onr  national  sliijis,  the 
persons  attached  to  the  Navy  Yard,  and  tlie  i^inall  garrisons  wliich  man  tliC 
different  forts,  the  pojmhition  of  Pensacola  IJay  is  hnt  limited ;  for  the  siir- 
roiuiiling  country  is,  in  general,  too  sterile  for  profitable  agriculture.  Tlic 
densest  population,  beyond  the  Innits  of  the  town,  is  found  near  tlie  mouth 
of  lilaekwater  Eiver. 

The  yellow  fever  has  been  several  times  prevalent  in  the  town,  among  the 
ship[)ing,  t'Tiii  at  the  Navy  Yard  ;  but  the  number  and  malignity  of  its 
inva-ions  bi.^r  no  comparison  to  its  severe  visitations  of  Mobile  and  New 
Or. 

Ol  tua  nil' intermittent  and  remittent  fever,  it  will  be  proper  to  speak 
more  extensively .  From  tho  forts  to  the  town  of  Pensacola  inclusive,  (all  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Bay),  although  there  are  some  swales  and  small  swanipj 
or  ponds  among  the  sand  dunes,  and  some  narrow  tracts  of  salt  marsh,  there 
arc,  as  we  have  seen,  no  deposits  of  silt;  and  the  organic  matters  accumu- 
lated in  the  wet  or  paludal  spots,  are  chiefly  those  which  belong  to  tho  piiiL 
forest.  Now  the  inhabitants  of  this  range  of  coast  have  for  a  long  time 
enjoyed  an  exemption  from  autumnal  fever,  remarkable  for  a  southern  locality. 
The  town  of  Pen.saeola  has  even  been  rt^^orted  to  as  a  summer  residence  hv 
citizens  of  Mobile  and  New  Orleans.  When,  however,  we  ascend  the  same 
coast,  about  ten  miles  above  the  town,  to  the  estuary  t)f  tho  Escambia  Kivor, 
we  Cud  a  state  of  things  entirely  difierent.  The  silt  brought  down  by  that 
stream,  has  filled,  as  we  have  seen,  a  large  portion  of  tho  western  head  of  tlic 
Jla\',  and  thus  generated  a  marsh,  several  miles  in  width,  near  which  tlic 
S(!ttlers  have  been  fatally  scourged  by  autumnal  fever;  although  they  escaped 
yellow  fever  when  it  prevailed  in  the  town  and  Navy  Yard  below.  Tlio 
medical  history  of  this  devoted  locality  dates  back  more  than  eighty  years, 
as  may  be  seen  from  tho  following  narrative  by  Lind.  * 

"  In  the  year  lT(i(),  sixteen  French  protestant  families,  consisting  of  sixty 
persons,  were  sent,  at  the  expense  of  tho  English  government,  to  AVcst 
Florida.  Tho  ground  allotted  for  their  residence  was  on  tho  side  of  a  hill, 
surrounded  with  marshes,  at  the  mouth  of  tho  river  Hcambia.t  These  new 
planters  arrived  in  winter,  and  continued  jierfectly  healthy  until  the  sickly 
months,  which  in  that  country  are  those  of  July  and  August.  About  that 
time  eight  gentlemen  (from  one  of  whom  I  received  this  account)  went  to 


*  Essay  on  tho  Diseases  Tiicideiital  to  Europeans,  in  Hot  Climates.    By  James  Lind. 
M.  D.    Pliil.  Ed.,  1811,  p.  161. 
+  Escambia. 


this  new  se 
general  ass 
them  Wiis  s 
becoming  t 
day  seven 
spi't;  lint, 
tinned  in  [ 
inoiitlis,  tliL 
.<piit,  that  c 
mnined  aliv 
state  of  he; 
most  of  th( 
done  to  the: 

No  other 
long  time  ii 
was  ni'iile,  1 
the  e.^tnary, 
PL  III.  . 
autumnal  A 
sive  silt  mil 
wooden  hou 
as  given  me 
Hospital,  ai 
of  Pensacola 
itants  of  tin 
fevers  of  the 
yard;"  and 
through  it  ii 

These  Ave! 
autunnial  fo' 
Tlie  heat  an 
the  same;  h 
the  latter  in 
I  think,  wo 
described. 

in.  Via 
described. 
Its  seclusion 
lies  on  its  r 
summer  and 
the  connectii 


^ 


[nooK  I. 

rovcincntf  and 
idstly  of  wiiod, 
•iiigly  distribu- 

idiial  filiiiif-,  the 
wliicli  man  tic 
1 ;  fur  tlio  hiir- 
riculturc.  Tlie 
near  the  niuutli 

own,  anumg  t\w 
laligiiity  of  its 
A)bilo  and  New 

iropcv  to  spoak 

iiflu.sivo,  (all  on 

A  small  swauipi^ 

alt  marsh,  there 

latters  aecuiiiu- 

)iig  to  the  {liiiu 

fur  a  long  tinii 

uuthcrn  locality. 

aer  rosideneo  by 

scciicl  the  same 

•'scainbia  Kivor, 

t  (hiwn  by  that 

torn  licad  of  tlie 

near  wliich  the 

gh  they  escaped 

d  below.     The 

111  eighty  ycar^, 

[isistiiig  of  sixty 
iment,  to  West 
le  side  of  a  hill, 
These  new 
until  the  sickly 
;t.  About  that 
ccount)  went  to 


By  James  Linii. 


I'ART  I. 


INTERIOR  VALLHY  (»F  NORTH  A.MLRICA. 


68 


II 


this  new  settlement  to  sitjicit  votes  for  tlic  election  of  a  representative  in  the 
General  assemblv  of  the  province;  by  remaining  but  uiio  night,  every  nne  of 
tliciii  Wiis  sci/cd  with  a  violent  intermitting  i'ever,  of  wliirh  the  candidate  for 
IiccDining  the  representative,  and  aiinther  (if  their  niiiobcr,  died.  The  next 
day  seven  <ithcr  genthnicn  cinic  npnu  the  same  business  to  tliis  unhealthy 
spdt;  but,  by  leaving  it  liefore  night,  tlioy  esca[ted  tlie  sickness,  and  all  coii- 
timii'd  ill  perfect  health.  Aiiiniig  the  French  settlers,  during  these  two 
nvmtlis,  the  annual  fever  uf  the  climate  pri  .ed  so  fatal  on  this  unwholesome 
spilt,  that  of  sixty  persons  fourteen  nnly  survived;  and  even  those  who  re- 
mained alive,  in  the  Se[itembcr  and  Octubcr  fnllnwing,  were  all  in  a  \ery  ill 
state  of  health  :  idt  uiie  of  tlicm  had  escaped  the  attack  of  the  fever,  and 
must  (if  thciii  died  within  a  few  months  afterward,  from  the  injury  it  had 
done  In  their  constitutions." 

No  other  settlement  in  this  lucality  seems  to  have  been  attempted  for  a 
Ion"  time  afterward.  At  Irngth,  in  the  year  iS.'J'i  or  is:}:),  a  new  attempt 
was  made,  by  laving  off  a  town,  to  be  called  I'lorida,  on  the  eastern  side  of 
the  estuary,  in  the  edge  of  the  [liiie  woods  ;  as  maybe  seen  by;  oferenco  to 
PL  III.  All  the  pine  terraces  of  the  south  are  proverbial.^  i  :  from 
autumnal  fever;  but  here  the  pine  lands  lie  to  the  leeward  whi) .'  exten- 
sive silt  marshes  sj)read  out  to  the  windward.  IJetweeu  twenty  and  thirty 
wooden  houses  were  l)uilt,  and  tenanted  by  as  many  families,  '''heir  history, 
as  given  me  by  Dr.  Ilulse,  the  intelligent  and  reliable  surgeon  of  the  Naval 
Hospital,  and  by  ]Mr.  innerarity  ami  Mr.  Kelly,  old  and  r  ectable  citizens 
of  I'ensacola,  may  be  told  in  a  few  words.  Year  after  year,  while  the  iidiab- 
itaiits  of  the  coast  below  remained  healtliy,  they  were  assailed  by  autumnal 
fevers  of  the  most  malignant  character;  the  spot  was  at  last  called  a  "CJ  rave- 
yard:"  and  being  abandoned  by  tlmse  wlio  snrvivcd,  I  found,  on  passing 
through  it  in  1^4.!,  but  two  families  remainina". 

These  well -ascertained  facts  have  so  important  a  bearing  tin  the  origin  of 
autumnal  fever,  that  1  have  considered  them  worthy  fif  circumstantial  detail. 
The  heat  and  moisture  of  the  lower  and  upper  portions  of  this  little  Buy  arc 
the  same;  but  while  the  former  has  only  a  few  limited  tracts  of  pine  marsh, 
the  latter  includes  extensive  deposits  of  silt  and  organic  matter;  and  to  them, 
I  think,  we  are  bound  to  attribute  the  fatal  insabibrity  which  has  lieeu 
described. 

III.  Perdido  Hav  is  found  a  few  miles  west  of  that  which  has  been 
described.  Its  coasts  are  composed  of  white  sand,  with  copses  of  live  oak. 
Its  seclusion  is  very  great;  yet  several  naval  officers  have  [ilaced  their  fami- 
lies on  its  retired  banks,  near  tlie  Gulf,  where  tliey  are  said  to  spend  the 
summer  and  autumn  in  jterfect  exemption  from  every  form  of  fever.  Such  is 
the  eomieetion  between  a  sandy  surface,  and  a  salubrious  summer  atmosphere. 


ol 


Tin:  PRINCIPAL  DISEASKS  OF  TIIK 


[noiiK  I. 


V.,.: 


'■[■ 


si'UrrioN  VIII. 

MOniLK   HAY  AND  CITY. 

T.  ^Tnnii.E  IBav  (/v.  fV)  is  (nic  of  tliij  largest,  and  (Icoidt'illy  tlic  most 
rcfruhir  in  form,  uf  any  witli  wliidi  tin-  iinrtlii'ni  cua.'it  of  tin'  (Inlf  <tf  ^loxico 
is  iiidontod.  Its  axis  lies  in  the  meridian.  lis  Imiad  Imse  is  nmro  tlinn  lialf 
cut  thrnnfrli  by  a  low,  narmw,  peninsnlar  sand  dune,  \vlw(.'Ii  penetrates  it  nn 
tlic  eastern  side,  and,  nppruaidiin^'  nanpliin  Island  ( aimtlier  duin' nl'  whito 
sund),  narrows  tlic  cntranec  to  a  strait;  iinniediati'ly  witliin  wliii-li  is  tlie  liar- 
})or  —  tlu!  wat(!rof  tlie  Hay  lioinir  too  sludlow  to  permit  tliu  furtlier  injrross  of 
onlinary  sliips.  Near  the  (lulf,  tins  I»ay  presents  a  In  ad  exjiansioii,  but  soon 
becomes  nineli  narrower  by  an  approxiiuation  of  its  eastt'rn  to  its  western 
coast; — the  latter  oontiinuiifr,  nearly  in  a  strai_!.dit  line,  into  the  interior.  This 
narrowing  roduecs  it  to  twelve  or  fifteen  inih's;  wliii-h  breadth  it  retains 
nearly  to  its  head.  The  banks  on  either  side,  are  composed  of  post  tertiary 
or  tertiary  sand  and  clay,  of  wliiidi  tint  |ircdnminant  colors  are  yellow,  white, 
and  red.  Tlie  Bay  receives  but  a  ,-ini;Ie  river,  which,  by  several  months, 
enters  nt  it.s  apex,  having  ])reviously  assumed  its  name.  The  constituent 
streams  of  this  river  have  been  indicated  wlien  uiating  of  our  hydrograph- 
ical  axes.  They  drain  a  region  of  country,  chiefly  in  Alabama,  equal  in  area 
to  that  state,  or  more  than  fifty  thousand  sipiaro  miles:  and  hence,  more 
water  is  thrown  into  this  ]{ay,  than  into  any  other  amund  the  (iulf.  The 
Coosa  and  Tallapoosa,  uniting,  form  the  Alaliania  ;  and  the  Tuscaloosa  and 
Toinbockbee,  joining,  form  a  connuon  trunk,  which  retains  the  name  of  the 
latter.  As  they  flow  on  to  the  south,  the  Alabama  ami  Tombeekbec  gradu- 
ally approach,  and  at  length,  about  one  hundred  miles  from  the  Culf,  nnngle 
their  waters,  lose  their  name,  and  are  called  .Mobile  lliver.  Their  place  of 
junction  was,  no  doul>t,  once  the  heail  of  .^^ollile  JJay."*"  Thence  to  the  head 
of  the  existing  Bay.  tliere  is  a  scries  of  low,  alluvial  islands,  surrounded  by 
river  I'haiuiels,  known  uiuhr  the  names  Mobile,  Tens;iw,  and  Sj)anish  IJiver. 

Two-tliirds  of  the  region  which  tlic  river  drains,  is  composed  of  loose  or 
decomposable  tertiary  and  cretaceous  dejiosits,  suffudently  fertile  to  support 
a  luxuriant  tree  and  herbaceous  vegetation;  and  hence  the  supply  of  alluvion 
is  inexhaustible.  ^Vith  these  materials,  orgaiuc  and  inorgainc,  the  river  has 
filled  the  upper  part  of  the  15ay:  and  is  still  carrying  on  a  work,  which  has 
been  already  completed  in  the  estuary  of  the  ^Mississippi.  When  the  drift- 
wood ami  sand  meet  the  tides  of  the  Uav,  they  are  loda'cd  against  the  shores, 
or  deposited  on  the  bottom;  but  the  argillaceous  matter  advances  further 
toward  the  (Iulf,  and  gives  to  the  haver  part  of  the  15ay  a  bottom  of  nuul, 
which  is  gradiudly  diminishing  the  depth  of  its  waters.  Thus,  at  some  in- 
definitely future  period,  tlie  Bay  will  bo  filled  uji:  after  which,  the  31obile, 
like  the  .^lississippi  River,  will  begin  to  pnject  a  peninsula,  or  cape,  into 


c 


r^ 


Dr.  Heustis:  Ainer.  .lour.  .Med.  and  Pliys.  Sci.,  Vol.  XIX,  p.  G8. 


v^-v 


X 


J 


PL  IV 


[nuuK  I. 


ly  tliL'  most 
(if  Moxic'j 
rt>  tlinii  lialt' 
triitcs  it  (III 
,110  (if  wliitc 
is  the  liiir- 
■r  iiiL'i'os.s  (if 
nil,  but  foon 
1  its  wostoru 
tcrior.    Tliis 
li   it  retains 
[ifist  tertiary 
L'1I(AV,  wliitc, 
■ral  iiKiiitlis, 
(•(iiistituont 
liydni.irrajili- 
(jiial  in  area 
lieiiee,   more 
Culf.     Tlic 
ealoosa  and 
naiue  (if  tlic 
klice  ^n'adu- 
iiilf,  mingle 
uir  jilaec  of 
to  till.'  head 
ruunded  liy 
iiiisli  liiver. 
(if  lodsu  or 
'  til  fjujijiort 
y-  of  alluvion 
10  river  lias 
,  wliicli  lias 
■n  tlio  drift - 
the  shores, 
iiccs  further 
iiii  (if  imul, 
lit  some  iii- 
the  ]Moliile. 
cape,  into 

G8. 


•»  » 


I'-'.M     -^ 


f  •"o      ^ 


/v    , 


--^J^"  .    -7^    ^^^   1-L__-^ 


>  '  ./•   * ,/ 


|-  <lri 


I': 


r  1 


,J  'iy^\^.'^''    '-^ 


l~-^ 


H,; 


'■:'^:rW:J\>^' 


y/.-  •'     y 


i 


•  «»>    ^ 


*ttt ' "" 


•/ 
•C?' 


o 


x:-^ 


^/■:  v^^ 


^^ 


X' 


V 


vf^^JjjLl '  ' "  '• 


iy*twjBig*A  ^m  * 


i-iLJ''        ^''  »■. 


IH 


m 


PART  I.] 
tllOfilllf.        I 

Tniii|i!i  n.i.\. 
less  tliari  I 

In  II  gf'iii 
Tiiliiiui  •>f«t'i;i 
the  orilcr  in 
relative  iii!ii.'i 
ifrcHsivi'  eli'\ 
Mlmrrs  til'  M' 
yoinl  wliiuli  I 
ami  cdVcnMl 
closely  III!  til 

11.      Mnll 
«if  suiitli-east 
it.x  western  si 
Lon.  87"  .'>!»' 
water's  e(l;,'(j 
prist  tertiary, 
marfrin  mxt  t 
sisteil  fit'  rivfi 
wliicli  is  s'liii 
(Ireat  \'alKy, 
f'ruin  sinking  i 
grMUiidf,  that 
at  some  distan 
sand  for  sixti 
deeper,  a  fetid 
water  was  sp( 
depth  of  twen 
then  came  to 

To  the  Sint 
portions  of  wl 
waves,  when  s 
chietly  siippliei 
lidriiiL'  sand  toi 
nf  silt  and  drit 
npper  or  Udrth 
is  a  small  lia^ 
Tliree  Mile  Cn 
( *n  each  side  ol 
shadowed  with 
other  trees  an 


PiRT  I- 


INTKinOU  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMIiUICA. 


fut 


the  <Julf.  In  tlu'so  proprcM.tivo  clmii^'os,  Mdliilc  May  (lifTrrs  w'ulily  from 
Tninii.'i  llav,  wliilf  tlio  Miiy  nl"  I'oiisacdlii  is  iiitcrmnlirifi.',  ns  to  coiKliticni,  not 
less  tliaii  locality. 

Ill  a  goiieraliziii^'  coiii|inri><on  of  tlio  Mi.ssis.>i|i|ii,  MuMlc,  IViisaoola,  ami 
Taniiiii  ostuarii's,  wo  fiinl  tlint  tlio  lalin  of  lilliiif?  ii|),  Iuih  hi't-ii  according  to 
tlio  onliT  ill  wliicli  tlicy  Imvo  bucii  nanuil;  wliicli,  ajrain,  ('orr(S|MiiiiIs  to  tlic 
rclafivi'  niaLMiifmlt'  of  tho  rivers  \vlii<'h  ciiti'r  tliciii,  ami  tlic  fertility  and  jto- 
LTcs!<iv(.'  I'U'vation  aliovi;  tlio  M'a,  <if  tlio  rc^rions  wliiidi  tlioy  drain.  Tlw 
«<!;ori'.s  of  MmIiHo  May  uro  sldrtitl  with  (*ilt  niarslics  and  pypross  M\vaiii|is,  lio- 
vond  wliicli  tlio  liHiiks  are  inoro  dovalod  tlian  tlioso  iiroiiiul  IN.'iisiu'ola  15uy, 
and  covcri'd  with  |pim'  and  oak  forests.  In  souio  plucos,  tlio  liank.s  pross 
clo.iielv  on  tlio  waters  of  tlio  I5ay. 

II.  Moiiii.i;,  tlie  coinincrci.il  niotrojiolis  of  tlio  state  of  Alaliania,  and  also 
of  sontli-ea.Htern  .^li.>si.s.siplli,  is  linilt  near  tlio  present  head  of  tlic  l^ay,  on 
its  western  side,  tliirty  miles  from  the  (inlf,  in  N.  liat.  .'!(•"  11'  1^",  and  W. 
liOii.  >1"  •'»!''.  Its  sitt!  is  an  ancient  lioaeli  of  tlie  I5ay,  rising  from  tlio 
water's  odgo  to  tlio  liiglit  of  eight  or  ton  foot,  and  oxtending  hack  to  tho 
post  tertiary,  or  tertiary  plain,  at  the  disfanee  of  .six  or  seven  miles.  The 
margin  next  tho  liay,  was  criminally  overflowed  hy  tides  and  waves,  and  eon- 
sisted  of  river  alluvion,  imhedding  tho  trunks  of  trees.  Much  of  the  site, 
'vtii'-h  is  soinowhat  terraced,  like  the  river  hottoiiis  of  the  interior  oi'  the 
(Ireat  \'alley,  is  sandy,  with  hods  of  elay  heiieath,  which  prevent  the  rain,- 
from  sinking  into  tho  earth,  and  lead  to  the  formation  of  swales,  or  marshy 
grounds,  that  re([uire  ditching  before  they  ean  ho  eultivated.  A  well,  du;, 
at  some  distunee  from  the  l>ay,  but  on  tho  eity  plat,  passed  through  yelh  w 
sand  for  sixteen  foot,  aftording  godd  water;  but  on  descending  a  few  feet 
deeper,  a  fetid  miid,  enveloping  tin;  trunks  of  trees,  wa.s  reached,  aiul  the 
water  was  spoiled.*  In  another  part  of  the  city,  a  well  was  dug  i.  die 
depth  of  twenty-livo  feet.  It  pas.sed  through  strata  of  elay  and  sand,  and 
then  eamo  to   marsh   mud,  with  tlio  trunks  and  leaves  of  trees,  f 

To  tho  SMUtli,  adjnining  tlio  eity,  there  is  a  cypress  swamp,  eon.siderablo 
portions  of  which  arc  ovorllowcd  In-  the  high  tides  of  the  IJay,  or  by  the 
waves,  when  swells  from  the  (iulf  ascend  it.  The  water  of  this  swamp  is 
chiefly  supplied,  however,  by  springs,  which  issue  from  tho  base  of  the  ncigli- 
lioriiig  sand  terrace.  The  margin  of  tho  swamp  rests  on  an  immense  deposit 
nf  .viilt  and  drift  wood,  whiidi  presents  a  foul  and  suspicious  aspect.  On  the 
upper  or  north  side  of  the  city,  an<l  eonstitntiiig  to  some  degree  it.s  boundary, 
is  a  small  bayou,  ailed  One  iMilo  Creek;  and  beyond  it  another,  named 
Three  Mile  Creek;  i  ■signatioiis  which  iiidieatc  their  distances  from  the  city. 
On  each  side  of,  and  between  these  shigghsh  streams,  there  are  swamps  over- 
shadowed with  cypress,  sweet-gum  {  Liijui/laml-ar  .<;///;7/c///«rt),|magiio]ia,  and 
other  trees  and  shrubs,  common  in  such  localities  of  the  South.       These 


H 


11 


*  Dr.  Gates. 


t  Dr.  Houstis :  Amer.  Jour. 


iff 


^''m 


56 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[dook  I. 


■I 


swamps  never   became  dry,  even  tu   the  duptli  of  twu  iiiclies   below   tliy 
surfuec.  * 

In  front  of  tlio  cltv,  tlio  l>av  alioiuids  ir  islets  and  licds  of  alUiviim,  cnvel- 
oping  driftwood  and  covered  witli  a  heavy  growth  of  reed  grass  (^Pkrau- 
mi/rs  cnmmviih),  and  (jther  ai|uati('  and  .<ub-aqnatic  plant.«. 

III.  Si'UiN(i  irii.i-,  at  the  distance  of  !<ix  miles  from  the  maririn  of  the 
Bay,  is  the  permanent  re!?ideiiee  of  several  lamilies,  and  a  place  of  retreat  for 
the  inhabitants  of  the  city  in  seasons  of  yellow  fever.  This  bluff  is  the 
eastern  burdt;r  of  the  pine  terrace  which  snrrounds  the  Bay,  the  waters  of 
■whicli,  no  douljt,  once  oversfircad  the  luwer  plain  to  this  bluff.  Its  elevation  is 
somethin^r  nKjro  than  one  hundred  feet.  Several  copious  springs,  whit:h  1 
found  in  the  month  of  April  to  have  the  tempurature  of  sixty-eiglit  degre-..-, 
Fahrenheit,  i.^jsue  from  this  escarpment.  One  of  them,  by  an  luidcr-grouiid 
hydraulic  system,  is  made  to  supply  the  city ;  the  water  of  the  Bay  being  ton 
brackish  for  domestic  use.  Derived  from  the  rains  whicli  fall  on  the  terrace 
behind,  tlic  water  of  (his  and  other  springs  which  I  examined,  npjicars  to 
contain  nothing  but  a  trace  of  nmj-iate  of  soda.  As  the  citizens  of  IMobile, 
and  especially  its  recent  immigrants,  look  to  this  .'^pot  as  a  plate  of  escapi 
from  danger,  during  the  yellow  fevrr  uiontlis,  1  may  be  excused  for  adding 
that  a  natural  curiosity  exists  in  tlie  nei;  borhood,  a  visit  to  which  nun 
relieve  the  tedium  of  an  anxious  exile  from  vne  eity. 

W .  Tin;  THU.\i)KiiiN(i  8i'i!i\(:.  About  eight  milea  west  south-west  ot 
Spring  Hill,  the  road  j)assing  through  a  forest  of  long-leafed  pine,  is  the 
fountain  to  which  this  name  is  applied.  It  boils  up,  in  the  edge  of  a  valky 
two  or  tlu'ee  hundred  yards  wide,  with  such  copiousness  as  to  form  a  C(iU- 
siderable  brook.  Tlie  water  is  transparent,  but  throws  up  a  (juantity  ol 
yellowhsh  sand,  which,  in  part  deposited  around,  has  f(/rmed  a  S(n't  of  crater 
A  i)ole  can  Ijc  thrust  down  about  ten  feet,  when  it  strikes  a  rock;  whieli. 
judging  from  quarries  in  the  neighborhood,  must  be  a  soft,  tertiary  saiul 
stene.  The  temperature  of  this  sjiring,  in  the  month  of  ^Vpril,  was  sixtj- 
uine  degrees,  rahrenheit;  its  mincal  imjtregnation,  the  s;ime  as  that  at 
Spring  Ilill.  No  gas  of  an\-  kind  escapes.  The  name  which  tiiis  fountain 
has  received,  was  suggested  liy  a  remarkable  peculiarity.  A  subterranean 
sound,  like  that  of  low,  distant,  and  muttering  thunder,  is  distinctly  heard,  at 
short  but  not  regular  or  rhythtiiical  intervals.  On  applying  my  ear  to  t!if 
truidv  of  a  neighboring  tree,  this  tliundering,  or  eartlupiake-souiid,  was  nut 
only  louder,  but  I  heard  a  ronstant  sound,  resembling  that  iiroduced  iiy  hold- 
ing a  finger  in  the  oar;  and  which  every  ]iow  and  then  was  augmented  to  tlic 
rumbling  which  has  been  described.  Some  very  susceptible  persons  affnni, 
that  they  can,  by  their  feet,  feel  a  slight  vibration  of  the  ground.  Tlii 
radius  of  the  sound  is  so  ji(nitcd,  as  to  indicate  that  the  peculiar  movement 
of  the  waters,  or  some  other  agency  w'lich  occasions  it,  is  not  far  below  tin 


PART    I.J 

surface.     Soi 

a  sumniL'r  nv 

the  city,  is. 

whiiiu  tliey  h; 

AI)oi!t  two  hi 

other  wliii-li  e 

\.     Imiai! 

French,  about 

presents  Fort 

that  time,  unti 

was  occupied 

Clarion,  it  att 

important  vilh 

the  people  of  t 

city  of  eight  oi 

French  and  S| 

wood,  are  liuilt 

habitations  are 

fossilized  shell 

low  beds  near 

the  elevati(jn  c 

Xext  to  Nev 

other  town  no 

topography,  fai 

tent  and  remit 

tant ;  and  frequ 

city      It  is  not 

intensity,  amen; 

uiargius  of  the 

neighboring  ])ii 


Between  Mo 
wliiea  deserve  t 
refuge  for  the  p 
resorts  for  sea  1 
ri'T.     They  are 


*  Dr.  Lewis  :  New  Orleans  :\Ieil.  Jour.,  Vol.  I,  p.  '289. 


'''*«««» 


[book  1. 
s    liclow    til'; 

uviiiii,  ciivcl- 
isa  (  Pkrau- 

TiavLfiii  of  tlif 
of  retreat  for 
;  bluff  is  the 
tlic  waters  u[ 
Lts  elevation  is 
illgH,  wliic:li  1 
L'iglit  tlcgn",o, 
uiidcr-grouiii! 
r>ay  Ijeiiig  tm 
oil  tlie  terracT 
C(1,  api)cars  to 
■iif«  of  ]Moljilo. 
ace  of  escajA 
cil  for  addii)L' 
to  wliicli  riia} 

south-west  ot 

d  pine,  is  tbe 

Ige  of  a  vallc} 

o  form  a  CdU- 

(juantity  ol 

ort  of  crater 

tick ;  whifli. 

tertiary  f^am! 

1,  was  sixty- 

e  as   tliat  at 

tills  fountain 

subterranean 

ctly  heard,  at 

V  ear  to  tlii' 

uiid,  was  not 

u'ed  i.y  hoM- 

ti'iited  tit  tilt 

lerscns  afhrni, 

•uund.       Tlv. 

iar  niovenieiii 

far  behm  tin 


PART    I.j 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


Ol 


ni 


surface.     Sonic  eflorts  have  been  made  to  add  tliis  jdace  to  Spring  Hill,  as 

a  suininer  resort ;  but  the  desire  of  those  who  retreat  fruni  the  e]iiden)ics  of 

the  fitv,  is,  to  reinain  so  near  as  to  receive  early  intelligence  from  those 

.  wlioni  they  have  left  behind,  and,  as  yet.  it  has  nut  been  nun  h  fre(|uented. 

%  About  two  hundred  yards  below  this  spring,  on  the  same  level,  there  is  an- 
utliur  whii-h  emits  no  sound.     Its  temperature  is  one  degree  less. 

\ .  Jxii.vnir.vM'S. — A  settlement  was  commenced  on  Mobile  Ea}-,  by  the 
French,  about  the  year  17<'(l.  In  171-,  llomans  ])ublished  a  map,  which 
presents  Fort  L(uiis,  near  i  r  on  the  spot  where  the  city  now  stands.*  F'rciu 
that  time,  until  the  cession  uf  Louisiana  to  the  United  States,  in  l^d:!,  Mobile 
was  occupied  cither  by  the  French  or  Spaniards.  For  many  years  after  the 
ccasion,  it  attracted  but  little  notice,  and  continued  to  be  a  rude  and  un- 
iinp'irtant  village;  but  about  the  year  1^■J^.,  it  began  to  lix  the  attention  of 
the  people  of  the  ncjrthern  states  of  the  Union;  and  in  twenty  years  l)ecamea 
city  of  eight  or  ten  thousand  inhabitants;  consisting  chiefly  of  Americans,  the 

'*  French  and  Spaniards  having  nujstly  left  it.  The  new  houses,  nearly  all  (jf 
wood,  are  built  in  the  fashion  of  other  American  towns,  though  many  of  the  old 
liabitations  are  interspersed  among  them.  The  streets  are  paved  with  semi- 
fossilized  shells,  chietly  the  Ronauh  ri/rc/ioiilrs ;  which  are  f)und  in  long. 
low  beds  near  the  city,  as  also  in  various  (jther  places  around  the  Gulf,  at 
the  elevation  of  a  few  feet  above  the  highest  tides. f 

Next  to  New  Orleans,  3Iobile  has  suffered  more  from  yellow  fever  than  any 
other  town  north  of  Havana  and  Tampieo.  As  mighi  be  expected  from  itj; 
topography,  faithfully  represented  in  PI.  IV,  autumnal  lever,  both  intermit- 
tent and  reniittent,  uf  every  type  and  grade  of  violenrc,  is  an  annual  visi- 

-  taut;  and  frequently  :,nipores  on  the  yellow  fever  a  cer'.aiii  degree  of  periodi- 
city It  is  not,  of  course,  limited  fj  the  city;  but  a|  pears,  with  even  greater 
intensity, among  the  people  of  the  surrounding  alliuial  plain  and  on  the  foul 
niari:ius  of  the  I5ay,  lioth  above  and  below  the  ci'.y.  The  inhabitants  of  the 
neigliboriiig  pine  woods  remain  exempt. 


SECTION  IX. 

.MINOR  HAYS. 

Between  Mobile  and  New  Orleans,  there  are  throe  small  Bays  (PI.  V), 
wliieii  deserve  the  attention  of  tlio  medical  topographer;  as  they  are  jilaces  of 
refuge  for  the  )ieo})lo  of  those  cities  during  the  prevalence  of  epidemics;  anil 
resorts  for  sea  batliing,  not  only  for  those  citiziens,  but  the  people  of  the  inte- 
rior.    They  are  defended  from  the  Gulf  by  a  series  of  islands,  which  stretcli 


;  ! 

M 


Darby's  Louisiana,  p.  31G. 


+  Conrad. 


\ 


.1* 


58 


THE  PRINCIPAI,  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I. 


(liroeti/  west  frntn  tlie  mouth  of  Mobile  T5ay,  under  tlic  nanios  (if  Paujiliiii, 
Petit  IJois,  I'ouiiJ,  ILirn,  Dofr,  Sliip,  and  Cat;  between  wbieh  and  the  main 
land  tlioro  is  watoi  of  sufficient  dej)th  for  small  steamers. 

T.  l*As('A(ioui,A  ])AV. — Tills  is  the  must  eastern.  It  reeeivcs,  on  its  west 
side,  the  waters  (if  I'lisca^oula  Kiver,  which  drains  the  ton  or  twelve  soutL 
eastern  eounties  of  the  state  of  iMississippi,  a;id  some  of  the  adjuining  |iart> 
of  Alabama.  IJein;.^  an  alluvial  stream,  it  has  made  extensive  deposits  in  it.- 
cstuar}',  and  reaches  the  Bay  by  two  nmuths,  which  arc  separated  and 
skirted  by  low  alluvial  grounds  and  small  lakes.  On  the  opposite  coast  (if 
the  Hay,  there  arc  likewise  marshes  and  lai^oons.  ]?etwecii  tlicni,  to  the  ea.st, 
stands  the  old  French  vilhip3  of  Pascacronla,  now  Krcbbsvijle;  and  near  the 
junction  of  tiie  river  with  the  Bay,  there  are  modern  residences,  with  an  ex- 
tensive hotel,  havinji  places  for  sea  bathing  in  front.  These  settlements  arc 
on  higher  and  dryer  banks,  which,  at  their  base,  present  a  fillet  of  white  santj. 
in  beautiful  contrast  with  the  waters  of  the  Bay.* 

The  French  settlement  on  this  ]}ay,  was  among  the  first  on  the  northern 
shores  of  the  Gulf  of  .Mexico,  and  dates  back  to  the  early  part  of  the 
eighteenth  century.  As  Doctor  Fearn,  of  Mobile,  has  informed  mo,  it  i« 
seldouj  visited  by  yellow  fever;  and  being  but  little  infested  even  witli 
autumnal  fevers,  has  become  a  place  of  suuuner  retreat  for  the  peo[)le  nl 
that  city. 

It.  Bay  01-"  BiLOXi.— To  the  .shores  of  the  Bay  of  Biloxi  bchiugs  the 
distinction  of  having  received  the  first  inunigrants  to  Louisiana.  The  set- 
tlcnuMit  was  begun  l)y  the  French,  in  tlie  month  of  May,  Kitll'.t 

I  am  indebted  to  the  distinguished  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Cartwright,  of  Natchez, 
for  a;i  account  of  this  locality,  at  which,  he  spent  several  months.  The  Bay 
is  in  front  of  an  arm  or  prong  of  Pascagoula  Sound,  with  which  it  has  a  con- 
nection, as  may  be  seen  on  /*/.  V,  about  fifteen  miles  west  of  Pascagoula 
Bay.  From  its  mouth,  Biloxi  Bay  projects  inlaiul  to  the  north-west,  with 
an  average  width  of  two  niiles,  until  it  attauis  the  length  of  twelve  uv  f(nu-teeii 
The  villas  or  i*ettlements  called  Biloxi,  are  situated  on  the  peninsula  nr 
tongue  of  land  between  Pascagoula  Sound  and  this  inlet,  which,  in  their 
roar,  is  (locally)  called  Ba(.'k  Bay.  This  peninsula  is  about  two  niiks  widi 
and  nine  long.  Its  siu'face  is  sandy  and  sterile,  with  a  narrow  strij)  of  lowor 
and  riclier  soil.  There  are  no  marshes,  howver,  between  the  Sound  atn! 
Back  Bay;  but  on  the  fai'ther  or  continental  .lide  of  the  Bay,  there  uiv 
fresh  water  swainjis.  Three  streams  or  bayous  eater  the  Bay  on  that  siilo; 
all  of  which  arc  d<  ep  and  narrow.  The  Peninsula  of  Biloxi,  is  a  place  cl 
sojourn  for  the  people  of  New  Orleans,  during  the  prevalence  of  yelhw  fever. 


»  ncsaiicon's  Annual  Txcgistpr,  p.  150. 

t  Bancroft's  Hist,  of  the  Col.  of  tlic  I'.  S.     \\\.  HI,  p.  'JO!. 


J  \nT  i.j 

Imf  it  has  not 
fever,  however, 
III.  Bay  . 
I  liave  not  the 
that  the  Pine  V 
the  waters  of  t 
traiu-e  of  the  I> 
Sliii'Mshi.ro  ; 
anil  New  Orliai 
found  a  salubrii 
low  tcver.     It^ 


The  medical  t 
ciiniprchend  s[)ei 
by  comparing 
■  tnpograpliical  co 
(ir  marshy  tracts, 
ami  yellow  fever 
:wliieh,  give  it  a  c 

%lcposit  of  sea  sa 
of  I'cn«acola  and 
from  Lake  Pontc 
eacola ;  and  eonsc 
..dcsi-rihcd.  Betw 
luiidred  and  fift 
ri^c"  liigh(}r.     Til 

llic'tween  Pensacol 
Jatter  and  Lake  I 
tliaduwcd  with  cy 
with  a  sninbcr  dr; 
and  I'lianicteristic 
many  parts,  as  be 
to  tlie  exclusion  o 

,,of  limlis  to  a  grc 

|intorcoluiniiiatio!i, 

i^consumes  their  she 

'|]iave  fallen,  prosen 

;icause  why  so  littl 
'  tliar  hut  little  niol 

-surface  remains  hi 


1 1'  I, 


— r^w, 


1 


[book  I. 

of  Paii|iliin, 
ind  the  inaia 

•;,  on  its  Avcst 
twclvo  SOlltL 
joining  parts 
oposits  in  it- 
■paratcil  and 
)sito  coast  of 
II,  t(i  the  east, 
and  near  tlio 
,  witli  an  ox- 
ttlemcnts  arc 
if  \Yliite  i-aiid. 

the  northern 
r  ])art  (jf  tlif 
nod  nio,  it  i> 
L'd  even  witli 
the  people  ui 

i  lieh^ngs  tl.i 
ta.  The  set- 
t 


of  Natchez, 

Tlic  Bay 

it  has  a  coii- 

)f  Pascagiiula 

th-wcst,  witli 

(jr  toiirtecii 

;)cninsuhv  nv 

ich,  in   tlioir 

(I  miles  villi 

(rip  i)f  lower 

Si'Und  am! 

,   there  arc 

un  that  siile; 

a  place  o' 

yclh  w  fever 


av 


I  \nr  i,J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


59 

\utunnial 


Tint  it  has  not  always  remained  oxoinpt   from  that  epidemic, 
fuver.  however,  scarcely  ever  invades  it. 

III.     IJay  of  St.  Louis. — This  beautiful  little  Bay  lies  west   nf  I^ilux" 
;vl  have  not  the  materials  fm-  a  descriptiun,  Imt  may  state,  in  general  terms, 
.;that  the  I'ine  "Woods  apiimach  the  ( i  ulf  shi  re  to  its  cast :  and  th;.!  it  receives 
the  waters  of  two  small  iivors,  the  Jourdain  and  the   Wolf.     Near  tlie  on- 
traiu'c  of  the  Bay,  on  its  eastern  side,  is  J'ass  Christian,  and  on  its  western, 
Fliifldsh(.ro';  both  of  M'hieh   are  summer  retreats   for  the  j)eoplc  of  Mobile 
.and  New  Orleans,  especially  of  the  latter.     Tins  indicates,  that  it  has  been 
ifouiid  a  salubriou.«;  locality;  yet,  mon;  tlian  oiue,  it  has  ln.'en  invaded  by  yel- 
low fever.     Its  lialiility  in  autumnal  fever  ajurcars  to  be  small. 


4  SECTiOX  X. 

THE  riNE  WOOl).-^, 

The  Miedieal  topography  of  a  country  would   be  incomplete,  if  it   did   not 

Cniiiprehend  specimens  of  its  healthy  localities  along  with  the  siekly ;  as  it  is 

.  hv    eoniparing   tliem,    that    we  arrive    at   a    knowledge  of  the  infliieiice  of 

'  top'igraphical  conditions,  under  the  same  climates.     If  tin    lnw  and  alluvial 

or  uKusliy  tracts,  around  this  part  of  the  (i ulf,  are  infested  with   autumnal 

and  yellow  fevers,  tliere  is  an  adjacent  plain,  the  hight  and  composition  of 

whirh,  give  it  a  decided  characti.T  of  salubrity.     This  tertiary  or  jKst -tertiary 

deposit  of  sea  sand  and  clay,  has  been  already  referred  to  in  th.e  descriptions 

of  I'en»acola  and  Mobile.     It  borders  the  north-eastern  segment  of  the  Ciulf, 

from  Lake  i^Jntchartrain,  or  rather  from  the  delta  of  the  Mississippi  to  I'en- 

fdeiija:  and  conso(|uently  lies  in  the  rear  of  all  the  places  which  have  been 

•deserihed.     I'etwecn  the  city  of  ^Mobile  and   I'ensacohi,  its  altitude  is   one 

jhundrod   and   tifteen  or  twenty  feet ;  but   further    back  from  the  coast,  it 

;ri<e«  liigher.     The  rivers  wliich  flow  through  it  to  the  (I ulf,  are  the  I'erdido, 

iilietween  Pcnsacola  and  ^lobile,  and  the  I'ascagoula  and   IVail,  iietween  tlie 

latter  and  I/ake  Pontchartrain;  all  of  wliieh  are  edged  with  swamps,  over- 

fhadmved  with  cypress,  .sw   }t  gum,  and  other  scmi-a<[uatie  trees;  decorated 

vitii  a  ,«nU]lH'r  drapery  of  long  moss  {TUIdnih-ia  i/.i/iroiilis).     The  prevailing 

and  chameteristic  torest  tree  of  this  plain,  is  tlio  long-leafed  pine;  whicli,  in 

many  parts,  as  between  Pensaeola  and  3Iobil.-,  forms  a  dense  and  lofty  forest, 

to  the  exelusi(jn  of  almost  every  other  tree.    Straight,  and  generally  destitute 

of  lindis  to  a  great  hight,  these  pines  present  to   the  eye  a  vast  system  of 

inton-oluinniation,  which,  seen  at  night,  by  the  rnoning  nre  that  occa.--ioiially 

ciiMsmnes  their  shed  cones  and  long  leaves,  with  the  dry  grass  among  which  they 

have  fallen,  presents  a  grand  and  striking  spectacle.     Tliis  conflagration  is  one 

;jfcausc  why  so  little  lutmuy;  or  ni(dd,  accumulates  on  the  surface;  another  is 

:that  hut  httle  mold  is  generated  by  the  rnn-lc  of  a  piao  forest,  and  hence  the 

,^sin-faee  remains  barren.     Where  the  plain  is  too  level  fi.-r  the  water  to  flow  off. 


i 


. ..  t 


?^Ri.<. 


60 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DI.Sf:ASES  OF  THE 


[book  . 


it  has  collected  in  small  basins,  and  favurcd  the  growth  ol  a  more  variud 
veg'.'iutioii,  the  remains  of  w  ich  have  contributed  to  aricat  I'b  'K'Stent  into 
the  cirth;  and  thus,  in  the  midst  of  the  pine  desert,  the  eye  *•  rolicvil  by 
ua:ses  of  llowering  shrubs  and  annual  plants,  from  whicli  rivuiet:  ai'O  ct-'c:!  tu 
flow  and  coufrrefrate  into  larger  streams.  In  desccir'inu  from  tVo  jihi'p,  thoy 
readily  cut  channels  through  its  loose  strata;  from  which  there  likewise  issue 
copious  s])ringH  of  pure  water,  the  quality  of  which  has  been  already  given. 
when  speaking  of  the  I'ensacola  and  3Iobile  fountains. 

Such  arc  the  celebrated  Pliic  Woods,  to  tlie  protecting  influence  of  wliicli 
the  people  of  New  Orleans  and  3I(ibile  eonunit  themselves  for  safety,  in  yellow 
fever  seas(jns ;  expecting  to  enjoy  an  e(|ual  immunity  from  interniittcMts  ami 
remittents.  Thu.=,  in  the  region  we  are  describing,  the  sweet  gum  and 
cypress,  with  their  festoons  of  moss,  are  the  symbols  of  deep  S(  il,  foul 
surface,  impure  water,  vegetable  decomposition,  and  fevers;  while  tin. 
long-leafed  jjine,  synd)olizes  sterdity,  dryness  of  surface,  gushing  springs  ol 
pure  water,  and  sound  health. 


\ 


CHAPTER   IV. 


THE   SOUTIIEIIN    BASIN,    CONTINUED, 


THE    DELTA    OF    THE    MISSISSIPPI  — CONSIDERED    AS    A    PART   01 

THE  GULF  COAST. 

It  is  ira])ossible  to  give  an  intelligible  account  of  the  Delta  of  the  ]Mis- 
sissippi,  which  must  forctver  constitute  the  most  important  part  of  the  coast  ul 
the  Gulf  of  INIexico,  without  freipient  references  to  the  river  above.  Tlii^ 
may  sometimes  carry  us  far  into  the  interior ;  but  such  eccentricities  are  un- 
avoidable, unless  we  had  begun  the  analysis  of  the  Southern  Basin,  with  a 
description  of  the  river  itself,  instead  of  the  Gulf;  which  would,  in  the  em! 
have  involved  us  in  greater  difficulties.  Our  aim,  in  fact,  is  not  to  describe 
the  Great  Interior  Valley,  but  to  develop,  before  the  reader,  those  physical 
cunditions,  which  may  be  presumed  to  exercise  an  influence,  either  directly  1 1' 
indirectly,  ou  heal'h;  and  the  same  method  is  not  adapted  to  both  object.' 


[buok  . 

)re  varied 
';i  nuL  iiitu 
;li(;Vol  by 

,'0    cOC'.i    tu 

[>lai:\  they 
3wiso  isHUC 
ady  given. 

c  of  vliicli 

^',  in  yt'lldw 

ittf'itb  ami 

gum    and 

)  S(  il,  foul 

■while    tlif 

springs  of 


1 

■'Vl 

•1 

-f 

,  >k 

m 

D. 


PART   OF 


)f  the  Mis- 
I  the  coast  ul 

This 


JOVO. 


Ities  are  ua- 

isin,  with  a 

in  the  end. 

to  (lescrik 

>so  physical 

directly  or 

Ith  object?. 


V;-^.!^' 


- 

[■I 

■    . 

■•l 

»RT   1.) 


i.N' 


■I 


Tliu  axis  of  tlic 

iiiid  nortli  west  I'n 

(iulf  I  if  Mi'xieo,  t( 

aiulers  of  tliu  stre; 

cxtri'iiiitics  (li/fcT  a 

west,  the   Di'lta   is 

uast,  by  the  terti;ii 

and  of  Baton  Kcniirt 

affcr  pas.^iiifr  tliat  t 

iiako  J'liiitL'liartraiii 

St.  Jjoiiis;  tlius  iiic 

''iM,  Iieloiig  to  it, 

waters  of  tlio  3Ii.ssi 

river  a  few  miles  bi 

iK'sceiit  from  the  j> 

tlioiico,  by  the  I>ayi 

Luke  ]i(prgiie  and  fl 

the  mouth  of  I'oarl 

bays,  is  sliallow  and 

than  as  portions  of  J 

the  3Iississi|ij(i  by 

historic  period,  the  1 

and  of  course   tlio 

Whether  it  did  not 

known.     For  the  di; 

before  a  levee  was  ci 

swell.s,  a  great  (juaiii 

just  nientione<l,  and  1 

The  [ircvcntiou  of  tl 

the  ratio  of  dcpositio 

their  transformation  : 

the  river,  varviiic;  in  ^ 

with  pond.'^  wliich  ar 

ever,  w  autumn,  beco 

admit  of  being  roelaiii 

Borgiie,  down  to  Clia 

temliiig  from  tlie  left  I 

■us,  and  mo.stly  irreidi 

That  portion  of  the 


I 

.i 


\RV   !• 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


Gl 


)t^ 


n  s 


>7 


n 


■,ff 


''    V 


SECTION  I. 

DESCRIPTIVE    IIVDRoGRArilV. 

The  axis  of  the  Delta  of  tlic  ]\Iif;si,>isi|i|)i  (1*1.    V),  lies  iiearlv  snutli-cast 
;iii(l  imrtli  ■vvost  from  tlie  IJalize,  or  junction  of  the  North  j'last  l*a>^s  witli  the 
duU'  of  Mexico,  to  the  n.outh  of  lied   River;  a  ilistaiiee,  f 'llowinir  the  lue- 
unders  of  tlie  stream,  of  three  luimlred  and  forty  miles. '^     In  hititiide,  those 
extremities  differ  about  two  degrees  —  in  longitude,  nearly  three.     On  the 
west,  the   Helta   is  bounded  by   the   diluvial  jdains   of  Opeloiisas  —  on   the 
LMst,  liv  tlie  tertiary,  or  post-tertiary  highlands  of  West  and  Kast  I'eliciar.a. 
and  of  IJaton  llouge ;  which,  having  closely  a(>]iroaehed  the  river,  recede  from  it 
alter  passing  that  t<iwn,  and  trending  to  the  east,  pass  round  Jiake  Maurepas, 
biike  I'oiitchartrain,  and  Lake  IJorgne,  to  the  (!uU'  of  Mcxii'o,  at  the  l>ay  uf 
St.  Jjouis;  tlius  includinir  those  lakes  within  the   I'l-lta.      'J'hat  tiiev  ^A^  in 
fact,  belong  to  it,  i.s  rendered  certain,  by  the  discharge  of  a  portion  (jf  the 
waters  of  the  Mississippi  through  the   Iberville  —  a  bayou  whi'-li  k'avcs  tlio 
river  a  few  miles  behiw  Jiaton  Rouge,  and  joining  the  River  Amite,  after  it.« 
descent  from  the  plateau  just  mentioned,  flows  into   fiake  Maurepas;  and 
thonce,  by  the  JJaycm  Mancliac,  into  I'ontehartrain,  which  is  connected  with 
hake  Rorgne  and  the  (lulf,  by  channels  that  meander  among  the  Jtigolets  at 
the  mouth  of  Pearl  River.     The  water  of  these  lakfs,  or,   more  properly, 
lavs,  is  shallow  and  brackish  ;   and  thev  can  bi;  regarded  in  no  other  li::ht, 
than  as  portions  of  the  Gidf,  partly  iilled  up  widi  silt,  carried  into  them  from 
the  Mississippi  by  the   Iberville,  Amite,  and    I'earl  Risers.      Within    the 
liistiiric  period,  the  Iberville  has  conveyed  but  a  moderate  quantity  of  water; 
a'ul   of  eoiu'se    the    deposits  from    that    source  have   latterly  been   small. 
Whether  it  did  not  formerly  discharge  a  more  copious  stream,  cannot  be 
known.     For  the  distance  of  one  hundred  and  forty  miles,  the  Mississippi, 
before  a  levcc  was  constructed,  poured  over  its  left  bank,  during  its  annual 
swolLs,  a  great  quantity  of  water,  which  finally  m;!de  its  \n}  into  the  lakes 
just  mentioned,  and  by  its  deposits  must  have  contributed  to  their  filling  up. 
The  prevention  of  this  overflow  by-  art,  has  thus  diminished  to  st.me  extent 
the  ratio  of  deposition  in  the  lakes,  and  pndonged  indefinitely  the  jtrocesN  of 
Ujcir  transformation  into  dry  land.     At  present,  the  tract  between  tliem  ami 
the  river,  varying  in  width  from  five  to  twenty-four  miles,  is  a  cypress  swamp, 
with  ponds  which  are  nearly  on  a  level  with  the  lakes.     Much  of  it,  how- 
ever, in  autumn,  becomes  dry  land;  and  most  of  it  is  sufficiently  elevated  la 
admit  of  being  reclaimed  1)y  adequate  ditching  and  draining.     Soutii  of  J^ake 
Borgne,  down  to  Chandelcur  Bay.  there  is,  however,  an  extensive  tract,  (ex- 
tending from  the  left  bank  of  tho  Mississijipi ),  which  is  permanently  terra(iue- 
"Us,  and  mostly  irreclaiiaahle. 
That  portion  of  the  Delta  which  lies  south-west  of  the  !\iitsissippi,  is  larger, 

•  Nicollet ;  Hydrograph.  Basin. 


'■\X:- 


'i(i 


"*( 


02 


'YllE  rULNCli'AL  DISEASKS  OF  TIIK 


[nooK  I. 


r>BT  I. 


I.N 'I 


1111(1  its  liydrop-Mjiliy  iiiucli  iiioro  intricato.      Tts  i^rticral  fnirfiico  is  I'vcry- 
wlit.To  bflow  tliiit  nf  tlic   wators  wliicli   flow  tliri)U'.Mi,  or  rust  upon  it,  wlii'ii 
their  LTi-at  roiiiitaiii,  tlio  Mississipiii,  is  swollen.     Hence  most  of  it  is  iniiii- 
lialiited ;  ami  presents  an    indesiM'iliablo  lahyrintii  of  lakes,  ponds,  liayoib, 
swainjis.  and  sliaking  prairies;  nnicli  of  wliieli,   however,  hy  early  autuinii, 
l)oc'oines  so  dry  as  even  to  oppose  an  obstacle  t(j  its  cultivation.     The  waters 
which  replenish  tids  .system  of  natural  canals  and  reservoirs,  are  derived  from 
two  sources:  ./"•'>■/,  the  streams  which  descend  from  tiie  plateau  of  Opelousa.- 
on  the  west,  and  the  bottom  lands  of  lied  River  on  the  north;  svcoiid,  the 
bayou;.,  or  lateral   outlets   of  the   Mississippi,   which   are   three   in    nund)er. 
The  largest  and  uppermost,  is  the  Atchafalaya,  wliieh  leaves  the  IMissis.sipjij 
only  three  miles  below  the  mouth  of   IJed  lUver,  and,  in  the  opinion  of  Mr. 
Darby,  '■'  was  once  the  bed  of  the  latter  ri\('r.      The  descent  of  tliis  bayou,  at 
first,  is  rapid,  and  its  course  nearly  south;  while  that  of  the   .^lissis.sippi. 
after  the  separation,  is  south-east;  and  hence  they  f^.iverge  from  each  other 
One  hundred  and  twenty  miles  below,  the  main  river  sends  out  ]Jayou  l*la- 
(|ueniiiie,  which  runs  nearly  west,  until  it  joins  a  branch  of  the  Atchafalaya. 
Thus  reiiifori'ed,  that  bayou,  when  its  parent  stream  is  swollen,  assumes  tin 
aspect  of  a  largo  river.     As  it  winds  its  way  to  the  south-south-east,  on  a 
plain  which  declines  gently  to  the  south -south -west,  it  disc-harges  a  great 
(Quantity  of  water  over  its  right  bank,  ami  sends  olf  lateral  bayous,  whicL 
coimect  it  with  the  Teche,  with    Lake  Chetin  ■  lies,  or  Crand  Ijake,  and  \ 
with  several  smaller  lakes;  while  it  pours  a  deep  iiiundution  over  many  ex- 
tensive swamps.     IJeiore  read  ing  the  (lulf,  at  the  distance  (following  it.- 
meandiM's  )  cf  nearly  two  hundred  i^ilcs,  it  enters  the  hiwer  end  of  Lake  Clieli- 
machcs,  on  issuing  from  which,  it  receives  the  IJayouTeeho;  whence  both,  in  1 
a  single  channel,  flow  on  to  Berwick's  ]Jay,  an  arm  of  the  IJay  of  Atchafa-  [ 
laya.     There  is,  as  yet,  but  little  cultivation  on  the  banks  of  the  Atchafalaya 
and  still  less  on  those  of  the  lake  with  which  it  is  so  intimately  connectcil: 
tor  the  entire  area  around  that  large   reservoir,  is  suliject  to  deep  aniiual 
inundation.     When  the  ]Mississip[)i  is  low,  the  current  in  the  Atehai'alaya 
and  Teclio  is  very  slack,  and  the  tides  flow  up  them  to  a  great  distance. 

The  position  of  the  Teche  is  west  of  the  Atchafalaya,  and  its  genera', 
course  nearly  parallel  to  that  bayou.  It  .skirts  the  plains  of  Opelousas,  aii'i 
traverses  the  parish  of  Attakajias,  having  lateral  connections  in  its  ujijiLr 
part,  with  tlie  Atchafalaya,  of  which  the  principal  is  the  IJayou  Courtableaii 
through  which,  however,  it  di>es  not,  at  present,  receive  mucli  water. 

In  the  ojiinion  of  ]\Ir.  ])arby,  a  part  of  lied  lliver  once  flowed  in  tit 
Teche  —  a  theory  which  may  explain  why  its  waters  no  longer  rise  to  tlu 
level  of  its  b.Tiiks.  This  beautiful  natural  canal  forms  the  south- westori. 
water  boundary  of  the  Delta. 


Geographical  Description  of  the  State  of  Louisiana,  1817. 


Let  us  return  ti 
licjow  iJayoii  I'laipi 
j,a   I'oiiri'lie.  the   i 
The  Course  of  this 
between   IJarataria 
ciiiiipli''atinns,  are 
tract  between  thcs 
lictwecii    tlie    iia 
Orleans,  abounds  ii 
and  lakes,  of  whicli 
I'roni  this  rajiid 
and  south  of   the 
[Kirtioii  of  whicli  \> 
tiulf,  there  are  larg 
and  deep  solitude  ol 
Darby  as  proluundh 
Tiie  remaining  li\ 
begin  with  the  ;Mis>i 
On  botli   sides,  an   ; 
t!ie  river  three  or  foi 
greater  than  tluit  of 
ciiii.'-ideralile  (pi:inti(\ 
():i  the  outside  of  tl 
wliii'h   may  aver.-ige  ! 
swamps  in  the  rear. 
few  inches,  to  ponds 
summer,  they  are  all 
swamp  have  become 
Sialic  plantations  » 
tlie  banks  or  escapes 
will  lint  ilnw  cfT  to  tl 
allies,  are  then  reip 
which  it  is  discliar2-e( 
fur  this  purpose,  is  i 
Being  jilaeed  in  the  d 
the  wheel   drives  the 
that  behind,  of  eoursi 
through  the  principal 
As  tlio  voyager  tra 
iiitural  scenery,  wliicl 


*  In  tlio  forofroinfr  sk 
Geograplior,  Mr.  Darby, 
known  accuracy,  and  hii 


•■  "H" 


[riooK  I. 

;  cvcry- 

it,  wlicii 

is  iiuiii- 

hayous, 

iUlttUllll, 

<>  wattrs 

Vt'd  I'lDIU 

lj)eliiiisa> 

U)?l(l,  till 

iiunil)LT. 

issis^ijijii 
n  of  Mr 
bayou,  iit 
ississi[)[pi, 

(•ll   (itllLT 

.you  Pla- 
•liaiiilaya, 
annus  tin 
;ast,  on  !i 
?  a  grt'iit 
)us,  wliifli 
iako,  an  J 
many  ux- 
(iwiii;^;  it.- 
la'(^lioti- 
■c  both,  in 
Atcliala- 
(•liafaliiy:! 
loimoi-tcil: 
[)  aiuuKil 
cliai'al.'.yii 
ancc. 
s  gencrii. 
Imsas,  aii'i 
its  \i\\i'i:: 
irtabluaii 

loil  in  tl  !■ 

Ise  to  till' 
li-westcri. 


r\RT  !■ 


INTF.inoil  VAI.LMY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


63 


I 


lift  us  ri'tuni  to  till'  Mis.sissi|ijii.  At  hoiialilsoiiviilv,  twunty-lour  miles 
lit'low  IJayou  i'lai|Ui'iiiiii(',  ami  ciirlity  above  New  ( Irleans,  is  tlu'oiliux  o!"  Mmvou 
b;i  i'ouirlie.  till'  last  of  any  coiisiderabli;  size,  sent  oil'  liy  tli'!  great  river. 
Tlie  eourso  of  tlii.s  buyou  is  at  tirst  soutli,  ami  tlien  south-west,  to  the  (iiilf, 
lii'tween  I'arataria  and  tlio  Timballier  I>ays.  Its  length,  siiiunsities,  and 
oiiui|ili''atii>iis,  aro  nuieh  less  than  those  of  the  Atchafalaya.  'I'lie  entire 
tract  between  these  two  bayous  i.s  .subject  to  deep,  yearly  submersion.  That 
between  the  I, a  I'nunhe  and  the  Mississijijii,  in  the  direction  (.f  Ni  v, 
Orleans,  abounds  In  streams  whieli  originate  within  the  delta,  and  in  jmuds 
aiiil  lakes,  of  whieli  the  largest  is  ]5arataria. 

I'rom  this  rajiid  hydrograjihieal  sketeh,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Delta,  west 
and  .south  of  the  Mississippi,  is  a  true  terraipieims  region,  the  greater 
jMirtioii  of  wliieh  is  annually  iumidati'd  ;  while  in  the  neighborlio(]d  of  tlie 
(lulf,  there  arc  large  tracts  of  permanent  salt  marsh.  The  perfect  silence 
and  deej)  solitude  of  Uiany  part.->  of  this  peculiar  region,  are  described  by  Mr. 
Darby  as  profoiuidly  impressive.  * 

The  remaining  hydrographical  description  need  not  det:iiii  us  long,  We 
begin  with  the  [Mississippi,  at  the  head  of  the  l>elt:i,  and  lnjlow  it  to  the  (Julf. 
(,)ii  both  sides,  an  artilieial  levee,  or  earth  end)aid;ment,  raises  th(;  banks  (d' 
the  river  three  or  four  feet  al;ove  tlieir  original  bight,  (which  was  previously 
giratcrthan  tliat  of  the  swamps  bchiml),  and  thus  prevents  the  escapt;  of  any 
oiiiisiderable  (puintity  of  water,  excejit  when  a  crevice  is  accidentally  formed. 
On  the  outside  of  this  end)aid<nient,  lies  tlie  cleared  and  cultivated  land, 
wliii'h  may  avenige  a  mile  in  width,  and  de(dines  gradually  to  the  cypress 
swamps  in  the  rear.  The  dcptli  of  water  in  tliese  swamps,  varies  In  m  a 
few  inches,  to  poinis  and  lairnuiis  of  sevt'ral  feet.  In  the  spring  and  early 
suiinner,  tlieyare  all  flush;  but  before  thefollowing  winter,  extensive  tracts  of 
swamp  have  become  dry  hnnl,  to  be  again  inundated. 

Some  plantations  are  so  level,  tli.-it  the  rains,  and  the  water  which  pcrcnl.ites 
tlio  banks  or  escapes  l)y  small  crevices  in  the  loveo,  when  the  river  is  swidlen, 
will  n"t  flow  ofT  to  the  swamps.  Ditches,  intersecting  each  (jther  at  right 
nii;:los,  are  then  reijuired,  to  receive  and  conduct  it  to  the  levee,  through 
which  it  is  discharged  into  the  Mississippi,  by  steam  power.  The  macliinery 
fur  this  piu'pose,  is  modeled  after  the  paddle-whei'ls  of  our  steam  boats. 
IJeiiig  jilaecd  in  the  ditch  where  it  passes  through  the  levee,  the  rotation  of 
the  wheel  drives  the  water  forward ;  this  creates  a  depression,  into  which 
that  behind,  of  course,  immediately  flows:  and  thus  a  current  is  established 
through  the  principal  ditch,  by  which  all  connected  with  it  are  emptied. 

As  tliC  voyager  traverses  the  Delta,  he  finds  a  monotonous  sameness  in  the 
natural  scenery,  which,  however,  contrasts  agreeably  with  that  of  the  interior 


*  III  tilt!  foregoing  skctcli  I  have  preferred  to  follow  our  distlnguishetl  Physical 
Ueofrraphcr,  Mr.  Darby,  ratlier  than  any  more  recent  aiitiiority;  on  account  of  his  well- 
knowa  accuracy,  and  his  having  written  from  personal  observation. 


I 

.1 


1 

■1 


PI 


(        1 


,1W 


r.i 


'llli;  I'KINl'll'AI,  DISllASKS  (>[■"  THE 


[  IK  II  IK     I. 


.* 


"I"  (III'  \'alli'v.  'riiiTc  1m'  IiMiks  ///'  tn  lii'liiilil  it — licrc  lie  InnkH  i/nirii ;  tlicrc 
(ii!  si'ivH  .siri'.iiiis  ntiiiiiiiir  "ifn  llic  riviT — lion'  Im'  scch  lliriii  llnwiiijr  "■'// ;  (/in< 
Ills  lii'ri/.iiii  is /.'/////'i/ — licrc  it  is  /nni/iil/itts  ;  tlicri'  r/Mv /n//// dl' ulijcfl.s  cii.'ililcs 
liiiii  til  r.s(iiii;it('  iiis  |iri>i.'Vi'ss — licrc  iiiiilnniiiti/  ^'wvs  liiiii  tlic  rcclin;,' nl' inoviiii.' 
lit  nil  I'llily.  All  ciiumI  saiiiciicss  |irrviiil.s  in  tlic  •■^iiliji'its  nl' nillivatii'ii  mi  tlir 
liaiiKs;  s.i  l!iat  aliiinst  tlir  (nilv  sniuii'  nl'  varirlv.  is  in  tin-  stslc  nl'  tlic  I'lij 
I'rt'iii'li  iiiiii   new  Aiiicrii-aii  |ilan(atiiiiis,  as  lliey  a|i|i('ar  in  .siicccssinii. 

I'assiniT  l>y  New  (>rK'ans,  wliicii  is  utic  liiinilrcil  ami  i'nur  inilcH  rrniii  llic 
jiini'linii  nt'tlii'  Mississiiijii  witli  tlic  (lull',  tlic  vnyai'cr.  al  tlic  ilistaiicc  (if  iilty 
(  r  siviv  mill's  lulnw  ihc  cily,  limls  liimsclt'  mi  :i  Kind  nl"  [iciiinMilar  cajn', 
uliifli  jirnjccts  lidldly  Imt  nlilii|iicly  iiitn  the  (lull':  willi  Cliamlilciir  I'.ay  nn 
his  Ict't.  aii'l  l»:isliaii  l!ay  nii  liis  ri^Iit.  Tlic  liaiiks  liavc  liccniiic  iiiiicli 
1  i\vcr,  anil  tiic  Iidts  nl"  arable  lainl  iiarrnwcr;  at  Iciiirtli,  llirnii;:li  smiic  iialunil 
nr  artilicial  njiciiiiiL',  lie  catclics  a  iiiniiiciitary  jjlancc  nl'  tlio  f^rccii  waters  i.l 
tlic  (lull".  Kuillicr  nil.  the  hanks  sink  nearly  tn  llu'  level  nf  tlie  saU  water, 
.'iiiil  the  s\vani|is,  willi  a  iliiiiinislicil  imnilicr  nl"  trees,  licuiii  In  ernwd  lianl 
U[imi  tlic  river:  wliiili,  alter  liavinir.iriveii  nil"  iiiinierniis  small  liaymis,  divi'les, 
a'.unit  twenty  miles  t'miii  its  teniiiii.ilinii  in  tlie  (iull",  intn  tlirec  clianiiels,  am! 
thus  iircseiitsa  siilmnliiiato  and  nmrc  limited  delta.  These  ehannels  are  called 
the  N"v///  M'.'v/  /Vrv.s-,  the  South  /*</>■.<.  and  the  .\or//i  /-'.(tsf  I'u^s  ;  the  last 
nl'  which,  at  the  distance  nl'  seven  nr  eiu'ht  miles  rmni  the  (lull',  sends  dll'. 
nnrtherly.  the  /'(/»•  <i  hi  l.ohfrr:  and  in  the  ii|iiinsite  dirccli.in,  (he  littli 
]lc!i/ou,  mi  which  stands  that  nld  jiilnt's  em|inriuiii.  the  ]!ai,i/.i;;  linally. 
the  main  trunk  divides,  bernro  reaehiiiix  the  (lull,  and  while  one  liraiicli 
retains  tlic  name  nt"  iSortii  7v;.v',  the  nther  is  called  the  Snulh  i'.as' 
Piiff.  The  'nterest  which  attaches  to  this  extreme  jinint  nt"  the  J)elt;i. 
reijuircs  that  a  Sectimi  shmild  he  siiecitieally  a|>[ini|iriated  to  it. 


fiiRr  i.f 


INTK 


SITTIOX  II. 

KI.<K  AM)  I'.VI.L  OF  'I'lli:   I.OWKR  Ml.-^SISSIITI. 

Til  emifnruiity  to  the  general  law,  that  as  we  descend  great  rivers  to  tliu 
soa,  the  range  between  high  and  Inw  water  diminishes,  we  tiiid  that  ut"  the 
Mississipiii  much  greater  above  than  within  its  Helta. 

The  I'nlliiwing  TAni-K  shows  this  rauge  at  several  jmiiits  from  Natchez  to 
the  Ciull': 


liOciIities. 


Nuiolioz, 
H:ilon  Ivoufrc, 
Doii;il(lsoiivilli', 
iVow  ( Irleaiis, 
Rili/e, 


l)i>t:iiui"  iVom 
tin-  Cinlf. 

•1(16  Milcs.~ 
'Jll      " 
L^7      " 
101       " 


K;iiii:c  rriiin  low  to 
liiiii  wator. 

;VJ  l'.it.«~ 
.SO      " 
•2'y      "  t 
11      " 


CinriiiiKiti.  on  tlu> 
Oliio  River,  1548 


63 


Nicollet. — Too  much,  I  suspect. 


Darby. 


Nut  having   data 
range  rrmii  Inw  to  lii< 
At  lirst  view,  it  in 
liigli  and  low  water, 
verse  i.s  the  fact;  fni 
''■lurrcMco  ji.s  wo  desi 
•li'e|ily  siiliiiierged  eve 
While   Ihc   rivers,  ' 
iiid  fall  several    time 
■  ■••■It.'i,  has  generally  h 
<linvly  attaiii.s,  ami  a 
.i|)|iear  fmin  the  ful|,n\ 

Miivrm.v  itixRssro.v  o 

Oui.K.i.NS;      AVKUAIJ 

in:{(;. 

•I'liiiiury,    " 

i'l'liriijirv,  I 

.Miirrli, 

A|iril. 

.M.iy. 

.Iiiiif,  j 

Wo  are  hero  pn^sonti 
-Tadual  a  ri,s(>  through  t 

Tliegroate.stflondcan 
•inrth  have  not  then   hi 

'''"'^'  '■"  l^l-"{,  r  fonnd 
tli'-'su   instances,   liowevi 
spring  fiooda. 

TIk!  sustained  olevati. 
>ivo  opening  of  spring, 
Vrkiui.sas,  and  the  Teniu 
*'i«  sources  of  the  Missi 
^"vc'u  and  forty-eight  d 
'Vi'.-t,  its  vernal  ri.se  wo 
''"'"••ition.     After  the  .sul 
fl"ffs  into  its  bayous,  or 
boon  effused  drains  off  in 
!;iicl  hare,  and  at  length, 
temhor,  are  dried  until  tli 
"lonths,  from  a  saturated 

*  Barton,  in  Hi 


rAiii'  I' 


INTIlKIOIl  VAI.I.KY  OF  NollTII  AMF.IUCA 


06 


'M! 


lU 


Not  liaviiii;  (laJ.'i  fiT  tlic    Mis^isniiipi   ;i1mivc    Nafilicz,  I    liiivf  aiMcil   tl 
ran;:"'  IVi'iii  lu\v  to  liigli  \vuU:r  at  ('iiitiimati,  on  llic  Oliio  river. 

At  lirxt  view,  it  tni^lit  l»c  Hiij)|Mi,H('tl,  lliat  flm  l(iii;.M'r  tlu;  raiif^o  Itctwcfti 
I,i:.'li  ami  inw  water,  tlio  greater  is  tlie  nverlluw  nf  lli(«  baiik.s;  luit  lln'  re- 
verse i.s  tlic!  ("aet;  I'nr  tl.e  imiii(latii»iis  l)e«'iiiiie  ilec|)fr,  and  of  innre  rreijiieiit 
.iicurreiiee  a.s  wo  ileseeiiil ;  and  liiit  I'nr  tlie  levees,  llie  wlmlc!  |>elta  wniiM  Ik' 
,li'(|ilv  siilinierged  every  N|iriii^^  and  Hiiiiiiiier. 

Willie  I  lie  river.s,  wlii'li,  !•)'  their  uiiidii,  iiiaku  iiji  IIh^  .Mi.ssis.-ii)>|ii,  rise 
iMil  fall  several  times  in  the  eonrse  of  every  year,  that  riv«r,  within  th« 
I'cha,  lias  ^ri'iierally  hut  one  rise  and  mie  fall;  that  is,  ania.\iihuni  which  it 
vldwly  attains,  and  a  niininiun)  to  which  it  sink.M  us  gradually,  'i'his  will 
:i|i|K'ar  iVnni  the  I'dllowinfj;  TAiii.i; ; *" 

MoNTIII.V    KIX'KSSKIN    OK    TIIK    M  ISSlSSII'I'l    KItOM    IlKiU    W.\TKIt    MAKK    .\T    NkW 

()ki,i;ans:     Avi:ii.MiK   of   tiiI':  (Wi.kni'Ah  vi;aii.«,   ISIJ.'t,   |S;5d,   is;;;'*,  and 
ls:i(». 


\ 


.liiiiiiiiry, 

I'l'liriiary, 

Miirrli, 

A|iril, 

.\l.,y, 

June, 


7.1)0 

n.i.j 

'l.'J7 
2.U4 
■1.(i7 
1.7',' 


Fool. 


July, 

:..Kj 

August, 

7.!I7 

Si'|ii('iiilior, 

lll.KI 

( tclolier, 

l.J.XJ 

Novi'iiibtT, 

ii].;ij 

F)i'c<Mnlicr, 

H.Kl 

Fiict. 


Wo  are  lioro  |»reaent(Hl  with  a  pradnal  fall  from  Ajiril  tu  October,  and  as 
:radiial  a  ri.se  throui^h  tin;  remaining  five  inontliH. 

The  greatest  Ihied  cannot  often  oeenras  early  as  March,  as  the  rivers  of  the 
uirth  have  not  then  broken  up;  and  it  does  not  always  happen  in  April. 
Thus,  in  IS  1:5,  1  foniid  the  maximum  in  dune;  and  in  ls||,  jn  .Inly.  In 
tliL'se  instances,  however,  extraordinary  rains  had  rciid'orced  the  usual 
spring  floods. 

The  sustained  elevation  from  I'ebruary  to  July,  results  from  the  jirogres- 
<ive  opening  of  sjwing,  beginning  in  the  low  latitudes  of  Red  Ilivor,  the 
\rkansas,  and  the  Tennessee,  and  extending,  with  the  advance  of  spring,  to 
tlio  sources  of  the  Mississippi  proper,  and  the  .Missouri,  in  latitudes  forty- 
^eveii  and  forty-eiglit  degrees.  If  the  Mississippi  flowed  to  the  oast  or 
'.vest,  its  vernal  rise  would  be  more  rapid,  more  elevated,  and  of  shorter 
iliiration.  After  the  subsidence  (;omnionees,  less  and  less  water,  of  course, 
flnws  into  its  bayous,  or  oozes  through  its  banks;  aril,  as  that  which  has 
boon  etfused  drains  off  into  the  Gulf,  largo  tracts,  as  already  mentioned,  are 
laid  bare,  and  at  length,  under  the  burtiing  sun  of  July,  August,  and  .'^^ep- 
torabcr,  are  dried  until  they  crack  open;  — thus  passing,  in  the  course  of  two 
moiitlis,  from  a  saturated  condition  io  the  opposite  extreme. 
/_ 

»  Barton,  iit  Ilistorioal  Notice  of  New  Orleans,  p.  290,  1810. 


,n 


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Ax. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


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125 


l-IIM 

|50     ^^ 

It    I'o 


IM 

2.2 
M 

1.8 


1-4    IIIIIL6 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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1 


m 


Till'.  I'KiNcir Ai,  i>i;;ka;!|;:;  iU'   riiK 


SIU'I'ION    III 

i>i  rrii  oi'  riii;  i,o\vi;i;  ;\ii;;;'.i:;:;i!'ri 

III  iiil\iiniini^  Iriiiii  (lie  inliMiur  (n  llii<  (iiiH',  llic  voinniit  i>(  lli<'  rivrr  in 
(Tt'iisi's  Imi-  more  in  ,i  vcilii'iil.  liiiiii  in  Ji  linri/oiilMl  ilirnliuii.  Iiitlct'il.  il;i  wnllli 
aliDVc  till"  inniilli  nl  (lie  iMissniiri,  in  uricn  i|iii(t>  ,'im  f,';r('!il.  iih  licinw  llic  iiiinilli 
tit'  Kt'il  l{i\  or,  I  111'  l;is(  111'  ilM  1 1  iliiil.n  ii'M  \\  itliiii  I  lie  I  >i'll  ii,  ilM  (lc|il,li  lii'inincs 
SI)  j;f<'al,  (li.il  il;l^^.  ;iiul  isImiuIs  Jiif  ii('!nl\  iiiiKiiowii;  mihI  MiiifM  iiir  iiIiiup.mI  lis 
rnrc.  ('\i'i'|il  mIhU!';  il.'-  liiiiiKs  Ai'ciiimIc  simimiIiii;,''*  Ikivc  iiol,  Iiuwcvit,  lici'ii 
iii:iil(<  lit  iii:iii\  |ii>inl.''  Ai'i'urilini^  to  Mr.  |)iirl>\.'  !iii  MdinciiMiiri'iiicnl.  tiiKrn 
iiiiit'  unit's  lit'luw  lilt'  I'llliix  III  ll.'i\tiii  L:i  l''i>iiri'lii'.  :nitl  tiiio  liiiiiiln'il  iiinl 
M'\fii(\  li\i'  litiiii  (III'  mil  N  iiiniilli.  ;';i\i  .1  i!i'|illi  111'  iiiii'  Ininilrril  mihI  lillv 
It'i't  lu'iifiilli  lii;';li  ualiT  iiKirk  \(  Ni'\v  OiIi'miin,  Mr  AiIhtI  SIi'iii,  ('i\il 
MnniiuHM,  i  aiitl  I'rtilf.sstir  Kiilili'll,  of  liu-  Miilitjil  ('ullt'i'i' nl  l.iiiiisi:iiiJi,|  li.'ivi' 
jiiaili"  stuiiitliiij'.s  wliit'li  ravt'.  rt'.^|it'i'li\i'I\ ,  nui"  liiiiitlii'il  Jiiitl  lilly,  nnil  niii' 
Immlrtitl  ami  IhiIn  Iwh  Ifi't  ,  luit  ui  \^\\.  .'n'Vfial  !';i'iitli'im'ii  aii<l  iiivsill' 
MHiiitlt'tl  tin|itiMli'  ihf  Ills,  ami  iim'\|ii't'li'ill\  Itiiml  a  tli'|illi  nf  Iwit  liiiinirt'il 
ami  lnvlx  li't'l  'riu'Vi'  iui;';lit  liavi-  In-i'ii  snim"  i-rrir  in  lla-  t'S|irriiiii'iil. ;  ih'mt- 
tlit'li'.s.s.  I  was  luliirmi'il  li\  ("a|ilaiu  Wluiiii;':.  \  S.  A.,liial  i'i>rlaiu  dlVu't'iH  nf 
tlu'anin.  in  Miiimlin;:;  ti|i|itisitt'  llu-  Uariai'Ks.  llni'i'  iiiili's  lu'luw  lln"  lily, 
liuiutl  a  luml  ti|'  slill  jvifaliT  tli'|)tli.  ( >!'  thr  ,siinnilin;';s  110111  tliis  |iiiinl  In  llif 
tli\  isiiMi  intii  tlirt'i'  I'asst's.  (wfiilv  null's  iVnni  t!u'  (iiill,  I  raiimil  speaK.  In 
tlu'  Siuilh  \\  i's(  Pass.  Mr  Sit-in  I'tinml  llu'  a\  iTa;:;!'  tlt'|itli  si\l  v-t'i;:;lil  I'l'i't ; 
l!u'  i;-n'alt'sl.  t'i:,'lil\  ;  tin-  Ii'asI,  Hi'in  I'linr.  Nt-ar  llir  nnlli'l  nr  liar,  il  Wiis 
twtMUN  iwii:  iMi  lilt'  liar,  as  Knv  as  lillfi'ii,  aiul  t'\t'ii  ihirli't'ii  Ici'l  I'lHir  imlii-^ 
Tho  Stuilli  Pass  is  nuii'li  sliallnwi'V,  ami  (lit-  Ntiiili  l'".a.sl.  I'liss  is  :ilsti  iml.  sc 
ilot'p  as  tilt'  Snulh  \\  I'sl. 

,\ssimiiii:.t  tMit'  tit  till'  lowtist  stmmlings  ti|i|itisili'  tlu'  fit v  ~  iiiic  liiiiulvt'ii 
ami  ti!l\  t't't't  as  tlu'  basis  nt'  ji  t-alt'iilalitm,  ami  tlt-ilm'tiiii,!;  llu'rcrruni  ten 
!t't't  tt>v  (lio  tall  lit'  tilt'  riviT  t'rtuii  tlu>  lilv  tn  tlu>  (Jiilf,  ami  lil'lfoii  I't'cl  lor  the 
ilt'pth  t>t'  wati'v  at  thi>  Stuith  W't'st  I'-'s-.  wf  liml  llial  (lie  liollniii,  at  that 
t'ass  is  omi  luimlrt'tl  ami  t\voiit\ -livf  tci't  liio;luir  than  the  liolttuu  opiiosili' 
lh<i  fitv;  anil  that,  I'l'iisoiiiiontly.  tlit>  wator  at  tlio  boltoiu  in  rroiil  of  tin- 
I'itv  must  ast'tMiil  that  liiirht  ln't'inv  it  i-an  snvnumnt  tlio  bars  and  roach  tlif 
C<\\\(.  iH-  t'lst>  it  I'tinstitutt's  an  oiltlviiii;-  pnol. 

Tho  fall  i>t'  tho  suvtati'  ot'  tlu'  Missis.-i|)|ii,  at  low  wator.  thnm^li  that  |i:irt 
o(  tho  Polta  whioh  oxlomis  t'roni  its  vovtox  at  Koil  Kivor  to  Now  Orloaiis,  is 
sixtv-tivo  toot:  whioh.  tliviilotl  l\v  tho  ilistanoo  —  twti  luuulroil  and  thirty-six 
uiilos  —  is  oijual  to  thvoo  inohos  ami  throo-tonths  |H'r  niilo.  I?olow  tho  city 
to  tho  (.lulf,  tho  fall  is  ono  inch  ami  fwo-loiuhs.    Thus,  tho  farther  tho  J'olla 


*  Postriiiiion  oi'  La.,  p.  (i.'>. 

^  Pot-iiiuonts  till  ilu>  N,uio;alioii  of  tli  •  ^lissi.-isippi  Kiyor,  p.  47 

i  Coininori.-ial  Koviow  in'  tlio  t^outh  West.     Vol.  11.  p.  i'M. 


4 


r«iii'  I 


IN' 


J- 


.•iilviiiii'ivt  iiil'i  IliK  ( 
mIihvit  il'i  ciirirlil 
IM.Mi'll   .'iml    Ml     ,^ 

■Vl'r.'l"!'    Vcloi'il  y    |'(,| 


Scvrr.il  ciri'iiiii' 
l;ii"i'lv  ;Jn|i|ilii'il  I'loi 
lli.'iii  iH  li.'iiili.'i  Ill-Ill 
mIiiiII.iw  liviT  i:^  niiic 
.Hill  l!i;il  <>\'  till'  air,  ( I 
i-,i/rns  /Kir/fius,  Ik-  mi 
il  is   I'v  iiii|iin;'-iii;r  i, 
c.'ili'iii';    wliilc,  ;il,   (I 
w.'ilci's  were  ilc-ir. 
w.ilcrs  will  III'  ciMili-r 
aliiii,'  nil  I  III-  |il,'iiii. 
l.'ililiiili',  .-iiiil  aiiiilliiT 
Ii|(i|irr  In   llic   |;ili|||,|, 
fiililiT,    liayiii^f    |,|i;ii,   : 
tlirniiirli.      'I'liiiH,  as    I 
iic.'iily  wcsl,  i.s  |,\vu  ill- 
till'  iinrlli.  Iiiiili    lii'ini' 

■•"1 

l\lissi.Msi|i|ii,  |,||(>    Ailia 

nearly    inidor   l\w.    p.-n 

II|ijH'r  ,Mis.sIssi|i|ii  nri^ 

rcrcrciicc  III  iIm;  Ddiu 

liiiiir  Inr  tlio  avcrairii 

laiiiiliTil  .•iimI  forty  niil 

lillcil  with    cmijcr  wal,( 

estimate  tlio  viYcvl  of 

ascorlalii  Imth  tli(>   arc 

Till-  fmiiicr  may  ho  nli 

from  tho  inoiitli  dCKcd 

;iiid  it.s  liroadth  at,  half 

IS  it.s  aroa;   hut  U,  ihh 

bajnii.s,  giving  two  liui 

The  lattor  (/rsii/rra/mii,- 

LTcafor  diHioulty.      It   ] 

lint   met   with    the    roi 

l^^-l.'l,  T  found  the  temp 


m 


run'  I 


INTKinolJ    VAI.I.KV   (IK   NoKTII    AMKUITA 


«7 


;i,|v,iiii'i'M  iiil"  III'"  <<iiir,  llii'  ;'n')ilc'r  i.i  il:i  Imri/.iiiil  iilily,  iiii'l.  i'iiii!(im|||.|iIIv,  IIi" 
•(lower     ill     iMMITliI  I'ViiIll     csiiri  imniil.i    ||i;ii|i-     111,     Ni'W     (>r|r;ii|H,     rii>rcii:(Ml 

|{i(l<|i'll    .'lii'l     Ml     Sli'iii   h.ivi'    liri'ii   Inl    III    li\    nil    l.wii    I'ci'l    i,ci     mcimu'I    :ri    li  n 
•  V('i:i  "I'  vrliMilv  lnr  nil  HLjiin'M  nl'  w.'iliT. 


IIIIIU'.' 
lllit.  Si' 

iiiulrcil 

(im  ton 

mr  tlu' 

lluil 

IjMISltl' 

(.!'  Iho 
icli  tlu' 

it  |Kirl 
'litis,  is 
vtv-six 
lio  city 
0  l>olt:i 


•ri;:\ii'i;itA  ri'i.i;  or  'I'lii:  invi;K 

ScvitmI  riii'iiiiisl.'inri'M  iiilliii'iii'i- I  lie  (,nii|ii'i;i  I  ill  <■  ol' i  i  vciM  :    /'V;-,v/    A  Hiri'iim 

|;il   'cIv   .Jllliliiii'll    llnlll   :l|il  ilii'.'l,   will    lin    UJIIIIHT    ill    willliT  iiilij  ciiiili  I    ill   IMMIIIIICI, 

tli.iii  il'<  li.iiiLi  Iii'IM'mI.Ii  IIic  miiiI.'ii'i',  or  (lie  iiir  rcMtiii;'  ii|iiiii  il,.  Siinnil  A 
sll.'liliW    liver  is  llllieji  Mdulier   li|uii;'lll    hi  I  In'  le|ii|iei  ,il  iiic  nl'  (,he  eiirlJl';.  mil  IlKM', 

,iiiii  lli.'it,  III'  l.lie  nir,  lliiiii  a  (ieejier  (uie.  'I'lnnl.  All  .■illiiviiil  ii.inl  l.iirlii'l  river  will, 
,-,ilfns  iKiriliKs,  lie  inure  lienleij  Ity  l.lie  mum  rliiiii  uiie  wliieli  is  l,rii.ii:.|i;ireiil, ;  nn 
i|,  is   liy  iiii|iiii;.'iii,";   nii   Mdliil    iimi    ii|iiii|iii<    JMnJieH,  l.li;i.l,   llie   miiii'h  iiiyH  <l<:ve|(ij) 

I'.'llnlii'.     while,    III,     I  lie    .M.lllie     lime,    i|j.    jieil     will      I'.'llii.'llj-     le.M.M     lll'lll,     I.IdiII     if    iL". 

wiileis  were  cle.'ir.  h'tiiiilli.  When  II.  liver  ileitecnd!!  r;i|ii(lly  ii|iiiii  !i,  |il;iiii,  il.s 
w.ilers  will  lie  eouler  iJi.'iii  iJiiise  uf  ;iii(it,lier  livor  of  the  H.iiiie  Vfiliiiiie.  (iii;'iii 
:iliii;'  nil  the  |il;iiii.  h'iflli.  When  une  river  llowM  iie.-irly  iiii<ler  :i,  |i;irJilli|  of 
llllitmle,  .'111(1  JllMiiher  ill  I  he  liieri<li.lll,  llie  rul'liier  will  li;ive  iJie  leiii|ier.il,nre 
|iri>|ier  In  liie  hllilmle,  while  I  he  l.'lller,  il  ilr  lluwl  Iriilll  l.lie  lliillh,  will  he 
('(iMer,  ll.'l.vill^[;  llllll.  wlliell  in  l.lie  nie'in  ul'  ,'ili  \'\i  hlilllden  il,  |i;ih  pIlhM'iJ 
tlirdiiiHi.  '^lln,'^,  n.'^  I  luive  Hever;il  liiiie,')  (iIiscivihI,  l.he  Ohi<i,  wiiieh  IIowh 
iiciirly  we.^l,  i,^  l.wn  <lt';.';r('eH  wiiriiier  tliuii  llic  ,^Ii,sHi:■;.'•;i|l|)i,  vvhieh  ileyceu'lH,  rrmii 
llie  imrlh,  li(p|,li  heiiit!;  ('Xiiiiiined  neiir  ihi'ir  jiiiKMiuii.  Tu  the  w<:il.  ul  ihe 
:\|ississi|i|pi,  l.lio  Aili;ui.'^;is,  Uk;  Kiiiimiis,  ;iiiiI  (,lie  l'l;ill,e,  \\V^^.  ihe  Ohio,  flow 
iic'iiiv  miller  the  |i;iriill('!s  in  whieh  they  oriL'in.'it,*' ;  hut,  tli':  ,Mi.sMi)iiii  ;iii(J 
ll|i|ier  iMi.sHis.sippi  <iri;^in;ili!  in  hi;rli  l.ilitinle.M,  .-iml  ileHei^iid  to  the  hhiiIJi.  In 
icreii'iiee  to  tlii^  l>i'l(ii,  l,li(!  wlinle  iiie  niirt.lir'rii.  if  we  JiH.snriie  Iwu  miles  an 
liiiiir  fur  l,lie  iiyera;.';!^  velneit.y  of  l.hi!  river,  !is  it.  I,r;ivi;r.se,s  t,hi;  l)(;it,;i.  three 
liiiiiilred  and  furLy  inilcM,  lliiil,  |iort,ioii  oi'  tlm  river  bed  em|itie,s  it.siill',  and  is 
lilleil  with  ciidIit  wal,i'r  rrmii  tin;  imrlli,  every  seven  dayn.  'In  enahh;  u.h  l.n 
I'sliiii.'itc  tliii  ('Heel,  III'  this  circiilatinii  on  the  eiiinate  of  tlm  l)elia,  we  niu.st 
;isreilain  lioth  tiie  area  of  the  rivi^r's  siirl'aee,  and  it.s  ael,ii;il  t,iiii|iiiature. 
Tile  foriiier  may  Ik;  olitaiiied  witJioiit,  niueh  uncertainty,  'i'akin;.' its  ienfrth, 
iVdiii  lli(!  nioutli  of  lied  l!iv(;r  to  the  J>ali/.e  at  three  hundred  and  forty  inileh, 
ami  its  lireadtli  at  half  a  mile,  we  liavi;  one  hundred  and  si:venty  .sijiiare  mile.s 
as  its  area;  Imt  to  this  wi;  may  safely  add  thirty,  for  the  area  of  the  f/reatr;r 
bayous,  .giving  two  hundred  s(|uan!  miles  of  river  surfaee  within  the  Delta. 
The  VAiiiir  (IcsiJcnilinii — llio  annual  temperature  of  tliis  wati.T — presents  a 
irreater  dillieulty.  It  lias  not,  indeed,  lieen  aseert.'iined ;  at  least,  I  liave 
luit  met  with  tlio  renuisite  observations.  On  the  tilth  of  February, 
1^4!5,  l  fouiul  the  temperature  of  the  water  flowing  into  the   <^Julf  over   the 


•i 


^'•^:>'V.; 


08 


TIHi  riUNCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book 


PAP.T.    I.] 


IN  I 


-,. ., 


'■'.     '■       !■ 


bar  (if  the  Soutli  Wo!<t,  or  (loc|)cst  Pass,  to  Lo  forty-two  and  a  lialf  degrees; 
wliilo  tbat  of  the  (juif,  a  few  miles  out,  was  lifty-riix  and  a  lialt,  or  foiirteon 
dogrcos  liiiihcr.  (hi  the  1st  of  Mareli,  the  temperature  in  the  nuddle  <if  the 
Nortli  East  Pass,  opposite  tlic  ]5alize,  was  likewise  forty-two  and  a  lialt' 
degrees;  and  on  tlie  Atli,  that  at  Kort  Jaeksoii,  thirty  miles  above,  was  the 
same.  On  the  11th  of  the  sann;  month,  the  temperature  of  Tiake  Pont- 
ehartrain  was  (ifty-six,  and  of  Lake  liorgne  lil'ty-five —  average  fifty-live  and 
a  half,  or  thirteen  degrees  higher.  The  difference  of  a  degree  between  these 
lakes  and  the  (lulf,  doubtless  arose  from  their  higher  latitudes.  These  were 
pr(jba])ly  mininnini  winter  temperatures;  and  th(>y  indicate,  as  a  general 
average,  a  difference  of  thirteen  and  a  half  degrees  between  the  waters 
arriving  from  the  north,  and  those  sojourning  in  the  flulf,  on  which  the  base 
of  the  Delta  rests.  T  did  not,  however,  find  an  ecjual  difference  in  summer. 
On  the  r)tli  of  June,  of  the  same  year,  the  temparatiu'e  of  Lake  I'ontchar- 
train  was  seventy-eight;  that  of  the  Mississippi  within  the  Delta,  on  the  7tli, 
was  seventy-two — difference  six  degrees.  This  date  was  too  early  !)y  almost 
two  months,  to  give  the  liighcst  summer  heat.  On  the  corresponding  day  of 
1S4('»,  Professor  Eiddell  *  found  the  heat  to  be  seventy-five,  or  three  degrees 
greater.  Tlis  observations,  continued,  at  sliort  intervals,  from  the  -1st  of 
May  to  the  1-th  of  August,  show  a  gradual  rise  from  seventy-two  degrees 
at  the  first  date,  to  eighty-five  on  the  1st  of  August;  after  wdiich  the 
temperature  declined.  The  mean  of  his  observations  from  the  1-tli  of  July 
to  the  PJtIi  of  August  —  eiglity-thrco  degrees  —  may,  perhaps,  be  reeei\  od  as 
the  m(i.rhn>i)n  summer  temperature  of  the  river,  in  that  year,  at  New 
Orleans.  Opposite  the  same  city,  in  February,  1843,  the  minbnnm  was 
forty-one  degrees.  The  mean  of  thes(;  luunbers,  sixty-two  degrees,  may,  in 
the  absence  of  better  data,  be  received  as  the  annual  temperature  of  tlic 
river  as  it  passes  1)y  the  city,  and  it  is  several  degrees  below  the  atmosjdierir 
mean.  Thus,  observation  confirms  the  a  'priori  conclusion,  that  the  31issis- 
sippi  acts  as  a  cooler  to  tlu>  banks  and  the  atmosphere  of  its  Delta;  and  when 
we  recollect  that  it  meanders  through  that  region,  until  its  surface  amount.s 
to  two  hundred  stpiare  miles,  that  its  trough  is  replenished  every  seven  day? 
and  that  nearly  all  population  and  all  cultivation  are  on  its  immediate  banks, 
from  which  the  water  is  abstracting  caloric  and  transporting  it  to  the  Gulf, 
we  seem  called  upon  to  believe,  t^'at  its  climatic  influence  ought  not  to  be 
overlooked.  This,  however,  is  far  from  being  equal  throughout  the  year; 
for,  as  it  depends  on  the  quantity  of  water,  it  is,  of  course,  least  in  the  latter 
part  of  sumnuT  and  in  early  au.amn,  when  the  river  is  low;  and  we  find,  in 
fact,  that  its  temperature  then  rises  to  the  mean  heat  of  the  atmosphere. 
Thus  the  extremes  of  winter  and  summer,  are  greater  in  the  river  than  in  the 
atmosphere  of  the  Delta;    and  the   difference   results   from  depression  of 


»  Com.  Rev.  of  the  South  West,  Voi.  II,  p.  436. 


fflii'i 


e 


i 


the  former  in  winti 
year. 

I>ut  it  is  not  by 
eliiiiate  of  its  Delt; 
to  .July,  there  is  a 
we  have  seen,  of  lai 
tnre  below  the  mcii 
which  it  overflows,  s 
it;  but  a  greater  e 
and  September,  win 
face  of  the  ground  t 
This  evaporation,  m 
III  conclusion,  it  ma 
lend  their  influence 
winds,  than  would  o 
to  the  batdcs  a  elimat 
It  would  be  iiitere; 
at  tlio  different  parall 
with  the  mean  atmos 
not  yet  been  made. 
difference  between  tw( 
of  the  year.     On  the 
pcrature  near  Bayou 
on  the   loth,  near  Ca 
showing  that  it  had  o 
dred  miles.      On  the  ] 
not  so  high,  I  had  foi 
.irrecs,  and  at  the  low 
three  time?  as  great  a 
hetweon  the  stations  is 
a  flow  through  two  de 
(ine  degree  of  te n'^ierat 
tliirty-three  hundredth 
e.\periment,  the  tempei 
though  both  the  disti 
sufficient,  if  the  ratio  o 
nearly  two  degrees.     T 
this  constancy;  but  th^ 
develop  the  ratio  of  i 
reduced  elevation  above 


PAT. 


vr.  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLHY  OF  \ORTII  AMKP'CA. 


GO 


thu  fiii'iiK'r  ill  winter  and  spring,  ur  ratlior  iur  the  first  lialC  dI'  the  ealonilar 
year. 

IJut  it  is  not  by  its  teniporature  only,  tliat  the  Mississippi  acts  npon  tlin 
climate  of  its  Delta.  Durinir  its  annual  fluoil,  which  cuntiinies  fmni  .^^arch 
to  -Tuly,  there  is  a  constant  iniiltration  into  the  banhs,  and  an  inundation,  as 
we  have  seen,  of  lariro  jiortions  of  tlie  Delta.  As  this  water  has  a  tempera- 
ture below  the  mean  heat  of  the  ground  which  it  penetrates,  or  the  surface 
which  it  overflows,  some  degree  of  refrigerating  effect  may  bo  attributed  to 
it;  liut  a  greater  effect  results  from  the  evaporation  in  June,  July,  August, 
and  September,  wdach,  of  necessity,  prevents  the  sun  from  heating  the  sur- 
face of  the  ground  to  as  high  a  temperature  ari  it  would  otherwise  attain. 
This  eva|)oration,  moreover,  maintains  the  humidity  and  frc-hncss  nf  tlie  air. 
Ill  conclusion,  it  may  be  said  that,  while  tlie  river  fionds,  in  .March  and  A[iril, 
lend  their  influence  to  the  production  of  occasional  cooler  days  and  rawer 
wimls,  than  would  otherwise  occur,  they  assist,  in  ]\Iay  and  June,  in  giving 
to  the  banks  a  climat(!  whose  dcliciousncss  is  eijualed   only  by  its  salubrity. 

Tt  would  be  interesting  to  know  the  mean  annual  temperature  of  tlie  river 
at  the  different  parallels  wliicli  it  traverses,  for  tlie  purpnse  of  ci.mpariiig  it 
with  the  mean  atmospheric  temperature ;  but  observations  to  this  end  have 
not  yet  been  made.  I  will,  however,  state  a  few  which  go  to  show  the 
(liiTerence  between  two  distant  poinLs,  at  nearly  the  same  time,  in  two  seasons 
of  the  year.  On  the  7th  of  June,  1"*4o,  the  river  being  very  high,  its  tem- 
perature near  Bayou  Sara,  within  the  ])elta,  was  seventy-three  degree^  and 
on  tlie  loth,  near  Cairo,  about  nine  hundred  miles  above,  it  was  seventy; 
showing  that  it  had  only  ac(juired  one  degree  of  heat,  for  every  three  hun- 
dred miles.  On  the  10th  of  February  of  the  same  year,  wlien  the  river  was 
not  so  high,  I  had  found  it,  at  the  upper  of  these  stations,  thirty-four  de- 
crees, and  at  the  iowe  "  "ty-two,  indicating  an  increment  of  heat  nearly 
three  time?  as  great  as  in  the  mouth  of  June.  The  difference  in  latitude 
lietween  the  stations  is  a  little  more  than  six  degrees.  So  that,  in  summer, 
a  flow  through  two  degrees  of  latitudo  was  i^ecessary  to  the  ac([uisitinn  of 
one  degree  of  tr n'^ierature ;  but  in  winter,  a  degree  of  latitude  gave  one  degree 
tliirty-three  hundredths  of  heat.  It  deserves  to  be  added,  that  in  the  latter 
experiment,  the  temperature  continued  substantially  the  same  to  the  IJalizc; 
tlmugh  both  the  distan  e  by  the  river  and  tlie  difference  in  latitude  were 
snflScient,  if  the  ratio  of  increase  had  continued  the  same,  to  have  raised  it 
nearly  two  degrees.  The  small  change  of  level  may  have  been  one  cause  of 
this  constancy;  but  the  facts  are  too  few  to  warrant  a  goneraiization,  ur  t(.» 
develop  the  ratio  of  increased  temperature,  from  diminished  latitude  and 
reduced  elevation  above  the  level  of  the  Gulf. 


'■A  . 


JV- 


i-l 


:'-'i 

! 

70 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I, 


5J 

i 


SECTION  V. 

SUSPENDED  AND  DISSOLVED  MATERIALS  OF  THE  RIVER. 

I.  It  will  aid  US  in  studying  tlio  medical  geology  of  the  Delta,  to  pass  in 
review  the  materials  which  the  river  draws  to  itself  from  the  countries  which 
it  drains;  for  all  its  deposits,  however  modilied  cir  mingled,  arc  thence 
obtained  and  transmitted  to  its  estuary. 

1.  As  may  he  said  of  every  other  river,  the  waters  which  constitute  the 
Mississippi  are  derived  from  the  atmosphere,  and  reach  its  trough  directly 
by  flowing  on  the  surface,  or  indirectly  from  under  the  surface,  tlirougli 
which  they  have  descended  to  burst  out  in  the  form  of  springs.  AVe  shall 
hereafter  see,  that  the  rains  which  fall  within  the  basin  of  the  Mississippi, 
arc  ciiiefly  derived  from  the  Gulf  of  ]Mexico;  and  thus  the  river  is  but  the 
return  to  that  reservoir  of  what  had  been  given  out.  'J'hat  portion  of  its  water 
which  flows  from  the  surface,  is  not  from  rains  alone,  for  nearly  all  the  sub- 
ordinate rivers,  which  unite  in  forming  the  main  truidi,  originate  in  latitudes 
or  at  elevations  above  the  sea,  in  which  deep  snows  a.  ."ually  fall;  and  hence 
the  spring  floods  are  composed  largely  of  snow  M'ater. 

Within  the  basin  of  the  ]Mississip]ii,  we  have,  as  was  shown  in  Clmptcr  L 
almost  every  kind  of  geological  formation;  and  tlius  our  s[)rings  and  smaller 
streams  throw  into  the  river  all  the  saline  ingredients  which  water,  as  it 
flows  among,  or  cuts  through,  various  strata,  is  ca{)able  of  dissolving.  Of 
the  whole,  bicarbonate  of  lime  and  muriate  of  soda  are  undoubtedly  the 
most  abundant;  but  tlio  former,  from  mere  exposure  and  agitation,  is  in  part 
decomposed  and  deposited  before  it  reaches  the  Delta.  The  latter,  however, 
contiiuies  in  solution,  and  even  increases  in  quantity,  as  the  current  advances; 
as  lied  liiver  and  the  Arkansas,  especially  the  former,  aflford,  when  low,  a 
water  so  impregnated  with  salt  as  sometimes  to  impart  a  brackish  taste* 

'2.  The  su.sponsion  of  inorganic  matter  is  immensely  beyond  its  solution: 
and  this  again,  from  the  variety  of  our  mineral  strata,  may  be  as  diversified 
as  that  of  any  other  river.  In  centuries  indefinitely  past  ( the  diluvial 
period),  when  mighty  torrents  traversed  the  continent  from  north  to  south, 
they  no  doubt  rolled  before  them  a  great  amount  of  solid  matter  in  fragments 
too  large  to  be  suspended ;  and  strata  of  pebble  stones  and  gravel,  in  all 
probability,  lie  deeply  buried  up  in  the  Delta ;  but  at  present,  solid  mineral 
matters  are  tran.sported  to  it  by  suspension  only.  These  are  chiefly  alumina 
or  clay,  and  silicious  and  calcareous  sand,  very  finely  comminuted.  Of 
the;:e,  and  otlicr  susjiendcd  mineral  matters,  it  is  only  the  most  finely  pow- 
dered that  reach  the  Delta,  the  coarser  being  deposited  by  the  way;  and 
bence,  in  descending  the  river  from  any  point  above,  we  observe  a  regular 
decrease  of  the  larger  debris  of  rocks,  and  a  corresponding,  proportional  m- 


r»RT  1.] 


IN 'I 


III 


it; 


i\ 


*  Darby's  View  of  the  United  States,  p.  317. 


crnase  of  the  small 
tho.se  portions  of  t 
days  thus  carried  ( 
last  is  chiefly  from 
the  Ohio,  are  ahva 
arc  bluish. 

'.].  The  vegetable 
ported  materials. 

a.  The  forests  on 
perpetually  uprooti 
growth  0     .vhich,  it 
its  progress,  this  d 
branches,  and  all 
(le]iosited  by  the  w; 
Delta;  yet  not  a  lit 
floated  ofl"  on  the  si 
fi.  The  autumnal  c 
is  very  great;  and  li 
ill  their  progress  give 
c.  Tile  drainings  ( 
the  water  has  found  t 

4.  The  animal  kiiii 
deep  enough  to  float  i 
and  many  animals  of 
uplifted  by  their  flood: 
ther,  most  of  the  tret 
their  way  into  the  riv 
they  abound. 

5.  All  our  cities  a 
tributaries.  Their  po 
ordinary  dependence  o: 
the  private  and  public 
dustry.  Thus  a  civic 
iusuluble  —  is  perpetu? 

0.  The  recrements  f 
thricj  as  many  flat  boa 
noticed;  nor  should  wc 
abounding  in  saline  iiig 
of  many  thousand  cord 

7.  Finally  :  The  wf 
mia.  This  was  first  a 
I^tates  Military  Acade 

*  Proceed! 


1 


..(. 


P*RT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  0F<'  NORTH  AMERICA. 


71 


crnasc  of  the  smaller;  —  the  liigliest  degree  of  conimimitiDii  Ixjing  seen  in 
tlui.^e  portidns  of  the  Delta  mIir-Ii  pniject  farthest  into  tlie  (lulf.  Of  tin,- 
(■lays  tlms  earried  ddwn,  some  are  blue,  others  yellow,  and  others  red.  Tin- 
last  is  chiefly  from  the  river  wliieh  hears  tliat  name.  Those  furnished  hy 
the  ( )hio,  are  always  of  some  shade  of  yellow ;  those  from  the  xMLssouri, 
arc  bluish. 

;_!.  The  vegetable  kingdom  eontributes  largely  to  the  mass  of  trans- 
ported materials. 

a.  The  forests  on  every  tributary  send  down  trees,  and  the  Mississippi  is 
perpetually  uprooting  the  groves  of  eotton  wood,  and  other  trees ;  for  the 
;.^rowth  0  ./hich,  it  had  not  f»nly  deposited  the  soil,  but  sown  the  seed.  In 
it.s  progress,  this  driftwood  becomes  gradually  stripped  of  its  bark  and 
livauehes,  and  all  its  soluble  parts  dissolve  in  the  water.  IMueh  of  it  is 
ik'posited  by  the  way,  and  much  is  towed  to  the  shore  after  it  reaches  the 
I)olta;  yet  not  a  little  is  deposited  in  the  salt  marshes  of  the  iJalize,  or 
finated  oif  on  the  surface  of  the  Gulf. 

/(.  Tlie  autumnal  contribution  of  forest  leaves  and  luxuriant  annual  plants, 
JR  very  great;  and  from  their  levity,  many  of  tliem  reach  the  Delta;  having 
ill  their  progress  given  out  to  tlie  water  all  their  soluble  elements. 

c.  The  drainings  of  swamps  and  marshes,  holding  in  solution  whatever 
the  water  has  found  to  di    olve,  must  not  be  overlooked. 

4.  The  animal  kingdom  throws  in  a  liberal  contributioii.  Every  tributary 
deep  enough  to  float  a  carcase,  is  from  time  to  time  retpiired  to  bear  it  off; 
and  many  animals  of  various  sizes,  which  have  perished  on  their  banks,  are 
uplifted  by  their  floods,  and  borne  away  to  the  connnon  trough.  Still  fur- 
ther, most  of  the  trees  and  plants,  whether  green  or  in  decay,  which  find 
their  way  into  the  river,  take  with  them  the  worms  and  insects  in  whicii 
they  aI)ound. 

5.  All  our  cities  and  larger  towns  are  on  the  Mississippi  and  its  great 
tributaries.  Their  population  cannot  fall  far  short  of  a  million ;  and  the 
ordinary  dependence  of  the  whole  is  on  their  rivers,  to  receive  the  contents  of 
the  private  and  public  sewers,  and  the  drains  from  all  establishments  of  in- 
dustry. Thus  a  civic  contribution  —  organic  and  inorganic,  soluble  and 
insoluble  —  is  perpetually  going  forward. 

G.  Tlie  recrements  from  more  than  four  hundred  steamers,  and  twice  or 
thrico  as  many  flat  boats,  make  an  element  of  impurity  not  to  be  passed  un- 
uotioed ;  nor  should  we  overlook  the  discharge  into  the  river  of  the  ashes, 
abounding  in  saline  ingredients,  which  are  produced  by  the  daily  combustion 
of  many  thousand  cords  of  wood. 

7.  Finally :  The  water  of  the  3Iississippi  abounds  in  riuirosropk  i»fn- 
mia.  This  was  first  announced,  I  think,  by  Professor  Bailey,  of  the  United 
States  .Military  Academy,  in  February,  1845.*     In  a  specimen  of  water 


•■■;,«.■ 


■„*   •. 


•H^-''- 


IV 


li!' 


r-.,    ■ 
t   f  M 


l|l 


*  Proceedings  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History. 


t^v| 


72 


THE  PRINCIPAf,  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[boox  I. 


takoii  from  tlic  rivor  oppn.sitc  ?(.  LouifJ,  lie  detected  ii^  loss  than  twenty 
species,  all  living  and  active,  a  part  of  tlicr.i  soft,  and  a  part  with  hard, 
silicious  shells.     Most  of  the  species  were  in  great  numliers. 

11.  Sucli  are  the  elonionts,  oriranic  and  inofiranic,  livin;:;  and  dend,  witl: 
which  tlio  Mississippi  l)econies  l'rei;.ditr(l  in  its  transit  down  the  Interior  Val- 
ley. The  catalogue  is  rather  startling;  hut  liefdre  wo  decide  against  the 
purity  of  its  waters,  we  must  recollect  a  few  facts.  First.  Their  itninenso 
volume.  Sci'owL  The  su'  dence  in  their  eddies  of  a  great  deal  of  matter) 
which  cannot,  fnmi  its  weight,  be  liorne  up  Avitlunit  a  rapid  current.  Thiid. 
The  disintegrating  and  decomposing  power  of  water,  and  the  readiness  with 
wliich  gases,  the  product  of  decomposition,  escape  from  running  stroani.s 
Fourth.  The  fact,  that  when  the  river  is  low,  and  the  heat  of  the  latter  part 
of  summer  in  the  south  is  great,  the  proportion  of  foreign  ingridient.s  is 
much  less,  tliun  during  the  fl(M)(ls  of  spring  and  sunnner. 

In  a  series  of  o.xperinients,  by  IVofossor  l{idd''ll,  cuntinucd  frnm  tlie  2."tl\ 
of  May,  wlicn  the  river  was  witliin  two  feet  of  its  greatest  altitude  at  New 
Orleans,  until  tlio  lOtli  of  August,  whc'.i  it  was  but  eighteen  inches  above  hw 
water  mark,  tlie  projjortion  of  suspended  matter  gradually  lessened  to  onc- 
thinl.  At  the  beginning,  tlio  heat  of  the  river  was  seventy-tliree  degrees  — 
at  tlie  end,  eighty-three  degrees.  Tlius,  the  rnuxhiiiim  of  both  atmosplierie 
a.id  river  lieat  in  the  Deltn,  coincides  with  the  vi'uiimvm  of  rivor  imj]urity 
Tf  tliis  fact  have  no  bearing  on  the  question  of  salubrity,  when  the  water  is 
used  as  a  beverage,  its  connection  with  the  production  of  gases  is  obvious, 
and  well  litted  to  show,  that  in  the  season  when  fevers  —  ascribed  to  the 
jiresenec  of  gases  —  are  prevalent  in  tlie  Doha,  the  material  supplied  by  the 
river  for  their  development,  is  greatly  reduced,  by  diminution  in  both  the 
volume  of  wnter,  and  the  prop(jrtiou  of  foreign  ingredients. 

TIT.  The  saluljrity  of  the  ^lississippi  water,  or  that  of  the  IMissovu'i, 
which  imparts  the  character  of  turbidiioss,  is  not  an  open  question.  From 
St.  Louis  to  New  Orleans,  the  testimony  of  tlie  population  on  its  banks, 
and  of  tliose  who  spend  a  gretit  nart  of  tlieir  lives  upon  it  as  watermen,  is 
uncfiuivocally  in  its  favor.  31any  persons  d  ink  it  before  its  suspended 
materials  have  subsided,  and  seem  to  prefer  it  to  that  which  has  been  icn- 
darcd  transparent  by  tliiic  or  art.  Tliat  it  produces  some  effects  on  the  sys- 
tem, which  transparent  water,  from  wells  and  springs,  and  our  other  rivers, 
does  imt,  is  an  established  popular  opiiiiou.  It  is  even  regarded  by  ninny 
persons  as  being,  to  a  certain  extent,  medicinal,  and  especially  adapted  to 
the  cure  of  chronic  functional  disorders  of  the  stomach,  bowels,  and  liver  — 
au  opinion  in  wliich  I  am  disposed  to  concur.  That  its  daily  use  averts 
some  forms  of  disease,  may  be  admitted  as  probable  ;  but  precise  obser\a- 
tions  on  all  these  points  are  wanting;  and  I  shall  dismiss  the  subject  with 
the  presentation  of  two  facts,  in  wliich,  I  trust,  the  reader  will  take  a 
pleasant  interest.  First :  I'rofessor  Bailey,  after  observing  its  numerous 
shoals  of   microscopic   aniiualculcu,  expresses   the   opinion,  that    they  are 


\ 


PART    I.J 


IXTE 


Millif  iciitly  abundant 
Ills  bi'tters  on  Louis! 
tliiit  the  Mississijipi 
dcs  fcmutets !  ^^ 


OEOLOniCAL  AGE, 
( 

The  Didta,  from  its 
marine  dejiosits  whic 
Koiige;  such  deposits 
the  continent  was  rais 
on  the  scale  of  ordinal 
the  river  were  surnidui 
their  surface,  and  ovei 
irrowtli  been  then  notcc 
he  a.scertained,  the  pm 
(lata,  recourse  has  been 
hy  the  river,  and  an  as 
latter,  on  soundings  in 
give  even  appro.xiniativ 
Atcliafalaya  should  be 
the  ci.rront  determined 
tions  of  silt  correspondi 
ivjiiiputation  would  bo 
filled  would,  however,  st 
i''  the  period  which  imnn 
ratio  of  fibing  up  was 
require  to  be  answered. 
been  Vfpeatedly  made,  s\ 
the  filling  up  of  the  ]on< 
as  it  is  now  penetrated 
doubtless  went  on  with  ^ 
cretaceous  deposits  on  b 
a  full  share. 

Happily  the  question  c 
not  of  importance  to  the 
till!  anuiunt  and  composit 
'he  composition  of  the  mi 
In  the  month  of  Ap 
proportion  of  suspended  i 
la  the  year  18-14,  the  i 


i 


rwj  I. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


suH'iiioiitly  al)nn(lant  to  roniler  the  water  somewliat  niitntions.  Second:  Tri 
his  fii'tters  on  lioiiisiann,  written  in  tlic  jcar  17i')],  C'aptiiin  Iini.«su  intornis  us, 
that  the  Mississijuii  water  lias  tlic  jirujterty  of  cuiitriliutiiig  to  tlic  ''jWondih' 
lies  /mw'f«/" 


SECTION   Vi. 

GEOLOGICAL  AGE,  DEITfr,  (JROWTII,  STRUCTURE,   AND   CHEMICAL 
COMPOSITION  OF  THE  DELTA. 

The  T)elta,  from  its  bott(5m  up,  is,  of  course,  a  newer  formation  than  the 

marine  deposits  which  arc  scon    ah)ng  ita   northern   border  above    IJaton 

Kouffc;  sueli  deposits  liaving  1  eon  f<irnied  before  tlio  31ississip]ii  existed,  or 

the  continent  was  raised  from  the  sea.     TUit  of  the  urtiitil  age  of  the   Helta, 

:iii  the  scale  of  ordinary  chronology,  nothing  is  known.     ]5efore  the  banks  of 

the  river  were  surmounted  with  levees,  every  year  spread  new  deposits  over 

their  surface,  and  over  the   D-dta  generally;  and  had  the  ratio  of   annual 

rrrowth  been  then  noted,  and  could  the  deptli  of  the  reservoir  thus  filletl  up 

hi'  ascertained,  the  jirobleni  of  Awr- niiglit  be  solved.     In  tlie  absence  (>f  such 

(lata,  recourse  has  been  had  to  the  ([uaiitity  of  silt  annually  brought  d(A\ii 

hy  the  river,  and  an  assumed  depth  of  the  basin  filled  up;  relying  for  the 

latter,  on  soundings  in  the  Gulf  beyond  the  line  of  river  deposits.     ]}ut  to 

ous,    I       give  even  approximative  exactness  to  this  method,  the  river  above  the  IJayou 

the    I       Atchatalaya  should  1)0   canned  at  every  statre  of  water,  and  the  veloeit\  of 

the    I       the  current  determined  for  every  elevation;  this  being  done,  and  the  propor- 

the    I      tious  of  silt  correspondingly  ascertained,  an  important  jiart  of  the  data  for  a 

I      computation  would  be  obtained.     The  depth  of  the  bay  which  has  been 

isouri,    I      filled  would,  however,  still  remain  a  desideratum;  and  the  question,  whether, 

'roil!    I      in  the  period  which  immediately  succeeded  the  elevation  of  the  continent,  the 

anks,    i      ratio  of  ilbing  up  was  not  much  higher  than  at  the  present  time,  would 

en,  i>    I      require  to  be  answered.     "When  the  great  currents,  to  which  reference  has 

iiulcd    I     heen  repeatedly  made,  swept  over  the  Interior  A'"alley  from  north  to  south, 

I  en-    I     the  filling  up  of  the  long  arm  of  the  Gulf,  which  penetrated  the  continent 

sys-    I     a,s  it  is  now  penetrated  by  a  similar  arm  from  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence, 

ivcrs,    ■     doubtless  went  on  with  great  rapidity.     To  this  end        >  loose  tertiary  and 

cretaceous  deposits  on  both  sides  of  the  ancient  ostuary,  no  doubt  contributed 

a  full  share. 

er—     ■       Happily  the  question  of  the  rate  at  which  the  Delta  has  been  deposited,  is 

verts    ■    not  of  importance  to  the  medical  geologist ;  but  he  is  interested  in  knowing 

erva-     K    the  amount  and  composition  of  the  suspended  matter  of  the  river,  and,  also 

witli    I   ihe  composition  of  the  mud  of  the  Delta  itself. 

ke  a     ■       In  the  month  of  April,   1838,  3Ir.   Stein,  at  New  Orleans,  found  the 

srous     ■   proportion  of  suspended  matter  to  be  y^V o  ^"  bulk,  or  about  yJ-„  in  weight. 

are     ■      la  the  year  18-14,  the  river  being  at  a  mean  bight,  I  took  up  from  near 


m^rl' 


S':>h:'.', 


>.: :  ■-"•'!' 


i 


. 

!•'    ^  ''■ 

' '  ,  '•*  \i 

.'.•'..r'. 

■•".•'      '•   tf    ' 

• ' .  ' 

Si;..j'*-, 

f-.i';'  ■■.   • 

>;•;;.■  ■•    • 

tV. :.;    '    • 

*x..\\  ■      . 

■« 

f'0^,t 

^n 


I  •! 


f 


I 

74 


TiiK  ruiNcirAii  DisKAHios  OF  Tiir: 


DOUK  I 


J 


r,v^ 


]i  .   I'      •     ' 


its  niiddio,  on  tlio  iJlst  of  March,  a  bottle  of  water,  eight  Imndrcil  nml  .sixty 
miles  above  New  Orleans;  on  the  lU  of  April,  another,  four  lmiulr('(l  miles 
lower  down;  ai-.d  on  the  10th,  a  tliird,  opposite  the  city.  Tliest;  hottlo 
reniaiiiui  closely  eorlicd  until  the  I'lth  of  ,>Iay,  when  they  were  opened  at 
the  laboratory  <if  J'rofessor  Hiddull.  On  being  nncorked,  each  emitted  u 
pulphiiron.s  .smell.  ]{y  evaporation,  wo  ascertained  that  the  proportiim  of  silt, 
by  weight,  of  the  Hrst,  wa.s  ,-,'„„ — of  the  second,  ,,/,_„ — of  the  third 
jTj',,  ,7 ;  seeming  to  indicate  a  regular  decrease  on  descending  the  river. 

lint  the  most  important,  and,  indeed,  the  oidy  series  of  experiments,  are 
those  made  by  J'rofcssor  Kiddcll,  from  the  •jr)th  of  j\lay  to  the  llitli  ni 
August,  1S-M5.*  They  show,  lur^t,  That  while  the  river  continues  at  tlif 
same  hight,  the  quantity  of  silt  may  vary.  Thus,  for  the  first  month  after 
ho  began  to  experiment,  tho  river  being  within  thrco  feet  of  high  water 
mark,  it  did  not  vary  more  than  a  foot;  and  yet  tho  amount  of  scdiniem 
varied  to  the  extent  of  a  third,  and  even  a  half.  This  is,  no  doubt,  attribu- 
table to  tho  pred(miinaneo  at  different  times  of  tho  water  of  dift'crent 
tributary  rivers;  and  nearly  connected  with  this  is  tho  fact,  tiiat  in  tin 
summer,  after  tho  river  has  fallen  to  tho  mean  hight  of  the  year,  tho  pro- 
portion of  silt  may  he  even  greater  than  before.  Thus,  on  tho  3d  of  July, 
when,  by  gradual  subsidence,  the  hight  was  only  five  feet  seven  incliej 
above  the  lowest  stage  which  occurred  during  his  exjoriments,  the  (]uaiitity 
of  silt  was  greater  than  at  any  previous  period,  even  when  the  river  was 
three  feet  nine  inches  higher.  Secoml.  Ilis  table  also  j)roves  that,  in  the 
latter  part  (jf  July,  and  thence  forward,  when  tho  stage  of  low  water  is 
rapidly  approacliing,  the  proportion  of  silt  is  signally  reduced,  becoming  at 
length  not  more  than  one-third  of  what  it  was  in  the  period  of  high  water. 
Third.  As  an  average  of  all  bis  experiments  be  obtained  yxV?'  ^^  wciglit. 
of  solid  matter. 

Let  us  turn  to  the  composition  of  the  silt  while  suspended  in  tho  river,  and 
after  its  deposit  in  tlie  J)elta.  This,  of  course,  must  be  forever  varying  in 
(juality,  as  wc  have  seen  it  varies  in  quantity.  Thus  when  several  tributuriet 
are  swollen  at  tiie  same  time,  the  suspended  matters  will  be  different  from 
those  poured  into  the  great  trough  by  the  freshet  of  any  one  of  them ;  and  again. 
each  will  supj)ly  a  silt  of  a  kind  varying  in  some  respects  from  every  other. 

In  the  month  of  June,  1844,  when  the  river,  at  St.  Louis,  about  twelvt 
hundred  miles  from  its  mouth,  was  of  mean  hight  and  rising,  I  took  up;i 
(quantity  of  water  at  a  distance  from  tlie  shore,  the  sediment  of  which  was 
analyzed  by  Doctor  C.  IL  llaymond,  a  skillful  practical  chemist,  of  Cincinnati 
who  obtained  from  one  hundred  parts  the  following  results  — 


»  Com.  Rev.  of  the  South  West,  Vol.  II,  p.  435. 


!^-'^^'i; 


rART  1.]  r.vTr.i 

.Silicn, 
Aluiuii..., 

Oxi(J<!  of    i 

("iirlionnti! 
rhox|ihiit)'s 
Vcj^i'faldc 
I'liik'coiiiiio 


l>osirous  of  knowini 
ilusircd  l)r.  Eayniond 
the  filter;  which  ho  d 
parts  — 

Sulphiite  of  Koda,  \v 
Orjjaiiic  nmlter,  will 


We  may,  T  suppose, 
consisted  largely  of  tli 
iVofcssoi-  liailey. 

We  are  indebted  to 
Kclta,  at  \ew  Orleans, 
dried  by  a  heat  of  two 
following  results  — 

Silica,         ... 
Ahiiniiia,  ... 
Oxide  of  iron,    - 
Lime,        ... 
MufjDpsia, 
Munguncae, 

Potassa,  anioiinl  not  det 
yoda,  « 

The  silt  obtained  in  tl 
cliief  material  of  which  tl 
superficial  ])arts  ;  but  tli 
!iave  been  floated  down 
'.liiofly  the  trunks  and  bi 
I'ver,  as  the  sea  was  alwj 
"t  tlie  land,  wc  may  supp 
loss  degree. 
The   wcll-walcr   obtai; 


*  Note,  bv  Dr.  Raymond.- 
Fahrcnhclt;  at  this  tempera 
would  retain  water  equal  to  a 


•"? 


,4RT  I.]  rNTKIUDR  VAF.I.F'.Y  Ol"  NOllTII  AMllllICA.  76 


Silirn,  .         .         .         .         . 

Aliiinii...| 

Oxido  of  iron,     .         -         .         . 
Ciirlioniiti!  of  limp, 
rhos|)liitti'H  of  uliiinlnti  tind  iron, 
Vi'Hclaltli' mold ,  or  urine.     - 
UndvcumpoHi'd  orguuic  mutter,    • 


Posirons  of  knowing  what  elements  were  dissolved  in  tlio  same  water,  I 
(Icsireil  Dr.  Raynioiul  to  analyze  a  portion  of  that  whieh  had  [lassed  tiirough 
the  filter;  which  ho  did,  and  obtained  the  following  results,  from  one  hundred 

parts  — 


4^.00 

iH.r.o 

11.00 

H.OO 

1.(10 

:«.()o 

:.:>{) 

•   lOU.OO 

Suipiiiite  of  soda,  witlui  tracL*  of  tlio  chlorides  of  lime  and  ningnesiu, 
Orijanic  matter,  witli  a  trace  of  silica,        .... 


1110.00 


We  may,  T  suppose,  assume  tiiat  this  organie  matter,  with  traces  .if  silica, 
consisted  largely  of  the  tribes  of  microscopic  animalcules,  discovered  by 
J'nifes.sor  liailey. 

We  are  indebted  to  I'rofessor  Iliddell  f^r  analysis  of  the  mud  of  the 
l>t'Ua,  at  Xow  Orleans.  It  was  take.,  from  the  river's  bank,  and  after  lieing 
dried  by  a  heat  of  two  hundred  and  twelve  degrees  Fahrenheit,  gave  the 
t'ullowing  results  — 


Silicii, 

. 

- 

TIL'S 

Phosphoric  acid. 

O.-M 

AInniinn,  - 

- 

. 

y.ii 

.'^ulpiniric  acid,    - 

0.07 

Oxide  of  iron,    - 

. 

. 

4M 

Carhoiiic  aciil. 

(t.74 

liiiiie. 

. 

. 

2  (Its 

('lilorine. 

O'Ol 

]\I;if;nosia, 

. 

. 

L.W 

Water, 

■A.V2 

Manganese, 

- 

. 

O.Ul 

Organic  matter,  - 

:t.i(» 

Potassa,  umonnt  notdet 

erinined 

} 

Loss,  ... 

1.03 

ijoda,          " 

i( 

Total       KIO.OO 

The  silt  obtained  in  these  and  all  other  experiments  of  a  like  kind,  is  the 
cliief  material  of  which  the  Delta  is  composed,  at  least  in  its  more  recent  and 
superficial  parts  ;  but  there  is  imbedded  in  it  whatever  solid  matters  may 
have  been  floated  down  and  lodged  in  the  estuary;  which,  of  course,  arc 
iliiefly  tlio  trunks  and  branches  of  trees  and  the  bones  of  animals.  IMore- 
uver,  as  the  sea  was  always  present,  resisting,  as  it  were,  the  encroaehmeuts 
fif  the  land,  we  may  suppose  that  marine  exuvitv;  are  present  to  a  greater  or 
less  degree. 

The   icc/l-icater   obtained  in  such  a   heterogeneous   deposit,     r    not,  of 


*  Note,  by  Dr.  Raymond. — In  this  analysis  all  the  precipitates  were  dried  to  212° 
I'alircnhcit;  at  this  temperalnre  the  alumina,  oxide  of  iron,  and  carbonate  of  lime 
would  retain  water  equal  to  about  one-half  of  tlieir  weight. 


/'i   "  ^  •  I* 


■'(-...  ■  ■ 

,'•  -.  .•  ■*■  f.. 

i:  .  .  -;  ■••■! 

'ih  ■'.■ 
iV,     - 


$^^. 


Ill 


•  M 


f 


' » 


■'  '"l 

■ 

\       '  ' 


\r  ■ 


.«! 


■i- 


7('. 


Tin:  PIMNCIIVM,  niSKASMS  OF  THK 


niioK  1 


t'KUi'sr.  Ill'  viM'v  |iiiri>.  I'l'nri'.ssur  Itiililcll  •  1ms  (■Miinimil  lliat  {iH'iidid  i: 
till'  iiiuiiili  111' S('|it('iiilii'r,  wIh'Ii  iIk'  livtT  wiis  Imv,  liy  ii  wi'll,  tin  I'l'il  ilicp,  i 
New  (Mli'iuis.  I'liilrr  ('vii|iiirii(iiin,  it  left  a  rcsiirMiiii  nt' snlid  imillcr  cijiialt 
II  fwflvf  Imiiilrciltli  [larl,  li_v  Wv'iglit,  nf  the  wuttT  t'iii|ilns('tl ;  Imt,  in  tb 
nil  III  til  111'  |)(M'fiiil)i'r,  I  lie  |irii|iiirtinii  was  au^rniriitcil  to  a  It'ii  liuiiilrnl  ami  iiiii<  ■ 
l)-i'iiiirtli.  'I'liis  rcsiiliii'  was  ut'  an  nlivc  ciiliir,  uinl  iiiiiiartcil  a  sharji  tii>tr 
Kxainiiii'il  witli  tin'  iiiii'riisi'ii|ii',  iivarly  uiic-rourtli  u|i|»t'arril  to  ciiiisist  nI 
•  ir<;aiii/i'il  iiiattvrs,  mu'Ii  as  tliu  .s|iiif»il('S.  (ir  j»('niis  of  aly;r,  and  auiiiialculu 
with  tliiir  n\a.     Tliu  iiiiiu-ial  iiigriMJiciit  iinivcd  to  lie  — 

ISicarlHiiiatc  nl'  liiiic, 

IJicailiiiiiatc  nt'  irmi, 

.Muriate  (if  liiiu', 

Miiriati!  (if  imi;:iii'8ia, 

Muriate  nf  snda. 

J?('iii;:  williiii  six  miles  nf  Laiie  I'lmleliiirtrain.  tliis  well  liad  |ierlia|)s  liwii 
reaelied  liy  peredlatidii  finiii  tliat  Imdy  ef  salt  water,  and  was  imt,  tlierefen, 
a  fair  i'e|ireseiitative  u\'  the  wells  (if  tiie  l>elta  <xeiieiMlly  ;  neverthelesH,  tlu'v 
must  evervwiiere  all'urd  Wiiter  !ili(iuii(liii^'  in  iiiipurities. 

AN'herever  exaiiiiiiatinn  eaii  lio  i.iade,  as  almi^i;  the  river  and  in  sdiue  exca- 
valiuiis  liy  art,  it  is  seen  that  these  materials  have  heen  de|M)sited  in  linii- 
zontal  hiuTs.  I  may  refer  to  two  |ierf(tratioiis  as  instruetivc  in  regard  ti 
the  jj;eoln!j;ical  structure  and  eiim|iosition  of  the  Delta.  Firs/.  IVofessnr 
lliddell  informs  us,  on  the  authority  of  ,^l.  AV.  Hoffman,  l']s(|.,  that  north  nl 
New  (•ihans,  near  Lake  Poiitehartrain,  in  the  year  1^■J•'^,  .Mr.  Harvey  Mlkiiis 
bored  to  the  di'iith  of  two  hundred  and  seven  feet.  Thirty  feet  below  the 
Buri'ace,  iVaLrnieiits  of  Indian  [lottery  were  brought  uji ;  and  jiart  of  a  deer'' 
horn,  recent  shells,  and  bones  of  land  animals,  were  ':iceasionally  raised.  Tin 
stratum  in  whieh  the  boring  was  stopjied,  eoiisisted  of  a  hard,  blue  siruiuii? 
elay.     Uraekish  water,  with  volumes  of  some  kind  of  gas,  arose. f 

iS('C(i»i/.  In  the  year  1^44,  I  visitod  two  gas  tanks,  eaeh  sixty  feet  in  diam- 
eter, and  sixteen  feet  deep,  recently  sunk  in  the  back  ]iart  of  the  eity:  ami 
received  I'rom  the  intelligent  superintendent.  Doctor  IJogers,  an  account  of  what 
was  met  with  in  excavating  them.  At  first,  they  encountered  soil  and  suit 
river  mud  ;  then,  harder  laminated  blue  alluvion ;  then,  deep-black  m(dd,  restiii:' 
on  wet,  bluish  (piicksand,  so  moveable  that  they  could  not  proceed  further 
On  this  the  brick  walls  of  the  tanks  were  laid,  and  the  sinking  under  tliiir 
weight  was  so  unequal  as  to  jiroduce  curves  in  the  ranges  of  brick,  which,  ut 
course,  were  at  first  horizontal.  A  pile  of  brick  laid  in  the  center  of  eii' 
tank,  caused  the  center  of  the  adjacent  tank  to  bulge  uji.  The  roots,  aiiii 
bases  or  stumps,  of  no  less  than  four  successive  growths  of  trees,  apparently 
cypress,  were  found  standing  at  ditferent  elevations.     The  first  bad  a  diaiii- 


*  Hist.  Notice  of  New  Orleans,  ISIO. 


t  Com.  Rev.  of  the  S.  W. 


I'Mir  I. 


IN'I'KKI 


.  tcr  I'f  two  feet  six  iin 
,iim1  tlie  fiiiirtli,  of  lw(  I 
li.'Iit  feet  for  I  ho  roots, 
out  with  the  .spade,  muc 


!ic(l  on  dr\iiig.     This 
liiirti'd  the  excavation. 
was  met  with.      No  she 
but  in  a  tank  previoiislv 
(if  a  man   was   found. 
was  ill  tol(>ralile   presci 
|iiisiirc.     A  small  as  dn 
naiTiiW  forehead,  modi 
I'liirk  bones,  Heeined  to 
No  (charcoal,  ashes,  or  or 
li'ittenis  of  the  tanks  the 
ill!,'  ill  temperature  in  dill' 
t!io  iihservatioii  being  ma 
pniai'lied  much  nearer  to 
slidwud,  not  les.s  than  the 
oiici,'  (if  the    Lake,  althoi 
margin. 

On  exaininiiig  this  wat( 
ill  it  a  liberal  (juantity  o 
ami  a  trace  of  muriate  of 
with  the  water  there  wa 
larburetted  hydrogen. 

Ill  these  excavations,  n 
turi'il;  and  none  are  fou 
geiiurally. 

The  coarse  sands  of  the 
Imiidrcd  miles  below  the 
only  the  very  finest  can  be 
irtliok'ss,  it  is  more   silit 
suppose. 


I-     The  native  tree  and 
^«pceies  as  delight  in  a  war 
fl'iurish  in  deep  water,  but 
hi(|iiidambar  everywhere 
tbe  unenviable  distinction 


Mill' 


iNTKitiort  vaij,i:y  or  Noirrir  aaiiiijk'  \. 


1 1 


iter  of  twii  ft'i't  .six  iiiflu's;  llio  hcmnuhI,  of  kIx  Itct  ;  tli--  tliird,  nf  I'liir  lit  t  ; 
and  llie  I'linrtli,  of  twelve  IVct  at  ii  .slmrt  (li.striiico  u\\,  willi  a  Iia.-c  nf  (wciil)- 
li.flit  luet  fur  tlio  riKits.  It  wiiM  iinlii'ildcd  in  a  ^^^lt,  iIcrp-Mail^  iimlil.  \\  licii 
out  witli  tlii>  s|iiul(',  iimi!li  (iftliiH  wimhI  ri'sonililfil  cliethc  in  ttxliirc,  Imt  liunl- 
Mirtl  nil  (In ill,!:;.  This  Ntad'iiiciit  wa.s  cniidrnn d  liy  Mr.  Kclvv,  wlm  cnii- 
ijuctod  till"  c.vcavatiiiii.  At  tlic  di'|illis  nt'  scvi-ii  ami  si.xtcL'ii  f't'L't,  Imriit  wocd 
was  iiM.'t  witli.  No  hIicIIs,  nr  hones  nl'  land  aniinal.s,  or  fisli,  woro  ohscrvi'tl ; 
hilt  ill  11  tank  prL'vioii.sly  exfuviitc;d,  at  tin'  dc|illi  dj'  .^ixtirn  ll't't,  tin-  ski  Ictori 
(if  a  man  was  (omid.  The  craiiiiiiii  lay  liftwicn  IIk;  n-ots  of  a  liif,  and 
wan  in  toloraldf  iiicNcrvatioii,  Init  nio.st  of  llm  otiicr  Iioncs  fninildi'd  'in  fx- 
pusMiT.  A  small  1)^  i/i !//>!,  \vlii(di  I  saw,  indicati'd  tlic  mali.'  sex.  A  low  and 
iiiiiTiiw  fnndioad,  iiiodcrato  I'acia!  iiii;j;li',  and  iirniniiifnt,  widely  sfjiaiatcd 
cliiM'k  lioiics,  socinod  to  jirovo  it  of  tlio  saim;  race  w.ili  oiir  |irt's«'nt  IndiuiiH. 
Nd  cliarcoal,  aslios,  or  ornanicnts  of  any  kiml,  were  foninl  amiind  it.  In  tiie 
bottoms  of  tlie  tanks  tliere  was  a  eoiLsfant  Ijoilin;,^  iipof  Lraeki.-ii  water,  vary- 
iiif;  in  tem[)eratui'o  in  dilfereiit  fountains,  from  oi^dity  to  ei;i^lity-two  (le;:rees  — 
till' idiservatioii  being  iiiado  on  the  od  of  .May.  As  this  tem|R'rat are  ap- 
proacliod  nuudi  nearer  to  that  of  Lake  I'oiiteliartrain  tliaii  the  ,Mississi]i|ii,  it 
showed,  not  less  than  tlio  brackish  tasle  of  the  water,  the  aiihterraiiean  inllu- 
eiiee  of  the  liake,  although  at  the  distance  of  four  or  live  inile.s  I'mm  its 
iiiavL'in. 

On  examining  this  water  in  the  Lahnratory  of  I'rofessor  lliddell,  we  found 
ill  it  a  liberal  ijuantity  of  muriate  of  soda,  with  some  muriate  of  magnesia, 
ami  a  trace  of  muriate  of  lime;  no  sul[)hiiric  acid  or  iron  was  present.  Along 
with  the  water  there  was  a  constant  evolution  of  ga.s,  which  jiroved  to  bo 
i;ii'l)uretted  hydrogen. 

Ill  these  excavations,  no  fraginonts  of  rock  or  rolled  [lebbles  were  oiiconn- 
turud;  and  nono  are  found  in  the  banks  of  tho  river,  ur  on  the  surface 
geiiurally. 

The  coarse  sands  of  the  Missouri,  found  also  in  tlie  !Mississiji|)i  for  many 
liuiulrcd  miles  below  the  junction  of  those  rivers,  are  not  met  with  here,  as 
only  the  very  finest  can  bo  suspended  long  enough  to  reach  the  J>elta.  Nev- 
ii'tliL-less,  it  is  more  silicious  than  a  casual  insjiectiun  would  kad  us  to 
suppose. 


SECTION  VII. 

VEGETATION. 

I.  The  native  troo  and  shrub  vegetation  of  the  Delta  is  composed  of  such 
species  as  delight  in  a  warm,  rich,  and  wet  soil.  Nono  are  so  anuatic  as  to 
flourisli  in  deep  water,  but  many  grow  in  swamps  which  are  never  dry.  The 
hiiiuidanibar  everywhere  abounds.  Tho  Cypress,  c(|ually  abundant,  enjoys 
tlie  unenviable  distinction  of  giving  its  name  to  every  swamp ;  but  is,  at  the 


:  .:•  ■  ,|j- 


/ 


y;.}; 


mi 


* 


1  ••, 


V'M^v. 


i'i-:*. 


I 


it 


78 


THE  PRINCIFAl-  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nooK 


sanio  tint' ,  cndowod  beyond  every  other  tree  with  a  garniture  of  tlio  Icng  niciss, 
whicli  is  to  111'  met  with  evcrywhore  as  we  aseetid  tlie  river,  until  wo  |ias> 
lioyoiid  the  Uelta,  up  to  tlie  latitude  of  thirty-tliree  degrees  thirty  niinutos 
'J'lic  Live  Oak  (^Q'fcrcns  /v/r/^f),  prefering  the  sandier  and  dryer  soils,  is 
found  froui  the  chores  o^  the  (Julf  to  tlie  thirty-third  degree  of  latitude 
The  Mi;/i/n/!<r  (jnindijloni  shows  the  sanio  preference,  and  is  found  in 
nearly  the  same  latitudes.  The  Sassafras  grows  to  great  dimeiisioiis 
The  Pecan  (  (J((rii:'  o/ii'ofonius )  shows,  by  the  size  and  excellence  ot 
its  fruit,  that  this  locality  is  more  congenial  to  it  than  that  of  IHiiKiis 
Tlie  single-seeded  IlVmey  Locust  (^GMitxcliki  monospernxf)  to  a  great  degree 
replaces  tlie  'Jh'ditsrhhi  trutcdiithos  ;  the  CW^/a' m/«A'//b//«  represents  the  Hack- 
berry  {C(//ls ()cridc)if<(/ls)  ;  while  the  two  Buckeyes  of  the  interior  (^yKsr/ilii>i\. 
the  I'apaw  ( ^\)ion<i),  and  the  Sugar  Maple  arc  wanting.  The  Cotton  Tret 
and  Sycamore,  ^""h  eonsjiicuous  than  in  the  interior,  nearly  disappear  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  Delta;  but  on  the  other  hand,  the  ]']lder  (  Sainl/iiruy). 
which  is  wiHiiiut  an  <'rect  trunk  in  the  colder  climates,  here  becomes  a  smal! 
tree;  and  the  Jjit/iKDuo  radivinis  (Trumpet  flower),  and  Smllux  Umrifvl'uu 
climb  to  the  greatest  bight.  The  native  Cane  (J/irr/iu  marwspcnna)  im 
to  a  gigantic  bight  where  deep  and  prolonged  inundations  do  not  occur; 
The  C/t(mi((r(>jis  scrruhita,  or  Fan-l*alm,  called  Palmetto  by  the  people,  the 
Sahid  ailint!<()in,  or  small  Fan-Palm,  and  Black  Willows  (  Salir  )  of  a  large 
size,  take  it-s  place.  As  we  descend  the  narrow  cape  which  projects  into  ihe 
Gulf  and  sinks  nearly  to  its  level,  most  of  the  trees  which  have  been  named 
disap])ear,  leaving  the  hiSL  three  in  undiminished  vigor.  Down  to  the  lowcji 
oxtromity  of  this  tongue  of  new  land,  tufts  of  Mistletoe  {Visc/im  (////inn). 
seen  as  far  north  as  the  fortieth  degree,  continue  to  show  themselves;  ad 
roinind  tlie  voyager  of  the  upland  forests  of  the  interior,  when  no  other 
familiar  object  meets  his  eye. 

The  jdaii  of  this  work  does  not  permit,  or  demand,  a  more  extended  notice 
of  the  native  Sylva  of  this  region;  and  I  shall  conclude  with  the  remark 
that  the  great  curretit  which  transports  a'd  dejiosits  the  soil  of  the  continent 
in  the  Gulf,  also  brings  down  the  seeds  ot  Aio  forest  trees  generally.  31aii} 
perish  in  the  heat  and  moisture  of  the  new  locality,  but  many  others  germi- 
nate and  flourish;  and  thus  the  catahigue  common  to  the  two  regions  might 
be  much  augmented,  if  this  were  an  occasion  which  required  it. 

IL  Li  further  illustration  of  the  climatic  and  topographical  condition  o; 
the  Delta,  it  may  be  proper  to  notice  a  few  of  its  cultivated  exotics.  Its  firs! 
staple  Avas  Bice,  which  is  still  cultivated  above  and  below  Fort  Jackson,  iniJ- 
way  between  New  Orleans  and  the  Balize.  Indigo  was  once  successfully 
cultivated,  but  is  now  neglected.  Cotton  flourished  well,  but  has  been 
almost  supcrsedeu  by  Sugar  Cane,  the  northern  limit  of  which  is  about 
thirty  degrees  thirty  minutes.  The  Peach  tree  grows  and  bears  luxuriantly 
but  the  Apple  finds  the  soil  and  climate  too  warm  for  the  growth  and  ripe- 
ning of  its  fruic.     The  Orange  bears  the  open  air  as  far  north  as  the  Sugar 


TART   I.I 


INTERK 


Cane,  1)ut  at  that  point 
snur:  "U  the  neck  of  la 
to  if,  and  the  fruit  is  sw 
Iiear-s  a  delicious  fruit. 
Wlicat  cannot  be  cultiva 


SALUTARY  INFLI 

The  Delta,  from  the  la 

of  the  city,  to  its  tormin: 

nnit'orniity  of  physical  el 

the  city,  to  Clietimachcs 

griat  number  of  small  ba 

first  Section  of  this  Chajtt 

of  the  La  Fourclio,  the  T 

a3  little  affected  with  auti 

the  city.     Doctor  Cartwr 

the  influence  of  a  plant,  tli 

tion.     I  ])ropose  to  transci 

and  thereby  promote  furth 

ho  pmcccds :  — 

•' Nearly  the  whole  sui 

surface  of   many  (jf   the 

degrees  of  latitude,  are  coy 

graiuliflora,  the  plant  wliicl 

ties.     Besides  the  Jussieui 

other  aquatic  plants,  both  ] 

the  aquatic  plants  were  t 

Lmma  minor,  or  Dutch  n 

yijhipha  cccruUa,  with  its  b: 

like  leaves;    besides   the 

Ifydivcofi/le  vulgaris ;  and  s 

gulf  weed,  was  very  commo; 

tion  of  the  Jussieua  grand 

liad  more  or  less  attaclimei 

uatans  was  only  found  in  sa 

insignificant  plant.     The  Ju; 

h  i.s  a  large  flowering  plant, 

jf  the  water,  and  gives  the 


*  Western  Journal  of  M 


r.lRT  !■ 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


7!) 


Cane,  but  at  tliat  j)i)iiit  is  liaLlc  to  be  dcstrnycd  l)y  the  frost,  and  its  fniit  is 
sour:  oil  tlie  neck  of  land  below  New  Orleans,  the  vliniate  is  more  congenial 
to  it,  and  the  fruit  is  sweet.  The  V'lg  tree  attains  to  its  greatest  hight,  and 
lioars  a  delicious  fruit.  I'hc  (i rapes  of  the  interior  do  not  succeed;  and 
Wheat  cannot  be  cultivated. 


SECTION  VIII. 

SALUTARY  INFLUENCE  OF  THE  JUSSIEUA  GRANDIFLORA. 

The  Delta,  from  the  latitude  of  New  Orleans  down  to  the  Gulf,  and  west 
i)f  the  city,  to  its  termination  on  the  further  side  of  Eayou  Teche,  has  much 
niiitoruiity  of  physical  character.  It  abounds  in  lakes,  from  Barataria  near 
the  city,  to  Chetimaches  beyond  the  Atchafalaya;  and  is  traversed  by  a 
frivat  number  of  small  bayous,  in  addition  to  the  larger  enumerated  in  the 
first  Section  of  this  Chapter.  It  includes  the  fine  and  flouri.shing  settlements 
of  the  La  Fourcho,  the  Techo,  and  the  Attakapas,  all  of  which  appear  to  bo 
aa  little  aifected  with  autumnal  or  yellow  fever  as  the  INlississipjii  coast  above 
the  city.  Doctor  Cartwright,  of  Natchez,*  has  ascribed  this  exemption  to 
the  influence  of  a  plant,  the  name  of  which  stands  at  the  head  of  this  Sec- 
tion. I  ])ropose  to  transcribe  so  much  of  this  jiapcr  as  will  jiresent  his  views, 
auJ  tliereby  promote  further  incpiry.  After  a  brief  topographical  outline, 
ho  prdcecds :  — 

•'  Nearly  the  whole  surface  of  many  of  the  bayous,  and  a  considerable 
surface  of  many  of  the  lakes,  in  all  that  part  of  Louisiana  behjw  thirty 
degrees  of  latitude,  are  covered,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  with  the  Jussieua 
grandifiora,  the  plant  which  possesses  hygienic  or  health-preserving  proper- 
ties. Besides  the  Jussieua  grandiflora,  I  observe  a  considerable  number  of 
other  a(|uatic  plants,  both  plucnogamous  as  well  as  cry})togamous.  Among 
the  aquatic  plants  were  the  VaUitrirhc  a'juatira,  or  water  star  grass;  the 
Lmma  vniior,  or  Dutch  meat;  the  ^/(Wa  ?2«^«?;.9,  or  floating  liverwort;  the 
Xijmpha  carulia,  with  its  broad  leavee  ■  the  Innurdiupalustris,  with  its  grass- 
Hke  leaves;  besides  the  liaffietihi  arnohUu ;  Leninor/idris  hnmhuUii ;  the 
Ihjdi-ocuiijle  mUjaris ;  and  a  few  others.  On  the  bays,  the  Fkcus  /uitan.f,  or 
gulf  weed,  was  very  connnon.  Nearly  all  the  aqunt^c  jdants,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  Jussieua  grandiflora,  the  Lemna  minor,  and  the  Fucus  natans, 
had  more  or  less  attachments  to  the  soil  by  means  of  roots.  The  Fucas 
natans  was  only  found  in  salt  water.  The  Lemna  minor  is  a  very  small  and 
insignificant  plant.  The  Jussieua  grandiflora,  however,  is  exclusively  aquatic. 
It  is  a  largo  flowering  plant,  which  grows  three  or  four  feet  above  the  surface 
of  the  water,  and  gives  the  water  on  which  it  grows  the  fallacious  appear- 


"1 

! 

■    ! 

:;W- 


m 


1  . 


mm' 


»  Western  Journal  of  Medicine  and  Surgery  (Louisville),  Vol.  I,  p.  428. 


Iil,-i^. 


i^.,.^!lk:-'? 


80 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book 


ance  of  a  natural  meadow.  The  root  is  several  feet  in  length;  is  joiiitcd; 
about  lialf  an  incli  iti  diameter;  lies  horizontally  on  the  water,  but  an  inch 
or  two  below  its  surfaec.  Kaeli  joint  sends  up  tlic  culm  or  stem  of  the  ]iluiit; 
and  around  each  joint  of  the  r(.)ot,  at  the  foot  of  the  stem,  are  a  great  number 
of  radicles,  or  hair-liko  roots,  some  of  wliich  float  on  the  smTacc  of  tbe 
water,  and  others  dip  down  toward  the  bottom,  or  fasten  themselves  to  old 
loirs.  These  radicles,  or  little  roots,  often  liave  adhering  to  them  an  inky 
kind  of  paste  or  substance,  which  is  collected  from  the  water,  and  no  duiibf 
constitutes  the  nourishment  or  proper  aliment  of  the  plant  to  which  tlicj 
belong.  The  roots,  radicles  and  radicle  leaves  of  the  Jussieua  grandiflora, 
form  such  a  dense  covering  to  the  water,  as  to  constitute  a  bridge  sufiiciently 
strong  to  enable  siuikes  and  grasshoppers  to  cross  over  the  stag,. ant  jiooLs  in 
which  it  grows.  I  traveled  forty  miles  in  a  canoe  through  bayous  and  lakes 
which  were  almost  entirely  covered  by  the  Jussieua  grandiflora,  interniisiJ 
with  a  number  of  other  ai^uatic  plants.  I  was  often  unable  to  sco  any  water 
at  all,  except  in  the  track  made  by  the  canoe.  Although  very  frail,  and 
easily  pushed  aside  or  broken,  this  floating  plant  afibrdcd  considcruUc 
resistance  to  the  progress  of  the  canoe.  On  the  wide  bays  and  lakes,  tlie 
winds  often  detach  large  masses  of  this  and  >  Jier  a(|uatic  plants,  which  bcin^' 
driven  about  by  the  waves,  and  one  detachment  forced  upon  another,  consti- 
tute what  are  called  Jiouthic/  islands — which  are  often  strong  enough  to  hear 
the  weight  of  a  man  in  a  recumbent  posture.  The  Jussieua  granditlura, 
together  with  the  other  arjuatic  plants  mentioned,  we  not  only  found  on  tlie 
lakes,  bays  and  bayous,  but  they  constitute  the  substratum  of  that  singular 
and  nondescript  species  of  savannah  called  the  jtrairie  trciabUnd.  Tliesi' 
prairies  are  constituted,  in  the  first  instance,  of  a  vast  assemblage  of  aquatic- 
plants.  On  this  vegetable  stratum,  intermixed  with  the  debris  of  their  vei;e- 
table  substances,  a  number  of  grasses  and  terrestrial  plants,  like  pan.-ites. 
fasten  themselves  and  grow.  The  whole  is  formed  into  a  complete  vegetable 
matress,  strong  enough  to  support  a  man  in  a  crawling  position,  but  \vA 
suflicicntly  firm  to  enable  him  to  Avalk  upright.  It  is  also  too  firm  to  aduii: 
the  passage  of  a  canoe.  When  the  foot  is  placed  upon  it,  tlie  whole  nia;-i 
trembles;  hence  the  French  name yvrnZ/ve  Iranllioit,  and  the  English  nanit 
shakliKj pruirie.  It  is  said,  that  if  a  hole  is  cut  in  it.  fish  may  be  caught 
with  a  hook  and  line. 

"  The  facts  on  which  I  rest  the  hygienic,  or  health -preserving  properties  c' 
the  Jussieua  grandiflora  are  — 

"  First.  That  it  purifies  all  stagnant  water  in  which  it  grows. 

"  Second.  The  remarkable  exemption  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  section  of 
Louisiana  from  malarious  or  miasmatic  diseases. 

"  1.  The  water  on  which  the  Jussieua  grandiflora  grows,  difi'ers  essentially 
from  other  water,  similarly  circumstanced,  where  this  plant  docs  not  grow. 
Although  I  visited  the  country  in  which  the  plant  is  indigenous  during  s 
very  dry  and   hot  season,  in   the  month  of  June,  I  found   the   stagnant 


p.ART  ;.] 


INTER 


'J 


water  of  the  lakes  am 
tasto,  and  smell,  as  if  i 
Mexico,  however,  tlie 
water  also  of  Bayou  1>] 
to  a  chemical  afl^nity  I 
uak  trees  and  leaves  w 
JJIack,  ;i! though   of  a  i 
mdl.    It  contained  no 
and  palatable  as  cistern 
impregnated  with  salt, 
stagnant  lakes  and  bay. 
water. 

"  T  could  discover  no 
ivater  in  the  lagnons,  sav 
aijuatic  plant  under  cons: 
"  Xorth  of  the  rcdon 
the  same  kind  of  alluvial 
which  form  tlie  soil  of  Lo 
beeoiiics  exceedingly  inij 
consideration  is  found. 
"•ator  of  Lower  Louisiana, 
has  not  the  same  efl'ect.    ; 
'ir  sea  water;  because  the 
:rii«-.s,  whether  in  salt  wat 
"  I  think  it  may  be  fairl 
hy  botanists  under  the  nari 
■'I'lso  substances  whi-jh   in 
waters  in  a  warm  climate. 

"-•  The  remarkalile  hca 
oxemption  from  nialaiinis  a 
^'f  country  in  whicli  this  arp 
''>(al)lished  beyond  ca\il  or 
Rater  and  swamps,  than  an 
tiic  Ciiited  States. 

"The  country  immediatol 
floating  plant  (whicli  is  aboii 
^"tuli  of  the  thirtieth,  is  i 
mte.'s  — is  covered  with  i: 
atmosphere  is  evidently  insa 
itants  sickly,  and  human  life 
a-iuatic  plant,  immediately 
mre  water,  healthy,  and  long 
■"untry  is  too  new  and  too  tl 

estimation  of  the  health  and  lu 
6 


PA 


JIT    .•] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


81 


^fV 


the 
ular 
his.' 
until' 

>itOi. 

:tablc 
ut  niit 

aduiit 
luas: 
11  aim' 

nuglit 

tlOS  t'l 


kion  of 


[itially 


I  crovr. 
ling  a 
ignant 


water  of  the  lakes  and  bayous  iiilialilted  liy  this  plant,  as  pure  to  the  siiudit, 
taste,  and  smell,  as  if  it  had  just  fallen  from  the  clouds.  Near  the  Hulf  of 
Mexico,  however,  the  water  of  the  bayous  was  impregnated  with  salt.  The 
water  also  of  Bayou  Blaok,  although  fresh,  had  a  darkish  i.ppearanco  —  owing 
to  a  chemical  affinity  l)etwcen  some  ferruginous  matter  in  the  soil,  and  the 
,!ak  trees  and  leaves  wliieh  had  fallen  into  tlic  water.  The  water  of  IJayou 
])lack,  although  of  a  dark  color,  was  free  from  any  disagreeable  taste  or 
smell.  It  contained  no  green  scum,  and  was  considered  to  be  eijually  as  good 
and  palatable  as  cistern  water,  except  near  the  Gulf,  where  the  water  is 
impregnated  with  salt.  The  inhabitants  who  reside  on  the  margins  of  the 
stauaant  lakes  and  bayous  of  that  part  of  Louisiana,  drink  no  otlier  kind  of 
water. 

"  T  could  discover  no  other  cause  for  tlie  remarkable  purity  of  the  stagnant 
water  in  the  lagoons,  swamps,  lakes,  and  bayous  of  lower  Louisiana,  than  the 
aijuatio  plant  under  consideration. 

"  North  of  the  region  wliere  the  Jussieua  grandiflora  flom-ishes,  there  is 
[\w  ?ame  kind  of  alluvial  soil,  formed  by  depositions  of  the  identical  river < 
wliich  form  the  soil  of  Lower  Louisiana;  yet  stagnant  water,  in  hot  weatlier. 
liceomes  exceedingly  impure,  beyond  the  limits  in  which  the  plant  under 
■  insidcration  is  fouiul.  'J'he  soil,  therefore,  cannot  occasion  the  purity  of  the 
water  of  Lower  Louisiana,  because  the  same  kind  of  soil,  a  little  further  north, 
has  not  the  same  efl'eet.  Nor  can  the  purity  of  the  water  be  (nving  to  tlie  salt 
Mf  sea  water;  because  the  water  is  equally  pure,  wherever  the  aquatic  jdant 
:rows,  whether  in  salt  water  or  fresh. 

"I  think  it  may  be  fairly  inferred,  therefore,  that  the  aijuatic  plant  known 
k  botanists  under  the  nanio  of  Jussieua  grandiflora,  con.sunies  or  feeds  upon 
•'I'ise  substances  wlu  ;h  in  other  situations  corruj)!  and  vitiate  stagnant 
waters  in  a  warm  climate. 

'"2.  The  remarkable  health  and  longevity  of  the  inhabitants,  and  their 
exemption  from  malarious  and  miasmatic  diseases.  The  fact,  that  the  region 
'f  country  in  which  tliis  aquatic  plant  abounds  is  exceedingly  healthy,  can  be 
(■>lal)lished  beyond  cavil  or  dispute.  It  nevertlieless  contains  more  stagnant 
water  and  swamps,  than  any  other  iuliabited  district  of  the  same  extent  in 
the  Tnited  States. 

"The  country  immediately  north  of  the  lino  bounding  the  growth  of  the 
iliating  plant  (which  is  about  the  thirtieth  degree  of  north  latitude),  like  that 
■oiuh  of  the  thirtieth,  is    alluvial,  contains  lakes,    swamjjs,  and   stagnant 
kate.'s  —  is  covered  with  nearly  the  same  vegetable  productions;    but  its 
atmosplicrc  is  evidently  insalubrious,  its  stagnant  waters  impure,  its  inhab- 
itants sickly,  and  human  life  of  short  duratirm ;  while  the  country  of  the 
hjuatic   plant,  immediately  south  of  it,  contains  a  wholesome  atmosphere, 
[ure  water,  healthy,  and  long-lived  iidiabitants.     It  may  be  supposed  that  this 
Icountry  is  too  new  and  too  thinly  inhabited  to  enable  us  to  form  any  correct 

Istimation  of  the  health  and  longevity  of  its  inhabitants.     Such  a  supposition  is 
6 


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f: 


82 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


BOOK  1. 


I'ART  I.J 


IxNTER 


••*,t 


i.i, 


Jl 


.'J. 


.;  J- 


I' 

'  ■■  'I 


•        ;   !■     '     ■     O 


■V  Ji;     '\X 


erroneous.  Althougli  a  considerable  ^lart  of  tlio  region  abounding  in  tlic 
aquatic  plant  is  uncultivated  and  almost  uninhabited,  yet  a  very  considerable 
portion  of  this  territory  has  been  settled  nearly  a  century.  A  large  colony 
from  Nova  Scotia  emigrated  to  it  before  the  revolutionary  •war.  8ome  of 
the  settlements  south  of  New  Orleans  contain  more  free  white  inhabitants  t'' 
the  square  mile,  than  the  oldest  and  most  populous  settlement  in  Penn- 
sylvania. 

"  It  may  be  said  that  the  inhabitants  are  the  descendants  of  French  and 

Spanish,  and  consequently  no  just  coinj)arison  can  be  drawn  between  tliin: 

and  the  descendants  of  the  English.     It  is  true  that  a  largo  portion  of  tlic 

inhabitants  are  of  Trench  extraction.     A  large  settlement  of  them  on  tlii 

La  Fourche,  within  this  region,  were  born  north  of  the  United  States,  in  tin 

cold  latitude  of  Canada.     C(jlonel  Sparks,  an  intelligent  planter,  who  reside- 

on  Bayou  La  Fourche,  in  the  midst  of  the  colony  which  emigrated  from  Nova 

Scotia  more  than  half  a  century  ago,  informed  me,  in  18ol,  that  a  gvoai 

number  of  the  emigrants  were  still  living.     Ho  took  me  to  a  number  of  tlitir 

houses,  and  his  statements  were  confirmed  by  the  inhabitants  themselves.    I 

saw   more  than    a   sufficient  number  of   gray    heads,  and   healthy  looking 

children,  to  remove  all  skepticism  in  reference  to  the  health  and  longevity  of 

its  inhabitants.     Besides  the  French  population,  this  particular  section  ot 

country  has  spread  through  it  a  number  of  Italians,  Spanish,  Dutch,  Gemiai;, 

Irish,  Englisli,  and  Scotch.     It  also  contains  emigrants  from  almost  evcrv 

state  in  the  Union.     The   negro   population   is   also   considerable,    and  i> 

remarkably  healthy  and  long-lived.      It   contains   more   negroes   over  oiit 

hundred  years  of  ago,  than  five  New  England  states  put  together,  inclutlin.- 

the  v/holo  population,  white  and   black.     The   population    of  this   land  if 

aquatic  [)lants,  owes  its  origin  to  so  many  difterent  nations,  that  it  is  not 

unconnnon  for  the  Creodes,  or  natives  of  the  country,  even  when  uneduoateii. 

to  speak  with  great  ease  three  or  four  ditferent  languages.     If  it  were  triu, 

whi(.'h  it  is  not,  that  the  French  people  are  exempt  from  miasmatic  diseases, 

such  as  bilious,  renuttent,  and  intermittent  fevers,  it  would  prove  nothing; 

because  the  Germans,  Spanish,  Italians,  Scotch,  Irish,  and  English,  togetlior 

with  the  negroes  and  emigrants  from  the  states  north  o.f  Louisiana,  are  all, 

in  this  land  of  aquatic  plants,  singularly  exempt  from  such  diseases.    Eut  I 

neither  the  French  nor  any  other  race  of  people  arc  thus  exempt,  wlion  | 

they  cross  the  line  which  terminates  the  growth  of  the  floating  plant.     It  is, 

therefore,  a  fair  inference,  tliat  this  plant,  by  consuming  the  impurities'  of  tlitl 

stagnant  waters,  prevents  the  generation  of  miasmata,  and  thus  acts  as  sj 

prophylactic  against  bilious  fevers,  and  other  miasmatic  diseases. 

"I  am  aware,  tliat  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  themselves  attribute  I 
their  peculiar  healthfulness  to  the  influence  of  sea  breezes.     Out  of  the  lo- 
gion  of  the  floating  plant,  sea  breezes,  however  refreshing  and  beneficial  t- 
some  constitutions,  have  not  been  found  to  exert  a  prophylactic  power  inj 
preventing  miasmatic  diseases.      It  is  not  probable  that  the  sea  breeze' 


o 


would  do  more  good  f 
rioorgia,  Candina,  \h 
"  In  the  summer  of 
and  am  fully  convinced 
ti'ict  of  country  in  wlii 
while  thdse  sections 
]daiit  was  not  found,  ar 
"  I  visited,  aniDUf  ot 
near  Berwick's  Hay. 
a  ([uarter  of  a  milo  froi 
liouses  was  occupied  b 
aflurd  access  to  the  hi" 
liocholle,  a  few  years  pr 
oi'  the  houses  cut  dowi 
olitain  a  freer  circulation 
tlie  swamp,  I  perceived, 
whiodi  M-as  entirely  stagn 
cover  tlio  ground.     On  a 
that  besides  a  swamp  of 
leiigtii,  in  front  of  the  ])1 
running  back  to  a  pral, 
tii'ii  was  another  bayou 
icirost  and  cane-brake.     I 
a  sickly  sp(.t,  this  was  o 
profusion  in  all  the  waters 
w  ill  the  swamp,s ;  and  wl 
n-ere  isolated  stagnant  pot 
(ree  from  any  offensive  tas 
"M.  Roolielle   had  fifty 
ffliito  family  consisted  of  al 
self  and  all  the  family,  wi 
Mtivos  of  Buekiugham  co 
t-ifioii  with  this  large  fam 
oeeurred,  either  amo^ng  the 
"Ot  been  more  than  three 
tfie.so  cases  wore  slight,  an( 

i»ighb(,rsconfii-mod'thi.ssta 
'''eniselves.  The  negroes 
'I'ld  contented. 

"The  next  evening  I  p, 
iwsons  and  no  negroes.  T 
''"•til.  He  marritHl  a  Span 
^■^•eral  children.  He  after^\ 
''•'I'li-on.  whose  forn,er  Jmsb 


'ART   I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


83 


wrmW  do  more  good  for  the  sca-coa.st  of  Louisiana,  than  for  the  sea-coast  of 
rit'fii'jria,  (^arohiia,  "\'irgiiiia,  and  ^laryland. 

"Ill  the  summer  of  l^oi,  I  traveled  extensively  through  Lower  Louisiana, 
and  am  fully  convinced,  from  wliat  I  saw  and  hoard,  tliat  the  particular  dis- 
trict of  country  in  Avhich  the  floating  plant  abounds  is  preeminently  healthy, 
nliile  those  sections  of  the  State,  similarly  situated,  but  where  the  aijuatic 
plant  was  not  found,  are  grievously  afflicted  witli  malarious  diseases. 

"  T  visited,  among  others,  the  plantation  of  3L  Koclielle,  on  a  small  bayou, 
near  ]3erwick's  15ay.  The  dwelling-houses  stood  on  the  high  ground  about 
;i  c^uartcr  of  a  mile  from  the  bayou.  The  space  between  the  bayou  and  the 
lifiuses  was  occupied  by  a  swamp,  through  which  a  canal  had  been  cut  to 
afford  access  to  the  high  ground  or  bluff,  on  which  the  dwellings  stood.  }{. 
rioclielle,  a  few  years  previou.sly,  had  the  trees  covering  the  swamp  in  front 
of  tlic  houses  cut  down,  in  order  to  gain  a  better  view  of  the  bayou,  and 
(ilitain  a  freer  circulation  of  air.  As  I  jiasscd  up  the  canal  or  ditch,  through 
tlic  .swamp,  I  perceived,  on  each  side,  the  decaying  timber  lying  in  the  water, 
wliich  was  entirely  stagnant.  In  many  places  the  water  was  not  suilicieut  to 
cover  the  ground.  On  ascending  the  bluff  and  looking  around,  I  ascertained, 
that  besides  a  swamp  of  a  quarter  o'"  a  mile  in  width,  and  three  miles  in 
k'Hgth,  in  front  of  the  plantation,  there  was  an  innnense  swamp  in  the  rear, 
running  back  to  a  jtrairie  tfonhhnit ;  and  on  the  lower  side  of  the  plauta- 
timi  was  another  bayou  of  stagnant  water,  and  on  the  upper  side  a  thick 
forest  and  cane-brake.  I  thought,  at  the  time,  that  if  the  country  contained 
a  sickly  spot,  this  was  one.  The  Jussieua  grandiflora,  however,  grew  in 
profusion  in  all  the  waters  around,  whether  tlicse  waters  v.'cre  in  the  bayous, 
nr  in  the  swamps ;  and  whether  they  had  cummunicatiun  with  the  bayous,  or 
were  isolated  stagnant  pools,  they  were  found  to  be  pure  and  transparent  — 
free  from  any  offensive  taste  or  smell. 

"  M.  Rochelie  had  fifty-throe  negroes  living  on  this  plantation,  and  his 
wliitc  family  consisted  of  about  a  dozim  ]iersons.  lie  informed  me,  that  inm- 
solf,  and  all  the  family,  wliite  ar.d  black,  exce[)t  the  younger  children,  were 
natives  of  llockingham  county,  ^'irginia  —  that  he  had  resided  on  the  plan- 
tation with  this  large  family  nine  years,  during  which  time  no  deatii  had 
oecrn'red,  either  among  the  whites  or  blacks,  young  or  old  —  that  there  had 
not  been  more  tlian  three  or  four  cases  of  sickness  during  any  year  —  that 
tlieso  cases  were  sliglit,  and  required  little  or  no  medical  treatment.  Ilis 
iieidihors  confirmed  this  statement,  and  sjave  noarlv  as  good  an  account  cf 
themselves.  The  negroes  with  whom  I  met  all  looked  hcaltiiy,  hajip}-, 
aiul  contented. 

"  The  next  evening  I  put  up  at  a  house  containing  about  twenty  w''iito 
persons  and  no  negroes.  The  patriarch  of  tlie  family  was  a  Kentuckian  by 
With.  lie  married  a  .Spanish  woman,  wlio,  dying,  left  him  a  widower  witii 
J'voral  children.  He  afterward  married  a  French  widow  with  two  or  three 
'.liihh'cn.  whose  former  husband  was  a  (Jerman.     The  children   by  tlie  last 


n 


»      (    ,♦! 


i.».'-  /l--   ., 


:■'■■}' 


W;:-^ 


N  >l 


-y 


,■;,•'.' 

>!;■'■'-■■ 

lis 

'.'..'■ 

.,h, >■<>■'.  ,■  : 

:4  .  '■  .  • 

•  t ,  ■  ■  • 

il! 


H 


1      -  ' 


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>■    ' 


"0 


84 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nooK  I, 


PAKl    I.J 


INTEI 


I' 


'^     if:: 


'■I 


■ ";!' 


:^' 


iiiarrla^'o  as  woll  as  by  tlie  former  niarrlagos,  togotlior  witli  a  few  aunts  ami 
I  ther  relatives,  swelled  the  wlidle  family  to  aliout  twenty.  N^j  Icf.s  than  four 
laniruages,  Eiigli.sli,  Spanl.sh,  Gei'niaii,  and  Frencli,  were  .sj-okci'  by  the  sanio 
family,  living  umler  the  .same  roof.  I  got  two  of  tlie  .sons  of  the  old  gentle- 
man by  his  first  v/ifc,  to  take  me  in  a  eanoc  uj)  Bayou  IJiaek.  They  wcro 
with  me  several  days,  and,  as  they  spoko  four  languages,  were  of  great  u.se 
"u  enabling  me  to  collect  information  respecting  this  country,  inhabited  hj 
the  floating  pl.int  and  polyglot  people. 

"  If  1  have  been  nn.sinl'ormed  in  reference  to  the  health  of  this  section  ul' 
the  country,  there  also  arc  great  number.s.  in  and  about  this  city,  deceived  in 
this  respect  eijiially  with  myself.  Numbers  of  peojile,  in  and  about  Natchez. 
iiave  visited  this  rcyoa  of  country;  some  have  removed  to  it;  a  few  have 
been  living  in  it  for  years.  All  with  whom  I  have  conversed,  co'.icur  in  tlio 
same  opinion  of  its  healthfulness.  It  is  true,  they  diifer  in  regard  to  tlio 
canscs  of  its  singular  salubrity;  some  ascribing  it  to  the  proximity  of  the  sua, 
and  the  sea  breezes;  others,  to  the  large  open  prairies  on  its  western  border, 
in  and  near  tliat  part  of  it  called  Attr.kapas,  without  recollecting,  that  tlio 
inhabitants  of  Terrebonne  and  La  Fourche,  who  reside  very  remotely  from 
tl.-se  large  [)rairies,  and  secluded  from  them  by  intervening  forests,  :nv 
L'(|r.ally,  if  not  more  healthy  than  those  living  near  them." 

Apart  from  the  conclusions  oi  Doctor  Cartwright,  this  extract  will  be  re- 
garded as  valuable,  from  tlie  informaiion  it  communicates  on  the  topography  (if 
that  region,  and  the  composition  of  its  society,  not  less  than  its  general  salu- 
brity. Of  it.s  exemption  from  autumnal  fever,  I  am  disjiosed  to  think,  how- 
ever, that  Doctor  Cartwright  speaks  in  language  ratlier  too  unijualiOcd; 
though  no  stronger,  doubtless,  than  the  facts  given  him  by  the  people  duriiiL' 
his  visit  demanded  of  him.  When  at  New  Orleans,  in  the  spring  of  184'>, 
T  met  with  Doctor  Walter  Brashear,  an  aged  and  highly  intelligent  physi- 
cian, formerly  of  Kentucky,  but  long  resident  on  the  Lower  Atchafalaya,  ii' 
the  midst  of  the  Jussieua,  who  infm-med  me,  that  intermittent  and  remittent 
fevers  j)revail  annually  in  that  region,  but  on  the  whole,  are  mild  —  le.s.- 
fatal,  indeed,  than  in  Kentucky. 

Oil  the  hypothesis  of  Doctor  C.artwright,  without  either  adopting  or  ro- 
Jccting  it,  the  following  remarks  may  be  made  r 

1.  The  '  coast.s,'  as  they  are  called,  or  baidcs  of  the  Mississippi,  from  Xovr 
Orleans  to  the  outlets  of  Bayou  La  Fourclie  and  Bayoa  I'laqueniine, 
( lying  nearly  north  of  the  .'cgion  where  the  Jussieua  is  su^iposed  to  destroy 
the  cause  of  autumnal  fever),  are  ecpially  exempt  from  that  disease,  ami 
oipially  abound  in  aged  Creoles,  although  there  are  no  lakes  and  no  Jussieua: 
but  the  river  is  on  one  side,  and  v.ypress  swamps  are  on  the  other.  I  wa? 
prevented  fr"i:i  visiting  the  district  where  the  Jussieua  grows,  but  travekd 
on  the  coasi.^. 

2.  If  we  examine  the  locality  which  the  Jussieua  overspreads  by  the 
facts  furnisl.  d  by  Darby,  Cartwright,  and  others,  we  do  not  find  that  it 


alounds  in   those  olc 

//'  //  ciiisc'i'c.f^  are  cert; 

finii  us,  are  natural  ci 

daily  librate.     The  c( 

lakes  bridged  over  wit 

tlieir  trembling  crusts. 

shaking  prairie,  is  nea 

that  .shrub  are  pereiini 

the  narrow  tract  of  cvp 

of  herbaceous  vegetatii 

ciJiious  forest  trees,  so 

roach  the  surface,  whii 

tlien  a  belt  of  live  oak, 

row  zone  of  long-eultiv 

Cijnij)ared  with  the  otlu 

and  they  are  no  lonn-or 

fnr  ages  could  not  hav^ 

anio'int  of  organic  matti 

ited  above,  or  doconipr 

until  the  inundation  ^n 

slinuld  not  expect  to  see 

iurther  up  the  ■"ver, 

>>.     Dr.  Cartwriglit  a: 
•bis.seiua  floats,  to  the  a 
-:iy,  that  it  prefers  clear 
sliould,  I  think,  regard 
'[uestion. 


PAUI    !■ 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


85 


^m 


.vouikIs  ill  tlioso  olcinoiits  to  wliii-li  malaria  is  gi'iiorally  asuribcil.  Lako^, 
/■// 1!  ciiiseli'cii,  arc  certainly  not  of  that  kind.  TIid  bayous,  these  writers  in- 
toriii  us,  are  natural  canals,  several  feet  (lee|i,  in  which  the  tides  of  the  Gulf 
daily  librnte.  The  central  belts  betwi'en  them,  called  shaking  jirairies,  arc 
lalcL'S  In'idged  t)ver  with  matted  jilants;  for  fish  may  be  caught  Ijy  [lerforating 
tlii'ir  trembling  crusts.  The  narrow  zone  of  palmetto  swamp,  which  skirts  the 
-liaking  prairie,  is  nearl_^  destitute  of  annual  vegetation ;  and  the  leaves  of 
that  shrub  arc  perennial  and  most  ditfu-idt  of  decomposition,  'i'lieii  comes 
the  narrow  tract  of  cy])rcss  swamp,  densely  over.'^hadowed,  and  e(jually  devoid 
of  herbaceous  vegetation.  To  this  succeeds  the  belt  of  cane-brake  and  de- 
ciduous forest  trees,  so  dense  tliat  a  bird  cannot  ll}'  througli,  nor  a  sunbeam 
reach  the  surface,  whiidi  of  course  can  sustain  no  succulent  annual  ]daut.^i; 
then  a  belt  of  live  oak,  a  ([uartcr  of  a  mile  in  brcailtli ;  and  lastly,  the  nar- 
row zone  of  long-cultivated,  arable  land,  terminating  In  the  lake  or  baycm. 
(juiipared  with  the  other  varieties,  the  tillable  portions  do  not  make  a  third  ; 
;uid  they  are  no  longer  subject  to  the  inundations  of  the  ^lississip])!,  which 
fnr  ages  could  not  have  thrown  upon  tlicm,  by  its  overflowings,  any  great 
auiovmt  of  organic  matter ;  as  most  of  it,  in  so  long  a  voyage,  is  either  depos- 
ited above,  or  decomposed,  or  so  comminuted,  that  it  remains  suspended 
until  tho  inundation  gradually  sinks  into  the  Gulf.  Thus,  a  jj/vo/v'.  wc 
shiiuld  not  expect  to  sec  as  much  autunuial  fever  in  that  region,  as  in  those 
iurtlier  up  the  ■  "ver, 

o.  Ur.  Cartwright  ascribes  the  transparency  of  the  lakes  in  which  the 
.fiisseiua  floats,  to  the  action  of  tliat  plant ;  Init  may  we  not,  as  plausibly, 
say,  that  it  prefers  clear  to  turbid  writers ".''  \\"\i\\  these  facts  before  us.  we 
should,  I  think,  regard  the  preventive  power  of  the  Jussicua  as  an  open 
iiuestion. 


'■X-  '  ,;■' 


v-i;  i 


!  ♦ 


.•  \. 


■    I  ; 


1  ♦ 


'i ' 


■  H 


■••.•yVji.-      , 


1 


86 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  oT  THE 


[dook  I. 


PART   I.] 


iNTi: 


;  .. 


■  \i 


CHAPTER   V. 


THE    SOUTHERN    IJASIN,    CO  NT  I  NEED, 


LOCALITIES    IN    AND    AROUND    THE    DELTA    OF    THE    MISSISSIPPI 


SECTION  I. 

MILTTARY  POSTS. 

I.  EoiiT  LiviN'(i?TOX. — Oil  tlio  niaviiio  boi-dur  (if  the  Delta  (  iV.  V), 
tliroo  (garters  of  a  dogruo  directly  sniitli  of  New  Orleans,  near  tlic  mouth  of 
Eayou  La  Fourclie,  and  at  the  junction  of  IJarataria  liny  with  the  Culf,  lies 
the  island  of  Grand  Tevrc.  IJising  about  two  feet  above  the  highest  t'  (es 
of  tlio  Gulf,  it  has  a  surface  of  dark  sand,  covered  with  grass,  overshadowed 
with  small  live  oaks.  There  is  s'ullicient  soil  for  the  successful  cultivation  of 
melons;  and  other  garden  vegetaliles.  Erom  the  middle  l'"  May  io  the  mid- 
dle of  August,  there  are  land  and  sea  breezes ;  but  the  former  often  fail,  and 
the  latter  not  unfreipiently  continue  all  night.  For  the  remainder  of  the 
year  the  winds  arc  varia])le.  In  the  year  1844,  I  received  the  foregoing 
fact.=5  from  Captain  Barnard,  of  the  United  States  Corps  A  Engineers,  who 
had  been  stationed  for  four  years  on  tlie  island,  engaged  in  the  ereetion  of  a 
Fort.  The  mean  population  through  that  ])'jrIod  was  fifty,  of  which  four- 
fifths  were  negroes.  Of  the  whites,  many  Avere  directly  from  the  northern 
states.  Captam  Barnard  was  unable  to  lecollect  a  ..ingle  case  of  intermit- 
tent fever  at  that  Post  during  the  four  years,  and  but  one  of  remittent  fever; 
the  subject  of  which  arrived  with  the  d':,oasc  upon  him.  The  same  was  true 
of  yellow  fever;  not  a  case  of  which  had  occurred,  notwithstanding  the  usual 
intercourse  with  New  Orleans,  through  Lake  Baratari.i,  had  been  kept  up 
while  the  fever  was  epidemic  in  that  city.  Winter  diseases  be  declaied  to 
be  unknown. 

II.  FoiiT  Pike. — The  IshnuJ  of  Pditcfi  CuqnUles,  of  which  the  north  side 
is  the  site  of  Fort  Pike,  lies  between  Lake  Pon'cha'^train  and  Lake  Bovgne, 
thirty-five  miles  north-cast  of  New  Orleans.  Its  area  is  seven  by  twelve 
miles;  its  elevation  over  the  Gulf,  two  feet.  Small  shells,  with  an  inter- 
mixture of  argillaceous  deposits,  brought  down  b}-  Pearl  llivor,  make  up  it? 
composition.  It  is  intersected  with  numerous  bayous  of  salt  or  braekit^h 
water;  and  all  the  marshes  near  or  upon  it  contahi  water  of  the  sah.o  kind 
The  soil  is  fertile.     In  the  sunnuer,  tl."i  prevailing  wind  is  from  the  south- 


W 


cast,  and  con.«!efju('iitl 
Fcrt  Piko  has  constii 
fever  i.s  far  from  bci 
and  of  remittents  sevi 
III.     l'a..T  Wool 
Its  .«ite  is  on  the  sout 
iif  the  connecting  st 
marshes  and  cypress  s 
tlie   3Iississi|i])i,  wliiL 
pared  with  Fort  Pike 
vaded  by  yellow  fever 
iiiteniiittent  form  bein 
The  remarkable  di 
ous  Posts,  is  ascribed 
frosh-water  marslies  ne 
IV.     FouT  St.  Pii 
site  sides  of  the  3Iissis 
furmcr,  built  long  since 
cer;  w!  ich  stands  on  tl 
from  tl.'O  mouth  of  tlie 
continenv.     The  eyjires 
which,  composed  of  fine 
three   feet  produces  ai 
water  from  3Iarrh  to  J 
layer  of  mud  and  organ: 
sends  up  an  offensive  oi 
river  is  low,  may  retard 
lar  stench. 

St.  l*hilip  was  alwa 

Autumnal  fever  prevails 

Tlio  ratio  of  intermitte 

fifteen  per  cent. ;  and  tl 

liad  not,  at  the  coming  c 

Posts  liigher  up  the  rive 

relapses  incessaut.J     Ye 

The  Rice  lands  of  i. 

near,  but  chiefly  above,  : 

who,  as  Doctor  Pandall 

-Mr.  Loer,  who  resides  ii 

healtliicr  than  the  one 


*  Med.  Stat.  U.  S.  A.,  p. 
t  Ibid,  p.  279.    Dr.  B.  Ua 


■■■f  ■•■ 


PART  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


87 


cast,  antl  consorjuoiitly  tVoiii  (iff  the  Gulf.  Altliougli  so  near  to  Now  Orleans, 
Fort  J'iko  has  constantly  remained  cxeni  >t  from  yellow  fever;  an<l  initinnnal 
fever  is  far  from  being  i)revalent,  the  ratio  of  intermittents  being  nineteen, 

mid  of  reiiiittent.s  seven  per  cent.* 

III.  1'l>..'1"  Woon. — This  Wk.u  is  distant  luit  seven  miles  from  the  last. 
Its  .site  is  on  the  soutli  side  of  the  }iass  or  ehaniiel  called  Chef  Meiiteur,  one 
of  tlic  connecting  straits  between  tlie  two  lakes.  In  its  rear  there  arc 
marshes  and  cypress  swanijis,  such  as  cover  the  isthmus  between  the  lakes  and 
the  Mississippi,  which  arc  annually  replen'shed  with  fresh  water.  Com- 
jiarud  with  Fort  J'ike,  this  I'ost  is  deriiledly  insalubrious.  It  has  been  in- 
vaJud  b}  yellow  fever,  and  the  ratio  of  autunnial  fever  is  high;  that  of  the 
iiiteniiittent  form  being  seventy-six,  and  of  the  remittent  twenty-seven. 

The  remarkable  difference  in  autumnal  salubrity  between  those  contigu- 
ous Posts,  is  ascribed  to  the  existence  of  salt  marshes  near  Fort  I'ike,  and 
t'rosli-water  marshes  near  Fort  "W'Kid.t 

IV.  Four  St.  J'iiimi'  and  I'oiit  Jacksox. — These  I'osts  are  on  oppo- 
site sides  of  the  Mississippi,  about  seventy  miles  below  New  Orleans.  The 
t'uriiier,  built  long  since  by  the  French,  was  abandoned  in  1N31,  for  the  lat- 
ter; wl  ich  stands  on  the  right  Lank  of  the  river.  Situated  oidy  thirty  miles 
frum  the  mouth  of  the  31ississippi,  those  I'osts  are  on  the  vewcsi  land  of  the 
contiuenv.  The  cypress  swamps  here  alnio.st  reach  the  river ;  the  banks  of 
ffliieli,  composed  of  fine  silt  and  vegetable  remains,  arc  so  low,  that  a  rise  of 
three  feet  produces  an  inundation.  They  generally  remain  covered  with 
water  from  March  to  June ;  and  when  the  water  subsides,  it  leaves  a  new 
layer  of  mud  and  organic  matter,  which,  under  the  action  of  a  powerful  sun, 
sends  up  an  offensive  odor.  A  strong  wind  from  the  Culf,  even  when  the 
river  is  low,  may  retard  its  ..aters,  and  produce  a  deluge,  followed  by  a  simi- 
lar stench. 

St.  Philip  was  always  a  sickly  station;  the  same  is  true  of  Jackson. 
Autumnal  fever  prevails  for  six  UKJuths  after  the  fall  of  the  river  in  June. 
The  ratio  of  intermittents  is  one  hundred  and  fourteen,  that  of  remittents 
fifteen  per  cent. ;  and  these  ratios  would  liave  been  higher  still,  if  the  troops 
had  not,  at  the  coming  on  of  the  sickly  season  for  two  years,  been  removed  to 
Posts  higher  up  the  river.  Malignant  cases,  however,  were  not  numerous,  but 
relapses  incessant. +     Yellow  fever  does  not  seem  to  have  prevr.iled  here. 

The  like  hinds  of  the  Delta,  are  the  narrow  banks  of  the  3Iississippi, 
near,  but  chiefly  above,  Fort  Jackson.  They  are  cultivated  mainly  by  whites, 
who,  as  Doctor  llandall  informed  me,  are  not  particularly  unhealthy ;  and 
Mr.  Loer,  who  resides  in  their  midst,  assured  me,  that  ho  found  his  locality 
healthier  than  the  one  he  had  left  in  Ohio.     Low  levees,  which  terminate 


|%4-  •  '■'■' 


it-  <     ■ 


^m 


) 


it 


'I  M 


.It! 


»  Med.  Stat.  U.  S.  A.,  p.  270.  t  Ibid,  P-  275. 

;  Ibid,  p.  279.    Dr.  13.  llandall,  U.  S.  A.,  MSS.;;e«.  mc. 


I 


:» 


'i:t:!;: 


68 


TMH  I'ltlNCII'Ar-  DISKASF.S  OF  TIIF, 


nooK  I. 


ftljuut  I'lii't  .(iii'ksdii,  rotraiii  tin;  river  iiltdvo  that  r(ist.  TLo  imiliiMiIa  Ikh 
is  so  narrow,  tiiat  tlio  (!ull',  fsjiui-iall)-  uu  tlio  cast  cr  left  siilo,  is  uliuost  cuii- 
stautl)-  ill  view. 


SECTION  II. 
Till.  i5Ai,izf;,  AND  marim:  kxtijhmity  or  Tin:  dkf.ta. 

I.  'roi'oniiAi'iiv  AM)  SniMiuv. — W'r.  Iiavc  ci.iiu'.  at  li'iiLitli,  t'l  tliu  iiio,-i 
rcmarl\al)l(,'  spot  of  tin;  contiiK'nr.  In  riacliiiiir  it,  IVciii  tlie  imrtli,  as.  I'nr 
cxnin|tlo,  frniii  Ow  .soiin.'PS  of  tlio  3Iissis.siiiiii,  we  travil  .succe.ssively,  jlixt. 
oil  ]iriiiiitiv(',  iiiistratilied  ervstalline  furiiiatiuiis;  ,■•((•»///(/,  uu  aiieieiit,  stratificil, 
pcnii-cry.stailine  rooks,  the  wimle  |iiirely  mineral,  and  as  destitute  of  or^'aniu 
forms  as  of  organic  tntitlo' ;  thlrif,  on  old  seeondary  rocks,  iiubedilinj^',  iu 
tlio  fossil  state,  tlio  lialiitati'.iis  of  marine  animals  only,  and  tliey  of  s|iccits 
long  since  extinct;  J'oiiiih,  on  torniations  composed  in  part  of  tlio  remaiii.- 
of  piiraiitii!  tropical  ]ilants.  tlioii;:;li  lyini;  in  the  tem[ierate  zone;  Jljth,  on 
cleitosits  containiny  fossil  marine  forms,  bearing'  some  resemlilanee  to  tliose 
found  in  tlio  cxistinci;  seas;  xixths  on  deposits  cnvelnpin^'  various  animal 
remains,  luitli  of  land  and  sea,  most  of  wliieli  have  liviiiL'  archetypes; 
sccctith,  on  tracts  so  reeont  as  to  entoml)  only  existing  species  of  animals 
and  plants;  which  brings  us  into  the  locality  which  lias  been  aniiouiiccd 
where  the  work  of  land  making  is  in  a"tual  jirogress,  and  we  arc  shown  the 
process  of  bnildine;  u[)  a  continent  from  the  bottom  of  the  sea.  To  the 
medical  geologist  and  to[)ographer,  such  a  locality  cannot  be  destitute  (jf  in- 
terest; as  it  alFords  an  o[n^)ortunity  —  the  only  one  within  the  limits  of  our 
Great  A'alloy  —  of  contemplating  the  relations,  in  a  hot  climate,  between  tlif 
newest  land  and  th(>  first  forms  of  veg(;talile  and  animal  life  which  over- 
spread it;  together  with  its  ellccts,  on  the  health  of  the  first  hnmaii  inhabi- 
tants by  which  it  is  peopled. 

The  Mississippi  advances  into  the  (lulf  by  extending  its  own  trcmgh;  tu 
wliieh  end,  the  very  resistance  of  the  sea  is  made  to  contribute;  for  it> 
waves  roll  back  the  sediment  which  has  been  carried  out,  and  press  it  against 
the  growing  extremity  of  the  trough,  as  tlie  weaver's  beam  drives  up  the 
thread:  and  tlms  a  bar  is  formed.  Through  this  bar,  the  river  continues  tu 
cut  its  way ;  leaving,  on  either  side,  the  refluent  silt,  as  the  beginning  of  now 
banks,  which  are,  therefore,  at  first  submarine.  In  this  natural  masonry, 
the  drift-wood  of  the  river  performs  an  important  part.  Becoming  entangled 
and  lixed,  the  silt  collects  around,  and  is  condensed  by  it; — thus  giving  us 
the  prijtotype  of  our  brush-dams  across  the  alluvial  streams  of  the  interior. 
Hence,  before  the  bank  has  yet  been  vai.-ed  above  tlie  surface  of  the  Gulf,  it? 
place  may  be  discovered  Ity  the  projecting  limbs  of  trees,  which  serve  in- 
stead of  buoys  to  indicate  the  channel. 

Like  a  skillful  architect,  the  ^Mississippi  lays  a  broad  and  deep  foundation 


I'VBTI.J 


iNTi:i{ 


nil  wliii  h  to  extend  it,-. 
m:i1  cxtreniitieH  of  the 
■ii'il  the  I'lirrenf.'i  are 
ir-  ;ol  Hirfacu,  having  h 
Iruiu  the  axis  of  dill'iisii 
Wiiter  is  found  to  de( 
-ii'iiv,"*  the  ratio  of  inclii 


.«c;i. 


'I' 


111. 


The  annual  floods 

it'  Imaks;  during  wliic 

(.f  cvtensioii    and  that 

L'lvat  altitnile  of  the  m 

tlie  loose  texture  of  tl 

liiiiit.s  to  the  advanceim 

tivivorscs  the  Gulf  of  .M 

('( iitral  America  —  form 

the  Caribbean  S'ea   Iietu 

'iulf  Stream  in  the  Flor 

l)ut  let  us  return  to  t 

liiiiiii  of  this  advaiiciii" 

roach  the  Gulf,  small  pas 

t!,rniigli  which  its  waters 

t'.iis  give  liihnil  extensi m 

tliwo  lateral  currents  niul^ 

'Xxavation  through  the  h\ 

;'.o  hiiats  of  oystermen  ai 

tuts  to  the  salt  water.     < 

>'<'A\  widened  and  decpene 

'iulf  of  much  larger  vessi 

l'a^scs,  8outIi  West,  8outl 

■lives.     The  banks  are  In 

'vliieh  to  build;  and  as  th 

;.  t  le.^s  than  by  flor)ds  in  tl 

'W.Kid,  are  elevated  on  bh 

'  ineath  the  partially  liardc 

t''i':itiiig  the  crust,  a  pole  n; 

airestcd  by  buried  drift-wc 

As  we  descend  the  3Iissi 

■titutiiig  the  apex  of  what 

a:ter  tree  disajipcars.     Tuin 

•'^v.  and  the  individuals  a 

'iiuidambar  fail;    but  an  . 


*J 


^m 


I- HIT  I.J 


intf:fiioii  vali.ky  of  Noirrrr  amuimca. 


so 


,,:i  wlii' Ii  f"  t'Xteiiil  its  n(|ucclut!t.  Wlicii  tlu;  waters  osca|ir  tVinu  tin'  trnni- 
m;i1  oxtrciiiitiL's  of  tla;  diftoroiit  l*assos,  tlioy  s|irc;iil  tlinm^'li  a  si'iiiiriri'lc 
■iitil  tliL'  I'lirrciilji  arc  arn.'sti'il ;  nud  tliii.s  tlitl'\isi'  tlifir  sodiiiicnt  over  a 
lipnil  -nrfai't',  liaviiiL'  less  and  k's.s  tn  tlimw  down,  tlio  further  tlu'v  advance 
iViiiii  the  axis  (if  diHiiHinn.  My  Hdundinj;'  on  a  linu  drawn  IV-iiii  this  axis,  tho 
ffiitur  la  found  to  do('|it'u  at  the;  rate  of  a  fathom  for  every  nuK';''  wliieh 
-hiW.s  the  ratio  of  inclination  of  the  alluvial  |iliiin  Iieiieath   the  level  nf  the 

-  ;i.  Tho  ainiual  Hoods  of  tho  river  occasion  a  lon;^-continued  inuielatioii  of 
it-  hanks;  during  wliiish,  di.'posits  aro  luado  uiioii  tlieiii;  and  thus  tho  work 
,]'  fxtension  and  that  of  elevation,  ]iroceod  sinudtaneonsly.  l''roiu  the 
.i\at  altitude  of  the  mountains  in  which  the  Mi.-souri.Kiver  ori;.'inateH,  and 
i!ii.'  loose  texture  (jf  the  hroad  plain  over  whirh  it  flows,  there  can  he  no 
iinlts  to  the  advancement  of  the  hed  and  hanks  of  the  ^lississijijii,  until  it 
traverses  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  unites  its  rii.dit  bank  with  tho  peidnsula  of 
Cditnil  Anieriia  —  forming  a  salt  lake  oil  the  west;  or  pours  its  waters  into 
t!i(j  Carihhean  Hea  hetwcen  Yucatan  and  Cuha,  or  nun^les  them  with  tho 
liiilf  Stream  in  the  Florida  Straits. 

lUit  let  us  return  to  tho  present  time,  and  eontiMuplate  tho  existin_:r  con- 
liition  of  this  advancing  extremity  of  tho  Helta.  For  lifty  miles  hofore  we 
nacli  the  Gulf,  small  [lasscs  or  ehaiuiels  aro  seen  on  each  side  of  the  river 
tlii'dujrli  ■ivhicli  its  waters  eseajc:,  inlilieral  ([uantilies,  during  every  ilood;  and 
t';:us  give  Idlrnil  extension  to  tlio  great  submarine  jdatform.  As  we  descend, 
t'luse  lateral  currents  multiply,  and  may  be  produced  at  any  j)oint,  by  a  little 
OkCavatioii  through  tho  low  and  soft  banks.  .Many  of  them  aro  navigated  by 
\e  linats  of  oystermen  and  (ishormon ;  who  thus  make  the  .vay  by  short 
;ts  to  the  saltwater.     One,  just  lielow  Fort  .lackson,  begin  by  art,  was 

-  11  widened  and  deepened  by  the  river,  so  as  to  permit  the  egress  to  the 
•iulf  uf  much  larger  vessels.  After  tho  river  has  divided  into  three  great 
I'lissos,  South  "West,  South,  and  North  East,  tho  side  bayous  still  showthem- 
•Ivos.  The  banks  are  here  so  low,  that  it  is  difficult  to  find  ground  ou 
uliioli  to  build;  and  as  they  aro  often  overflowed  by  waves  from  the  (iulf, 
■lit  kss  tlian  by  floDds  in  t!ie  river,  tho  scattered  habitations,  all  constructed 

IwiKid,  are  elevated  on  blocks.  They  aro,  however,  continually  sinking;  for 
'  iiieatli  tho  partially  hardened  silt,  there  is  a  soft  mud,  into  which,  after  per- 
fnitiag  tlie  crust,  a  pole  may  without  difHculty  bo  sunk  to  any  depth,  unless 
;i;rostcd  by  buried  drift-wood. 

As  we  descend  the  ^lississippi  towards  .ts  division  into  great  Passes,  con- 

jlifuting  the  apex  of  what  may  conveniently  be  called  tho  15alize  Delta,  tree 

;i!tor  tree  disajj^iears.     Immediately  below  Fort  Jackson,  the  species  become 

fi'ff,  and  the  individuals  are  sparse  and  of  reduced  size.    Tho  cypress  and 

I li liiiJanibar  fail;    but  an  ..sh,  tho  sycamore,  the  one-seeded  honey  lucust, 


Med.  Stat.,  U.  S.  A.,  p.  270. 


M'i' 


Ifji^"-  ■'■■"■  ■■ 


• 

5 

1 

1   t 

i 

' 


^ 


•    '  . 


;,■>.'        »■ 


I 


i-;l 


i      •     r 


{H) 


TIIH  IMUNCirAI,  DISKASF.S  OF  THE 


[buur 


tlio  tliick-I(>!ivu(l  liacklti.'rry,  immI  tin,' cotfuii  troo,  still  slmw  tliniisflvos,  \vit 
now  !iimI  tlicii  II  live  oak.  Luxiiriuiit  tiit'ts  of  riii^tlrtoo  nrc;  oc('ii>iniially  sii ;, 
and  (cMtoons  of  long  iiiomh  arc  not  wanting',  tlioii^'li  K'hs  profuse  tliaii  lii^rliT 
up  tlu!  river.  Tlio  grove  is  at  la«t  riMliiccd  to  pjiliin.'ttos,  arlinresoont  I'ldir- 
anil  jriir«iiti(!  Itlack  willows;  the  last  of  wliielj  V(Mitinx>  fiirtlaT  into  tlic  \\{\h:\. 
tliaii  nil  tli(>  rest,  mid  liiially  conK'  to  liu  nearly  tlio  sole  rcprcscnfativi's  [ 
the  forest.  Hut  in  passing;  hoyoiid  tlu'  limit  of  tlu;  woods,  we  do  not  li!i\v 
tlio  vc^jotalilo  kingdom,  for  tlio  oyo  rests  on  boundloss  fields  of  reed-^'ra>- 
(I'/inn/inifes  cotnmKnIs),  t\\o  culni.s  of  wliicli  rise  to  the  liiglit  of  fifteen  r 
twenty  feet,  and  in  appearanee  re[)laee  the  cane-hrakes,  which  luxuriate  on  t' 
hi^'lier  hanks  of  the  river,  l)ut  eaiinot  flourish  with  their  roiits  steeped  i;, 
hraekisli  water.  From  the  upper  deck  of  his  .steamer  the  traveler  here  an- 
the  grand  system  of  natural  eaii;ils,  into  wiiieh  tlio  .Mississippi  finally  diviili-: 
and  Contrasts  the  color  of  their  turl)id  waters,  with  the  preenish  tint  of  thm 
with  which  they  arc  about  to  mingle.  Kach  canal  has  its  winding  vistn,  aiil 
when  huried  too  deep  in  the  distant  jungle  to  he  seen,  its  hanks  are  indient..'. 
hy  raiige:5  of  willow  trees.  TJetween  the  principal  I'asses,  there  are  sli.'illn 
ponds  of  hrackLsh  water,  with  mud  bottoms;  but  salt  marshes,  too  set't  i;. 
most  places  to  be  passed  over  by  men  or  cattle,  constitute  the  greater  part  : 
tho  surface.  In  the  more  fluid  parts  of  these  marshes,  we  find  the  rced-gr;i' 
loss  abundant ;  but  the  Tiiplat  latifoiui,  Sciqins  Incuslris,  and  other  aquati; 
plants,  become  more  numerous. 

Of  animals,  herons  and  other  wading  birds,  wild  geese,  gulls,  eagles,  ani 
the  ]iur[ilo  grakle,  are  common;  the  baidis  of  tho  bayous  are  perforated  l;. 
milliiitis  of  the  fiddler  crab,  with  one  largo  and  one  small  claw;  now  v..\ 
then  a  porpoise  ascends  the  stream  by  successive  vaultings,  which  carry  !:• 
back  above  tho  surface;  an  otter  sports  or  dives  along  tho  banks;  S!.; 
alligators,  in  multitudes,  lurk  in  the  jungle  which  overhangs  them. 

11.  <  1  i:oi,0(iV.  As  in  the  i/oicml  Delta,  so  in  the  siif)i>n/l)i(i/c  or  IJalizo  Mil 
there  are  three  great  geological  elements  —  silt,  drift-wood,  and  tho  roniains;' 
plants  and  animals  which  grow  upon  it.  The  amount  of  drift-wood  is  nmr!: 
less  tlian  is  generally  supposed.  Arrested  by  the  tides,  it  lodges  in  t;. 
recesses  of  the  bayous,  where  it  boeomcs  fixed  by  silt,  and  willows  S'  :. 
take  root  \ipon  it;  while  that  which  lies  in  the  bracki.sh  water  is  bored  in;;. 
il'ircct'u)UAhy  tho  /'.')'e</o  tidi'dlh.  Gradually  penetrated  with  ,«ilt,  it  bcci.iiK- 
somi-fossilized,  ami  ultimately  constitutes  an  integral  part  of  tho  forniati"!; 
As  most  of  the  plants  growing  on  tho  spot  arc  gramineous,  with  culms  Cdu- 
taiiiing  silex,  their  decomposition  is  .slow,  and  undccomposcd  bods  no  doul; 
exist  beneatli  the  surface  at  every  depth.  To  these  remains  must  bo  adJel 
those  of  tho  tcstucca,  which  inhabit  all  the  inlets  and  little  bays,  whicli  ari 
filled  witli  the  waters  of  tho  Gulf.  Finally,  those  waters  penetrate  the  IJaliz'. 
Delta,  and  impregnate  tho  whole  formation  with  common  salt ;  which  efflurcHii 
whenever  the  surface  dries.      Thus  immersed  in  weak  brine,  the  erfr"!!'-' 


IIRT   I.J 


iXTi;r!Fi 


IK 


iiiiitfiT,  either  resting  i.u 

[iiiMtinii  protracted  and  « 

The  linr.1  arc  ridges  i 

moving  waters  of  the  ( 

t'nrnier;  which  contends, 

lias  lint  hceii  accnriitely  ; 

ho  rosiilcd.  for  five  years, 

i;if'i  the  (inlf  a  ipi.-irfer 

ri'liaI)lo  pilot   at  the    lliil 

I'a.-ij  had  advanced  nearl 

:'iv('  five  miles  in  one  hit 

iliiiiiiii.slied  this  ratio. 

.litl'i"'ciit  periods)  are  pu 

'|Uaiitity  of  water  directed 

very  little  flows  in  the  Soi 

aKaiico,  wo  may  presume 

ijn'dging  transversely  thro 

was  siMiii  filled  up  by  the  .' 

till'  ridge  lel't  after  the  dre 

riM'tioiis  of  the  bars  pn 

MM.  wliicli,  after  a  while,  dis 

Irocnllect  to  have  seen,  w; 

,i;  till!  Balize,  six  years  att 

iiifiiry,  and  from  the  late 

Viuiderslice  and  other  rospc 

1.  A  .slonp  was  lost  on  a 

Puss.    The  water  was  men 

aliiiHst  a  year  out  of  sight,  s 

l.iigtii  of  time,  even  her  lov 

The  area  on  which  she  resti 

M!  Iicr  way  uji,  the  waves 

ixjiusud  her  ballast,  much  oi 

uar,  both  tho  bank  and  sell 

'.'.    A  vessel  grounded  lu 

lallast,  coiKsistiitg  of  bricks, 

li"t  deep.     In  less  than  a  t 

faeo,  resting  on  a  mud  bank. 

Xjt  lung  afterwards,  those  1< 

?uiil;  gradually  below  tho  s 

writer  has  since  been  shoaler 

0.    At  the  &a;>iG  Pass,  £ 

;  jiiL'8,  for  use  in  New  Orleai 


„!• 


lurgi'a- 


r\RT  I.J 


iNTrinroR  valley  of  north  America. 


01 


matter,  tifliiT  n'sting  kii  tlio  •mrfiu'o  or  huriod  IciR'atli,  imiy  huvo  its  ducoiu* 
nii«itii>ii  {trotraetoil  niid  oHsontiiilly  iiinilifiod. 

Tin;  Imrs  ftro  rid;r<'s  forined  as  nlrcmly  intiiimh'il,  liy  tlic  poiiflift  of  tic 
moving  waturs  of  tlio  riidf  and  river.  Tlit-y  advaiico  gnidually  into  tlic 
t'trnier;  wliii'Ii  contend.''.  Imt,  .still  reee(k'.M.  'i'lie  ratio  of  tlii.-i  advancement 
l,;is  iidt  lii'eii  accurately  ascertained.  Mr.  .McCullnii;^!!  tell.><  nt>,  *  tli.-it  while 
ho  resided,  for  five  yoar?,  near  tlio  liar  of  tlio  Soiitli  West  Pass,  it  ailvanced 
info  the  (Iiilf  a  (|iiarter  of  a  niilo.  ^Ir.  Vniidcrslico,  an  olisorviiij?  and 
rrliiililo  iiilot  nt  tlio  Malizp,  infonned  nio  tliat  tlio  bar  of  tlio  North  Kast 
|'.i,s  li:id  iiilvanced  iietirly  liiill  a  mile  in  eleven  years.  These  data  would 
.■ive  five  miles  in  one  hundrod  years.  Otlier  data  have  both  au;.'mi'iited  and 
iliiiiiiii.'iiicd  this  ratio,  No  doubt,  dilVerent  bar.s  (and  even  the  ^^aiiio  at 
ilifferciit  jieriods)  arc  juishcd  forward  at  varying  ratio.s,  according  to  the 
quantity  of  water  directed  again.st  and  over  them.  Thus,  at  the  present  time, 
wry  little  flows  in  the  South  I'ass,  comiiared  with  tlio  South  Wcfit,  and  its 
[ilvniico,  wo  may  [iresnme,  is  , orresiiondingly  less.  A  channel,  made  by 
ilniliriiig  transversely  through  tho  middle  of  tiie  bar  in  the  North  Kast  I'ass, 
was  soon  filled  up  by  the  subsidence  into  it  of  the  soft,  un.sujtported  walls  of 
till'  ridge  left  after  tho  dredging. 

I'urtiiiiis  of  tho  bars  present,  at  times,  a  sort  of  intumescence,  or  bulging 
nil,  wliii'li,  after  a  while,  (lisap[i(>ars.  The  (ii^t  notice  of  thisnioveinciit,  which 
1  ivi'iillect  to  have  .seen,  was  by  3Ir.  William  .MtCiillougli,  in  l>o7.  When 
,;•  the  lializo,  six  years  afterwards,  1  made  tlii.s  phenomenon  tho  subject  of 
iiijuiry,  and  from  the  late  Captain  Taylor,  boarding  olficcr  of  tho  port,  Mr. 
Viiinler.slice  and  other  respectable  pilots,  I  obtained  the  folhiwing  facts. 

1.  A  .sloop  was  lost  on  a  breaker  lu  ar  tho  entrance  of  the  North  Kast 
Puss.  The  water  was  merely  (lee[)  enough  to  cover  her.  After  having  been 
aliiinst  a  year  out  of  sight,  she  began  to  reiippear,  and  in  the  course  of  an  cijual 
1  !i.'tli  of  time,  even  her  lowist  tinibcra  were  three  or  four  feet  out  of  water. 
The  area  on  which  she  rested  was  estimated  at  an  aero  and  a  half.  While 
;:  lier  way  ii[),  tho  waves  tore  off  her  planks,  washed  out  tho  silt,  and 
ixi'isud  lier  ballast,  nuicli  of  which  was  taken  out.  In  tho  course  of  another 
}i\ir,  both  tho  bank  and  schooncjr  had  disappeared. 

-,  A  vessel  grounded  near  or  in  the  same  I'ass,  and  to  lighten  her,  tho 
lallast,  consisting  of  bricks,  was  thrown  overboard,  in  water  eight  or  nine 
[frtt  deep.  In  less  than  a  twelve  month,  the  bricks  appeared  above  the  .sur- 
f;ii?f',  resting  on  a  mud  bank.  Many  of  them  were  brought  into  tho  ]}alizo. 
[Nitli)ng  afterwards,  tlioso  left  behind,  witli  the  bank  on  which  they  resteil, 
bunk  gradually  1)elow  the  surface,  but  not  to  their  former  depth;  for  the 
pater  has  since  been  shoaler  over  that  spot  than  before. 

'■J.  At  the  baiMC  Pass,  a  ship  from  Liverpool,  having  as  ballast,  curb- 
'.'iMS,  for  use  in  New  Orleans,  re(j[uired  to  bo  lightened ;  which  was  done  by 


r 


!!' 


.•         r 


• 


*  Documents,  p.  77. 


1/*:. 


t:;v^,.v 


■••^  •■ 


92 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


i  BOOK 


riRT  I.J 


INTER  IC 


'  .41' 


■       i 


i 


.:i-'\ 

•i. 

tLrowing  tlicm  overboard,  in  water  fifteen  or  sixteen  feet  deep.  In  a  liu, 
m(iro  than  a  year,  tliey  began  to  show  themselves  above  the  water,  and  i, 
bank  i>n  which  they  rested,  continued  rising,  until  its  surface,  t(j  the  uxtc 
of  half  an  aero,  was  five  or  six  feet  out  of  water.  In  a  lew  months  it  boga:. 
to  sultsido,  and  at  length  disapiiearcd.  ]3ut  the  water  is  not  so  deep  at  tl.:; 
spot  as  before. 

4.  A  vessel  called  the  C(nulor,  after  losing  her  anchdr  in  water  iien'' 
eighteen  feet  deep,  was  herself  sunk  in  still  deerior  water.  In  the  cuMii:. 
year  the  anchor  was  raised  until  it  was  only  three  feet  beneath  the  surfaa 
but  ndthing  was  seen  of  the  ship. 

'I'hcse  various  masses  of  nnid,  became  so  hard  under  exposure  to  tliu  >  ;• 
tliat  men  could  walk  upon  them.  They  disap])eared  eitlier  by  sinking  i.rl 
the  action  of  tlio  waves;  but  we  cdme  now  to  examine  others  whicli  liav 
remained  permanently  above  tlie  suri'ace  of  the  (iulf. 

In  various  places  along  tlie  inarginal  line  of  this  long,  alluvial  capo,  arc  ijk;. 
the  present  elevation  of  wliit-h  above  the  Oidf  could  not  have  been  tlic  rc^v 
of  de|)osits  from  the  river.  ]Mr.  3IcCullough  mentions  one  near  the  ik'iii 
"West  Pass,  whicli  was  twelve  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  Gulf  anillia, 
received  tlio  name  of  'liliraltar.  Another,  at  the  same  Pass,  on  wliieli  i. 
resided,  was  eight  feet  high ;  but  subsc(juently  had  sunk  to  tour. 

At  the  mouth  uf  the  Pass  a  la  Loutre,  I  visited  one,  the  highest  poiiit? 
which  were  only  three  or  four  feet  above  the  water,  whicli  was  sliual  {. 
around  it  to  the  extent  of  many  acres.     Its  surface  was  firm,  but  nut  dn 
for  the  spray  of  the  Gulf,  and,  to   some  extent,  the  waves,   dashed  ovor;: 
and  had  manifestl}'  reduced  its  altitude.     Great  numbers  of  water-fowl  mai 
it  a  place  of  resort.     ]>y  tlie  action  of  the  rains  and  waves,  the  surface  ws;  I 
cut  into  mii.iaturc  river  channels,   inlets,  and  bays,  sometimes  filled  wi 
water,  and  at  otliers  empty.     The  surface  was  a  stift,  blue  clay,  fragment?  il 
which,  rolU  d  by  the  currents,  had  become  smooth  and  molded  into  spheroidai 
oval,  or  reniP'nn  masses,  resembling  the  rolled  pebbles  of  the  interior  of  t't- 
continent.     The  whole  structure  of  the  island,  as  seen  whore  channels  h 
been  cut  in  it,  w.is   stratified  or  lamellar,  with  a  dip  or  inclination  '.j  tl, 
north,     it  did  not  contain  either  fragments  of  rock  or  fossil  wood. 

In  f;  ;int  of  the  Palize  Bayou,  a  branch  of  the  North-East  Pass,  lie  iw 
islands  of  deeper  interest  than  the  last,  though  evidently  of  the  same  cl;!>: 
They  arc  separated  from  each  other  by  a  narrow  strait  or  creek.    TLoi'l 
lower  portimis  are  overflowed  by  high  tides ;  but  their  more  elevated  \\min 
arc  seven  or  eight  feet  above  the  mean  surface  of  the  Gulf. 

Tlie  eastern,  and,  at  present,  smaller  of  these  islands,  sustains  the  aeti ; 
of  the  waves,  which  arc  evidently  truncating  it  at  the  water  level,  thus  CR*| 
ting  a  wide,  soft  beach,  and  a  glacis  or  bluif  bank,  several  fe  :t  high, 
this  bank,  and  also  in  the   ravines  of  the  beach,  a  distinct  stratification  i-j 
everywhere  presented,  with  a  dip,  as  well  as  I  could  determine,  to  the  c;i-: 
and  a  line  of  bearing  from  south  to  nortn.     On  its  beach,  Lhe  tide  being  ("I 


I  fdund  a  feeble  spring. 
that  of  tlie  adjoining  (J 
,vit!i  the  water  there  wa 
mill  oxide  of  iron.  The 
the  orifice,  was,  on  the 
'licit ;  tliat  of  the  beach, 
thu  .season  of  the  year, 


at  the  edge  of  the  Gulf, 
No  fu^jsil  wood  or  peblik 
hank. 

The  other,  larger  and 
:iviin  the  one  just  descril) 
u-ith  that.     Scattered  ov( 
[arently  of  one  character, 
nxiile  of  iron,  deposited  Jij 
:m  the  water  was  at  res 
latter,  there  was  an  cxtric 
ny.kte  fountains,  there  w 
i'lL'.    Around  the  whole, 
Jfopest  at  the  craters,  am 
>ml  analogous  to  a  delug( 
'if  the  island,  has  given  it 
feet  into  the  largest  of  tlici 
I  T;.:  tenii)orature  at  tliat  dc 
Mriliee  a  mud  cone,  the  side 
ami  gas  were  made  to  bur 
i  JiictcJ  through  the  sides  be 
ntwas  prevented  from  escaj 
nccther  with  the  stagnatio 
':  was  at  the  time  no  escape  o 
tim  and  escape  of  gas  we 
'jeetion  of  sand.     The  wati 
niaiie.  vas  noted  at  the  tim( 
'iiitod  sea  water.     It  tarnisli 
piegas  burned  with  a  snljil 
jpiiuvetted  hydrogen, —  the  s 
"f  the  '  salines,'  or  brine  spi 
It  appears  from  all  that  h 
l.rBalizo  Delta,  a  focus  of  j 
[of  the  gas.  is  most  probabl 
'f  that   quarter,  some   of 


'  Mr.  McCullough  has  descr 


.'..f. 


raT  i.j 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  x\ORTII  AMERICA. 


1)3 


I  fouml  a  focble  spring,  tlic  -wator  of  wliieli  was  as  strong  as  lirino,  while 
t!i;it  of  tlio  adjoining  (Julf,  dilutoil  by  tlie  livcr,  was  only  brackish.  Alohtj 
,vit!i  tI:o  watur  there  was  an  escape  of  gas,  and  frohi  it  a  depn.'^it  of  sand 
aiiil  iixido  of  iron.  The  tenqicrature  of  this  sjiring,  oigliteen  inclies  hehnv 
the  (iniico,  was,  on  the  4th  of  Mareli,  1843,  sixty-four  degrees,  Faliren- 
luit;  tliat  of  the  beach,  at  the  same  deptli,  fifty-six  degrees;  whicli,  from 
tlio  season  of  tlic  year,  may  be  taken  as  the  winter  h.eat  of  tlie  ground 
;it  tbt'  edge  of  the  Gulf,  where  the  inarine  and  river  influences  are  blended. 
Xii  t'lssil  wood  or  pebbles  were  to  be  seen  on  this  beach,  oj-  in  the  adjaccr.t 
bank. 

The  other,  larger  and  more  elevated  island,  is,  as  I  have  said,  separated 
:rom  tlio  one  just  described  by  a  narrow  bayou,     its  structure  is  the  same 
irith  t!iat.     Scattered  over  its  surface,  there  are  several  salt  springs,  all  ap- 
lart'iitly  of  one  character.     Each  has  a  sort  of  crater,  lined  with  a  glazing  of 
ixiile  of  iron,  deposited  by  the  water  as  it  flows  out.     In  some  of  these  cra- 
ters the  water  was  at  rest,  while  it  was  flowing  out  of  others.     From  the 
lattov.  there  was  an  extrication  of  gas,  but  noiie  from  the  former.     In  some 
i-ikte  fountains,  tliere  was  an  escape  of  gas  without  any  water  being  visi- 
ik'.    Around  the  whole,   there  were  broad  deposits   of  sand,  which  were 
■kpcst  at  the  craters,  and  declined  in  all  <lirections.*     This  iiuuidation  of 
^a'.nl,  analngous  to  a  deluge  of  lava,  by  mingling  witii  the  argillaceous  surface 
:' tlie  island,  has  given  it  a  high  degree  of  fertilit}-.     I  sunk  a  pole  sixteen 
fai  into  the  largest  of  these  craters,  without  meeting  with  any  obstruction. 
T..:  temperature  at  that  depth  was  sixty-five  degrees.     I>y  raising  over  this 
"rilke  a  mud  cone,  the  sides  of  Avhicli  were  thicker  than  the  summit,  water 
i.'l  gas  were  made  to  burst  from  tlie  latter;  but  when  the  gas  was  cou- 
kutcd  throuii'h  the  sides  below,  the  water  ceased  to  flow  from  above,  although 
i;  was  prevented  from  esca})ing  through  the  lower  orifice.     This  experiment, 
ia'therwlth  the  stagnation  of  the  water  in  every  crater  from  which  there 
Tas  at  the  time  no  escape  of  gas,  shows  conclusively,  tliat  it  is  to  the  evolu- 
itiiu  and  escape  of  gas  wo  should  ascribe  the  fountains,  and  to  thehi  the 
jijection  of  sand.     The  water  of  the  spring  on  which  the  experiments  were 
niaiio,  was  noted  at  tlio  time  as  being  intensely  salt; — it  was,  in  fact,  undi- 
luted sea  water.     It  tarnished  silver  wlien  laid  in  the  issuing  current,  and 
I  the  gas  burned  with  a  sulphurous  smell,  and  hence  Uiust  be  regarded  as  sul- 
Ipliuvctted  hydrogen, —  the  same  gas  that  is  evolved  with  the  water  of  many 
if  the  'salines,'  or  brine  springs  of  the  interior  of  the  continent. 

It  appears  from  all  that  has  been  said,  that  there  is  beneath  the  ultimate 

IvrBalize  Delta,  a  focus  of  gaseous  evolution,  and  that  the  upward  pressure 

loftlic  gas,  is  most  probably  the  CuL-,.-e  of  the  strange  insular  u]ihcavings 

of  that   quarter,  some   of  which   subside,  while   others,   sustained   below, 


•  -Mr.  McCuUough  has  described  the  Fn:nc  at  the  South  West  Pass. — Documents, 

lo.  "8, 


■,.■',.■ 


i     !     •'■■  i  , 

.  i  '    (  ♦!  '  < 
I'M 


nr  ■ 


v\.X:\  .  ..^ 

: ;;  !•■  H' 
■■i\y':S 

■•■.;..•■'.'■  - . 


♦".■. 


.r   '\'\ 


•  V    ' 


*■     * 


^ 


J 


im 


:■.  *■■ 


if 


I'  .■ 


1     ■ 


1:     -ir-,   . 


94 


THE  TRINXIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[hook  :. 


roniaiii  until  wasiicil  av.ay  by  tlio  waves.  On  tlic  clicmieal  actions  Ly  wliit' 
tlio  gas  is  dovolojiod,  T  sliall  offer  no  speculation.  Of  the  depth  at  wliiil 
tlicy  take  place,  n()tliiii<r,  I  suppose,  can  with  certainty  ho  detormiucd.  !• 
may  bo  either  within  or  beneath  tlio  alluvial  deposits.  TI  limited  area  ■; 
the  tuberosities,  would  seem  to  indicate  the  former;  and  si  11,  if  the  gas  witi 
generated  Itelow  the  bed  of  silt,  it  might,  perhaps,  pern;  'ate  it  in  such  j 
manner  as,  at  last,  to  produce  but  limited  upheavings.  I  did  not  learn  tla: 
earth(piakes  had  at  any  time  been  generated  by  it.  To  the  medical  etiul.- 
gist,  the  important  fact  is  the  constant  escape,  over  the  area  of  the  lowe 
Delta,  (if  so  great  a  (juantity  of  sulphuretted  hydrogen.  I  say  great,  becauso 
there  is  no  reasnn  to  believe  that  the  discharge  is  limited  to  the  elevat! 
spots :  it  probably  goes  on  throughout  the  whole  savanna,  and  the  adjuinin: 
parts  of  the  Gulf.'*' 

In  conclusion,  I  must  recur  to  the  surface  and  productions  of  the  last  Je- 
scribed  island.  The  origin  and  character  of  its  soil  have  been  already  indica- 
ted. The  greatest  difference  between  it  and  the  surrounding  alluvion,  coiisi;;; 
in  the  presence  of  sand  in  one,  and  its  absence  from  the  other.  Both  ;ir; 
supplied  with  salt  and  fresh  water;  —  that  of  the  island  receiving  the  fdruu: 
from  s[)rings,  the  latter  from  the  clouds;  while  the  alluvion  is,  alternately. ir 
conjointly,  inundated  by  the  river  and  the  Gulf;  hence,  both  are  nuniati: 
while  one  is  dry  and  the  other  swampy.  The  vegetation  harmonizes  m: 
these  conditions.  The  aquatic  and  sub-aquatic  grasses  of  the  swamps  ;ir: 
absent  from  the  island,  which  offers  in  their  stead  the  Myrica  curuliiii.iix:<. 
cir  candleberry  myrtle ;  the  Euhus  triviulis,  or  dew  berry ;  the  SJhhi'j 
^ciii.pcri'irciis,  or  golden  rod;  the  Sa//ror)ii((  /«'/•//</«'(/,  or  glass  wort;  auat'- 
Suliiohi  sad(f,  ov  saltwort  —  the  twn  latter  having  a  saline  taste.  Gank. 
vegetables  arc  also  cultivated  on  the  island  by  the  fishermen;  and  ptaiL 
cherry,  quince,  and  fig  trees,  planted  in  former  times  by  the  Sjianiards,  iir. 
now  growing  wild. 

Sucli  is  an  outline  of  the  geology,  topography,  and  hydrology  of  the  Ealizt 
Delta.  If  I  have  introduced  some  things  not  strictly  relevant  to  niediei. 
etiology,  it  was  because  of  its  singular  and  remarkable  character;  constitu- 
ting it  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  all  the  Idealities  of  the  Great  Tntoriu 
Valley.  In  accordance  with  this  impression,  I  propose  to  depart  still  fiu'tlur 
from  the  method  pursued  in  describing  other  places,  and  give  some  accuui.; 
of  the  people  and  diseases  of  this  locality. 

III.  IxiiAWTAXTS. — At  the  end  of  the  Pass  a  la  Loutre,  there  are  n 
inhabitants:  at  that  of  the  South  ]'ass,  there  is  a  lighthouse  to  warn  navi- 
gators of  a  neighbcu'ing  reef:  at  the  termination  of  the  South  West  I'a-- 
through  which  all  tlie  larger  vessels  enter  and  depart,  there  is  a  liglitli(m;f 
and  houses  for  a  boarding  offictT,  with  eight  or  ten  pilots,  some  of  wIiue 


*  Altlioufrli  I  liuve  spoken  of  lliis  us  siilpluirettcd  hydrogen,  on  the  strength  of  1k 
experiments  mentioned,  it  nisiy  porhii'is  be  carburetted  hydrogen. 


PART  I.J 


IXTERI 


Iiavo  famines :  at  the  b 
the  other  liabitations 
rather,  constitute  — 

TiiK  L'alizi:.*— Twf 

Pavs,  a  deep  and  tran(j 

t!ie  south,  and  reaches 

of  the  two  islands  whie 

bayou,  just  below  its  of 

15",  and  W.  Lon.   ^i)" 

hi  -ks,  with  a  single  n 

lows  the  curves  of  the 

above  its  waters.     At  tl 

feet  from  the  bank  on  w 

trablo  reed-grass  swamp 

liavc  many  oi'  the  little  ). 

tlio  ojiposito  side  of  the 

Sift,  that  the  increased 

adilitions  necessary,  fron 

Occasionally,  under  higli 

inundated.     When  a  spoi 

but  as  the  ground  is  stir 

amoliuration,  and  yields  t 

perfection;  while  the  pe: 

(■ijually  well. 

Iff  People. — The  popui 
consisting  almost  entirely 
ilios,  a  few  artisans  requir 
nunibcr  of  slaves.  3Iany 
twenty-five  years.  A  fev 
I'litil  within  the  last  ten  c 
iioarlyall  the  pilots  have 
numerous  and  diversified 
tlie  legitimate  object  of  th 
-My  in(puries  on  this  hea 
the  salaried  jjliysician  of  t 
three  years  and  a  half;  no 
irho  had  lived  at  the  pla 
pilot,s  and  their  wives,  on  i 
III  giving  the  results  obt 
and  character  of  this  local 


*  Corrupted  from  Valiza,  f 
Mtiiis:  the  entnuicc  into  the  : 
iffo  miles  further  down  the  N 


FART  l.j 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


95 


liavo  f:iiiiilics:  at  the  bar  of  the  North  East  Pass  there  is  a  liglithouse :  all 
till'  iitliur  habitations  (an  occasiuDal  fisherman's  hut  excepted),  are  at,  or 
ratliLT,  fcmstitutc  — 

The  Balize.* — Two  or  throe  miles  above  the  bar  of  the  North  East 
Vn>s.  a  deep  and  tranijuil  bayou,  resembling  a  bruad  canal,  turns  directly  to 
t!ie  south,  and  reaches  the  Gulf  at  the  distance  of  two  miles,  on  either  side 
of  the  two  islands  which  have  been  described.     On  the  right  bank  of  this 
bavou,  just  below  its  efflux,  stands  the  village  of  Balize,  in  N.  Lat.  1:'.'"   7' 
15",  and  W.  Lon.  89"  -i'  3G".       It  consists  of  small  buildings  erected  on 
ll.'ks,  with  a  single  narrow  and  serpentine  street  or  jironieiiade,  which  I'ol- 
lows  the  curves  of  the  bayou,  and  has  an  elevation  of  but  a  f(jot  or  two 
above  its  waters.     At  the  distance  of  one  hundred  or  one  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  from  the  bank  on  which  this  street  meanders,  is  the  edge  of  an  iuipene- 
trablo  reed-grass  swamp.     Low  as  the  bank  still  is,  it  has  been  raised,  as 
have  many  of  the  little  garden  spots  iu  front  of  the  buildings,  with  soil  from 
tlio  opposite  side  of  the  bayou.     Tlie  new  ground  beneath  is,  however,  so 
soft,  that  the  increased  weight  tends  to  shdc  the  street ;  rendering  new 
adilitions  necessary,  from  time  to  time,  to  keep  the  street  and  yards  dry. 
Occasionally,  under  high  south-cast  winds,  the  site  of  the  whole  village  is 
inundated.     When  a  spot  is  first  reclaimed  and  planted,  it  produces  badly; 
but  as  the  ground  is  stirred  and  the  rains  wash  out  the  salt,  it  undergoes 
amelioration,  and  yields  the  ordinary  garden  vegetables  of  the  south  in  good 
perfection ;  while  the  peach,  and  many  southern  flowering  shrubs  flourish 
equally  well. 

//.s-  People. — The  population  of  the  Balize  is  about  two  hundred  and  fifty ; 
consisting  almost  entirely  of  pilots,  about  forty  in  number,  witli  their  fam- 
ilies, a  few  artisans  rec^uired  by  their  vocation,  a  teacher,  a  physician,  and  a 
number  of  slaves.  Many  of  thcni  have  resided  on  the  s[)ot  for  twenty  or 
twenty-five  years.  A  few  families  occupy  the  opposite  bank  of  the  bayou. 
Until  within  the  last  ten  or  twelve  years,  there  were  but  few  females;  now, 
nearly  all  the  pilots  have  wives.  Thus  there  is  a  population  sufficiently 
numerous  and  diversified  to  test  the  salubrity  of  this  remarkable  spot ;  — 
the  legitimate  object  of  this  extended  article. 

My  inquiries  on  this  head  were  not  limited  to  Doctor  Henry  A"an  Antwerp, 
the  salaried  physician  of  the  Pilot's  Association,  who  had  resided  there  for 
three  years  and  a  half;  nor  to  the  late  Captain  Taylor,  the  boarding  officer, 
who  bad  lived  at  the  place  sixteen  years;  but  extended  to  many  of  the 
pilnts  and  their  wives,  on  whose  intelligence  and  respectability  I  could  rely. 
Iu  giving  the  residts  obtained,  I  propose,  in  view  of  the  unique  condition 
and  character  of  this  locality,  not  to  limit  myself  to  the  diseases  mentioned 


A..  \-.i    '    ... 

.  . .  •■ ,  1    ■■ 


I 


n 

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^.''■•^':- ■  ■■  ■■■''. 

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■  ■•;•!'■■■ .  ,■< 

■         ■    . 

« 

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'■'■■■'. 

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*  Corrupted  from  Valiza,  Spanish,  a  beacon.  On  this  spot  tiie  first  sifriial  for  indi- 
Mtinc  till'  entrance  into  the  ^Mississippi  River  was  erected.  The  present  iifrhtiiouse  is 
two  miles  further  down  tiic  North-east  Pass. 


"V,."' 

,'  \.  ■■ 


96 


THE  PUINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


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'■I 


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in 


under  otlier  topograpliicul  lieads;  Lut  to  relate  the  substance  of  all  I  coulj 
collect. 

Tliclr  Modes  of  Livaif/. — Before  connnencing,  it  will  be  proper,  however, 
to  say  a  few  words  on  the  pursuits  and  modes  of  living  of  the  people.  The 
duties  of  the  pilots  call  for  great  exposure,  as  a  number  of  them  arc  at  all 
times  crui^;ing  off  the  bar,  in  open  boats.  Formerly  they  were  cxtrcmct, 
intemperate,  but  in  latter  ycar.«,  their  habits  have  improved;  still,  the  im- 
provement is  more  in  reference  to  the  abuse  than  the  use  of  ardent  spirit> 
In  summer  a  liberal  (Quantity  of  elaret  is  consumed.  Tea  and  coffee  arc  ii: 
general  use,  and  the  latter  is  frequently  drunk  on  rising  in  the  morning. 
Culinary  vegetables  are  not  abundant,  and  animal  food  is  the  stajile  of  tlit 
diet  of  the  wliole  population,  being  eaten  three  times  a  day.  It  consists 
chiefly  of  salted  meats,  fresh  pork,  beef,  poultry,  fish,  and  oysters. 

TAcir  Diseases. — The  prevailing  disease  at  the  Balize,  and  the  8out!: 
West  Pass,  is  intermittent  fever,  generally  of  the  tertian  type,  and  mild  i;; 
its  character,  with  a  tendency  in  the  patients  to  relapse.  Doctor  Van  Ant- 
werp h.ad  seen  only  two  malignant  cases.  Some  innuigrants  have  lived  tliori 
several  years  before  they  sickened.  Mrs.  Anderson,  who  had  resided  there 
longer  than  any  other  individual,  thought  the  disease  much  less  frequent  tlia;. 
formerly.  Doctor  Van  Antwerp  had  noticed  a  considerable  number  of  dis- 
eased spleens,  but  very  little  neuralgia  or  dropsy,  consecjuent  on  the  fover 
Ilemitteots  appear  to  be  decidedly  rare,  and  the  same  is  true  of  yellow  fever. 
notwithstanding  almost  every  vessel  from  Havana  and  Vera  Cruz  cuter; 
through  this  Pass,  and  is  visited  by  the  pilot  and  boarding  officer.  Doct'T 
Van  Antwerp  arrived  in  October,  1839,  when  the  fever  was  extensivelv 
prevalent  around  the  shores  of  the  Gulf,  including,  of  course,  New  Orleans: 
and  in  1841  and  1842,  it  was  prevalent  in  that  city  and  some  other  places: 
still  he  had  seen  only  four  cases;  one  of  which  occurred  in  a  person  fron: 
New  (Jrleans ;  two  others  seemed  to  have  originated  in  the  village,  and  tl;. 
fourth  occurred  in  an  oysterman,  who  declared  he  had  not  been  at  New  'Jr- 
leans. These  cases  occurred  in  different  years.  Eruptive  fevers  are  exceed- 
ingly uncommon,  and  chronic  cutaneous  disorders  seldom  show  themselves 
The  itch  is  said  to  lose  its  contagiousness,  and  at  length  cease.  The  sum- 
mer gastro-intestinal  affections,  such  as  cholera  morbus,  cholera  infantiin;. 
and  dysentery,  especially  the  two  former,  are  unfrequent.  Pulmonary  ii;- 
flammations  of  all  kinds  are  quite  as  uncommon.  Dot 'or  Van  Antwerp  v:5= 
induced  to  remove  from  the  state  of  New  York  to  the  Balize,  on  account  of 
his  liability  to  pulmonary  catarrh,  which  his  residence  at  tlie  latter  place  La- 
nearly  removed.  Croup  is  almost  unknown.  Of  nervous  diseases,  convul- 
sions of  children  are  more  frequent  than  all  the  rest.  Doctor  Van  Antwci'i 
had  seen  nine  cases,  five  of  which  proved  fatal.  The  number  of  childrer. 
among  whom  they  occurred,  was  about  forty  —  the  time,  three  and  a  lial' 
years.  The  children  who  suffered,  were  not,  as  it  is  termed  in  the  nursery, 
"within  the  month."     Another  disease  of  frequent  occurrence  is  rhcuuia- 


.  " 

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PIIIT  I.] 


INTRRIi 


tisiii,  which  is  generally 
fflio  arc  greatly  exposed 
irlio  liud  resided  there  si 
patioiits  had  all  arrive  " 
tlic'k'ss,  his  wiCe,  who  ma 
cviik'iitly  falling  into  tl 
IJalizf,  had  striiinous  sw 
The  negroes  of  the  11 
Imt  Indged  in  damper  si 
ftill  better  health  than 
iiituniiittent  fever,  to  wli 
Tlioy  average  fifty  in  nun 
been  hut  two  deaths. 

Tt  results  from  this  ra 
ill  this  lueality ;  that  sev( 
interior;  and  tliat  aiitunn 
extensive  districts  of  com 


I.  Position  axd  Plan.- 

tlie  h'ft  hank  of  the  .Missis 

^■'"  ■>'■*'  i"-  *     After  havi. 

tlio  river,  as  wc  have  seen, 

ilieii  to  the  south-cast,  unti 

ami  parallel  to,  the  sou'Jien 

tind  of  Isthmus,  formerly  c 

rowest  point  is  nof  more  tlu 

of  that  lake  it  makes  a  hors 

general  course.     Around  tl 

liave  the  site  of  the  City. 

l!y  examining  its  plat  (/^ 
tlioold  or  original  town,  ha 
«lii<'h  rests  upon  the  riv.'r,  ^ 
'treteli  fmm  the  baidc  in  a  r 
I  t!ie  First  M'lmcijHillf^.  Im 
'ireetion,  lies  that  extensif.n 
I  ■'f'imclpalift/,  the  streets  in  v 
•"'•t'>-^-';ist.     Above  the  ori<. 


*  Ft  will  bo  miiveiiirnl,  ;ui.i  p;i 
'^^pcak^of  this  city  as  having  th 


w 


PART  1. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OK  NORTH  AMERICA. 


07 


tj^iii,  which  is  generally  subacute  or  chronic,  and  falls  osiicciall_y  on  the  pilots 
who  arc  grciitly  cxi)(jsc(l.  Consumption  is  said  to  be  rare,  Caj)tain  Taylor, 
\x\h>  \\vl  resided  there  sixteeii  years  could  rocidlect  but  three  cases,  and  the 
patients  had  all  arrive  "  tliere  wit''  .  ^  disease  in  its  forniiny  stage.  Never- 
tliek'ss,  his  wife,  wln)  many  years  before  had  left  the  state  of  New  York,  was 
cviiU'iitly  falling  into  that  disease,  and  two  of  his  children,  born  at  the 
lialize,  had  strumous  swellings  and  abscesses  of  the  neck. 

The  negroes  of  the  ]?ali/.(!  are  fed  on  nearly  the  same  food  with  the  whites, 
Imt  Imlged  ill  dam[icr  situations  near  the  ground;  nevertheless,  they  enjoy 
Ptill  better  health  than  their  masters.  Almost  their  only  disease  is  mild 
iiilcrmittent  fever,  to  which,  moreover,  they  arc  less  liable  than  the  whites. 
Tliev  average  fifty  in  number,  and  during  three  and  a  half  ycai's  there  had 
been  hut  two  deaths. 

It  results  from  this  rapid  .sketch,  that  no  new  disease  has  been  devehi]icd 
ill  this  locality ;  that  several  a[)j)ear  to  be  less  [irevalent  here  than  in  the 
iiitcrior;  and  tliat  autumnal  lever  is  not  as  malignnnt  :is  we  find  it  in  many 
isteiisivc  districts  of  country  several  degrees  further  north. 


SECTION  III. 

NEW  ORLEANt*. 

I.  Position  and  Pr.AX. — The  City  of  New  Orleans  (PL  17)  stands  on 
tlic'h'ft  bank  of  the  .Mississippi  lliver,  in  X.  Lat.  li!J»  57' "J:)",  and  AV.  J.oii. 
^H"  .^)!i'  4".  *  After  having,  from  its  sources,  jiursued  nearly  as(juth  course, 
the  river,  as  we  have  seen,  while  traversing  the  Delta,  turns  to  the  east,  and 
thiMi  to  tlie  south-east,  until  it  reaches  the  Gulf.  It  is  thus  brought  near, 
ami  parallel  tu,  the  southern  coast  of  Lake  Poiitchartrair«,  so  as  to  form  a 
l;iii(l  of  Tsthmus,  formerly  called  tlie  Island  of  Orleans;  which  at  th'i  nar- 
rowest point  is  no<-  more  than  five  miles  in  width.  Wlieii  opposite  the  middle 
cif  that  lake  it  makes  a  horse-shoe  bend  by  the  south,  and  then  flows  off  in  its 
general  course.  Around  the  lower  part  of  this  bend,  on  the  loft  bank,  we 
iinvc  the  site  of  the  City. 

I'y  examining  its  plat  (7V.  VJ  )  it  will  be  seen  that  the  center  consists  of 
the  ohl  or  original  town,  having  the  form  of  a  parallelogram;  otic  end  of 
whieh  rests  upon  the  riv.T,  while  its  sides,  and  the  streets  parallel  to  them, 
Jtretch  from  the  bank  in  a  northern  direction.  This  portion  is  now  called 
the  First  Anoiicipulitij.  Immediately  below,  the  river  having  a  south-easterly 
thiectinn,  lies  that  extension  of  the  old  town,  which  now  constitutes  the  Thlnl 
}[i(iiir!piili/i/,  the  streets  in  which  run  from  the  river,  to  the  north,  and  north 
ni'i'th-oast.     Above  the  original  town,  and  coiiseijucntly  Mithin  the  horse- 


i..-  t. 


A'i- 


■     ^  ■    *  1 


■Pii 


\ 


■  1  ^ 


\               '.<■■',  ^ 

• 

t* 

•     " 

'     s-           ' 

•■■•'■■;'     ■      .■'''_: 

'  ■  .'  •     '  ' 

if' ■■■'■■:- '^ 

• 

•    ,    ^  . 

■ ' "''-  '■*■'■  fc.' '  • 

« 


•  It  will  bo  oniiveiiirnl,  nud  cannot  ItNid  toiuiy  t  r.icliral  I'rrnr  in  a  work  of  this  kinil 
10  fpciik  of  this  city  us  having  tlie  lutitinJe  of  thirty,  and  longitude  of  ninety  degrees. 


98 


THC  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[booi 


PlXT  I. 


IXTERK 


'I    .     ■ ,   ■  '' 


shoe  bend,  is  the  Second  Municipaiitij,  with  strceta  running  north-west,  from 
the  river.  Adjoining  this  IMuiiicipulity,  on  thu  south-west,  and  near  the 
bottom  of  the  liorse-shoc  bend,  is  the  I'aubourg  or  city  of  Lu  Fayette;  above 
which,  (in  the  river  bank,  are  two  or  three  //rojcded  viUagus ;  after  whidi,  a,> 
we  rise  out  of  the  concavity,  to  the  nortli-west,  we  come  to  the  town  uf 
Carrolfon ;  the  streets  of  which  run  north  nortli-east.  Thus  thu  lint 
of  coast,  from  the  western  limit  of  Carrolton  to  the  eastern  boundary  of  tlit 
Tiiir  1  .Municipality,  is  at  least  twelve  miles ;  and  jmblic  or  private  enterjiri>( 
in  anticipation  of  tlie  future,  has  already  sought  to  give  tlie  great  conuutiiix 
metropolis  of  the  J/cxlcuu  or  Suullnyn  JUi.siti,  that  extensidu.  This,  lunvovir, 
will  aj)pear  the  less  remarkable,  when  we  recollc  ,t,  that  the  S2)read  uf  tiit 
city  back  from  the  river  cannot  be  ert'ected  without  great  labor  and  expense. 
At  present,  a  line  of  three  miles,  the  center  of  which  shall  be  the  adjacum 
angles  of  the  First  and  Second  .Municipalities,  will  cover  those  portions  o; 
the  city  whicli  are  of  most  interest  to  the  physician. 

The  right  bank  of  the  river,  is  not  without  its  attempted  towns.  Oppo- 
site La  Fayette,  are  Cosmopolite  and  Gretna;  across  the  river  from  tie 
First  and  Second  Municipalities,  lies  MacDonoughville  ;  and  facing  the  Tliiru 
Municipality,  stand.s  Algiers  ;  all  of  which  are  but  inconsiderable  places. 

From  the  dome  of  the  St.  Charles  Hotel,  standing  near  the  center  of  tk 
city,  the  periscope  presents  many  germinal  villages,  which  suggest  to  tit 
mind  a  true  idea  of  the  vast  relations  of  this  spot  with  the  interior ;  tho 
inhabitants  of  whicli,  in  augmenting  numbers,  must  forever  continue  to  visit 
New  Orleans,  aiul  thus  maintain  the  interest  of  the  medical  profession,  in  aii 
that  relates  to  its  diseases. 

II.  Lakks  and  SwAMi'S. — Directly  north  of  the  city,  at  the  rectilinear 
distance  of  seven  miles  from  the  bottom  of  the  horse-shoe  bend,  and  tiLiu; 
four  and  a  half  from  each  of  its  extremities,  lies  the  southern  coast  of  Lake 
Pontchartrain.  To  the  east,  at  the  distance  of  twenty  miles,  is  the  coast  o: 
Lake  Borgne.  At  the  same  distance,  to  the  south-east,  is  the  small  Lake 
Lery;  at  double  the  distance,  Chaudeleur  Bay.  On  the  opposite  side  of  tiit 
river,  to  the  south-west  and  south,  are  Dcs  Allemands,  Ouacha,  Petite, 
Ilerinitage,  and  Rondo  Lakes,  Avith  Barataria  and  Bastion  Bays,  varying  i;: 
distance  by  straight  lines  from  ten  to  tliirty  or  forty  miles  from  the  city. 

Thus  New  Orleans  is  nearly  surrounded  by  lakes  and  bays;  to  the  we?t 
only  are  tliey  absent ;  and  there  tlie  river  in  some  degree  supplies  their  pilace. 
by  meandering  from  west  to  east  for  seventy  or  eighty  miles.  Even  tbij.  I 
however,  presents  an  inadequate  idea  of  the  extent  of  watery  surface ;  for 
in  every  direction  from  the  cit}',  unless  when  we  travel  on  the  '  coast,"  or  [ 
river  bank,  we  encounter  cypress  swamps,  terminating,  either  at  the  slicre 
of  a  lake,  or  in  grassy  savannas  too  wet  to  be  traveled  over.  Before  Icvce; 
were  raised  upon  the  banks,  the  whole  region  was  annually  overflowed;  but 
during  nine  months  of  the  year,  a  strip  on  each  side,  varying  from  a  feif 
yards  to  a  mile  in  width,  was  dry  on  the  surface,  yet  abounded  in  water 


iiiiileriipath.     At  New  < 

this  strip  was  highest  n 

stream  when  swollen,   I 

roplciii.sliod  the  swamps  i 

whicli  the  city  stands  wa, 

train,  and  Lake  ]Jorgiio. 

III.    Bayous.— These 

into  which  the  swamps  ai 

torn.    Tlie  draining  is  efl 

to  cniiniorate. 

1.  To  the  north-west 
the  .swanip  into  Lake  Po 
lo'ilas.     They  do  not  cxci 

2.  JJ(i>/oti  Metal rie. — 
sources  of  these  bayous  r 
Metnirie.  Its  course  is  e; 
tinned  next.  The  3Iotair 
to  Julia  street,  in  the  Seci 
waters  into  that  trough. 
land,  and  a  good  road. 

3.  The  lUnjon  St.  Jo/, 
the  river  and  the  lake*,  thi 
Originating,  by  several  bi 
miles  from  the  river,  it  trav 
way  directly  north,  to  Poi 
feeble  current,  but  are  deep 

4.  Pjaijou  SdtiPuye  or  G 
tween  the  First  and  Third 
At  first,  its  course  is  nearly 
ilischargcs  its  waters  into  tl 
ing  straits  between  Pontcha 
also  a  road,  and  borders  of  a 

5.  Bai/ou  Bienvoui,  whi 
-Vunieipality  and  flows  to  tli 

6.  Iknjou  Mazunt. —  It  r 
nearly  in  the  same  direction 

'•    Brajou   Merrier,  whicl 
north-east. 

The  last  three  bayous  unit 
into  Lake  Borgne. 

Thus  we  see  that  the  dedi 
"ikes,  has  numerous  swamp-1 
t'-isis  of  a  hydraulic  system, 
might,  by  human  labor  r)ropei 


Ir'- 


r»»T  I. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


0!) 


iiinlcrnoath.  At  New  Orleans,  as  everywliere  along  the  lower  ^lisslssippl, 
this  strip  was  highest  next  the  river,  and  not  only  the  ovorllowings  of  the 
stream  when  swollen,  hut  the  rains,  took  a  direction  from  the  river,  and 
rcpli'iii.'^hed  the  swamps  and  smaller  lakes.  The  elevation  of  the  hank  (m 
ffliicli  the  city  stands  was  but  a  few  feet  above  the  surface  of  Lake  I'ontehar- 
t,-ain,  and  Lake  IJorgno. 

111.  Bavous. — These  lakes  are,  and  must  forever  remain,  the  reservoirs 
into  wliieh  the  swamps  around  New  Orleans  discharge  their  superfluous  wa- 
ters. The  draining  is  effected  by  natural  canals  or  bayuus,  which  I  proceed 
to  enumerate. 

1.  To  the  north-west  of  the  city,  there  are  two  or  three,  which  run  from 
the  swamp  into  Lake  l*ontchartrain ;  one  of  which  is  called  Baijoa  Cluipi- 
Ujidas.     They  do  not  exert  much,  if  any,  influence  on  the  city. 

2.  Bai/o/t  JMctain'e. —  I"'urther  west,  and  nearly  e({u' ^"'itant  between  the 
sources  of  these  bayous  aiul  the  river  bank,  is  the  beginning  of  the  Bayou 
Metairie.  Its  course  is  eastward,  until  it  joins  the  larger  bayou,  to  be  men- 
tioned next.  The  ]Metairie  is  cut  by  the  new  ship  canal  from  Pontehartrain 
to  Julia  street,  in  the  Second  Municipality,  and  now,  of  course,  discharges  its 
waters  into  that  trough.  Along  this  bayou,  there  is  considerable  redeemed 
land,  and  a  good  road. 

3.  The  lUiyon  St.  John. —  Of  all  the  bayous  between  the  left  bank  of 
the  river  and  the  lakes,  this  confers  on  the  city  the  most  important  benefits. 
(Iriginating,  by  several  branches,  in  the  Second  IMunieipality,  about  two 
nillos  from  the  river,  it  trav  .'rses  the  First  Municipality,  and  thence  makes  its 
way  directly  north,  to  Pontchartrain.  Its  waters,  of  course,  flow  with  a 
feeble  current,  but  are  deep  enough  for  sloop  navigation. 

4.  Bayou  Sauvar/e  or  GentUhj. — Its  origin  is  near  the  dividing  line  be- 
tween the  First  and  Third  Municipalities,  about  two  miles  from  the  river. 
At  first,  its  course  is  nearly  north,  but  it  bends  to  the  north-east,  and  finally 
(lisehargcs  its  waters  into  the  Pass  called  Chef  ]\Ienteur,  one  of  the  connect- 
ing straits  between  Pontchartrain  and  Borgne.  AhiUg  this  bayou,  there  is 
also  a  road,  and  borders  of  arable  land. 

5.  Jjdf/ou  Bienvenu,  which  originates  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  Third 
Municipality  and  flows  to  the  east. 

6.  Ikiyou  Mazunt. —  It  rises  a  little  further  down  the  river,  and  flows 
nearly  in  the  same  direction. 

",  Baijou  Merrier,  which  begins  still  further  down,  and  runs  to  the 
north-east. 

The  last  three  bayous  unite,  and  under  the  common  name  of  Mazunt,  flow 
I  iato  Lake  Borgno. 

Thus  we  see  that  the  declivity  between  the  left  bank  of  the  river  and  the 
lakes,  has  numerous  swamp-bayous  or  natural  canals,  which  constitute  the 
basis  of  a  hydraulic  system,  by  which  a  large  portion,  if  not  the  whole  tract, 
might,  by  human  labor  rtroperly  directed,  be  drained  and  dried. 


J.  ■'.,'••    r.. 


^;l-;'i|';|;  • . 


'  '  H    ' 


t    i     : 


■Kill 


♦«  '     .■  C 


■A'^-.fi"':'' 


:';v;-.-" 


>-... 


Mi 


100 


THE  PRINCIPAL  niSEASES  OF  THE 


[l  301 


mi 


: 


ii 

11  ^■■' 

f}-^-[^ 

IV.  Pikes. — lint,  witliout  ditoliing,  notliing  (»f  sulistaiitial  value  can  be  ac 
coiii[ili,slicMl ;  lor,  altlmngli  tliu  fall  fmm  tlic  river  to  the  lakes  is  about  twil\v 
feet,  iiiuf  b  (if  it  i.s  near  tlio  I'nniier,  aril  tlie  declivity  get.s  le.ss  and  less  as  wi 
refi'dc  fVdin  tlui  river.  IFcnce  the  water,  after  it  lias  sunk  tn  a  certain  li'vil, 
will  not  flow  olV  from  tbe  sAv:iin|i,  witlioiit  receiving  an  impulse  from  (be  liai;'! 
of  art.  Wlieii  intersecting  or  eunfluent  ditcbes  arc  dug,  and  a  common  trunk 
is  made  to  open  into  one  of  tbo  bayous,  tbo  water  gradually  drains  into  it; 
not  only  off,  but  from  beneatli,  tbe  .surface,  down  to  tiic  level  of  tbat  wlii(l, 
is  in  tbe  ditebes.  In  tins  maimer  tin;  waters  of  tbe  swamps  are  colluctii 
into  tlie  dikes  wliii-li  are  dug  tbrongli  tbciii;  but  tbe  inclination  is  ton  Httl. 
to  impart  mucb  current,  and  bcm-e,  to  tbe  full  efTect  of  emptying  tbe  niarslic; 
it  bas  boon  found  necessary  to  cstablisb  a  current  from  tbeir  ditcbes  into  tlit 
bayous.  Tbis  is  done  by  tbe  paddle-wbeels  already  described  in  speakiiii.",; 
tbe  Delta  generally.  Tbe  only  bayou,  bowover,  into  wbieb  tbo  waters  liavo 
yet  been  driven,  is  St.  Jobiis. 

V.  (yAN'ALs. — Tn  177(),  IJaron  do  ('arondelet,  Spanisb  Governor  of  Lm. 
isiana,  finisbed  tbo  sloop  canal,  wliicb  still  bears  bis  name.  Its  length  is  a 
mile  and  a  balf.  One  end  terminates  in  tbo  Bayou  8t.  Jobn;  tbo  otlitr 
witliin  balf  a  mile  of  tbo  river,  wbcro  tbcro  is  a  basin;  wbicb  was  dug  in 
wbat  bad,  up  to  tbe  time  of  its  excavation,  in  170(5,  been  a  public  ceuietorv, 
Tbe  wbole  is  witliin  tbe  old  city,  now  called  tlie  First  IMunicipality.  At- 
cording  to  ])r.  Tliomas, '•'  tbo  yellow  fever  wbieb  occurred  in  tbe  antmiiii':' 
tbat  year,  was  tbo  first  wbicb  bad  visited  tbe  city;  but  I  liavo  learned  frim 
one  of  tiio  oldest  and  most  respectable  Anglo-American  citizens,  riidiarl 
Ilelpb,  Es([.,  tbat  it  occurred,  be  biniself  being  a  patient,  in  17!)1.  Tliv 
effect  of  tliis  canal  was  to  promote  tbe  drying  of  tbat  part  of  tbe  swaiiir 
tbrougb  wliicli  it  ])assed. 

Tbe  Xt'«i  Orleans  Cr/wm^  was  excavated  many  years  afterwards.    It  extend^  I 
from  a  basin  at  tbo  end  of  Julia  Street,  in  tbe  Second  jMunicipality,  to  Lake 
Pontebartrain,  a  distance,  following  its  banks,  of  nearly  six  miles.     The  ex- 
cavation of  tbi.s  canal  tlirougb  a  cyjiress  swamp,  was  at  tbe    xpense,  asll 
liavo  boon  assured  by  Or.  Meux  and  Dr.  Darton,  of  several  bundred  live;, 
The  work  was  continued  through  summer  and   autumn,  and  the  laborer- 1 
were  chiefly  immigrant   Irishmen.     They  did  not,  however,  perish  of  yellow 
fever,  but  of  intermittents  and  remittents.     As  tbe  water  in  this  canal,  is  or. 
a  level  with  that  of  Lake  Pontebartrain,  ditebes  for  draining  the  back  part 
of  the  Municipality,  and,  indeed,  the  whole  swamp  between  it  and  the  lake. 
may  be  conducted  into  it. 

VL     Street  Currents. — The  rains  that  fall  on  the  city  plat,  which  in- 
clines from  the  river,  must,  of  course,  take  the  direction  of  the  swamps.    A.-j 
far  as  the  gutters  are  paved,  the  water  flows  with  sufficient  velocity  to  cam  I 


•  Essai  sur  la  Fievre  Jaune  D'AmCrique.  1823,  p.  lO. 


r(RT  I. 


IN'TEIUOR  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


101 


l',,rwaril  iiincli  of  tlio  filtli  tlimwii  in  tlii'iii;  Imt  wIictc  llicy  aro  uii|t:ivi'cl.  most  of 
;ti.«  It'l't  l)L'liiii<l,  tliosii[)oriiU!Uiiil)L'iit  water  .slowly  ilraiiiiiig<iir,  and  leaving  Hcini- 
tiuiil  deposits  of  luuJ.  3Iaiiy  of  the  cross  streots,  nioroover,  liavo  ho  little 
fall,  that  their  gutters,  exeept  immediately  after  (.'oiiioiis  rains,  present  a 
viTV  fijul  aspect.  I'ur  several  niontlis  in  the  year,  lioivover, —  that  is,  from 
winter  to  niidsumnier, —  the  <rntters  of  every  street  running  from  the  river, 
luijiht  bo  washed  out  hy  a  lively  stream  ;  for,  throughout  that  period,  tho 
river  is  high  enough  to  di.schargu  its  waters  into  them  through  depressions  or 
tiiiiiicls  ill  tho  Icveo.  In  the  old  eit},  now  l''irst  .Municipality,  many  of  tho 
'.'Utters  arc  suhjocted  to  this  puritication ;  and  tho  wholo  should  bo  brought 
iiiiiliT  the  same  influeneo.  A\'itli  such  a  hydraulic  system,  the  city  might 
liave  its  iilth  successfully  transported  to  tho  swamp,  or  even  to  the  bayous 
ami  canals  which  open  into  the  lake,  which  would  be  much  better. 

\ll.  l.\i:xi)ATio.\s. —  To  whatever  extent  a  system  of  ditching  may  bo 
larricd,  tho  isthnuis  between  tho  city  and  the  lakes  will  forever  remain  liable 
ti)  occasional  inundations. 

1st.  Heavy  rains,  when  they  lia]ipci)  to  Cdiiuide  witli  a  defective  or  sus- 
pended action  of  the  machinery  whicli  jirojiels  the  water  from  tho  main  dike 
into  tho  bayou,  will  occasion  partial  inundations  ;  an  instance  of  which  I 
witnessed  in  the  .spring  of  l>^4t>,  when  riding  through  the  northern  part  of 
the  First  iMuniciiiality,  with  Dr.  Mcux. 

'2J.  A  crevice  in  tho  Icveo  above  the  city,  at  any  jioint  below  IJayou  Man- 
diac,  may  produce  a  much  more  extended  inundation;  such  as  occurred  in 
the  year  ISKJ.  As  tho  water,  which  was  three  or  four  feet  deep,  drained  off 
rapidly  int(j  the  lakes,  it  was  supposed  to  carry  with  it  a  great  deal  of  tilth, 
ami  seemed  to  have  had  a  salutary  efTect  on  tho  health  of  the  city.* 

'.'A.  I'ndcr  strong  winds  from  tho  north  and  north-east,  the  waters  of  Lake 
I'niitchartrain  may  be  thrown  into  the  swamp  to  the  depth  of  several  feet, 
and  even  como  into  the  thickly  settled  parts  of  tho  city;  an  event  which  has 
happened  more  than  once.  Against  this  kind  of  deluge,  there  can  be  no 
protection ;  and  it  should  not,  perhaps,  in  reference  to  tlic  health  of  tho  city, 
be  regr^itted ;  as  it  occurs  upon  a  surface,  which,  under  any  degree  of  ditch- 
ing,';  likely  to  remain  inordinately  moi.st;  and  tho  recession  of  the  water 
can  scarcely  fail  to  carry  off  a  large  amount  of  filth. 

VIII.  l''oi{ESTS. — To  practice  ditching,  it  is  necessary  to  destroy  the  for- 
ests whicli  overshadow  tho  swamp ;  but  this  should  not  be  done  until  tho 
ilitcliing  can  be  commenced ;  as  an  exjiosure  of  tho  suriace  to  the  rays  of  tho 
sun,  must,  of  necessity,  (juicken  the  dec(imi)osition  of  organic  matter. 

L\.  Fkvkks  of  tiik  Swamp. —  The  inhabitants;  of  tho  suburbs  of  the 
city,  who  live  adjacent  to,   or  within,  tho  swamp,  but  seldom  affected  by 


■va- 


^<■'.  ^».'! 
'  i.  ■     -v  '* 


.^'•'^ 


•■  X> 


■  ■  ■        .  I  • 

',i '.yv'A,-.'r 

mm 


!■        \        ., 


>•      I, 


t< 


'  W 


•Rnpport  Piiblio  au   nom  do  hi   Pocic'tii  Mudicalo  de  la  Nouvellc  Orleans,  Sur  hi 
Fievre  Jauae,  1819,  p.  50. 


wNf?-;:. 


\>":.  ■'■  ■>•  .'- 

...    V,     -.  ■ 


^'i 


t 


^  ■■ 


« 


W2 


TIIK  rUlNCIl'AI,  DISHASKH  i)V  Tlli'. 


[ BOOK  I 


yolldw  fever,  are  lialilt!  to  intfrinitteiit  iind  rciiiittciit  lover;  but  eascH  (| 
groat  malignity  uro  imt  jiarliiiiliirly  e(iiiiiiinii.  'I'liese  I'evora  sninutiiiiea  read, 
tlio  center  of  tlio  oity,  but  kucIi  invutiiniiH  aro  not  niitiual. 

Wo  must  now  truiisfer  ourselvos  from  tlio  ,s\vaiii|»,  to  tlio  rivor  siJu  of 
tlio  city. 

X.  Tin;  n.\TTUKr..  —  l''iir  a  irreat  lenp^tli  of  time,  tlio  .Missis.si|i])i,  (buiii,- 
its  annualllddds,  lias  been  (le|i(isiliiig  wilt  in  Irmit  of  tlio  eity ;  tlms  rai.xin; 
am!  wiili'iiiiig  its  bank  in  tlio  <lirei!.inn  of  tli(!  oppnt^ito  Niilo.  'I'lii.s  now  alhi- 
vial  formation  lias  reeeived  the  name  of  nattnre.  Tbe  eilieiont  cause  of  its 
deposition,  is  an  eildy,  ur  eouiiter  eurrent,  wl'.id;  i-vists  from  some  poml  in 
tlie  Tliird,  to  a  jiuiiil  in  the  Soeonu  iMunieipality,  and  liiu  monieiituii>  i: 
wliicli  is  siillieieiit  to  turn  tlio  sterns  of  steambnats  wliieli  b'j  at  the  whaivt- 
iij/  stream  —  that  is,  in  the  oppo.siti!  direrlinii  I'nuii  that  '..i  wliieli  the  geiifni 
current  of  the  river  wnnld  plaee  them.  As  long  a!s  the  cause  of  this  eJily 
continues,  tlio  growth  of  the  IJattiire  whl,  of  course,  go  on,  and  bo  aecoiuiia- 
nied,  as  it  is,  vitli  some  oneroaehment  of  iln;  "'ver  on  the  ojiposito  bank 
Large  |iortii,iis  of  the  new  alhivial  jilain  have  been  built  u|icin,  but  a  wide  mar- 
gin remains  unuovered  with  houses,  and  jiresents  the  upiiearaiice  of  a  euiiiiuon, 
•wliieli  even  the  mighty  coiimierco  of  the  intoriur,  can  but  partially  overspread 
with  the  produets  (tf  the  soil.  Portions  of  the  outer  edge  have  been  raised, 
by  art,  above  hi;j:li  water  mark;  while  others  aro  covered  with  planks  sup- 
ported  by  props,  eoiijstituting  dijcks,  which  are  extended  so  far  out  tlia: 
steamboats  can  lie  at  their  terniinations. 

XI.  City  Kii/ni  Ai.oxd  Xiin  Hivkk. — The  streets  adjacent  to  the  river  for 
three  miles,  aro  compactly  built  up,  and  from  the  dwelling  houses,  taverns, 
drinking  houses,  warehouses,  market-houses,  oyster-shod.s,  sugar-wharves,  and 
cotton-presses,  a  vast  ijuantity  of  filth,  anil  organic  recrements,  find  their 
■way  into  the  water's  edge;  and  although  .^  portion  may  be  wafted  oiF,  mucli 
is  deposited  on  tlio  subaiiuoous  batturc,  and,  with  tlie  fall  of  the  river,  sub- 
jected to  solar  influe-.ice.  *  In  throo  vLsits  to  New  Orleans,  I  ascertained, 
by  personal  inspection,  that  the  eoiidition  of  tilings  described  by  Dr.  Picor- 
nell,  in  ISliJJ,  still  continued  without  much  abatement,  twenty  years  after- 
wards. Within  that  tiiii(\  the  police  had,  it  is  true,  been  greatly  iniiirovoJ; 
but  the  pHpulation  had  also  greatly  iucroased,  with  an  inevitable  auguiciita- 
tion  of  i'oul  and  corrupting  oll'als. 

XII.  Boats  and  Siiu'I'IN-c. — The  last  head  gives  a  very  inadequate  idea 
of  the  amount  of  filth  thrown  into  the  river  opposite  the  city.  Its  commerce 
during  si.\  months  of  the  year,  is  too  great  to  be  estimated  by  those  wlw 
have  not  seen  it.  Three  classes  of  vessels  carry  it  on  —  flat  boats,  or  arks, 
steamboats,  and  ships. 


*  Dcs  Considi-ratioii.s  IIygi(>niqiies  sur  la  Nouvelle  Orleans.  By  J.  M.  Picoriiell,  p.  I9i 
182.3.— Essay  on  tho  subjoct  of  Quarantine  Laws.  By  W.  P.  Hort,  M.  D.,  New  Orleans 
Medical  Journal,  Vol.  II,  p.  1. 


P«RT  1. 


INTKKKi 


t 


Till'  first  Ii(>  chiefly  o| 
ndtoii.     Their  number  i 
mp't'f,  arc  thrown  froi 
thi'v  are  but  partially  th 
(li'.si'uiided  the  river  liavi 
1 1  till'  hank,  or  half  sunl, 
mutters  exposed  to  the  r 
The  fitenm  boats  lie 
lietnx'on  tlio  adjacent  por 
freii'lit  is  cotton,  sugar,  a 
if  pcrsciiis  on  board  of  ea 
mill  (lie  laborers  occupied 
Mmh.     Thus  the  anioim 
the  liafturo,  during  spring 
Tiic  sliijis,  not  anclion 
fuiind  ill  two  different  phic 
tics  — the  steamers  iiiterv 
.New  Orleans,  has  sailed 
cnursc,  with  its  hold  in  a  ti 
catifiii  is  conducted  where 
trnpiirtioii  to  the  foul  aeci 
Tnini  the  various  sonrcei 
aljuwaiice  for  what   is  floa 
ilt'pogitcd  with  the  river  sil 
tliruo  miles  in  front  of  the 
niiiits;  which,  on  the  subs 
cxpwd  to  the  burning  sun 
anv  gases,  noxious  or  innox 
tluni  may  be  absorbed  by  tl 
tlie  city;  for  the  prevailing 

XIII.  Fkvkks  of  tiik  ]{ 
side  of  the  city  with  that  at 

!  t!ie  Ideality  of  yellow  fever, 
I  riinittent.     The  latter,  liow( 

in  persons  from  the  interior, 
pmems  and  become  patieii 

I',  tlie  watermen's  boarding  1 

XIV.  COXDITIOX   OP   TUB 

JTidth ;  a  (tiw  aro  broad,  but  a 

jiainiliar  with  the  towns  of  tli 

"■"od  of  time  but  few  of  tlu 

liiiiprovemont  has  boon  adva 


r»iiT 


INTKRIOR  VAM.KY  OF  NORTIF  AMRRICA. 


103 


Tho  first  lio  cliiefly  (ipiiosite  La  Fnyotti',  niid  further  up  tlio  river  to  C'nr- 
r,,lti.ii.  Tlic'ir  munlier  is  inmionsr',  iiiid  varinus  kimls  of  fihli,  with  (Inn)n^cd 
(ari.'1't'H.  nro  thrnwii  from  them,  into  tho  vory  innrf.iii  of  fht«  rivor,  wlioiice 
tlii'v  arc  hut  |iartiiilly  lliinfctl  nil".  Whi'ii  thii  boats  arc  sohl,  niul  thuso  who 
jrs.'i'iiilfil  th(^  rivt'K  have  lul't  them,  tlicy  ot'trii  lie,  lor  u  \(n\<i  tiiiH',  atta<'ht'd 
I,  tho  hank,  or  half  sunkoii,  timl  contain  ai-cmnuhitions  ol' foul  and  jiutrifying 
in.'iltirs  cxjiosL'd  to  tho  rayH  of  tho  Hummer's  sun. 

Tlio  8tenm  boats  lio  ohiofly  in  front  of  tho  center  of  tho  city,  divided 
lutwuen  tlio  ndjacont  portions  of  tho  First  and  Second  ,Muiiici|ialities.  Their 
frci.'lit  is  cotton,  snj/ar,  and  iirndncc  and  |iriivi>ions  of  all  snrts.  The  nnniher 
i,f  pci'stins  »»n  hnard  of  each,  while  lyiii,L'  at  tlu- wharf,  cannot  he  let-,  than  litty; 
anil  the  laborers  oc<.'U|iicd  near  the  water's  edire,  mi^rht  bo  counted  by  tliou- 
jniiils.  Thus  tho  amount  of  iilth  and  feculence  which  falls  u])oii  this  part  of 
;'r  liatturo,  during  spring  and  tho  early  part  of  summer,  is  very  great. 

Tiic  sliips,  ni)t  anchored  in  the  stream,  bnt  attached  to  the  docks,  arc 
rmid  in  two  difVorent  places,  in  front  of  tho  Second  and  Third  Municipali- 
!!  s  —  the  steamers  intervening.  Nearly  every  shi|t,  in  reaching  tlu!  port  of 
N,\v  Oilcans,  has  sailed  within  or  very  near  tho  tropics,  and  arrives,  of 
i'urso,  witli  its  hold  in  a  filthy  state.  Tho  work  of  debarkation  and  purifi- 
riitidii  is  conducted  where  they  lie  ;  and  conse([iieiitly,  they  contribute  a  full 
in  |iiii'tiiin  to  the  foul  accnnmhitinns  (iver  which  they  ride.  ■"" 

I'nin  the  various  sources  which  have  been  indicated,  afrer  making  ample 
alliwaiico  for  what  is  floated  off  by  tho  current,  thoro  must  be  annually 
'li'[iii,«itcd  with  tho  river  silt,  upon  tlio  sloping  margin  of  tho  Batture,  for 
tliruc  miles  in  front  of  the  city,  a  deep  and  foul  stratum  of  organic  recrc- 
miiifs;  which,  on  the  subsidenco  of  the  river,  from  duly  to  November,  is 
cxiiiiPcd  to  the  burning  sun  of  the  thirtieth  degree  of  latitude.  If  there  bo 
any  trases,  noxious  or  innoxious,  developed  during  that  period,  a  portion  of 
tlii'iii  may  bo  absorbed  b}'  tho  river,  but  tho  greater  part  must  bo  wafted  into 
the  city;  for  the  prevailing  winds  arc  between  south-east  and  suuth-wcst. 

XI IT.  Fkvuks  of  tiik  Rivku  Sidk. — For  the  purpose  of  comparing  this 
M'le  (if  the  city  with  that  adjacent  to  the  swamps,  I  will  remark,  that  tiiis  is 
tlie  jin'ality  of  yellow  fever,  as  tho  other  is  of  autumnal  intermittent,  and 
r  niittont.  The  latter,  however,  occur  hero  also  ;  but  many  of  the  cases  are 
in  porsons  from  tho  interior,  who  arrive  with  the  scmina  of  the  fevers  in  tiieir 
i  systems  and  become  patients,  cither  in  the  boats  which  bring  thorn  down,  or 
in  tlio  watermen's  boarding  houses. 

XIV.  Condition  op  tiik  City. — Tho  streets  in  general  are  of  moderate 

wiikh;  a  few  are  broad,  but  a  greater  number  narrow,  using  those  terms  as  one 

jtauiiliar  with  the  towns  of  tho  interior  is  likely  to  employ  them.     F'or  a  long 

loriod  of  time  but  few  of  them  were  paved ;  latterly,  however,  that  important 

I  improvement  has  boon  advancing  with  commendable  rapidity.     The  stones 


-'■^:m 


=^?..' 


I! 


iM 


J' 

;     i 


i 


•  Dr.  Hort. 


; J'.'.  •■  ■    '■     . 


101 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book 


I'ART  l.J 


IXTEIIIO 


:f  ■ 


are  l)rougl)t  frointho  Eastern  States  and  Europe,  as  ballast,  by  sliips  cn,L.;ieii 
in  the  cotton  trauo. 

The  squares  are  general]}'  f-niall,  and  c(  nscqncii'ly  tbcir  ceiitiid  iiiit. 
are  niui'li  covered  over  witb  bark  buildings.  Tlie  bouses  are  very  untMnial 
and  unlike  cacli  otbor;  tlio  old  Frencli  and  Spanish  donncils  being  mostly'; 
wood,  one  or  two  stories  bigb,  and  faced  or  surrounded  with  veramluliv 
In  the  old  or  b'irst  .Municijiality,  tbere  are,  however,  many  three  htup, 
brick,  as  in  the  American  or  Second  ^luuicipality  there  are  many  Iran;.' 
houses,  built  after  the  fashions  wliich  ])revail  in  tlie  interior.  Arrangcnium- 
for  warming  and  drying  are,  in  irian)-  houses,  defective  and  iiiade()nate:  apj 
the  invalid  from  the  upper  cornitry,  who  may  have  been  accustomed  to  lodp 
in  dry  and  warm  rooms,  will  probably  find  himself  placed,  in  winter  ani 
early  .spring,  in  a  chandjer  wliich,  to  his  feelings,  will  prove  both  cool  ai;<l 
damp.  The  diet  of  the  inliabitants  approaches  too  near  to  that  of  the  pti- 
pic  of  the  United  States  generally,  to  justify  the  opinion,  that  ^ny  j)eculiai!t, 
of  constitution  or  diseases  which  may  exist,  depends  upon  it.  V  egetablosit 
various  kinds  are  abundant;  and  if  butcher's  meat  is  less  used,  the  aiiiii:a' 
element  is  made  up  by  lish,  eirus,  bacon,  and  oysters.  Cuifee  is  in  univors;.: 
nse,  and  taken  by  nuiltitudes  before  breakfast.  Claret  is  drunk  copiuu>!y. 
and  generally  throughout  most  of  the  year;  but  ardent  spirits  are  likcviy} 
used  with  great  liberality.  Formerly,  well-water,  the  composition  of  wliich 
has  been  already  given,  was  extensively  used;  but  since  the  year  1S;]().  tlure 
has  been  a  liberal  supply  of  river-water,  pumped  up  from  a  p(jint  above  tlv 
ship  and  steamboat  wharves,  into  a  re.'servoir  with  jjartitions,  so  that  the  tit- 
posit  of  sediment  is  going  on  in  scnie,  while  the  water  is  flowing  off  froi!. 
other  compartments. 

XV.  CoMrosiTiox  OF  SociKTY. — The  settlement  of  Now  Orleans  was  lie- 
gun  by  the  French  in  the  year  171S.  Fn/Ui  the  begiiniing,  African  slavis 
made  a  part  of  the  population.  Settlements  Avere  soon  made  both  above  ai.i 
below  the  town.  Five  years  after  its  foundations  were  laid,  a  company 'f 
Germans,  who  had  left  Europe  for  the  purpose  of  settling  on  the  Arkaiisa- 
were  disappointed  in  tliuir  (jbject,  and  established  themselves  on  wlia^  ';\;- 
therefore  called  the  (ierman  coast,  I'rom  thirty  to  forty  miles  above  the  tmTi:, 
whence  many  of  their  descendants  became  mingled  with  its  populatiuii 
3ieanwliile,  immigrants  from  France  continued  to  arrive,  and  while  a  jRirtim 
remained  in  New  Orleans,  otliers  settled  on  the  coast  above  and  below  tlie 
town;  and  on  the  banks  (»f  the  Uayiius  l^a  Fourche  and  Teche.  In  IT'I 
a  body  of  French  i'rom  Nova  Scotia,  then  called  Acadia,  having  left  tlia; 
province  in  consequence  of  its  conquest  by  England,  migrated  to  L(:iiisiai;a.  I 
and  settled  partly  in  New  Orleans,  but  chiefly  mi  that  part  of  the  river  bank 
above  the  German  settlement,  which  has  since  been  called  the  Acailisii 
coast.  In  llChi,  Louisiana  was  ceded  by  France  to  Spain,  but  the  latter  iljil 
not  obtain  possession  until  1700,  fifty -one  years  after  the  settlement  of  ^'eT>■ 
Orleans.     An  immigration  of  Spaniards  now  :  lok  place,  but  not,  I  think,  t' 


i'lrh  an  amount  as  ma 
>j)aiii.<!i  donunation  cont 
timi  of  the  colony  to 
['lilted  States,  and  pd- 
r|i  til  tiiat  time,  thcr 
ti  III.  and  the  population 
traiislc'r,  forty-five  years 
lis-'ii,  including  transie 


X 


tlimisaiK 


1.     This  rapid  i 


n 

IK 

Kiiilaiid  and  Ireland  hav( 
Frniii  this  luirrative  we 
nf  luixcd  masses  of  Frei 
jtra^'glors  from  En,"land, 
marriages,  but  still  the  i 
I'roiicli  and  Americans,  ai 
of  Frendi  or  Spanisli  pai: 
pijiidation  than  either  of  t 
'ially  when  wo  include  wit 
aiulattues,  quadroons,  and 


SMALLER 

I.    MiLXEnuR,;. — I  do  i 

familiar  with  its  name,  whie 

if  Xew  Orleans  and  its  c 

Lako  Pontchartrain  (PI. 

jiality  of  New   Orleans  tei 

)lisi>i.ssij)pi  Piiver.     In  cro 

wliiilo  was  once  a  cypress  s' 

fiittiiig  down  the  forest  and 

readiiiig  the  Lake,  the  road 

uati'S  into  the  Lake.    Thus 

forest,  on  wliieh  even  the  h 

wliieli  the  winds  from  the  w 

literally  without  any  restrai 

Ijiig  wooden    dock    is    nee( 

-'toamcrs  which  frequent  tli 

'"lilt  on  blocks,  or  earthen  i 

tlicm  above  the  waves.     Oi 

wter,  every  kind  of  impui 

'■il;ing  the  locality  as  a  who! 

'^'iinp  lies  immediately  in  il 


la.ii.:;: 


IaRT  I. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


105 


;:ir!i  ail  aiiiouut  as  niateriully  to  aifrct  the  euiiipn.sitiim  of  sui'icty.  The 
Sjiaiiisli  doiniiiation  continued  tliirty-tw)  years,  and  terminated  Ly  a  rcstura- 
timi  (if  tlio  colony  to  France.  Two  years  afterward,  it  was  sold  to  tlie 
I'liituil  States,  and  ]iosscssion  taken  on  the  oOth  of  November,  i80!). 
I'll  til  that  time,  thrre  had  been  but  little  Anf^lo-Aniericaii  innnigra- 
tioii,  and  the  popidation  did  not  much  exceed  eignt  thousand.  Since  the 
traiisll'r,  forty-iive  years  have  elajised,  and  the  permanent  ])o]iulation  has 
lisi'ii,  including  transient  persons,  to  more  than  one  hundred  and  thirty 
;'iM!i<aii(l.  Tliis  rapid  increase  has  been  chiefly  from  the  United  States;  but 
KiiLlaiid  and  Ireland  have  contributed  a  liberal  number. 

Friiiii  this  narrative  we  see,  tliat  the  white  population  of  the  city  consists 
lit'  mixed  masses  of  French,  Spaniards,  Americans,  Irish,  and  Germans,  with 
jtraptglcrs  from  England,  Scotland,  and  Italy.  There  have  been  many  inter- 
niarriagL'S,  but  still  the  distinctive  {diysiological  characters,  especially  oi'  the 
Frencli  and  Americans,  are  well  maintained.  Tlie  Creoles  are  the  natives, 
iif  FroiK'li  or  Spanisli  panuits.  The  negroes  make  a  larger  element  of  the 
ivijiulation  than  eitlier  of  tlie  sub-varieties  which  have  been  mentioned;  espe- 
(•i:iHy  wlica  we  include  with  them  the  mixed  races;  which,  under  the  name  of 
nmluttues,  (piadrouiis,  and  grifTes,  are  exceedingly  numerous. 


''f>^.. 


?■■.■! ^  ■'■ 


■ »,  • . 


.s     " 


■■'.  .<A'''     1 


'vf'lrll 


^■'^■■:; 


SECTION  IV. 

SMALLER  TOWNS  WITIILN  THE  DELTA. 

I.  Mii.XEnuR.;. — T  do  not  know  that  even  the  people  of  this  place  are 
I'aniiliarwith  its  name,  which  I  copy  from  Springbett  and  Pilie's  excellent  map 
'■{  New  Orleans  and  its  environs.  It  designates  the  port  and  vilhigo  on 
l.ako  Pontchartrain  (P/.  17),  where  the  railroad  from  tlie  Third  Miuiici- 
jiiility  of  Xew  Orleans  terminates,  at  the  distance  of  six  miles  fmm  the 
)'isMssij)pi  Fiiver.  lu  crossing  the  isthmus  on  that  road,  we  see,  that  the 
wlidle  was  once  a  cypress  swam[),  though  much  of  it  has  lieen  ledeenied  by 
cittiiig  down  the  forest  and  ditching  the  ground.  Still,  for  two  miles  before 
roatliiiig  the  Lake,  the  road  lies  througli  a  swamp,  wliicli  inipcrceptildy  grad- 
uates into  the  J^ake.  Thus  there  is,  or  rather  was,  a  broad  margin  of  cypress 
iirost,  on  which  even  the  low  tides  of  the  lake  ebbed  iiiid  flowed,  and  over 
which  the  winds  from  the  north  or  north-east,  impel  its  waters.  The  lake  is 
literally  witliout  any  restraining  banks,  and  its  margin  is  so  shallow,  that  a 
Iflg  Wooden  dock  is  necessary  for  communication  ^'ith  the  sloops  and 
steamers  wliicli  freipient  the  port.  The  houses  of  the  village  are  generally 
I'liilt  on  blocks,  or  earthen  foundations,  which  have  been  thrown  up  to  raise 
tliem  above  the  waves.  On  this  broad  tidal  beach,  remote  from  any  deep 
water,  every  kind  of  impurity  is  but  rolled  backward  and  forward;  and 
tiling  the  locality  as  a  whole,  it  may  ]»e  said  to  abound  in  filth,  while  a  dark 
>wamp  lies  immediately  in  its  rear. 


i..,.1^'■  ;. 


I 

in'  ' 


106 


TiiK  rinNxn'AL  disioasks  of  the 


[  BOOK 


fUT  I.] 


IXTKIMO 


1  r 


K'  ':   /■ 


kA 


l-r 


* 


Of  the  pr('v;ilciH!o  nf  .'uihiimiiil  fever  at  tliis  locality,  cnniiiarod  witli  otlur 
places  in  tlio  Polta,  1  am  imt  iiifdriiied.  It  has  liecii  atleeted  with  yclli.w 
fever;  and  it  is  in  reference  to  the  Iiistnry  of  that  disease  that  an  account  of 
its  topography  becomes  necessary. 

n.  FuANKiiiN. — The  'leelie  (  PI.  V),  one  uf  the  most  beautiful  l)aynuj 
of  the  Delta,  and  the  principal  river  of  the  Attakai'AS  (^untrv,  has  units 
baid;s  throe  small  towns,  which  rc((uire  to  bo  mentioni'd.  Tlie  lowest  is 
Franklin,  on  the  riiiilit  l)anlc  of  the  bayou,  in  N.  Lat.  'J!'"  -I'l',  at  the  lieail  df 
low  water  steamboat  navi/iation.  Its  population  is  four  or  five  luuulrcd.  Its 
site,  which  rises  aliove  the  hii;hest  freshets  of  the  bayou,  has  in  its  rear  tbe 
usual  cypress  swamps.  Aut\nunal  fever,  as  T  learned  from  |)octor  Ilornsliv, 
now  of  l'Iai[uomiue,  occurs  every  autunni,  Ixitli  in  tlio  villaire  aiul  on  the 
banks  of  tlie  bayou  above  and  below;  but  in  sT(.nL'ral  without  any  extraonii- 
nary  violence.      Yellow  fever  has  invaded  it,  once  or  oftener. 

III.  \i:w  Tni:uiA  is  situated  hiu;her  up  tlio  Techo  (  /'/.  V),  on  the  same 
side  with  Franklin,  at  tiic  very  margin  of  the  Helta.  It  stands,  in  fact,  in 
the  extreme  niaririu  of  the  hii<;h  plains  of  Opelousas,  about  twenty  fiet 
above  the  surface  of  the  baycui.*  Its  latitude  is  >W*  N.  Tiike  Franklin,  it 
is  subject  to  autuuHial  fever,  and  ha.s  also  been  reached  by  yellow  fever, 
when  tint  disease  was  e[)iuomic  in  New  Orleans. 

TA'.  St.  >1autinsvii-i.io  (  PI.  F),  is  the  hiirhest  town  up  the  Teclio,  l)o- 
inn  ill  I'Jit.  oO**  10'  N.  Its  site  is  on  the  ridit  bank,  and  is  too  elevatotl  li 
be  overfhnved  by  tlie  greatest  Hoods  of  the  b.iyou;  but  so  level,  that  t!ie 
rains  do  not  drain  off,  and  tlio  surface  becomes  extremely  soft  in  wet  weather' 
At  a  distance  fnnu  the  bayou,  there  arc  the  usual  cypress  swamps.  St. 
-Martinsville,  like  the  towns  below,  is  subject  to  mild,  endemial,  autumnal 
fever,  and  has  likewise  experienced  visitations  of  yellow  fever. 

V.  TiiiitODEAi'x. — We  pass  from  the  Techo  to  the  Bayou  La  Fourche, 
which  leaves  the  ]\Iis.«issippi  on  (he  right  hand  side,  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
four  miles  from  the  Clulf  of  Mexico.  The  highly  cultivated  borders  of  t!ie 
La  Fourche,  protected  by  levees,  are  limited  in  the  rear  by  swamps.  On  one 
of  those  belts,  about  forty  miles  down  the  bayou,  stands  tlie  villai^o  of  Tliibn- 
deaux.  wliicli  in  its  medical  topogra]>hy  presents  nothing  peculiar,  anil 
would  not  demand  a  notice,  but  that  it  has  suffered  one  or  more  invasions  of 
yellow  fever. 

Xl.  OoxAi.p.'JONVir.i,!:. — This  beuutiful  and  comparatively  new  town,  is 
built  on  the  right  bank  of  the  ]\Iississippi,  in  N.  Lat.  oO",  immediately  be- 
low the  efflux  of  the  bayou  which  has  just  been  described.  Its  site  is  more 
elevated  than  many  others  within  the  Delta,  and  docs  not,  therefore,  suffor 
inundation  from  any  but  the  greatest  floods  of  the  Mis.'sissippi.  In  cleanli- 
ness, as  well  as  dryness,  it  may  bo  ranked  Avith   the  best  localities  of  the 


ol 


[)olta;  and  tiic  swaniji 

rlv^ely  as  tlie  same  kind 

toWMS  (if  this  region.     A 

*'  localities;,  and  sometimes 

it  a  few  visitations,  but  i 

\II.       I'l.AoUK.MINK    is 

-i.ic.  .><itiiatcd  thirty-live  i 
.Mis,si.s.sippi,  iuiniediatciv 
ilrv,  but  tlie  bayou  wind 
jivaiiips  ill  its   rear.     It 
iX|iei'ieiiccd  a  low,  but  n 
\'I11.     A\eii,K  OF  Till': 
iiiiiio  to  the  mouth  of  j 
miles,  and  includes  the  i 
('uIk'c,  and  the  eastern 
The  Mississippi,  through 
tp  its  left  bank,  which  is 
raised  by  a  levee,  which,  h 
f  liTs;  for  the  bends  in  tin 
consequently,  from  the  ret 
uy;  iiiorcovt'r,  the  banks 
;lic  western  jiart  of  the  a 
'lississiiipi  they  are  deeiily 
are  eliiefly  on  the  river  ban] 
;  ally  dry  uj»  in  autumn,  and 
:i  11  (if  the  Delta  was  settle 
aiMlile  land  has  long  boon 
agricultural  implements,  wit 
tie  fdniier  staple,  has  largei 
I  rogion  is  entirely  rural.     T 
Nistancc  of  fifty-fivo  miles 
'landing  called  AVatcrloo. 

Froni  all  that  I  have  boo 
[;!ie  Delta  is  generally  mild 
lioaimioiit,  who  resided,  win 
Imiles  from  the  Delta,  in  the 
malignant  cases  of  autuiniu 
Iwkre  ho  th.'u  lived,  than 
iDootorMcKclvey.of  St.  Fr; 
jO.  W.  Smith,  who  had  pract 
laad  also  on  the  opposite  bin 
Iwre  milder  in  the  former  tl 
I  to  tlie  bluffs. 


•  Darby,  Emigrant's  Guide. 


+  Ibid. 


r    f 


fUT  I. 


INTKIIIOR  VAIJ.RY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


107 


|i,l(a;  ami  tlic  ,swaiii]i  in  its  rear,  to  tlic  soiitli,  dues  nnt  a]i|ir<iacli  it  as 
l,,selv  as  tlio  saiiio  kind  (if  stirl'aco  a|ii)r()ac;lios  New  Orleans,  and  iiianv  oilier 
t , WHS  III'  lliis  re^'ii'n.  Autumnal  lever  prevails  here,  as  in  tlie  surn  uudiufr 
|,.,;iliti>.'s,  ami  sninetinies  assumes  a.  lualiirnant  t\|ie.  \'ell()W  lever  has  niado 
it  :i  lew  vi.-itations,  but  nunc  were  uf  a  violent  eharaeter. 

VII.  I'l.AcjUKMiNK  is  a  res|)ectal)lo  and  wi'll-huilt  town,  of  the  smaller 
,jz(\  situated  tliirty-livo  miles  above  DoiiaMsoiiville,  on  the  ri^iilit  side  of  the 
.Mississi|i|ii,  imniedialely  below  the  ellliix  of  1»a\ou  i'hujui^mino.  Its  site  is 
Irv,  but  the  bayou  winds  closely  r(uuid  it,  iind  there  are,  of  course,  cypress 
5uain|is  in  its  rear.  It  sulfers  uio(Ierately  from  autunmal  fever,  and  has 
.xbcrieiK'cd  a  few,  but  not  very  serious,  invasions  of  yeUow  fever. 

VIU.  AnuM'I  ok  tiik  Dki.ta. —  This  extends  from  the  l>ayou  I'laijuc- 
i;,iiie  to  the  mouth  of  Jlcd  IJiver,  a  distance  of  more  than  one  liundn;J 
mill's,  and  includes  the  im|iortant  parishes  of  \Vest  JJaton  llouirc,  I'oint 
('nii[i('o,  and  the  eastern  part  of  Avoyelles,  all  in  the  state  of  Louisiana. 
Tiio  .Mississippi,  through  lu'arly  the  whole  len<;th  of  this  angle,  llows  close 
tp  its  left  bank,  wdiich  is  a  continued  tertiary  blufl".  The  right  bank  is 
raised  by  a  levee,  which,  lioAvcver,  does  not  allord  full  protection  from  over- 
'.;.i\s:  for  the  bends  in  the  river  are  here  of  the  most  remarkable  kind  ;  and 
;  nsoquontly,  i'rom  the  retardation  of  the  current,  the  Icivees  are  apt  to  give 
nv;  luoreuver,  the  banks  of  the  IJayou  Atchafalaya,  which  flows  through 
;'.c  western  part  of  the  angle,  are  so  low,  that  in  the  annual  rise  of  the 
)Iississi]»pi  they  arc  dee[dy  overflowed.  Thus  the  settlerients  in  this  bottom 
are  cliietly  on  tlie  river  baid<,  with  a  levee  iu  front,  and  swan)[)S,  which  gener- 
a'ilv  ^h^\^  uji  ill  autumn,  and  bayous,  ponds,  and  lakes,  in  the  rear.  'J'his  por- 
•.iiiof  the  Delta  was  settled  by  the  rrench  at  an  early  period;  and  all  tlie 
aralile  land  lias  long  been  subjected  to  the  action  of  the  plow,  and  other 
a.riuultural  implements,  with  full  exposure  to  the  rains  and  sun.  Cotton, 
'i  .c  t'l inner  staple,  lias  largely  given  jilace  to  sugar.  1'he  population  ot'  this 
ri'^niiu  is  entirely  rural.  There  is  not,  I  believe,  a  single  town ;  but  at  the 
(listauec  of  fifty-live  miles  above  I'laqucmine,  there  is  a  public  steamboat 
laiuliiig  called  Waterloo. 

I'Viin  all  that  I  have  been  able  to  learn,  autumnal  fever  in  this  portion  of 
i'jo  Delta  is  generally  mild  and  not  remarkably  prevalent.  J)octor  'Ihomas 
Boaumont,  who  resided,  wdien  I  saw  him,  on  the  tertiary  plateau,  several 
ffiiles  from  the  Pelta,  in  the  parish  of  Kast  Baton  llouge,  assured  me,  that 
'..laligiiant  cases  of  autumnal  fever  were  decidedly  more  fre([ucnt  and  fatal 
whore  ho  thi'n  lived,  than  in  the  Delta  from  which  he  had  removed :  and 
P'-ictor  McKelvey,  of  St.  I'raticisville,  informed  me  on  the  authority  of  Doctor 
Ij.  W.  Smith,  who  had  practiced  his  j)rofession  on  the  Point  Coupee  coast, 
and  also  on  the  opposite  bhiflTs  in  AVest  Feliciana,  that  the  fevers  of  autumn 
wro  milder  in  the  former  than  in  the  latter  locality.  We  must  now  ascend 
t)  tlie  bluffs. 


';.■::■: 

'.>.■ 

ti'  , 

'  *     '•  . 

';!'   • 

'••■i 

■   ...:  I 


•  '    1 

,■1 

t  ■ 

■ '  i' 

1, 

* 

i       i 

ij 

^               . 

■':■■■>•• 

i  ■                '     '                •,  * 

; 

w 

'■ 

' 


•  .  » 


•       .      .      . 


li 


i.i' 


■xi . 


l-^- 


i!l 
ir;i 


108 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nooi ; 


SECTION  V. 

TOWNS  ON  THE  BLUFFS  OF  THE   DELTA. 

Every  locality  described  in  tlie  preceding  >Secti(ins  of  this  Chapter,  li,., 
u'itlibt  the  Doltu,  lias  uri  alluvial  surraec,  and  rises  but  a  few  feet  abuve  lu 
river.  Having  traveled  over  the  wliule  of  tliat  peculiar  region,  we  must  inw 
ascend  to  the  towns  which  have  licen  built  upon  its  blufl's,  beginning  with  ii; 
right  hand,  or  south-western  side.  The  bank  or  bluif  which  constitutes  tb. 
boundary  of  the  upper  ])art  of  the  Delta  in  that  direction,  rises  thirty  : 
forty  feet  above  the  river  and  its  bayous  ;  and  stretching  off  as  a  plain,  i  r. 
which  there  are  many  extensive  prairies,  constitutes  the  Or^i-OUSAS  CoiNm 
I  am  inf  rmed  by  Professor  Forshey,  of  ^'idalia,  that  this  plain  is  a  bodi: 
diluvium  or  drift,  having  in  its  rear  a  higher  tertiary  formation,  covered  wiiL  I 
pine  forest. 

I.  Oi'KLOusAS. — The  position  of  this  town,  and  its  distance,  (about  five 
miles),  from  the  navigable  bayous  of  the  Delta,  may  be  seen  in  J'l.  V.  k 
the  absence  of  any  later  descrijjtion,  I  shall  transcribe  from  Darby,  *  tt? 
f<dlowing  topographical  notice : 

"  The  neighborhood  of  Opelousas   church  is  a  kind  of  table  land,  frii 
which  the  waters  flow  as  from  a  conmicm  center.     "Without  reference  tu  1 1 
good  map,  it  is  very  difficult  to  explain  the  very  complicated  structure  of  tL!' 
country.     The  water-courses  are  interwoven  into  each  other,  with  an  intri- 
cacy that  demands  much  attention  to  comprehend  with  precision.     Three 
miles  north-west  of  Opelousas  church,  there  is,  surrounded  by  prairie,  a  boilj  I 
of  Avoods  two  miles  long,  and  a  half  a  mile  wide.     This  isolated  forest  is  iiu:  | 
unaptly  called  Isle  au  L'Anglais.     The  denomination  of  island  is  not  unaj- 
propriate  when  applied  to  a  copse  standing  in  a  sea  of  grass. 

"From  the  east  side  of  this  island,  flow  the  head  waters  of  the  3Ier- 
mentau.  The  source  of  the  river  is  an  extensive,  low,  wet  plain.  The  watu:  I 
gradually  collects  into  a  single  channel,  which  passes  to  the  southward,  witliia 
less  than  a  mile  of  Opelousas  church;  and  continuing  that  course  ahout 
three  miles,  divides ;  one  part  running  eastward  into  Bayou  JJourbcc,  con- 
tributes to  form  the  A'erniillion  ;  the  other  runs  south-west,  into  ]3ayu';| 
Plar|uomine  Brulee,  and  finally  into  the  iMcrmentau  lliver. 

"Three  miles  nortb  of  Opelousas  court-house,  the  drains  of  the  prairie  ar.  I 
connected;  part  of  the  water  flows  north,  into  Bayou  Grand  Louif,  and  t;-. 
other,  south,  forming  the  head  of  ]Jayou  Bourbee." 

Of  the  [)re valence  of  autumnal  fever  at  Opelousas,  I  cannot  speak  mnl 
any  certainty,  and  have  been  led  to  introduce  a   notice  of  its  topograii'm 
because  it  has  suffered  from  yellow  fever. 

II.  B.\TON  KouGK. — That  portion  of  the  Delta  which  lies  above  Ba}"'j| 
Plaqueminc,  on  the  west,  and  ]Jayou  Iberville  or  Manchac,  on  the  cast,  I 


»  Emigrant's  Guide,  1818. 


r*HT  I.] 


INTERIOR 


lieon  already  designated  a 
;i>t  seen,  cijiistitute  its  l)o 
ri,.iiiated  by  the  tertiary 
J);iv,  and  reaches   the  Dt 
i.iit  far  below  Baton  Kdu: 
as  the  first  high  land,  on  m 
diich  licre,  instead  of  kce 
upon  the  bluffs.     When  th 
t!io  west,  he  sees,  on  the 
iHittoin,  with  its  levee,  and 
swamps,  which  extend,  wit) 
and  other  streams  of  the  Del 
tliis  broad  paludal  surface 
•vliatever  exhalations  may 

•i.iWIl, 

Baton  llouge,  standing  o 
oO«  ;](i'  and  W.  Lon.  Ol"  ;i 
I'lrfy  miles  —  from  the  Balii 
it<  ?ito  is  about  twonty-two 
f'lcli  is  the  close  approximat 
kel  throughout  the  Delta, 
will,  u\\  approaching  this  bin 
Tlio  town  plat  is  free  from  p 
I  oxeursioii  on  the  plain  behinc 
I  into  the  ground,  and  is  reti 
sjiith,  down  the  river,  there 
'I'wliieh  are  overflowed  in  tii 
I  the  town,  there  is  a  small  tri 
arc  backed,  when  the  I'iver 
assured  me,  tliat  tlie  silt  ther 
I  ifliii.'h,  in  summer,  follow  on 
\  ".ae  nearest  swamp  is  fifteen  i 
When  visiting  Baton  lloud 
who  had  resided  there  more 
j  who  had  been  stationed  there 
that,  ill  reference  to  interniitt 
'*o  ivrarded  as  unhealthy ;  an 


*  I  have  been  told,  that  iiorses  n 
I  lonipd  to  a  lovcl  surface,  have  slic 

H  to  ascend  tlie  i)lufls,  when  hro 
fliii'h  strongly  illustrates  the  flu 

I  tlTect.^. 

*  Med.  Stat.  U.S.  A.  p.  253. 


k1 


?ar  1.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEV  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


109 


iii.cn  already  designated  as  its  angle.  The  [ilains  of  Opcljui^as,  as  -we  liavo 
ii^t  seen,  constitute  its  Ixiiiiulary  ill  the  furniiT  dirct'tii.n  ;  in  the  latter  it  is 
n,,iiKited  by  the  tertiary  fonnatiMii,  which  .stretches  westwardly  from  ."Moljilo 
]!av,  and  reaches  the  Delta,  a  short  distance  above  the  Ijaymi  llfervillc, 
nut  far  below  Baton  Enugo.  It  is  coumiou  to  speak  of  the  site  of  thi  avn 
as  the  first  high  land,  on  which  the  eye  rests  in  ascending  the  Mississippi; 
which  here,  instead  of  keeping  out  in  the  middle  of  the  I'elta,  presses  luird 
upon  the  blufts.  When  the  observer,  standing  upon  the  blulls,  looks  off  to 
t!io  west,  ho  sees,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  a  low,  wet,  and  level 
liottoiii,  Avith  its  levee,  and  belt  of  cultivated  ground  graduating  into  cypress 
swamps,  which  extend,  with  the  interruptions  occasioned  by  the  Atehafalaya 
and  other  streams  of  the  Delta,  quite  across  to  the  terrace  of  Opehnisas.  ]\'oni 
this  broad  paludal  surface,  every  westerly  wind  transports  to  the  bliitrs 
diatever  exhalations  may  arise.     ]'ut  we  must  fix  our  at'^.ition  upon  the 

Baton  Rouge,  standing  on  the  bluff  which  has  bt^on  described,  in  N.  Lat. 
oO"  Ijti'  and  W.  Lon.  01"  83',  is  distant  from  New  (Orleans  one  hundred  and 
fdy  miles  —  from  the  Balize  two  hundred  and  furty-four.  The  elevatinn  of 
its  site  is  about  twenty-two  feet  above  'li-^h  water-mark  of  the  river ;  but 
such  is  the  close  approximation  of  the  land  and  water  surfaces  to  the  same 
kel  throughout  the  Delta,  that  ho  who  has  sojuurned  upon  it  for  awhile, 
will,  on  approaching  this  bluff,  regard  it  as  much  higher  than  it  really  is.  * 
The  town  plat  is  free  from  ponds  and  marshes;  but  T  observed,  in  a  short 
excursion  on  the  plain  behind  it,  that  the  rain  water  docs  not  readily  sink 
iiiti)  the  gi'ouiul,  and  is  retained  m  the  surface  by  its  levelncss.  To  the 
■Aitli,  down  the  river,  tlicre  is  a  narrow,  cultivated  bottom,  some  portions 
■f  which  are  overflowed  in  times  of  high  water.  To  the  north,  and  adjdir.iiig 
tli.'tffl-ii,  there  is  a  small  tributary,  up  which  the  waters  of  the  Mississippi 
arc  backed,  wdien  the  river  is  high ;  but  Doctor  R.  F.  Harney,  TI.  y.  A., 
assured  me,  that  the  silt  then  deposited  is  washed  away,  by  the  copinus  rains 
which,  in  summer,  follow  on  the  subsidence  of  the  freshet.  Up  the  river, 
the  nearest  swamp  is  fifteen  miles,  f 

When  visiting  Baton  Rouge,  in  1^44,  I  was  informed  by  Doctor  French, 

wh'i  liad  resided  there  more  than  thirty  years,  and  also  by  Doctor  Harney, 

j  who  had  been  stationed  there  for  the  greater  part  of  a  rpiarter  of  a  century, 

[that,  ill  reference  to  intermittent  and  remittent  fever,  B.i ton  Rouge  cannot 

k'  rcj'arded  as  unhealthy ;  and,  as  far  as  the  people  of  the  town  are  con- 


•■•'  ■. ■■•■  .'■'»&... . 


'.-•:■  ;'i: .  ..  ■ 


^''V,u:,.^ 


'¥''^^^: 


r-'^'<:-'.i: 


■..\;i' 


•  ••■■v:tlix^i^.-''i''  •  Kl'!ti■ 


I  r 


I  ♦ 


'     ) 


4l' 


■mt. 


*  I  have  boon  told,  that  horses  reared  in  tlie  .  jwer  jiart  of  the  Delt::,  and  always  accus- 
I  lonied  to  a  level  surface,  have  shown  preat  awkwartlness  and  some  (iinieulty,  in  attempt- 
ing to  ascend  thehluflri,  when  hrou^ht  to  thum,  as  tiiey  occasionally  have  been  ;  a  fact 
fhii'h  strongly  illustrates  the  flatness  of  that  surface,  and  one  of  U,s  physiological 
tfects, 

*.Med.  Stat.  U.  S.  A.  p.  253. 


110 


THE  rUINClPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[booi : 


riRT  1.] 


INTEIJKJ 


I    . 

I 


4  ■< 


i. 


cernod,  T  know  of  no  facts  wliioli  cnntrailiet  tlicir  assertions.     It  lias  sevm! 
tiincf:.  Iiowcver,  been  visited  by  yellow  fever. 

Mil'tiirii  I'ost. — In  the  year  ISlO,  tlio  (jtoveri/ii.jnt  began  tlie  ercctiijii,: 
barracks  on  the  bin!!",  adjoining  and  above  tlie  town,  and  for  tlio  first  >ii 
years,  the  soldiery  siilTered  more  from  sickness  tlian  at  any  otlier  post  int'iit 
United  States;  wliicli,  of  course,  was  charged  upon  tlie  local  situation 
Doctor  Harney,  however,  ascribes  their  sickness  and  mortality  to  the  fdlluiv. 
ing  causes:  F'iri<t.  They  were  recruits  from  the  north.  Second.  TIiot 
were  extremely  intemperate.  Tlilrd.  Im  r  the  j)urpnse  of  building  barrack?. 
they  were  obliged  to  fell  trees  in  a  ey[)ress  swamp,  fifteen  miles  aljove  t!it 
town;  in  doing  which  they  were  greatly  exposed  to  the  direct  action  of  tlit 
sun  and  rains.*  In  latter  years,  as  Doctor  Harney  assured  me,  the  soldier- 
are  much  healthier.  The  army  returns,  for  seven  years,  between  ISii'J  ok 
1839,  trive  for  intermittent  fever  a  ratio  of  fifty-one  per  cent.,  ami  for  remit- 
tents of  tliirty  j)er  cent.  These  ratios.  Doctor  Forry,  the  editor,  roniark-. 
are  not  beyond  those  of  some  other  posts,  but  tne  proportion  of  fatal  cast; 
■was  greater  than  at  any  other;  the  remittents  often  assuming  a  most  malig- 
nant type. 

Baton  Rougo  was  settled  almost  as  far  back  as  New  Orleans;  and  ml 
the  cession  of  Louisiana  to  the  United  States,  in  ll^U3,  its  pojiulatiun  m; 
chiefly  French  and  Spanish.  Soon  afterward,  emigrants  from  the  I'liiteii 
States  began  to  flock  thither,  and  to  other  places  in  that  region  ;  but  iSpaii: 
kept  possession  of  the  whole  until  ISIO,  alleging  that  it  was  a  part  ': 
West  Florida. t  At  present,  although  it  has  a  niixi.-d  population,  the  Auieriea:. 
greatly  jiredominatcs  over  all  the  rest.  The  town,  as  we  have  seen,  is  tu 
site  of  a  permanent  military  post ;  the  penitentiary  of  the  state  has  bcti; 
erected  liere ;  and  lately  the  legislature  of  Louisiana  has  fixed  upon  it  ^  • 
the  future  capital  of  the  state.  Thus,  although  not  a  counnercial  town,  it? 
military,  civil,  and  political  importance,  entitles  it  to  the  attention  of  tk 
medical  historian. 

IIL  Fort  IIcdson. — This  inconsiderable  village,  with  a  population  >: 
eighty  or  one  hundred,  situated  twenty-five  miles  above  Baton  llougc,  is  a 
landing  pdacc  for  East  Feliciaiui  ami  other  ])arishes  of  that  part  of  Louisiana. 
From  Doctor  ]3eaumont  I  have  learned,  that  it  stands  on  a  high  blufl",  at  the  | 
foot  of  wliich  the  river  flows.  Just  above  the  village,  there  is  an  extensive 
swamp  between  tlie  blulf  and  river,  and  below  some  smaller  swanii)S  aiic  I 
ponds.  It  experiences  an  annual  visitation  of  autumnal  fever,  like  other 
places  in  the  South ;  but  the  chief  reason  for  introducing  a  notice  of  it  licrc 
is,  that  it  has  repeatedly  suff"ered  from  yellow  fever. 

IV.     Bayou  Sara,  and  St.  Fuancisville. — These  adjoining  towns  are 


•  Medical  Statistics,  U.  S.  A. 

+  Pitkin's  Stat.  Views  of  tiie  United  States,  p.  17. 


.situated  ten  miles  above 

ffirmcr  stands  on  a  botto 

it,  on  a  tertiary  bluff,  ab 

ik'vatcd,  in  front,  above 

(m  partial  inundation  win 

wnv  njtiiii  this  portion  of 

plain,  about  half  a  nn'lo  i 

spring  floods  of  the  Miss 

t!;e  creek  called  Bayou  S 

upon  the  same  portions 

tliore  is  a  low  cotton-woo( 

of  several  feet.     i>ayou  S 

ing  the  terminus  of  a  rail 

)^T.  Fraxcisville  lies 

Inamy  terrace  on  which  it  ? 

and  west  of  the  town,  are 

liaynu  Sara,  lies  to  the   s 

cfitton-wood  bottom  alroad 

e!i.«t  and  south-west  winds 

i.f  the  Bayou  Sara,  and  an 

ravines;  beyond  which,  the 

what  broken. 

Diith  these  towns  are  Hal 
t'l  have  suffered  more  than 
invasions  of  vellow  fever. 


t 


AN  EARLY 

With  the  preceding  Seeti( 

it?  banks  was  finished.     Imm 

'■niiiil  ourselves  in  the  midst 

I  population;  we  saw  the  riv 

loinliankiuonts;  the  cypress  i 

and  various  flowering  shrubs 

sugar-cane ;  swamps  and  ma 

I  drift-wood  arrested  in  its  de; 

Ipropulsioii  of  steamboats,  ahi 

JG'iw  about  to  ascend  the  ri 

iHufTs  and  bottoms,  above  tlic 

jas  an  interlude,  some  extraci 

|.W  Orleans  to  the  Arkansa 

I'uPoisson,  one  hundred  andl 


rmT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


Ill 


situated  ten  inilcs  above  I'ort  llmlsoii,  in  tlio  piirlsli  of  West  Feliciana.  The 
I'.niuT  stands  on  a  liottoni  of  niodnato  width;  tlio  latti-r,  iniinediatcly  Ix'liind 
i;,  oil  ;i  tertiary  bluff,  alxnit  eii^hty  feet  iii  Iii^iflit.  Tlio  site  o*'  IJayou  Sara  is 
,!tvat('d,  in  front,  above  liigh  water-niark  of  the  river;  its  baek  ])art  is  liable 
til  iiiirtial  inundation  wlien  the  river  is  swollen,  'i'iie  water  then  makes  its 
;vnv  upiin  tliis  portion  of  the  town  by  two  routes.  On  the  west,  the  alluvial 
iiliiii.  about  half  a  mile  in  width,  sinks  into  a  evjiress  swamp,  up  whieli  the 
siiiiiii' floods  of  the  Mississippi  creep  upon  the  town  jdat.  To  the  east,  is 
tho  cri'uk  called  Bayou  Sara,  out  of  which  the  baek  water  of  the  river  flows 
unnn  the  s.'une  portions  of  the  town  site.  Inunediately  above  this  bayou, 
tiii'ic  is  a  low  cotton-wood  bottom,  whieli  is  annually  overflowed  to  the  dej)tli 
(if  pcvend  feet.  iJayou  Sara  is  a  landing  jdace  of  considerable  business;  be- 
ins  the  terminus  of  a  railroad  to  Woodville,  in  the  state  of  ^lississipjii. 

>'t.  Fkaxcisvillr  lies  to  the  north  north-east  of  IJayou  Sara.  The  dry, 
Inamy  terrace  on  which  it  standi?,  abounds  in  grey  sand ;  in  which,  to  the  east 
and  west  of  the  town,  are  deep  ravines.  1'he  w(,'t  bottom  or  swamp  below 
liavou  Sara,  lies  to  the  south-east  of  St.  Francisville ;  and  the  inundated 
r.itiiii-wood  bottom  already  mentioned,  to  its  north-west.  Thus  its  south- 
wst  and  south-west  winds  pass  over  swanqis.  In  its  rear,  there  are  branches 
it'  tlie  Bayou  Sara,  and  another  stream  called  Anderson's  Creek,  flowing  in 
riiviiiL's;  beyond  which,  the  country  attains  a  higher  elevation,  and  is  .sonie- 
ffliat  broken. 

I'uth  these  towns  are  liable  to  autumnal  fever,  fi'om  wliicli  the  upper  seems 
III  have  suffered  more  than  tlie  lower;  and  b(.th  have  experiericed  epidemic 
invasions  of  yellow  fever. 


SECTION    VI. 

AN  EARLY  VOYAGE  UP  THE   MISSISSltTI. 

With  the  preceding  Section,  our  survey  of  the  l>elta  of  the  Mississippi  and 

it?  banks  was  finished.     From  the  l^alize  to  the  mov^.th  of  Eed  lliver,  we 

Inind  ourselves  in  the  midst  of  a  highiy  cultivated  region,  and  a  numerous 

p^ipiilation;  we  saw  the  river  and  its  great  bayous  restrained  by  artificial 

I  niilianknionts ;  the  cypress  with  its  long  moss  superseded  by  the  orange,  fig, 

[and  various  flowering  shrubs;  the  natural  cane-brakes  replaced  by  fields  of 

sugar-cane;  swamps  and  marshes  drained  by  the  labors  of  art;  and  the  very 

1  drift-wood  arrested  in  its  descent  to  the  Gulf,  and  converted  into  fuel  for  the 

propulsion  of  steamboats,  almost  as  numerous  as  the  floating  trees.     We  are 

Ip/iwabnut  to  ascend  the  river,  and  observe  the  hygienic  condition  of  its 

Wuffs  and  bottoms,  above  tlic  Delta;  but  before  departing,  I  propose  to  offer, 

S5  an  interlude,  some  extracts  from  the  narrative  of  an  early  voyage,  from 

how  Orleans  to  the  Arkansas  river.     It  was  performed  by  the  Jesuit  Father 

I  f'u  Poisson,  one  hundred  and  twenty  years  ago,  and  consequently  but  nine  years 


■  :■•■■  ^ 


.11  II  ■  > ' 


mi' 


4 

.   ■    1    ♦ 

■  !;i 

4 

i 

•   .-.' 

_ }            t 

s 

■  i. 

'V        r. 

::■;■.:■': 

'::^t-i:' 


•'••■J'>    : 

■;   ■■■    •   .-I;.      ,  ; 


••. 


'^ 

'      ,. 

1 

»■'■  ; .'  • 

t 

'  '<^ 

1,1-.  •     ■ 

'->■  \ 

H^.  .    ■ 

■■-■J  :■ 


:k. 


4 


• 


nu 


'i'Mi;  ritlXCII'AL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I 


aft(.'r  tlic  first  scttloniont  of  tlio  city.  Tlio  reading  nf  it  will  not  only  rolicvf 
tlio  tt'ilimii  of  t()])n^fr;i|)liiciil  (U'^cri|iti(in ;  Imt,  l)y  sliowiiig  tlic  conditinn  i; 
the  river  :iiul  its  hanks,  wliilo  in  a  state  (if  nature,  will  cnahio  iis  to  estimate 
rniin,'  fully  tlio  traiisfiirniations  wliieli  eivili/.atidu  lias  eU'eeted. 

VOYAOE  OF   Dll  POISSON.» 

"Wo  cniharlced  on  tlio  li'itli  of  .^lay,  17-7,  the  Fathers  Souol  and  Duma' 
with  myself,  under  the  direetioii  nf  the  good  man  Simon.  The  Fathers  lit 
(iiiiiMnio  and  h  I'etit,  lieing  nhliged  in  a  few  days  to  take  a  different  rimti;: 
the  former,  as  you  kimw,  to  the  ^l/l/Mtmoi/s,  and  the  latter  to  the  ('/(/m., 
(.>ur  haggagc  and  that  i>f  our  hdatmon  occupied  a  space,  which  filled  up  mr 
two  hiiats  to  more  than  a  fiot  above  the  sides.  Wo  were  perched  up  on » 
heap  of  chests  and  packages,  without  being  aide  even  to  change  our  positiuc, 
and  it  had  already  been  prophesied  to  us  that  we  could  not  go  far  witli  tLi* 
equipage.  In  ascending  the  ^Mississippi  wo  coasted  along  Iiy  the  .slidroi;. 
conse(pience  of  the  force  of  the  current.  We  had  scarcely  lost  .sight  of  .NVj 
Orleans,  when  a  projecting  l)ranch  which  had  not  been  noticed  by  our  luliii.>. 
man,  caught  in  a  chest,  overturned  it,  caused  it  to  make  a  somerset  upon  a 
young  man  who  was  near,  and  rudely  struck  Father  Souel.  Fortunatflvi: 
broke  in  this  first  effort,  or  both  tlie  chest  and  the  young  man  would  liavt 
been  in  the  river.  This  accident  decided  us,  when  we  arrived  at  Chapitmi- 
las,  about  three  leagues  distance  from  ^s'ew  Orleans,  to  dispatch  someone 
to  Father  do  Bcaubois,  to  ask  liiin  for  a  much  larger  boat. 

"  During  all  this  time  we  were  among  (dd  ac(puiiiitances.     The  barharou; 
name  wliich  the  country  bears,  shows  that  it  has  been  in  other  times  iiilial- 
ited  by  savages,  and  at  present  they  ajiidy  this  title  to  five  grants  which  art 
along  the  31ississippi.     M.  Dulircuil,  a  I'arisiaii,  received  us  into  his.    Tl:? 
next  three  belong  to  three  Canadian  brothers,  wlio  came  into  the  coiuitrv: 
settle,  with  nothing  but  the  clothes  on   their  back   and  tlie  stick  in  tkir 
hand,  but    who  have  more  advanced   their  fortunes  than  the  graiitcos  i:. 
France,  who  have  sent  out  millions  to  establish  their  grants,  which  at  tie 
present  time  are  for  the  most  part  ruined.     The  fifth  belongs  to  M.  de  KnlL 
a  Swiss  by  birth,  Seigneur  of  the  Manor  of  T.ivry,  near   Paris,   one  of  tie 
most  honorable  men  that  can   be  found.     He  had  conic  over  in  the  .sank 
ship  with  us,  to  see  for  himself  the  condition  of  his  grant,  for  which  he  liacl 
fitted  out   ships,  and  subjected  himself  to  endless  expenses.     There  arc  kl 
each  of  these  grants  at  least  sixty  negroes,  who  cultivate  Indian  corn,  riff. i 
indigo,  and  tobacco.     These   arc  the  jiarts  of  the  colony  which   arc  iiif!!l 
flourishing.     I  now  am  speaking  to  you  of  a  grant ;  I  shall  also  have  caa-j 
sion  presently  to  speak  of  a  plantation  and  a  settlement.     You  perhaps  m 
not  know  what  all  these  are:  have  patience  then  to  read  the  explaiiatidii. 


r.iBT  i.j 


INTER  10/ 


*  Early  .Tcsuit  Missions  in  North  America  ;  Trans,  by  tlie  Rev.  W.  J.  Kij);  Purl  !1 1 
p.  2:i2~k'2. 


•■  They  call  a  O'ni)//  a  c 
j.iny  to  one  person  alone, 
ship  to  dear  the  lands  a 
wliu  in  the  days  of  the  ; 
iiid  tlic  3Iar(]uises  of  .Mis 
this  country.     The  greati 
xhijis  fdlod  with  directors. 
M'kf,  provisions  and  gooi 
jiM  the  woods,  to  build  t 
liurn  the  canes  and  trees. 
iciustomcd  to  such  kind  o 
aiM,st  part  amused  themseh 
«ittled;  there  they  consul 
.'miuonced  before  the  graii 
rhadly  fed,  refused  to  la 
were  plundered.     AVas  not 
:lic  obstacle  which  has  jire^ 
Lave  been,  after  the  jirodigi 
••They  call  a  I'lantation 
j  pany.    A  man  with  his  wifi 
I  him  a  house  with  four  forkei 
j  mt  and  rice  for  his  food 
I  i-'iiis  a  |)lantation  of  tobac 
throe  or  four  negroes,  bcho 
I  ^hat  they  call  «  pJanlathni  ; 
I  a>  ffhen  they  commenced  ? 

•They  call  a  Settlement,  a 
j  far  distant  from  each  other, 
"Besides  these  grantees  ar 
[rtohave  no  other  business  t 
h'irls  taken  from  the  hospital' 
of  equally  good  reputation,  w 
j  -'ire  of  a  single  household  too 
jpi'osoiit  nothing  to  terrify  t 
pilose  adventures  would  furni 
?^'rs;  these  are  for  the  most 

■^Ii>^issippi  by  their  parents  or 
|«rth,  prefer  engaging  themsc 
l-'liore  to  the  other.     TIdnl, 
js^'encl  the  3Iississippi  to  the  ^ 
I ''Jffulo  country;  they  dry  in 

*  Of  Law 


rART 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


113 


■■■"'TJIU 

if 

■^    .      1 

"They  call  a  (fnint  a  cortain  extent  of  territdvy  [inoitiiJ  by  tlio  India  Com- 
lany  tn  I'uc  person  alone,  or  to  many  who  have  t'oruiecl  together  a  partncr- 
J.iij)  to  dear  tlie  lands  and  make  tlieiii  valuable.  These  were  the  jiersons, 
fflio  in  the  days  of  the  groat  Mississippi  bubble  *  were  called  the  Counts 
iiid  the  ^larquiscs  of  Mississippi.  Thus  the  grantees  arc  the  aristocracy  of 
tills  country.  The  greater  part  have  never  left  France,  but  have  ecjuipped 
.hiii3  fill>-'d  with  directors,  stewards,  storekeepers,  clerks,  workmen  of  different 
;ra'lo<,  provisions  and  goods  of  all  kinds.  Their  business  was,  to  penetrate 
liitu  the  woods,  to  build  their  cabins  there,  to  make  choice  of  lands,  and  to 
liurn  the  canes  and  trees.  These  beginnings  seemed  too  hard  to  people  not 
iccustomcd  to  such  kind  of  labor :  the  directors  and  their  subalterns  tor  the 
;nM.st  i)art  amused  themselves  in  places  where  there  were  some  French  already 
.settled;  there  they  consumed  their  iirovisions,  and  the  work  was  scarcely 
(iinmonced  before  the  grant  was  entirely  ruined.  The  workman  badly  paid, 
T  biully  fed,  refused  to  labor,  or  else  seized  on  his  own  pay,  and  the  stores 
wore  plundered.  AVas  not  all  this  perfectly  French"?  But  this  was  in  part 
the  obstacle  which  has  jirovonted  the  country  from  being  settled,  as  it  should 
uve  been,  after  the  prodigious  expense  which  has  been  lavished  upon  it. 

•'They  call  a  Plantation  a  smaller  portion  of  land  granted  by  the  com- 
pany.   A  man  with  his  wife,  or  his  associate,  clears  a  small  section,  builds 
1  liira  a  house  with  four  forked  sticks,  which  ho  covers  with  bark,  plants  some 
e  irii  and  rice  for  his  food ;   anotlicr  year  he  raises  more  provisions,  and 
kgiiis  a  plantation  of  tobacco,  and  if  finally  he   attains  to  the  possession  of 
;  throe  or  four  negroes,  beludd  the  extent  tu  which  he  can  reach.     This  is 
wliat  they  call  a  jihtntation  and  a  j'/uhlcr.     But  how  many  are  as  wretched 
I  a-  when  they  commenced  ? 

"They  call  a  Settlement,  a  section  in  which  there  are  many  plantations  not 
I  far  distant  from  each  other,  forming  a  kind  of  village. 

•Ik'sides  these  grantees  and  planters,  there  are  also  in  this  country,  jieople 

iTiio  have  no  other  business  than  that  of  vagabondizing.     I'ir-^f,  AVomen  and 

jiirls  taken  from  the  hospitals  of  Paris,  from  Palpttrit-re,  or  from  other  places 

I  f  eijually  good  reputation,  who  find  the  laws  of  marriage  too  strict,  and  the 

■are  of  a  single  household  too  troublesome.    A'oyagcs  of  four  hundred  leagues 

fvesi'iit  notliing  to   terrify  these  heroines ;  I  have  met  with  two  of  them, 

Iwliose  adventures  would  furnish  materials  for  a  romance.     Secovd,  The  voya- 

2i'rs;  these  arc  for  the  most  part  young  people  sent  for  some  reason  to  tlie 

ph-sissippi  by  their  parents  or  by  justice,  and  who,  finding  it  too  low  to  dig  the 

iwtli,  prefer  engaging  themselves  as  rowers,  and  Avandcring  about  from  one 

p'lore  to  the  other.     Third,  The  hunters;  these  at  the  end  of  the  summer 

i-".ikI  the  3Iississippi  to  the  distance  of  two  nr  three  hundred  leagues  to  the 

i'jffalo  country;  they  dry  in  the  sun  the  flesh  on  the  ribs  of  tlic  butlalucs, 


^:-^i:'" 


,  ^y^''-^^  * 


r, ..■.■..•)!■•  '< 


■  >'■.';  -1 


M: 


>  (I 


■j-'i;  f 


J  .  <.i 


..  >  . 


\ 


*  Of  Law,  the  Scotch  financier  in  Paris. 


^;;.-^?;*.' 


V 


1 


lit 


THK  rRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[booi: 


salt  tli(;  rest,  and  also  niako  bear's  <»il.  Towards  spring  tlioy  tloscciid,  aiii 
tlius  t'urii.'sli  i»nivisiuiis  to  tho  Ciiloiiy.  The  cuuiitry  wliit'h  oxtciKls  tVii,. 
New  Orlcai.s  even  to  tliis  place,  renders  tliis  business  iiceessary,  because  it  j. 
not  sufiiciently  inhabited,  or  enougli  cleared  to  raise  cattle  there.  At  tK 
distance  of  owlj  thirty  loajfues  from  here  thty  begin  iu  find  the  bufl'aluc- 
and  they  are  in  herds  on  tlie  prairies  or  )  y  the  rivers.  During  tlie  past  yw 
a  Canadian  came  down  to  New  Orleans  with  four  IiuntU'ed  and  eiglity  toiigui- 
of  bufi'aloes  he  had  killed  during  his  winter  cauipaigu  with  the  aid  of  ohl; 
one  associate. 

"Wo  left  the  C/nqntuiihiH  on  the  llOth.  Although  we  had  sent  for  a  muc'; 
larger  boat,  and  in  spite  of  the  new  stiAving  whicli  our  peojile  made,  w. 
were  almost  as  much  crowded  as  before.  A\'e  had  but  two  leagues  ti>  iiiak. 
that  day,  to  reach  Jliuid  Canes,  the  residence  of  M.  de  IJenac,  director  of  tl.'. 
grant  of  M.  d'Artagnan,  where  we  were  to  sleep,  lie  received  us  in  a  vir, 
friendly  manner,  and  regaled  us  with  u  carp  from  the  waters  of  the  Mis!<i>- 
sippi,  which  weighed  thirty-live  pounds.  The  Lmut  Cancn  is  the  iiaii 
given  to  two  or  three  grants  along  the  iMississippi ;  the  jdacc  is  vcr^  imir:. 
like  the  CluipitDnlas,  while  the  situation  appears  to  me  to  be  more  bcautitul 

"  The  next  day  wo  advanced  six  loagucs,  which  is  about  as  much  as  tin; 
can  ever  accomplish  in  ascending  the  river,  and  we  slej)t,  or  rather  encaniiioJ. 
at  the  Gviinunx.''^  These  are  the  quarters  assigned  to  the  lingering  rcniiiai.; 
of  that  company  of  Germans  who  had  diecl  of  misery,  siime  at  the  J'last,  ai.; 
some  on  arriving  in  Jwouisiana.  (Jrcat  poverty  is  visible  m  their  dwullini;; 
It  is  hero  pro])erly  that  wo  begin  to  learn  what  it  is  to  voyage  on  the  .Mb- 
sissippi;  and  1  am  going  to  give  you  a  little  idea  of  it,  so  that  I  shall  iiotk 
obliged  to  rejicat  the  same  thing  every  day. 

"  Wo  had  set  out  at  the  season  of  the  heavy  floods,  when  the  river  li;iii 
risen  more  than  forty  feet  above  its  ordinary  level,  and  as  almost  all  tLi 
ccuntry  is  composed  of  low  lands,  it  was  of  course  inundated.  Thus  wcmri 
exposed  to  the  difficulty  of  not  finding  atlanaf/e,  that  is  to  say,  ground  oi 
wliich  to  do  our  cooking  and  to  sleep.  When  we  could  find  it  wo  slept  i 
this  way.  If  the  ground  was  still  muddy,  as  was  the  case  when  the  wator  I 
began  to  subside,  they  commenced  by  making  a  couch  of  branches,  tliat  tk 
matress  might  not  rest  on  the  mud.  Then  they  spread  upon  the  cartli  a 
skin,  or  a  matress,  and  clothes,  if  they  had  them.  They  bent  three  or  four 
canes  into  a  semicircle,  both  ends  of  which  they  fixed  in  the  earth,  and  placca 
tbem  at  proper  distances  from  each  other,  according  to  the  length  of  tlie 
matress;  on  these  they  fasten  three  others  crosswise,  and  then  spreatl  ovtr 
this  slight  framework  the  ha'irc,  that  is,  a  large  cloth,  the  ends  of  which  tlie; 
fold  under  the  matress  with  great  care.  It  is  under  those  tombs,  where  ff'- 
are  stifled  with  heat,  that  wo  are  obliged  to  sleep.     The  first  thing  wc  do  on 


»»RT  I. 


INTERK 


il 


*  German  Coast. 


naoliing  land,  is  to  nrn 
mu.-kctiics  do  not  pcnn 
lit'  could  enjoy  the  couli 
"  There  is  much  more 
Then  tliey  tie  the  boat  t 
their  cooking  on  top  of 
ivo  neither  suj)  at  nil  nm 
ti'Mi  in  wliich  we  were 
througli  the  whole  ni'dit 
i»  here  called  a  raft  is  a 
rmifed:  the  current  conti 
\)s  .>ouie  tree  whosi;  root 
:iii'unudato  one  ujkmi  i\\v 
-iiiie  which  would  furnisl 
t'nr  three  winters.     These 
necessary  to  sail  close  to 
hAm  tlie  boat  against  th 
I'lwod  uji  in  the  waters  un( 
"It  wa.s  also  the  season 
'lu.    During  the  whole  v 
rather,  always  the  burniii 
iiso  over  our  boats  a  small 
•i'los,  the  higlit  of  the  tree 
all  the  route,  are  on  botii  1 
Iiast  breath  of  wind.     Altli 
Itoczc  does  not  make  itself 
necessary  to  cross  it,  to  ce 
«ithout  ec!-satio!i,  the  water 
;iiir>t.  and  altliough  it  is  ve; 
I  ret'nshniont  wo  had,  was  frc 
I  tlie  trees ;  and  we  snatchec 
I  landed.     Tliero  are  in  this 
'  gvaj)es,  of  which  the  one 
Tliuv  are  of  the  same  spec 
I  tky  afford  a  juice  which  is 
'uster  of  which  has  but  th 
I  plum.    Our  Indians  call  thei 
"Oiu-  .stock  of  provisions  cc 
I  rancid,  rice,  corn,  and  peas. 
jaWexVatchez,     Our  butter 
mim  distant  from  x\ow  Or] 
jwrds  on  the  rice,  which  did 
IsMsoning  consisted  of  salt,  be 
\m  ordinary  food  of  this  Ci 


fiRT  I. 


INTERIOR  VAIJ.EY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


11  r. 


reacliing  land,  is  to  arraiijro  our  Imin'  with  all  dili^roiicc,  fur  ntliorwiso  the 
muskc'tnes  do  not  pcrinit  us  to  uso  it.  If  one  oould  sleep  in  the  upon  air, 
ho  cimUl  enjoy  the  coolness  of  tlio  night,  and  would  bo  too  haj)py. 

"There  is  much  more  cause  of  complaint  when  no  C(i/i<iii>if/r  can  bo  found. 
Tlion  they  tii;  the  boat  to  a  tree.  If  they  can  find  a  raft  of  trees,  they  do 
their  cooking  on  top  of  it,  but  if  not,  we  go  to  sleep  without  supper,  or  rather 
wo  iH'ither  sup  at  all  nor  sleep  at  all,  since  we  arc  resting  in  the  sann;  situa- 
tlni  ill  which  wo  were  during  the  day,  with  the  additiuii  of  l)ciiig  exposed 
throush  the  whole  night  to  the  fury  of  the  musketoes.  ]}y  tho  way,  what 
i?  bore  called  a  raft  is  a  citlloction  of  filiating  trees  whiidi  tho  flood  has  up- 
r.iiitoJ:  tlie  current  contiiuially  sweeping  them  down,  they  are  finally  arrested 
bvsiiinc  tree  whose  root  is  in  the  ground,  or  by  a  neck  of  land,  and  there 
ii.eumulate  one  u])on  tho  other,  and  form  enormous  piles.  "We  have  found 
.niii(\  which  would  furnish  tho  whole  of  your  gond  city  of  Tours  with  wood 
fur  three  winters.  These  jdaces  are  dillicnlt  and  dangerous  to  pass.  It  is 
necessary  to  sail  close  to  these  rafts;  the  current  there  is  rapid,  ami  if  it 
■lashes  the  boat  against  the  floating  trees,  it  disappears  at  once,  and  is  swal- 
lowod  np  in  tho  waters  under  tho  raft. 

"It  was  also  tho  season  of  tho  most  excessive  heats,  whith  increased  each 
dav.  During  tho  whole  voyage  we  had  but  a  single  entire  day  of  cloudy 
iToathcr,  always  the  burning  sun  upon  ouv  heads,  without  being  able  even  to 
iijo  over  our  boats  a  small  awning  wliich  might  afford  us  a  little  shade.  IJe- 
-iles,  tlie  hiifht  of  the  trees  and  the  denseness  of  the  woods,  which  thmuiili 
allthc  route,  aro  on  both  banks  of  the  river,  did  not  permit  us  to  feel  the 
kast  breath  of  wind.  Altliough  tho  river  is  a  half  league  in  breadth,  tho 
koezo  does  not  make  itself  felt  except  in  the  middle  of  the  stream  ;  and  it  is 
necessary  to  cross  it,  to  catch  tho  .sliglitest  breath  of  air.  ^Vc  drew  U]i, 
(fithout  cessation,  the  water  of  the  Mississippi  through  reods,  to  (piench  our 
I'jirst,  and  although  it  is  very  turbid,  we  experienced  no  ill  oflect.  Another 
rcfri'Diinicnt  wo  had,  was  from  tlie  grapes  hanging  almost  everywhere  from 
tk' trees;  and  wc  snatched  them  in  pa.ssing,  or  gathered  tliem  when  wo 
;  lamletl.     There  are  in  this  ciunitrv,  at  least  anio  i":  the  Akensas,  two  kinds 

t' grapes,  of  which  the  one  ripens   in  summer,  and  the  other  in  autunni. 

I  They  are  of  the   same  S[iceies;  tho  gra[ios  themselves  are  very  smull,  and 

I  tie}-  afford  a  juice  which  is  very  thick.     There  is  also  another  kind,  the 

cluster  of  which  has  but  three  grapes,  whiidi  are  as  large  as  the  damask 

Iplurn.    Our  Indians  call  them  u-sl,  cunUii:  raisi  ',  prune. 

"Our  stock  of  provisions  consisted  of  biscuit,  butter  which  was  salt  and  very 
[rancid,  rice,  corn,  and  peas.  The  biscuit  gave  out  when  wo  were  a  little 
laWe  Natchez.  Our  butter  was  gone  when  wo  were  only  ten  or  twelve 
leagues  distant  from  New  Orleans ;  we  theroforo  fed  on  tho  peas,  and  after- 
Inrds  on  the  rice,  which  did  not  fail  until  our  arrival  at  this  place.  The 
jstasoning  consisted  of  salt,  bear's  oil,  and  a  particularly  good  appetite.      The 

"5t  ordinary  food  of  this  country,  almost  tho  only  food  of  many  persona, 


^:^^ 


.»••■ 


•^m: 


■iff,:!   .'.  .  ,lj.'     ' 

^  -if'  - 


'  i  i 

■:'i 

I- 

■If 

n 


•  «  •  r- 


■^     . 


V;:'^>. 

«■'    '       ■      ■' 

•  '    .'■ 

:•.,'•  i"'.'  • 

'        .                 .  ' 

'(!,v  ■■■'.  ■, 

i'5»"'.J\ 

", 

m-x 

/"''.    '      ■■  ■■ 

"  •  ' 

.                                 *     , 

■■lv:.V' 


116 


THK  rFUNCIPAL  DISEASF.H  OF  THE 


[•oo»  I, 


P>IT  I. 


INTFRI 


I,     •      f 


imd  al)ovo  fill  nF  tlio  voynffors,  is  tlio  ///v^  Tlioy  liniiso  tlic  curn  to  rpmnvi' 
tin:  (lutir  .skin,  Imil  it  for  a  lon<.'  time  in  water,  tlio  Freticli  ."(unctiiin's  sia- 
soiiiiii;;  it  with  oil,  and  thin  constitutes  tho  .'//•'/.  Tlu'  IndiaiiH  [louiid  tlicrdrn 
vory  fino,  cook  it  sometimes  with  fat,  but  oftonor  with  water  only,  and  tlii. 
\a  ihii  Kdi/otnitc.  The  i/r»,  imleod,  is  used  instead  of  hread  ;  a  ppoonfiil  uf 
ffrti  and  a  small  pieei!  of  meat  are  taken  together. 

"  !{ut  the  greatest  torment,  in  eomparisoii  with  which  all  tlie  rest  wuwVi 
bo  but  sport,  which  passes  all  belief,  and  has  never  been  imagined  in  Fraiup, 
Btill  less  actually  ex|ierienced,  h  that  of  the  musketoes  —  the  cruel  perse- 
cution of  the  musketoes.  The  plague  of  Kgyj)t,  I  thiidc.  was  not  im-ri; 
cruel  —  "  T  will  send  swarms  of  flies  upon  thee,  and  u[ion  thy  servants,  and 
upon  thy  peopl(>.  and  into  thy  houses;  and  the  houses  of  the  Egyptians  sliall 
be  full  of  swarms  of  flies,  and  also  the  grountl  whereon  they  are."  TIht 
have  here  the //•<//«'  (fofxii-d,  and  also  tho  hntlots.  The  latter  is  a  species  it 
very  small  gnat,  whoso  sting  is  .so  sharp,  or  rather  so  burning,  that  it  seenij 
as  if  a  s[»ark  f>f  fire  liad  fallen  on  the  spot.  There  are  also  the  vtoiix/iijm^. 
whioh  are  like  the  limluls,  with  the  exception  that  they  arc  much  smaller,  • 
that  one  can  with  dilliculty  see  them ;  their  attacks  are  particularly  dirccti  1 
against  the  eyes.  There  arc  also  tho  f/ticjK'S,  and  the  l/iou;  iu  one  wurJ, 
there  are  mnnn  ffenuH  miiscanim. 

''  Hut  none  of  these  others  are  worthy  to  bo  mentioned  with  tlic  iniiske- 
toes.  This  little  insect  has  caused  more  swearing  since  the  French  lim 
been  in  Mississippi,  than  had  previously  taken  place  in  all  the  rest  of  i\w 
world.  Whatever  else  may  happen,  a  swarm  of  these  musketoes  embark  in 
the  morning  with  the  voyager.  \Vheii  they  pass  among  tho  willows  or  near 
the  canes,  as  very  often  takes  place,  a  new  swarm  fastens  with  fury  on  tho 
boat,  and  never  quits  it.  It  is  necessary  to  keep  the  handkerehief  in  (miii- 
tinual  exercise,  and  this  scarcely  frightens  them.  They  make  a  short  cireiiii, 
and  rt;turn  innnediatcly  to  the  attack.  The  arms  become  weary  much  sountr 
than  they  do.  When  we  land  to  take  dinner,  which  is  between  ten  o'clock 
and  two  or  three,  there  is  an  entire  army  to  be  combatted.  We  make  a 
houcane,  that  is,  a  great  fire,  which  wo  stifle  afterwards  with  green  branclic-. 
But  it  is  necessary  for  us  to  place  ourselves  in  the  very  thickest  of  tlie 
smoke,  if  we  wish  to  escape  the  persecution,  and  I  do  not  know  whioli  i; 
worse,  the  remedy  or  tho  evil.  After  diimer  we  wish  to  take  a  short  nap  at 
the  foot  of  a  tree,  but  that  is  absolutely  impossible;  the  time  allotted  t>i 
repose  is  passed  in  contending  with  tho  musketoes.  Wo  embark  again  in 
their  company,  and  at  sunset,  on  landing,  it  is  neces.sary  immediately  to  rii:i 
to  cut  canes,  wood,  and  green  branches,  to  make  the  lidirc,  the  tire  for  cook- 
ing, and  i\w  bourune.  There,  it  is  each  one  for  himself ;  but  it  is  not  one  | 
army,  but  many  armies  which  we  have  to  combat,  for  that  time  of  day  lio- 
longs  to  the  musketoes.  One  is  perfectly  eaten  and  devoured.  Thoy  get 
into  the  mouth,  the  nostrils,  and  the  ears ;  the  face,  tho  hands,  the  body  aro 
all  Covered ;  their  sting  penetrates  the  dress,  and  leaves  a  red  mark  on  tlie 


ili.-li,  wliich  swi'Ils  on  fl 

(iiciiahle  some  of  his  n.'i 

'■M'li,  told  them,  that  I 

j'ari.s)  "n.s  there  were 

.After  having  supped  in 

hiiiir,  although  we  know 

what  address,  with  what 

ahvays  find  that  some  h; 

to  insure  a  nn'serable  ni 

"Such  are  the  ineoni 

liow  many  voyagers  endi 

liiiMlerate  I     Ther(>  was  i 

uHTi,  one  of  those  heroin^ 

til  rejoin  her  hero.    She  i 

a  little  temporal  benefit, 

this,  should  men  fear  it  w 

"I  return  to  my  juiirii; 

ureniiig,  no  cabanage.     \ 


(lovourod  by  tho  nuisket( 
f'f  Whitsunday,  a  fast-d, 
"Tlie  Ist  of  Juno  we 
found  enough  ground  not 


'luring  the  next  day  to  giv 

and  I  embarked  in  a  boat 

tancewe  should  otherwise 

nirans  we  avoided  tho  into 

"On  the  .'Jd,  we  arrived, 

ili'.*troyed  nation),  at  the  1 

•Mussieurs  Paris.     Here  wc 

lioff  to  use,  and  during  the 

liadniit  permitted  us  to  ^ 

niitliing  which  could  add  to 

(TMs  is  in  every  respect  lil 

finer. )    The  grant  appearot 

h  would  have  been  worth  st 

"«r  people  arrived  in  the  ei 

"'iwrned  with  the  pleasant  n 

"  In  the  evening  we  arrivi 

^feissippi  which  empties  in 

-no  cabanage  — millions 

Tliis  was  a  fast-day  ;  the  wa 

'liat  we  should  not  be  obli<roi 


iMiJii!; ' 


ik-li  i: 


nap  at 

ted  t'l 

:;iin  in 

to  mil 

cook- 

ot  one 

;1V  V- 

py  get 

dv  aro 

PUT  I.] 


INTRRIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


117 


llt,i!),  wliic'li  Hwolls  on  tlioBC  wlio  nru  imt  ns  }ot  inurcil  to  tlicir  lite.  ('liic'ii/,'iin, 
to  (liable  Huinc  of  liis  nation  to  (.■(iniprclKMiil  wliut  a  niultitu<li'  of  I'rcni-li  lio  liiiJ 
soon,  told  tlipni,  that  lio  hinl  bclicld  "as  many  in  tlio  gri-ut  villiige '' (at 
I'uris)  "IIS  tliori!  wiTo  hoiiirlis  on  tin;  trees,  (///(/  niitskvhiis  in  tin'  iroixlsy 
Altor  li!iviii;r  sn|tiic(l  in  liaste,  we  are  iinpatient  to  Imry  oniMflvcs  niiiler  tlie 
hihr,  nitliougli  we  know  that  wo  go  tliere  to  lie  stitletl  witli  tlio  heat.  With 
what  aiMresH,  with  what  .skill  docH  each  one  glide  under  his  Iniiir!  Hut  they 
ahnyx  li'id  that  some  have  entered  witii  theui,  and  one  or  two  are  HulReient 
t,i  iii.^tire  a  niiscraMe  night. 

"Such  are  the  iiironvciiiences  of  a  voyage  on  the  .^lis.sissi]lIli.  And  yet 
liuw  many  voyagers  endure  tlieni  all  for  the  |)ro!^Jlect  of  a  gain  even  the  nio.st 
niiidcratc  !  There  was  in  a  boat  which  ascended  at  the  same  time  with  our 
iffii,  olio  of  those  heroines  of  whom  T  have  already  spoken,  who  was  going 
1 1  rejoin  her  hero.  Siie  did  nothing  hut  chatter,  laugh,  and  sing.  And  if  for 
;i  little  tf'ni]ioral  benefit,  if  even  fur  crime  itself,  one  c;iii  endure  a  voyagi;  like 
t!iis,  slioiild  men  fear  it  who  are  ajipointcd  to  labor  for  tiie  salvation  of  suulsl 

•'I  return  to  my  journal.  On  the  iJlst,  we  made  seven  leagues.  In  the 
uveiiing,  no  cabanago.  Water  and  biscuit  for  su|)i)er  —  slept  in  tlie  boat  — 
devoured  by  the  muskctocs  through  the  night.  Xute. —  This  was  the  \  igil 
of  Whitsunday,  a  fast-day. 

"Tlie  l;st  of  June  we  arrived  at  Ounias,  a  I^-eneh  plantation,  whei(!  wo 
I'miul  emmgh  ground  not  overfl  i\ved  to  erect  our  cabins.  We  remained  tliere 
(luring  the  next  day  to  give  re;>t  to  our  crew.  In  the  evening.  Father  Dumas 
and  I  embarked  in  a  boat  which  during  the  ni^  jt  was  to  go  the  same  dis- 
tance we  should  otherwise  have  to  accomplish  on  the  next  day.  l>y  this 
nu'.ins  wo  avoided  the  intense  heat. 

''On  the  od,  we  arrived,  early  in  the  morning  indued,  at  HtnjviiuuUni  (the 
ilistroycd  nation),  at  the  house  of  31.  du  Buisson,  director  of  the  grant  of 
Mussiours  Paris.  Here  we  found  some  beds,  Avhich  wo  had  almost  forgotten 
liiiff  to  use,  and  during  the  uKn-ning  took  that  repose  which  the  muskctocs 
liad  not  permitted  us  to  gain  during  the  night.  31.  du  IJuisson  omitted 
nitiiing  which  could  add  to  our  comfort,  and  regaled  us  with  a  wild  turkey. 
(Tliis  is  in  every  respect  like  the  domestic  turkey,  except  that  the  taste  is 
finer.)  The  grant  appeared  to  us  well  arranged  and  in  a  good  condition. 
It  would  have  been  worth  still  more  if  it  had  always  had  as  good  a  director. 
Uur  people  arrived  in  the  evening,  and  the  next  day  we  left  the  liaijoyuulus, 
'•brmed  with  the  pleasant  manners  and  civilities  of  31.  du  l^uisson. 

"In  the  evening  we  arrived  at  a  spot  above  the  Moiickat*  a  braucli  of  tho 
Mississippi  which  empties  into  the  Lake  Jfanrc/His  ;  no  ground  for  cooking, 
—  no  cabanago  —  millions  of  muskctocs  during  the  night.  J^ccdxiI  ^mie. 
This  was  a  fast-day  ;  tlio  waters  began  to  fall,  which  gave  us  reason  to  hope 
t'lat  we  should  not  be  obliged  t(j  sleep  much  more  in  the  boat. 


'.'■'?• 


I 


I.  ■ 


»  ■•     f 


JU  t"« 


*  Bayou  Iberville. 


lis 


THE  PRINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book 


VART  I.J 


INTERIf 


■^y^'i^ 


,  :f. 


■J 


I 


1''^." 


-i  i 


I.  I 


"Oil  the  Uli  we  slept  at  /laloit  Huikjc.  Tliis  place  receives  its  name  from 
a  tree  painted  red  hy  tlic  Indians,  and  which  serves  as  a  buundary  IVir  tlie 
hunting  grounds  of  the  nations  who  are  ahove  and  helow.  A\'e  saw  tlieii; 
the  remains  of  a  French  plantation,  ahandoned  on  account  of  the  deer,  tlie 
rahhits,  the  wild-cats,  and  the  bears,  which  ravaged  everything.  Four  if 
our  people  went  on  a  hunting  expedition,  and  returned  next  day  without  any 
other  game  than  an  owl. 

"On  tlio  7th  wc  dined  at  the  grant  (jf  M.  Mczieres:  it  has  the  air  of  a 
plantation  which  is  just  cuninicnciiig.  We  saw  there  one  hovel,  sioiiii' 
negroc^  and  a  single  laborer,  who  did  us  neither  g(jod  nor  ill.  ^\'e  cahincil 
for  the  night  at  Point  Cuiqn'c,  before  the  house  of  a  planter,  who  rcccivcil 
us  with  great  attention.  The  rain  detained  us  there  next  morning,  and  per- 
mitted us  during  the  whole  day  to  nialic  but  a  single  league,  as  far  as  tlie 
residence  of  another  planter.  His  iiouse,  whiidi  was  constructed  from  fmr 
forked  sticks,  gave  us,  for  better  and  for  worse,  a  shelter  from  a  fi'iglitfii! 
storm.  IIow  much  need  have  these  poor  people  of  consolation,  both  spiritual 
and  temporal ! 

"On  the  Dth  we  had  scarcely  embarked  when  tliere  came  from  the  wooil- 
a  most  execrable  odor.  They  told  us  that  it  proceeded  fnmi  an  animal  cL^m 
on  shore,  which  they  called  h,'tf  paioiti'  and  which  spreads  this  disagrccaljlo 
smell  everywhere  about  i*.  A\'e  cabined  for  the  niglit  at  the  Little  Tonlvm, 
in  tlie  canes;  during  tlie  winte  they  set  them  on  tire,  but  during  the  sum- 
mer it  is  necessary  to  cut  them  to  be  able  to  cabin  there.  The  Indian  vil- 
lage is  up  (.1)0  country;  from  thence  to  the  Gmit  Tuniaiti  it  is  ten  or  twelve 
leagues  by  the  ^Iissis?ippi;  but  by  land  there  is  nothing  but  a  mere  neck 
which  separates  the  two  villages.  Formerly  they  made  a  portage,  crossing 
the  land.  They  still  call  this  passage  t/ic  jtort(/(/i'  of  the  Cmss.  The  river 
had  penetrated  tliis  point,  and  inundated  it  entirel}-  during  these  great 
floods,  and  it  was  this  place  that  wo  had  to  cross  the  next  day,  that  is  l: 
say,  a  distance  of  two  leagues,  to  avoid  the  ten  leagues  which  it  M'ould  be 
necessary  to  go  if  we  continued  our  njute  by  the  Mississippi.  AVe  accord- 
ingly took  an  Indian  at  the  Little  Tonicas  to  act  as  our  guide. 

"On  the  ItUli  we  entered  these  woods,  this  sea,  tins  torrent,  for  it  is  all 
these  at  once.  Our  i<;uide,  whose  lansi'uan'e  none  of  us  understood,  addrossiJ 
us  by  signs;  one  interpreted  tliese  in  one  way,  and  another  in  a  difTcrcnt 
wa}',  so  that  we  did  everytliing  at  hazard.  However,  when  a  ]ierson  lia; 
cntercd  these  woods,  it  is  necessary  to  go  on  or  perish  ;  for  if  he  allows  him- 
self to  get  into  tlie  current  for  the  purpose  of  returning,  the  rapid  streai;; 
will  certainly  dash  the  boat  against  a  tree,  which  will  break  it  into  a  thou- 
sand pieces.  If  it  had  not  been  for  that,  we  should  have  retired  from  sudi 
an  evil  undertaking  immediately,  a.«  soon  as  we  saw  ourselves  embarked  iiiit. 
It  was  necessary  unceasingly  to  turn  ab(nit  the  boat  in  a  zigzag  course  ti 
prevent  the  bows  from  striking  against  the  trees;  and  wo  often  founil  it 
T/cdged  between  two  trees  which  did  not  give  it  sufHcient  space  to  pass,  oou- 


trary  (o  the  cxpecfation 
iif  wliicii  the  entr.''.n.;e 
(if  great  length  and  cno 
;he  current,  and  which  r 
bo  entirely  barred  by  a  ,< 
tiiiii  at  the  risk  of  findii 
tiiiiliiig  sufficient  water, 
came  iioeossary  to  push 
poitplc  was  obliged  to  spr 
fast  tlie  boat  to  a  tree  wl 
rent  should  exceed  that  i 
iMt  dash  itself  against  a 
t'l  fill  ill  a  current  which 
it  was  going  to  .sink.     Tl 
tune  there  hajipened  not 
After  having  passed  anoti 
remained  for  a  moment  ii 
that  of  the  oars ;  wc  did 
iliivoii  liack,  that  is  to  say 
ikith;  for  if  the  oars  had 
liave  gone  back   to  be   d; 
baiTod  the  current.     Our  i 
w:iit(Hl  ill  a  sad  and  mourl 
tliey  saw  lis  out  of  ('.cger 
all  the  toils  of  this  day.     1 
ami  a  voyager  who  knows  i 
if  lie  should  escape  its  dan, 
jiile  out  they  abridge  the 
>aveil  our  lives,  and  w(;  at  1 
m  these  two  fatal  leagues. 
•Wo  arrived  then  at  f 
The  ehief  of  this  nation  cai 
IT  hands,  embraced  u.<j,  sp; 
aii'l  invited  us  to  sleep  ther 
hlackbcrries,  and  a  muinic  ( 
a  feast  for  us  j  for  the  2^uss< 
iliimer. 

"On  the  11th  wc  passed 

1 1-tli  wo  cabined  at  Ecois  hi 

stely  made  our  visit  to  the  1 

''•"  ''"re.     IIo  is  a  man  of  ; 

■i>  liis  brotiiren  had  been  at 

[  ''•"I'tli  and  very  zealous.     A\ 

'""/■('  there  our  huircs. 


?  ART  1. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


119 


trary  to  the  oxpocfation  of  those  wlio  steered  it.  Now  there  was  a  torrent 
of  which  tlic  entrance  w-xs  ahiiost  closed  by  a  raft,  or  iierhaps  by  two  trees 
of  sroiit  leiiirtli  and  enorn.ous  tliickness,  prostrated  aero.ss  the  two  banks  of 
the  rnvront,  and  which  ronoicred  it  more  inipotnous;  now,  tlic  entrance  wonkl 
be  entirely  barred  by  a  single  tree,  and  it  was  necessary  to  chan<:c  our  direc- 
tion at  the  risk  of  finding  the  same  obstacle  a  moment  afterward  or  of  not 
finding  sufficient  water,  but  instead  of  it,  mud  and  brambles.  Then,  it  be- 
,Mine  iioeossary  to  push  on  the  boat  by  main  strengtli.  Often  one  of  our 
i.i'imle  was  obliged  to  spring  into  the  water  even  to  his  neck,  to  go  and  make 
h<t  tin!  l)oat  to  a  tree  which  extended  out,  so  that  if  the  strength  of  the  cur- 
'•oiit  sliindd  exceed  that  of  the  oars,  and  cause  the  boat  to  recede,  it  might 
ii;)t  dash  itself  against  a  tree.  Our  own  boat  ran  the  greatest  risk  ;  it  began 
t .  fill  ill  !i  current  which  had  forced  it  back,  and  we  saw  in  a  moment  that 
it  was  going  to  sink.  The  strength  of  the  oars  saved  us,  and  by  good  for- 
tune there  happened  not  to  Ix;  at  that  place  either  raft  or  uprooted  trees. 
After  having  passed  another,  which  only  left  a  s|iace  the  size  of  the  boat,  it 
romaiiicJ  for  a  moment  immovable  between  the  strength  of  the  current  and 
tliat  of  the  oars ;  we  did  not  know  M'hcther  it  was  going  to  advance  or  be 
ilrivou  liack,  that  is  to  say,  for  a  moment  we  were  vibrating  between  life  and 
'V'Hih;  for  if  the  oars  had  yielded  to  the  strength  of  the  current,  we  should 
l::ive  gone  back  to  bo  dashed  against  a  large  tree  which  almost  entirely 
laiTod  the  current.  Our  people  in  the  other  boat,  who  had  passed  before  us, 
ff:iiteil  ill  a  sad  and  mournful  silence,  and  uttered  a  loud  cry  of  joy  when 
tj.v  saw  us  out  of  ;'.ti]ger.  I  -should  never  end  if  T  v.cre  to  recount  to  you 
■M  the  toils  of  this  day.  The  passage  is  well  named  the  paKX(i<ic  of  the  Cross, 
;i!iil  a  vnynger  who  knows  what  it  is,  and  does  not  decline  attempting  it,  even 
if  lie  should  escape  its  dangers,  meiits  a  place  in  a  madhouse.  And  by  this 
-iile  f ut  they  abridge  the  voyage  but  a  very  short  day's  sail.  The  Lord 
-aveil  our  lives,  and  we  at  last  reached  the  end  and  succeeded  in  accomplish- 
i:ii:  those  two  fatal  leagues. 

"Wc  arrived  then  at  four  or  five  in  the  evening  at  the  (Irccif  Iniu'cas. 
Till'  chief  of  this  nation  came  to  the  bank  of  the  river  to  receive  us,  grasped 
>ur  hands,  embraced  us,  spread  out  a  mat  and  some  skins  before  the  cabin, 
and  invited  us  to  sleep  there.  Then  he  presented  us  with  a  large  plate  of 
I'lackhorries,  and  a  mainic  (that  is,  a  basket)  of  green  beans.  It  was  truly 
a  feast  for  us  ;  for  the  passage  of  (he  Cross  had  not  permitted  us  to  stop  for 
Jinner.  ^ 

"ttn  the  11th  wc  passed  the  night  for  the  last  time  in  the  boat.     On  the 

1-th  wc  cabined  at  Ecors  hlaws,  and  on  the  l^th  at  Xntclirx.     We  innnedi- 

I  ately  made  our  visit  to  the  Ivcvcrend  rather  Philibert,  a  Oapuchin,  who  is 

lie  Cure,     lie  is  a  man  of  good  sense,  who  was  not  frightened  at  seeing  us, 

}  'IS  liis  brctiu'en  had  been  at  New  Orleans ;  in  other  respects,  he  is  a  man  of 

[wth  and  very  zealous.     We  afterward  descended  to  the  bank  of  the  river 

' iiwke  (here  our  bu'trcs. 


t    U  ■  ',.,T-  '  [•. 


•■ ' '  '         .  . 

•'■■'■  J' ''  ■■  ■ 


Vt'-v  4 


..'•^'•.'ti^r-'i 


^J■:^''^■'" 


« 


I 


vni 


f .  i 


■  N  ' 


• 

■^ 

i 

V 

. 

\',  . 

i 

'•      :  • 

■  ;.  :; 

' 

•      ..:.!' 

-.1 


4 


m 


120 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nooKi 


IMRT  I.] 


INTERIOI 


Ir'l.'-:^ 


"The  French  settlement  at  Natchez  hiis  become  very  important.  Tlnv 
raise  there  a  great  deal  of  tobacco,  which  is  esteemed  the  best  iu  tl,c 
country. 

"  We  left  Natcliez  on  tlie  17th,  and  embarked,  the  Father  Dumas  ai;i] 
myself,  in  a  boat  which  went  out  on  a  liuntiiig  expedition.  Our  people  ha! 
not  yet  prepared  their  provisions,  that  is  to  say,  they  bad  not  purchased  uii^i 
pounded  their  corn. 

"  As  the  flats  now  began  to  be  seen,  we  found  there  the  eggs  of  the  turtk 
which  were  a  new  feast  for  us.  Tlieso  eggs  are  a  little  larger  than  pigcmi'. 
eggs,  and  are  found  in  tlie  sand  of  the  flats,  where  tlie  suu  hatches  tliui: 
The  tracks  which  the  turtles  leave,  enable  us  to  discover  the  places  wlicri 
they  have  concealed  their  eggs.  They  are  found  in  great  quantitits,  ai.^! 
arc  made  into  omelettes,  which  are  much  relished  by  people  who  are  aceu,- 
tomed  to  eat  nothing  but  ^rx. 

"  They  reckon  the  distance  from  New  Orleans  to  Natchez  at  nearly  a  lui;;- 
drcd  leagues,  and  from  Natchez  to  Vntuu'i*  at  forty.     We  made  this  soc'ii' 
passage  without  any  other  adventure,  except  that  during  one  night  mo  wti 
overtaken  by  a  violent  storm,  accompanied  with  thunder  and  lightning.   Y.: 
may  judge  M'hetlier  a  person  is  well  pn^tected  from  the  rain  under  the  covi.r- 
i"g  of  a  single  clotli.     The  next  day  an  Indian  who  was  ascending  the  riv. 
with  us  went  on  shore  for  the  purpose  of  hunting.     We  continued  our  ruut 
but  had  scarcely  gone  half  a  league  M'hen  lie  appeared  on  the  bank  Avitli ;. 
deer  on  his  shoulders.     Wc  tliereforc  cabined  on  the  first  flat  we  came  t 
for  the  purpose  of  drying  our  clothes  and  making  a  great  feast.     These  p- 
pasts,  which  take  place  after  a  good  chase,  are  perfectly  savage  in  the  v;,; 
they  are  conducted,  though  nothing  can  be  more  pleasant.     The  animal  i-  i 
pieccs  in  a  moment ;  nothing  is  lost ;  our  V(jyagers  place  it  on  the  fire  ur  in  ;; 
pot,  each  one  according  to  his  taste  ;  tlieir  fingers  and  some  little  sticks  sui- 
ply  the  place  of  all  kinds  of  utensils  for  cooking  and  for  the  table.     To  a- 
them  covered  only  with  a  cloth  round  the  loins,  more  athletic,  more  ]jru\v!> . 
than  the  Indians  themselves,  stretched  out  on  the  sand  or   sijuatting  clue 
like  monkeys,  and  eating  what  they  hold  in  their  hands,  one  can  scarcdv 
know  whether  it  is  a  troop  of  gypsies,  or  of  people  who  are  assisting  a: : 
witch  festival. 

"  On  the  28d  wc  arrived  at  Yatoiis,  a  French  post  within  two  leagues  ; 
the  mouth  of  the  river  of  that  )iame,  wliich  emjities  into  the  ^Missis^bipi 
There  is  an  officer  with  the  title  of  Connnander,  togetlier  with  a  dozen  sui- 
diers,  and  three  or  four  planters.  The  grant  of  31.  le  Blanc  was  at  tHH 
place,  but  it  has  gone  to  ruin  like  the  others.  The  ground  is  elevated  1; 
mounds;  little  of  it  is  cleared,  and  the  air  is,  they  say,  unwholesome.  Tl'. 
Commander,  in  honor  of  our  arrival,  fired  ofi"  nil  the  artillery  of  the  f^n 
which  consists  of  two  pieces  of  very  small  cannon.     The  fort  is  a  banael;  i: 


ffiiieli  the  Commander  lo 
I'luded  by  the  situation  ol 
aiiil  Avu  cabined  in  his  coi 

'•On  the  "iGth  we  ree 
YatMiis  tl)  tlie  Akensas  tl 
rived  there  on  the  7th  o 
made  a  great  feast  of  bea 
the  chase. 

•  After  having  walked 
Frer.eh  dwellings.     I  was 
which  was  that  of  the  Ci 
satisfaction  that  I  was  at 
t.  aecntiiplish.     I  would 
iiiii-hed  un  the  sea  at  tl 
Father  Dumas  was  only  in 
eiiii'arked  again  (Jii  the  mo 
i;ii>  eiiinitry  he  did  not  fin 
tl  kill  some  buff"aloes,  wl 
nothing  to  live  on  Init  sonn 
•■I  liave  now  reached  th( 


i( 


t  Yazoo  River. 


THE  south: 


MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY 
MISSISSIPF 

I.v  continuing  to   ascend 

I  lateriur  "\'alley,  it  will  faci 

I  liyJntgraphy  to  divide  it  iiit 

t!ieffh(de,  be  tolerably  well 

I  it  will  Ii,j  convenient  to  mak 

The  Tei 

The  Yaz 
The  St. 
The  Am 
The  Upf 


1'aRT  I- 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


121 


^v'liirli  the  Comniaiulor  Lnlges,  surroundcJ  by  a  single  palisade,  but  well  cle- 
!' ii'leil  liy  the  situation  of  the  place.  lie  received  us  in  a  very  friendly  way, 
a;ni  wo  cabined  in  hi.s  court-yard. 

'On  the  -Otli  we  reeinbarkod,  the  Father  Dumas  and  myself.  From 
Yat'ius  to  the  Akcnsas  they  reckon  the  distance  at  sixty  leagues.  We  ar- 
rivoil  tliere  on  tlie  Tth  of  Jul}-,  without  any  other  adventure  than  having 
made  a  great  feast  of  bear's  meat,  which  one  of  our  pcoj)le  had  procured  in 
t'lf  chase. 

•Attor  having  walked  about  the  eighth  of  a  league,  we  arrived  at  the 
rivi'.fh  dwellings.  I  was  hidged  in  the  house  of  the  Company  of  the  Indies, 
iviii'.li  was  that  of  the  Commander  when  he  is  here,  and  found  with  great 
>aii.>taction  that  I  was  at  the  end  of  these  two  hundred  leagues  which  I  had 
!  I  atciiiiiplish.  I  would  rather  twice  make  the  voyage  which  we  had  just 
li'ii^ied  on  the  sea  at  the  same  season,  than  to  recommence  this  one.  The 
ratlior  Dumas  was  oidy  in  the  middle  of  his  njuto  to  go  to  the  Illinois,  and 
embarked  again  on  the  morning  after  his  arrival;  from  this  place  to  the  llli- 
iM  country  he  did  not  find  a  single  habitation,  but  they  scarcely  ever  failed 
t.i  kill  some  buffaloes,  which  very  well  made  amends  to  people  who  had 
ii'itliinu'  to  live  on  but  some  f/r/t. 

•I  have  now  reached  the  end  of  my  long  and  tedious  narrative." 


■Ill* 

.'vjl' 

.ri 


:   /i. 

■  K-  ■. 


■  •.^ '.•■'.: 


\,  .  •    .  :,     I 


(•  V.v!:.i-     , 


U'i%-y 


Y''A:cJ^i.;j.;-- 


M-y-^:^4 


:  :   ■of' . 


ti'i     * 


;,  1 


.f  ••       .- 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE   SOUTIIEIIN   BASIN,   CONTINUED, 


MEDICAL  TOPOGRAPHY  OF  THE  BOTTOMS  AND  BLUFFS  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI  RIVER,  ABOVE  ITS  DELTA. 

Ix  continuing  to  ascend  the  Mississippi,  or  great  synclinal  axis  of  the 

I  laterior  Valley,  it  will  facilitate  the  study  of  its  medical  topography  and 

liydrography  to  divide  it  into  natural  sections,  the  limits  of  which  may,  on 

thcffhi'lc,  be  tolerably  well  ncfined.     The  following  arc  the  divisions  which 

(it  will  li J  convenient  to  make  — 

The  Tensas,  or  Concordia  bottom. 

The  Yazoo  bottom. 

The  St.  Francis  bottom. 

The  American  bottom, 

The  Upper  ^lississippi. 


.V;?^;- ;..':" 


v.  -5  t-.t' 


-  ,      !      t     •>  '. 


■t 


,=i!f 


122 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book 


RT.  I.] 


INTERIOR 


■v: : 


1^- 

I:: 


i.A  •  ■ 

.  'i   '  •  ■ 

'    ■i'  ■ 

.    -    (!    . 

t 

m 

.:t^; 


-,"  *     ■■  -. 


SECTION  I. 

THE  TENSAS  OR  CONCORDIA  BOTTOM. 

Tliis  Bottom,  ■with  but  little  modification  of  character,  extends  from  t';- 
moutli  of  lied  Iiiver  to  the  diluvial  bluft's,  in  tlic  roar  of  the  town  of  Uclom 
about  ninety  miles  above  the  mouth  of  Arkansas  Iiiver.  It  lies  entiiLlv  r. 
the  western  side  of  the  IMississipiii,  and  is  about  five  hundred  miles  lun;, 
Its  range  of  latitude  is  fmm  thirty-one  to  thirty-four  and  a  half  dogms 
north.  In  general  its  lower  half  is  wider  than  its  upper,  except  where  tl 
Arkansas  and  White  Rivers  traverse  the  latter. 

Through  its  wliole  lengtli,  near  the  3Iississippi,  there  arc  beautiful  croseti;t- 
shaped  lakes,  the  oljsolcte  Ijeds  of  large  bayous  or  divisions  of  the  river,  i: 
not  of  the  whole  stream.  These,  and  man^,  ther  lakes,  lagoons,  and  cxtu:. 
sive  swamps,  are,  every  spring  and  early  summer,  replenished  with  wat.r: 
for  although  levees  have  been  thrown  up,  they  never  wholly  prevent  an  iiiuc- 
dation.  There  are,  moreover,  some  other  sources  of  supply,  which  must  ii', 
be  overlooked.  First.  AVater  escapes  from  the  Arkansas  lliver  into  tli;- 
Bottom.  Second.  It  is  traversed  by  the  Washita,  wliich  descends  upon  i; 
from  the  highlands  to  the  west,  and  often  overflows  its  banks.  Tliii 
When  t1io  3Iississipju  is  swollen,  its  waters  flow  up  lied  Eiver,  and  tlui 
ascend  Black  River,  the  W".shita,  and  other  streams  which  originate  intl:- 
Bottom,  and  tluis  effect  an  overflow  of  its  southern  portion.  By  the  same  fiiit- 
let,  when  the  great  river  subsides,  a  large  portion  of  the  diffused  water  i- 
drained  off.  Thus  the  river  Breuff  has  its  origin  in  the  largest  and  mo>! 
northern  of  the  lakes,  called  Villcmonts,  an  old  river,  and  discharges  it; 
waters  into  the  Washita.  Further  down  wo  have  the  origins  of  the  river 
Tensas,  whicli,  as  it  flows  to  the  south,  is  reinforced  from  Lake  Providence, 
Lake  Josejili,  Lake  Concordia,  Lake  Lovelace,  and  many  smaller  hikes  ar.i 
streams,  before  it  unites  with  the  Washita.  Near  their  jnnction,  the  outk 
of  Catahoola  Lake,  lying  to  the  wcs*-,  likewise  enters  the  Wasliita,  aft:: 
which  the  connnon  trunk,  under  the  name  (»f  Black  River,  discharges  it- 
waters  into  Red  River,  thirty  miles  from  the  ^lississijtpi.  TIuis,  while  hh' 
of  the  water  which  escapes  laterally  from  the  bed  of  the  Mississippi,  bek^ 
the  mouth  of  Rod  River,  ever  returns,  but  reaches  the  Gulf  by  new  chan- 
nels which  traverse  the  Delta ;  that  which  leaves  the  Mississij)pi  bctwds 
Arkansas  and  Red  Rivers,  is  restored  to  the  parent  stream  through  tbe 
latter ;  after  having  inundated  the  Concordia  Bottom.  The  levees  designeil 
for  the  protection  of  this  Bottom,  can  never  be  as  effective  as  those  within 
the  Delta.  The  range  between  high  and  low-water  marks  is  much  grcatir; 
and  hence,  when  the  river  is  falling,  the  saturated  banks,  lashed  by  tic 
waves  produced  by  winds  and  steamboats,  crumble  in  and  carry  with  theiu 
portions  of  the  levee.  The  materials  of  which  the  levee  is  formed  an\  ] 
moreover,  less  argillaceous  and  adhesive,  and  therefore  more  readily  givo 
way  under  the  pressure  of  water.     Thus,  this  long  and  otherwise  exceed- 1 


i;).'ly  vahifible  tract  of  alln 
tn  be  relieved  from  the  con: 
The  eastern  boundary  ol 
I'rnfessor  Forshcy  informei 
'.'.'nr  tertiary  or  cretaceoi 
i„a!i  k\^  published  a  map  o 
t'le  nmuth  of  Red  River  to 
fully  illustrates  the  hydrogr 
of  lakes,  bayous,  and  cypref 
lity  of  Natchez,  constitutes 
,    Nearly  all  tlie  redeemed 
the  Mis.sissippi,  the  larger 
pri|iulatioii  is  altogetlicr  ru 
frw  villages  which  are  scatt 
and  can  scarcely  be  regardec 
inhabitants. 
Ill  ascending  the  ^Hssissij 
p  site  Natchez ;  then  Cuunnbia, 
Xupukon,  higher  up ;  and  las 
t  mile?  above  Red  River.     Of 
fNatcliez.     The  second  is  tlic 
;  rials  for  a  description.     Tlie 
i  Diorit  special  notices,  even  if 
Settled  long  since  the  Dell 
I  chiefly  Americans;  and  the  ] 
\  coast  below.     To  this  cause, 
^further  north,  they  are  decid 
Imalignant  cases)  than  the  pci 
hceii  longest  cultivated  are  th 
ithe  margin  of  the  Mississi])p 
lYellow  fever,  I  believe,  has  n( 


THE  TENSAS  BOTTOM  CO 
Of  the  bluffs  on  the  wcsteri 
It"  venture  on  a  description  ;  v 
I'wir  population  is  sparse;  bi 
I'urisliing  towns,  which  are  of 
jThese  bluffs,  as  wo  ascend  tli 
pgo  HI,  increase  in  hight  u 
I'Wlioscd  of  loose  tertiary  dei 
PTav.    From  their  summits  tl 


I  !■'!!!' 


?1BT.  I.J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


123 


i.i.rlv  valuable  tract  of  alluvion,  is  not  likely  to  sustain  a  dense  pf)pulation,  or 
t-i  l)f  rolieved  from  tlio  conse(jueuco9,  to  liealtli,  of  a  yearly  inundation. 

Tlio  cast  !rii  boundary  of  this  Bottom  is  the  ^lississippi ;  its  western,  as 
I'liifofsor  Forsbey  informed  me,  is  a  diluvial  terrace,  beyond  wbieb  rises  a 
Iii:'!icr  tertiary  or  cretaceous  plain,  covered  with  pine  woods.  That  gentle- 
!ii;i!i  has  published  a  map  of  the  long  parish  of  Concordia,  extending  from 
tlij  mouth  of  Ked  lliver  to  a  point  nearly  opposite  "\lcksburg,  which  beauti- 
fuHv  ilhistrates  the  hydrography  of  this  Bottom,  by  dis[ilaying  its  labyrinth 
ij'  lakes,  bayous,  and  cypress  swamps.  A  section  of  this  map,  opposite  the 
citv  of  Natchez,  constitutes  I'l.  TIL 

Nearly  all  the  redeemed  and  habitable  land  of  this  Bottom  is  f(jund  along 
tlie  Mississippi,  the  larger  bayous,  and  the  numerous  crescentic  lakes.  Tho 
]„i|iulatiiin  is  altogether  rural,  and  the  staple  of  agriculture,  cotton.  The 
frw  villages  which  are  scattered  hero  and  there,  are  of  limited  population, 
auJ  can  scarcely  be  regarded  as  diversifying  the  condition  or  character  of  its 
inliabitaiits. 

Ill  ascending  the  ^Hssissipiji  from  Bed  Bivcr,  we  have,  first,  VkldUo,  oppo- 
site Natchez ;  then  Coiumhia,  sixty  miles  below  the  mouth  of  Arkansas  Biver  ; 
3'//"i("*',  higher  up;  and  lastly, /yt'A'^c/,  at  tho  head  of  tho  Bottom,  ninety 
mile^  above  Bed  Bivcr.  Of  the  first,  something  may  bo  said  when  describing 
.Vitelicz.  The  second  is  the  largest  of  the  whole,  but  I  have  not  the  mate- 
rials  for  a  description.  The  last  two  arc  so  inconsiderable  in  size  as  not  to 
lu' lit  special  notices,  even  if  I  could  give  tliem. 

>cttlod  long  since  the  Delta,  the  inhabitants  of  the  Concordia  Bottom  are 
(liiefly  Americans ;  and  tho  plantations  arc  much  newer  than  tliose  of  the 
c  a-t  below.  To  this  cause,  in  j)art,  at  least,  it  may  be  owing  thiit,  although 
hrtlier  north,  they  are  decidedly  more  liable  to  autumnal  fever  ( including 
niilignant  cases)  than  the  people  of  the  Delta.  The  plantations  which  have 
Iwii  longest  cultivated  are  the  healthiest.  The  most  salubrious  are  those  on 
|:t!ij  margin  of  the  Mississippi,  and  its  obsolete  beds,  the  crescentic  lakes. 
[iulluw  fever,  I  believe,  has  never  invaded  these  plantations. 


SECTION  II. 

THE  TEN.'iAS  BOTTOM  CONTINUED  — LOCALITIE.S  ON  ITS  BLUFFS. 

Of  tho  blufi"s  on  tho  western  side  of  the  Tensas  Bottom,  I  know  too  little 

It'i venture  on  a  description;  which,  however,  is  not  particidarly  re(|uired,  as 

llicir  population  is  sparse;  but  those  on  the  eastern  side,  support  several 

'urisliing  towns,  which  are  of  decided  interest  to  the  topographical  etiologist. 

|T!ic«o  lilulfs,  as  we  ascend  the  Mississippi  from  Bayou  Sara,  described  on 

page  HI,  increase  in  bight  until  wc  reach  A''icksburg,  and  are  everywhere 

l''mposed  of  loose  tertiary  deposits,  which  the  river  undermines  and  washes 

p;v;u-.    From  their  summits  the  Concordia  Bottom  presents  a  vast  grove  of 


;  't,  ^.l,jr^■ 


:hM 


.....■■!■.'•, 


q 


1 


'i.H'i 


I,  '  >  * 
1 


•i^iii 


• 


-::■  I?'  i'  «.■' 


''siiiii 


:!■       :• 


1     ^ 

'  '      ,                    •   \L 

'jr.  ,  ■ 

K 

, ! 

'■f' 

.  ■ 

■      11 

4 

^ 

1.1 

•  •! 

■•  ■  f  ■  .  •  ■  ^ :»;. 

■■       ^    .^1 

■y 

iF''t-..ii 


124 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  ; 


cjpiv.ss,  li(iui(lambar,  aiul  other  lurcsi  trees,  ■witli  a  range  of  cotton  fields  >. 
tliu  riglit  bank  of  tlio  river.  In  de.scriljing  their  localitien,  I  shall  begin  wit; 
that  which  lies  furthest  down  the  river. 

I.  roUT  Adams. — This  village,  as  its  name  imports,  was  formerly  a  nnl;. 
tary  jiost,  but  is  now  an  innmrtant  steamboat  landiiifr,  witli  a  jKijmlatiou  ; 
tlirec  hundred  souls.  It  stands  .seventy  miles  al)ove  ]5ayou  i^ara,  and  twoki 
above  the  mouth  of  lied  Kiver.  The  ^Mississippi  at  this  p'ace  approaclu^ >. 
near  tlie  blufi's,  that  many  of  tlic  houses  arc  built  on  its  rugged  declivity; 
the  rest  being  near  the  water's  edge  Of  the  liability  of  this  place  t 
autunuud  fever  I  cannot  S] leak ;  and  have  introduced  this  notice  because  i; 
has  suffered  from  yellow  fever. 

II.  X.VTCHitz. — No  city  in  the  Mexican  or  Southern  Basin  has  hadasniac: 
able  medical  historians  as  Natchez.  Since  Commissioner  Andrew  Elliwt  I 
sojourned  there,  through  the  summer  of  17i>7,  and  made  the  first  report  oc 
its  disea.ses,  *  we  have  had  Doctor  Pcrlee,  t  Doctor  Tooley,  J  Doctor  Cart- 
wright,  jl  Doctor  3Icrrill,  >;  and  Doct(jr  jMonette,  ^  who  may  bo  considcredaj  I 
having  cxiiansted  the  subject.  The  cau.ses  of  its  having  received  so  inu:'; 
atteiitidii  are,  its  early  settlement  and  former  political  and  commercial  distinC' 
tion,  togetiier  with  its  frequent  and  fatal  invasions  by  yellow  fever. 

Natchez  {PL  VII)  is  situated  in  N.  Lat.  31  o  33'  37",  and  W.  Lon, 
91"  28'  22"-  The  elevation  of  its  site,  according  to  jMr.  Nicollet,  is  tf;| 
hundred  and  sixty  four  feet  above  the  sea,  and  one  hundred  and  sovoiity- 
ciglit  above  the  river  at  low  water ;  which,  consequently,  is  eighty-six  fat 
above  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  I;i  approaching  Natchez  the  Mississippi  flui;! 
nearly  to  the  south,  and  when  oppo,'='ite  turns  to  the  west.  The  streets  wliifi 
rest  upon  the  river,  run  to  the  south-east,  and  arc  intersected  by  others  at 
right  angles.  The  lir.st  of  tlie  hitter  class  is  not  on  the  margin  of  tho  Uiif. 
and  tluis  there  is,  between  that  margin  and  the  city  plat,  a  promenade  or  nar- 
row connnoius.  Tlic  terrace  on  which  the  tity  is  built,  consists  of  alternate  lay- 
ers of  tertiary  sand  and  claj',  with  deposits  of  oceanic  shells,  the  whole  sur- 
mounted with  a  stratum  of  loamy  marl,  containing  the  del)  is  of  plant- 
Well-water  cannot  be  obtained  bv  digging  into  these  strata,  and  henco,  it; 
water  used  by  tlie  inhabitants  is,  cither,  from  tlie  river,  or  out  of  cisteri!;! 
filled  during  tho  rainy  seas(jn.-'"''  The  surface  originally  rugget'  !ias,  however, 
been  leveled  Ijy  art;  an  enterprise  which  required  a  great  deal  of  excavati": 
and  filling  up.  it  The  country  immediately  around  the  city  is  high  and  tleep!; 
cut  by  ravines,  which  are  destitute  of  water  in  dry  weather,  but  convey  tor- 


*  Journal  of  Andrew  Ellicott,  late  Commissioner,  chapter  9,  p.  4  to  1288. 

t  Piiil.  Jour.  Med.  Pliys.  Sci.  Vol.  Ill,  p.  1. 

i  Hist,  of  the  Yellow  Fever  of  Nalehez  in  1823. 

II  Amer.  Med.  Rec.  Vol.  IX.  j).  I.  §  Phil.  Jour.  Vol.  IX,  p.  233. 

If  Essay  on  tho  Ep.  Yel.  rev.  of  Natchez. 

**  Doctor  Curtwright.  ft  Doctor  Merrill. 


: 


>- 


i  i 


>c 


Til' 


'l..i-. 


■*' '  ' 

1 

,  ^     1 

•          '       1 

.i  t 

I.  U  ..' 


i '   1 


1«      -'    I 


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'  '1  '    ■ 

»•         ■      ■ 

*     .     - 

V, 


,,„Ti.J  IXTERIOI 

rirunt.s  of  water  during  tlio 
■Vtlice  raviiK'.s,  and  a  dfjin 
'  •  rivir,  wcro  fur  many  year,' 
"ami  ill  a  gully  between  tli 
■crii.'.-.  t    The  water  wliii 
bayous.     Ono  nriginatos 
|: converging,  they  meet  an 
Crock,  a  larger  stream,  w 
miles  of  the  city,  to  the 
along  tlio  bayous  which  di 
recqitiiclos  of  a  great  deal 
Xvkln'Z  in  the    Coinitr;/ 
presents  a  highly  cultivate 
jidiid,  siiinetimcs  the  wurk 
plantations. 
Xutfliez  under  the  Hill, 
I  is  a  narrow  and  filthy  sli 
, .along  the  base  of  the  rugg 
[■'(latioii  in  high  floods.     The 
ViD.vr.i.v. — Opposite  to 
l^ploasant  village  of  Vidalia, 
ilouiiiaiia.     It  consists  of  £ 
osito  the  middle  of  tlu 
|kt  above  they  recede  from  i 
|of  them  there  is  a  depressic 
|ifloffe(l.     Three  miles  in  it; 
'  Like.  Concordia,  which,  prot 
tbe  river  floods.     Its  banks 
WA.<iiiX(iTO.v.— This  towr 
Kl'Mg  to  the  river  bluffs ;  b 
Milled  in  connection  with  J« 
a<  situated  on  an  elevated 
fwiimiis  or  stagnant  water 
fund  this  description  corn 
I  it  stand-  is  tertiary,  and  id 
T!ie  country  around  it  is  roll 
(":'■  of  the  oldest  in  the  stat( 
[Tims  there  are  no  topogra 
!  ^J'.'in?  adequately  washed  b; 
y^;.v«.„.v,,.._]3oth  Natcliez 
;  <)  autumnal  fever,  which  a 


m 


'  Doctor  Cartwright. 
•}\VesternMed.  andPhys.  Joi 


nl 


hABTI.] 


INTERIOR  VAIJ.EY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


125 


|jg„(3  of  water  during  tlio  rainy  scasfiM.  *  To  tlie  wo<^t  df  tlio  city,  nnc  of 
Itbcsc  raviiios,  and  a  de|irt'S.si(tn  in  tlio  Itluff  from  a  slidu  into  tlio  lud  of  tho 
Irivor,  were  for  many  years  rL'C('i)taclcH  for  dead  animals  and  oifal  of  all  si'rt."; 
land  in  a  L'ully  between  tlieni  and  tlic  eity,  there  was  a  eiillcction  il'  buteh- 
lerie.-.  t  'il'o  water  wliicli  falls  on  the  town  jilat,  i?  eliicily  eolleeted  int(j  two 
llayoiis.  One  originates  west  of  tlic  town,  tlio  other  to  its  south-east,  and 
iconvcrging,  they  meet  and  flow  off  by  a  common  channel  to  St.  Catharine's 
ICrcek,  a  larger  stream,  which  jia.sscs,  by  a  south-we.st  course,  within  three 
lies  of  the  eity,  to  the  IMississi|ij)i  river  below.  There  are  no  alluvions 
laloiiii  the  bayous  which  drain  the  city  plat,  but  they  are  or  have  been  the 
Ireeeiitaelcs  of  a  great  deal  of  lilth.  ;|; 

ydi'k'z  In  the   Cuiniti'ii,  as  the  vicinity  of  the  city  is  colloquially  called, 
presents  a  highly  cultivated  and  beautiful  a.^pect,  with  here  and  there  a  small 
poml,  snnietimcs  the  work  of  art,  designed  to  supply  stock   water  for  tho 
'plantatiims. 

Xdtfhn  under  the  JIUI,  the  name  given  to  the  steam  and  flatboat  landing, 
i<  a  narrow  and  filthy  slip  of  alluvion,  which  stretches  for  some  distance 
alniig  the  base  of  tho  rugged  bluff,  in  front  of  the  city,  and  is  liable  to  iiuui- 
(latiiiii  in  high  floods,     Tho  population  is  compact  but  not  numerous. 

A'ln.ujA. — Opposite  to  Natchez,  in  the  Tensas  Bottom,  is  tho  small  and 
lili.isaiit  village  of  Vidalia,  the  .seat  of  justice  for  tho  parish  of  Concordia  in 
Lmii-iaiia.  It  consists  of  a  single  street  lying  immediately  behind  tho  levee. 
(iji]iMi.ito  the  middle  of  tho  village,  tho  street  and  levee  are  near  the  river: 
lilt  above  they  recede  from  it,  to  keep  on  ground  sufficiently  1  igb,  and  in  front 
f'f  them  there  is  a  depression  of  considerable  extent,  which  is  annually  ovcr- 
fiwi'd.  Three  miles  in  its  rear,  is  one  extremity  of  the  beautiful  crescent 
like.  Concordia,  which,  protected  by  levees,  is  no  longer  filled  to  rejiletion  by 
tiio  liver  floods.     Its  banks  are  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

Wasiiixotox. — This  town  is  six  miles  north-east  of  Natchez,  and  does  not 

k'liiiig  to  the  river  bluffs;  but  having  been  visited  by  yellow  fever,  may  bo  de- 

Sivilifil  in  connection  with  Natchez.     Doctor  MoncttelJ  speaks  of  it,  in  1>^'27, 

a*  situated  on  an  elevated  undulating  plain,  well  drained  and  dry,  without 

Ewanijis  or  stagnant  water  of  any  kind  in  its  neighborhood.     In   1)^44,  I 

f  uml  this  description  correct ;  and   I  may  add,  that   tho   spot   on  which 

it  ftantl-  is  tertiary,  and  identical  in  composition  with  the  site  of  Natchez. 

L,Tlie  country  around  it  is  rolling  and  highly  cultivated.     Tho  village,  although 

cone  of  the  oldest  in  tho  state  of  Mississippi,  is  small  and  seatteringly  built. 

riius  there  are  no  topographical  conditions  in  or  around  it,  to  prevent  its 

being  adequately  washed  by  rains,  and  ventilated  by  winds. 

Lincascs. — Both  Natchez  and  Washington  have  been,  and  still  are,  subject 

rt)  autumnal  fever,  which  annually  assumes  an  epidemic  character,  and  is 


\>^Xri 


!   - 
% 

■   _               ■                          \ 

.  ■      •       .  .      .  • 


•  Doctor  Cartwright.  t  Doctor  Toolpy.  J  Doctor  Cartwright. 

}^Vestern  Med.  anil  Phys.  Journal  (Cinciunati),  Vol.  I,  p.  74. 


*  it'-- 


^«!J 


■I  ■ 


'■•I'   •, 


•■-( 


:  ■]; 


•■,1 


120 


THE  PIlINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nooi 


uftoiKT  rat;il  tliaii  In  the  linttniii  <iii  tlio  o|i|Mislt(,'  xidu  of  tlio  river:  it  is,  L  i. 
cviir,  tlicir  liuiillity  to  yellow  f'cvor,  us  alreudy  iutiuiutcd,  wliicli  givos  tu  tt 
to|)ogrnpliy  its  grciitcst  interest. 

Histurii. — 'I'licro  are  with  Imh-'icz  and  its  vicinity,  associations  and  ret;. 
lections  which  tcnijit  mo  to  deV'      ;i  para^'raph  to  its  annals.     Hero  itr... 
that  th(!  Natchez,  the   most  civi../.ed  trihe  of  Indians  in  the  Willey  i.f  t:, 
JMLssisj-ippi,  had  their  j)crniaiient  residence;  and  on  or  near  the  place  win: 
the  city  is  built,  stood  the  Temple  of  the  Sun,  in  which  they  maintaimJ ;  I 
perpetual  fire  —  the  object  of  their  worship.     On  the  .spots  where  eottmi  i. 
now  jdanted,   they  cultivated  maize,   beans,  pumpkins,   and  melons;  c.^ 
pressed  the  occiputs  of  their  children;  ']iaid  their  physicians  in  advaiin.'-l 
tlicir  medicines  being  '  small  roots  of  dill'erent  kinds,  heads  of  owls,  small  ts:- 
eels  of  the  liair  of  fallow-deer,  the  teeth  of  animals,  and  pebble  stuius. ' 
The  first  white  man  who  went  among  them  was  St.  Come,  a  French  CatM 
Missionary  from  Canada.    Soon  afterward,  in  March,  17'M),  they  were  visi:.! 
by  Tburville,  from  the  l''reiieh  settlement  on  l>iloxi  I>ay.     ITe  was  kiiidlvr.- 
ceived  by  the  (Ireat  Chief — who  was  blaster  of  the  Temple  and  limtbir  :| 
the   Sun.      Iberville,  delighted  with  the  spot,  projected  a  town,  wliicli  L 
named  Kosalie,  —  the  first  ever  planned  on  the  banks  of  the  Missi.ssi|j: 
Thus  Natchez  was  settled  in  the  second  year  after  the  arrival  of  the  FreiicL : 
the  .shores  of  Louisiana,  and  eighteen  years  before  New  ( )rleans. t   On  tlie  -\: 
of  November,  ITli!^,  the  Indians  massacred  all  the  white  men  of  the  en]  i 
save  two,  (whom  they  purposely  kept  as  prisoners),  and  a  few  others wii 
escaped  into  the  woods.     They  likewise  destroyed  all  the  children,  aiiiuun;- 
ing  in  the  whole  to  two  hundred;  and  distributing  the  women  among  tit  I 
tribe,  reduced  them  to  servitude. J     In  the  month  of  February,  17oU,t's 
French,  assisted  by  the  Choctaw  Indians,  in  retaliation,  either  killed  or  Ji." 
jiersed  the  whole  tribe.    Those  wlio  escaped  assembled  on  Eed  lUvcr,  wliir.] 
they  were  made  prisoners,  and  shipped  to  Ilispaniola  as  slaves. ||     After  tli; 
extermination,  the  spot  was  repeopled  with   French.     In   17<>>,  Loiiisiaa 
passed  from  France  to  Spain,  but  the  cast  bank  of  the  river  above  the  tbirtv- 
first  degree  of  latitude,  including  Natchez,  of  course,  was  aeknowledircJ '■  | 
France  to  belong  to  Great  l>ritain.     In  the  same  year,  Spain  ceded  Finn;: 
to  that  power.     For  sixteen  years  after  these  cessions,  Natchez  was  in  f- 
session  of  J'^ngland,  durii.g  which  it  received  many  adventurers  from  tb:  I 
country,  and    also  from  Ireland,  Scotland,   and    the  cohiiiics,   now  riiitui 
States.     In  ITG!',  the  Spaniards  took  possession  of  it;  and  thus  a  Sjiaiiiii: 
clement  was  added  to  the  already  heterogeneous  pojmlation.     In  IT'vJ,  Grea: 
Britain  relin(|uislied  Florida  to  Spain,  the  hitter  still  retaining  posscssiun  : 


»  Father  Lo  Petit:    Early  Jesuit  Missions,  i)art  II,  p.  280. 
+  Histoirc  de  la  Loiiisiane,  Vol.  I.     Par  C.  (Jayarre. 
X  Father  Le  Petit,  in  the  Early  Jesuit  Missions,  part  II,  p.  285. 
II  Bancroft's  History  of  the  Col.  of  the  U.  S.,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  3G3. 


i   I'AIT  !•] 


INTERIO 


Xatchcz.     In  nr»r>,  how 
Stiiti-'.-'.  though  she  did  n 
it  Ik.'l'uii  rapidly  to  aci 
.Niaiiianls  .simultaneousl_) 
Tliib  we  see,  that  Nat 
>i;i.>i<ii!ii  fmm  a  state  of 
tlicir  iowsl  have  been  eu 
mure  tliaa  u  century ;  t 
their  ifeea.ses  with  those 
reiiceiuod  from  the  wilde 
t'le  salubrity  of  soils  (jf  t 
tLat  the  jiiipulation  is  a 
ami  Americans, —  the  la.- 
nvcr  all  the  fi inner. 

III.      llODXKV.— This  \ 

•  •(  tlic  river,  in  N.  Lat.  ll 

it}  of  a  iiiuTow  bottom,  w 

the  same  time  becomes  so 

.Much  of  the  bottom  is  wi( 

cull  f-idc;  but  at  its  ujipe 

fHiithorii  side,  startin;;;  froi 

Tile  water  of  this  torrent, 

ami  under  many  of  tlie  hoi 

j'luare  to  its  north,  and  i 

immediately  above  the  vill 

.Mississippi  stands  in  this  t 

ami  iinrthern  sides  of  the  i 

considcralile  extent.     The 

diieay  of  wooden  houses,  i 

and  are  destitute  of  cellars 

lower  'lart  of  the  villa  f'c,  ii 

cf  a  cun.siderable  region  of 

It  shoukl  be  noted  that  altl 

hluff,  it  stands  upon  a  narrc 

in  eommun  with  other  tow 

perieiiccd  a  severe  visitatioi 

Immediately  above  Hodn 

slides  into  the  river.     To  tl 

gave  the  name  of  PciU   6o 

time  with  Ilodney,  and  acij 

tumnal  fever  was  so  great,  1 

IV.    GiiAND  Gulf. — Th 


» Ellicott's  Journal,  p.  129. 


Vh  ti'!' 


ii|!|il', 

'il», 


:i  I'AiT  I.; 


INTKRIOIl  VALLKY  OF  NOIITII  AMIIUHA. 


127 


Xatchcz.    In  nri5,  however,  hIio  ajrrcod  hy  tivaty  to  yioltl  it  to  tlic  Unitoil 
J  jitatw,  lliougli  slio  ditl  imt  siurruiifltT  it  until  1"!"^,  iiiinicdiati'ly  after  wliii-Ii 
it  lio^aii  rapiilly  to  acijiiire  an   Aiuericaii  [lojmlutioii,  while  many  of  tlie 
Siiaiiianls  .siiiniltaiicously  left  it.  * 

'i'liib  wo  see,  that  Natiihez  and  its  vicinity  are  nut  iiowly  settled  jilnces,  in 
li;i}isiluh<m  a  state  of  nature  to  one  ot  eidtivation;  for  large  portions  of 
tlicir  t'urt'st  have  been  cut  down,  and  the  soil  beneath  ])n)keii  u[i  and  tilled,  fur 
mure  than  a  century;  thus  affurding  a  favorable  opjiurtunity  fca'  cunijiaring 
thiir  iliM-a.ses  with  those  of  noigIi])uring  places,  which  have  been  Itut  lately 
rcJci'iuoJ  from  the  wilderness;  and  disclosing  the  influence  of  tultivutiuii  on 
tlie  salubrity  of  soils  of  the  same  kind,  in  the  same  latitudes ;  while  we  learn 
t!iat  tlic  jiopulation  is  a  mixture  of  J-'rench,  .Spanish,  Knglish,  Fuutch,  Irish, 
ami  Aniuriuans, —  the  last  having  come,  at  length,  greatly  to  predumiuato 
over  all  the  former. 

III.  HoDXKV. — This  village,  forty  miles  ab(ne  Natchez,  on  the  same  side 
,1'  the  river,  in  N.  ]jat.  ol"  'W,  is  built  on  the  upper  and  nortlieru  extrem- 
ity uf  a  narrow  bottom,  which  widens  to  the  south  below  the  town,  and  at 
tlio  same  time  becomes  so  low  as  to  be  overflowed  when  the  river  is  in  Hood. 
Muih  uf  the  bottom  is  wide  enough  for  a  single  street  only,  with  houses  on 
each  side:  but  at  its  upper  end  a  square  is  formed;  and  the  street  on  its 
southern  .side,  starting  from  tlie  river,  passes  uj)  the  deep  bed  of  a  rivulet. 
The  water  of  this  torrent,  when  swollen,  passes  through  the  village  sifuarc, 
ami  under  many  of  the  houses ;  but  when  not  thus  swollen  it  flows  round  the 
.sjuave  to  its  north,  and  reaches  the  river  through  a  deep  and  f(jul  ravine 
iamiodiatcly  alxjve  the  village.  From  I'\'l)ruary  to  July  the  Avater  of  the 
.Mi>:?i.'<hi|ipi  stands  in  this  chasm,  which  f(jrms  the  boundary  of  the  eastern 
and  iinrthcrn  sides  of  the  s(piare,  and  prevents  their  being  built  upon  to  any 
ioii.<iik'rahle  extent.  The  town  was  begun  in  tlie  year  iS'Jo,  and  consists 
chio9y  of  wooden  houses,  many  of  which  have  their  sills  upon  the  ground 
and  are  destitute  of  cellars.  The  stcandioat  landing,  situated  opposite  the 
lower  nart  uf  the  village,  is  considerably  frofpiented,  as  llodney  is  the  port 
of  a  cunsiJcrablo  region  of  country.  Its  pojiulation  is  about  three  hundred. 
It  should  be  noted  that  although  this  place  is  ranked  with  the  towns  of  the 
hluff,  it  stands  upon  a  narrow  bottom.  Kodney  suflers  from  autumnal  fever 
in  common  with  other  towns  along  the  Mississiiipi ;  and  in  iSd^!,  it  expc- 
perieiiecd  a  severe  visitation  of  yellow  fever. 

Immediately  above  llodney,  there  is  a  recess  in  the  bluff,  apparently  from 
slides  into  the  river.  To  the  water  in  this  recess,  the  early  French  voyagers 
gave  the  name  of  Petit  O'ol/e.  A  village  was  begun  here  about  the  same 
time  with  llodney,  and  acquired  ten  families ;  but  the  malignity  of  its  au- 
tumnal fever  was  so  great,  that  it  was  abandoned  for  llodney. t 

IV.  GiiAND  Gulf. — The  town  of  Grand  Gulf  stands  sixteen  miles  above 


^} 


:       •  .  ■  1 

'    ,     i    , 

1                              i  »  i 

.■                ! 

'm-- 


'  Ellicott's  Journal,  p.  129. 


t  J.  A.  Watkins,  MSS.  penes  me. 


^  ■ 


i 


!l^  ■.    1"!' 


128 


THE  rUINCIiWL  IHSKASEH  OF  THE 


[lO.>K 


Ititdmn',  niul  n,  mile  liclow  tlic  niinitli  uf  Hig  ])I;u  k,  a  nnvI^ubK'  (liliutiirvdf  i;, 
Miosis'  ijnii.  Hetwi'fii  this  milionili'iic  and  tlio  tnwii,  tliero  is  a  ](i'(iniiiiit,r 
iif  t^•^tial•y  riM-ks,  a;:aiii,'<t  wiiidi  tlio  Mi.ssissi|i[ii,  tluwiiig  nearly  to  tliu  lii.- 
iiii|iiiij;t's,  ami  is  tliniwii  nfl'  tn  the  smith  with  a  very  strung  current.  TL;. 
ereates  an  eiMy  or  cimnter-eiirrent  in  fpint  of  the  town.  Tho  8|)aco  hutWiv 
tliis  |irnni<ii\t<iry  and  the  niduth  of  l>ig  JJhuk  river,  received  frum  tiJ 
French  the  name  of  (>iiniil  d'tilfr  ;  and  licnee,  hy  a  solecism,  the  iiaiin'  ; 
the  town.  As  the  hlnlf  stretciics  off  to  tlie  smith-enst,  :ind  the  river  tl"i. 
to  the  soutli  south-west,  the  town  is  huilt  in  the  angle  formed  hy  tln;r  i 
divergence,  on  the  hciul  or  u|i|icr  end  of  a  jihiin,  wliieh  is  above  liigli  waur 
mark  of  the  river,  except  in  its  greatest  floods;  Imt  which,  as  it  widens, sini, 
lower,  so  as  to  become  inuntlated  even  within  siglit  of  tho  town.  A  cv[.r';: 
swamp,  in  fact,  commences  there,  and  coiitiiuies  for  six  or  seven  miles  ili\t: 
the  .Mississippi,  to  the  mouth  of  liinjua  J'lcnr.  Thus,  while  the  inniu'dk; 
and  ample  site  of  the  town  is  dry,  oven  during  great  floods,  and  is  iit  ., 
times  one  of  the  most  plea.sant  on  the  lower  Mississijipi,  the  bottom  t" :: 
south-west  is  uiiiuluibifalile,  by  reason  of  tho  amiual  overflows  which  !-|in.i| 
uiiward  from  the  nioutli  of  the  stream  just  mentioned.  The  exhaiati  ;• 
from  this  paludal  tract,  are  wafted  by  the  prevalent  south-west  winds  : 
summer  and  autunni  directly  over  the  town;  but  witldn  its  own  borilrti 
there  are  fewer  accumulations  of  decomposable,  organic  nnitter,  than  iiun-! 
the  towns  on  tho  lower  Mississippi.  Jk'iiig  an  im[)ortiiig  and  exporting  tunii ! 
for  a  cousiilcrablo  tract  of  country,  steand)o;its  land  here  almost  dailj 
Autumnal  fever  is  an  annual  epidemic  at  this  place:  but  it  has  never  sutWil 
an  invasion  of  ycUow  fever. 

\.  \'icKsiu:it(i  —  is  situated  on  the  eastern  side  of  tho  Mississijipi  rivoi  | 
about  fifty  miles  above  ( J  rand  (jlulf,  sixty-live  above  >'aLohez,  and  four  iiiimlr.: 
and  liftecn  from  New  Orleans,  on  what  wore  formerly  culled  the  Wa/unt  11" 
in  X.  Lat.  .')2»  'J4'.     \Vhile  the  Spaniards  had  possession  of  the  left  baiiKL! 
the  river,  they  maintained  at  this  place  a  fort  called  Noyales.  *    Tho  city  dauH 
back  no  further  than  the  year  IISIO.     ]t.s  site,  the  most  rugged  on  tlielifffij 
i\Iississi[iiii,  is  a  group  of  tertiary  hills  rising  about  three  hundred  and  fil'tyl't 
above  the  level  of  the   sea.     They  wore   deeply  cut  into  by  ravines,  fllii!i| 
liave  been  extensively  filled  up  by  the  graduation  of  tho  streets — a  vvfi\ 
which  wns  commenced  in   the  latter  part  of  tho  year  l^oli,  and  coiitiiuies 
througli  ISIJT,  and  1^;)S  ;  during  which  tho  leveling  necessary  to  a  railrdl 
dejjot,  and  a  track  leading  into  tho  country',  was  executed.     Tho  stratum  ci;;| 
through  in  these  excavations,  in  some  places  to  the  dejitli  of  fifty  feet,  \vasil 
yellowisli,  friable,  tertiary  loam.     The  (piantity  removed  was  greater,  peitej 
than  in  any  other  town  on  the  Mississippi  River.    Originally  both  the  laiHliD.'j 
place  and  tho  business  houses,  were  on  tho  upper  part  of  the  narrow  bottom^ 
but  a  better  landing  below,  has  transferred  the  business;  and  in  1)^44, 1  js'l 


*  EUicott. 


flRT  I.] 


INTEI 


many  deserted  and  de 
;iiiil  around  them.  Tin 
;i!iil  iii'ddcriiig  flatboiit 
lunliafcly  above  this  sp 
lintti'iii.  tlirongli  which 
(III  the  nppo.sito  sitle  of 
duMTilii'd,  and  which  is 
city  is  hetwcen  three  an 
the  .xlnpes  or  summits  i 
of  autuimiul  fever,  and 


I.  This  bottom,  lyiiiiro 
nv'i-tliii'ds)  opposite  the 
riviT  from  \'ick.^lmrg,  ul 
\Wit,  fer  nearly  half  its  . 
The  river  bank,  through  t 
:i>  tu  bo  overflowed  wherev 
iipuii  it  —  namely,  Prince 
ijurg.     The  eastern  boun 
'•omiiiciices  where  the  tert 
Vieksburg,  and  oiuls  wlior 
Tiiese  b]iifl"s,  in  the  soutlu 
wlicro  Constitute  the  eas 
Utuccu  Marion,  Carroll 
Arkansas,  or  a  little  high. 
iHoiitli  (,l'  tlio  Arkansas  ][ 
cannot  be  less  than   sixty 
M'uss  the  Ten.sas  Bottom 
k.^t  eighty  miles  as  tlio  b 
•"^li^^si^^M'ppi,   in  the  latitu..! 
livilrugraphy  of  this  bottor 
I  ivo  have  traveled.     ]}o[ore 
Ijife'h  liood,  poured  a  sheet 
I  even  ill  moderate   swells, 
eroseont  lakes  — Wasliingti 
irliich  lakes  bayous  flow  ol 
i  sends  oft"  bayous,  espcciall> 
'iie  true  sources  of  some  ol 
"f  the  bottom  generally,  is 


yi-  • 


'•  >rf  n 


fART  I. 


INTERIOR  VAIJ.EY  OF  NORTH  AMKRIfA. 


•)ii 


,i,;iiiv  (loscrliil  and  tU'ciiyiii;,'  liniisfS,  with  tlir  liiirli  waters  (if  tlio  river  in 
mill  iinmiiil  flieni.  Tlio  river  sliore,  alMn,  uliiumded  in  sunken,  <ir  altaiiilnned 
iiid  iHiildcring  flathontH;  tliewlinlo  tract,  in  slmrt,  was  extremely  t'nul.  Ini- 
iiR'tliately  al)i»vo  this  sp'it.  tn  the  m^rfli,  is  the  lie.dnnin;,'  uf  llie  civerfluwcd 
'iiitti'ni.  thniii;rli  whieli  Vaznn  lliver  makes  its  way  into  the  .^Iis.si,s.-iji|ii. 
(Ill  the  iijUKisite  side  nf  the  latter,  is  the  hiw  Tensas  I5(ittnni,  which  has  been 
/K.^rilii'd,  and  which  is  liahh,'  Id  annual  siihniersiMii.  The  |i(i|iMliitiiin  (if  the 
eitv  is  iietwcen  tliree  and  I'lair  tlKnisand,  the  tirciter  ]iart  i<\'  wlnni  r('>ide  on 
tlic  slnjics  er  snniniits  III'  the  MiifV.  \'ickslmr;,' is  lialde  tit  severe  inviiwions 
if  autuunial  I'ovci',  and  has  several  times  heen  visiti'd  l»y  ycUuw  lever. 


• 


t » 


.    t 


SKCTION  II. 

TIIK  YAZOO  ]5()TT(JM. 
1.  This  bottom,  lying  on  tlie  east  side  of  the  Mississippi,  has  its  lower  lialt'(  or 
iwi)-tliirds)  opposite  the  upper  halt'  of  the  Tensas  IJuttuni.  In  ascending  the 
river  i'l'nin  \'icksburg,  wdiere  it  may  be  said  tiiciiiunieiice,  we  sail  north  nortli- 
uist,  fur  nearly  half  its  length,  and  then  iicrtli  norlh-eabt,  for  the  remainder. 
Tlio  river  bank,  thrnugh  the  wlmle  extent  of  this  western  boundary,  is  so  low 
:htubi!  uvertiowed  wdierevcr  levees  are  not  erected  ;  and  there  is  but  one  village 
u|iuii  it  —  namely,  Princeton,  situated  about  one  hundred  miles  above  A'icks- 
burg.  The  eastern  boundary  is,  in  its  curve,  not  unlike  tlie  western.  ]t 
iiiiuiu'iu'cs  where  the  tertiary  blufls  begin  to  recede  from  the  river,  just  above 
Vii'kslui'g,  and  ends  when  they  return  to  it,  a  short  distance  below  .^leinphis. 
T'lR'ho  hliilfs,  in  the  southern  jiart  tertiary,  in  the  nortliern  cretaceous,  every- 
wliuru  constitute  the  eastern  limit  of  the  bottom.  Its  widest  jiortion  lies 
between  Clarion,  Carrtdl  ci'unty,  Mississippi,  and  Columbia,  Chicot  county, 
.U'kaiisas,  or  a  little  higher  up,  and  eoiise(|uently  near  tlie  latitude  of  the 
iiiuuth  iif  the  Arkansas  lliver.  'J"hc  dianuter  of  the  clli[ise  at  this  point 
cannot  be  less  tlian  sixty  miles ;  and  when  we  extend  the  line  to  the  wcat, 
:icrut-.s  the  Tensas  J>ottom  to  the  terminal  uplamls  lA'  Arkansas,  we  have  at 
least  eighty  miles  us  the  breadth  of  the  interval,  or  liigh  water-trough  of  the 
Mississippi,  in  tlie  latitude  df  thirty-three  degrees  thirty  miiuites.  The 
liydiMgraphy  of  thi.s  bottom  is  more  simjile  llian  th.at  of  the  two  over  whieh 
wo  have  traveled.  IJofore  levees  were  thrown  up,  the  ]Misslssi})pi,  in  every 
biL'li  lliiud,  poured  a  sheet  of  water  over  its  left  bank  upon  this  bottom  ;  and 
'.veil  in  moderate  swells,  sent  out  several  streams,  which  replenished  its 
lesceiit  lakes  —  Washington,  Swan,  ]}olivar,  Ilorse-Shoe,  and  Horn;  from 
which  lakes  bayous  flow  olT  through  the  interior  of  the  bottom.  It  also 
^:iid,s  olf  bayous,  especially  from  its  upper  part,  which  may  be  regarded  as 
tbe  true  sources  of  some  of  its  rivers.  Througli  thos'.'  bayous,  the  surface 
'f  the  bottom  generally,  is  still  liable  to  inundation,  while  the  levees  along 


w 


.^  i.,j 


w 


\l:'-' 


'  i^i ' 


■  •1 


^'r.- 


130 


THE  nUNXIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I'iOOK  I. 


tlio  li.'iuk  of  tlu!  iMissis.sij)|)i,  iiiul  also  tlicsc  of  tlic  jii'liicijial  Layfais.  Lave 
retleeiiKHl  many  slijis  ot'  laii'l,  which  liavc  boon  bnjiij:ht  umlor  cultivutinn 
Nevi'ithck'^y,  the  anioui.t  (if  ji(i|)uhitioii  in  this  iiiiinoiiHO  tract  of  iiitcmi 
laiiil,  is  very  little,  ooiniiarcil  with  its  area. 

The  great,  or  rather  the  only  river  of  tlie  bottom  is  the  Yazoo,  wlijrA 
joins  tlie  ^lississijipi  twelve  miles  ab(jve  A'icksbiirg.  In  the  iipjier  part  i; 
the  bottom  several  bayous  flow  nut  of  the  Mississippi,  the  largest  of  wjjiili, 
not  far  beluw  Helena,  is  called  the  Vazoo  I'ass.  Its  course  is  south-oa^t 
across  the  b(jtti'm  to  tin;  cretaceous  bluffs,  where  it  unites  with  the  Talhi- 
liatchee,  whii  li  lias  deseeuilod  from  the  ailjacent  uplands.  The  coiiiiinr; 
trunk  now  turns  to  tlie  south,  and  flows  near  the  bluffs  almost  to  the  3Ii.v>. 
sippi.  On  its  way  many  tributaries  from  the  hills  flow  into  it.  (hi  tie 
other  side  it  is,  near  its  mouth,  augmented  by  the  Sun  Flower.  Tiic  nn.;:: 
of  this  large  tributary,  is  nearly  as  far  north  as  that  of  the  Va/.on;  and,  lik 
the  latter,  it  begins  as  a  bayou  of  the  ^Mississippi.  In  flowing  on  tu  t!> 
south  it  is  reinforced  by  other  bayous,  directly  from  the  great  river,  or  hAl- 
rectly  fro'u  the  crescent  lakes.  Its  baidcs  generally  arc  overflowed  durin,' 
the  freshets  of  the  parent  stream.  It  is  the  central  stream  of  the  bottom.  It; 
junction  with  the  Yazoo,  is  about  sixty  miles  from  the  confluence  of  the  lattir 
with  tlie  Mississippi,  near  the  village  of  Satartia. 

In  the  mouth  of  July,  1^^44,  1  ascended  the  Yazoo  to  the  city  of  Yaz'V: 
formerly  called  ^lanchester,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  miles:  the  ^lississip]! 
being  at  the  time  near  its  extreme  liight.  Soon  after  entering  the  Yazno. 
we  found  ourselves  in  a  crescent  lake ;  then  succeeded  a  vista  througli  tk 
trees,  which  was  from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  \ari'- 
in  width,  and  afforded  almost  the  <iiily  indication  uf  the  bed  of  the  river.- 
entirely  were  its  banks  submerged.  Occasionally  the  bluffs  were  to  be  mi 
through  the  dense  forest  of  cotton  trees,  sweet  gum,  pecan,  black  Avillov 
sycamore,  and  cypress,  the  two  latter,  however,  in  reduced  in-oportiniij 
Cane-brakes  now  and  then  ap[ieared.  Climbing  vines,  such  as  thj  7iV"> 
toxit'mloiih'o)),  JHii)i<ih'(t(  n((l!i-inin,  and  a  gigantic  Smi/ci;  (jversprcad  the  liiiil; 
of  the  trees  and  bent  them  to  the  water,  where  their  leaves  floated  like  tl:o 
foliage  of  a((uatie  jdants.  On  every  side  the  inundation  was  perfect,  and.  i;: 
Aict.  extended,  with  but  little  dry  land,  to  the  31ississippi,  distant  tliiitV'T 
forty  miles  to  the  west.  Such  is  the  annual  condition  of  this  bottom  in  May. 
June,  or  .luly  of  every  year.  "When  the  flood  of  the  Missis.Mjipi  sub- 
sides, this  vast,  temporary,  and  shallow  lake  is  drained  through  the  VazH.; 
and  before  the  month  of  September,  nnich  of  the  surface  bec(  n.cs  sodrya? 
to  shrink  until  fissures  are  produced  in  the  no^-  diposits.  The  physicians  it 
Yicksburg  informed  me,  that  those  who  travel  or  work  in  this  bott'  iii  in 
autumn,  arc  suliject  to  very  nialignaut  attacks,  which  they  are  ac(^nsteiiitil  t 
call  the  'Yazoo  swamp  fever.'  Hut  doctor  [Mills,  of  Yazoo  City,  who  hi 
practiced  many  years  at  Satartia  on  the  blufl's,  informed  me  that  he  fuUMi 
the  fevers  of  the  uplands  as  violent  as  those  in  the  bottom. 


ART  I.] 


INTER 


Of  the  towns  situat 
ire  nnv  and  far  up  tlu 

II,  ClTV  OK  Y.iZOO.- 

:eii(!-  irrailnallv  from  I 

(■rh  direction.      riniH 

'ity  id:it  i-<  dry,  elevate 

-Miitli-westerii,  and  ni>i 

Tlii'  steamboat  lanih'ni;' 

iMftnii  of  the  back  com 

tVr  tlie  same  region  are 

.\ufmiiiial  fever  prcv 

k-iire  nil  the  uplands  in 

•ays  lif  yellow  fever  ha 

'las  never  spread.      [)n 

•ntci'ciiiirse   with   Yazoo 

iif,'vcr  sutlere(|  i,  yisitat 


T 

T.    The  St.   Francis 

:ri!itlis  of  White  IJiver  . 

' "  I'lwii  of  Helena,  and 

';'idreil  miles  of  river  di; 

t'ie  ](,«•  hilis.  oil  which  I 

mil",  above  the   mouth  c 

'Vaiifis.  whicli,  originatin, 

inMiovieve,  Capo  (iirardcf 

a!id  joins  the  3[i.ssissippi  ii 

kansas.     It  has  one  lar^o 

1  ^'Hsideralile  distance  nc 

^\'iicii  the  :\Fi.ssissippi  is  ii 

"vor  it.s  right   bank   into 

M.>st  of  tliis  bottom    is   i 

middlo  latitudes  whicli  deli 

'^^no-hrakes.      It    seems    i 

almiiiid^  ill  small  hike.s,  1;,; 

'i""s  of  which  may  be  so^ 

'ii«i-.-li  are  found  along  the 

'!iv.r,  an-,  between  tliem  : 

-Toat  for  the  growth   of  f 

;''"-i'  herhaeeous  plant.s,  wl 

'lud's  whicli  ternn"nate  this 


^^ST  ,.]  INTERIOR  VALIJ'.Y  OF  NORTH  AMERICA.  131 

Of  tlio  t'lwiis  situated  (in  tliis  long  line  of  crctju-ooiip  bluffs,  most  of  wLich 
nrc  lunv  and  far  up  the  Yazno,  I  can  say  notliing  except  of  the 

II,  Crrv  ni-  Va/(k». — its  site,  in  X.  Lat.  '•>-^'  4(1'  isa  gentle  slope,  wliich  as- 
,,111(1-  irnuIualU  fi'iini  liiL'li  water  mark  to  the  sunuuit  of  the  blutf,  in  an  east- 
rrlv  ilin.'ctiiin.  fmn'.;  diately  acress  the  river  there  are  drowned  ^and,*.  The 
citv  iilat  U  dry,  elevated,  and  beautiful;  but  directtly  ex[)osed  to  the  Avestern, 
..iiitli-western,  and  north-western  winds,  all  ot  which  traverse  the  bottom. 
Th '  sti';nid)oat  landing  is  mudi  i'rei|uented,  as  this  is  the  point  to  wliich  the 
.■ittmi  el' the  back  country  is  brought  for  exportation,  and  at  wliich  sup[ilies 
fit  the  same  region  arc  landed. 

Antuiniial  fever  ]irevails  at  Yazoo,  but  not  beyond  the  degn^e  of  its  |U'eva- 
jciire  nil  the  uplands  in  the  rear  of  the  town,  and  although  genuine  and  fatal 
'a>i'>  iif  vellow  fever  have  been  introduced  from  the  towns  below,  the  disease 
'::is  ni'ViT  spread.  i)uriiig  the  prevalence  of  that  fever  in  Vicksliurg,  the 
Mitcinmrse  with  Yazoo  has  always  lieen  unrestricted,  but  the  latter  lia.s 
never  «nfl'crcd  n.  visitation. 


:  ,     -T 

1            .      . 

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SIX'TIOX    III. 

THE  ST.  FRANCIS  BOTTOM. 

I.  T!io  St.  Francis  Hott'un  begins  at  the  dividing  waters  between  the 
aioutlis  ef  Whiti!  liiver  and  the  River  St.  Francis,  at  a  point  not  far  below 
•'lo  t'lwii  of  Helena,  and  extends  up  tlio  Avest  side  of  the  river,  through  four 
iiriilii'd  miles  of  river  distance,  and  more  tlian  three  degrees  of  latitude,  to 
v:.v  liiw  liili^.  on  vvliicji  has  been  Imilt  the  new  town  of  Commerce,  thirty 
mik's  above  the  moutli  of  tiio  Ohio  River.  Its  principal  river  is  the  ^t. 
'•"raiipis.  whicli,  originating  on  the  high  lands  of  ^lissouri,  in  the  rear  of  Ste. 
'u>novi(.'vo,  Cape  (iirardeau,  and  Commerce,  enters  the  botfoni  near  its  head, 
v.'A  jiiius  the  Mississijipi  not  far  above  th"  town  of  Helena,  in  the  state  of  Ar- 
buisas.  It  has  one  large  trilnitary,  the  Whitewater  liiver,  which  Hows  for 
1  f'liisidcruble  distance  nearly  parallel  to  it  on  its  left  or  ^Mississippi  side. 
^\lieii  the  ^fississippi  is  in  flood,  an  immense  disi-barge  of  water  takes  plai-e 

iVor  its  right  bank  into  this  bittom,  to  be  returned  by  the  St.  Francis. 
y\"<t  of  this  bottom  is  a  forest  of  cotton-wood,  and  otlier  trees  of  the 
;iiiiMlo  latitudes  whii'li  delight  in  wet  and  fertile  soils.  It  also  has  extensive 
oaiio-lirakcs.  It  seems  aluK^st  niinecessary  to  say  that  such  a  bottom 
filmuiids  in  small  laki'S,  lagoons,  bayous,  and  extensive  swamps,  representa- 
ti'iiis  of  which  may  be  seen  in  /'/.  VIIF.  The  most  extensive  tracts  of 
marsh  are  found  along  the  middle  portions  of  the  St.  Francis,  on  Whitewater 
l!ivi  r.  air.  between  tliein  :  in  m.'ny  parts  of  wliiv'h.  the  depth  of  water  is  too 
-Teat  fir  the  growth   of  trees,  which  are  replaced  by  arpiatio  grasses,  and 

t'lcr  herliaccons  plants,  which  flourish  in  such  localities.     To  the  west,  the 


■■,:■■    ■  r'T'   ■■■ 


■■M%~.. 


'■.'•ii-'\  k'.{."' 


''Ml 


>  ■  ■  ,. 


A 


:i 


fls  wliich  terminate  this  bottom,  rise  with  considirable  rapiditv  into  the 


ii'it 


a 


t.  ■ 


p-^  '^' 


r 


132 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book 


Ozark  .Mmiiitaiiis.  Tlicse  Ijluffs  arc  but  thii'.y  poopled,  and  the  general  sur- 
face of  the  bottom  lias  a  populatiou  e(|ually  sparse.  Kvcii  tlic  right  ))aiik  u 
the  ^lississippi  lias  l)ut  scattered  plantations,  and  few  or  no  levees.  But  twu 
villages  on  this  bank  arc  of  suificient  importance  to  be  mentioned. 

II.  IIi;m;.\a,  in  latitude  about  84"  -0',  is  remarkable  for  presenting  us  witli 
the  fir^t  land  higher  than  tlie  river  bank,  wliich,  in  ascending  the  ^lissis.'-ijij; 
from  tlie  IJalize,  a  distance  of  more  than  eight  hundred  miles,  is  seen  m 
its  western  side.  The  site  of  tlie  town  itself  is  higher  thau  the  banks  above 
and  below  it ;  while  immediately  back  of  it  there  are  bluifs  of  consid- 
erable elevation.  Whether  they  are  tlie  remains  of  an  old  diluvial  deposit. 
or  portions  of  the  cretaceous  formatii'u,  I  am  unable  to  state. 

III.  Nkw  Madiui). — This  village  was  a  military  ])ost  under  the  Sjianisli 
regime.  It  is  S'.tuJ'^ed  eleven  hundred  and  fifteen  miles  from  the  Balize,  and 
one  hundred  ben  ,  the  moaii.  of  tlic  Ohio,  in  Lat.  oG»  34'  30"  N.  and  Loii. 
89"  27'  liV  W .  ^ts  population  is  small ;  yet  it  lias  claims  on  the  consideration 
of  the  medical  ctiologist,  as  standing  in  tlie  focus  of  the  only  series  of  cartli- 
quakes,  which  have  agitated  the  Interior  ^'alley  of  North  America,  since  iti 
discovery.  JJegiiining  on  the  liUh  of  December,  1>11,  they  continued  fnr 
the  next  three  years,  during  whi'li  time  but  few  days  passed  in  suefessiuii. 
without  repeated  vibrations  at  this  place  and  its  neighborhood.  Those 
vibrations  produced  in  tlie  town  and  the  surrounding  region  some  rcmarkaljlo 
topographical  and  liydrogra}>hi«;al  cliaiigcs ;  which,  with  an  iiiijuiry  into  the 
influence  of  tlie  wliole  series  of  earth(puikes  on  the  health  of  the  people, 
may  perhaps  constitute  the  subject  of  a  distinct  Section. 

The  scattered  inhabitants  of  tlie  St.  Francis  Bottom  are,  of  course,  su!j- 
ject  to  autumnal  fevers,  wliich  often  assume  a  malignant  character:  aiiJ 
returns  of  the  intermittent  form  of  the  disease,  throughout  the  succeodiii; 
winter  and  sjiring,  are  in  many  instances  so  frequent  as  to  rendci  emigration 
to  some  other  point  iiidis[)eiisahlo  to  recovery.  As  in  the  bottoms  below,  t!iu 
people  inhabiting  the  banks  of  the  .Mississippi  are  more  healthy  th.^.n  tlnw 
living  on  tlie  streams  and  lakes  of  the  interior.  Yellow  fever  has  iicvor 
appeared  either  in  Helena  or  New  3Iadiid. 

Let  us  now  cross  tlie  Mississippi,  and  examine  its  eastern  shores 
Beginning  nearly  o])p(isite  the  lower  part  of  the  St.  Francis  Bottom,  aiiii 
ascending  to  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  lliver,  we  find  a  series  of  bluffs,  wliidi 
alternately  approach  to,  and  recede  from,  the  31ississippi,  with  interveuini' 
bottom  lauds  at  the  points  of  recession. 

The  four  lower  of  these  lilutfs  lie  in  "West  Tennessee,  and  have  rcceiveil 
the  name  of  Ciiickasaw,  from  tlie  Indian  trilie  wliich  once  dwelt  near  or  uin'ii 
them.  The  three  upper,  called  3Iills'  Point,  the  Chalk  Banks,  and  the  Imi 
Banks,  are  hi  the  western  jiart  of  Kentucky.  They  all  belong  to  the  creta- 
ceous formation ;  Avhich,  in  its  successive  outcrops  from  the  south,  of  cuurso. 
presents  at  these  bluffs,  which  lie  progressively  north  of  each  other,  soiiic 


'.  5 


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Hi 


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t 

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f   ' 


PlRT  I.] 


INTMRf 


.-trata  not  soon  Ijoforo 
I  sliiill  now  (losoribo. 

I\'.  Ml;^ll■llrs. — Till' 
Imilt  (HI  tlio  IViurtli  or  )i 
htuidretl  miles  from  tlio 
riovatinn  above  tlio  j^n 
5-cvcnty  foot  —  over    t! 
iicd  (if  loinn,   Iii'liiiiii'iiii,; 
Mi'iiiplii.s  (K'ciipics  a  ^on 
liiit  no  i)onils  or  swain]) 
fiof.  afTonl  water  wliicli 
lino  and  siiljiliurous.      T 
.if  Wolf  Itivcr,  which  h 
t!i'.'  ni.rtli.     'i'he  boftmnf 
tiiin  I'otli  frnni  its  ciwii  11 
iii'iiitli,  tlioyaro  too  dista 
Till'}-  lie,  moreover,  to  tli 
if  Wolf  Kivor,  ojijio.'iito 
I'lwest  (lopression  (wliii-li 
inorlv  dec])  enough  for  .st 
times  .slid  into  the  river; 
law  been  so  ra]iidly  mad 
Oi-lcans,  above  ordinary 
necessity  been  moved  hall 
ilogree,  a  transfer  of  the 
iijilHisite  side  of  the  rive 
>octiiin  is  civoii  in  /V.    [ 
.Meiii]ihis    deserves    the 
accounts : 

1.     For  tlio  last  {'cw  y 

raiiidity,  and  jiroiiiises  to  1 

liiixx'il,  and  tlins  presents  i 

'-.    It  has  been  made,  \r 

which  is  situated  at  the  m 

•^     Thrj  eretaeeous  blnf 

>ial  bottiiin  on   the   other 

studying  the  coinjiarative  c 

"!i  the  two  kinds  of  surfac 

^-    Its  eoiiimereo  with 
ij  ivaril  voyage  in  four  day 

*  r:im  rlii,  !ly  iiidi'lito.l   to    J 
""ct^ir  ISorlaiulof  Ai•lulnsu^•, 
•liich  it  riiibnioes. 


i!-ll!- 


\nf 


rvRT  !•] 


INTIIRIOR  VAI-LEY  OF  XORTII  AMERICA. 


100 
i>0 


strata  not  soon  before.  The  only  important  town  fduiul  on  these  bluffs 
[  slmll  iKiw  (lopcribo. 

IV.  Mkmi'MIS. — The  cnniniorciiil  niotropulis  of  Teiiitossoc  (  77.  17//*),  is 
Iiiiilt  (111  tho  fourth  or  most  sinith(.'ni  Chiukasuw  libiff,  at  tlie  distance  of  jiinc 
knilretl  miles  frcin  the  ]5alize,  in  Lat.  il-V'  dS'  X  ,  and  I.oii.  '.W  (Mi'  ^^^  Its 
dovatiiin  aboV(!  the  surface  of  the  river  at  low  water,  is  (jiie  hundred  and 
seventy  feet  —  over  the  (Jnlf  of  Mexico,  fjur  hundird.  Its  site  is  a 
bed  (if  loam,  beloiigiiiijf  to  the  cretaceous  formation.  1 'nlike  Vicksburg, 
Mi'iiipliis  occn|!ics  a  gently  undulating  jilaiii,  on  which  tlierc  arc  some  .swales, 
Imt  no  ponds  or  swamps.  AVclls  dug  to  the  doptli  of  from  thirty  to  sixty 
feet,  afl'iird  water  which  in  most  of  t!icm  i.s  very  good,  ])ut  in  some,  slightly  .sa- 
line and  sulphurous.  Lnmediat(dy  above  the  city,  to  the  nortli,  is  the  mouth 
(if  Wolf  liivcr,  wlii(di  has  just  before  received  t!ie  JiOosahatehce,  also  from 
tlio  n('rtli.  The  bottoms  of  this  small  river  are  wide,  and  subject  to  inunda- 
timi  loth  from  its  own  floods  and  those  of  the  ^lississippi;  but,  except  at  its 
iiv'uth,  tliey  are  too  distant  from  tho  city  to  exert  any  influence  on  its  health. 
Tlicy  lie,  moreover,  to  tlie  north-east.  At.  ;,  .1  iinincdiatcly  below  the  mouth 
if  Wolf  liivcr,  opposite  the  town  as  it  was  originally  built,  the  water,  at  its 
lowest  depression  (which  is  forty-two  feet  from  its  greatest  liight),  was  for- 
:;ierl\'  deep  enough  for  steamboats  to  land,  and  portions  of  the  bluff  some- 
times slid  into  the  river;  but  in  l'"-"20,  an  eddy  began  to  form,  and  deposits 
liave  l)(,'en  so  rapidly  made,  that  many  acres  are  now,  like  the  batture  at  Xew 
Odeans,  above  ordinary  high  water  mark,  and  the  steamboat  wharf  has  of 
neces.sit}  been  moved  half  a  mile  b(dow;  causing  an  extension,  and,  in  siiiuo 
ilesroo.  a  transfer  of  the  cit\  in  that  direction.  "West  of  the  town,  on  the 
i.|iliiisite  side  of  the  river,  is  the  >t.  Francis  IJottom,  of  which  a  vertical 
,-ectiim  is  given  in  PL    VI If. 

Meiii[ihis  deserves  the  attention  of  the  medical  historian  on  gcveral 
accounts : 

1.  I'or  tlio  last  few  years  it  has  increased  in  population  with  uneipialed 
.Mjiiility,  and  [iroinises  to  become  a  large  city.  Its  [lopulatioii  is  exceedingly 
iiiixeil,  and  thus  presents  a  great  variety  of  constitutions. 

-.  It  has  liceii  made,  b}'  the  (Icneral  (lovennnent,  the  site  of  a  Xav}'  Yard, 
iTiUL-h  is  situated  at  \.\w.  mouth  of  AVolf  lliver. 

•1.  Thy  cretaceous  bluffs  on  one  side  of  tlio  [Mississippi,  and  the  low  allu- 
viul  bottom  on  the  other,  afford  to  its  physicians  many  opp'iitunities  for 
^tiuhiiig  the  comj)arative  characters,  prevalence,  and  type  of  autumnal  fcv(.rs 
"!i  the  two  kinds  of  surface. 

4.  Its  eoimnerce  with  Xew  Orleans  is  ^reat,  and  steamboats  make  the 
ij  ward  voyage  in  four  days,  thus  subjecting  it  to  invasions  of  any  and  every 


M 


■  \  ■  • 


' 

■  i 

' 

i. 

'    -v 

-Mk 


'lam  cliii  !ly  iiiili'liti\i  to  JliK'tor  Slij'.iiks  ami  Colonel  .Morrison  of  .Meiniilii.s,  ;uul 
I'octor  Hoi'laiul  of  Arkiinsus,  for  the  ni;:tcriais  ol'  tlii.s  nui]),  anil  llio  vcrHcal  Kcctioa 
vliich  it  embraces. 


f" 


1 


11-:  ;• 


134 


THE  rillNCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[HOOK  I. 


I'urni  of  (liscaso  wliidi  may  prevail  in  tliat  city,  and  can  Le  traiiMnittud  Iv 
boats. 

T).  As  its  site  is  more  oxoiiipt  iVdiii  l(i|)(i<rra|)liical  cau.ses  of  i'evir  t;.,i:, 
many  otlier  towns  on  the  ^lissis-sijipi,  tlio  (|Uc.stioii  of  the  importation  or  loeji; 
origin  of  any  disease  wliicdi  may  appear,  is  less  complicated  than  eLsewhire. 

t>.  Lastly:  This  is  the  liiifhcst  point  up  the  -Mississippi,  and  tlie  jivc'ati.>: 
elevation  above  the  sea,  at  which  yellow  lever  has  yet  (iccurred  in  the  Intnl.: 
Valley,  and  it  has  appeared  here  but  once;  which  was  in  the  year  l>:i'>, 
when  it  prevailed  as  a  inortal  epidemic. 

V.  FoKT  I'lL'KEKi.NG. — Ou  the  blutl",  two  miles  below  ^Icmphis,  is  the  site  uf 
old  Fort  Pickering;  at  which,  attempts  have  been  latterly  made  to  luikl  u 
town.  3luch  of  the  tract  is  still  covered  with  forest,  and  abounds  in  siniill 
shallow  marshes  or  SAvales.  lielow  it  to  the  south  there  is  a  f-mall  stniiiii 
■which  enters  the  Mississippi  on  the  south  side  of  President's  Island,  wliiJ: 
lies  in  sight  of  Fort  Pickering.  I  was  assui'e(l  that  tliis  spot  is  mure  siilijii.; 
to  autunnial  fever  than  Mempliis,  even  at  the  uujuth  of  AVolf  lliver. 

^M.  FiANDOi.i'U. — Tins  town  is  situated  on  the  second  Chickasaw  ]iluff,  ahoui 
seventy  miles  above  .Memphis.  The  bluff  is  higher,  and  more  uneven  on  it- 
surlacc,  than  that  of  31eni]iliis.  Sliiles  are  apt  to  occur,  ;iid  its  esc;ir|iniii.: 
is  uncommonly  rugged.  AVhen  visiting  it,  1  observed  the  following  .-.tratu, 
all  belonging  to  the  cretaceous  formation.  IJegiuning  at  the  toji,  after  a 
covering  of  soil,  there  is  yellowish  loam,  beconung  yellow  ochre,  with  frag- 
ments of  (diert;  at  length  growing  foliaeeous,  and  graduating  into  daiv: 
brown,  shaly  carbonaceous  matter  or  lignite,  underlaid  with  sand,  and  11;:. 
and  yellow  clay,  mingled  with  shale,  ^^lidcs  of  the  bank  jireveuted  the  ^'u- 
servation  from  being  carried  lower.  1"he  surface  of  the  bluil",  although,  as  I 
have  said,  more  uneven  than  that  of  3Iemphis,  is  less  cut  up  by  ravines  tL;ii. 
the  tertiary  hills  of  ^'icksburg;  and  i'rom  the  argillaceous  character  of  tli 
upper  stratum,  tlie  water  whicli  falls  on  it  is  apt  to  be  retained  in  suiai; 
swamps,  the  soil  of  which  is  rich  and  the  vegetation  luxuriant.  Ul'  its  au- 
tumnal fevers,  1  cannot  speak. 

Of  the  villages  of  Fult(jn,  3Iills'  Point,  and  Cfdundjus,  on  the  blufls  abi)Vt. 
I  shall  say  nothing;  but  pass  on  to  tlie  nmuth  of  the  Ohio  l\ivcr.  Soon  aflu 
leaving  Columbus,  on  the  Iron  IJauks,  we  reach  the  junction  of  the  valiej 
of  the  Ohio  Eiver  with  that  of  the  ]\lississip[ii.  In  ascending  the  latter  tu 
the  former,  for  twenty  miles,  the  bottom  constantly  widens,  and  extends  \\it:. 
a  breadth  of  many  miles,  far  up  the  Ohio.  It  is  heavily  timbered  witli  c  t- 
ton-wood  and  water-maple,  and  is  so  liable  to  inundation  as  to  be  in  a  givai 
degree  uninhabitable,  (icologically,  it  lies  on  the  subjacent  earboriifcreVu- 
formation,  immediately  north  of,  or  beyond  the  cretaceous  strata. 

Above  not  less^  than  below  the  Ohio,  the  bottom  is  wide  and  low,  subjut 
to  overflows,  and  abounds  in  ponds  and  swamps.  This,  in  fact,  is  the  goiir 
ral  character  of  the  promontory  above  the  junction  of  the  Ohio  and  .Mi-'s-is- 
sippi;  and  from  tlieir  place  of  union  to  the  rocky  highlands  of  Illinois,  the  ib- 


PART  I. 


INTER 


taiioo  is  ten  or  twelve 
I'railiially  narrows,  at 
li.si'.'^  ill  ni'on  the  ?iis 
[iiiriitL'  tlu!  town  of  Com 
(if  tlio  river.     A  line 
twenty  miles  u])  tlie  01 
jnn'tli,  and  tlie  bottom 
sjKit  within  this  low,  pa 
iiiL'iliral  topographer,  is  ( 
Vn.  C.viuo.— Thool 
tk' junction  of  the  Ohii 
liiiijijing  one  on  the  low 
ivxT.     In  its  natural  c 
ally  wlii'ii  the  two  rivcr> 
fniii  f-ne  or  (wo,  to  six  ( 
fa'o,.  and  the  hight  of  < 
iMliitalisIs  undertook  to 
;i!:(itlicr  acro.ss  the  penii 
Ji.-ieiit  for  a  town  and  its 
a'.eijiiijilislied.  and  there 
I'ai't  of  the  plan  wa.s,  to 
i.Lisurc.  or  jicrcolato  its  1 
|i'  tho  levee,  and  jiaddle- 
t!ie  ])c!la  of  the  Mississi 
::;('  .-ludy  of  the  medical 
;.;i'l  (I'Tinan  laborers  won 
jliysician.  who  had  spent 
-i.TL'rod  nnicli  from  simpl 
n-'!;i|iSL';  hut  that  malign; 
.'r'-:a  ovcrdow  the  hand  oi 
lands  which  surround  it  on 
The  distance  of   Cairo 
liiilcs;  its  hat.  .'JT"  0'  25' 
-  von  degrees  immediate] 
■  '"•water  opposite  the  to\ 
laai'Ired  feet  above  the  (li 

•  Colon,.!  LoiifT  (  First  Ej-j 
fur  tiio  low  water  level  of  tlio 
ll!i''r.  Il'isin  ),{i-om  barom,.! 
aiiJlw..iity-fourfeet.  Two  I 
i''W"«A',y,„W6')],uve,  however, 
w  ii.s  low  water  surface  of  tlia 
'"»"ll'.  Helyii.fr,  as  we  ougl 
^iructe,!,  bolli  .Mr.  Xicollet  an 
'"^Srruatan  elevation.     It  cam 


jlU'. 

(Jl)- 


au- 


i)Vt. 

aft'.i 

iiiO' 

r  t- 
wit':: 
f,  I- 

JilX'Ut 


i^si.v 


..Ji- 


PART  !■ 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


135 


taiioo  i^  ten  or  twelve  miles.  Tii  eiuitimiin^^  iiji  tlie  3Iis!^i.ssii)pi,  the  bottom 
"railiuillv  iiiUTdWS,  iit  the  .same  time  lioiMimin^ir  iiinrc  elevated,  aiul  at  length 
iliji'ri  iii  up'iu  the  ?iis,si.^sii»]»i  abmit  thirty  inih'S  almve  tlie  Ohio,  nearly  op- 
nisitt'  till)  tiiwn  of  Comnieree,  or  the  liead  of  the  l)ottom  on  the  western  .siilo 
nf  tliL' riviT.  A  line  (h'awii  from  that  jioint  on  the  .Mississi|ijii  to  a  point 
tufiitv  miles  up  tlio  Ohio  Uiver,  wnuM  hav(!  the  hiixhlanils  of  Illinois  on  its 
;iiirtli,  anil  tlie  liottom  whieh  has  been  descriheil,  on  its  south.  The  only 
SKit  within  tliis  low,  paludal,  and  pondy  tract,  that  merits  the  attention  of  the 
mi'iliral  top()2:ra[)hir,  is  Cairo,  inniiediatL'ly  above  tiie  junction  of  the  tw(j  rivers. 

\\\.  Cuiio. — Tlic  obvious  value,  to  the  stetimboat  nuvifration,  uf  a  town  at 
till,' jiiiii'liiMi  of  the  Ohio  with  tlic  .Missi.ssippi,  has  led  to  expensive  attempts  at 
liuilJiiig  oiii^  on  tlie  low  capo,  or  pt'iiiiisula,  immediately  aliove  their  conflu- 
iiiee.  In  its  natural  conditinii,  tliis  spot  was  suliject,  every  sprinu',  especi- 
ally wlieii  the  two  rivers  were  in  Hood  at  the  same  time,  to  an  inundation, 
(mn  one  or  two,  to  six  or  eiirht  feet,  aeeording-  to  the  ineipialities  of  the  sur- 
fii-e.  and  the  hi^ht  of  the  freshets.  Aliout  the  year  I'^oS,  a  company  of 
capitalists  undertook  to  throw  up  levees  on  the  Ijanks  of  the  (wo  rivers,  and 
aiiutlicr  across  the  peninsula,  so  as  to  inclose  u  sort  of  triangular  spiue,  suf- 
fiuient  fer  a  town  and  its  environs.  This  cnter[)riso  has  been  (  imperfectly) 
ai.CDiiiplislieil,  and  there  is  now  a  small,  but  not  very  llourishiiiu'  vill.-iu'o.  A 
|iai1  uf  the  [dan  was,  to  throw  out  the  water  wlii'-li  niiirht  fall  within  tlii!  in- 
i.liisuiv,  or  percolate  its  1  anks  while  the  rivers  \.ere  hiu'h,  by  means  of  drains 
to  tlio  lovee,  and  jiaddle-whecls  similar  to  those  employed  for  that  jiurposo  in 
tliC  IV.ta  of  the  [Mississippi.  In  the  year  1^-11,  M-hen  I  devoted  a  day  to 
tlio  study  of  the  medical  typi'p'aphy  of  this  spot,  a  great  ntunber  of  Irish 
amldennan  laborers  were  cm[)loyed  on  thewnrk;  and  Doctor  (.'ummingp,  the 
pliyjii'iaii.  who  had  S[ient  two  years  among  them,  iiil'ormed  me,  that  they  had 
s:iiri.Ted  much  from  simple  intei'initti. nt  fever,  into  which  they  continued  to 
I'llapso ;  hut  that  malignant  cases  were  not  eoinnion.  "Whatever  exemption 
I'ruin  overflow  the  hand  of  labor  may  procure  for  the  town  ]dat,  the  drowned 
lands  wliicli  surround  it  on  every  side,  will  forever  sulijint  it  to  autumnal  f(!ver. 

Tlic  distance  of  Cairo  from  the  IJalize,  is  twelve  hundred  and  sixteen 
miles;  its  Lat.  .'J7»  0'  -Ja"  X.,  and  Lon.  S'lo  -j'  :;i)"  W.  Thus  it  stands 
^vcu  degrees  immediately  north  of  \ew  (Jrleans.  The  surface  of  rivers  at 
'  v.- water  opposite  the  town  is  between  two  hundred  and  ninety,  and  three 
.  . .  hcd  feet  above  the  Gulf —  that  of  the  town  plat  is  about  forty  more.* 


'Colonel  J.an^  (  Fiyxf  Exju'iUl.)  luul  fixi'd.  by  cstim.ilioii,  on  tlircc  hundred  fuct, 
fur  the  low  wutcr  level  of  the  .Missi.ssi])|ii  ;iiul  Oiilo  at  their  jiiiictioii  ;  liut  Mr.   Nicollet 

llijiir.  ]i/i.<iii),  {[■i)\n  huroiiii'liciil  oliservaliiiiin,  iifti-rwurds  plnci'.i  it  at  three  hundred 
^iiuitweiity-foiir  fei't.  Two  liiii'S  of  lovedin^r  fi-oni  Lakr  llric  to  the  Ohio  Ui\cr  (  In- 
iiiuiia  liijiiifts)  have,  however,  coincided  in  estaidisliin;^  three  hiuuh'ed  an  !  idevcu  feet, 
:;<  il.s  low  water  siul'ai'e  of  that  river  ojiposite  Mvaiisville,  two  huiidri'd  miles  tVoiii  its 
iiMiUli.  Ri'lyiufri  as  we  oufj;lit,  on  these  Icvrlinirs,  l)y  which  [inldie  works  are  cuu- 
>triicli.'i|,  holh  .Mr.  Nicollet  and  Colonel  Lon<r  ha\-e  [daecd  the  mouth  of  tlie  Ohio  at 
'  ■>  srrcat  uu  elevalioa.     It  cannot,  in  fact,  exceed  two  liundrjd  and  ninety  feet. 


•'    '(■ 


•<Mv...   * 


.  1-. 


W^i 


.  .^rm 


« 


■  l" 


.   1 


■r.-  • 


»    • 


k 


'  ■:■.'    (  :,■ 


1 


186 


THK  i'Ill\Cir.\r,  DISEASES  OF  Tiin 


[nooi  1. 


I  WIT  ;•] 


IXTHRIOR 


Iff' I 


fvl-  ■.'■ 


SKC'I'ION    IV. 

GENIIRAI,  RIIMAIJKS  oX  TllK  rKKCflDINC  RDTTOM.'^. 

About  tliirty  miles  aunvo  Caini,  (Iiu  St.  I'rancl.s  IJdttoin,  as  wo  liavc  seen, 
is  teriuiiuitcd  liy  iH][)ro.\iiiiiitiii;.5  nicky  lii:^lila!i(Is.  IJcyciiHl  tlii.s  point  tlit'i'ei> 
no  nthor  bottom  at  all  C(iiii|iaial)k'  in  width  with  those  liclow.  It  iiiav, ic 
fact,  bo  said  that  v'  have  rcarhcd  tnu  vcrtox  ol'  (ho  aiKiLMit  estuary;  \vluM;n 
it  Avill  In:  profitablo  to  Liolc  back,  lor  a  moiiiciit,  on  the  surl'acu  over  wliiduve 
liavc  ascended.  Three  ,>i;oti(ii!.s  of  tliis  surface  are  represented  in  J'/s.  ]',  I'// 
17//,  and  another  (which  illustrates  the  bottom  above)  nuiy  be  lomid  i:. 
7V.  AV.  lly  coiii[)ariiii,'  these  diap;ranis,  it  will  bo  ]ioreeived  that  the  i>affii 
hydrographieal  system  prevails  in  all,  but  becomes  less  and  less  complieatuJ 
as  wo  ascend  the  river. 

Tlie  are;,  if  this  alluvial  region,  the  most  extensive  in  America,  may  U 
CSi;  ■.  '.,  •  "u  the  mouth  of  .l!cd  lliver,  in  latitude  thirty-one  degree?,!' 
the  'ii  'cr  jx  .oniity  of  the  St.  l^raneis  IJuttom,  in  latitude  thirty -i-ev'.i; 
degrees  and  a  i,'  •  ;er,  at  about  twenty  thousand S(iuarc  miles.  The  di.'<taiiee 
on  a  straiglit  line  is  about  tour  liundred  iiiilcs  —  by  the  river,  upwanl  ofiiiin 
hundred.  In  running  the  whole  distance,  the  river  only  once  (  at  Ib-luiui ; 
comes  in  sight  of  liluiTs  on  the  western  side,  but  kee[is  near  tliem  on  t: 
cast.  They  consist  of  two  series ;  theyo'.v/ exti'uding  fn.utho  Iron  I'aiik: 
below  tlie  Ohio  lliver,  to  a  ])oint  below^Iemphis — the  .srco//*/,  from  A'ickshur." 
to  a  point  below  Baton  liouge.  The  u]iper  are  composed  of  cretaceous,  tlic 
lower  of  tertiary  deposits.  IJetweeu  iheso  ranges  of  highland.s,  the  I'ivei 
makes  a  western  ihlaiir,  and  gives  us  the  Yazoo  Bottom  on  its  eastern  siik 
Why  tlio  stream,  from  the  moutli  of  the  Oliio  to  Baton  Bouge,  inclines  ; 
strongly  to  the  eastern  blulfs,  cannot  perhaps  be  told. 

The  redemption  from  a  watery  dominion  of  this  groat  alluvial  region,  in 
which  the  states  of  Louisiana,  Arkansas,  3Iississi[)pi,  Tennessee,  jMissouri. 
Kentucky,  and  Illinois  jiarticipatc,  oilers  to  the  engineer  and  the  phvsieiaii. 
problems  in  which  the  public  have  a  doo])  and  varied  interest.  M'itlk.'it 
attempting  tlieir  solution,  I  may  venture  the  suggestion,  that  emba!ikineiit> 
aluuc  will  not  answer,  but  that  side  channels,  to  relieve  the  main  trunk,  will 
be  indispensable.  The  ujiperniost  (,f  these  might  bo  carried,  from  some  juiiit 
above  tiie  mouth  of  the  Oliio,  into  Whitewater  lliver,  a  branch  of  the  !^t. 
Prancis;  which  river,  thus  augmented,  would  return  the  escaped  water  int 
the  main  trunk  opposite  the  upper  end  of  the  Yazoo  Bottom.  Through  tk; 
bottom  one  or  more  sluices  might  be  made  into  the  Yazoo  Biver,  wliii-li 
joins  the  Mississippi  alntve  ^'icksburg  opposite  the  Tensas  Bottom.  To 
obviate  tlie  elfects  of  this  restoratimi,  other  sluices  might  bo  nnulo  hel"W 
the  Arkansas,  into  the  bayous  that  ultinuitcly  terminate  in  the  Wasliita. 
whieli  empties  into  Bed  Biver.  All  the  escaped  water  would  thus,  it  is  tnic 
aeain  bo  brouirht  back  into  the  main  bod  ;  but  relief  mi^ht  be  criven  bvwiileii- 
ing  and  deei»oning  the  baj'ous  Atchafalaya,  IMa(|uemine,  Manchac,  and  b 


iruurt'lic,  which   ultimati 

triviiliiin' '"''''■'*'  '^"^'  P'"""' 
|;i;..i,,si|)pi,  could,  by  pos> 

Ij';;,  lii'tti'ins  from  inundatii 
|a:.<l  .-liiiecs  would  re(piire 
|r.' Liiiiiiiii.'  t'lii*  l"'',-0  trail 
icxtreiiiity  t'l  the  (iulf  is  mi 
jfieial  eliauucls  of  adeipuili; 
(  mr.     It  woulil  aid  in  thi 
SI.;;.1;ls  ihfii'ii's  and  returns 
|t';e  i>tlinius  thus  formed,  w 
laiil  tiie  veh)city  of  the  cm 
Ifaw  lung  a  period  will  e 
Iwill  1)0  dense  enough,  to  lea 
fiif  iipitcction  from  the  flood 
laiijii  of  the  bottoms,  canno 
Ifi.'aal  increase  of  summer  a 
la,;  1  ill!  porthm  of  the  fireat 
•r  cllinates,  or,  taking  tl 
[t..j  liuttuius  from  the  mouth 


I.  Above  the  St.  Francis  1 

Ihiiils.  until  wo  ajiproach  tl 
ali'ive  the  village  of  Cliester 
Istate  of  Illinois,  about  one 
luiterthe  Aniorican  Bottom 
mkus,  until  it  attains,  oppn 
ilts  average  width  is  about  fi 
[t'lvii  i,f  Alton,  twenty  miles 
|(f -Mis.'iinri  Biver;  making  : 
Idiate  hank  of  the  river  is  he 
[i^  a  great  deal  of  prairie,  a 
p:  irli  are  replenished  in  spr 
jTao  inundation  of  this  bottoi 
[t:i  '>e  helow. 

hi  the  Aniorican  Bottom  • 
[fit  Chartres,  Kaskaskia,  C 


m>'". 


W: 


■;r  ;•. 


INTERIOR  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


137 


Irdiirlic,  wliu'li  iiUiniatcly  Cdniniunicato  witli  tlio  Ciulf.  *      "Witlidtit  tliiis 

ir, villi"'' lateral  ami  jianiUcl  chaiiiii'Is,  im  system  dt'  I'liibankinonts  alniig  the 
[■<i;,.i,.riiiiii,  t'liuM,  by  |in.s>il)ility,  ho  uuulu  .strmiij;  aii<l  liigli  I'lumi^li  tn  jinituct 
It';  l)iittnui.s  fniiii  inumlatiiiii.  Of  cnur.so  the  banks  iil'  the  auxiliary  streams 
L, ,1  ^liiicus  wouM  rt'(|uirc  levocs.      In  rcfU'ctin;^  on  tho  ]Missibility  of  thus 

[Ti'laiiiiiii?  this  largo  tract,  we  must  rci/iillci-t  that  tho  fall  from  it>  upper 
irxtr-'iiii'y  **'  the  Clulf  is  more  than  three  huudreil  feet;  and,  of  cour.-i',  if  arti- 
jg,.j;il  eliaiiiicls  uf  adeiiuatt;  capacity  slioukl  bo  pi  vided,  no  overflnws  would 
|(A'iir.  It  wiiuhl  aid  in  this  wurk,  Iniwever,  in  several  places  uhere  t1;e  river 
lijakes  (h'foKrs  and  retui'iis  ahmst  to  tho  pi.int  of  departure,  tu  cut  through 
|t;;oi>tIiiiius  thus  fermed,  M'horeby  the  h'ligth  of  the  stream  would  be  aliridged, 

jmll'iie  velocity  of  tho  current  correspiDidiugly  increased. 

Ifaw  long  a  period  will  elapse,  before  tlio  population  of  the  Inteiior  A'alley 
\vl\hi  dense  enough,  to  lead  to  tho  execution  of  such   an  extended  system 

(if  iirntcction  from  the  floods  of  the  Mississippi,  and  to  the  complete  roclara- 
laiiiiidf  tho  bottoms,  cannot  be  predicted;  but  whenever  it  shall  lie  dune,  a, 

ji.'iiiil  increase  of  summer  and  autumnal  salubrity  must  bo  tlio  couse(;     ucc; 

;iliiu  piirtiou  of  the  (Ireat  ^'alley  will  then  present  nmre  fertile  S'  i.  ,  a' 
L'uCr  climates,  or,  taking  the  year  througliout,  more  healthy  residen     s,  th'iD 

til' Ijultuiiis  from  the  mouth  of  the  Uhiu  tu  tliat  of  lied  lliver. 


„    ♦ 


* 

1      ' 


ii 


f 


.1 


SECTION   V. 

amf;ric.\x  bottom. 

I.  Ahiive  tho  St.  Francis  Bottom,  there  are  no  large  and  continuous  interval 
iii>.  until  we  approach  the  mouth  of  tlie  Kask.iskia  I'iver,  inmiediatidy 
liliivi;  tlie  village  uf  Chester,  whicli  stands  on  carboniferous  limestone,  in  the 
[stato  iif  Illinois,  about  one  hundred  miles  above  Cairo.  At  this  jioint  ■we 
IciitiT  tlio  American  Bottom  (  J'/.  /A').  As  this  bottom  ascends  it  gradually 
piiloii«,  until  it  attains,  ojijxisito  St.  Louis,  the  width  of  seven  or  eiiiht  miles. 
[lt<avL'rML'o  width  is  about  five  miles.  Its  termination  is  at  the  bluH's  of  tho 
It  wii  of  Alton,  twenty  miles  above  St.  Louis,  and  nearly  opposite  the  mouth 
|(f -Missiinri  liivor;  making  its  length  nearly  one  hundred  miles.  The  immo- 
l(l;:itc' hank  of  the  river  is  heavil}'  wooded,  Init  in  the  rear  of  this  belt  there 
Iha  great  deal  of  prairie,  abounding  in  sloughs,  ponds,  lakes,  and  bayous, 
A]A\  are  replenished  in  spring,  and  partly  dry  up  in  summer  and  autumn. 
|T:io  inundation  of  this  bottom  is  not,  however,  so  deep  ami  general  as  that  of 
fl:j  'Se  bi^lnw. 

Ii  tlio  American  Bottom  there  are,  or  were,  three  or  four  French  villages: 
[F  If  Chartrcs,  Kaskaskia,  Cahokia,   and  I'rairie  du  llochcr;  two  of  which 


*  Darby's  Louisiana. 


■H-f  ■'  t  ;,. 


ffi 


188 


THE  PRINCIPAI-  niSEASriS  OF  TIIF', 


[•OfJI 


nrc  luiKHiu'  the  eldest  scttloiiiciit.s  in  tlio  Valley  of  tin*  ^Ii.<si.«siji])i.    It 

n<)t  a|i|it'ar  tliat    their  iiilial/itaiits  arc,  nr  liavo   been,   iiuieli  allVctuil 

au 

Tlio  Aiiicricaiis,  wlm  liavo  si'ttK'd  in  this  Idi-alitv,  arc  sielvlv  in  siiii 


tuiiiii;il    fcvtr;    Imt    iiiunv   of  tlicin   arc  ratlicr  (l\varli»h  and  t*):! 


nrl 


ii>:eri 


niitmiiii.  Doitdi'  r'ari'd".  of  St.  Louis,  iiifoniicd  iiic,  tliat  in  former  vcai- 
couM  ilistintinifsli,  liy  tlieir  .sallow  coni)ile.\ion  and  langnid  a^invt,  the  |ii 
of  the  American  15ottom  from  those  of  the  country  l)aek  of  the  eity. 

Oil  the  Illinois  liliilfs,  oast  of  the  bottom,  tliert!  i.s  no  spot  wortliynf: 
tico.  Tlie.su  liltill's  consist  of  limestone,  euntainin;^  buds  of  coal.  Ti 
elevation  is  from  six  to  seven  hundred  feet  above  the  sea.  A  coiislilini' 
jtortion  of  them  is  nppropriated  to  the  culture  of  the  lihiiivs  roniui'n. 
and  the  UKiuufaeture  of  castor  oil  is  prosecuted  there  and  in  St.  Loui,*,  t- 
greater  extent  than    in  any  other  part  of  the   I'nitcd  States.     On  tlic  M 


by  the  old  French  town  of  Stc.  fienoviuvc,  witli 


,1  «(■'. 


souri  side,  \\e  may  pass  hy 
eral  newer  American  villages,  all  .seated  on,  or  at  the  foot  of,  the  high  11: 
of  earbonilerous  limestone,  which  rise  in  some  places  like  mural  jirccipin. 
the  hiL.'ht  of  eight  hundred  feet  altove  the  sea,  and  stop  at 

II.  .J  i:i'i'i;nso\  Uaiikai'ks. — The  bhilT  is  here  more  depressed  and  of  gen;! 
ascent  from  the  river.  This  [lost  is  in  Lat.  .'5S"  'J.*^'  N.  and  Ji(Jii.  \W  (i>'^' 
The  carboniferous  limestone,  which  alxjunds  in  coal,  like  the  bhitfs  on;! 
opi).isiti'  side  of  the  river,  is  considerably  fractured,  and  portions  of  it  :.: 
changed  from  their  horizontal  position,  apparently  by  au  upheaving  I'r 
Thus  the  surface  is  uneven,  and  the  rents  and  ajierturcs  of  the  .strata  liv 
tlie  drainage  of  the  surface.  A  great  object  of  the  Government  in  c^ta'l:?; 
ing  this  pi  >t  was,  to  have  a  healthy  a.sylum  for  troops  broken  down  h\  • 
vice  in  the  hotter  climates;  to  which  end  it  would  be  well  adapted,  but:' 
the  contiguity  of  the  American  IJittom  on  the  ojiposite  side  of  tlioriu 
According  to  Doctor  De  Camp,  wlicncvor,  in  August  or  Sejitember,  tlio  w:;. 
blows  over  the  barracks  I'rom  tliat  bottom  for  a  few  days,  intcrniitt'.!.' 
break  out  among  the  troo])s;  while  the  people  who  live  a  mile  or  t 
the  river,  in  the  woods,  escape.  The  returns  show  a  ratio  of  thirty-fuui']' 
cent.  ](er  ainium  for  intermittents,  and  of  sixteeu  for  remittents. t 

The  liluf 


\vu  ii' 


From  the  Ijarracks  to  St.  Louis  the  distance  is  twelve  mil 


cs. 


consisting  of  tlie  same  limestone,  continue  low,  ami  iu  most  places  rise 
from  the  river.     I'etween  tlie  two  places,  stamls  the  ancient  Frencli  vi 


ml' 


of  Caroiidelet,  bcariiiir   to  the  Amcr 


lean 


Bott 


om  a  re 


lati 


on  snnilar 


to  tli: 


JefiTersoii  IJarracks;  but  its  native  inhabitants  do  not  seem  to  have -«uffi'! 
much  from  autunuial  fever.  Several  miles  higher  up  is  the  I'nitcd  J'tJ 
Arsenal,  built  on  a  gentle  and  rocky  slope. 

in.  St.  Lol'Is. — While  New  Orleans  is  the  metropolis  of  the  Tvhnle  k 


of  the  IMissisf 


ipp 


St,  L' 


luis  is  tlie  emi)oriun)  o 


opi 
f  the  northern  half  of  that  li;«  I 


Destined  to  be  forever  tlie  most  important  city  on  the  banks  of  the  Mi' 


*  Fuck's  Gazetteer  of  Illinois. 


t  Med.  Stat.  U-  S.  .i 


.■r.':-' 


,.  ••   ■     t     -    ■ 

<         .      ■  1 

.  "l      '  ■  I, 

'I 


% 


•    *  "  * 


.<-•■<':.■■.'-' 


PHX 


I 


m 


::l 


!i;' 


lUT  I.] 


INTKFIIOK   \ 


i,:,  ;i!j  ivu  New  Uricaii.-i,  ii 

Itii'L-ist. 

[[.  ilistaiici;  rrmii  tln'  I'ali 

(irleiiiis  twi'lvc  Iiiiinlri  i 

M.nn.  III!"  i.v;;!»"  W.     ' 

,i!  lity.     Till'  ;:(.'ii(.'r;il   en 

llll|ii,  |>,       III  llduill^'    tWl'lvi 

iiirh  nine  (li'grccH  uf  latiliii 

■  ijll'll'tcr.S    nf   il    lli'LTcO. 

I\\:-. ;it  low  water,  (i|i|nj.situ 
l»v.'  l!ie  (I'liir,  or  llii'uo  liiiii 
lr!i';i!iS.     [f  tliis  lie  c'uiroct, 
|wr  lit}',  i-  tliiTO  iiiclios  ;iiii 
l.-ix  ti'iitlis  tor  rai  II  iniiiiit 
T'ie  tM|Mijri'a|i!iy  of  St  limii 
\I1.  /A'  tliat  a  |tn>traet('(l  ( 
iv  Aiiii.ii''aii  ]>i)ttoiii,  sliows 
|!in<  in  that  tract,  when  oa: 
lit  >i'lc — t!ic  Ijl'iI  of  the  rive 
It;  —anil  ])uiii-uirs  l.slaiid  ii 
Jsts  lif  sainl  witli  L'liiljcdiliMl 
Ilk'  of  tlie  river;  but  the  1; 
|i;;ini\v  and  .shallow  eliainiel 
ixtumling  iij)  stream  hv  de| 
it::  till'  harbor.     IJoth  i.shind 
■^.i^  iiiid  .sandy  .^iirfaee.s,  pre) 
:■  i-lanil  is  covered  with  y 
M'  iit\-  is  built  iu  ii  geiitl 
|i;iii'irth  to  south.     It.s  .site 
It'i  ili'iHisJls  of  luam  ;  whirli, 
liiit'iatthe  fouiidatiiiii.s  of  tl 
Iv  till'  vdclcs  apjicar  in  low 
r:i'->t  ilnwii  the  river  are  bui 
ft  t'l  inundation.     A  bayou  1 
'I-'!  1  ■■tssu.s  through  this  trae 
•iv-jij  ],y  ;i  bi-ouk  from  the 
Irtifthe  city  lies  Chouteau's 
la  Ismail  stream,  aid  having 
|ni"ii(.rthc  plat,  il    a  broiui 
Pii'l;  thus  adding  t(;  tlie  pal 
Itiruf  the  jMiiid  is  de>  ji,  and 
lasu  of  population,  it  i.s  beeun 


*  11 


>'».v  /.W. 


r.  I  Full,  r  r  "I  f 


I  :vH 


Lkt  I'] 


iMi;ia(ju  VAM.nv  oi"  Noirni  .\.mi:i;ii  a. 


l:!!) 


hi,  iib'ivc  Ni'W  Urloaii,'*,  it  imiy  justly  cliiiiu  tlii;  atti-iiliidi  nf  tlio  iiadual 

KiJijst. 

It.  ili.'taiK't'  IViiiii  tlif  IJalizo  is  thirtooii  liiiiidruil  ami  iiinctv  miles — iVuni 
|i,u  ilrluaiisi  twi.lvi' liiiuilriil  ami  t'i;:lity-.si.\.  Its  Liit.  is  :5>«"  :!7'  -^"  N. ; 
11,  iMi"  i:/  :V.>"  \V.  Thus  it  stamls  s-  W  :,"  N.  -uA  ]iV  :',:>"  \V.  „i 
Ltiitv.  Tlio  ^a-iicral  cniirM;  dl'  tliu  Mis.sissiiU'i  is  well  sluwii  liy  tli"SO 
uiipiij.  Ill  flowiiijr  twclvi!  Iiuiidrcd  and  i'ij;lity-six  iiiik'S,  and  traviTsing 
^,ir!'.  iiiia-' drgrt'i's  (if  lalitiidc,  its  luii^itmU's  at  tlmsc  citiL's.  vary  li.~s  than 
|)ri"i|ii;irtcr.s  dl' a  di';,'r(.'L'.  Aci-urdiiii^  tn  Nicullil,'''  tlio  flt'vatinn  dt'  tlu.' 
Ivr!'. at  low  water,  opiiusite  St.  Tiduis,  is  thivt;  Iiundivil  and  eiglifv-twu  feet 
tlif  (lull',  or  tliiuo  Imndrcd  ami  s(vciit\ -Iwn  ahuve  tlic  snrl'ai'c  ;it  New 
Irl'M'!.-*.  It' this  In,'  cciirt'i't,  thi;  I'all  in  the  .Missis.»i|ii)i  rrmii  the  ii)'j'ri-  tn  thi; 
iwriitv,  is  three  iiiehes  and  turty-SL'ven  hundredths  a  mile;  i>y  eiiiht  inches 
ijj -ix  teiitlis  tor  cai  h  iiiinute  of  latitude. 

tii|i(i;:rai(liy  of  St  liouis  and  its  envirniis,  is  so  iiitelli_i:i1il_v  rejiresented 

/'/.  !X,  that  a  jirntraeted  deseri|itio!i   is  not  neeessary.     Its  eontii:uity  to 

Aniiri'aii  I'ottoin,  shows  tliat  it  may  he  injuriou.sly  all'ected  l)y  the  exha- 

lli'iis  Hi' that  traet,  when  easterly  winds  prevail.     The  immediate  hank  on 

k' — the  bt'il  of  the  river — IMoody  Tslaml  oiiposito  the  ii|i|ier  part  of  the 

Iv  — and  IHuK-an's  Island  in  front  of  the  lower  part,  are  little  else  than  de- 

iit-i  iif  sand  with  embedded  drift-wood.     1'he   former  island  lies  mar  the 

lllt'iiftho  river;  hut  tlie  latter  is  separated  I'roni  tlie  St.  LouLs  slmn;  by 
limrriw  ami  sliallow  ehannel.  This  island,  like  otiiers  of  the  .Mis.sissippi, 
iixtoiiiliiip'  up  stream  by  deposits  on  its  head,  and  has  eoiiio  to  interfere 
|t:i  till' liarhor.  l>otii  ishind.s  are  subjeet  to  inundation,  but  their  limited 
it.;h  and  .sandy  surfaces,  ])rovcut  the  I'orniation  of  ponds  or  uiarsLcs.  The 
r  i.-liiid  is  covered  with  young  eottou-trees. 

Till' eity  is  built  in  a  gentle  bend  of  the  Mississippi,  wliieh  flows  nearly 
pni  imrth  to  sontli.  Its  site  is  a  bed  of  carboniferous  limestone,  eovi'red 
Itli  ik'lioslts  of  loam;  wliieli,  thougli  generally  deep,  are  in  many  places  so 
lia  I'lat  tlio  foundations  of  the  bouses  rest  on  the  solid  ro(k.  Above  the 
lythe  vncks  appear  in  low  blull's.  Those  portions  of  the  city  whirii  lie 
>t  iLiwn  the  river  are  built  on  low  ground,  which  in  high  floods  ai'e  sub- 
It  t'liiauulation.  A  bayou  from  the  river  on  the  wist  side  of  Duncan's 
|l;u;il  I  asses  through  this  tract,  and  is  skirted  b\-  narrow  marshes;  it  is  also 

viM'il  hy  a  brook  from  the  adjoining  low  blull's.  In  the  south-western 
Innfthe  city  lies  Chouteau's  Pond  —  a  serpentine  basin  of  water,  supplied 
[a  sii;all  stream,  a"d  having  an  outlet  which  passes  acniss  the  southern 
Irti'inifthe  plat,  i,  -t  broad  ravine,  to  the  river  on  the  west  of  ])uncan's 
|:i!i'l;  tlius  adding  to  tlie  paludal  ehanicter  of  tiiat  part  of  the  city.      'J'lie 

t'T  i)f  the  ]ioikI  is  dui  ,1.  ami   its  margins  well  delined;  but  with   the  in- 
risu  of  population,  it  is  bccuniing  a  rece|itacle  for  filth. 


^^tri 


:| 

1 

:l 

% 


*    ^'        I*  • 


oil: 

•',.■••■:• 


*  liyilrograph.   Uusia. 


110 


Till-:  rRINCIPAL  niSEASKS  OK  THE 


ic  .: 


Til  front  of  tlio  city  tlie  liciu-li  or  ij'iay  i-  iiiirrdw  and  jinveil.     Tn  tlir  ■-,,. 
flniid  t\\'  l>^n,  itwas   (1l'i'|i1)'  imiiiiliitcd.  and   tin;   lirst   rango  of  liousus  ad 
their  lower  floors  covered  to  tlio  d.'ptli  of  several  feet.     Frmu  tliesi' > 
the  hank  rises  in  a  rrentlo  and  ro^'ular  n:anner  to  tho  eli  vation  of  oii'l.t, 
ahove  low  water-mark.  UKikin:r  it  four  hundred  and  ,<ixty-two  feet  a)iovt;:.| 
level  of  the  sea.'"     In  advaucinL!"  into  the  oouiitrj%  in  any  western  dinf- 
fnnii  smith  round  to  north,  we  citlicr  eontinue  on  this,  or  frradually  ii>. 
higher  li'vel.      The  rorks  hcneath   are  (Mh-nnMiU^,  with  lieils  of  cinl,    ;•. 
general   aspect  of  tin,-  surface  is  that  of  Icvehiess,  and  some  small  ];•;  , 
iucliiiL"  to  1)0  swanijiy;  hut,  in  geiicral,  the  drainage  i.s  jiorfect,  hv  ii.v.i ,- ; 
the  inoi[ualities,  the  fi.<surcs,  and  the  apertures  of  tho  suhjaeont  rerlc.  ■■'. 
soil  is  rifh  and  argillaceous  rather  than  sandy,  and  where  not  oiilti',: 
coven.'d  with  a  thin  growth  of  (jak   and   liickory  trees,  with   copses  > :' 
IjusIk's.    The  ra[)id  growth  of  the  city  has  led,  in  latter  years,  to  a  gt':; 
of  leveling,  aiul   eonseijueutly  to  the  exposure   of  much  new  surfaif  • 
action  of  the  eh  nients. 

The  settlement  of  St.   Louis  was   iiegun  on  'he   loth  of  Fchnmr.-,  ]'■• 
forty-six  years  after  that  of  New  Orleans;  and  twenty-i'our  years  hi.': 
of  Cincinnati.      Its  founder  was   I'ierre  Liguesto   Tiadede,  assisted! 
young  cre<de.«,  Auguste  and  Pierre  Chou*,\iu,  all  of  New  (''leans.     A  (■:•..■ 
erahlo  Fremdi   pojndation  .soon  e  l:ecteil   there,  ehieily  from  Fort  CLarrr^l 
Kaskaskia,  Cahokia,  A'ineennos,  and  other  French  villages  cast  of  the  ^'ii 
sissi[ipi;   a   region  which,   in    J7tl-I,  ha<l   lieen   ceded  by   France  t^  ' 
]>ritain.    In  ITt'i^,  the  town,  with  liouisiana  generally,  jiasscd  into  the 
of  Spain,  having  been  previously  ceded  to  her  by  France.     Eut  tlio  iiiij 
gration  of  Spaniards  was  inconsiderable,  and  although  the  town  comb:! 
under   Spanish   rule  up   to  iSO:),  the  people  were  chiefly  French.    I:in 
year,  Louisiana  was  restored  to   Franco,  ami   transferred,  iiistcukr,  ; 
United   State;';  wheneo   it  began  to  receive  a  new  element  of  pii[ii;l,::J 
Within  tho  last  fii'tccn  years,  this  po[iulation  has  increased  at  a  roiii;i!k'.fl 
ratio;   and  for  five  or  six  years  past,  there  has  iieen  a  great  influx  fruiiii'sl 
many.     Thus  the  present  population  Consists  of  three  kind.'^,  the  it 
French,  tho  Anglo- American,  and  the  (lornian. 

From  the  earliest  date  of  its  sett'v'nHMit,  St.  Louis  has  been  an  ciiij' 
of  the  fur  trade  of  the  vrest  and  north:  and  the  head  (|uarters  of  tit 
f/cxfx  or  (i/f/df/ces  to  be  hereafter  described.  For  the  last  twenty  uy 
steamboat  trade  has  been  immense  ;  and,  of  course,  its  port  has  abi'u;.  •  - 
watcimcn  of  a  diflerent  class.  Its  inanui'ai'turhig  jiopulation  liasi:'; 
become  numerous. 

The  iidiabitants  arc  .supplieil  with  river-water,  which  i.i  received  tl'.r". 
hydrant    system,  .ifter   depositing   its    silt  in  a  reservoir.       Situati'! 
eighteen  miles  below  the  junction  of  the  ^Missouri  with  tho  ^lissis-ij; 
on  t!ie  side  through  Mhicli  tho  former  enters,  the  water  pumped  uji 


«  Nicollot. 


y^i,r,,]         jXTKRioi; 

J\-  '<(  t!io  t>nvn  U  cntiiV 

;r  tirliiJ  ill  the  (Ireat  In 

'i  [  tiiiik  up  when  the 


L-daiid  eighty  grains.     Tl 

jipiivii  down  before  it  leave 

('  injured  witii  the  Aiiier 

'.  i.s  hut  little  alfectcil 

bu:.:!';.  in  its  rear.     The  \n 

1.1  ti...'  new  extensions  to  t 

loiis  are  uicst  exempt. 


t 

I.  i;knf.i;.\i.  Pesciiii'tio.v. 

ml  \':i'  head  (if  tho  Aiiicric; 

id'-, 'ICO  is  eighteen  miles.      1 

lb:  .'  :;itus,  and  the  Lpjicr  coi 

'lil  «:iters  which  continue 

■v.l!' "f  .Mexico,  flow  out  of 

i'  i:!Mti'iii,  hi'iiig  transpare 

[i     .'  till'  river  at  this  juiict 

F     '  t.  ihree  hundred  and 

|l:i'  !:':;ul  [ifii'vial  bottoms  a; 

|fi:;i'  'Ms  are  in  sig!it  at  the 

'-.::iidci'uiiibli;g  bi.ijks,  a: 

:■  I ^  hearing  young  grove 

^r.  I.  iivu  no  longer  seen  ;  bi 

1  pi^rmanent  islands,  oversl 

^v«.  shrill)?,  and  herbaceous 

■I'dilo  to  submersion  duriiii 

■f '  "I'm  lands  are  luw,  and, 

.     At  h'ligth,  bowlders  ( 

lavi!.  and  |i(djhles,  begin  to  s 

As  we  advance,  the  dh 

I;:  i:.s  heeiriiie  more  clevatei 

l!''.;iiV.i-  and  hight.      Tho  1 

'  '^v,  begin  now  to  rise  in 

I"  v:iA  display  a  surface  of  j 


^F'rom  the  inoutii  of  the  INIissc 
I'lis  the  waters  of  that  river  do  n 
pssippi;  Lular..'  clearly  (listing 
'llie  tvcstcrn  side  of  the  river. 


■V' ' 


in.r  !• 


iXTHRIOU  VAIJ.I:Y  or  NMjRTH  AMERICA. 


141 


jj.  ]v  vi  the  (iiwii  i.s  outiiVly  fniui  that,  river,  wliidi  is  well  liiinv.ii  to  lie  the 
L,;  ;  ivhiil  ill  the  (Ireut  Tiit'Ti  ir  N'alley.''  The  dipiisit  IVmii  a  j-iiigle  gallon, 
(i,;'i  1  t"|'k  ii[t  when  the  river  was  almve  its  nieaii  lii^irlit,  ^vei^he(l  (Jiie  liuii- 
lUi'l  eidity  grains.  1'lie  greater  jiart  it'  this  foreign  matter  i.s,  however, 
:  4.  ,',ii  il.iwu  before  it  leaves  the  rc-ervnir. 

,'  ;>ij.;uvil  with  the  American  JJottom  oi;  the  opjiosite  side  of  tlie  liver,  f^t. 

j^    .  is  liut  little  alfeeted  with   aatuMuial  fever;  nor  is  it  :ts  lialile  as  the 

ikii:.:rv  ill  its  rear.     The  parts  v.hieh  sutler  most  are  the  southern  buhurbs, 

Tjli!  ii:o  now  exteiisiniis  to  the  west.     As  in  uur  other  cities,  the  central  jior- 

gc-  arc  most  exempt. 


SFXTK^X  VI. 

VrVVAl  MISSI.SSIITI. 

(iKNKn.vi,  Pi:scnii'Tio\. — l-'mm  St.  Ijouis  to  the  mouth  (/f  the  ^[issouri 

jlf ,:':.' lii:ail  I'f  the   Ameriean   Huttum,  which  is  found  nearly  o]ipi.site,  the 

'^•MiiM!  !.•<  eighteen  miles.     Here,  what  may  be  called  the  Lower  3!ississi[ipi 

irmiiiati'S,  and  the  I'pper  commences.    At  this  point  it  may  be  seen  that  the 

!ii  1  \v;itors  which  continue  to  the  ]>ali/.e,  and  even  njil  the  margins  of  the 

Iv.lf  I  f  3Iexieo,  flow  out  (if  the  3liss(i!iri  ;  tie  se  of   the  ^lississipjti,  above 

iii'rti'iM,  being  transparent,  and  of  a  delicate,  brownish  tint.     The  sur- 


t! 


.;i;l.    iM 


river  at  this  junction,  when  the  water  is  lowest,  is,  according  to 
ree  hundred  and  eighty-eight  feet  above  the  level  of  the  <ralf. 


!„•, 


'•:  au  aili'vial  bottoms  are  now  at  an  end.  and  the  carboniferous  lime- 

|fi::('  (iluffs  are  in  .sight  at  the  samo  time,  on  Loth  sides  of  the  river.    ]>oiliiig 

•■'.aiidcrunibliig  b:;ii\s,  .iiiil  bars,  and  isLind;!  e(>mposed  of  sand  and  trunks 

tivi- bcarhig  young  groves  of  ci  .ton-Wfiod,  (  destined  soon  to  be  swept 

:).  are  no  lunger  seen;  but,  as  we  ascend,  broad  expansinn,    if  the  river, 

lili  ji'mnatient  ishuuls,  overshadowed  down  to  the  water's  edge,  with  various 

:-.  s'lnibs,  and  herbaceous  plants,  meet  the  eye.     Many  of  them,  however, 

■liililo  to  submersion  during  the   spring  freshets.     For  some  distance  up, 

'  ittuni  lauds  are  low,  and,  like  some  of  the  islai'ds,  are  subject  to  iimn- 

|ti ;;.    At  length,  bowlders  of  various  sizes,  and  terraces  of  diluvial  sand, 

avd,  and  pebbles,  l)egin  to  show  themseuos  in  the  rear  of  the  alluvial  bot- 

As  we  advance,  the  distane-e  between  tlic  "pposing  hills  gets  less,  thn 

It'ims  beeomo  more  elevated  and  habitable,  and  the  gravel  banks  increa.-e 

''.;i''"r  and  bight.      The  hills,  Avhich  for  .some  distance  were  compara- 

'■  li\v.  begin  now  to  rise  into  greater  altitude.     J'art  of  them  are  wooded, 

m  i'urt  display  a  surface  of  prairie.     Where  a  tributary  enters,  the  valley 


'From  the  nioutli  of  the  IMissotiri  to  a  dislaiice  of,  [icrliuii.s,  'lircc  niilos  bulow  St. 
k'ii-.  the  wuturs  of  that  rivor  do  not  niiiifjlc,  to  any  noticenl'Io  extent,  witli  tlio.=c  of  tlio 
li-^^ippi;  but  are  clearly  ilistinguislnible  by  tliei''  color,  ami  are  I'ouml,  at  all  points, 
'Vestern  side  of  the  river. 


■  ■■    '  .-■ '  1  ■ 


m 


* 


,4r( 


U: 


THE  PRINCIPAI,  DISEASES  OF  THE 


pfAlIT!. 


INTERIOR 


.  ^  ■■'  i 


I 


ill 


IS   jroiR'i'allv  wiili'r,   fiii< 


(1   tlio  liiittiinis  alidvo  Jiiul    lielow   its 


IlKilU 


(U'|irL'ssr(.l  ;is  l)c  to  nvcrfinwcd.    In  .^nino  jiImccs  tlure  are  gciitlo  rajiii].>  |(,|' 
miles,  ll:u  v'wvy  liLiiip:  i'.n|  andcd  into   shi  al  water,  flowing  over  a   ruvl 


■ueii 


is  ti.- 


V 


niii'i- 


.Miss 


is.^iiini,  as 


r  1 


lave  seen 


it,  to  tlie  iiioutli  dl'  l'\'V( 


three  lmii<lru(l  and  ei;ulily  miles  aliuvu  tl;e  innnth  of  tlio  31isseiiri. 
hundred  ahovo  St.  Louis,  and  seventeen  hundred  from  the  juiietii  ii  . 
31issis>iii]ii  uith  tin;  (luli'.  The  latitude  of  I'over  I'iver  is  ah(nit  fiit, 
doiirei's  thirfv  minutes  north,  or  thirteen  de^'rees  thirty  miiuitcs  nortli  <: 


1 


>ali/.e. 


]• 


r.in 


her,  a  lew  vula'jfes  am 


lloUl 


t  to   tlie    Falls    of  St.   AntI 


lonv 


five  huiidr 


two  militav}'  jio.^ts  emln'aee  nearly  all  the  ii- 
tion:  and  as  the  nu'illcal  topographer  is  interested  in  none  hut  ]. 
countries,  I   shall  not   attempt  a  further  delineation,  ])ut,  returning  i 


viiio' 


fimifh 


'inri'  o 


f  the  Missouri,  <i\\q 


.some 


aeeount  of"  a  few  loealities. 


II.  jLNcrro.x  or  tii!:  Hivi:i;s. —  Ahout  twenty-five  miles  ahove  tl)' 


tion,  the  .^lississippi  and  Missmui  .(ivers  approaeli  within  nine  mi 
otlu'r;  wlioiife  they  coutiiuie  nearly  parallel,  in  an  eastern  direeti 


en,  li!,; 


length   the  ^Iississip[)i  liends  to  the  south,  ami  reeeives   the  lMis.si.iurl  .■ 
trihutary.     Along  the   IMississijipi,  the  peninsular  ci\\w,  above  the  jiiiv'-- 
i.s,  through  its  whole  length,  so  low  as  to  bo  subject  to  inundation,    'i 
Mi.ssouri  it  has  the  same  character  for  alumt  twenty  miles,  up  to  tlio  '! 
luelles,  whieh  are  high  knobs,  apparently  belonging  to  a  tertiary  Inniui!: 
Tltc  Jinttoni. —  Most  of  the  [leninsular   bottom    is   [irairio,   on  {]./. 
portions    of   whieh   the   river    floods    leave    swamps,    bayous,  and   la.   , 


Theri 


a  re 


irtions,  however,  whii-li  consist  of  diluvium,  and  are  sou! 


that  oven  the  great  flood  of  1>^  U  did  not  overflow  the 


m. 


Tt,' 


I"'l,ml;i 


sparse,  and  subject  to  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers :  whieh,  !;.-   ! 
Twynian,  aiid   doctor   Thompson,  and  Poftor  ."\Ic('ullough,  of  St.  (' 


if. 


iniormeil  m 


are  sometimes  of  a  malignant  character. 


III.  St.  ('iiaiu,i:: 


Tl 


ree  miles  above  the  Mammellesis  the  i  Id  1" 


lago  of  St.  Charles,  now  (in  popid  ition  as  well  as  jurisdiction)  an  Ai; 


town.   Tt  stands  on  carboniferous  limestone  ri 


wiiicli  rise  ' 


rad 


uallv  ;mi.:: 


3Iissouri   to   tlie  Idght  of  eiglity  or  one   hundred  feet.      The  cour:t 


r\ 


is  dry,  ami  of  tl 


i;   same  e 


levat 


loll. 


On  tl 


10 


opposite  or  South  sk 


wo  mih.'s  wiilo,  wliuii  ]> ,... il 


river  there  is  a  heavily  timbered,  rich  bottom,  t 
to  be   inundated.      Nearly  .surrounded  by  the  localities  whieh 
deseribed.  the  people  of  St.  (^hailes,  altl.ongh   its  site  is  of  a  lie 
acter,  are  by  no  means  exemjit  from  autumnal  i'evers.      W'e  must 
the  Mississip[ii  to  the 


iltl 


in  V. 


I^^     Towns  ok  Alton — Lowkk  .\ni>  Uppkh 


-Not  I 


lavniir  visiti'' 


II'  II. 


towns,  nor  mot  with  a  desrriptiou  of  their  medical  topographv,  I  wi 
mention  them,  but  from  the  fact  that,  situated  but  a  few  miles  aliovetl 
of  the  Missouri,  it  is  pi'cdicted  that  they  will  grow  into  great  conniieni 
portance.  Lower  Alt  m  is  built  (  n  a  roc  l<y  foundation  between  ll.i 
ami  the  bluffs:  I'ppi  i  Alton  is  on  the  blufl's,  two  miles  from  the  river. 


u!'l  :.i 


,  :;;itrv  iirnund  is  said  to  b 
1  ...■il  to  tlie  oxhalatioiis 
.;  Til  'i'le  of  file  .^lis^i.-^ 
■:')  ;i!ituiii!ial  fever,  conipa 
.:;-:nni. 

\,  (^ii  r.vcv. — This  tow 
]    ,  i^  a  little  bi'low  the  I 
(■  I'll.*  I  learn  that  its  site; 
8   ■,■■•  tlie  rivi'r.     Its  eoinpi 
V    :i  fall  upon  it.  and  favoi 
iV.ul-writer,  with  its  usual  s 
i.t'tlic  ground  in   the  vi 
.\  ;i!ltivial  creek  enters  th 
J   -'kt  nine  miles  below:  bi 
];■  ;:i';;iliit;'iits  any  injurious 
li'  :i  is  k's.s  favorable.      Near 
Irr  i.vcrfliiwcd  in  spring,  and 
';i;!i;i:  and  on  the  further 
t  .  tract  of  bottom,  subject 
t  :  inai>!ics.     Tiie  surface,  ; 
i'    ..'•  'Vc  of  forest  iY<ii'!i. 
t    :  y,  and  the  prevalent  w 
;•  iiiterveiiing  trees  am 

h '.'t  ir  .*=!tahl  lias  fav.in.d  n 

Ft!     -arl^l-.'.from  whieh  it  ; 

il    ■  jiractice  until  the  lattei 

ii      1  iii'iadi  from  that  time 

yi'    '.ly  f.iriiiidable  ar.  tliis  pi 

•^!!ioy  is  a  young   town   i 

■  ii"imlation  is  largely  IVon 

:itu'jky  and  other  states. 

I;!;  — a  largo  element  —  w-'l 

J'-'l-    Tims,  like  the  other 

ty  "''national  tcmperanioi 

\  1.   lb  KMNOTON. Diictdr 

1  iii:itcrials  of  the  foll.,win'»  • 

F:i.  .stands  on  the  west   lia 

p,v  mill's  above  St.  Louis,  an 

titmle  .if  which,  according  tu 

'!.e  snrfaee  of  the  river,  at 


'P-'rk's(;a/..«ttccrorillinoi.«.. 


'-■  penes  mc. 


■'^r*'/i 


Tif^^l 


INTEUIOR  VAIJ,I:Y  OF  MiRTH  A.MF-RICA. 


H;5 


,u;itrv  ariniul  is  siiiil  to  be  free  from  marslios;  but  tlie  lowor  t'  ",vn  is  ox- 
h,,;ii  (ii  t'lt-'  oxlialatiims    from  the  iioiiiiisular  luittiun,  (ui   tlio  (i|i]iiisiti"  or 

V  rn  >i'li^'  "f'  t'lo  3Ii.ssissi|ijii.*  Ol"  the  dcirroo  in  wliicli  tlie^-  are  inlVstefl 
n;'!  autumnal  fever,  coiiinared  with  otlier  towns  on  tliL  Missis^ipjii,  I  am  nut 

liil'nriin'il- 

V.  (jn.vfV. — This  ti.wM  stands  on  tlie  Icf'l  lianl;  of  the  river  in  the  '■tate  of 

ilii:i  is  a  little  hi'low  the  I'orticth  degree  of  latitude.     Yi'^in  Ddctui-  l>;iuiei 

ki'il*  lli'-irii  tiiat  its  site  is  a  diluvial  terrai-e,  eighty  or  one  hniidrcd  {'cet 

il,  v  tiio  rivi'r.     Its  eomposition  is  sucli  that  it  gr(H)dily  al)snrlis  the  rains 

iri.i -li  fall  nimii  it.  and  favors  the  iirodin-tioii  of  dust  much  more  than  mud. 

Wihwatcr,  with  its  usual  saline  impregnations,  is  in  general  )isi>.     The  sur- 

iif  till' ground  in   the  vicinity  of  the  town,  is   elevated,  rolling,  and  dry. 

ir,  alluvial  creek  enters  the  Mississipjii  twelve  miles  above  the  town,  and 

ih.'tlier  nine  miles  below:  but  ni^ither  approaches  it  so  near  a.^  to  exert  upon 

^. ia!ialiit;Mits  any  iMJuriou.s  influence.     In  tlie  opposite  direction  the  ci.ndi- 

;i  is  less  favorable.     Near  the  town,  there  are  low,  wooded  islands,  which 

i|r    viifl'.wcd  in  spring,  and  left  with  ponds  to  be  evaporated  in  summer  and 

Ltuiin:  and  on  the  furtlier  side  of  the  river,  in  the  state  of  ^lissouri,  there 

ff    tiMi-t  iif  liottom,  sidtject  to  annual  inundation,  with  its  conseipieut  poiuls 

\i  •  iii;M>lies.     The  surface,  generally,  is  prairie;  but  on  the  river  bank  there 

[i     I'lvo  of  forest  trees.     These  islands  and  the  bottom  lie  to  the  west  of 

{      ,,  and  the  ])revalent  winds  of  summer  and  autumn  pass  over  them; 

b     :i.' intervening  trees  and  river  maybe  supposed  to  exert  a  jirotecting 

I'  't  ir  Staid  lias  favored  me  with  a  historj  of  the  diseases  in  this  town  for 
hi  ear  l'^4"_*,  from  which  it  appears  that  no  case  of  autunnial  fever  occurred 
jii  •  jiraetifc  until  the  latter  part  of  September,  and  no  new  case  apjiearcd 
[»  a  111  lath  from  tliattime;  from  whii-h  we  may  infer  that  the  disease  is 
-rv  t'irniidalilo  at  this  place. 

y.i'.icy  is  a  young  town  wdiicli  has  grown  rapidly  to  a  respectable  size. 
•:  ji'iiulation  is  largely  from  New  England  and  New  York,  witli  a  f(  w  from 
:.!!i'-ky  and  other  states.  The  Kuropean  immigrants  arc  principally  (ler- 
!;  — a  lar'jre  cleniout  —  v'Mi  a  considerable  number  from  Inland  and  K112- 
I  Thus,  like  rhe  other  towns  ahng  the  3Iississippi,  this  ( lubraces  a 
'y  "f  national  temperaments  and  habits. 

!.  15ri!i,iX(;T0N. — Doctor  Jtdm  F.  ITenry 'as  favored  me  with  the  princi- 
:a:iterials  of  the  fdlowing  notice  of  this  locality.      Th.e  city  of  J'urliiigton, 
bw:i.  stands  on   the  west  bank  of  the   3Iississippi  river,  two  hundred  and 
|ftvi'.ii!rs  aliove  St.  Louis,  and  a  mile  below  tlic  month  of  j'liiit  llivrr:   the 
'Ic  of  which,  according  toNicolht.  is  40"  f^2'  ")»i"  \.,  and  the  elevation 
!0     .' surface  of  the  river,  at   low  water,   four  hundred  and  eivditv-six   feet 


•  " 


*< 


i'-''k"s  r.a/ottccr  of  Illiiioi.'". 
M.-^.  penvx  me. 


4 . 


lU 


THE  rUINClPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


f.lf.T  I.] 


INTLRKJ 


|.| 


I      I 


f' 


fildivo  (lie  Gulf.     Tlio  inituth  cif  Flint  Iiimv  lu.d  du  city  iiiu  S(|;ira!'. 
Miifl's,  \viii(;h  liLTO  :iii|)roaf1i  t  >  tlio  very  sIk/it-j  of  t].(  jli'^sissiinii.     Imiwl. 
jitoly  l''l  iw  tlii'in,  !i  mIj)  of  iHittmii  Ijiiul,  ;i!..  v.t  twi  Ifuii,  rod  yr^nl';  in '■ 
l)'"_nn^  !i;!(l  stretclius  fi)!' ;i  mile  duwii  the  river;,  li.ivi.i.L'  foi-  il  •  liaek  gMiiJ 
!i  r;in:/''  ('riilnlfs,  wliicli  ri.so  ti»  tlie  e.stini;iteil  lii;ilii  ot'uDont  one  Iniinlnil!'.; 
A  8tre:ini  originating  in  tlie  renr  makes  its  M'ay  tlinnigli  tliese  1jlii!!'>. a: 
traverse'^  tlie  narnnv  In  tt(  in,  near  its  middle,  to  join  the  Mississippi,   I;.! 
vallry  is  aliout  tliree  lnniilrc<l  yards  Mide,  and  considerable  jjortiuns  are!:;, 
ble  to  inundation  from  its  own  waters.     The  river  liottoni  below  theiiKc;| 
of  tills  torrent  is  likewLso  subject  to  submersion  from  freshets  of  tlio  .M:-.. 
si})})!.     Ill   addition,  many  springs  burst  out  near  the  basf  of  the  bilk  ,:.: I 
■water  tlie  bott(Jin.     Such  is  the  site  of  t'lc  city,  Avhicli  is  bu!!t  on  tlio  ikutt 
belt,  above  ;ind  lielow  the  brook  by  which  it  is  traversed,   and  on  tlit  u 
ill  its  rear.     From  the  mouth  of  Flint  liiver,  an  extensive  bottom  strctti..:, 
for  many  miles,  up  to  the  mouth  of  Iowa  llivor.    Its  average  width  is  I'lur.: 
five  miles;  and,  like  the  American  Bottom,  opposite  St,  Jiouis,  it  is  Mvj 
parti-1  inundations,  wliich,  togellier  with  the  descent  of  streams  frum;.:! 
bluifs,  gives  it  a  surface  abounding  in  slmighs,  ponds,  and  bayous,   L. 
position  of  this  bottom  is  directly  north  of  tlie  city.     To  the  south,  orljLi 
the  city,  tlie  blull's  close  in  upon  the  river,  and  coiitiimo  near  it  for  t'lr  : 
live  miles,  when  a  buttnm  commences.     On  the  eastern  or  Illinois  .sidui:';.:| 
l^lississippi,  opposite  Burlington,  there  is  a  bottom  S'j\eral  miles  wi(k'Hi:.;j 
extends  up  and  down  the  river,  and  closely  resembLf   that  lying  btWa: 
Flint  Jliver  and  the  Iowa.     In  extrcnio  iloods  of  the  31i.«sissip[)i,  the ivln  1; ,! 
this  Illinois  bottom  i.s  submerged.    On  tlic  evenings  of  hot  days,  in  tlieh": 
part  of  summer  and  in  early  autumn,  the  exhabitions  of  this  bottiiiji:. 
often  extremely  offensive  to  the  siucU.     Finally,  iu  tl'.o  river  above  t!.u  rl 
there  is  a  series  of  low,  wooded  islands. 

Burlington  is  situated  near  the  western  margin  of  t!ie  Illinois  Coal  l':'..| 
and  is  abundantly   supplied    with   ^-pring-water,  having   tlie  usual   nu.:.:^ 
imiiregu.  lions.     As  on  i!.      '^es  of  other  y'aing  and  llourishing  towns i;.r: 
is  in  Burlington  a  grea^  •'  .1   n  excavation  and  leveling  of  the  suifaoe,  vu-l 
often  occasions  temporary  pniuls  or  sloughs. 

On  the  suliject  of  autumnal  fever,   Ductor  Henry  remarks  —  "Thul;:: 
lands  aliove  and  below  the  city,  and  also   on  the  ojiposite  side  of  tliu  rivil 
are  the  chosen  seats  <tf  intermittents,  by  which  the  pei>ple  every  Ji^ai'-M 
more  or  less  prostrated;  iijr  do  the  iinmigrants  seem  to  become  accliiuaitU 
Remittents  also  occur.     It  is  an  undeciiled  point,  whether  the  penplei;"! 
city  who  live  on  the  bottom  arc  more  subject  t(»  fever  than  those  on  the  l.'>j 
The  country  population  in  the  rear  of  the  city  arc  not  exemiit  from  tlioi'.-' 
especially  where  there  is  an  extensive  breaking  \ip  of  new  lands,  as  t'.i'" 
ginning  of  evdtivation.     Near  the  river  there  is  woodland,  but  pniiri'.«- • 
succeed,  and  spread  olF  indelinitely  to  the  west. 


Tlii.s  description  of  (h 
i  ;  • .  tue  tjipi'r  J^Ii.ssis 

\  11.      l!o(.'K    Isf.AM) 

I'urt  Anii.'^tning.      On 
idaml,  ill  the  state  of  Li\ 
in  the  state  of  Illinois,  ra 
■...III.     Three  miles  below 
properly  belong  to  one  1 
terms  Hilly. 

T!ic  island,  according 

iiiili'<  Iruiii  the  Ballze,  ant 

N.  L;ir,  41"  ol' .")(i".     Tl 

i«live  hundred  and  twent' 

i.slaiid  is  about  twenty  tec 

Liii  the  .luutlicru  extremity 

wator-iiKirk ;  but  to  its  soi: 

:i  ti'iii.t  of  low  bottom.     St 

>i  baveiipurt,  but  above  o: 

iiiuuth  of  Hock  Biver,  this 

m.    Thus,  to  the  south  ( 

iLure  are  tracts  of  insaltilir 

Mf  the  prevalence  of  aut 

not  speak.    Troops  were  st 

which  the  ratio  of  intermit 

'.11  per  ecnt.r 

This  locality,  like  St,  Loi 

tk>  tout  of  the  1  'pper    l{a 

I  tireiity  six  feet  in  lil'teen  mi 

Vlll,     (iAi.Kx.v.—The  hi 

iiiMVf  ,'^t,  Louis  about  fou 

liiiefly  the  north-west,  of  F 

.Miisi.vsippi,  ill  the  state  of 

k'  t.iwii,  down  to  its  mout 

ji'irreiit,  except  when  very  li 

j.steuf  the  town  is  a  ravin 

h^iluriaii  limestone.     Narrow 

Jmiiig  freshets  of  the  ."\Iissi 

jae,p;iriiigaii  ampler  town  phi 

4'iiiiiig  blufls.     These   bl 

pater.      From  the  town  d, 

jthrough  a  narrow  defile ;  bi 

llyirogiaph.  ijii,siii. 
10 


u^^'ms 


'•■■'"*Vv 


fAPJ   I.. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  M)RT1I  AMEUICA. 


140 


'i'liis  Joscnptiun  df  t1io  JJui-.'ingLon  lucality,  luiiy  Htrvo  lor  a  largo  prupor- 

ill.  KiK.'K  Island  Lucai.itv. — ll-nk  l.-lautl  wns  ionuc'I'y  tiio  ::;te  of 
Fort  Aniistroiig.  On  tlie  wostcjii  >vh  ni"  the  Mir-.^if^siiipi,  »i|)]iii!;itc  tlie 
jjlaiul,  ill  tlie  state  of  low;',  stauds  tlio  town  nt'  l)aveii|Mirt  On  tl.u  ua.  torn, 
ill  the  state  of  Illiimiri,  ratlior  lidnw  the  i>laiiil,  .stands  the  tnwii  of  Stojihcii- 
i.iin.  Tlnx'o  inilos  below  is  tlio  uiuutli  of  Kuck  ilivcr.  Tlio  wliolo  of  these 
pMiei'lv  lieloiig  to  one  lucitlit)-,  wliieli  I  can  ae.»-'-vili('  in  tlio  most  general 
ttriiis  only. 

Tlie  i.slaiiJ,  aecoriliiig  to  XieuUet,  is  seveiitccu  Iminlrfil  and  tv.riity-two 
miles  I'ruiii  tlio  JJalize,  and  tliree  liuiidred  and  thirty-tW"  almve  ^>t.  Louis,  in 
X.  Lut.  41"  oV  •"(U".  The  elevatidii  o''  the  sur'aeo  uf  the  river  at  h<w  water 
is  live  hundred  and  twenty-i'iglit  loot  Mil  ive  ilie  (lulf.*  The  snriace  of  the 
island  is  about  twenty  feet  higher.  I'urt  Arnistroiig,  imw  abandniied,  stood 
uii  the  .suutlicrn  extremity  of  this  island.  l>aven|iort  is  elevated  abuvo  high 
wiitiT-iiuirk ;  but  to  its  snutli,  at  tlie  distance  id'  two  nr  three  miles  there  is 
a  U;ii.t  of  low  bottom.  iStoplieiison  is  on  a  plain  h.'ss  elevated  tiain  the  site 
i4' Davenport,  but  above  ordinary  high  water-mark.  In  the  direetimi  of  the 
liiuutb  of  lluek  Iviver,  this  bottom  siidis  so  Inw  as  to  W  subjoet  tu  iiiunda- 
ti^'U.  Thus,  to  the  south  of  both  towns,  as  well  us  of  tho  intervening  island, 
tliure  lire  tracts  of  insalubriuus  surface. 

Ut  die  prevalence  of  autumnal  fever  in  I'avei.port  and  Stephenson,  I  can- 
not ^|leak.  Troups  were  stationed  at  l.'\>rt  Armstrong  for  seven  years,  during 
wbii'li  the  ratio  of  intermitteiits  ■was  seventeen  jier  cent.,  and  of  rendttents 
ii.ii  jior  cent.'!' 

Tliis  locality,  like  St.  liouis,  is  witliin  tlie  Illiiinis  Coal  IJasin.  It  lies  at 
tliC  fiiit  of  the  rp[)ur  l\a[iids,  the  fall  on  wliich,  according  to  2sicollet,  is 
twenty  six  feet  in  lifteen  miles. 

Vlir.     (I.VLKXA. — The  latitude  of  this  town  is  42"  2V  X.,  —  its  distance 

[ali'jVc  ,'^t.  Louis  about  four  hundred  miles.     It  stands  on  either  side;,  Imt 

(.liiefly  the   north-west,  of  Fever  River,  six  miles  from  its  juiietioii  with  the 

Missi>.siiipi,  ill  the  state   of  llliiiois.      Frnin   a   point  one  or  two   miles  above 

:  t'ic  t"\vn.  down  to  its  mouth,  this  river  is  a  mere  canal,  wltinait  pereejitible 

(.lUTOiit,  except  when  very  high,  or  when  the  Mis.-i-.-ippi  is  very  low.      The 

jsto  of  the  town  is  a  ravine  or  chasm,  with  high  bluffs,  eoinposeii  (,;'  upper 

tNluriau  liiuestoii".     X'arrow  as  the  bottom  is,  a  part  is  liable  to  inundation 

jtluriiig  freshets  of  the   Mississip[ii;  but  tn(>  iuhalpitaiits,  for  tiu,'  ])urpo,so  of 

|ai:i[uinng  an  ampler  town  plat,  are  engaged  in  raishiu  it  with  the  (/c/jri.s  of  the 

ladjuining  bluil's.     These  blull's  albird  eopiuus  permanent  springs   of  hard 

jffatev.      From  the  town  down  to  the   31ississippi,    Fever    Iliver  meanders 

ftlirough  a  narrow  dellle ;  but  at  its   mouth  there  is  an  alluvial  !»  ttom  of 


1 


m 


'  Hydrograph.  Uasin. 
10 


tMed.  Slaf.,  U.  S.  A. 


,i-r 


I -I 


146 


Tin:  PRINCIPAL  DL^EASES  OF  THE 


[book 


liiriitcil  oxtniit,  lialil''  to  iiuiiidutidii,  and  a  low,  long  i,4aii(l  in  tlie  ]\Ii.<.-;,,.ii|,i 
wliicli  tnrns  the  main  j^trcam  of  that,  river  to  tlio  oiiposito  or  western  siil, 
Tlic  I'rw  Inlia])itant.s  who  have  rcsideil  at  tho  mouth  of  I'Y'ver  liivcr,  liav 
boon  very  constantly  an'octcd  with  fever  in  autnmn;  hut  those  of  tlie  towr. 
ahove  arc  not  jiarticadarly  liahle;  and  the  ominous  name  wliieli  the  rivw  l;:i. 
acfinired  (from  a  eorruiitioii  of  /V/r,  bean  ),  is  by  no  means  aiijirujiriiit 
Tho  French  were  the  tirst  inhabitants  of  this  locality.  At  jircsent,  its  iniiH. 
lation  is  oxcoedin^rly  mixed,  and  embraces  not  a  few  from  England,  attract' : 
thither  by  t1:o  leail  mines. 

IX.  I'i!.\ii!ir.  m;  Cmikn  —  FoiiT  ('uawfoiu). —  Immediately  above  tin 
junction  of  Wiscinisiii  Iviver  with  the  ]\lississi|i|pi,  lic:s  I'mirlc  du  C/>lfii,{L,: 
general  level  of  which  may  be  seventy  feet  above  low  water.  Tt  cxton!. 
up  the  latter  river  eight  or  ten  miles,  anil  is  about  two  in  width;  Im:;; 
limited  by  ii  range  of  hills  rising  more  than  three  hundreil  feet  above  i; 
The  western  margin  of  this  plain  is  liable  to  inundation  in  high  floods  nf  t; 
31ississiii]ii:  and  when  they  subside,  there  renuiins,  in  summer  and  autuii.: 
a  long,  narrow  slip  of  uuirsh,  abminding  in  decaying  organic  matter.  Ai;;- 
cent  to  the  niimth  of  tho  Wisconsin,  this  slip  is  much  wider.*  On  the  opji  • 
site  side  of  the  river,  the  higli  blufl's  ju'css  close  upon  it.  The  elill's  of  li^.u 
sides  present  on  their  summits  the  lower  strata  of  the  blue  Silurian  liimstirtl 
of  Cincinnati,  beneath  which  are  saccharoidal  sandstone  and  magncsiaiiliib- 
stone  down  to  the  water's  cdgcf  Its  distance  above  St.  JiOuis  is  about  !:■: 
hundred  miles;  its  Lat.  4:5 '^Ji'  G"  N.,  Lon.  !)1«  !»'  20"  W.  The  elovaiK:. 
of  tlio  ]Missi,=<sippi  at  low  water  is  six  hundred  and  forty-two  feet,  of  the  ai- 
joining  hills  one  tliousaiul  feet,:;:  above  the  (iulf. 

This  prairie  enjoys   the   uistinction  of  having  been   trodden  by  civili/ul 
feet   before    any  otiicr    jiortion    of  the    baidcs  of  the    Ujiper   31i.ssi*>i]i;: 
as  it  was    here    tliat    tlio    .Je.->uit    Father    31ar([nette,  and    M.   .loliil  :.| 
dessendinir  the  Wisconsin   lliver,  reached  tho  JMississippi,  on  the  17tii 
rluiii',  KlT-l-il     A    French  t'ur-trading  village  was   in  due   time  ostahli'tt'ij 
hero,  whieh  ilourished  awhile  and  tlien  declined.    Latterl}',  it  has  attracted ittj 
attention  of  immigrants  into  \\'iseonsin,  and  piouiises  to  become  a  tow;) 
considerable  size. 

For/  r'w/';/u/v/ stands  on  the  same  jilain  with  the  village,  but  two  ii;  I 
nearer  tlie  moutli  of  t1ie  Wisconsin:  atid  conse((uently  is  more  exjiosul: 
insalubrious  exhalations.      Tho  ratio  of  intermittents  is   twenty-eight  u'A 
cent.;  that  of  remittents,  four.vj 

X.  Fort  Sxki.lixo. —  This  military  post  (  77.    f),   the   highest  up '^tj 
Miij?issippi,  stands  ou  the  point  of  land  immediately  above  the  juiicti'i: 


he  soon  from  this; 


*  M.'d.  St;it.,  U.  S.  A. 

i  Nicollot :   Ilylrofj.  Hasiii. 

^Med.  Htat.,  U.  S.  A. 


fOwen:  Goolofrical  Ro]). 

!1  Bancroft:   Hist.  Col.  U.  S.,  Vol. 


'  ".virofrrapl).  Basin. 

•'''•''li(T.stoiilian<r|i-.sGuol.  Rf 
'  Heel.  Stat.  U.  S.  A. 


"€'^ 


»>', 


n^' 


PAHT  !■, 


INTERIOR  VAI.LKY  OF  NORTH  AMflRICA. 


147 

pif  St.  Peter's  witli  tliat  river.  Accordiii^i,'  to  Nieiillot,  *  the  low  wator-.sur- 
i;i,c  uf  the  rivers  at  tliis  jiiiietion,  i.s  hcvom  huiidrud  and  t'orty-i'oiir  I'cct  ahovt! 
[Ijeiiull;  tlie  average  elovatinn  ol'  the  [ilaiii  which  the  fort  oe('U]iii'S,  eight 
Imiiihvl  ami  lilfyj  and  the  hight  of  a  neigidioring  hill,  called  the  i'ihit  Knob, 
„iic  thiiusand  and  .six.  The  latitude  of  thi?;  post  is  1 1"  .VJ'  40"  >.'. —  thu  lnu- 
.'itipli!  !i;i*'  4'  r)4"  W.  It.s  di.stance  friiiu  I'rairie  dii  Chien  is  two  liiUKh'cd  and 
;;riv  miles,  from  St  i.ouis  seven  hiindiud  ami  fnrty-uight,  from  New  Orleans 
;w(i  tliuusaiul  and  eighty-eight,  and  from  the  I5alizc  two  thunsand  one  liuii- 
.jnnl  aiul  ninety-two.t  The  deseent  of  the  river,  following  its  meanders  to 
tW  ( I  lilt',  is  four  ini-lies  a  mile:  on  a  straight  line,  nine  anda  thiril  inehes  for 
tverv  minute  of  latitude. 

The  Mississipiii  flows  jiast  JMjrt  Hnelling  with  a  rapid  current ;  but  tlic 
ostiiarv  iif  the  St.  I'eter's  is  .sluggish,  and  the  diseharge  of  its  waters  into 
the  Mi:«jiit.sip|ii  is  impeded  by  an  island,  with  a  slough  on  the  side  whieli  the 
."^t.  Peter's  ap|M'oaelies,   thrmigli  a   low  prairie  bottdjn   a   mile   in  width.  | 

Tlio  waters  of  the  .Mississippi  are  transparent,  but  these  of  the  St.  I'eter's 
turbid  and  of  a  whitish  hue,  and  hence  its  Tadian  name,  Minisotah,  whieh  ex- 
iires.ses  turbidncss.  ||  'J'o  the  north  of  the  pnst,  nn  the  uplands,  there  are 
small  lakes.  !:;  According  to  the  army  returns  for  ten  successive  years, 
Iniiiig  which  the  average  number  of  troops  stationed  at  thi.s  jiost  was  one 
iuimh'L'il and  iitty,  the  ratio  of  intermittent  fever  was  but  a  fraction  over  four 
jior  coiit.  [)er  annum,  and  tliat  of  remittent,  two.  T]  This  is  a  much  more 
limitoil  [irovalence  than  would  result  i'rom  the  same  to[)ographical  cuuditluus 
ill  tlio  south,  and  shows,  very  conclusively,  the  influence  of  climat<-. 

Having  arrived  at  the  highest  settlement  on  the  .Mississippi  Kiver.  it  may 
ill' instructive  to  recapitulate,  in  a  tabular  I'urm,  the  relative  prevalence  of 
autumnal  fever  at  the  military  posts  which  stand  upon  its  banks. 


■j'-'p^: 


w 


••M^. 


:■("■  ^'■.y':■ 


Posts. 


Fort  Jiickson, 
liitori  Roiino, 
J'li'T>oii  liiirracks. 
Fort  Aniistronu, 
Fort  Crawl'orcl, 
Flirt  Siii.'lliiiir, 


N,  T,nl. 


otjo  Oj)' 

41"  .'i'V 

■l:\-  113' 

41"  3-S 


I     Dislrmie 
trcni    Itii'   l!a 
I         1 1/..'. 

I  30  m. 

14.') 

1      Iv'tT^ 
i      l,'-2-2 

1  mn 

•2A\)-2 


r.liA  :iiiiii         Raiiii    piT    j      Riitio  [wr 
nlmvi'  ilii'      ii-nl.  |UT    nil- '■•■III.  piT    an' 

t.llll'  111'    .Mt'\-  lllllll   111'   llUri-  lllllll      1)1'      Rr 

ico.  Illil^^'Ht•<.  niilli'iils. 


I  ft. 


IK) 
Kit) 
550 
7'JO 
8.">0 


11:4 

34 

17 

28 

4 


15 

16 

HI 

4 

9 


It  will  be  seen  from  this   talile.  that,  in  advancing  north  tlirougli  fifteen 

liiws  of  latitude,  and  eight   hiindred  and  fifty   feet  of  elevation,  tliei     is, 

h:'h  tlio  c.\i"e[itiiu  of  Kurt  Crawford  (uufavortibly  sitmited  near  tlio  mouth 

t'.io  Wisconi<in).  a  rorrular  decretise  of  interinittent  fever,  from  one  hundred 


Ilydro^rapli.  Basin. 
:  Fi;itluTstoiiliaugirH  Geo!.  Rep. 
•  Mi'd.  Stat.  F.  S.  A. 


+  HyilrojTrapli.  Hasiii. 

II  liOnfrV  [^x])t'(Jition,  \'ol.  f. 

f>  11.1(1. 


14S 


THE  TRINCirAL  DI8EASF.S  OF  THE 


inooi . 


riBT  I.] 


iXTriRin 


r  ■ 


mfi  f 


ami  fiiiirtcnii  per  cent,  down   to  four;  uiiil  from  ]5aton  Kongo,   the  sccwiu 
jjo^t,  ;i  ri';^nl!ir  (locroa.so  ol'  roniittuiiL  luver  I'niiii  thirty  to  two  |)or  cent. 

Xr.  Falls  oi'  St.  Antiionv. — For  nearly  thirty  miles  aliovo  Fort  ^i.i,. 
ling  there  is  a  contliiui'd  chain  of  rapiiln,  in  the  midst  <il'  wliich  are  tho  l'all> 
of  St.  Antliony,  the  only  casi  ado  of  the  I\li,ssi.«i?ip2'i  l»iver.  lis  distancL' Im 
the  fort  is  eight  or  nine.'  miles. 

On  a]i]iroaehiiig  tlic  edge  of  tlie  rock  from  which  the  water  is  to  fall  sixtiv;. 
feet,  the  river  spreads  out  to  the  Itreadth  of  more  tiian  six  hundred  yanLsil';; 
eontracts  helow  to  Miie-third  of  that  wlilth,  and  dashes  forward  over  masH'- 
of  roe!:,  detached  from  tiie  blufl's  which  forn<  the  chasm.  'J'iio  river  casiai 
is  thus  described  liy  Mr.   Keating  — 

"The  irregular  -iUtline  of  the  fall,  by  dividing  its  Ijreadlh,  gives  it  am. 
imprc'^sivo  character.  An  island,  stretching  in  tlic  river  both  above  ami  in,- 
low  the  fall,  separates  it  into  tv.'o  une(|Uid  parts,  the  eastern  being  two  hii:;- 
dred  and  thirty  yards  wide,  and  tlio  western  three  hundred  and  ten.  TL 
island  itself  is  about  one  hundred  yards  wide.  From  the  nature  of  the  ru !; 
which  breaks  into  angular  and  a])parently  rhondxiidal  fragments  of  a  In;. 
size,  tliis  fall  is  subdivided  into  small  cascades,  which  adhere  to  oacli  nt!;.: 
.sf»  as  to  form  a  sheet  -if  water,  unront,  but  composed  of  an  altcriuition  i.;  r 
tiring  and  salient  angles,  and  presenting  a  great  variety  of  shapes  and  sliaA- 
each  of  these  forms  in  itself  a  jierfect  cascade,  but  wiicn  taken  togotliir L 
one  comprehcusivo  view,  tlicy  assume  a  beauty  of  which  wo  could  Lav-. 
scarcely  deemed  thcni  suscepti])le.  Wc  ve  seen  nuuiy  falls,  but  few  wiii ': 
jire.sent  a  wilder  and  more  picturesipie  aspect  than  those  of  St.  Aiitlii!,; 
The  vegetation  which  grows  anauid  them  is  of  a  corresponding  cliaraii'.r 
The  thick  growth  upon  the  island  imjiarls  to  it  a  gloomy  aspect,  eontra.stii;; 
pleasingly  witli  the  bright  surface  of  tlio  watery  sheet  which  retiects  tlitv,. 
in  many  dill'erently  colored  hues." 

■The  country  about  the  fort  contains  several  other  water  falks  wliiclii: 
roiu'csented  as  worthy  of  being  seen.  One  of  them,  which  is  luit  twj  lu:.' 
and  a  half  Irom  the  garrison,  and  on  tlio  road  to  the  St.  Anthory'.s,  is  vi:r.;:i- 
terestiiig.  It  is  knuwn  by  the  name  uf  IJruwus  Fall,  and  is  remarkiiblufurt'i. 
the  soft  beauties  which  it  presents.  Jvssentially  diilerent  from  the  St.  Ant'.- 
ny's,  it  appears  as  if  all  its  native  wildness  had  been  removoil  by  the  liaiiJ  ; 
art.  A  small,  but  beautilul  stream,  about  live  var^ls  wide, flows  u'cutlv  until!; 
reaches  the  verge  of  a  ruck,  frfim  whieh  it  is  precipitated  tu  a  depth  offiir.' 
three  feel,  iireseuling  a  beautiful  parabolic  sheet,  which  drops  withuut  Ut  I 
least  deviation  from  the  rcgidar  curve,  and  meets  with  im  interruption  tiv:: 
neighl)oriug  rocks,  or  other  ini|iediments,  untU  it  has  reached  its  Ijwov  k^a 
wiien  '.t  resumes  its  course,  without  any  other  diiferoiice  than  thai  priiilr.'' 
by  the  white  foam  wiiich  floats  upon  its  surfueo.  The  spray,  whieh  tlii^'-- 
cade  omits,  is  very  con.siilerablo,  and  when  the  rays  of  the  sun  shine  up'n.: 
produces  a  beautiful  iris;  ui)on  the  surrounding  vegetation  the  effect  oft-; 
spray  is  distinct;   it  vivifies  all  the  plants,  imparts  to  them  an  intense  gi" 


'    'iil"r,  and  gives  rise  to  a 

iiiirniinitry.     t)u  the  im: 
.!  a  ilcstriictivo  natiin.'; 
lv>v  .structure,  has  undc: 
i.'.\oavatiiin,  similar  in  I'dv) 
nvl  the  ,s!icet  of  water;  i 
vinicneo  than  that  which 
r.aHfally  iinpres.ijve  In 
j'lircil  to  Constitute  br-aut 
.iitemiifs  to  produce  m  f|n 
ifM  laviVlinl  for  the  pur| 
V(r.  tliat  tlicso   f;ills  po.s.- 
.■.'uTally  (lisfinguislies  the 
yk.  Xicollct,  ill  his  born 
.'lil'Tfhe  name  of  Cascjid 
■libcil.     Tt  originates  j 
•:!-i!t  with  LakoCalhnun. 
-  vral  ethers,  which  dischi 
•at  fall.*.     Thus,  there  is 
t;.'a,>t  the  eye  of  taste,  ,1 
i'l'iiH'  to  add,  that  the  roc' 
vliiiiaa  or  transition  li.ui' 
•:|"i)  tlie  [irimitive  fonnatii 
Ml.     A'ov.AOKs  o\  Tin: 
i'li'Cilcsoription  of  tiio  YaI 
■''■III-' to  the  phu;  of  this  w. 
•  n'fivalids  of  the  north;  bi 
:  rilio  dn,i,piiig  valitudinar 
T'^iich  a  one,  whom  t!io  h 
y-MhiUii  of  autumn  have  I) 
■■■rt!i,  .should  lio  looked  up 
■!''"ii-eiigiiu.  Would  M-aft    hi: 
:''>ivhcoI  raise  him  to  n  hi;,- 
■''•  "I'l.st  not  lounge  in  the  c; 
' '"'""dy  and  tobacco  at  t! 
j^trit.-r.ujiu.     To  enjoy  the  IV 
JM't  rise  with  the  sun  ;  and 
|«-'iO!i  the  long  and  deep  .shad 
'""•    Ifc  should  not  seek  tc 
^  :  fret  liiii, ;  and  little  Iiard 
|f T.  altliough  inconvenient  at 
p  U  ohject  for  which  he  tra 

•  Long's  E-xpeJiiion  to  (!, 


■  I 


(IT  I.] 


INTRRIOR  VALI.ny  OF  NrtRTIf  AM[:RIC.\. 


110 


.iil"r,  niul  gives  rise  to  a  stouter  growth  tliaii  is  obsorvril  npnii  tlio  surroniul- 
iiir; pountry.  **ii  t'lc  iicijrlilmriDfr  mck  flic  t'lVect  is  iis  (.'liaracti'ristic,  tlioiigh 
,;  ;i  ilcstrut'tivo  iiiituro;  tlio  siiray  strikin;^  ngaiii.xt  tlie  ruck,  wliicli  is  of  a 
liHiH' ."trnctiiro,  Iwis  niulcniiincil  it  in  a  curvcil  iiianticr.  sd  as  (n  jinnlnco  an 
exoavatinii,  similar  iii  form  tn  a  Saxmi  an-li,  Iictwccii  tlie  surface  of  the  rock 
iiiil  the  slioot  "if  water;  under  tliis  larL'c  ardi  wo  passed  with  no  other  iiicoii- 
vuiiiL'ncc  than  that  wliich  amse  fnmi  lh(>  spray.  'I'liere  is  nothiii;:  suhjinio 
ir awfully  impressive  in  this  cascade,  liut  it  has  every  ffaturo  that  is  re- 
luirfil  tn  ciiustitute  heauty ,  it  is  such  a  fall  as  the  hand  of  opuU'Ucc  daily 
attoiiiiits  t'l  pro(hu/o  in  the  midst  (il'thnse  L'anh'iis  upon  whiidi  trensun'S  have 
l.ceii  lavished  for  the  purpose  of  imitating'  nature;  with  this  diifcreucc,  how- 
(.'ur.  that  these  falls  possess  an  easy  trraee,  destitute  f>f  the  stiffness  which 
':c!ic'nillv  distin^ziushes  tin;  work's  of  man  from  those  of  nature."  ''' 

Mr.  Xicollet,  in  his  I)(\'iutiftd  map  of  the  Upper  Mississippi,  has  iiulieated, 
imiKt  the  name  of  Cascade  Creek,  (ho  stream  which  ]\lr.  KeatiuLr  has  hero 
(|ii«ciiljod.  Tt  ori!.'iuates  partly  in  liake  Harriet,  Avhieli  is  coiuu>cted  hy  a 
•trait  with  Lake  ('alhouii.  Ailjoinin^  the  latter,  is  the  l,akoof  the  Isles,  and 
'(■vi'ral  others,  which  discharirc  their  snpcrlluoiis  waters  info  the  river  at  the 
.Toat  falls.  Thus,  there  is  much  in  the  scenery  of  this  wild  and  distant  spot 
I .  llM.^'t  the  eve  of  taste,  ami  "ratify  the  lover  of  uattu'e.  It  onlv  remains 
t'r  nil' to  add,  that  the  rocks  which  are  here  exposeil  consist  of  the  oldest 
"■iluriaa  or  transition  liine  and  sandstone,  bordering  in  geological  position 
upmi  the  primitive  I'ormatious. 

XII.     \'ovai;ks  ox  Tui:   ri'i'i;i;    .Missi-sifi'T. —  T  have   uo(    introduced  a 

lirii.'ftk'soviption  of  the  J'"alls  of  St.  Anthony  without  an  ohjcct  wliicli  con- 

f'riiis  te  the  plan  of  this  work.      Much  has  lieon  puldished  on  winter  resorts 

:' r  invalids  of  the  north;  but  the   necessity  of  a  summer  voyafre  or  sojourn, 

I  rthe  drooping  valitudinarian  of  (he  south,  has  been   too  often  ovcrloirked. 

T'l -ucli  a  one,  wlimn  (!ie  heat  of  stuiuiier  has  wilted  down.  <>r  the  marsh  cx- 

;!i;ilatiuiis  of  autunui  have  blighted,  a   voyagi!  of  two  thousand  miles  directly 

inortli,  should  lie  loidvcd  upon  with   liojie   and  favor.      Kvery  breath   of  the 

[>t"ani-(.'iigiiie  would  waft  him  into  a  codlcr  climate, — every  turn  of  the  pad- 

ik'-wliool  raise  him  to  a  higher  level.     I'ut  to  make  this  change  a  blessing, 

Ik'iinist  not  lounge  in  the  cabin  of  his  vessel   or  steep  hinisidf  in  the  fumes 

I'lhraiidy  and  toliacco  at  the  bar,  or  doze   aod  dream  away  the  day  in  his 

|«ato-roaiu.     To  enjoy  the  fruit,  he  nuist  pluck  it  with  his  own  hands.      lie 

liiiiht  vise  with  the  sun  ;  and  only  retire  from  hi.?  labors  of  active  observation, 

p'lon  the  long  and  deep  shadows  of  the  Kocky  .^Iountains  have  gathereil  over 

p'lii.    lie  should  not  seek  to  pamper  his  appetite;  petty  annoyam-es  must 

p*  h'ot  liiiii ;  and  little  liardshi[is  should  rather  be  invited  than   shunned; 

If'r,  altlidiigh  inconvenient  at  the  moment,  they  contribute  in  the  end  to  the 

jiP  It  ohjort  for  which  he  travels.     He  ought  to  sojourn  s.'.ceessively  in  the 


» 


!! 


'■*•■■  :'■  r 


,4 

*      » 


: 


♦Long's  Expeiiition  to  the  Source  of  tlio  St.  IVtrrs,  Vol.  I,]).  5295— ;J02. 


:.|i 

.  1 

.    '■  •  • 

'     i 

•     ■ 

. 

.<■■•■ 

150 


TUF.  riUNCIPAL  DISEASRS  OF  TUK 


[BOOK 


variitus  ynnng  niul  floiirisliiiig  towns  to  wliidi  lio  will  lie  lirniiirlit,  mid  Mwh 
tlit'ir  cIiaractiT  1111(1  [if(is]p(cts;  vi.-'it  tlw  iiiiiiis  tlirniii:li  wliidi  tln'  Mi-^i.^slji 
lias  cut  its  way;  ilesct'inl  into  tluir  .-lialts,  aiid  sec  tln'  (it'  ditai'Iitd  liduj;. 
parent  rcicks:  sally  out  11)11111  tlic  rnllinir  jirairics  with  liis  <s\u],  mid  jrivc  mf 
to  Ills  natural  instinct  tm-  liiiiitin^';  nr,  turning'  iVi'iii  aiiiinals  tn  iilaiits.  t... 
his  |M)rt-lolio  with  wild  tlowcrs,  iinliki;  tlioso  of  tlic  Havannas  of  tlic  -nn' 
Lastly,  lio  slioiild  watcli  tlic  iinloMiiiL'  sccnciy.  as  iiindllicd  liy  I'rcliiuicid  pi!.. 
ditioiis,  and  contrast  tlio  low  and  unstaMc  alluvial  and  tertiary  banks  nf  tli. 
floutli,  witli  tlio  lofty  oiit-cro]i|.inf;s  of  older  and  dcciicr  rocks  in  tlio  mrtli. 
wliicli.  even  iinsiiiiffeii  Iiy  t'lo  iirnplict's  r<d.  pour  out  fountains  of -did  watir 
to  fall  ill  s|iarkliii;j;  cascailcs.  until  tliey  mingle  with  the  Vjijicr  Mi«.-i,«Hj|i 
the  must  beautiful  of  all  our  rivers 


CHAPTIMl   Vll. 

T  11  !•:    S  0  ( r  T  11  !•;  U  N    |{  A  S  KN  ,    C  ( )  N  T  INT  K  1 ) 


MEDICAL  TorOGRAl'HY  oF  TIIF  iJKdIOXS  WFST  OF  THE  GULF  .\: 

OF   THE  .Ml>Sl.-^<li-ri  KIVEU. 


AVi:  must  return  to  the  shores  of  the  (lulfof  Alexieu,  and  rise  a^aiu  t. !... 
north.  Kecjiiiig  on  th(>  westcru  side  <if  the  Clulf  and  of  the  Mi.>.-iv"i!i 
J'liver,  the  re'gioii  to  be  described  extends  from  the  basin  of  the  raiiiK"  : 
tile  U]nicrmost  tributaries  of  the  .Mississipiii,  in  one  direction  ;  and  from  u 
shores  of  the  Gulf  aiul  the  liaiiks  of  the  31is.-issijijii,  to  the  llueky  3Iouiitab 
ill  the  other.  This  vast  re/^iou  is  traversed  by  a  great  number  of  rivdj.  ^ 
which,  those  south  of  lied  Iviver  jioiir  their  waters  into  the  Culf. —  tli^. 
north,  with  itself,  into   the  Mississipjii.      Adhering  to  the  jihiu  of  a  1 


ivtir 


topographical  description,  we  must  ascend  the  most  imjiortant  of  these  livu- 
and  add  to  their  general  description  some  brief  notices  of  such  localiti.!"- 
arc  of  pulilic  interest,  or  fitted,  by  their  salubrity  or  sickliness,  tu  illu.-tra; 
the  eoniiectioii  between  the  surface  of  a  country  and  its  endemic  disca;.- 
At  first  view,  this  midertakino;  apjicars  to  bo  of  great  magnitude;  aiul>'' 
would  bo,  if  these  imnieiise  re\gioiis  were  jieopled  like  many  other  prntu!.-  • 
the  Interior  Valley;  but  the  larger  portions  of  them  are  still  a  wilJornt;- 
and  may  be  dismissed  with  a  few  general  remarks.     This  chapter,  niorciv.: 


IMRTI., 


INTKItlOlf  VAM.IIY  OF  NOKTII   AMr.IMCA. 


ir.i 


■ii;i  III'  kt|it  iVniu  iiiiy /.'rent  uxiiaii^iuii,  Iiy  a  dill'i  rout  caiiso  —  tlio  want  of 
,i,|irii|inati'  materials  I'nr  tinnigni|ilii(«l  (IrM'rijitiuii.  ]ii  jirnccodiiig  td  oxc- 
•;t,  it.  umli'r  tliu.-iu  I'miitatiuiis,   1  hliall,  as  already  inlimatLd,  cuiima'iici;  in 


l.ir 


.^iiiitli. 


SUCTION'    1. 

IIKGION  SOUTH  <»F  ■Illi;   i;|i)   Dlil,  Ndli'l'i:. 

'riic  cliiso  »|)|iroxiiiiatinii  (iC  llic  ( 'ordilli  ra.s  tu  llio  (iuU'  ut'  3Ioxicn,  iVdiu 

I'matau  to  tlie  llio  del  Norto,   may  lie  ><eeii  liy  a   rel'ereiieo  to  I't.  J.     The 

iiT  Av  /."iiu  wliieli  stroteIiL'8  iVoni  tlio  liaso  nl'  the  iMiniur  to  tlio  shores  <>t  the 

iitiT.  ciiiuiirises   the    7'// //v/.v   <',i/in//is,  or  Imt  emiiitries,  of  the   Mexieaiis. 

W'itliiu  the  tn>ities  it  is  restricted  to  a  hreadtii  of  thirty  or  forty  miles;  Imt 

.;;,R'  wo  reach  tiiu  Del  Norte,  in  N.  Lat.  lUi",  it  widens  to  a  hundred.      In 

■y  sniitli  it  Iieluiigs  to   tho  stato  of  \'(  ra  Cruz,  in   the  north  t(»  Tamanliiiati. 

ii.itily   Santaiider.      The    maritime    towns  of   \'era    Cruz    and    'J'ampieo, 

.;.;iily  di'scribcd,  lie  witliiu  the.sc  states.      Tin;  soutlieni  and  hottest  jiortioii 

ftliL'Zuno,  i.s  low  and  level;  abounds  in  blown  sanils,  lake.s,  and  la^roons : 

;i;  very  little  fertility,  and  supports  but  a  limited  j)opulation.     'I'lio  northern 

Miigi'.-i  of  the  Tierras  (,'alientes,  while  they  sull'er  le.ss  from  tropieal  heat.«. 

::iVo  a  richer  soil  and  greater  breadth.     1'hc  rivers  .if  this  more  favored  jior- 

iii  ;u'c,  the   I'anueo,   Tumisseo,  Santander,   and  Fernando,  which   descend 

irmtlie  flaidvS  of  the  Cordilleras,  and  refresh   the  phiiii  'jh  their  passage  to 

•'ii.' (liilf.     Thus  fertilized,  the  population  of  the  northern  parts  of  the  zone, 

:- greater  than  of  tho  soutliern;  liut  of  the  decree  in  which  they  arc  infested 

v'lih  autumnal  fover,  or  of  tho  inoditicatiuns  which  it  presents..  1  am  unable 

'•  .«|iL'ak. 

in  tlie  rear  of  this  zone,  wo  come  to  the  Tla-rca  Tonjilinft/s,  or  temperate 
viiuntrics.  They  com]ir(hend  the  Sierra  Mmlrc,  and  other  mountains  which 
iliiik  tho  Cordilleras,  and  at  tho  hi'dit  of  from  four  tliousand  to  six  thousand 
fat,  jirosent  terraces  on  which  staiul  tlie  cities  of  Jalapa,  San  Luis  I'otosi. 
y.\>\  Sultillo.  In  vegetation  and  climate  this  zone  diifers  e.<si  i.tially  I'nmi 
'.liiit  l)cncatl),  and  it  enjoys  a  remarkable  oxeniption  from  the  fevers  which 
infest  the  Tierras  Calicntt'S.  Ijchiiul,  and  at  an  increiised  elevation,  are  the 
Tiirras  Frids,  or  cold  countries,  of  which  tlu'  elevation  is  above  .seven  thou- 
.-;iik1  feet,  and  tho  productions  and  diseases  of  a  kind  corresponding  with  the 
amporaturo.  Thus,  in  ascending  from  the  C  .If  under  any  parallel  of  lati- 
tmlc,  a  distance  of  two  hundred  ndles  carries  us  from  tho  suffocating  heats 
;i'itl  iiostifcrous  exhalations  of  tho  Tierras  Calientcs,  to  regions  which,  al- 
tliough  never  very  cold  in  winter,  are  delightfully  temperate  ami  healthy  in 
-Himiior.  This  linuted  range  between  tho  maxinuuu  and  nnniuuun  tempcra- 
'"'!•  s  of  tho  year,  broadly  distinguishes  the  effects  of  elevation  under  the 
■;imo  parallel,  from  those  of  higher  latitude,  iu  ascending  the  lntcri(jr  ^'idle\ 


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from  the  Ciilf  of  ^^rexii'o.  For  oxMinplo,  if  wc  aiivaiu-o  to  tlio  iii>rtli  so  far 
as  to  find  a  suiiinior  (Mpiallv  c-nol  with  tliat  of  tlic  Ticirns  Tciiijiladap,  we  Imvo  a 
winter  too  riii'onms  to  1  •■  li'irnc  —  the  raiicrc  liotwoon  tlmso  two  scasnn?  1,0. 
couiin;:  loiiiror  as  wo  ]iriicred  fruui  tlu'  trniiical  ;;iino.  ^Vitllill  the  Ikimii  f,f 
tlic  sniall  II io  Fernamhi.  (ir  Ti_i;ro,  whi'li  traverses  the  nortliern  jiart  (if tin. 
Tierras  ralientes,  tliere  ai'e  (w  >  tnwns,  [Muiiteroy  and  Saltilln,  whicli  iiii;rit  a 
more  extended  nntice  than  1  am  able  to  give  them.  I  shall  say  a  few  woiv- 
of  the  former  nnly. 

MnNTi:i!i:v  —  near  tin-  tv,-entv-sixtli  deirrecs  of  novtli  latitude — staiid.s  ;it ;;:. 
elevatinii  uf  ahont  lilteen  huiidrvil  feet  ahovo  the  sea.  Dooter  Pniotor,  in!:;. 
aceoniit  of  the  diseases  nf  a  pnrtion  of  the  army,  in  lS-[(j  and  1S47,*  i^\ml- 
of  the  troojis  as  heiiiL'  oneanjjied  near  ilic  city,  in  a  low  bottom,  alnnidantlv 
watered,  and  surrounded  by  sw.-unps.  This  cimditien  of  the  surface  .-iiiii- 
cicntly  exjtlains  the  prevalence  of  intermittent  fever,  which  they  cxperiouccJ 


sncTiox  II. 

BASIN  OF  THE  RIO  DEL  NORTE. 

r.  The  oriirin,  eoiu'se,  and  termination  of  this  river,  the  lon2;e,st,  except  tii': 
3Iississi)i]»i,  which  throws  its  waters  into  the  Gulf  of  ■Mexico,  has  been  jrivd. 
at  pairo  14.  its  lower  half  constitutes  the  dividin,!r  line  between  the  (HitHJ 
States  and  tlie  llejiulilie  of  ^Texico.  Accordinij;  to  Hoctor  Tlreirir,''''  tlic  W 
Norte  is  a  broad,  shallow  stream,  eminently  alluvial,  niul  aboundin:;'  in  sand- 
bars and  snairs.  Its  direct  descent  from  the  l\ocky  Mountains  gives  it  many 
rapids  and  ripples,  so  that  its  navigation  is  of  little  value;  Avhich,  tnkcii  ii. 
conneetiou  with  the  sterility  of  uiuch  of  the  country  through  which  it  fli^v 
will  prevent  the  pojmlation  of  its  banks  and  bottoms  —  at  present  s)iar>o- 
from  ever  bcc(}ming  very  dense.  These  banks  in  many  places  are  not  iikT' 
than  ten  i'eet  above  low  water-mark,  and  yet,  so  great  is  the  breadth  of  elian- 
nel,  tliat  tlio  water  does  not  rise  high  enough  to  overflow  them.  In  fact,  t!it 
Del  Norte  has  but  few  tributaries,  and  in  its  descent  loses  so  much  wutii'liV 
iiililtration  through  the  sand,  that  its  depth  rather  dinunishes  than  increase- 
with  its  progress;  thus  reversing  th(!  l;iw  which  governs  the  JMissis-sipfi 
About  the  middle  of  its  length,  portions  of  it,  in  long  droughts,  sonictiiue 
entirely  disappear  by  absorption. 

The  geographical  position  of  the  Del  Xortc  gives  it  an  otiidogicnl  im- 
portance, wdiich  will  bo  aji])reciated  when  its  topography,  climate,  ami  tli- 
eases  are  better  known  than  at  present.  This  importance  results  from  it; 
valley  being  the  natural  terminus  on  the  south-west  of  the  vast  plains  vlneli 


»  West.  .Tour.  (  Louisville),  Juno,  184'?. 
+  Com.  of  the  Prairies,  VoL  I,  \).  I'.iS. 


nn: 

,1             INTER  lOr 

li    • 

<woen  the  ]\rississip 

ii 

t'l-Miii  the  north,  det; 

ii 

,li;itcly  beyond,  the 

h-\ 

As  many  years  w 

»ART  I ] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


153 


|,>  li.tffcon  tlic  lMi.ssi.ssi|)j>i  and  tlio  ruielsj  ^loTiiitiruis.  Kven  Lefuro  vcacli- 
ji,  •  it  f'riiiii  tlic  nortli,  (lutarliL'J  ridgos  of  tliat  (•liaiii  arc;  oiicijuiitorod  ;   wliilo 

t ii;itelv  beyond,  tlio  flanks  of  tlio   Cordilleras  of   ^loxico  are  cluko  at 

V,  .1  As  iiiaiiv  yoars  will  clajiso  before  tlicro  Avill  be;  mntli  ]ii.|iiilatii,ii  near 
111!' lia.-^L'  nr  oil  the  slopes  of  tlio  prcat  niimntaiii  oliain  in  liiglier  latitudt  s,  wo 
j,!-!  jiiiik  to  tlic  Pel  Norte  for  tliosc  niodillcatioiis  wliicli  diseases  undergo 
j^;iiii  I'liaii'-"'  of  to|iogra]iliieal  elevation. 

The  valley  of  tlic  Del  Xorte,  below  tlie  i'ro.<ilio  del  llio  (Jrande,  about 
flia  twoiitv-eiglith  degree  of  north  latitude,  has  a  general  asjieet  of  levelnes.s, 
»i;!i  tracts  of  swaniji,  and  snnie  small  lahes  of  salt  Avatir.  In  general  the 
|[,;'  i<  lint  (k'C]),  and  in  some  jiavts  so  [mov  and  sandy  that  the  eonntry  is 
jliu  st  a  ilesort.  I'rairies  are  common ;  the  forests  arc  thin,  and  eoinjinsed  of 
Itni.t'd  trees;  tlie  jirichly-pear  (CV^r/^Av)  iid'ests  the  snrfaee,  and  everywhere 
•(,  (1  water  in  the  form  of  springs  or  streams  is  wanting. 

II.  M\TA>!oi'v.\s. — This  ^Mexican  town  stands  on  the  right  bank  of  the  llio  del 
Kvti',  tiftv  miles,  by  its  meanders,  from  the  (!ulf  of  .Mexico.  The  river,  at 
tl;- 1  All.  and  below,  as  I  am  informed  by  Uoetor  Langdon,  who,  dnriiig  the 
la:' war,  was  for  some  time  stationed  at  ^Matamovas,  is  narrow,  nnuldy,  ra- 
ti I  ;i;iil  I'lltlying ;  on  the  whole,  it  resembles  the  ^NJississipjii ;  even,  like  it.  liav- 
Bi:  II  ti'lal  estuary.  The  country  on  each  side,  from  the  month  of  the  Del 
J  ri"  t'<  the  town,  and  above,  is  level,  and  sandy,  with  gmves  of  small  tim- 
Vr  ami  an  abundant  growth  of  the  priekly-pear.  Innnediately  above  the 
tcini.  t!ie  river  turns  from  its  general  south-eastern  conr:-e,  to  the  east:  and 
ift'T  making  a  bend  of  many  miles,  returns  below  the  towii,  an  the  south,  so 
tvs  as  to  be  in  sight.  In  this  bend  there  is  a  small,  permanent  lake,  or 
*ciU'I,  wliich  oceasionalh'  in  river  floods  extends  its  area  to  the  edge  ol  town. 
T"  tlif  west  of  the  town  there  is  a  larger  lake,  about  two  nnles  long,  which 
bto'iiies  dry  in  the  month  of  Augu.st.  'i'o  the  north  and  soutli  of  this  lake,  the 
p  uml  is  a  little  more  elevated  than  that  on  which  the  town  is  built,  and 
KVi.ivd  with  small  trees.  On  the  whole,  there  seems  to  be  but  little 
fr,n:rd  nr  swamjiy  land  in  the  vicinity  of  .Matanioras.  It  dues  not  appear 
tcl'  liable  to  yellow  fever.      Of  the  extent  to  which  its  inhabitants  are  sub- 

I  j{(l  tu  autnamal  fever.  I  cannot  speak.  The  troops  had  both  internuttent 
Hi'l  niiuttciit  fevers,  but  not  to  any  remarkable  degree;  and  their  types 
ten:  nearly  the  same  that  Doctor  Langdon  had  been  accustomed  to  see  in 
iiv  neighborhood  of  Cincinnati. 

III.  I'lti-suuo  Di'i.  liio  CliiAxnr:  —  Saxt.v  Iiosa  —  Moxcr.ovA. —  In  the 
AHiiee  of  materials  for  a  methodical  topographical  description  of  the  re- 
pn 'ill  each  side  of  the  Lower  Del  Xorte,  1  may  give  the  iolh.wing  extract 
(tf  a  litter,  written  from  Monclova,  in  ^lexico,  by  Doctor  (iregg,  who  was 
Utaclieil  to  the  army  connnanded  by  Oeneral  Wool : 

"I  have  been  surprised  during  our  march,  to  hear  of  a  considerable 
MUMUiit  of  intermittent  fever  among  the  jMcxieans.      At  /'/•(, s/'//o  dc/  liio 


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154 


THE  PRIN'CirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[doo£ : 


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■:.  -h  ^' 


t-v|-.- 


n  - 


•  I 


Gi-amlv  (in  N.  Lat.  2So  2U'  and  \V.  Lciii.  Idti"  :>ll'  ),  a  town  (,f  sfiin..;; 
tliou.saiid  inhabitants,  many  of  tlio  natives  were  Kufl'cring  with  eliill> 
fevers.  Lip  to  tho  niiJdlc  of  ( ictdljur,  the  time  nf  dur  being  tliere.  KJV;; 
ton  days  al'torwards,  I  Inund  tlie  same  disease  still  more  prevalent  (tluui!;!;;- 
uo  means  as  bad  as  in  many  jiavts  ot  the  A'alley  of  t!ie  IMississiiijii  duiiii:.' ,;. 
tunin  ),  in  Santa  llosa,  a  town  of  near  three  thousand  Iidiabitants,  in  a!  .; 
N.  Lat.  lil '  'A\  and  (  approximately  )  in  M'.  Lon.  101''  40'.  The  Pr..;. 
is  sitnated  virtually  in  the  valley  of  the  Hio  (iraiide  (being  oidy  fivr  il; 
west  of  it,  on  a  small  tributary;;  but  Santa  llusa  is  entirely  inland,  litii,:. 
the  eastern  base  of  a  lofty  and  extensive  ridge  of  mountains,  wliidi  ili.i.v 
the  waters  of  the  llio  (irande  from  those  of  tlie  interior  of  31exiL'u.  >:.:■ 
leaving  Santa  lui.sa,  we  have  never  been  entirely  out  of  sight  of  iiiouiit;i;;.. 
and  at  this  plaec  (  3Ionelova  )  we  .ire  eouipletely  surrounded  by  thoni,  t!,  ;.. 
the  eity  itself  is  in  the  border  of  an  extensive  valley,  looking  to  tlm  ii<::„. 
ward.  ]5ut  even  here  (  N.  Lat.  20  '  54',  AV.  i.on.  lOl  ^'  :!7'  )  I  iind  tlic  |. 
j»le  alllicti'd  to  some  extent  with  the  same  fever.  Now,  Santa  EosaaiiiDl;- 
elova,  with  the  intervening  and  surrounding  eountry.  ecrtainly  do  nut,  /  ■ 
ndhj,  abound  in  the  conditions  to  which,  by  observation,  we  are  led  to  a-rf: 
autunnial  fever;  ami  I  am  disjiosed  to  attribute  tlie  fever  whicli  waw- 
vails  to  an  (irlijir'ml  cause.  Irrigation,  you  arc  aware,  is  extensively  ri;;:.. 
to  in  all  the  agricultural  operations  of  tliis  people,  wlio  cultivate  suiiar.  :• 
ton,  and  Indian  corn,  in  abiuulanee,  but  are  obliged  to  depend  on  irri.-a:! . 
If  the  surplus  water  Avcre  returned  to  the  streams  by  ditches,  there  v- 1; 
perhaps,  ])c  liut  little  malaria  ]>roduced;  but  it  is  generally  suft'erctlton: 
into  till.'  lower  flats,  and  give  origin  to  permanent  ponds  and  marslii;>.  Ti,': 
arc  marshes  below  the  l*residio,  more  extensive  ones  about  Santa  llusa.  i:. 
many  of  considerable  size  in  the  vicinity  of  tins  eity;  all  of  which  ^f::•^ 
liavc  been  ])roduccd  in  the  manner  I  have  j)ointed  out." 

In  ascending  to  what  may  be  called  the  Middle  Ivio  del  Norte,  the  coiic"" 
becomes  more  elevated  and  broken. 

1\.  ('iinnjAiR-A  —  the  cajiital  of  the  state  of  Chihuabua  —  stands  nii:-: 
baidvs  of  tlie  Conclias,  a  suiall,  western  tributary  of  the  Del  Norte.  "  Althir... 
situated  about  one  luuidred  miles  east  of  the  main  chain  of  the  Mexican  I':' 
dillcras,  Chihualuia  is  surrounded  on  every  side  by  dctaclied  ridges  of  iii;> 
tains,  lint  none  of  them  of  great  magnitude.  The  elevation  of  tlic  ■, 
above  the  (jcean  is  between  four  and  five  thousand  feet;  its  latituilt :: 
vTi^o  ;]()'  >^^  .  fj,,,|  j(.^  entire  population  numbers  about  ten  tli 'i-j- 
souls."  i'  I  am  not  informed  as  to  tho  prevalence  of  autuuuial  fivi'.- 
this  locality. 

y.       ]''U0M    CirillUAUUA   TO  TlIK    1']l  Pa.SO  DEL  NORTK. Tho  latter  tiWll  : 

settlement,  is  found  on  tho  western  side  of  the  Eio  del  Norte,  two  In"' • 
and  tliirty  miles  nortli  of  Chihuahua,  and  two  hundred  and  twenty  U^' 


r> 

-.;             INTCnin 

1 

•;  !','.     The  charar 

(1 

\.\-\i\  may  be  uml 

i; 

__•:  •  ■•  Th(;  I'i'ad  frm 

\ 

,  \rr|itii'n  of  the  san( 

F 

■ilr.  hv  the  scarcity 

v' 

;.  hvcr  an  ''levated  pi 

jinry,  as  it  were, 

-M'.rr  to  the  westwar 
.'!:  ill  many  plai'C's  of 
,;.'!ieu]tural  [iurj)oscs, 
•  ••'i'  fnr  irrigation." 
:'.-Ii'(l  with  autnniiial 
\[.  Ki.  rA<o  I)i;l  Noi; 
;',r  III  I  .Vnrte.     Tt  wil 
;',:;t  iii  which  the  mos 
'.  :  will  lie  made.     Ace 
-  ixtciids  from  the  I'al 
:'..'■  snith,  a  distance 
I  \:iiovar(I,  cndiradnir 
A  iij,'lit  thousand."     I 
\  b'.  I'le  iiiiiuiitains  wlii</h  I'i 
fcp!!t':i.'  iKirtli  and  south. 
||<  irriL'ated  by  water  takei 
\:.  IV.).    The  freshets  of 
Cr;:.'ii:i;^  liigldands  are  gei 
is  a  little  below  the  thirty- 
[  linlation  of  tliis  oasis  of 
,d:a::.     Of  its  autumnal  fi 
^  VII.  Santa  Fk.— A\'e  a 
t' inly iiihaliited.    ':iiis  tow 
i:X.  Lat.  :;5-  41',  and  in 
O'.'aii  is  estimated  at  se^x" 
it-  situation  is  twelve  i.r 
-tri'ii  base  of  a  siiow-cl; 
,lii:!l-lnwcr  size,  which  rijjp 
ff'.'iity  miles  to  the   south- 
pttlo  exceeds  three  tlious; 
''tr:.i;!i  are  embraced   in  it. 


*  Rio  del  Noiit 


t  Com.  of  the  Prairies,  \o\.  II,  ji.  " 


'  Com.  of  tlic  Praii-ies,  Vol. 

-I'oiiiplKin's  E.\i)odilioii,i). 

i''.Mii.  of  the  Pniii-ies,  Vol. 
^  rralivo  of  the  Toxau  E.\ 
'-'urn.  of  tiie  Prairies.  Vol. 


•   t '. 


INTIiRloli  VAI-LHY  OF  N'OllTIl  AMERICA. 


If).', 


t  ,  IV.  Tilt'  clianu'tcr  nf  tlic  iniilillL-  jMirtidH  df  the  hui-iii  nf  tlio  llio 
-j  ;  V.rti',  may  l>c'  uiitlort^tnod  fruin  tlie  tolldwing  i)aiii^L;Tn]pli,  by  Duftfir 
(  ..?  "Thi.' ri'iul  fVdiii  I'll  I'asi)  Hutitli  is  iiiu.stly  ilnii  ami  beaut il'ul, -with 
J  viptii'ii  (if  tlie  sand  liills  Ix'Cnro  .«])ol;oii  nf:  and  is  (Hily  rt'iiderid  disa- 
P  ,  Me,  liv  tli(!  scarcity,  and  (iccasimial  ill  saver  ui'  tbu  water.  'I'lio  ronto 
^  ;.iv(i'aii  I'lcxatcd  iilaiii,  anions.''  imnicrdus  dotacliod  ridges  of  b/W  nidiin- 
j  ,_>iiui's,  as  it  were,  ut"  the  main  ('i)rdilleras,  wliicli  lie  at  a  consiilerablo 
j;.;,ii;iu  til  the  westward  ^bist  ot'  tliesc  extensive,  intermediate  plains, 
1  '!:  ill  many  places  of  Icrtilo-bidkiiig  soil,  must  remain  wholly  unavailable 
f  _:i.Miltural  pur|)oscs,  on  account  of  their  natural  aridity,  and  a  total  lack 
(  ;  •!•  I'nr  irri^'atinn."  Dnetor  Gregg  does  not  tell  us  wlictlier  this  region 
[, ;  f.vtiil  with  autuniiial  fever. 

\  [.  Ki,  Paso  del,  Noi;tk. — This  locality  is  the  most  attractive  in  the  valley 
(/ t'.i'  I'll  Niirte.  It  will  have  at  last  the  densest  pdpulation,  and  prove  to 
I  t'i:;t  ill  which  the  most  interesting  observations  on  the  diseases  of  tliat 
t:;!'.  V  will  he  made.  According  to  Mr.  Hughes,  ''  "the  settlement  nf  tlie  I'll 
]'  -  rxtciuls  from  the  falls  of  the  llio  (Irandc  on  the  north,  to  the  I'residii) 
c  :  '  -  mth,  a  distance  of  twenty-two  milvs  ;  and  is  oiiO  continuous  orchard 
8  I  \:!iov:u'('., '.'ndiracing  in  its  amjdo  area,  an  iiubistrinus  pupulatiim  of  at 
1  -•  yit  thousand."  It  is  ''isdlated  frnm  all  other  Mexican  settlements 
\,  ■  .•  miiuiitaiiis  which  rise  on  the  east  and  west,  and  close  in  to  the  river 
0';  I'r  imrtli  and  south.  The  breadtli  of  the  valley  is  about  ten  miiv.s."  It 
1- iii^itLd  by  water  taken  frdUi  tlie  Del  >i'orte  abtjve  the  scattered  vili'igo  of 
K' I'a-'i.  The  freshets  of  the  river  do  not  overfldw  this  bdttdm.  'J"he  sur- 
r  lii.' highlands  are  generally  destitute  of  tindier.  In  latitude,  tlie  I'aso 
ir  l::tle  below  the  tliirt3'-second  degree  north. .f  According  to  Kendall,  the 
I  'itinn  of  this  oasis  of  the  desert,  is  chiefly  S[ianisli,  unmixed  with  lu- 
di,:.     Of  its  autumnal  fevers,  I  cannot  speak,  frdui  want  of  ini'ormation. 

Vn.  Saxt.v  Fj:;. — We  ascemi  t.,  .•^anta  To  bv  nassiii"'  throuirh  a  c  untrv  but 
t'::ly  inhabited.  'Jhis  town,  wellkudwu  as  the  cajjital  of  New  3Iexicd,  stands 
I.  X.  Lat.  :!■>'  41',  and  in  W.  Lon.  (  about  ;  10(^'.  Its  elevation  above  the 
c  11  is  estimated  at  se^'en  thousand  fcet.i;  According  to  Doctor  Cregg.'T 
'•;■- -itiiutinu  is  twelve  i.r  fifteen   miles   east  (jf  the  l»io   del   Norte,  at  the 

:-tini  ba.so  of  a  snow-clad  mountain,  npiui  a  beautiful  stream  of  a  small 

ll-pwor  size,  which  ripples  down  in  icy  cascades,  and  joins  the  river  some 
lffi.'iity  miles  to  the  south-westward.  The  pdpidation  of  the  city  iiself  but 
little  cxpcods  three  t]u:)usand  :  yet,  including  several  surroundiiig  villages, 
Ifliich  lire  embraced  in  its  corporate  jurisdiction,  it  amounts  to  nearly  six 


:-'-j,.- 
«« 


I     •  . 

J  '.I  k       t;  •      • 

I  •        '  -  ^        ■ 

4  .  » 


'  '  i  •* 


:t>    '■ '  ■ 


■*M 


''A  ■■■::: 


*'.',''j' 


'Com.  of  the  Prairies,  Vol.  II,  p.  83. 
^  Doiiipluin's  Expoditioii,  p.  '2&2. 
!<''iiii.  of  thu  Pruirios,  Vol.  II. 

■•■  Tnilivo  of  the  Texan  Expedition,  Vol.  II. 

''"H!.  of  the  Prairies,  \o\.  I,  p.  111. 


ff  Ibid. 


I  .1 


>       1 


( ■ 


i'l 


l^ll■■ 


■'i'J 


■     '  ■[..  . 


ir,r, 


THE  rPtlNCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


\KH, 


tlionsaiul  .^diils."  This  is  smiu'tliiiig  iiiurc  tlinii  tho  population  of  tlicLT-. 
pnivinr-c  of  Xow  Mexico,  as  cstiniatod  hy  Doctor  (Irccr;;.  Tlio  groat  (jliv,. 
to  a  (Iciiso  popnlatiiiii  in  tliis  rcLaoii  is  tliu  n-aiit  of  water;  ami  hciifo  i;.  .-: 
all  tlio  a^M'iciiltiirali.'^ts  livi;  aloiiir  tlu;  Del  >«'ortc  or  its  I'vw  tributarif «■,;,•; 
rosort  to  iri'lL'atioii.  In  sucli  a  regi(jii,  ponds  and  marshes  arc,  of  efiur.: 
nearly  uiduiown;  and  the  diseases  to  wliicli  they  give  origin,  almost  a*  r- 
us  will  np[iear  from  the  following  statement,  hy  .l)oct<ir  (Iregg:''- 

"  t^alnlirity  of  climate  is  decidedly  the  most  interosting  feature  in  tin, '•■.I 
acter  of  New  Mexico.    Nowhere  —  not  even  under  the  boasted  Sicilian  Aii  —  \ 
can  a  jmrer  or  a  more  wholesome  atmosphere  be  found.     IJiliou.s  ilisM-  •- 
the  great  scourge  of  the  A'alley  of  the  31i.-sissippi  —  are  here  alni'-;    . 
known.     Apart  IVnm  a  fatal  epidemic  fever  of  a  typhoid  character,  tl;;itr:.'- 
aged  the  whole  pruviiicc  I'rom  ls:!7  to  ls.'!!>,  and  which,  with  the  siiiii!l-|i : I 
that  followed  in  ^''\i\  carrieil  off  nearly  ten  per  cent,  of  the  populatimi,  >- 
Mexico  has  oxpcrioiiced  very  little  disease  of  a  febrile  character;  so  tiiai.J 
great  a  degree  of  longevity  is  attained  there,  perhajis,  as  in  any  other  pC'. | 
of  the  habitable  W(jrld.      I'ersons,  ■withered  almost  l.;  mummies,  aretnU".: 
countered  occasionally,  whose  extraordinary  age  is  oidy  to  be  inferred  !'rt| 
their  recollection  of  certain  notable  events,  which  had  taken   place  in  t:;:- 
far  remote." 

Santa  Ft',  of  which  this  favorable  aceouul  is  given,  lies  under  tliujffil 
parallel  with  3Iem])his  and  the  southern  portion  of  the  St.  Francis  But!  !i. 
which  were  described  in  tlie  last  elnqiter  as  having  an  elevation  of  tfel 
hundred  ieet  above  tlie  sea,  with  an  excess  of  uioisture,  and  abounding  in  ;;■ 
tunmal  fevers  of  a  fatal  character. 

\Ul.     Y\hU'.Y  OK  Taos. — The  last  locality  within  the  basin  of  the  ll;  .. 
Norte,  which  1  shall  mention,  is  Taos,  l.\ing  above  Santa  Fe,  in  N.  Lat.  v'! 
2(1'.    The  stream  which  liiws  through  this  valley,  enters  the  .Del  Norte  liv;:;! 
left  bank.    The  settlements  in  this  valley  are  among  the  most  northern  of 
river.     According  to  Doctor  Gregg,"!"  "no  part  of  New  Mexico  cipial>t!.jj 
valley  in   amenity  of  soil,  richness  of  produce,  and  beauty  of  appoaranct 
As  this  dista*  '  region  (  it  may  be  hoped)  will  hereafter  be  visited  byccrtr.l 
classes  of  invalids,  I  will  transcribe  from  Doctor  (Irec-u-,  the  foUowini: ii' 
of  a  natural  curiosity ::j:    '-Opposite  Taos,  for  an  uninterrupted  dij^taiiw: I 
fifteen  miles,  the  liio  del  Norte  runs  pent  up  in  a  deep  a/zloM  (gorge),  tliri.c" 
whi(  h  it  rushes  in  rapid  torrents.     This  iVightrnl  chasm  is  absidutely  ii!'!-"! 
sable  ;  and  viewed  from  the  top,  the  scene  is  imposing  in  the  extrenio.   -V-i 
but  the  boldest  hearts  and  firmest  nerves  can  venture  to  its  brink  uiul  Ivij 
down  its  almost  perpendicular  precipice,  over  projecting  crags  and  deep  iri'' 
ices,  upon  the  foannng  ctirrent  of  the  river,  which  in  some  [ilaces  appears'  '' 
a  small,  rippling  brook." 


*  Com.  of  tlie  PrairiL's,  Vol.  I,  j).  MG. 
t  Il)icb  i>.  145. 


i  Ibid  p.  1^ 


JiRT.  I.J 


INTEHini 


y   Vu'  niiL'St  now  take  lea 
guilts  nf  the  <ireat  Interi 


fc.-  Detweon  the  Lower  Tli' 


f 


|i  :i  watered  iiy  the  follow 
'  f..!i  .\iitoniii,  Guadalupe, 
|i;i  Saliine;  not  t .  menti 
lii'sc  numerous  rivers  are 
^iiiamllted  Kiver,  whic 
jTi-t  to  east,  about  the  tl 
■  mueh  nearer  the  (Jnlf 
l!.;!i.  tliey  all  discharge  tli 
h<!  a  liali'  and  thirty  degre 
If  which  receives  these 
ianr  other  cipial  purtioi 
[X'l  to  Yucatan ;  a  suillc 
iv:.  \^  neither  so  deficient  ii 
tiho  liio  del  Xorte  further 
.Vnt  having  ^isitcd  any  p 
pi  ':-al  fopograpjiy  describe 
:.iral  terms.      Mrs.  liolley 
1}  :']e  .Vueees  to  tlie  west,  a 
rrdoii>,— the  level,  the  ■ 
■uitire  coast,  extending  fi 
Irnsp'mding,  except  in  latit 
r  tlie  Gulf.     The  wliole  Gu 
lUiie.  ])as  a  belt  eight  or  te 
I:  s^treams.     Although    Ioa 
pv'ies.     That  part  of  the 
an  Jaointo  and  Sabine  Piivc 
nl  laavily  tind)ercd.     The 
hJaeinto  and  Guadalupe,  < 
Itvated  for  perfect  draimigc 
le  hottoiu  lands  of  the  Bra? 
t  twenty  miles  in  width,  an 


T.xas. 


's.    By  Mrs.  Mary  A  ii.stii 
,:ii'tL'(l  lady,  a  niece  of  Mo.sp! 
MIS,  resided  for  some  time  in  tl 


INTERIOll  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


157 


m  \»V  iiin?t  ii"W  tako  luavc  cf  tlioso  (k'taclicd  and  cxtrcnio  west  urn  sctfle- 
,(,,  iit'tlic  <ireat.  Interior  \'allcy,  antl  return  t(j  regions  nearer  tlie  (Iiilfof 


J 


SECTION  III. 

SOUTHERN   'J'EXAS. 

IJc'tween  the  Lower  TJio  dil  N'nrle  and  the  Linver  .Mississippi,  tlierc  is  a  re- 
:i  watorcd  liv  tlio  following  rivers,  lieginiung  to  tlie  soutli-west: — Nueecs, 


1;,;,  Aiituiiiii,  Guadalupe,  (!olorado,  ]jrazos,  iSan  Jaeinto,  1'rinity,  Noclios, 
ISabiiic;  not  I.  mention  .'^mailer  intervening  streams.  'I'lie  longest  of 
.ciimiiorous  rivers  are  linuted  to  the  lujrtli  by  the  water-shed  lel^^ccu 
m  ami  Ked  IJiver,  wliieli,  behind  the  state  of  Texas,  runs  nearly  from 
x>t  to  oast,  al)out  the  thirty-fourth  degree  cd' latitude;  the  shorter  ones 
miicli  nearer  the  dulf;  into  the  numerous  shallow  bays  and  sounds  of 
!.i:!i.  they  all  discharge  their  waters,  between  the  latitudes  of  twenty-seven 
a  liali' and  thirty  degrees  north.  It  is  the  north-west  segment  of  the 
sir  wliifli  receives  these  contriljuticns  —  more  copious  than  those  jjourcd 
;  I  anv  other  ei[ual  portion  of  its  coast,  from  the  Delta  of  the  IMississippi 
i:-l  to  Yucatan;  a  sulTieiont  evidi'uee  that  the  region  from  wliidi  they 
iw.  i<  neither  so  deficient  in  rain,  ...jr  abundant  in  absorbing  sands,  as  that 
il'o  Rio  del  Xorte  further  west. 

Xiit  having  \i.>ited  any  ]iart  (jf  tliis  group  of  river  basins,  nor  seen  tlieir 
(liral  topography  described,  f  cannot  S)iealc  of  tliem  except  in  the  most 
iiural  terms.     Mrs.  llolley'''  informs  us  that  'i'cxas,  as  it  was  tlien  bounded, 

|_\  ;!:'■  Nueces  to  the  west,  and  lied  liiver  to  tlie  north,  presents  three  zones 
r.'.'ioiis, —  tlie  level,  the  undulating,  and  the  billy.  The  level  oeeui)ies 
■  (.iitiro  coast,  extending  from  thirty  to  ei'ditv  miles  into  the  interioi-,  and 
riv«j)i;iuling,  except  in  latitude,  to  the  Tierras  Calientes  of  t!io  western  side 
t'i'flnU'.  The  wliide  (iulf-margiii  of  this  zone,  from  tlie  Xoeccs  to  the 
ii:ic.  has  a  belt  eiglit  or  ten  miles  wide,  consisting  of  prairie,  except  along 
•^tiranis.     Although    low   and    oxtremely  level,  it    is  almost   free  from 

|ar-!iijs.  That  })art  of  the  level  region  which  extends  back  between  the 
n.laeinto  and  t^abino  liivers,  a1)out  seventy  nnles  from  the  coast,  is  in  gen- 
;!  Iiuavily  tiiidiercd.  The  section  of  level  country  wdiich  lies  between  the 
iiJaiinto  and  (iuadalupe,  extends  back  about  eighty  miles;  is  suirieiontly 
kituJ  for  perfect  drainage  after  rain  ;  and  presents  few  swamps  or  ponds. 
iiehottom  lands  of  the  ])razos,  San  ]>ernardo,  and  Colorado,  are  from  three 
twenty  miles  in  width,  aud  heavily  timbered,  presenting  cane-brakes  of 


'■"'\\ 


■«iji'.  ■ 


'Texas.  By  Mrs.  INIary  Austin  Holloy  :  Lexington,  IS.'JG.  This  lute  uccoinplislicd 
12  gifted  huly,  a  niece  of  Moses  Austin,  the  pioneer  of  tlio  American  emigrants  to 
':x;is,  resided  for  sonic  time  in  tlic  region  she  lias  described. 


1 


■'L 


t 


H 


,>••  I 


M...'-. 


15^ 


TiiH  ruixcii'Ai.  disi;asi;s  ov  rirr: 


iiiiinoii?o  cxtuiii.  Tliiit  jKntiiiii  ti.'  tlio  Irvd  laml  wliicli  liis  lietv.!'.;,  ■ 
(iii!i(l;i]ii[)0  mid  llii3  Niieci's,  is  iiiirv(jwei',  luit  ;it  the  saiiic  tiiiiu  iimrf  d.v,;, 
tliiiii  tli(!  rcir'uMiH  just  (JcscrllKnl. 

^V^.■  cniiio  imw  to  the  uiKliihitin;^'  ziiiic.      Jit'twriMi  the   SaMiie  ami  ,",i,  , 
cliitM  liivi'i's,  the  iMHiutrv  i.s  tiiKhiliitiiif^  to  llccl  Jllvcr,  (Jii  its  iKirtli,  ati(li>:.. 
rises  iiitn  ri(l;.a'S  hi^L'her  than  thi^i'  uliii-h   lielmi^  tu  u  mlliiiL';  tMniiitn.     ]■ 
jiarti}-  \v.iiiil-hiii(l  aiiil  |;iit]v  jivairii'. —  ev(iu\h<  ve   will   watered.     .\ir: 
the  Irvi  1   eiiiiiilry   iV.  iii   iIm-    San  .laci  itn  to  the   (luadaliiiie,  the  suitii  ,  . 
gently  uiidiilatiiiL',    iliver      ed  with    jirairio  and   iiirest,  and   abundaiitlv.;. 
]ilied  with   [tennani'iit  sjirinLis      AVest   id"  the  <inMdalii[ie  to  the  Nui.  . . 
similar  siirl'aee  is  I'lnind.     W'e  eonie  now  to  the  third  division. 

"  The  mountain  rani^e  ol'  '["exas  may  very  [iro[»erly  lie  call-d  a  spur':;;. 
Sierra  Madre  (  .MMtlier  llid^^e  ),  whieli  it  leaves  near  tlio  juiietioii  ot'tl:!.!;: 
I'uereo  with  the  l>(d  Xorte,  and,  }iursuii;g  a  north-easterly  direetiui,  i.:,". 
Texas  at  the  so'irees  of  the  Nneees  Iliver.  Thence,  continuing  in  tlit',> 
(liroctioii  to  tl'O  head  waters  of  the  San  Saha,  a  bramdi  of  the  Culura',  ■ 
inclines  to  the  east  down  the  San  Saba;  crossing  tlie  Colorado  si :  .e  (Lir.- 
below  the  mouth  of  that  river,  it  is  finally  lost  in  the  iinditlating  laiiils:;:' 
lirazos.  This  rauL'e  docs  ii<jt  cross  the  ]5ra/,os.  The  country  cast  m':.j 
river  and  upon  Trinity  JJiver  is  gently  luiduhitiiig.  and  in  sonic  ill.-::;'; 
quite  level;  this  descri|ition  fif  surface  extending  the  wh.ole  distance  t"  II.. 
Jiiver.  Spurs  of  this  mountain  range  extend  southwardly,  down  tlif  iv: 
.^ladina  and  Guadalu|ie,  t.i  the  vicinity  of  IJexar.  Spurs  also  cxtciiil  • 
the  rivers  Slanos  and  redernales,  and  tlie  smaller  we-tern  tril)utarii>i: •. 
Colorado.  Similar  .sjuirs  stretch  up  to  the  Colnrado  above  SanSul;:'. 
considerable  distance,  and  round  the  liead-Avaters  of  the  San  Arda-  :. 
JJosque,  tributaries  of  the  Brazos. 

"The  moaiitains  are  of  third  and  fourtli  magiiitude  in  point  of  clova:.; 
Those  of  the  San  Saba  are  nuicli  the  higlicst.  Tl;osc  are,  in  niaiivj.:  • 
thickly  covered  with  forests  of  oak,  cedar,  and  other  trees,  inters|icrMif': 
a  "reat  variety  of  shrubbery. 

"This  range  of  high  land  on  its  north-western  frontier,  is  of  vastar:/ 
tagc  to  the  ,5tate  of  Texas.  Tt  not  only  remiers  tlie  atmosphere  inori' o 
briou.s,  but,  alitiunding  in  eo[iious  fountains  of  limpid  water,  it  gives  rist: 
the  numi'rous  rivulets  wduch,  bavini:  first  irrigated  their  own  fruitt'iilv;::' 
flow  oif  with  a  rapid  curreid,  and  unite  to  form  the  large  rivers  of  tli'.' 
tral  and  western  parts  of  the  state.  These  last-mentioned  ri\ ors  art bi| 
formly  more  limpid  than  the  rivers  to  the  east  of  tlie  Brazos. 

"North  of  tliis  inountaiti  range,  and  on  tlie  extreme  licad-water:' ti'^ 
Brazos  Iliver,  the  country  beeianes  level  again  and  presents  to  tlievie«:'' 
terminable  prairies.  Tiiese  stretch  to  the  north  and  north-west  be\i'm':i>' 
and  Arkansas  Uivers,  and  are  linally  lost  in  the  vast  oeeau  of  prain-'' 
terminates  at  the  foot  of  the  Kockv  ^Fountains."  * 


»  Texas,  by  Mr.s.  .AI.  A.  Ilolley,  p.  21—23. 


'■] 


I.VTMUro 


X\\\i  luitlino  of  tlio  ph_\ 
,  I,  Iay.s  hut  a  founda 
lati'iii,  for  want   of 
vr,  L'ive  an  addition 
-ivc  rcgiiC!,  in  an  ex 
\   lianii'tcr  of  this  con 
Itiiecoa.st,  i.i  level  —  chii 
pin  vi^'talilc  remains;  in  i 
pt;ii:iiii.:.'  silicious  peltblcs. 
:a!»;i_vs  calhd  roltvn   limes 
lime  ( tertiary  or  cretacoi 
|iii  iintaiiioiis  region,  with 
lliillii  the  San  Antonio  tak( 
Iff  whii'li  i.«  exceedingly  ci 
||li;i<  lia'l  a  (1  lily  mornin; 
Jii'iM  temperature  of  .sijv 
§jii'alt!iy  region  of  countrv, 
Itlii'  iiilialiitaiits,  r.iid  still 
ilirii  inareliing  thr(nigh  mn 
:!T  :^.V  ;]l)"  N.,  and  Lou 
Isaiiil— chiefly  Mexican. 
\::Wx  ;iiii|  aiitmnn  ai'c  dry. 
■limit  of  the  epideuiic  preva 


t 


I.    (ii:\i:KAr,  T>i:srnii'Ti 

t'tiiLMvost  of  the  (lidf  aiK 

rviteriiigtlie  .Mi.'<sissipii  b 

fctliiMiL'h  its  western  h-lf,  to 

1 ''l  River,  a  large,  and 

nini;le,s  it.s  reddish-colored 

I'T'iit  Hiver.  in  the  X.  T.at. 

|fv']Ufiiee  of  its  low  latitude 

1^'iigth,  Red  Kiver  throw 

^^^  the  more  northern  tril 

|rafiiig  tlie  course  of  the  rii 

i-vth-west,  and  very  soon  t( 

if'ii'  ii  it  chiefly  originates. 


*  Dated,  San  A 


I'll 


>liT  I 


INTKRIOR  VALLF.Y  OF  NORTH  AMI.IMCA. 


V>d 


'fhi.onitliiio  nftlio  physiral  Lr<>iiL'ra|iliy  nt'  Ti'xa^",  ovon  if  imt  tno  faviraMy 

'HV'i  lavs  Itiit  ii  l''iuti(latiiHi  fur  it.-;  iiicdiial  tn|)(igr!i|iliy  :  anil  ovni  en  tliis 

■  in.|;itiiiii,  fill'   want   of   tlic    riMjuisitc  niati'i'ials,  1   canni't   liuiM.       I    can, 

'  ;v.v.r,  L'iv"  an  MiMitinnal   ami  cnvnilKirativi^  imtici;   nf  nu:'  |Hirtinn  i.|"  tliin 

(•iiriiMvc  rcuio'i,  in  an  extract  of  a  lottiM*  from  Doctor  <  i  rcL'ir : "'     '''rhi'  L'cn- 

,ril  I'liarai'ti'r  of  tiiia  country,  to  tin,'  soiitlr.vard,  tliat   is,  liotwi'cn  tliis  and 

t  ir  I'MU't,  is  k'vcl  —  cliicfly  hiifli  and  dry  idains.  with  fertilo  soil,  a't^nuding 

ii  vi^'taiil  •  rcinaina:  in  many  jilaoos,  allnvial;  in  odii  is,  more  elevated,  con- 

Rj.|;,,jii(j  gilicinu^  lieltldes.     Tlicso  jilains  appear  to  lie  Iiased  on  wlcit   I    liavu 

;i',ri\-  lallid  /■'(//('«   rmiestiMie,  a,  soft,  friable,  scini-deiMimposed  e;irl)onate  of 

1  ;;,.i  ( tortiiirv  or  cretaceous).      ]>iit  to  tlie  north  wo   have  u  hilly  or  low 

ui  nntaiiiiiiis  reL'ioii,  with  strata  of  lirmer  limestone.     At  tlio  base  of  these 

ssbill' tliu  San  Antonio  takes  its  rise,  by  ininieroiis  snrin^rs  of  jmre  water,  ono 

Irf  wliicli  is  exccediii<rly  copious,  iind,   (1  irin'i  the  month    I    have  Ihcii   hero, 

f|li;i- iia'l  a  d  lily  nioriiini.'  tempovaturo  of  sevcuty-six  dogreers  and  an  al'ter- 

liiiiiM  ti'iiiporaturo  of  seventy-oiLdit  degrees,   Fahrenheit.      This   is   a   very 

lliialthv  rcL'ion  of  country.  Tain  sure;  yet   I  iirid  some  autumnal  fever  among 

ll'tlii' iulialiitants.  Mid  still  more  is  oce'irring  to  tlie  truops;  but  they  have 

kIit'i  aiiirdiing  through  more  insalubrious  regions.     The  town  staml."  in  Lat. 

i'l'x  -ly  oD"  N.,  anil  Lon.  UN"'  T)!)'  W.      Its  population  is  aliout  t,vo  thou- 

P«i!i'l  — chiefly  Mexican.     This  [dace  is  so  far  west  that  the  niglits  in  sum- 

i^HKr  ami  aiitiniin  arc  dry.      I  am  disposed  to  think  that  it  is  near  the  western 

lilii!:;'.  iif  the  epidemic  prevalence  of  autumnal  fever." 


m 


r 


SECTION   IV. 

VALLEY  OF  RED  RIVER. 

I.    Ok.veral  T)r;sri!ii'Ti(iN' — "Wo  have  taken  leave   of  the  rivers  which, 

titliL' west  of  the  (!ulf  and  the  Mississip|ii,  flow  directly  to  the  former:  and 

r  iiituniigtlie  Mississi|)Mi  basin,  will  ascend:  and  must  now  advance  gradually 

.tliMiirh  its  western  h-lf,  to  the  northern  limits  of  its  settlement. 

^   I'l'il  River,  a  large,  and  the  most  soutliern,  tributary  of  the  Mississippi, 

pii'iL'li's  its  reddish-eohired  waters  with  the  chocolate-tinted  currents  of  the 

'■niit  River,  in  the  X.  T.at.  .'A  «  2'  li.")",  at  the  vertex  of  the  Delta.      In  con- 

|f' 'luoiioo  of  its  low  latitude,  and   its  flowing  nearly  east  for         first  half  of 

It' length,  Red  River  throws  out  its  annual  flood  in  tlie  nnnith  nf  l'\'bruary ; 

•A^ lil"  till!  more  northern  tributaries  of  the  Mississippi  are  still  locked  up.     In 

Mrafjiig  the  cour.sc  of  the  river  from  its  mouth  to  its  sources,  we  ))nss  to  the 

Ji'itli-wost,  and  very  soon  to  the  west,  until  wo  reach  the  Llano  Kstacado,  on 

filial!  :t  'jhiofly  originates,     licstricied  to  the  north  by  the  river  Arkansas, 


*  Dated,  San  Antonio  dc  Bexar,  Pcptenibcr  25tli,  1S46. 


ifi-  uV". : 


■>-:rr.i 


"^^M-t . 


m. 


*N 


IGo 


'I'lii:  I'liiNcii'Ai,  1)1si:asks  or  'I'lir; 


fi«T  !■ 


INTEIJI 


I  •I-:' 


f-  •■■ 


ami  nil  flio  npjio.-ito  hide  by  tlic  livers  of  Tt'X.'i.s  wliicli  flow  directly  t(,iii[,; 
tilt!  <Iiilf',  till)  l)!isiii  i<['  this  river  is  loii;,',  iiarmw,  ami,  near  its  niiiMl,... i 
nliiinsi  to  a  riL'lit  aii;:lc.     It  is  cliiilly  the  pnrtiniis  hclow  this  huiul,  n; 
the  limits  of  the  .state  ul'  idiuisiiiiia,  that  prc-^eiit  at  this  time  aii^tlii;: 
interest  to  the  im-diinl  tii|ii>;rr«|)her.     Tliron,L'lKiut  its  ii|ili<r  hall,  its  llIll.^ 
fiwrll  jiiiiirs,  thr<iii;.^Ii  iiuinenms  outlets,  and  over  its  lnw  hanks,  a  dtju:. 
water,  which  oollerts  into  lakes  or  reservoirs  oii  lioth  sides  of  the  rivir. s 
thus   diminislies  the  inundation.      When   the   river  siidvs   in  sumiiMr  , 
autunni,  most  of  these  sai'ety-basins,  1)y  outlets  from  their  lower  Kidi". ... 
]n\r,h  their  wati.'rs  to  the  river,  and  many  of  them  even  have  their  Iimi^. 
covered  with  ^rrass.     The  distant  hiehlands  on  l)(jtli  sides,  are  tertiim  • 
crctaeeous  {linc  terraces,  vvhieli  extend  diwii  to,  or  below,  the  town  ni'  A.;. 
andria.  oik;  hundred  miles  above  the  juiu'tiou  of  the  river  with  tlio  .Mi-.. 
sippi,  where  they  trend  away  to  the  north-east  from  the  left  bank  ul  :.. 
river,  and  to  the  north-west  from  its  right;  and  thus  the  valleys  uf  tluii 
rivers  are  Ijlended  into  one,  in  whieli  the  dejiosits  of  the  two  river.s  urtiii?;:. 
guishalile  —  those  of  tlie  Missis.sippi  being  s(jmc  shade  of  blue,  and  tliuit: 
the  other  streams,  a  tint  of  red.     Jn  all  other  respects,  their  nieilial  t  !-.■ 
graph'/  i.^  so  nuieh  the  same  as  to  render  a  furtlier  deserijiticjii  uiuilit-j."] 

The  streams  ^'enerally,  which,  from  the  north,  fall  into  lied  Kivcr  l.'.->\ 
the  fTi'eat  bend,  are  limpid;  but  those  of  the  south,  and  many  of  itsuij-; 
tributaries  on  )joth  sides,  Inive  a  reddish  turbidness,  and  a  bratkithiK 
from  tiMvcrsing  rock-salt  formations.  The  rediicss  is  from  clay,  celumh;;: 
jicroxyde  of  iron,  the  saltness  from  muriate  of  soda  —  both  of  whicIi  iiii|:.' 
nate  its  alhnial  soil,  and  are  regarded  as  the  elements  of  its  uuriv!ikil : :: 
lity.*     We  must  now  notice  a  i'(:w  localities. 

II.  AM:\ANnK[.\. — 'i'his  town  occupies  the  ri^'lit  bank  of  the  rivLM-, r: 
foot  of  it.5  rapids,  in  the  parish  of  Itapide,  distant  iroiii  New  Oilcan.-  i.: 
hundred  and  thirty-six  miles,  and  from  the  niouth  of  lied  Ilivcr  ^ibuut-.;-. 
hundred.    'I'lie  plain  on  which  it  stands  rises  above  high  water,  but  gniJiiL; 
sinks   to  the   cypress-swamp  level,  and  continues  so  for  fifteen  cr  twi. 
miles  back  from  the  river.     Innncdiately  above  the  town  is  the  fuut  ul  -: 
rapids,  which,  when  the  rivi'r  is  low,  cause  the  navigation  to  termiiiato. 
Bayou  llapide.     Tiie  banks  of  this  bayou  are  sulliciently  elevated  fm'  lu.' 
vatimi.     Alexandria  surlers  equally  with  the  towns  of  the  upjicr  part  ol :. 
Delta  from  autumnal  fever,  and  has  once  been  visited  by  yellow  fever. 

I'ti/c  fjoitds. — Opposite  Alexandria  the  pine  lands  approach  to  tlievrP 
shore  of  Red  Iliver.      Tliis   plateau  is  handsomely  undulated  with  liill  a-- 
dale,  and  in   tlie  valleys  there  burst  out  innumerable  springs.     Tlic  sti'taail 
have  transparent  water,  flowing  generally  over  white  sand.     The  soil  is  i'- 1 
parativcly  poor,  except  the  narrow  intervals  of  the  streams,  -whicli  alxiucJ-l 
magnolia.s,  flowering  shrub.s,  and  climbing  vines,  with  the  speckled  tM!-! 

*  Darby  and  Flint. 


the  sliadod  waters   beiu 
,M.*    These  pine  wo 
|,rMarIiial  fur  thoir  free 
III.  .Vatciiitociiks.- 
I,  rislit  haiik  of  the  river, 
;tiii|.  ill  ci)n,seipienco  of 
rcioliuJ  by  steamboats 
kaiititiilly  .situated  on  ; 
jino  liliiiF,  with  (ine  see 
lesciiiitioii.     The  yellov 
t.ffii:  though,  accordiii; 
arriviii:.'  there  from  New 
Mr.  Darby  t  informs  i 
iiictt  with  the  pecati,  whi 
■^  tk'  fiiilf  of  Mexico. 
'     IV.  FoJiT  Ji;sL'i>.— Th 
if  .\iitcliitu(die.s,  on  the  i 
about  fwcnty-five  miles  f 
pine,  with  an  intermixtnr 
^■nn.'wliat  rugged ;  the  ge( 
I  ^tn-aui.'"  there  arc  narrow 
I  I'Ccdi,  .sassafras,  mulberry 
tuJo  m^  47'  W.;   its  di; 
I  miles.    Tlio  animal  ratio 
rcriiittont,  seven..!     The  y 
TliLs  is  the  most  soutlic 
it  a  di.staiice  from,  the  : 
Full.  Towson,  Smith,  (Wh 
fi'.iiri.-ibing  town  of  Shrevc 

SlVOCulllO  to 

V.  FoitT  TowsoN.— -TIu 

|!'>rW.    Its  site  is  .six 

pcnJ.    The  Kiamichi,  a  tri 

fhm  of  the  fort,  to  the  sou 

pTadually  for  a  mile,  wher 

Iiiiinediatcly  in  the  rear  the 

|1^;,  which  varies  in  breatltl 

<"!  the  opposite  side  by  rol 

'rith  oak  and  pine.     Throu^ 

Ifu.'-face,  there  flows  a  small 


•l-'lint's  Recollections. 

=  ^I^'d.Stat.,U.S.A.,p.237. 
11 


\U 


\\' 


'^lU 


r»»T  I., 


INTERIOR  VALF.EY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


KU 


•,';o  >li;iilo'l  waters  l)oncat-h.  ritially,  tlio  iiir  lins  a  balm}- !iiiil  tcrcliindiiiit' 
1  r  •  Tlii'st'  jiiiK'  w«iii' ',  liki,'  tliusu  iiciircr  tlio  (Julf,  alruudy  ile,sfril)tMl,  aro 
;■  vipliial  tnr  thoir  iVei'dum  tVom  autuiniial  lover. 

Ilf  NATCiMTitciins. — Tlii.s  iilil,  uri^iiially  S|iaiii.sli,  tinvii  in  situatccl  mi  tlic 
r^iit  |,;iiik  of  tlio  river,  oiglity  iiiileH  aliovo  Aloxamlria,  in  N.  J^at,  IJl^  4()'; 
mil,  iu  con8e([UOiK'0  of  tlio  rapids  wliioli  liavo  Iiecii  iiieiitiinKil,  I'aiiiint  lie 
rtai'lit'J  by  sicambnats  when  tlio  river  is  low.  Aer-ordin^'  tn  i'lint,  it  is 
Leautit'iilly  situated  (Jii  a  welI-devt'lii|H'd  river  bank,  and  oxtfiids  back  ti>  a 
|iiie  Muff,  with  iiiiu  eeeiiery  amu'id  it.  I  liave  not  materials  i'nv  a  I'ldler 
lisoiiiitiMn.  Tlio  yellow  fover  has  never,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  visited  tlii.x 
!iwn:  though,  according  to  Doctor  Monetto,  cases  have  oecnrrt'd  in  persons 
arriving'  there  from  New  Orleans;  nor  is  autumnal  fever  very  violent. 

Mr.  I'arbyt  informs  us  that,  in  the  neighborhiHid  of  this  town,  we  first 
meet  ^"tli  the  jiocan,  white-flowiring  locust,  and  red  cedar,  in  ascending  I'roiu 
tlii'<'tuIt'of  .Mexico. 

1\'.  FoiiT  Ji;.>L'i'. — This  post,  established  in  IS'2'2,  is  situated  south-west 
if  Natchitoches,  on  the  dividing  ridge  between  lied  Kiver  and  the  Saliiiie, 
alji'Ut  twenty-five  miles  i'rom  each.  The  surrounding  forest  is  coniimsi'd  of 
line,  with  an  intermixture  of  oak  and  hickory.  The  surface  is  rolling,  and 
>Mnii.'wIiut  rugged;  the  geological  furniation,  tertiary.  Along  the  neigiiboring 
>[mmi  there  arc  narrow  bottoms,  with  a  lark,  tenacious  soil,  shaded  with 
liedi,  sassafras,  mulberry,  and  C3])ress.  Its  latitude  is  ;)]".'!(•'  X.,  hmgi- 
i  tmle  0;]'^  47'  W.;  its  dLstance  in  a  direct  lino  from  the  (lulf,  (.iie  hundred 
rr.ili.s.  The  annual  ratio  of  intcrniiftcnt  fever  is  twenty-i'(jur  per  cent.;  of 
riiiiittont,  seven. I     The  yellow  fever  has  not  invaded  it. 

This  is  the  most  southern  of  a  range  of  military  posts  lying  west  of,  and 

it  a  distance  from,  the   3Iississi[ipi.     The   others,  and  ni'ire  iiortliern,  arc 

L  Furt.-  Towson,  Smith,  (libson,  Leavenworth,  and  Calhoun.     J'assing  by  the 

K  fi'.'uri.sbing  town  of  Shrcvcport,  which  I  have  not  the  means  of  describing, 

B^L'  Ciiiiie  to 

V,  FouT  Towsox. — The  latitude  of  this  post  is  o"^'  ")r  X.,  its  longitude 
'•"  r  W.  Its  site  is  six  miles  north  of  lied  l!iver,  above  the  great  elbow 
wMni.  The  Kiamichi,  a  tributary  of  that  river,  passes  within  the  srine  dis- 
^t-inec  (if  the  fort,  to  the  south-cast.  In  front  of  tlie  post  the  ground  dcsi;ends 
K^Tidually  fur  a  mile,  when  an  undulating  prairie,  of  great  extent,  l)v;gins. 
LliiiiiK'iliately  in  the  rear  there  is  an  aln-njit  descent  of  eighty  feet  into  the  val- 
ley, vrliich  varies  in  breadth  from  a  few  yards  to  half  a  mile,  and  is  bounded 
Pon  the  opposite  side  by  rolling  tertiary  or  cretaceous  hills,  densely  covered 
Kiivith  oak  and  pine.  Through  this  valley,  which  is  wooded,  and  has  a  ma'-'-'hy 
I'tunaco,  there  flows  a  small  tributary  of  Ked  lliver.     The  soil  around  tne 


,'  I 


t^l  -it;  ' 


•Flint's  Recollections. 
:Md,  ^tat.,U.  S.  A.,  p.  237. 
11 


t  Statistics  of  Louisiana. 


It  12 


Tirr,  rRi\rip\r,  I)I>t:asf.^<  of  tiii: 


[»nf)| 


■}    -1 


•  t^ 


I'orf,  ('(iniiMPsi'il  of  sniid  .'iiul  cImv,  is  nnt  very  iimdiirtivi'.  Tin'  riiumal  |r.. 
vnlciii'c  111'  iiifcrmitlriit  IVvcr  iit  lliis  pHst  is  hik;  Inimlrrd  iiimI  riiirtnii|,. 
••(•lit. :  i>\'  rciiiitlciit,  twenty.      Il  Im.s  not  f^ullVrrd  iViiiii  ycllnw  IVvcr. 

\'I.   Tim:  \V.\siiir\. — Tlii.s  ;:ro!it   trilml.iry  d'  llnl  Www   lins  ,i((,uir. i 
iHitorict  V  wliii'li  cliiiiii.H  fur  it  aimri!  c.xti'iidcd  iintici'  lliiiii  I  liiivr  tlic  imaii.  ■ 
piviii;,'.     Tf.s  uriiriii  is  in  tlm  O/ark  Mmiiit  liii.H,  tlit'ir  fidlod  tlio  Wiisliita  Kill. 
iiiiincdiutt'ly  iimtli  of  llic-nat  liciid  u['  linl  IliviT,  a  lillK'  liidnw  tlio latitU'!' 
of  tliirl  v-l'our  ilo<:rccs.     'I'akii:,:;  at  first  iiiicastcni  illrfftinii,  it  turns  at  \n: 
to  till!  soiitli-cast,  and  tlnii  It  tin-  soiitli,  wlicn  it  descends  into  tlic  Cuir  •. 
dia  Mutton)  (  /'/.   17/ ).  and,  under  tlie  name  of  iNuiro  or   I'dack,  enters  I!.,; 
River  ahout  tldrty  nnles  from  its  niontli.     TtH  p'cat  trilmtarics  tt;  tlio  ^y 
arc   Saline  Kivcr,  joining  it  sonic  distance  np,  and  llie  I)a}ouH  Iliciif  )h 
and  'I'en.saH,  wldcli  uiutc  witli  it  in  the   MississiiPiii  liottoin.     <  >n  tlie  ut.  : 
side  it  receives,  nearly  o|i|i'isitc  tlie.sc  liayous,  tlie  Calalioola,  ur  liittlc  Hi',  • 
wincli  lias  traversed  Lake  Catalioola;  and  liiglier  np,  among  minor  str.ai.> 
tlic  horhone,  and  Little  .Missouri. 

Tlui.s  the  upper  portion  of  this  river  is  in  lull  lands,  mid  Its  middle  mart' 
junction  of  the  hill  lands  with  tlic  Concordia  l>ottoni,  where  it  lluws  in  mi... 
a  direction  that,  while  its  right  liank  looks  to  the  liighlaiuls,  its  left  istoii.. 
bottom,  intii  which  it  finally  descends.  I'ldng  then  joined  by  tlu;  Imv  :• 
just  iiientidiied,  it  htses  the  character  of  an  upland  stream,  and,  lilldhvitl; 
redundant  waters  of  the  ^lississippi,  in  .spring  and  summer  ovuriluw;  r 
hanks  far  and  wide. 

[n  its  topdgrajthy  and  aiituninal  diseases,  this  hiwer  portion  of  t:. 
Washita  is  so  much  like  the  lower  portions  of  I'ed  llivor  and  the  )lis>ivii ;' 
tliat  a  separate  notice  is  not  demanded;  and  as  there  is  not  on  its  biiiib  >. 
town  of  interest,  we  may  jiass  to  the  region  of  its  uji|)er  waters. 

VTI.     Hot  Si'KiNds. — Among  the  upper  waters  of  tlie  AVashita,  in  N.  L: 
;Uf'  :}1'  and  W.  Lon.  Ii2'\5()'4r)",  near  the  base  of  the  south-eastern  si  | 
the  Ozark  .>biuntains,  about  six  miles  lun-th  of  theWa.shita  I'iver, lie  tliLui.- 
brated  Hot  Springs.*     According  to  NicoUet,t  their  elevation  is  govciik'l 
drcd  and  eighteen  feet  above  the  (iulf  of  Mexico;  the  altitudes  of  scvtri | 
neighboring  ridges  being  nine  hundred  and  ninety-seven,  cloven  liuiuliiil 
sixty-two,  and  fourteen  hundred  and  six.     The  springs  arc  about  suvuiity:! 
number,  and  burst  out  near  each  other  in  the  same  valley.     In  tcininratur- 
they  range  from  ninety-two  to  one  hundred  and  iifty-one  of  ralirtii&:: 
They  are  limidd,  emit  no  bubbles  (»f  gas,  and  have  no  particular  taste.    I-* 
many  other  hot  springs,  they  hold  silex  in  solution;  for  they  deposit  a fXi J 
which  is  composed  of  that  earth,  with  lime  and  oxydc  of  iron..j:    Tlies'ii'f 
rounding  rocks  manifest   more   or   less  of  a  volcanic  character,  as  I  ^ 


*  Major  Long's  Expedition  to  Rocky  Mountains,  Vol.  II,  p.  2C9,  etc. 
t  Ilyilrograpli.  Hasin. 
i  Expedition,  Ibid. 


r  ** i 


rilT  I.] 


IMHIMnU   VAM.I'Y  tH'  .NulM'll   AMKIilCA. 


Hi:; 


,i(;,riiit'tl  Ity  Ptictor  WanliT,  wlm  lian  !*|iL'<iiii»'ii.x  nf  tliciii  in  liis  fiiliiiitt ;  and 

I  riling  t"  C'ol'iiK'l  \ii>u<fi,  mail)'  of  tlit-iii  arc  in  .strata  lii;:lily  imlincil  tn  thu 
!i,irU"ii.  TIio  fffht'rv  of  fliis  rcL'inn  lias  an  aspi't't  nl"  \vililni',>h  aiiil  ;.'niii(Irur, 
,1,1 1  its  >iiniiiii'r  anil  autumnal  hululirity  is  uiii|U(jstiiinablc. 

'■'(ir  till' I't'iipl*' of'  tlie  far  Hitutli,  tlu'  Wa.sliitu  S|irin;:s  ini;:lit  lie  niaili-  an 
!itro>*'ii^' suiniiu'r  ri'Mirt.  as  tliis  is  tln'ir  ni'ai'L'Ht  nmuntain  lucalit)  ;  ami  U} 
\\.\\hU  if  till'  sniitliiTii  part  of  till)  Interior  \'all")  wlmsu  (li.seasos  rcijuiru  ti 
-  ,Mri  tn  li'it  spriir.'s,  tliusc  df  tlic  \Va,«liila  air  far  ninR'  cfpnvi'niont  tliaii  tin; 

t  -iiriiiirs  "II  t''U  iiiiiiintaiiis  uf  \'ir;.'iiiia.  If  inir  |p|i}siciaiis  wouM  turn  tiiu 
tti'iiti'iii 'if  tlii'ir  [patii'iits  to  lliis  lofaIit\.  tlic  only  olijcotion  —  u  want  of 

uil'iirtaUc  at'conimoilations  —  wouM  soon  lie  obviated. 


SIX'TIOX   \'. 

Tin:  ai;k  \.\.<As  i;ivi;i{. 

1,  (liAKiiAi,  Toi'ooiiAi'iiv. — Till'  ili.staiit  origin,  in  the  Iiocky  .^JnuiitaiiiH, 
I' this  groat  ti'ilmtary  of  tlio  .Mississijipi,  luis  lii-eii  already  given  in  treating 
four  liydrograjiliieal  axes.  It  is,  essentially,  an  alluvial  river.  Jn  travor- 
-1!::' till'  Iiouiulless  plains  botwuen  tliosi.'  niountains  and  tlio  .Mississijiiii,  most 
f  its  Miutliern  trilmtarie.s,  and  espeeially  Canadian  lliver,  pour  in  eurrenti; 
;'  -jlt  water,  <  ilored  red  with  tlie  oelierous  i.days  wliieli  belong  to  tlio  roek- 
•ih  4i:ita,  wliile  otliers  throw  in  sand  and  lihie  elay.  Thus,  its  alluvial  de- 
I  •!!<,  heforc  it  roaches  the  Mississijipi.  exhibit  considerable  variety.  ]>elow 
',' 'l '  ii'ii'k,  cretaceous  pine  bliitlV  approach  its  right-hand  bank,  the  bottoms 

t' ppo.site  .side  being  low  and  brnad.      At  length  these  hills  recede,  and 

•■;;iliivial  plains  blend  themselves  with  tho,-e  of  the  Mis.-issippi,  and  alu-und 
!  liikcs,  liayou,'*,  and  swamps,  which  are  annually  replenished  by  the  spring 
'lis.  The  junction  of  tliu  two  river.s  is  about  in  X.  Lat.  ^JG"  40'  and  W. 
I,  !i.  w  :',[•. 

hi  a.sccndiiig  the  river,  after  jiassing  Little  lioek,  the  traveler  outers  the 
.•;i  ijri' iif  Ozark  >biuntaiiis,  throiigli  which,  without  falls  or  even  rapids,  the 
:I\  r  makes  it.s  way.  At  I'ort  Smith,  nearly  three  hundred  miles  uji,  he  .still 
!;i:il.- a  rugged  country;  but  at   Fort  (Ilbsoii,  one  hundred  miles  fiirtlier,  and 


-ix  hundred  and  thirty  inilcs  from  tlie  mouth  of  the  river,  tlie  ui 


oun- 


i;iins  liuvo  ceased,  and  the  prairies,  which  stretch  away  to  tlie  Ivocky  Mouii- 
iiiiiis.  arc  seen  on  every  side.  That  portion  of  the  valley  which  traverses 
;':'■  Mil  Country  is  much  narrower  than  that  below,  and  the  bottoms  are  far 
-^^  liable  to  luundatloii.  The  deposits  which  are  made  upon  them  by  the 
irisliets  of  the  river  abound  In  common  salt,  and  the  water  ■n-hlcli  is  left 
I'.liiud  contains  a  great  deal  of  that  salt  in  solution ;  which,  Mr.  Nuttall  sup- 


•    .  t 


•t^:-,- 


«ri:V 


164 


THE  TRINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOS  I 


rillT  1. 


INTERI 


■f     ,' 


'! 


-1    ,  { 


:^  •• 


I  ■ ' 

I    • 

r '-  -*■■ 

i 


I 


•r 


posos,  cliccks  the  progress  of  organic  decoirposition  iu  summer  and  autiiii;i. 
and  (limiiiislies  tlie  prevalence  of  interniittt  nt  and  remittent  fevers.* 

Of  tliat,  tlie  longer,  p(jrtiun  of  the  river  which  lies  beyond  Fort  Gibson,  ij 
tlic  great  prairies,  I  need  not  speak,  as  its  banks  are  almost  uninhahittd, 

TT.  LiTTM']  1\0CK. — Of  the  most  important  town  in  the  valley  of  tlit 
Arkansas,  I  can  say  but  little.  Its  latitude  is  o-l^  -\'>'  2o"  N.,— its  tlova- 
tion  ab(>ve  tlie  level  of  the  Gulf,  three  hundred  .uid  thirty-two  feet— tb: 
of  ]iig  Ruck,  three  miles  above,  six  hundred  and  eighty.!'  Tlius  the  town ,: 
Little  Rock  is  beyond  the  limits  (jf  the  alluvial  beds  of  the  3Iississippi.  ]; 
fact,  there  are  on  the  suutli  side  of  the  Arkansas  a  series  of  cretaceous  l)liit:> 
below  the  tfiwn.  On  the  immediate  tnpngraphy  of  this  locality  I  cant; 
speak  f(ir  want  of  facts.  It  has  never  been  visited  by  yellow  fever;  and  i^ 
not,  I  believe,  greatly  infested  with  iiitermittents  auu  remittents,  considii::.- 
its  latitude,  and  tlie  t  ontiguity  of  the  river. 

III.  FoKT  Smith.— The  site  of  this  post,  in  N.  Lat.  35*^  22',  ami  ^V 
Lon.  1)4*"'  !<>'.  is  the  right  bank  of  Arkansas  River,  which,  at  that  p.ii.:. 
flows  directly  north.  A  tributary  passes  near  tlie  fort,  on  it  south  side,  [in; 
enters  the  river  just  above  it.  l?niall  lakes  and  marslies  abfanid  in  cvr 
direction,  some  of  which  are  subject  to  inundation  from  tlie  river.  Tlnkr- 
race  on  which  tbc  fort  stands  is  about  fifty  feet  above  the  alluvial  plai:!- 
and  consists  of  a  dark-colored,  slat}",  mioaeoous  sandstone.  J  The  countrv 
beyond  the  bottom  lands  is  broken,  witli  some  eminences  which  arc  ak  ■■ 
mountahious.  || 

TIio  returns  from  this  j.ist  indicate  a  decided  prevalence  of  autuiiiiii 
fever,  especially  the  intermittent  form,  the  annual  ratio  of  which  is  ciielnE- 
dred  and  seven  per  cent.;  tliat  of  remittents,  fourteen.  In  the  autumn.: 
the  vear  lS2o,  there  prevailed  a  malignant  fever,  which  put  on  many  of  tL. 
symptoms  of  yellow  fever,  of  Avliich  more  will  be  said  in  the  history  of  tl.a: 
disease.  {:; 

IV.  Fort  Oinsox. — The  latitude  of  this  post  is  35"  48'  N.,  its  longitui 
95^'  D'  \\'.  It  is  situated  on  the  left  bank  '^f  the  Neosho  River,  a  nortliorr 
tributary  of  tlic  Arkansas,  three  miles  al)o\e  their  junction.  Its  sitei;' 
low  bottom ;  and  about  a  mile  and  a  half  to  its  south  south-west,  botwtc 
the  two  rivers,  their  lies  a  sniaH  lake  surrounded  with  marshes.  The  dosoir.; 
to  this  lake  from  tiie  fort  is  very  little,  and  hence  the  latter  is  badly  dniiiii 
This  bottom,  including  the  place  where  the  fort  is  built,  was  a  canc-braki 
Cane  is  found  also  on  the  ojiposite  or  south  side  of  the  river,  which  aboinii- 
in  ponds  and  marshes.  Immediately  above  the  mouth  of  Neosho  Kivo: 
"Verdigris  Creek  enters  the  Arkansas,  and  adds  to  the  alluvial  grounds  n 


•Loiig'.s  Exiiodiliou  to  the   Rocky  Mountains.— Nuttall's  Travels  in  Arkansas - 
f 'eatIierstoiiIiau;r'r.s  Report  ami  Excursion. 

+  Nicollet :   Hydrograph.  IJasin.  ||  Med.  Stat.  U.  S.  .\ 

iNuttuH's  Travi'ls.  §Ibid. 


:b:  wust.  For  three -f 
r  'iid  liy  elevated  prai 
•.xj'iftc'i],  the  army  rep( 
•''  /"«/  sic';Iy,  indeed, 
i:  '"-'II.  bcluw  New  ( 1 
■  •'  iniiidrod  and  twent^ 


In  advancing  by  a  sim 

Ar!;nnsas  to  the  3rissoi 

f-niarks  concerning  the  c 

:  its  oa.stcni  niari'in   a.' 

.T'ln  thr  mouth  of  St.  Fi 

''.iiidrcd  miles,  no  consid 

«!i-k\  the  ^laramec,  beh 

".:r  tiling  of  interest  to  thi 

'i'lio  Arkansas,  nearly  a 

Arkansa.*.-;  aii.l   the   ^lissi 

■ir  "igh  the  state  of  Missi 

■:;'|'i.  and  advance  westw; 

!i:!i,  rulhng  forest  land; 

!i;e  position  and  outline  of 

■1  il!o  map  of  the  Valley. 

i  rated  load,  iron,  and  coppei 

f  T.  the  snutli,  these  mount; 

i':o  whole  of  AVhite  River, 

I ;  ia  it  above  Little  Rock 

I  wliieh  finally  turns  to  the 

' '.-asconado,  and  largo  brand 

'loyatod  hydrograjdiieal  cei 

'jnu-s,  is  oscinpt  from  lak 

•!!^  topography  with  the  br. 

^^••i^^liita,  and  Arkansas,  ovc 

•'■''"gt'  results  from  a  chan 

.•■i'irolydifrereiit.    Loose  ter 

'-yt'ie  currents  of  rivers,  ai 

J*»'^"is,are  repkced  by  ol. 

'""Urian  lime  and  sandstone, 
'''^'-^-    Thus  it  is  that  mi!ii 


^IBT  !•. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


1G5 


:'v  west.  For  tlirce-fourths  of  tho  distance  round  it,  tliis  Idonlity  i?  onvi-- 
.  riil  liv  elevated  prairies,  terminating  in  a  range  of  hills.  As  iniglit  be 
.•cincti'il.  tlie  army  re})nrts  represent  t'lis  as  a  very  sickly  post  in  autnnin  — 
•i,i'  most  sii'-ly,  indeed,  in  tlic  -ndiolc  Interinr  "^'alley,  except,  perliajis,  Fort 
,I;:('":<ni!,  lieluw  New  Orlean.s;  tlie  annnal  average  being,  for  interniittents 
>;  hundred  and  twenty,  for  remittents,  tw^tity-five  per  cent.* 


SECTION    VI. 

THE  OZARK   MOUNTAINS. 
I;i  ii'lrariciiig  by  a  single  step  tlinmgli  fmr  degrees  of  latitude,  from  the 

Irknnsiis  to   tlie   ^Missouri   I'iver,  it   is   is   proper   to  make  a  few  general 

■marks  concerning  the  country  between  tliem.     Tliis  lias  been  already  done 

r  its  eastern  margin,  as  we  ascended  tlie   ^lississijipi ;  wlien  we  saw  tliat, 

::.mttk'  mouth  of  8t.  Francis  River  to  tiiat  of  the  ?dissouri,  more  than  six 

'iii;i!rcd  miles,  no  considerable  stream  enter-'  the  cunuaon  trough.     Of  the 

,':,!e.  tlie  Maramcc,  below  St.  Louis,  is  the  largest,  but  does  not  present 

litliiiig  of  interest  to  tho  medical  tojiofjrapher. 

The  Arkansas,  nearly  as  high  as  we  ascend  it,  flows  through  the  state  of 
Arkansas;  and  the  ^Missouri,  in  like  maimer,  advances  to  tho  ^lississippi 
:'ir'nL'!i  the  state  of  Missouri.     As  wc  leave  tho  riglit  bank  of  the  ^Missis- 

>  I  i.  and  advance  wcstwardly  between  these  rivers,  wo  are  everywlr  re  on 
'::.''i,  rulhiig.  forest  land;  which  at  length  rises  into  the  Ozark  Mountains, 
il'/  J  i'sition  and  outline  of  which  were  sketched  in  Cliapter  T,  and  may  be  seen 

".  t!'.i^  map  of  the  Vallej'.     On  the  flanks  of  these  mountains  lie  the  oelc- 

':  r.it'  d  lead,  iron,  and  copper  mines  of  Missouri,  mostly  west  of  Rte.  Gencv'eve. 

T  the  south,  these  mountains  send  down  branches  of  the  iJiver  S't.  Francis, 

■'.e  whole  of  White  River,  and  some  small  tributaries  of  the  Arkansas,  Avhich 

i:i  it  above  Little  Hock.       To  the  north,  they  throw  ofi"  the  3Iaramec, 

■i!;  linally  turns  to  the  oast,  and  unites  with  tlie  ^lississippi;  also  the 
'i;i>''  nade,  and  laro-e  branches  of  the  Osa2;o,  which  flow  to  the  Mi>souri.  This 
■  levated  hydrographical  center  (>f  two  stat  ,  abounds  in  pure  and  permanent 
-['niiL's,  is  exempt  from  lakes  and  marshes  and  forms  a  siriking  contrast  in 
;:•  topography  with  the  broad  and  wet  alluvial  bottoms  of  ]'ed  Kiver,  the 
^^asliita,  and  Arkansas,  over  which  we  have  just  passed.    This  topographical 

•;i!!ge  results  from  a  change  in  the  geidogical  constitution,  which  is  liere 
'Hirely  different.    Loose  tertiary  and  cretaceous  deposits,  easily  moved  about 

.'till'  eurrents  of  rivers,  and  thus  favoring  tho  production  of  wide  alluvial 

•ttiims,  arc  rcplr.ced  b}-  older  and  more  solid  strata  of  carboniferous  and 
^:.  inau  lime  and  sandstone,  reposing  u])on,  or  around,  unstratified  m-  primitive 
"  ci;s.    Thus  it  is  that  mineral  geology  illustrates  medical  topograiihy. 


'W 


'■■■■■        v',.,»- 


ili.f^ 


;'|'i%.v^t'^:|:r. 


.  ..'"'Vl'' 


• 


• 


-m:: 


■?■  M:- 


-■'::. -.4^' ^:^ 


»Mod.  Stilt.  U.  S.  A. 


4 


IGO 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  ! 


;  I 


I  • 


:    !') 


F 


M'^-- 


illii'ni' 


Of  the  autumnal  diseases  of  tliis  region,  T  cannot  sjicak  Mitli  im;,: 
authority;  l)ut  whatever  I  c-an  say,  is  in  its  favor.  Beyond  the  westfr;. 
slopes  of  these  mountains,  we  ecini'  to  the  great  treeless  jdain,  which  ascii;'. 
to  the  liocky  ^Mountains-.  It  Ix-gins  between  the  ninety-fuiu'th  and  iiji,-  . 
fifth  degrees  of  west  longitude,  that  is,  not  far  ea.-^t  of  the  western  hniiiilar' 
of  tlie  states  of  ^lissouri  and  Arkansas;  and  there.  c(juidistaiit  hetwcen  tj. 
Arkansas  and  the  .^lissouri.  we  have  the  interhK-king  sources  of  twi  of  tUi: 
considerahlo  triliutaries.  the  Neosho  and  Osage,  which  flow  off  noarlv  ■: 
opposite  directions. 


SECTION  VII. 

THE  MISSOURI  RIVER. 

I.     (Ik.nkkai.  DKsnni'Tiox. —  Having  myself  ascended  the  ^lissnuri  Iliv; 
to  Fort   Jjcavenwortli,  nearly  fi,ur  liundred  miles,   beyond   wliidi,  fruiii  ■ 
sparseness  ot  [lopulation,  the  baid^s  at  present  oiler  but  little  interest  ti^  \.: 
medical   topogi'apher,  I  am  enabled  (o  speak  with  more  confideuee  tLa;,  : 
Ivcd  River  and  the  Arkansas,  which  I  did  m  ■  explore. 

According  to  Nicidlet,*  the  junction  of  the  Missouri  Vilth  the  ]Miisi;-jiii' 
fourteen  hundred  and  eight  miks  from  the  (!ulf  of  3Iexico,  is  in  X.  Lat. 'i' 
.')()'  r)0"  and  W.  Lon.  !)(»"  lo  45".  Its  surface,  at  Lav  M-ater,  is  tlircok- 
dred  and  eighty-ciiiht  feet  above  the  Gulf.  Its  ireneral  course  frmnF:: 
Leavenworth  to  its  mouth  is  so  nearly  east,  that  the  dilFerence  in  kti;i.;: 
between  the  two  points  is  only  thirty-one  minutes  fifty  seconds,  and  iiv -:  : 
that  diiferencc  accrucsbetween  Fort  Leavenworth  and  the  Kansas  Eivor. ' 
mouth  of  which  is  only  fifteen  minutes  thirteen  seconds  north  ff  :. 
junction  of  the  3lissouri  with  the  ^Mississippi.  The  trough,  or  i;unicuh:. 
valley,  through  which  the  ^lissouri  flows,  is  from  two  to  four  Uilles  wiilo;  s.. 
bounded  by  rocky  limestone  hills,  which  rise  to  the  hight  of  from  one  hun- 
dred to  three  hundred  feet.  The  fall  in  the  3Iissouri  from  Fort  Luave:.- 
worth  to  the  mouth  of  the  rivei',  a  distance  of  three  hundred  and  sew;.:; 
miles,  is,  according  to  Nicollet,  three  hundred -nud  fifty-eight  feet, —  ueark- 
foot  a  mile,  and  M'ithiu  thirty  feet  of  the  entire  descent  afterwards  to  t- 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  a  distance  of  fourteen  hundred  and  uiirht  miles. 

Nearly  all  the  ^lissuuri  bottoms  are  on  the  north  or  left  side,  the '.;■. : 
pressing  against  blufTs  to  the  south  or  right  side ;  as  the  ^Mississippi,  Iji-  ' 
the  mouth  of  the  Ohio,  presses  on  its  bluffs  to  the  east  or  left-hand  i& 
^Fost  of  the.so  bottoms,  in  occasional  extraordinary  floods,  like  that  of  I'-l- 
are  liable  to  inundation;  but  ordinarily,  the  greater  part  arc  exempt.  T' -' 
lagoons,  and  swamps  are,  therefore,  much  less  common  than  along  tlie  3Ii;'" 
sippi  below ;  and  from  the  narrowness  of  the  valley,  they  are,  of  cuiJv 


*  Ilydrograpli.   Basin. 


•  ''•■'ijff 


r.lRT  !•, 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  A:\IERICA. 


107 


;.  !i  moro  limited.  Anotlior  cause  contriljuting  to  the  same  exemption,  is 
riiusaiiclv  ami  absurljiiig  (nuility  n'l  tlio  gruiiiul,  wliicli,  along  the  31isisi;<sijn)i, 
■.  lu.ire  R'sisiaut  to  percolation.  Uii  tlicf^c  bottoms,  the  cottou-trcc  takes  the 
;.!;ia'  ul'  the  cypress  in  the  south. 

Tilt'  voyages  of  Lewis  and  Clark,  and  subse(juently  of  Breckinridge,  Cat- 
;i;,,  ;i!;J  Met illet,  inform  us,  that  from  its  remote  sources  in  the  liocky  Moun- 
•;iiiis,  tlic  .^lissouri  flows  dnun  an  inclined  plain,  the  upper  strata  of  which 
:.p'  ill  must  [ilaces  but  slightly  consolidated,  and  therefore  easily  disintegrated 
,1.1  transported.  31uch  of  it  is,  no  doubt,  a  tertiary  deposit,  and  a  part  is 
',;iim\vii  til  he  cretaceous;  thus  giving  us  formations  far  in  the  interior  analo- 

,11,  tu  tliose  around  the  CJulf.  It  is  in  the  passage  of  the  Missouri  and  its 
.TOit  tributaries,  especially  the  YeUow  Stone  and  Platte,  through  those  loose 
Iqusits,  that  its  waters  become  thorv)ugIily  impregnated  with  all  the  mineral 
T Mi-'aiiic  substances  they  can  either  dissolve  or  susi)end.  To  tlic  suspeu- 
■i  '11,  the  raiiidit}'  of  the  current  greatly  contributes ;  while,  in  floods,  it  also 
r  lis  or  drifts  onward  various  matters  too  heavy  to  be  floated.  These  are 
cluLflv  sand  and  small  gravel.  Arriving  at  tlic  lim])id  and  delicately  tinted 
MiNsiisippi,  it  p(jurs  into  the  common  channel  its  drab-colored  and  muddy 
t  iTL'iits.  to  roll  on  for  clarification  in  the  (lulf  of  3Iexico.  I  have  already 
-tatcd  tliat  a  gallon  of  this  water  taken  iVum  the  Mississijipi  opposite  St. 
L.ui*,  viclded  one  hundred  and  eighty  grains  of  sediment,  giving  the  re- 
iiKirkahlc  proportion  of  one  part  by  weight  to  three  hundred  and  thirty- 
tliree  of  water.* 

Of  the  drifting  of  sand  upon  its  banks  and  over  its  alluvial  plains,  I  wit- 
ne^seil  a  striking  cxamjde,  in  ascending  the  river  after  the  great  freshet  in 
Ml.  For  about  four  hundred  miles,  there  was  scarcely  a  single  plantation 
i;i  tlie  huttoiiis  whicli  had  not  suffered;  and  many  were  entirely  desolated, 
tlie  sand  having  been  spread  nver  tliem,  in  many  parts  near  the  river,  to  a 
i.|tli  of  several  feet.  Literally,  low  sand-dril'ts  occupied  the  very  spots  on 
wLIlIi  Imuses  and  fences  had  stood  before  the  inundatinn.  In  places  where 
the  current  had  slackened,  recent  dej)osits  of  silt  covered  the  surface,  which, 
iiy  a  single  inundation,  was  raised  several  inclios.  The  great  jiroportion  of 
sniid  ill  tliese  alluvial  bottoms,  renders  theiu  much  more  friable  than  the 
iirgillaccons  banks  of  the  Lnwer  Mississijipi;  and  hence  they  are  ever  falling 
i:i,  and  maintaining  the  turbidness  of  the  stream,  which  meanwhile  is  m;iking 
.i.'U-  deposits  and  new  drifts;  whereby  its  channel  is  perpetually  changing. 

The  intervals  or  bottom  lands  of  the  ^Missouri  are  covered  with  a  luxuriant 
tree  aid  herbaceous  vegetation;  and  as  many  of  them  are  more  or  less  sub- 
iiHTOi,'  by  the  ordinary  spring  floods,  tliere  is  no  deficiency  of  those  surface 
Viiiditions  which,  as  we  have  seen  in  so  many  localities,  favor  the  production 


*Tliis  result  WHS  a.scertuinnil  by  Doctor  Rnynioiid,  in  Iiis  ;ui;ilysis,  ^ivmi  on  piiffo  75. 
It  was,  strictly,  Mi.ssoiui  wator  in  which  Professor  Railcy  found  so  j^reat  a  variety  of 
Mimalcules. — See  p.  71. 


I    hi-! 


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Tin;  rRiNCir.M-  diseases  of  the 


[book  : 


'  1 


y 


y  ■  > 


III'  ;uitiiiiin;il  fcviT ;  iiiid  tlicri;  is  11(1  oxciiiiitiiJii  iVdiii  (.Iiiit  ojiidciiiio.  On  tl, 
Cdiitniry,  it  prevails  in  tlio  bottmiis  and  on  I  ho  liliiirs  evrry  yoar,  tlumgh  tlie 
iiuiiilior  (if  iiialigiiaiit  cases  is  imt,  ]i(  rlia|is,  as  j^Ti'at  as  in  iiioro  suutlicrc 
lucalities  of  tlio  saiiio  t(i[io;.'ra|iIiiral  cliaiackT. 

TI.  OsAdK  IJivi;u. —  'I'liis  river,  tlif  sinirccs  ol'  wliieli  Iiavo  been  iilicvi. 
iiidicatrd.  after  |iiirsiiiiig  a  iiortii-oast  eourso  tlirotigli  a  nitrj-'od  euui i try,  en- 
ters tlio  Missouri  by  its  right  bank,  (Hie  bnndred  and  thirty  miles  iVuni in 
mouth,  and  eii^ht  miles  behiw  the  eaiiital  of  the  state,  Jlre^ently  to  Lt 
described.  Frnni  Mr.  -Inhn  .bihnscn,  whn  resides  oiglitceu  miles  from  it, 
mouth,  T  learned,  that  the  back-watt'r  of  the  3lissouri,  iu  1^1  I,  ascLiido.] 
1/eyond  his  residence;  and  that  tlic  Hood  of  the  Osage  itself  deluged  it.slj.t. 
tonis  from  \\  arsaw  down,  that  is,  through  lu'arly  lialf  its  length.  T'uMiallv 
however,  it  does  not  overilow  its  baid<s  In  fresliets  its  waters  arc  turiil 
at  all  other  limes,  clear,  lint  not  so  remarkably  linqiid  as  those  of  tlicH  •■ 
conade,  a  smaller  tributary  of  the  Missouri,  entering  a  littlo  lower  duwii, 
The  latter  comes  entirely  from  the  uortiiern  .'slopes  of  the  Ozark  3Ioiiiit:iii.; 
The  inune(lialo  valley  of  Osage  lliver  varies  from  half  a  mile  to  a  iiiik' i; 
width.  Its  iiihal)itants,  and  those  of  tlie  adj.'iceut  hills,  are  subject  to  aa- 
tuuuial  fevi'r;  but  malignant  cases  are  rare. 

III.  Ji:1''1''i;kson'  Citv  —  the  capital  of  the  state  of  ^lis.souri — staiulscr. 
a  group  of  righi-haud  blulfs,  one  luimh'ed  and  thirty-seven  miles  up  tlk 
river.  There  is  no  interval  laud  iu  front,  but  on  the  opposite  side  of  iLt 
river  there  lies  a  bottom  of  the  usual  width,  wldch  is  liable  to  partial  iimiiih- 
tion  iVoni  ordinary  iloods.  Directly  west  of  the  town,  a  creek,  wliiuli  La- 
pa.ssed  near  it  ou  the  south,  enters  the  3Iissouri.  AVhen  the  river  is  liid 
the  back-water  ascends  this  little  stream  and  submerges  its  uarnnv  Ijiittuiii;. 
The  country  beyond  this  creelc,  aiul  generally  anjuiul  the  city  on  tlie  soiitl 
side  of  the  Missouri,  is  elevated  and  rugged,  the  hills  being  composed  uf  car- 
boniferous limestone.  The  buildinirs  iu  the  citv  are  scattered,  aud'iiuno  i; 
thorn  very  old.  A'isiting  it  in  the  latter  [lart  of  August,  1  had  an  (ijiinn'tu- 
iiity  of  seeing  tliat  it  is  subjei-t,  in  a  very  positive  degree,  to  autumnal  t'cVLr, 
chiefly  iutenuittent.  I  saw,  indeed,  malignant  or  congestive  cases,  and  fouii'l 
that  the  medical  gentlemen  were  familiar  with  them.  Doctor  Edwards  in- 
formed mo,  that  the  disease  prevailed  as  nuich  oii  the  city  bluffs,  at  an  inti- 
mated higlit  of  two  huuib'cil  feet,  as  In  tlio  bottom  opposite  the  town;  ki 
that  it  was  less  prevalent  on  the  margin  of  the  bottom,  than  back  from  tl.t 
river.  Doctor  \V.  Davison  has  observed,  that  the  peojdo  near  the  mx!:. 
west  of  the  cit}-,  both  in  its  valley  and  (m  tlie  adjacent  hills,  are  more  liable 
to  fever  than  those  farther  east.  He  has  also  remarked,  that  the  iiihahitac:! 
three  or  four  miles  from  tlie  river,  are  more  exempt  than  those  wdio  reside  os 
its  bluffs.  Having  formerly  practiced  medicine  in  the  old  town  of  "Wlicoliii: 
Virginia,  he  was  enabled  to  say,  that  his  present  locality  was  more  infosttii 
with  autumnal  fever  than  the  former. 

IV.  lloo-WiLLi;. —  This  is  another  bluff-town  on  the  same  riglit-baw 


irdiTi-; 


la'iK  I'l 


JNTERIOIl 


he  river,  lifty  mih 


■  111  iho  iiiiiuth  of  the  .Miss 
|j,ii,..it(.iic,  arc  less  rugged 
■  {:••,■:  Ifoiiig,  according  to  ." 
k'.:;;':;,  and  si.\  humlrcd  am 
Ir  ui:d  ]{o()iiville  is  dry  am 
irrc  i.s  a  bottom  two  mili 
J.artiio  ,".'11110  time,  I  hail  ai 
livr.  and  fouml  it  docidcdl 
Fr  111  Poc-tnr  Hart,   Doctor 
|!,  Iiciilik'  who  live  near  tlu 
lucaiidcr  amonir  the  I 
liituiiiiial  fever  than   those 
[l;.,   alluvial  liottoms,  of  mc 
l^try t'n>li(t,  or  have  ]»orti 
r^iijis  liy  copious  rains.      .^ 
Py  ;!i;!i-dams.     In  a  confined 
nv<T,  Doctor  Thomas  Iku 
[II: :,  I  I'Xeursinii  with  Doctor 
'  I'd'tr  Suliiw,  which  is  a  i 
Averted  hy  dams  into  a  scr 
puily  [irevalciit. 
V.   Fit.wKM.v,  Fayetti;, 
>itL'  .<ido  of  the  river.     T 
lukwiits  on  the  Missouri,  li 
jctulatuil  hy  IJoonville.     The 
'  ratlior,  on  which  it  stood,  i: 
|viaL's-iii  of  its  banks.     In  C( 
;  :;a>  arisen  on  the  low  bluff 
iM'iii  of  twelve  miles,  to  t 
|i'-:rata  arc  carboniferous  lii 
p,'.    A  mill-stream,  called  t 
r;:i  to  sputli,  up  which  the  ' 
pi.>.    Both  the  Femme  and 
prter  to  half  a  mile  in  widt 
k-iiH.l  poiidy.     The   town  ( 
•iiid.     All  parts  of  this  co 
fi  iii(.-;t  fertile  and  desirable  o 
P'us  to  autumnal  fever,   e 
c';-t  I  saw  a  number  of  ca 
Ir  Talbot,  who  had  resided  ii 
Y  vi.*itatioiis,  which,  althou 
Eirgisli  streams  than  clsewhci 
^VI.    Aiiiiow  Hock.— This 


i||i!\  ■  ■  • 


■  '"rm 


lnRTl.] 


INTKRIOIl  VALLEY  OF  NoIfTII   A.MKIMCA. 


100 


tij>ik  lit"  the  river,  fifty  miles  Iiii;lier  iqi,  iiiid  uwv.  imiiilred  anil  eidity-novcn 
HI  the  iiiiiuth  (if  tliu  Missmiri.  Tlic  Iilull's,  still  eoinposod  of  earliniiifermis 
|i,j,;(i,no,  arc  less  rii,L'',L;e(l  niid  imicli  less  elevated  tliaii  tliose  of  .Jeflersoii 
[iiv;  Id'iii;.',  aceordiii;;  to  Nieollet,  old}'  seventh-two  feet  above  low  water 
Uiirk, anil  six  limidred  add  two  above  tlie  (lulf  of  .Mexieo.  The  eoiiiitry 
Lrunil  Bill I'l villi'  i.s  dry  and  ^ollin,L^  bnt  on  the  opposite  side  of  tlicilver, 
tli.re  is  a  bottom  two  ndles  wide.  A'isitiiii>'  l5ooiiviIle  and  .lefl'rison  (."ity 
Icar  tlio  same  timo,  T  bad  an  op[)ortunify  of  comiiarinii-  them,  as  t(»  anUimnal 
,r.  ami  foimil  it  decidedly  more  prevalent  at  (he  latter,  than  the  former. 
<n  jJiiftur  Ilart,  ])oetor  Tlionias,  and  Doctor  Stockton,  T  learned,  that 
J:  iinii],'  who  live  near  the  La  .Mine,  the  Saline,  and  other  smaller  streams, 
if  :'i  inlander  among  the  low  iiills  anmnd  IJoonville,  are  more  subject  to 
liituiiinal  fever  than  those  of  the  town  and  its  vicinity.  These  streams 
:.  ;illiivial  bottoms,  of  moderate  width,  whieli  are  partially  overllnv/ed  by 
^vrvtVcslict,  or  have  portions  of  their  surl'aee  converted  into  temporary 
riiiiips  by  copious  rains.  Many  of  them,  moreover,  arc  rendered  sta<^-nant 
P"; mill-dams.  In  a  confined  locality  of  this  bind,  i^i'.wn  or  eight  mibs  from 
Ffl  :iviT,  Doctor  Thomas  had  seen  many  malignant  and  fatal  i'ltermittents. 
[l:  :,nxtursiiin  with  Doctor  Stockton,  five  miles  froni  town,  into  the  valley 
/(/','(  Suliiir,  which  is  a  nule,  wide,  flat,  w<'t,  and  traversed  by  a  stream, 
tuvrted  by  dam.s  into  a  series  of  ponds,  I  found  the  fever  decidedly  and 
,  prevalent. 
V.  Fi!.\.\Ki,iN,  Faykitk,  and  IIowaiu)  CoiJNTV. —  Let  us  pass  to  the 
'sito  side  of  the  river.  The  older  village  of  rranblin,  one  of  the  earliest 
fcttk'ineiit.s  on  the  ^Missouri,  has  been  arrested  in  its  growth  and  partly  dc- 
[[liiulak'd  by  ]>oonville.  Tiie  sandy  and  friable  bottom  on  which  it  stands, 
'  ratlior,  mi  which  it  stood,  is  not  only  liable  to  overflows,  but  to  extensive 
|vi:i:s-iii  of  its  banks.  Tn  eonseijueuce  of  this,  a  vilbigc  called  New  ]-"rank- 
;  Las  arisen  on  the  low  bluffs  in  its  rear.  Through  this  village,  I  made  an 
MiNuiiof  twelve  miles,  to  the  town  of  I'ayette,  in  Howard  (!ounty.  The 
Tata  are  carbonil'erous  limestone,  and  the  surface  is  low,  ridgy,  or  rol- 
l:.  A  mill-stream,  called  the  ]5onno  Femnie,  traverses  the  county  from 
|[::a  to  si'Utli,  up  which  the  back-water  of  the  flood  of  lSd4  asceniled  ten 
|il.>.  Both  the  Femine  and  its  pi^iieipal  branches  have  bottoms  from  a 
■'!'  r  tu  half  a  mile  in  width,  which,  after  floods  or  great  rains,  are  left 
t;  and  pnndy.  The  town  of  Fayette  is  on  rolling  and  suflieicntly  dry 
'"'iiil.  All  parts  of  this  county, —  whicli  may  be  taken  as  a  specimen  of 
»!.  iiinst  fertile  and  desirable  of  the  wood-land  portions  of  3Iissouri, —  are  ob- 
)'u';i.>  to  fiutunmal  fever,  especially  near  the  streams.  In  the  month  of 
|i'.:  •.>t  I  saw  a  number  of  cases,  some  of  which  were  malignant ;  and  Doc- 
|rTa!ljiit,  who  had  resided  in  the  comity  several  3  cars,  testified  to  the  an- 
lial  visitations,  which,  although  general,  are  much  more  violent  near  the 

>li  i^treams  than  elsewhere. 
^  b    AuKow  lloCK. — This  village  is  situated  fifteen  miles  above  ]joon- 


!l 


.1 


4 


^.■'  t    " 

p- 

■..•■i-":t 


■^im 


,•'     - 


jlU 


,1  • 


iff ■!■•■■  v:,.  ' 


17(1 


THE  PIlINXirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOS 


villi-',  ami  two  liuiiilrcd  fruiii  tlir  uiuutli  of  l!ic  rivur.     Like  the  last,  it .;;; 
on  a  level,  but  more  elevated,  rocky  lihiQ"  on  the  ri^ht  hand,  and  h  1;,;.; 
little  rurlher  hack  I'runi  llie  river.     Opposite  to  it,  the  i>'issuuri  Wt  in, 
liable  to  inundation  in  river  floods,  and  ihroughout  tlie  }-car  ahountls  iin n  ; 
less  in  punds  ami  .slon;:li,s.     In  tlic  rear  of  the  village,  on  thf  .suutli  ^;i.. ; 
the  river,  at  the  distunee  of  a  few  miles  back,  runs  the  ".'dge  <if  an  .xt'.i,..-.; 
prairie.      The  village  of  Arrow  Hock,  according  to    Docttjr   I'rite,  is-l 
greatly  infested  with  autunnial  fever.     The  opposite  bottom,  and  the  wai:.. 
behind  tiio  village,  suffer  much  nua'o. 

\'.n.  .MiA.Mi. — This  new  and  inconsiderable  villa,^o,  on  a  locality  t,: 
hilly  even  timn  Mcksburg,  or  any  other  town  we  have  described,  b  fiui,;  ; 
the  right  bank  of  the  river,  about  fifty  miles  above  the  last.  The  river  fi; 
against  tlic  foot  of  the  bluffs,  and  presents  wide  and  low  alluvions  on  tlit- 1;  n; 
side.  Indeed,  for  some  distance  before  reacldng  this  point,  the  huttoiiii ::: 
broader,  more  depressed,  more  swampy,  and  bear  a  greater  resemlilaii .  • 
tlioso  of  the  ^Mississippi,  than  the  bottoms  lower  down  the  Missouri.  T-i,: 
vicinity  it  is  owing,  perluips,  that  the  village  of  .Miami,  notwithstundi.:: : 
rugged  site,  and  the  absence  of  all  stagnant  water  near  it  on  the  suutli  >:u  : 
tlie  river,  is  decidedly  lialde  to  autumnal  fever.  This,  in  fact,  is  not  ;i  ■_■ 
lecture:  for,  since  my  visit  in  1^4-1,  I  have  been  informed  by  Doctor  Ti\t' 
that  when,  in  summer  and  autumn,  tlie  wind  sets  over  the  village  fiijiii ;...  | 
bottom,  the  fever  inevitably  anpears. 

A'lll.     Saline  County. — Thl-  is  the  name  of  the  large  county  iiiw!. 
the  two  last-mentioned  villages  arc  situated.     The  iMissoiu'i  hero  iii;i'i;',| 
great  bend  to  tlie  north,  :ind  hence  the  distance  between  those  vill;!." 
much  greater  by  the  river  than  on  the  chord  of  the  are.     Except  a  iiifi: 
near  tlie  Missouri  l\iver,  slips  along  the  branches  of  the  La3Iiiio(£;| 
johis  the  ^Missouri  above  lloonvillc),  and  ctpses  of  small  trees,  slirul-,.. 
vines,  scattered  hero  and  there,  this  county  is  made  up  of  undulating  !«::. 
w1iii-li.  from  any  point,  extends  in  all  directions  to  the  limit  of  vision.  )1:."| 
small  natural  ponds,  and  a  greater  number  of  wet   [irairios,  gonoralh  :  ■•I 
nectcd  with  sluggish  brooks,  are  met  with.     In  ftict,  tlic  grass  ni;tti::..| 
interferes  witli  tlie  ready  and  rapid  flow  of  the  rains  which  fall  on  tliu  \>r~'- 
surface.    The  sub-stratum  is  carboniferous  limestone, —  the  soil  firtilc  11  ^ 
and  abounding  in  organic  matter.     The  jirairics  of  Saline   Count\  aiv : 
beginning  of  the  great  plains  wliich  stretch  south  to  the  Arkansas  KiviT,;:-! 
west  to  the  Ilocky  Mountains;  and  this  descripvion  n.ay  be  received  a?  ;;;;-• 
cable  to  their  eastern  margin  generall}'.     "When  visiting  this  county  in  l'--| 
I  was  told  by  Doctor  Ijoiig,  of  the  interior  village  of  ^Marshall,  ai: 
Doctors  Tait  and  Towles,  of  3[iami,  that  intermittent  and  remittent  fi.v::| 
prevail  in  all  parts  of  it,  but  do  not  often  assume  a  malignant  cliarattcr 

IX.  LicxiNCTON. — The  young  but  ranidlv  crowinjj  town  of  Lexin;:-| 
like  tlie  others,  stands  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  and  is  two  hunili't'i ^'1 
ninetv-fjur  miles  from  its  mouth.     The   ^Missouri  'waslics  the  base  > 


n'ir  I.J 


INTER  ini 


It 


'iv  ncrpciidicular  limc- 
■W'l  hu'iilrcd  feet  aliov. 
-trata    >f  shale,  wliii 
-tunc  tlircugh  which  a 
|;V(.  .  til"  liinc.*tone  on  whic 
M'r  jiyairies  here  ajiproac] 
l(.;,ttr  tlicm,  .small  miry  ai 
fliaviii.'  a  (leiiso  covering  dt 
J;  j^arati'S  tlicm  from  the  r 
gfiiio"!' the  .Missouri,  the  b 
:;:i  innndatinn,  and  alx 
I  ;;i;anL'iit.   Lexington,  on 
v::l:  autuninal  fever.     TI 
I  •  violently  affected.     Di 
I' v'T.  near  Lexington,  ];a 
■  8  !  latal  diameter  along  tl 
gf  ?.<.     l'i;(.-tor  r'louinoy  a 
'  tt'ijti  on  the  opposite  sidt 
Ht'jo  adjacent  prairies. 

.\'.    MotTii  OF  Kansa.s 

||e:  nth,  is  so  level  that  its  c 

i'OIi.vSfiuri,  is  occasionally  shi 

|.,('.  tlie  li'wer,  there  is  '^'i  a' 

|t'.«ulimersion.     A  mile  bel 

|f';ai!  that  on  which  LexiiKft 

rl  families  reside.     On  tlio 

.  tt^m  of  great  extent,  w 

ll ;'(.d.    In  the  month  of  J 

p/tr  among  the  inhabitants 
^.i'^  "f  tlic  bluffs. 

e  western  boundary  r 

|M;>>nnri  llivcr,  is  the  merit 

fund,  tlirce  hundred  and  s 

I'l    ■■^•1'  '^y  W.,  and    La( 

|l:-"uri  is,  at  this  point,  so 

ptlii.'adj.dniiig  hills  may  b( 

XI.    MioTiionisT  3Ianua; 

bi.vs.—'Plicse  establishment 

fry.  a  few  miles  south-west  i 

Til''  aspect  of  the  region  wh 

fltd  prairie  and  wood-land,  ■ 

Umiins  there  are  slips  of  gi 


*  Fivmo 


■  ■  .  t 


rxsT  I.. 


IXTERinil  VAMJIY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


171 


•irlv  ncrpendifuliir  limestone  blufl's  on  wliiuli  it  is  l)iiilt.    Tlic  I'lcvatinn  may 

1,  two  liu'idrctlt'cot  iiliove  tlic  vivcr.     TnmicdiatL'ly  oast  of  Lexiii<.'ton  tlierc 

.     -tratii    if  slialo.  wliicli,  I  Dresiiiiio,  uiidcrlio  tlio  coal  and  parbonit'erous 

l;ii.t  iiH'  tlmuirli  wliioli  we  have  jiassed  IVoni  tlio  month  of  the  river;  and  if 

^.  til"  liiiir^tiiiie  on  which  the  town  i.s  hnilt  must  be  the  njipev  Silnrian. 

It':  ■ 'iniiric'S  here  ;i|i]iri.arli  witliin  two  niihs  of  the  jiver,  and  the  moment  wo 

t  iir  tliiiii.  small  miry  and  lai;<;ing  rivnlets,  with  swampy  tracts,  the  whole 

Ijmiic  a  (loiise  covering  of  grass>  arc  met  witti.    Tlie  slip  of  wood-land  whicli 

snrati'S  tlicm  from  the  river,  is  dry  and  hilly.     On  tlie  north  or  opposite 

„fii,;  nftlic  ^Iissonri,  the  bottum  is  broad,  depressed,  densely  wouded,  liable  to 

li.r.uai  inundation,  and  abounding  in  ])onds  and  swamps,  some  of  whicli  arc 

^;vr/r;i!aiieiit.   Lexington,  on  tlie  whole,  docs  not  appear  to  be  seriously  infested 

^ritli  aiitiunr.al  fever.     The  prairies,  as  in  Saline  County,  are  generally,  l)ut 

fir.  t  viuloiitlv  affected.     ])octor  A'anghan  amt  Doctor  Mvian,  of  the  village  of 

JlnvcT.  iiwvr  Lexington,  have  occasionally  seen  intermittents  of  a  malignant 

E!:il  fatal  character  along  the  erodes  up  which  the  back-water  of  the  Missouri 

w>.    J't;i.'tnr  Flouvno_y  and  Doctor  Diggcs,  of  Lexington,  regard  tlie  low 

pi  ••  111  III)  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  as  more  unhealthy  than  tlie  town,  or 

ft'^.-  ailjai'dit  prairies. 

X,    .Morrii  OF  Kans.vs  Hivkr. — The  bed  of  the  Kansas  Puvcr,  near  its 

"r.  iitli.  is  so  level  that  its  current,  when  the  river  is  not  swollen  above  the 

}';-S'iiiri,  is  occasionally  sluggi.sh.     (In  the  upper  .side,  its  banks  are  high, — 

K  the  li'Wi'r,  there  is  •'!  alluvial  b(ittom  of  moderate  width,  which  is  liable 

It  Milimcrsion.     A  mile  jjtlow  its  mouth,  at  the  foot  of  a  l)lulY  less  elevated 

lt'.;ii!  that  on  which  Lexington  is  built,  is  "Wcstport  Landing,  where  a  number 

!';iiiiili('s  reside.     On  tlie  ojiposite  side  of  tlie  river,  there  is  a  low  and  foul 

ll  ttni  of  great  extent,  which  is  liable  to  inundation,  and  is  but   thinly 

\vi\.    Ill  the  month  of  August,  I  found  a  decided  prevalence  ol"  autunnial 

I vtr  aaumg  the  inhabitants  of  Wcstport,  both  at  the  base  and  at  the  sum- 

li.iu  nf  the  bluffs. 

The  western  boundary  of  Missouri,  from  the  state  of  Ai'hansas  to  the 

pl:j.*iiuri  Piiver,  is  the  meridian  of  the  mouth  of  the  Kansas  .Kiver,  which  is 

if  uiul,  three  hundred  and  seventy-two  miles  from  the  Mississippi,  in  Lon. 

hi.   ■:,-l'  :,.["  W.,  and   Lat.   39"   G'   3"-  N.      The  low  water-level  of  the 

j)h,v^nuri  is,  at  this  point,  seven  hundred  feet  above  the  fiulf.*     The  altitude 

io;  thf  ailjriiiiiiig  hills  may  bo  oiu>  hundred  and  fifty  feet  higher. 

I  XI.    Mi-ymoDisT  M.vnual  Laiiou  Sniooi.,  and  otuku  ^Fissionary  Sta- 

iKiNs. — These  establishments  are  found  near  each  other,  in  the  Indian  coun- 

Iry.  a  few  miles  south-west  of  the  junction  of  the  Kansas  with  the  3Iissouri. 

''■aspect  of  the  region  which  they  occupy  is  gentl}'  rolling,  with  intermin- 

li'il  prairie  and  wood-land,  —  the  former  predominating.     Along  the  small 

itrwiiiis  there  arc  .slips  of  grassy  marsh,  but  no  extensive  swamps.     Perma- 


'"•''!•  ,t.'  ■  l-"*'  ■ 


;.^ 


m^. 


'■■■'■:■':;>'',■ 
-■!;'■  ^.1-. 


t  ' 


:_.:■•-. -Iji-irv  ■.:...•■ 


*  Fremont's  First  Report,  p.  1S2,  183. 


.f   a.  •*    t      ■  '.  .        ' 


n. 


rr;-, 


•  4^ ::  1  ' 


::r  :- 


'■■} 


'-i' 


172 


THU  PRINCIPAL  DISKASRS  OF  THE 


iBOOl 


iioiit  s[irln,£Ts  arc  numerous.  The  roi-ks  l)enoath  are  Silurian  liniestono.  T:- 
Ba|)tist  .Mi.«si(in  building's  wi'ro  ort'ctud  (Hi  a  iiniiric;  but  in  1^44,  wlimj 
was  tlicre,  a  grove  nf  various  kinds  of  forest  treos  liad  sprung  up;  apjidrirf; 
from  tlio  animal  burning  of  the  grass  liaving  lj(.'en  prevented.  Tliu  mini!.' 
of  btnevoliMit  wliito  persons,  of  botli  sexes,  attaelied  to  tlie  two  cstiill;.:. 
monts  wliieti  liavo  been  nanuil,  and  a  tliird  under  tlio  managenicrit  ifv, 
Society  of  Friends,  lias  for  .several  years  iieen  suiVnieiit  to  test  tlie  aiifin:, 
salubrity  "f  tins  Ideality;  wliidi  is  decidedly  lioaltliicr  than  the  hlufl.<  at;;. 
mouth  of  the  Kansas,  or  the  prairies  of  Saline  Cuunty;  the  former  ci.niii;:.. 
son  showing  the  ins  ;lnbrious  intlnencc  of  the  river,  and  the  latter  aiiiiiii;. 
cing  the  great  fuet  tliat,  as  we  proceed  westwardly  on  the  jirairies,  auturi 
fever  becomes  less  and  less  ])revaleiit. 

XIT.     VoiV£   iii:Avi;.\\voi!Tir. —  Tiiis  post  stands  on  a  high  limcstdii'  i;.: 
on  the  right  haml  side  of  the  river,  four  hundred  mih'.';  from  its  nifiit!;,;; 
Lat.  .•;•.)■•  122'  40"  N.,  and  Lon.  !)4»  44'  W.     The  h.\v  watc-.surfacc  .i:J 
river  is  seven  hundred  and   forty-six  feet  above  thcdulf;*  the  .suiiir,:;: 
the  hill  on  which  tlio  fort  is  erectod,  is  about  nine  hundred  feet.      Tln.rv 
flowing  nearly  South,   dashes   strongly  against   the   rocks  at  theha.'^ei. 
hill.      Ilall'-way  u[),  there  breaks  out  a  copious  spring  of  water,  the  toni|(:5. 
ture  of   wiiicli  1  found  to   be   fifty-four   degrees,  Fahrenheit,  in  the  in  :;;L 
August,     On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  there  is  a  ])road  and  mirv !  :■ 
tom,  with  all  the  chara'^toristies  of  thtjse  further  down  the  river.    I'l:; 
same  side  with  the  fort,  above  and  below,  but  not  very  near,  there  arc  rx' 
rower  biittoms.     The  ground  stretching  off  to  tlie  south  from  Fort  ]mv::-\ 
worth,  inclines  a  little,  and  becomes  undulatory.    It  presents  both  praiiitf.! 
wood-land,  the  former  greatly  predominating,  ancT  becoming  still  nu'ivK' 
dominant  as  wc  advance  westwardly.     In  different  dircv'ticns  not  far  !r: 
the  fort,  I  observed  small  tracts  of  grassy  swamp.      While  this  was  a  Cfil 
post  the  prevalence  of  autumnal  fever  was  much  greater  tiian  ait  [iv-: 
although  the  condition  of  the  hiw  bottom  on  tlie  oniiositc  side  of  tin.'  )I:: 
souri  has  not  been  materially  changed:  which  shows  that  a  part,  atlww  :| 
the  early  sickness  was  owing  to  tojiogi-aphical  conditiuiis  nearer  t'.icsite: 
the  fort,  which  have  been  (djviated.     As  the  dragoons   stationed  how  o;!:! 
.spent  a  portion  of  the  summer  and  autuniii  in  excursions  on  the  prairii\ "■: 
returns  do  nut  admit  of  an  accurate  estimate  of  the  ratios  of  intermittent ;::  | 
remittent  fevers. 

XTII.     Srrn,i:>ri:NT.*  Xoutii   of   tiik   ]Mis,^oui;t   Piivriu. —  These  ?■."■• 
ments  behtng  either  to  the  state  of  ^Missouri,  which   <  xtends  up  to  tlickd 
tudo  of  forty  degrees  thirty  minutes,   or  to  the  southern  or  sonth-ir.-;  " 
part    of  Tuwa,   which    rests   upon   that   parallel.       The    former  wore  m 
first;  but  all  are   comjiaratively  new.     The  jjriiicipal  river  of  this  rc.'i :  I 


*  Nicollet :  IIy(lrograi)h.  Basin. 


r,»T  I.J 


LVTRiaoit 


1  ■  "jiiip:  chiefly  to  Towa, 
li  ■  I'rairios  between  the 
lihe  s()iitli-ca.st,  until  it  re; 
Witliiu  the  state   of  .A 


f 


I!l 


tlio  liftle  basins 


(   ;  r  Cliiiritoii,  <':l  (Iran 
f  r  Miv-'iiri.     Of  this  reg 
ir-'l-IiaJ  and  prairie,  the 
I,  cr  .Mississippi ;  the  surface 

iii,it>'iiis;  and  intermittent 
I'  d'.''nM!ig  IJooiiville,  some 
tin's  rc'L'iini. 

Till'  principal  rivers  of 

4he  Sliikagua,  Iowa,  Wabez 

"ID".  tlio  cciiiitry  through  wl 

IlisS'uri,  with  less  autninna 

.\'!V.    Tiik  (iriKAT  I'i.a 

km  t '  ttic  map  of  the  Inte 

:  jb  till-  cliaptor,  trace  the  )> 

'  hi  ''■'•■    To  do  this,  he  mu.' 

r.  1. '!!.  10iY\  keeping  on  t 

|(  the  back  settl'Miients  of  J 

Ifanlly  to  tlic  state  of  Arkai 

t%  tlio  mouth  of  the  Kansas 

||  -111  laiy  of  the  state  of  3Ji 

M  rt'i-'ust  to  the  junction  of 

■'-'4G"andW.   Lon.   ! 

lavi'a  (•iiiropo- American  pn] 

rii-  :•-■:'•.    Ilaviiig  doii';  this, 

|iotiieoa.st  and  th'>  IJocky  3 

:■  v;i;tnc,?s  of  the  savannas 

cry  li^rils  of  buffaloes,  and  tl 

atural  oliaractcristics  of  th 

'!'L'^tcil)he  sketched  in  a 

(fee?  of  latitude;    rises   ro"' 

^^^'•'  the  base  of  the  Kocf 

I' streams;  consists,  at  and  r 

|liio!i  largely  iiuhibo  its  rive 

i"iv  ea.storii  part  of  the  Val 

tsonoe  of  trees,  often  become 

f  destitution  of  forest,  and 

Wiiec?  unwonted  coldness  in 

f*'->.  when  its  grass  has  driec 

•"""th  a  region,  except  near 


.'-'  •  '; 
nil';   '" 


^^TW 


l-.HT  I, 


INTERIOR  VALLP:Y  CF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


178 


1  ',.n'in2  eliii'fly  f"  Town,  is  tlio  Dos  .Mdiiiof,  wliioli  f)rigi!iutcs  on  the  f^.tcau 
,:  -  I'rairics  bctwocii  tlic  St.   I'ctor's  .'ukI  tlic  ^lissouri,  ami   flows  nearly  to 
."iit!i-c'nst,  until  it  rcaclios  llio  Mississiiipi. 

\Vi'.':iii  the  state   of  ."Missouri  tlic    jjojiulation  of    tliis  rrfrioij    is    cliiefl}' 

f  ;t1  ill  the  little  basins  of  Salt  Jliver,  wliieli  flows  into  the  .Mississiii'ii,  anil 

(   till'  Chariton,  f'x  (irand,  and  tlio  liittlc  1  Mat  to    I'ivers,  wlileli  einpt}  into 

t  I'  Miv-^i'iiri.     Of  this  region,  T  ean  say  but  little.      It  presi'nts  a  mixture  of 

,.ir(ii'l-l:i;ul  and  praino,  the  latter  increasing  as  we  advanee  from  the  Mi.-souri 

%  .Mi>sis!-ipiii ;  the  surface  is  either  flat  or  undulating  ;  the  rivers  have  wide 

I  Intt'iiis;  and  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  are  annual  eiiideniics.    When 

i;  ri'in?  IJoonville,  some  account  was  given  of  Howard  County  lying  within 

i.U  rcL'ion. 

'i'lio  principal  rivers  of  south -oastern  Towa  (  after  the  Des  3Ioincs  )   arc 

f  JL' Sliikagna,  Iowa,  M'abezi}iimkau,  and  Makokety.      As  far  as  is  known  to 

HI.,  tk'  Cduntry  through  wbieh  tlicy  .'iow,  is  in  the  main  similar  to  northern 

Jl!>.>  iiiri,  ffitii  less  autumnal  fever,  because  in  higher  latitudes. 

Xl\'     TiiK  (IiM'AT  Plain.s — TiiK  Inwan  CouNTiiv. —  If  tlio  Tcadcr  will 

tr.rii  t '  tliu  map  of  the  Interior  A'alley  (7'/.  /),  he  may,  by  the  descriptions 

In  tlii>  chapter,  trace  the  lioundary  line  of  the   Caucasian  and  Indian  juiai- 

l^tilP^.    To  do  this,  lie  must  descend  frnn  Santa  F»',  in  N.  Lat.  '15"'  -U'  and 

Wi.  I.  ';.  I'Ki^',  keeping  on  the  east  side  of  tlie  I'io  del  Norte,  until  ho  comes 

;|t  t!ic  liaek  settl'Mucnts  of  Texas,  about  kititudc  thirty-three;  tben  turn  cast- 

i;iF:;rilv  {(I  the  state  of  Arkansas  ;  then  ascend  on  tlie  ninety-fourth  meridian 

P  t'l' mor.tli  of  tlie  Kansas;  then  go  up  the  Missouri  IJiver  to  the  northern 

[:Ji 'HI  l;iry  of  the  state  of  Missouri,  in  liat.  41)"  8(1';   and  tben  travel  north 

1 1  rtli-iast  to  the  junction  of  tlie  St.  Peter's  witli  the  31ississi]ipi,  in  X.  Lat. 

41- .■)•:' 4G"  and  W.   Lon.  IKJ^'  -1'  51".     In  following  such  a  line,  he  will 

::  l]uropo- American  pnpulatio..  m  his  right,  and  an  Indian  popidatiou  to 

I'ii.-  i'.ft.    Having  done  this,  and  cast  his  eyes  on  the  Appalachian  ^fountains 

|;|ci  tliu  •'a.st  and  the  Ilocky  Mountains  to  the  west,  he  will  at  once  perceive 

Pi?v.i;fness  of  the  savannas  Avhich  arc  still  in  the  joint  occupancy  of  niigra- 

ilciy  licrds  of  buffaloes,  and  the  savage  tribes  which  follow  on  tiicir  trails.     The 

llstural  diaractcristies  of  this  boundless  region  may  (as  far  as  etiology  is 

Ct' iL-tcil )  bo  sketched  in  a  few  sentences.     It  extends  through  fifteen  de- 

||reo-:  of  latitude;    rises   regularly  from   south-east  to   north-west  until  it 

yeri.':;i  ^  tlie  base  of  the  I'ocky  Mountains ;  has  but  little  forest,  except  along 

!  streams ;  consists,  at  and  near  its  surface,  of  sand  and  other  loose  matters, 

Eft .   ,     . 

wli:;'i  largely  imbibe  its  rivers  ;  enjoys  but  little  rain,  compared  with  the 
■K  lasterii  part  of  the  "N^alley ;  from  the  dryness  of  the  surface  and  the 
tsonce  of  trees,  often  becomes  greatly  heated  in  summer;  from  its  declivity, 

ps  destitution  of  forest,  and  its  contiguity  to  the  liocky  IMountains,  expe- 
Kiiccs  unwonted  coldness  in  winter ;  and  finally,  suffers  extensive  running 
tis.  when  its  grass  has  dried  in  autumn. 


< 


.'•'■'4.  .'■ 

•-r    .•  b 


!l' 


r 


;  1  • ' 

*        .      •    ■ 

*           ■'  .' 

*    ■ 

'    "% 

•  •  ■ '  •        ,   •  »  '  ." 


^f:*:^ 


n 


hih 


a  region,  except  near  the  rivers  which  traverse  its  lower  latitudes. 


#- 

J 

... 

» 

.  t 

•'t 


'r 

'  ' '         1 

'i. 

171 


TFH",  IMMNCIPAI,  DISEASES  OF  Till', 


[*,<,, 


CUM  I'L'vtT  1)1'  mm  li  inrcstfil  with   iiiftM-niittcnt  riml  rPiiiiU'.'iit  fevers;  1 1;- 
mny  be  8('(iurj:;cil  witli  tin-  iiMi'^ciua.siiv  nl'  tin'  liiii;:s  iiml  joints.     Its  siiim;,. 
lio:iltli  is  likely  td  lio  greater  tliaii  its  winter. 

W.  .loi  i;m:v.<  ok    |fi;Ai,Tri  o\    Tin;   <Iiii;at    I'l.Ai.Vf'.  —  Tluro  arc  t'- 
routes  ])y  wliicli  •*      -lids  may  tnivcrsu  the  |ihii!in. 

F'li.^t.    Tlr  .'/  •'.  llnnlv. — Th(.'  .Mi.H.»<oiiri  i.s  the  mily  river  of  tlitMi;-.  I 

rc'frl' 111  that  will  adi..,,     .' stuamhnut  iiavi;^atinii.     The  ii[i|i(irtiiiii(\  Inr  in; 
a  (li.>st;iiit  viiyai:e  .m  this  river  does  not  ol'ten  occur,  and  whoii  it  duos,  it -i; .; 
not  li((  |irei'erred  to  the  others,  !»y  any  who  have  health  and  ,<itrei;_'tli  t'.ir,; 
Ity  land.     The  voyaf^e,  when  niadi-,  is  always  lor  the  jmrjioses  of  traili', ;,;  i, 
sometimes  limiti.'d  to  the  Couneil  JJlntfs,  the  situ  of  tiie  vaeated  iMU'tCil!, -•. 
eii.dit  hiiiidrril  niili's  fpim  St.  liouis;  at  others,  extended  to  l''iirt  I'iorrul":: ;. 
tcau,  a  I'lir-tradin;^  estaldishmont,  live  hundred  miles  I'urther,  above  tliifn!' 
fourth  de;^ree  of  north  latitude,  and  at  a  low-water  river-elevatioii  (rt ; .;, 
teen  hundred  and  lifty-si.x  feet  over  the  (lulf,  or  nearly  eleven  liuriiliv!: 
above  the  .Mississij)|)i  at  Ht.  Fjouis.     Such  ehangos  of  latitude  and  ili \  ;. , I 
must  necessarily  give  a  [ileasant  and  invigorating  summer  cliniati' I'm 
them  invalids,   the  effects  of  which   will  l)o  higiitened  by  the  iiu\i.hvu 
wildneiNS  of  the  seenery.     The  slow  progress  of  the  boat  against  the  n;..! 
current  of  tlie  Missouri  in  ascending,  and  the   frc((uent  olistaeles  iuiils: 
pages,  sill 'uld  be  regarded  as  r'.'coiumendations,  and  nut  olijcetiuii!-,  t  'il 
voyage;  as  they  would  aifurd  opjiortunities  fur  exercise  or  aniasciiii;;; 
shore. 

Siroitd.   Till  on')'-hoi(l  ro/tte  to   Orf/jni). — This  road  leaves  the  Mi.<S'ur,::| 
or  below  the  mouth  of  the  Kansas;  ascends  the  viilley  of  that  river  fir- 
distance;  then  turns  north  of  west  to  the  Nebraska  or  Big  I'latto,  aii!, ir.-l 
versing  the   ]>laek   Hills,  makes  its  way  to  the  South  Tass  of  the  11  H 
Mountains.      In  making  a  summer  jouniey  on    this  route,  as  there  i> 
much  no"tbiiig,  and  very  limited  forcst.s,  the  heat  may  be  oi'ipres^ivo,  ud.l 
high  altitude  is   attained;    but  fevers  need  not    be    apiireheiuled.    .b:! 
passing  the  hundredth   meridian,  the  dews  arc  so  inconsidcrahlc,  tliat '.:J 
little  incuiivenience  is  felt  from  lodging  on   the  grass,  even  withniit  a::l 
Excursions  of  health,  science,  and  pleasure  united,  might  be  made  bv  |;ir:.il 
tu  the  distance  of  several  hundred  miles;  where,  in  the  voiceless  solitiH- 
the  desert,  they  might  pitch  their  tents,  and  plunge  into  rustication.    In 
lids,  more(Jver,  might  attach  themselves  to  companies  of  emigrants  Imiii- 
Oregon  or  Upper  California;  returning  home  as  opportunities  nii^l. 
In  such  journeys  they  would  lind  that  radically  curative  and  rcinvigura;: 
influence  which  short  excursions  cannot,  of  course,  impart. 

Third.  The  route  to  Santa  Fi. — Of  the  three  routes  this  is,  and! H 
long  time  will  continue  to  be,  the  most  traveled.  Uoaring  a  little  t  "| 
south  of  west,  it  does  not  give  the  advantage  of  as  cool  a  climate  :i> 
others;  but  the  surface  \vhich  is  traveled  over  docs  not  generate  auta:< 
fevers.    Moreover,  this  route  may  be  pursued  at  a  later  period  iu  autumn  '- 


irnTi.j 


i\Ti:i;rni 


IcIl'ifTi't'tlie  iithofH.     All' 
J  ■n.'ifn.'f  that  to  Oregon;  ai 
jt,[iPliiii'lii.Hj"uniey,  by 
\\n'^\^  IIS  viiK'vards  <<f  tlic  I 
ItuIi;.-  iif  Tans;  and  then 
J.Mi  !i!.t;iiiis.     Ill's   clevatin 
llivi'  \'<  seven   tlion,<aiid   fe 
XT'irriiK  Timji/d'tiix,  nr  (en 
Jt'r  >ni'\vy  siinniiils  of  tin,' 
ic-laiiil  streiigtli-giviiig  bi 
Friini  a  deep  conviction  < 
Ic'ar^'.'s  iif  valetudinarians, 
piles  in  wliieli  they  opci'iil 
It'i.it '•"nilitioii  of  the  atnin. 
':i!!'V.  gives  origin  to  inft^ 
Ll.  iiilirniiiies  for  which   ;i 
Hi;  is  constantly  imnie 
1     1  He  lives  on   a  r 
.'iter.     (i.  lie  takes  recii' 
7.  llis   eye   and    mi 
It.iinl  in  Contrast  with  tho.^ 
piHrares;  and  his  new  ones, 
;  ('  lie  is  redeemed   from    t 
fuili  are  tlio  therapeutics  i 
'"}■  applicable?    ]']vi:ry  enli 
r '.bpeiisia,  even  that  dej.e 
|rli'i>  iif  the  liver,  spleen,  ai 
|i'l  imagination,— ineluding 
Til  apoplexy  in  its  incip 
Hal  palsies,  following  its  atta' 
}r  liiemurrliagie  diathesis. 
f'ii  tlie  earliest  predi.ipositin 
'i'lfy  t(i  keep  in  his  saddle  t 
lint  it  may  ho  said,  these  j 
(ati'i.'is.     Und(iubtedly  they  ( 
[q'^.'lH.    Take  them  away, 
'""itains  would  be  scarcely', 
turupe. 


'T!11 


,in. 


INTERIOII  VAF,l,i;V  ol"  NuUTII  AMKIUCA. 


17.'. 


l(';VTi't'tIio  ntlior.^.  Aii'itliL'i*  rocfiTiiiiKMidati  III  h,  that  tlio  distaiico  i.-"  imt  m 
I  Triit.'is  that  tu()roj:i'n;  ami  yet,  after  rcadiiiiL' Santa  I'r,  lie  lias  it  in  liis  puwor 
It,  irii'iir '''"  J"'"''"'y'  '')'  i''-'^''i""li"o  '''^'  valley  <>{'  tin-  llii  del  N.irti'  t"  the 
llu.ririis  viiicvMnls  nl'  tho  Kl  I'lisn ;  or  he  iiiny  nsccnd  tu  the  rich  and  ln'aiitit'iil 
fTiIK'V  III'  Taus;  and  IIrmii'C  M'ali!  tin"  snrroiindiMjf  outliirs  i.f  tlu'  IJnrky 
iM'Ui.tiiiiis.  His  ('h-'vatinn.  while  .-ijniiriiinL'  in  these  valleys,  will  ho  t'inin 
L^.,,  (,  seven  tli'in.sand  feet  ahMVo  the  (Itdf — (|uite  e'[iial  tu  that  nf  the 
|f,Y''«  T(ii>ili"f"'<,  "1*  teinjienite  enuiitiies  of  Mixim;  in  addition  t^  vliieJ!, 
Illc  •^niiwy  siinnnits  nf  the  iiei^rhhurinfr  nu  nntains  will  often  relVe.'^h  him  with 
Ic  laiiil  strengtli-glviny  breezes  of  imre  air. 

I'ruiii  u  ilcej)  eonvietion  of  the  value  (.f  these  overland  j  lurneys  \^^  several 
i..is  iif  valetiuliiinrians,  I  am  constrained  to  point  out  snmo  of  tlie  various 
iiMk.<  in  wliii'h  they  ojierati;:  1.  Tin;  jiatieiit  esea|ie.s  from  that  malaria,  or 
liiat I'limlitinn  of  the  atmos[ihere,  whirh,  in  tlie  larger  jiortinus  of  the  (Jrcat 
falk'V,  gives  origin  to  internnttent  and  renuttent  fevers,  too  often  followed 
I,  jiiliriiiiliL'S  for  whieh  a  ehaniro  of  loeality  is  the  only  ctl'ectual  remedy. 
\\r  is  udostantly  inimcrsed  in  a  dryer  air.  :>.  He  lodi'i's  on  a  hard 
^i  1  He  lives  on  a  reduced,  solid,  and  simple  diet.  ;">.  He  drinks 
atiT.  'i.  He  takes  regular  saddle  exercise,  or  relieves  himself  hy  walk- 
7.  Ilis  eye  and  mind  are  constantly  excrciseil,  on  ohjeets  whieh 
\u\\\  in  contrast  with  those  ho  has  loft  behind.  S.  He  is  divested  of  his 
1  Hires;  and  his  new  ones,  althougii  constant  realities,  arc  few  in  nnndit'r. 
He  ii  redeemed  from  tho  dominion  of  emiiiricism  and  jiolyiiliarmaey. 
pli  arc  the  thcraiieutics  of  these  journeys  ;  and  to  what  inlirmi-ties  arc 
>vap|ilieahleV  Every  enli^diteiied  physician  will  answer:  1.  To  all  forms 
If  Jy«|iej).'<ia,  even  that  depending  on  chronic  gastritis.  *J.  To  ch  .oic  dis- 
kiks  of  the  liver,  spleen,  and  bowels.  .').  To  mijrbid  .sensibilitj  aod  nior- 
rl  iiimgination, — including  every  shade  of  hysteria  and  hypochondriasis. 
I'll  a|ioplexy  in  its  ini'ipiently-forming  stage,  and  to  lingering  and  par- 
IpiiMcs,  following  its  attack.  5.  To  liivmoptysis,  dejicnding  on  plethora 
kr  !i;vmorrliagic  diathesis.  G.  To  tubercular  consumption  in  every  stage, 
111  tlio  earliest  predisposition  to  that  in  which  the  patient  has  merely  tho 
ilility  til  keep  in  his  saddle  through  the  day. 

Iiut  it  may  he  said,  these  journeys  abound  in  exposures,  fatigues,  and  pri- 

lati'iMs.    Undijuhtedly  they  do;  and  it  is  on  them  that  the  benetit  cliiefly 

|4'0i,ils.    Take  them  away,  and  a  journey  "ver  the  desert  to  the  l?ocky 

I'Uiitains  would  be  scarcely  more  efTicacious  ih  u  the  fashiouablo  vovaii'o  to 

turope. 


r..';:v:w 


!l 

t 

•  i  •  i' '  -. 

*• 

''•'.'  ■ 

>.<•.■■ 

'1 

* 


\  , 


,     •       •    -        ■ 


'v. 


1. 


.-..  I 


Ifl 


i7<; 


'iim:  n:i.\(ii'A[,  iwHKAf^Es  or  the 


i«« 


\nV  '•. 


IXTERfoit 


m¥\' 


•  'v  ; 


I         I 


■J 


VUWTVAl    VIII. 


T  in«:  S()T!Tiii; UN  ijasin,  continckh 


MEDICAL  Toi'ooiJArrrY  OF  Tin;  ur.cioxs  east  of  the  gvu y- 

THE  MISSIS.SHTI,  AND  S(JUT1I  OF  THE   OHIO  UASIX. 


T.      I 


SECTION  I. 

GEOGRAITIICAL  AND  GEOLOUICAL  OUTLINES. 
JMITS. —  The  rt';,'inii  oiMvliiL'li  \vo  now  enter,  ooniprisos  tlicmrrl 


side  of  Fliirida,  tlio  western  niiirgin  df  (Jeurghi,  nearly  the  whole  of  Ahkol 
a  portion  of  East  Louisliina,  tlio  entire  .state  of  jMLs-sisHijipi,  and  the  wc-t  J 
of  Tennessee.  It  is  in  fa(!t  a  lar^re  section  of  tlie  CJreat  N'alley,  and|ir(.;ta| 
to  tlie  medical  topdjrraplier   snl)jects  of  the  pnivest  interest. 

IF.  lIii.L  CouNTiiv — Oi.n  (}KOLO(iicAi-  FouMATioxs. —  Tho  nortli-cji&l 
portions  of  this  region,  in  Georgia,  Aluhania,  and  3Ii,ssissippi,  arc  inutiiiti;: 
ous  or  liilh',  being  the  extreme  southern  termination  of  the  A]iii;i!:ri| 
chain,  turned  westwardly  toward  the  iMissis.-iipjii  Jiiver.  From  tlicso J.Lil 
lands,  streams  p(jur  down  to  tlie  Teiuie.ssee  Itiver,  to  be  di.scIi!ir{.X'J,  ijil 
circuitous  course,  into  tlie  Ohio,  while  others,  larger  and  more  iiuiiicrjj 
flow  directly  to  the  (Julf.  That  portion  of  this  water-shed  which  lieswiiiiJ 
the  state  of  Georgia  and  the  adjoining  eastern  side  of  Alabama,  |s  cmp.!?! 
of  primitive  roclcs  ;  M'hile  further  west,  through  the  latter  state,  iiito.MKJ 
sippi,  till-  rock  forniatinns  consist  of  the  older  .'■ecoiidary  or  Siluri.iii  hi 
stones,  and  of  the  sandstones  and  .slialcs  which  belong  to  the  superiiuuii 
coal  formation.  On  the  Coosa  Eiver,  as  far  down  as  Wetumpka,  priiiifcj 
rocks,  in  the  form  of  gneiss  and  mica  slate,  show  themselves;  and  at  Tii-il 
loosa,  tlic  late  capital  of  Alabama,  on  the  Tuscaloosa  or  IJlnck  Warrjj 
Kiver,  and  on  the  Catawba,  above  Centreville,  coal  makes  its  a])pearaiice tl 
the  surfaie. 

III.  TiiK  Crktackous  Fokaiattox. —  Immediately  south  and  west  of  t-'ifj 
formations,  and  sweeping  roun^  from  Georgia  to  West  Tenncs-scc,  wo  Iw 
the  larger  portion  of  tlie  most  extensive  cretaceous  formation  which  oxi^tsJC; 
where  (as  far  as  wo  yet  know)  in  the  Great  Valley,  or  indeed  on  the  coiit;:.'-| 
of  Nortli  America.  The  western  purtion  of  this  formation,  lying  bcyuiui-l 
Mississip[ii  Ixiver,  and  traversed  by  the  AYashita  and  Arkansas,  lias  tsl 
already  noticed.     The  Mississippi  cuts  through  this  formation  (  wliit'!  r:l 


J.Mit'S  its  hhifls ),  fmm  thi. 
\i,  \i'  Vickshurg  in  the  .st;it 
Ij!  ,• 'i;ivi'r:<ed  hy  the  Va/m 
|l;r;.,trca»t,  hy  I 'earl  Rive 
|Tj!;a|mo!.u,  CliaH.'ihiMichci', 
It::,!  II.  l"rm  t!ie  Appalachii 
l,i;|,  tl  the  Hinitli,  these  varii 
...t"  hcuriiig.     Tho  g(M< 
I  fill' I'll  min-gin,  is  iiilly; 
kiifs  it  is  .siiiiicwiiat  rug; 
p,]-.  friim  wliiili  the  watr 
1  1  f  "liiggiHli  and  swampy 
hit,  tlie  rivers,  Imtli  small  a 
IP.' Mibjcc't  to  iiiuiidatiiiii. 
t'.i' iTetiiceuu.^  fnrmatiiin, 
I  -its   are    ealcare-ius,    i 
v  iMii>i.st  of  an  urgill.ic 
pikm-io,  soft  Nand.stoiio,  ami 
!  ;.iN  may  he  given  hereal't 
rJii-  jiLTCiilate  into  the  eai 
i'  r;  hut  where  the  rutto 
-;  I'mmi  lissures,  and  impel 
ill  traii.sii'iit. 

ll'Jiiiiiiig  at  the  east,  the 
I'lnibiis,  (Georgia,  on  the  li 
In.  the  new    capital  of  Ah 
Iirviisljoru,  Dciiiiipdlis,  Kut: 
Imi'ms,  Va/.uo,  Pontotdc,  a 
liii.'l'lpli,  .'^iinKTville,  and  li 
|i"aist'urmatii»ii  i.s  infested  w: 
ti-iinf  the  Cruat  Valley; 
1  tlio  Mississippi  lliver. 
IV.     Tmi:   Ti:ktiai:v,    l\ 
'  -ir-  —  Advancing   southei 
;"ii  the  newer  depnsitv.  wj 
livo  ;ilix'aily  cnutemphited  tli 
Ifitnti;  (lio  newest  geological 
•'•■"IN,  m  wliieh  they  repose. 
j-anii.' iVnin  the  diattalioocl 
fnii  th'.-  high  liluffs  of  the  A 
'  ''  ''J's  lid  great  widlli,  i.s  ( 
|r'.t;iiffm.s  gr;„ij,,  ]i:i«  ,.,  ,1ij,  f, 


If. IT  '•. 


IXTKUIOR  VAI.LKV  (H    NOllTII  AMKIMlA. 


i; 


litititi;*  it*  bliifTs ),  iVuiii  llio  woMtorii  fxtn-iiiily  nf  Kt'iitiicky,  t>t  a  lino  not  far 

,;,  to  Vk'ksltiiv;:  ill  llic  Mtutu  of  Misxi'tipiii.     In  aililitinu  tn  tlio  Mi>.-<issi|i|)i, 

Jj, ,.  •r;ivi'r.*i.Hl  Ity  the  Va/.no  ami  Hi;.'   IMmk,  iriKiiiarii.H  ol   tiiut  livcr;  ami 

llir:  ti'Ottht,  Iiy  Pearl  llivor,  tlic  Tiniiliei-khof,  TuNculininn,  Cal.awli.i,  ('uoiiii, 

iTjiiaii'io*",  CliatlahuDuliue,  uiid  I'lint  liiwi'M,  the  last  two  nf  wliicli,  liy  tlii-ir 

lii:.i  II.  t'lrm  tliu  A|i|)alacliiriilu.     Ah  the  strata  of  tliu  erutauunUH  t'liiiuutiiin 

j|,ti  tliL' Hi'iitli,  tla'fii!  various  rivrrs  traviTse  tlii'tn  at  ri^;lit  aiiplfs  tn  tln'ir 

I,, ..if  Itcariiip'.     Tiio  gc!iR'ral  i^iirtai't' III' tliis  crt'taccuu.s  fiiniiatinri,  near  it« 

■i  riii'i'ii  margin,  la  liilly;  t'urtlior  huutli,  ninl  in  tliu  iicigliiinrliuocl  of  tltu 

LivM-,  it  U  soiiitwliat  ni;r;it'il,   with  fxti'ii^ivo  iiitervoiiiiij.'  jdaiiiH,  or  table 

||a:i.l>.  t'rHiii  wliich  the  water,   in  many   ]ilaci',s,  runs  oil'  with   (iilViculty;  and 

ii  u  chij.'L'isli  ami  s\vani|iy  .-trfams  aru  imt  uufnmniun.     As  tiiu  strata  aro 

ft ",  t'lo  rivers,  liotli  Mnall  ami  lariri',  luivo  I'lirniLtl  wi'lo  \allt'\s,  most  of  which 

•ulijeit  to  iiiumlatidii.     AlthdU^'li  the  yiiv\\H,  ;:».'oliinic;i]ly  s)iLaluiii:',  Itelmig 

h  \.i.' itt'tucf'ius  formation,  no  chalk  hu.s  yet  been  discovereil.     The  chiof 

, >its   are    caleureous,    and     called    by    the     |ilo|)1l'    'ruttcii    limeL-tone.' 

;i\  ooii>ist  of  ail  ar;,'i]laceiius,  fri  Ide  carbonate   of  limo;  but  there  arc, 

|iki'.vi«e,  «.it't  saiulstouc,  and  strata  of  day,  sand,  and  ;,fravel,  of  whicli  smiio 

jd.iil*  may  he  u'ivuii  hereaiter.     ^\  here  the  last  two  are  at  the  surl'aee,  the 

ill'  jiercolatc   iiitn  the  earth,   and   I'inii  |icruiaiieiit  sjirings  of  ]iurc,   soft 

r;i!ir;  Init  whore  the  rotten   limestone  shows  Itself  at   ihe  surface,  as  it  is 

Im'  Iniiu  tissures,  and  impervious  to  water,  the  sjiriiigs  are  few,  sujicrfieial, 

t':\  trniiMciit. 

li'.iiuiiiig  at  the  east,  tlie  |irinci|ial  towns  in  the  cretaecmis  formalinn  are, 

I'linbiis,  (icorgia,  on  tlie  left  bank  of  the  ('iiattahouchee  Uiver;  Moiitgoni- 

Irv,  tlie  new    ea|iital  of  Alabama;    Wetnm[ika,    Scliiia,  Caliawba,   Marion, 

Ir '•iisburu,  Deinojxilis,  I'aitaw,   Tuscaloosa,  and  Pickeiisvillc,  in  Alabama ; 

I  iiiilius,  Vazoo,  Pontotoc,  and  IbJly  Springs,  in  ."\lis,-i.-si|ijii  ;  and  .Memphis, 

ii^'l  illili,  SMUK'rville,  and  IJolivar,  in  Tennessee.      The  wliolc  of  the  creta- 

I'j  iw  fonuutioii  is  infested  with  autumnal  fever,  beyond,  perhaps,  any  other 

:ti.iii  of  the  (lieat  A'alley;  but  yellow  fever  has  only  oceurred  at  31emphis, 

|iitlic'  Miiisissippi  llivcr. 

IV,     TiiK   Ti:iiTiAi;v,    rosx-TiiitxiAuv,   Dim  uai.,   axii   Ai.u'viai,    T)i> 

•ifv  —  Advuiieing    southerly    from    the    cretaceous    formation,    v,e   come 

p;  utile  newer  dejiosits,  which  extend   to   the  (iiilf  of  Mexi(.'n.  wh' re  wo 

l;ive  aliXMily  oiiutemplated  their  soutlnrii  margin.     These  strata,  which  con- 

|titiito  tliL'  newest  geiJogical  beds,  are  still  less  consolidated  than  the  cieta- 

in  nil  wliii'li  they  rcjtoso.      The  eocene,  or  ohlest.  crop  out  with  a  line  of 

|:i!!iu' IVmih  the  Ohattahoueliee  River,  to,  or  beyond,  the   Tombcekbee,  and 

(nil  till' high  bluffs  of  the  Alabama  lliver,  at  Chiiboriie.*     This  formation, 

F  1  I  lias  no  great  widtli,  is  calcareous,  ami,  like  its  miiicrd  analogues  of  the 

iMiKriiiis  gr;,up,  l;a«  a  dip  to  the  s:outh  or  soutli  south-west.     To  this  sue- 


•■■•.■:'•,■•; 

■  <;.     ...■.; 

.■:■■.:  \ 

-'  *  ■       . 

•  .!..■•,• 

!l 


•5  h:- 


*  Conrad. 


178 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOI ' 


i  -i'  \ 


'I 


m 


L'V^* 


1.1  i 


1 


cc'cd  the  newer  tcrtiiiry  ami  post-tertiary  deposits  of  loam,  gravel,  and  tar 
not  yet  eoiisoliduted  into  rock.     As  a  general  fact,  the  surface  of  tlio  ttnL 
region,  from  ^'lorida  round  to  tlie  jMississippi  lliver,  is  flatter,  and  lies  a; 
lower  love],  than  the  cretaceous.     Its  fertility  is  le.'^s,  and  its  iiiliaLlta],-. 
fewer,  but  most  of  it  is  better  watered.     The  same  rivers  traverse  Lutlit. 
gions,  acquiring  broader  alluvial  bottoms  as  tliey  flow  on  to  the  (julf.    31j, 
of  this  extensive  plateau  has  a  dry  and  sandy  surface ;  but,  on  the  otL:: 
hand,  nuich  of  it  near  tlie  streams  is  swampy.     Its  principal  town?,  oiF  ;■ 
(Julf  coast,  are  Tallahassee,  in  .Middle  Florida;  Claiborne,  in  Alabama;  Jar-i. 
son,  A'iclvsbnrg,  and  Natchez,  in  jMississippi ;  and  JJatou  lluugo,  tlic  caii 
of  Louisiana. 

Like  t1'3  cretaceous  formation,  all  the  fertile  parts  of  tliis  region  jr 
subject  to  autumnal  fever  of  a  violent  character;  and,  as  we  have  seci;,!:- 
towns  on  the  Mississijppi  luive  been  often  visited  by  yellow  fever.  Thuiii-; 
populous  portions  of  tlie  cretaceous  and  tertiary  regions  here  skctclicd  ,,: 
he  betwee..  the  })arallels  of  thirty-one  and  thirty-three  degrees  north. 


SECTION  IL 

THE  COUNTRY  EAST  AND  SOUTH  OF  APPALACHICOLA  I?AY.\Nr 

RIVER. 

T.  r!7:xEKAT.  YiKws. — We  are  indebted  to  the  Army  Surgeons  and  Vf- 
graphical  Engineers  wlio  served  in  this  region  during  the  Pemiudlo  war,  •• 
most  that  we  know  of  its  medical  topography,  as  the  greater  part  uf  it  :• 
uiunliaiiited,  or  but  tliinl}'  peopled.*  When  at  Pensacola  in  184o,  I  e ,:' 
not  obtain  facilities  for  visiting  it.  Tlic  low  water-shed  which  divide*  ti.i 
streams  thai  flow  into  tlie  Gulf  of  3Iexico,  from  those  which  make  thuir^- 
eastwardly,  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  subsides  cnthely  before  it  rcaelu- ;!. 
twenty-eightli  degree  of  latitude ;  that  is,  about  tlie  middle  of  the  polliIl^i 
Thence  to  '>pe  Fable  the  surface  is  but  little  elevated  above  the  sea,  s:- 
has  no  particular  inclination.  Consef|uently,  it  is  overspread  by  savanna;. 
swamps,  immense  grassy  ponds,  and  small  lakes,  to  a  degree  that  mu?'  i'"' 
ever  render  most  of  it  uninhabitable  It  is  called  the  .Evcrghulc  Ai  ■ 
the  tN.cnty-eighth  parallel,  wliere  the  water-shed  emerges  from  tlie  '!■; 
level,  the  map  discloses,  that  the  number  of  lakes  on  its  eastern  side  is  w 
■:;reater  than  on  its  western,  or  that  portion  wh.ich  lies  within  the  Mexia: 
Basin,  and  is  traversed  by  the  IIillsl)(n'o,  Withlacoochee,  Santa  .Fc,  Siir- 
nee,  and  some  smaller  rivers.     According  to  Doctor  Forry : 

"Tliis  nortlicrn  portion  is  an  extensive  pine  forest,  interspersed  with  ]H.:: 
swamps,  low  savannas,  and  hummocks,  which  last  arc  rich  bottoms  over-'r^: 


*  Medical  Statistics  U.  S.  Army.— Forry  on  the  Climate  of  the  United  State?.-^!" 
of  the  Scat  of  War  in  Floric'a,  by  Captain  Mackay  and  Lieuteuant  Blake,  I'"'*- 
.States  Topographical  Engineers. 


If 


■'  ;V  :: 


■■ART  I.j 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


171' 


with  tree*,  aii'l  a  reduiidant  uiulcr-wood.  Tlio  l)arrons  are  cnvcvcd  witli  i'or- 
(.5(5  of  pine,  ^itli  little  uiulcr-growtli.  Tlio  snil  consists  mostly  of  saiul;  l)ut 
■!,(.•  liumiiifii-'ks,  wIiIl'Ii  arc  numerous,  have  a  fertile  soil  composed  of  elny  and 
,jih1.  The  savannas,  wliieh  are  covered  with  a  tall  crass,  are  inundated 
p  lirin"  tlic  wet  season.  The  river  swamps  are  wooded  Avitli  a  variety  of 
heavv  trees,  wliilst  tlie  pine-barren  swamjis  are  niostl}-  overgrown  with 
I  cv|'re,«»  and  cypress-knees."* 

Tlio  (li'V  piiic  lands  arc  composed  mostly  of  silicious  sand,  more  or  less  fcr- 
;il;zcil  with  carhouato  of  lime  and  veg:'ahle  mold.  The  swamps  on  the  hor- 
TiLra  of  the  rivers  are  formed  by  the  inundations,  which  deiiosit  alluvion  on 
tlicii'  iiauks,  and  thus  dam  out  a  portion  of  tlie  returning  waters. 

The  <iib-stratum  of  this  region,  and  of  the  peninsula  of  Florida  generally. 
ij  ritton  linicstoiio  —  rretaceous  or  tertiary;  but  it  differs  from  that  oi 
p- Ahliama.  ill  being  cavernous;  and  hence  many  of  the  smaller  streams  dis- 
apiiear  fmni  the  surface,  and  reiippear  in  the  form  of  copious  springs.  Small 
lab.'N  likewise,  occasionally  empty  themselves  through  unseen  fissures  in 
;'!,;!•  In  lis;  and  many  of  the  tracts  denominated  liunmiocks  seem  to  have 
been  laid  hare  in  this  manner.  ^Ve  must  now  tnke  notice  of  some  localities. 
II.  Four  Kino. —  The  site  of  this  military  post  is  not  positively  within 
;'- Moxieau  Basin,  f(jr  the  copious  .spring  of  pure  water  which  originates 
;.  .;!■  it.  fluws  to  the  east.  There  are  reasons,  lunvever,  for  claiming  it  as 
' .  :.L'iii,i  t'l  tliat  l)asiii,  and  no  valid  geograpliical  <jbjection,  seeing  that  it 
i-::A~  (11  the  dividing  ridge  which  makes  the'easLcrn  boiiudarv  of  the  liasiu 
A- regards  geographical  position,  tliis  station  is  about  ninety-five  miles 
I  •ii-east  of  the  head  of  Tampa  l-'aj',  one  hundred  and  thirty  south-west  o1 
>:.  Augustine,  perhaps  forty  miles  due  cast  from  the  (sul^"  (jf  Mexico,  and 
k:.!v  duo  west  from  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  T!ie  fort,  wliich  lias  been  recently 
r  lilf.  is  situated  on  rising  ground,  partially  encompassed  by  a  hummock. 
V.  !:!  describes  almost  a  semi-circle,  at  an  average  distance  of  five  hundred 
vi.'l-  iVuiu  the  pickets.  The  surface  of  the  surrounding  country  is  slightiv 
i;:  iiilatiiig.  The  soil  of  the  so-called  /■ii,r  hdrrin  consists  of  loose  sand  an.] 
0 ''j'lt  admixture  of  vegetable  mold,  with  an  argillaceous  sub-stratum.  Its 
]:..'ii;il  vegetable  productions  are,  the  piitch  jdne  (  7Vy^'^y  r'hjhhi),  black 
j.  :(  (J'liiYii.i  iil^i'a  ),  scrub  oak  (  (Jiicinifi  fui'slmi  ),  palmetto  (  (^Imn)  i  ropa), 
J  i  (Marso  herbaceous  plants.  The  ///nninocks  are  rich,  imirshy  bottoms. 
I'i^t'd  of  vegetable  deposition,    overgrown  with    redundant  vegetation. 

I  Ii  .1  fluuri,s]i  the  live-oak,  with  other  species  of  the  same  genus,  the  cypress. 

bi  ."I'lia,  eahbage-tree,  and  several  varieties  of  hickory  (  '  '<'/■','■  ),  all  united 

p'  aea'dagc  of  vines  and  ^  rambles  extending  from  trunk  to  trunk  and  from 
bh  to  limb,  constituting  an  inunense  net-work  of  vegetation. 

|>  ■Xu  largo  bodies  of  water  exist  in  the  vicinity  of  this  post.     Tlirei;  milep 


II 


'I'^'T- 


.':;:  ji 


■1  u  ■•■ 


}'  ■' 


>   < 

,1 


' '  ■  1    '<    .  ••.    1  ■  ■    It.  I  i  ' 


st^ 


1;f.O  :■ 


ft 


•'■   ■*■ 


'■  ^■^  ■" 


'-«;,' 


v; 


*  Climate  of  the  United  Slates,  p.  19.'}. 


fl' 


ISO 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


iiooj. 


mi 


V'- 

'  '■'{ 

•       >       .      •      ■ 

'  -^     '-' 

V   '■  ■' . 

f-: 


fi-diii  iliis  jKiIiit  is  Silvi.'i'  Spring,  tlio  sourc-o  uf  a  hcautiful  stream  of  t!ie>aii. 
nam".  l''riiiii  this  \'i  ui'taiii,  rcmarkalilc  lor  its  traiisparciKT,  Silver  (>[,.■ 
cmcrgos  at  oiii'o  a  hold  stream,  sixty  yards  wide  and  twenty  feet  deep,  nr. 
ning  into  the  ( >eklewa1ia  about  twelve  miles  from  this  post. 

"Altli(vugh  large  bodies  of  water  do  not  exist  in  tlie  vieinity,  yet  tlioaftK] 
ipiantity  is  very  great,  owing  tn  the  extensive  nuirshyluw-'  iids,  swamps, aj] 
.stagnant  pools:  and  as  the  soil  is  not  enniplctely  coveri  d  with  watcr.ttf 
eireumstances  most  conducive  to  the  evolution  of  those  morbific  agents  risu;'. 
ing  from  .solar  influence,  olitain.  The  humidity  of  t'^c  vicinal  huniinoeh  mi 
rise  to  constant  exhalations,  which  fall  in  heavy  dews."* 

The  annual  ratio  of  intermittent  fever  at  this  post,  as  deduced  frrim  ;> 
returns  of  four  years,  is  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  per  cent. ;  of  res.:'- 
tent,  twenty.     Tliese  ratios  are  decidedly  high. 

"  This  post,  however,  has  always  been  regarded  as  decidedly  saluljriq; 
with  tlie  exception  of  the  liability  to  fever  and  ague.  A'iulent  fever? if  li; 
remittent  form,  and  internuttents  running  into  the  same  tyj)e,  occurred  i:.;:- 
latter  ]iart  of  the  sunnner  of  1S37,  owing,  doubtless,  to  the  circunistanct  t.i: 
the  smaller  trees  and  under-growth  of  a  neighboring  hminniwh  had  hcon  c: 
down,  a, s  a  precaution  against  Indian  aml)uscade.  It  is  a  well-known  f;: 
that  militar}^  stations,  near  jungles,  often  continue  healthy  until  tbosoilL' 
brought  under  cultivation,  or  the  trees  and  shrubbery  cut  down,  exposiii^t:: 
boggy  surface  to  the  agency  of  solar  action."!" 

"When  adequate  settlements  shall  be  made  at   Fort  King,  it  will  pcrte 
become  an  important  place  of  winter  resort  for  invalids.     L}iiig  nearly  a '> 
"rcc  south  of  St.  Angustine,  and  more  than  a  degree  south  of  Pensaiob.J 
must  have   a  warmer  -wii'ter  climate  than   either;  and  being  nearly  t:- 
distant  from  the  Atlantic  Ocean  and  the  (iidf  of  31exico,  on   the  sliui\- 
which  those  resorts  for  invalids  are,  respectively,  situated,  it  liasane/il 
advantage  as  to  diminution  of  atmospheric  moisture  and  the  absence  i.li 
mixture  of  land  and  sea  airs. 

III.     l*]xcept  Fort  UroidvC  and  Fort  King,  nearly  all  tlie  posts  of  Flri: 
were  temporary,  and  their  topography  has  not  been  published.     I  can:h| 
tlie  following  memorandums  of  two  or  three  others,  from  conversatinm 
Assistant  Surgeon  llobncs.  who  served  at  each  of  them. 

1.     Fmi    Wociisaxsa., —  This  post  was  situated  about  tliirty  miles  fmniuH 
rjulf,  on  the  head  waters  of  a  small  river  which  enters  it  between  tlio^V;^' 
lacoochee  and  Suwanee.       Its  site  was    the  edge  of  a  wet  prairie,  ami; d 
it  was  regarded  as  one  of  tlie  healthiest  posts  in  Florida. 

'2.     Fort  Whiti'  was  erected  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Santa  Fe  River, ah' | 
eighteen  miles  from   its  juintidu  with  the  Suwanee.     On  tlie  oppoj-ite si>- 
of  the  river  (  whieh  is  forty  yards  wide ')  there  is  a  cypress  . swamp.    T: 


Climate  of  the  Uiiitod  States,  pp.  2112-1:1. 


tMed.Stat.  U.S.  A.,  p.'' 


„:,.;  INTER  10 

A\i  beneath  are  rottei 
I  .ill  its  varieties,  was  conn 
,i,    Fnd  MrCuinh.—  '\ 
h;  lii  I'i'igia  ill  the  va.'-t 
M  tlie  tliirty-second  degr 
jnineJ  by  tlie  Santa  1m', 
t  Ills  are  nvershad(jwed 
llliiies  s.'iw  anywhere   el 
I  rii'lit  side  of  this  I'iver, 
;)"'  X.     The  lianks   are 
.;i!'i    ,ilb  a  sub-stratnni 
.l;'n\v!ied  laiuls  near  this  | 


BASIX  n 

[,    Tin;  i:ivi;i!,— Tlii.' 

:  I'li'  .\|i[ialae]iian  .Moun 

t'ae  nm.'.t  fasterii  river  of 

ir.pler  the  name  of  Chatt; 

I;  it<  luwer  half  traverses  t' 

■art  of  (ienrgia,  the  eastc 

niurida. 

II.  FouT  l\rrrciir.i,i..— 
niil'^  bcdnw  tlie  town  of  (' 
U'liieliee  liiver,  in  N.  Lat.  .', 

•\d  ridgo  alumt  one  mile 
tt^ni  is  low,  but  nearl 
I'.vi.r,  it  was  found  remark 
U";!,:.'  Hilly  tliirteen  per  cei 

III.  ('oi,i:mi;'-s, —  I  am 
ti'Jii  111'  the  medical  topogn: 
!':i!iA"fthe  Chattahoochee 
uiiij-liiio  between  Ceoru'ia 
^\'-  bull,  near  N.V'  Id'. 

;'-Maeo(.ns  formation  with 

"rM'tbeni  part  of  (lie  \  < 

[iii;i,sse,s  of  granite  and  oth 

^iiitn  .small  islands.     In  so 

i:!t'ibed.--  of  kuolhi,  out  of 


PlRT  !■, 


INTERIOR  VAI.I.KY  OF  NORTH  /\MI;RICA. 


ISl 


r ,-■!{?  licnoalli  aro  rntteii  limcstoiiL',  witli  good  springs.     Autumnal  fuvor,  in 
;,];it^  vai'ii'tic'-i.  was  connnon. 

X  Fmt  M-Coiah. —  Tli(!  Sunanoe  Fuvcr,  one  of  tlio  largest  in  Florida, 
lajit.- I'li-i"  ii'  tl"-'  ^'''•■^t  Okeflnokce  swanqi,  extending  i'roni  tlic  tliirty-first 
I,  tlir  thirty-second  degree  of  iiortli  lalilnde.  On  its  way  to  tlie  (lulf  it  is 
I  jino;!  liv  tlie  Santa  !'(',  just  nienlioned,  below  >vlii(li  its  wide,  swampy  Lot- 
tins  arc  (iversliadowed  liy  ni'iss-lmng  ey[press  trees,  loftier  tluin  I>oetor 
IImIhios  f-inv  anywhere  else  in  Tlorida.  l^ort  ."NlcCondi  is  situated  on  tlie 
riilit  side  of  tliis  river,  a  considerable  distance  i'roiii  the  (lulf.  about  Lat. 
:!m"  X,  The  l)anlis  are  roi-ky  and  sandy;  tlie  surface  of  the  plain  is  white 
,1!  I  .ith  a  sub-stratum  of  clay  a  foot  beneath.  There  are  no  swamps  nor 
Jr"\v!iud  hinds  near  this  piist;  yet  it  is  infested  with  autur.iiial  fever. 


SKCTIOX    III. 

BASIN  OF  TIIF.  AlTAr^ACIl  ICOLA  RIVllR. 

I.  Tin:  liivKi:. —  This  c(jiisI(h,T;;l]h-  river  extends  fnin  tl;e  soutiierii  licnd 
iftlir  A|i|i;dai-hian  31ountaiiis,  directly  soutli  to  tlie(!ulfof  Mexico.  It  is 
tai'iiiiibt  i.'astern  river  of  this  part  oi  tlie  (Ireat  A'alley.  Its  upper  jjortinu. 
umli'r  the  name  of  Chattahoocliee,  flows  tlu'ough  tlie  jirimitive  formations, — 
it*  luwer  half  traverses  the  cretaceous  and  tertiary.  It  drains  the  western 
iurt  of  (l(.'(irgia,  tlic  eastern  of  Alabama,  ;ind,  to  some  extent,  tlie  northern 
■I'Fluriila. 

II.  Foi!T  ^rrrciiKi.L. —  This,  now  ungarrisoucd,  post  was  situated  ten 
Riik-hcLiw  the  town  of  Colund>us,  on  tlie  right  or  west  bank  of  tlie  Chatta- 
;;""rla'e  llivcr,  in  X.  Lat.  '-Vl^  VX  and  \\.  Lon.  l^")'^  lu'.  It  occupies  an  elcva- 
tt't  riilgo  about  one  mile  from  the  I'ivcr.  ]5etween  it  and  the  river  the 
li  (t '111  is  liiw,  but  nearly  free  from  marshes.  In  reference  tn  no.tumnal 
f.vi.r.  it  was  found  remarkably  salubrious;  the  annual  ratio  of  ihtermittents 
U'.iL' "uly  thirteen  per  cent.;  of  remittents,  eight  per  cent.'" 

III.  ('oi.v.Mii'-s. —  I  am  iiulebted  to  Doctor  Charles  A.  Hentz,  for  a  descrip- 
I  ti'iii  of  the  medical  topography  of  this  place.     It  s'ands  on  the  left  or  eastern 

l;i!ik  nf  tli'}  Cliattahooehee  lliver,  which,  for  a  bmg  di.-tanee,  makes  the  divi- 

:nii- line  between  Georgia  and  Alabama,  in   N.    ]>at.  (  about)  •!-"'  li-V,  and 

^\.  Lon.  near  No"'  I'l'.     (ieologically,  it  is  found  at  the  junction  of  the 

orutacoims  fdniiatiou  with  the  primitive.     Opposite  to,  and  above,  the  upper 

iruurtherii  part  of  the  town,  there  are  lajiids,  and  the  river-bed  aliound.-  in 

pKasscs  of  t:ranite  and  other  primitive  rocks,  which  are  mor(i  or  less  gmuped 

i,  into  small  idands.     \\\  some   places   these  rtieks  have   l)eeonie   d.i'ciini[)osed 

i  i:it'i  hi'ds  of  kaolin,  out  of  whieh  a  dentist  of  the  town,  by  the  aid  of  his  blow- 


;.. *■''.■*■    ■ 


.    ■.    ■   ■;"■*.■ 

.v,.....r' 


.■v..r  ■' 


:■■■:  'C 


• '.'  r 


m- 


• 


'i. 


>^ 


" 


•r:    aJ  '. 

'.,  ''■  ':■' 

»Mciiical  Stat.  U.  P.  A. 


•  f'^ 


.1  -' 


182 


THE  nilNCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[Boor 


111 


;,1 


INTER  I( 


■I 


i  1 


i#i 


IhN" 


pil)o,  has  iiiado  artifuiul  teotli.  Tlic  rajiuls  at  tliis  place  reiidor  a  liift.; 
ascent  (if  tlu!  riviT  liy  .'■((.aiiilHiats  iiiipracticalile.  AVitliiii  a  mile  of  tlicii 
foot,  tliL'VC  arc  two  mill-duiiis;  luit  tlic  duelivity  <in  wliieli  tlio}-  stand  jc;. 
vents  tlic  f'onuatioii  of  extensive  ponds.  No  purtion  of  the  rivev-ljuttonm 
either  side  is  sulijcet  to  inundation.  "  The  town-site  is  a  smooth  plain,!.!;. 
vated  ahout  (il'ty  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  river,  that  clevatidii  Ui;. 
reached  I'y  two  ascents; — the  first  hi uff  is  thirty  feet  hi,'j.-h,  with  a  ki;-. 
five  hundred  feet  in  breadth,  in  its  rear; — the  second  blufi' is  twenty fo; 
higher,  and  spreads  out  into  the  margin  a  much  broader  terrace,  on  wliij. 
the  town  is  cliiffly  built.  The  two  terraces  are  a  mile  in  breadth.  TL.l 
comes  a  third  rise  of  about  one  hundred  feet,  to  a  plateau  a  mile  broail,  lie. 
yond  which  there  is  a  creek,  with  low,  uuir,shy  bottoms,  appropriated  to  u 
growing  of  rice." 

The  gutters  of  tlio  second  terrace  discharge  their  waters  into  an  avti:];;. 
drain,  with  whicli  some  rivulets,  oriLi'iiiatinii;  near  the  north-east  corncmfr 
town,  h'lvc  been  united.  The  depression  of  the  idain  through  wlii.li  til- 
drainage  takes  place,  presents  sloughs  aiul  ponds,  some  of  which  are  dri'.];: 
in  sununer.  A  little  furtlicr  to  the  cast,  is  a  larger  stream,  with  trait-  ; 
wood-land  swamp.  These  bail  topographical  conditions  happily  lie  to  t':. 
leeward  of  the  town;  but  ou  the  opposite  or  western  side  of  the  river, ila 
are  sources  of  autunuial  fever  which  lie  to  the  windward.  On  that  lail 
we  have  the  villaicc  of  Cirard,  through  wdiich  ^larshairs  Creek  iiiak;  ii' 
way  to  the  Chattahoochee.  Within  the  village  it  is  extremely  turtunv,!: :; 
the  distance  of  one  and  two  miles  from  its  mouth,  there  are  two  mill-dair; 
with,  foul  ponds ;  and  inuuediately  below  the  first,  there  is  a  belt  of  alluv:.,! 
marsh.  The  iiduibitants  driidc  water,  introduced  by  a  hydrant  system,  li:: 
A  neighlioriug  sj)ring.  Autumnal  fever  is  the  chief  object  iif  medical  pat- 
tice  in  Cohunbus.  It  prevails  most  in  the  south-east  part  of  the  city,  iiit!;; 
ncighborho(Ml  of  the  drain,  aiul  of  the  wet  or  jiondy  tract  through  wliii.t  i: 
runs.  The  fever  displays  every  type  and  grade  of  violence.  On  the  A'.i- 
bama  side,  along  the  high  banks  of  ^larshalFs  Crock,  its  prevalence  is  £ 
more  certain  and  daiigerons.     Yellov>^  fever  has  not  occurred  in  this  lucsli:' 


SECTION    IV. 

nA.-!IX  OF  THE  ALAT3A:\rA  RH  r.R. 
I.  Tir'  PavKii. — It  has  been  already  stated  that  this  river  is  conipi'SoJ : 
the  Coosa  and  Tallapoosa,  which,  after  their  junction,  assume  a  omiui:; 
name.  As  it  descends  to  the  south,  it  is  re'inforced,  through  its  riglit  1  aii 
by  the  Cahawba;  but  the  number  of  its  tributaries  is  small.  Before  rcao!:' 
ing  the  head  of  ]>robile  T>ay  it  luiites  with  the  Tombeckbee,  and  assunie 
the  name  of  ^lobilo  Iiiver.  Here  conuuences  the  long  estuary  —  hm': 
described  ou  page  54  —  whicli  extends  dowai  to  the  city  of  Mobile,    f-- 


;;knipnts  along  this  c 

with  severe  autumnal  fe 

hanil  siao,  is  the  blight 

i  oftciier,  fri'ni  yellow  f'ev 

i  advaiioed  further  up  th 

A:'tci'  loiiviiig  the  higli 
oO'iUJ  and  tertiary  strata 
\][i  liaiiks  become   more 
[jtroaiiis  Avliich  meander 
:;f.  M(le,  and  a  low  botti 
•r.iiiiv  [ilaces  the  bottom 
I  ..u'lji.otod  to  cultivation, 
I  !!]<«,  ciitton-wood,  magiK 
I  ",    The  face  of  the 
acopt  the  c^-prcss.     On 
j'liiiniits,  in  the  form  of 
|1  t!i  sides,  and  abound  i 
!■  t:,>1i  is  "ot  unlike  that  o 
arc  overshadowed  with  int 
.\«  the  river,  desccndiii 
8i'J.Ts  of  the  strata,  throu 
|bo;iriiig,  the  medical  gcolo 
Ikeoniing  acquainted  with 
|t:ie  region  which  he  travc 
i'-ai:i,  wliicli  present  shad 
il.".'ri!i',  the  hold  out-crop  of 
Itlit'refore,  less  disposed  to  ( 
lit:  tM  the  limestone  succe( 
Itite,  ami  shale,  inclosinir  o'( 
a:' Mwaiid  much  tliicker 
!  ■■ '  ;.-h  hanks  of  coarse 
!■   -!  pebbles,  consolidatcf 
'     ■  waved,  oblirpie,  and  i 
wizontal  position.     In  low 
jsWs  it.self.  and  the  surfac 
ieii'niieratioii,  no  reference  ii 
!iJ  cretaceous  groups  of  tl 
!':aiiio  remains;  nor  is  it  n 
•I'-'l  in  the  mineral  constii 
t!ie  surfaces  which  he  studi( 
I^iit  little  (,f  the  bottoni- 
^w\  much  of  it  is  subject 
'  I'ractieahle.    It  would  sec 
f'-'ir  such  a  stream,  in  the 


PART   '■•] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


1^^3 


iMttlcments  along  tliis  estuary  are  com|iarativr!y  few,  and  tlicy  aro  infested 
tfith  sovore  autuniniil  fevers.  Near  its  terniinatinn  in  the  Lay,  on  tlie  left- 
Iiriil  siJo,  is  tl'C  blighted  village  nf  JJlakely,  whieh  has  suffered,  onco  or 
d^'ti'iier  from  yellow  fever.  That  disease,  liowcver,  has  not,  I  believe,  yet 
aih-anceJ  further  up  the  estuary. 

Vfti'i'  leaving  the  highlands,  the  Alal)ania  River  flows  through  loose  crcta- 

,,;„,us  aiul  tertiary  strata,  in  whieh  it  eould  not  fail  to  excavate  a  wide  valley. 

Tt*  liMik-i  hcconie   more    devehiped  as  we  advance    upward.     ]iike  other 

•t-iams  ^vliieh  meander  in  alluvial  valleys,  it  generally  presents  a  bluft"  on 

I  iitle,  and  a  low  l)ottom,  subject  to  amuial  inundation,  on  the  otlier.     In 

•;,:inv  places  the  bottom  is  from  two  to  three  miles  wide;  and,  where  not 

-ulijieted  to  cidtivation,  ])resents  forests  of  eane,  cypress,  sweet-gum,  syca- 

iiire.  eutton-wood,  magnolia,  and  live-oak,  with  an  iron-gray  drapery  of  long 

III ;?.    The  face  of  the  blufls  is  generally  wooded  with  the   same  trees, 

!i.Kopt  the  cypress,     (hi  their  sunnnits  the  forest  liecomes  piny.     These 

■■•juiiiits,  in  the  form  of  plateaus,  stretch  off  from  the  river,  indefinitely,  on 

.1  t!i  sides,  and  abound  in  swamps,  the  tree  and  herbaceous  vegetation  of 

:w!.;rli  is  "lit  unlike  that  of  the  bottoms,  while  the  dryer  and  sandier  portions 

i are 'ivcrsliadowed  with  iiiterspersed  pines  and  oaks. 

.\<  the  river,  descending  from  the  north,  strikes  against  the  out-cropping 

Lvj  iif  tlie  strata,  through  whieh  it  cuts  ac  right  angles  to  their  line  of 

Ik'iiriiig,  the  medical  geologist,  on  the  upward  voyage,  has  an  opportunity  of 

Ik'Ciimiiig  acijuainted  with  the  mineral  character  of  tlie  superficial  parts  of 

ftlie  rogin'i  which  ho  traverses.     At  first,  he  sees  beds  of  tertiary  clay  and 

|l-ai!i,  which  present  shades  of  blue,  red,  and  yellow;  then  comes,  at  Clai- 

pyAr.i'.  tlio  hold  out-erop  of  old  or  eocene  tertiary  limestone,  more  S(did,  and, 

ivfiire,  less  disposed  to  crumble  awa}-,  tlian  the  looser  strata  which  overlie 

p::  to  the  limestone  succeed,  as  wo  advance,  beds  of  sand,  loam,  gravel,  lig- 

viiti'.  aiul  shale,  inclosing  gcodes,  which  are  arranged  in  strata.     Further  up, 

iaruiicw  and  mucli  thiclcer  deposits  of  loose  reddish  clay  and  sand;  then  fid- 

llwliigh  banks  of  coarse  friable  rocks,  sand,  dull  red  and  blue  clays,  and 

Irlial  pebbles,  consolidated  into  brec  da  or  pudding-stone,  tlie  stratification 

FK'ing  waved,  oblique,  and  extremely  irregular,  but  on  the  whide  aifeeting  a 

1 1  nz  liital  [losition.    In  low  situations,  a  soft,  bluish,  cretaceous  limestone  now 

s.'tt>  it.sclf,  and  tlie  surface  of  the  country  becomes  more  rugged.     ]n  tliis 

I  enmoratioii,  no  reference  is  made  to  the  line  of  division  between  the  tertiary 

a:.l  iietaceous  groups  of  the  geologists,  which  aro  characterized  by  different 

praiiie  rcmauis ;  nor  is  it  necessary,  for  tlio  medical  etiidooist  is  only  inter- 

1  ill  the  mineral  constitution  of  the  rocks  which  underlie  or  constitute 

It:/'  surfaces  whicli  he  studies. 

Biit  little  of  the  buttom-land  of  the  Alabama  lliver  has  lieeii  reclaimed; 
i;i'l  much  of  it  is  subject  to  such  deep  inundations  that  its  cultivation  is 
aiiipraetieahle.  It  would  seem  scarcely  necessary  to  say,  that  the  inhabitants 
h-:;r  such  a  stream,  in  the  latitudes  of  thirty-two  and  thirty-three  degrees 


m 


rt;V'Al-r^^.-?i'' 


..'tv  «: , 


^  1'    'u 


>..'i'' 
j".V'T-.;,;. 


3--  k>   , .. 


^j,^-'- 


» ,     .   t 


■■-*•;!■. 
■'ft ' 


■  '■    • ,  r    .■    ^  '■. .  1 

'  !     .        •       * 

■     •>>■    ',.■'■•  i-     ■  ■ 

•     ^'.   t    '    T'  *  "^  '  " 


.  \:«i 
■J   ' 


•^•v 


>        ,    1    . 


.  1 


1  -  'I. 


I  . 


m 


k 


^s. 


184 


THE  rRINCirAI,  mSEA^ES  OF  THE 


[moi. 


:io  r, 


nortli,  ar^  siibjor-t  to  tlio  worst  forms  of  autiinniril  fcvor.     Tlio.so  \\] 
at  till'  \v;it('i''s  0(1i:'f>.  villi  a  swaiiiii  lictwcoii  tliciu  ami  tlio  distant  liluff*, 
said  to  1)0  loss  liaMo  than  tlmso  wlio  live  on  tlie  blufl's;  but   tlio  jiDjiula 
vislblo  from  the  river  is  pparso :  for  oxpcriciifo  has  shown  tho  ii('ten,itv,i 
plaoiiitr  fMiiiilics  in  tho  [liiio  woods,  at  the  distaueo  of  one,  two,  or  tliroc: 


fr 


oni  too  river 


lint  fow  t 


owns   o(   anv 


ponsidoriilih 


si/.o 


adcrii   tho  lianlcs  of  Alain 


liivor.  Tlioso  wlii'-h  I  am  ali^mt  tn  (h-;rril)o  aro  tho  most  iuijinrtaut.  an 
their  ti  iioprai'hy  will  servo,  in  some  dogroo,  to  liU  up  the  moajrer  ni.,,;, 
which  has  lieon  sketched. 


11.     ('i.Air.oKNi:. — This  was  oriainally  a  military  jiost.     It  is  sitnati 


very  liiL;-h 


dull'  on  the  loft  sid(>  of  Alabama  Uiver,  not  far  above  it.- 


jmioti  :i 


with  tho  Tiimboekbee.  in  X.  Lat.  :>l "  oil',     it  stands  on  tho  ooceneor.'lJt 
tcrtiaiy  oalearcous  nxdc.    According  to  J)oct<ir  Ijowis,  tho  [daiu  iiielitsliatl 
from  tho  brow  of  tho  blulF  until   it  terminates  in  a  fow  low  marshy  pmiiL 
On  tho  oii])nsito  side  of  tho  river,  there  is  a  deprcsscil  and  swampy  hutt- 
Olaiiinnu 


las  n^t 


is  subjiM-t  to  severe  autumnal  fevers  of  every  form  and  grado; 
t,  I  believe,  sun'ei'od  iVmii  velliiw  lever. 


111.  ('aiiauiia:  liivm;  and  Towx.  77^''  Iiircr. — Tt  has  beou  siIivm 
mentioned,  that  Cahawba  River  is  the  largest  tributary  of  the  Alahania.  !'■ 
orip:in  is  in  tl;e  lii;ihlands,  between  the  ('(msa  and  Tuscaloosa,  wlieiiec  iti'.-,' 
pccnds  into  tho  cretaceous  formation,  within  wliich  it  has  wide  bettrims.  siif- 


je<-t  t 


)  an)H 


lal  innndatiun.     It  joins  itsell'  to  tho  Alabama,  while  still 


111  t-; 


for 


niation,  a  little  above  tho  thirtv-second  dccroe  of  north  latitude,    h: 


diatoly  below  it>   junction,  which  is  thruuu'h  tho  right  or  west  bank  liik 


tand> 


river,  s 


77/,    7 

instructivi 


oir//. 


■Tn  1>^;)1,  tho  lato  respectable  l>octor  Tloustis   pnhlisli 


■aner  on 


th 


•alitv 


T  and  m 


ll~-lo,  T  ]iaid  it  a  short  visit.   T 


uaiii, 


plain  on  which  th''  tuwn  is  built   ciuisists  of  red  and  yellow  1 
pebbles,  which  repose  on  strata  of  liluish  rotten  or  cretaceous  linio; 


saml  asJ 


ett 


ni 


arliti',  which  shows  itself  in  the  river  bank,  between  hiffli  and  linvwati 


marks.  'J'hc  elevation  of  the  site  is  not  such  as  to  preserve  it  from  imuijf.' 
tion  Avhen  tho  river  rises  to  its  greatest  bight :  and  at  such  times  tlio  gmui 
above  tho  nioiith  of  Cahawba  lliver  aro  likewise  overflowed.  On  ?i«a: 
parts  of  it  there  were  p.onds,  which  have  been  drained.  To  its  iiortL-K-' 
extending  from  one  river  to  the  other,  there  is,  as  Doctor  English  ami  I'liril 
jNIorrcU  infirmed  me,  a  liipiidambar  swamp,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  in  v;' 
the  uiargiii  of  which  is  throe  niilos  from  town.  On  the  opposite  siileiil 
Alabama  lliver,  to  the  east,  tho  plain  is  elevated  and  sand\',  but  inelmli 
few  ponds,  {^ahawba  is  the  seat  of  justice  of  Pallas  eminty,  coni'cvi. 
which  Doctor   Ileustis,  in  the  paper  referred  to,  speaks  as  foil 


ow.s; 


*Ncw  (Cleans  .TouriKil,  Vol.  lit,  No.  G. 
t  Anu'ricau  Journal,  IMuy,  l!->'M,  [>.  75. 


1) 


,>,:■■;  INTERIM 

Tli.ro  is  in  this  <'oi 

^■,titii;eJ  |)rincipally  to  tl 
Bi-;.;iti' lis  is  generally  tl 
1  i.rclerred,  on  acooi 
l;:i!;ui"!i,  I'  the  le.ss  salii 

porliaiis  t'lcro  is  no  com 
^,;Mi:i  changes  take   pi 
,•  uv,  ill  eoniuioii  pa 
Lriitly  a  .«paco  or  stri[i 

tiyljni  very  poor  and  ( 
Lj  eptinn  of  the  more  rei 
iamtiuii  ill  the  soil  is  o\\ 

iitv  tu  tlio  surface  of  t 
fciiit  tliis  liiucstoiio  posse.'' 
TIiL'  lainl,  not  only  o 
Dm-  lio  divided  into  six  i 

'•I'Hi.s  cr  swamjis,  as  tl; 
[l  ■  i!.'vated  river-land^ 
rilmniiiiock,  or  .secoi'j 
ili'k.  Niiidy  soil,  fertile,  a 

i:;i!.  in  iiiteniiediate  fort 
bptaii'l.     Fifth,  second 

(Is.  interspersed  with 

festcnr  (if  the  first  division 

k  liciiig  tioniotiines  a  mo' 

irMth.aiidin  other  places  c 

[it'.;er  Mtiiations  again,  tin 

' ;:  J  Very  river,  forming 
)t.i!iki.f  the  river  or  creek 
^itii  a  greater  or  less  extc 
plirst  Sftileiiient  of  this 
pir-I;,nd,s  were  thickly  co 
|n  niiiny  places,  been  enti 
f':L'.]  aro  extremely  foiu 

'!::':li  time  they  eagerly  d' 
p-Sf'^  it  does  spontancon 

"taigir  growth  has  bcei: 

'-Tj  is,  however,  in  this 
pi'ti'  iVuiii  tliO  rivers  and  ( 
¥  tlu!  description  is  of  t1 
pituatijd  on  tlio  rivi'rs  ar 
lucts  it  is  not  DKx/c  , 
[:airie  er  limestone  ipialit 

l>"i:i  Cahawba  and  tho 


^ 


^IFT  i-. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


IS.) 


.  TliiTO  is  ill  tills  county  n  very  onnsidoriihlo  piTijinrtinii  fif  fcrtili'  laiid. 
LiiitiiieJ  nriiiciiially  to  the  rivers,  crei-ks,  iiiid  prairies.  'I'lie  ii[ilaiiil  in  i  tlier 
bJ'iKiiii'iis  i'-^  generally  tliin  ami  samly,  yet  wlien  of  innderale  lortility,  it  is 
fc'"tdi  iirefenvil,  eii  aepmnit  of  the  juirifv  nl'  tlu'  water  and  liealthl'iilneiss  of 
li;i;;ui"!i,  1 1  t!ie  Ics.s  ftaliilu  ms  tliou;:!'  i  re  ]irii(liiitive  lands  near  the  rivor.s. 
p^.ri]ai'>  t'icro  is  no  country  [)0HSCSh;infr  a  greater  variety  <il'si)il,  ami  in  wliieli 
pi'iliu  L-liaages  take  place  nmro  freipiently  IVuni   fertile  to  pour,  and  c/Vc 

./,-  !.;•,  iu  eenniinii  piirlancc,  ulierc  tlio  land  is  more  spotted:  nut  unfro- 
biu'iitiv  a  space  nr  striji  of  a-  few  yards  constituting'  tl:c  boundary  between 
lavl*  "i' very  pour  and  of  very  rieli  (juality.  It  wmdd  seem  tliat,  with  the 
Lj  [tiiiu  et'tlie  more  rceei  ily  fnmied  rich  river-lands,  this  groat  <ind  sudden 
bri;itiiiii  ill  tlie  soil  is  owing,  in  a  considerable  degree,  to  the  dejitli  or  jirox- 
ln;;;v  ti»  the  surface  of  the  subjacent  limestone.  There  can  be  little  doubt 
I'lijt  t!ii- liiiiestono  posses.ses  the  ])iM[)erty  of  great  fertility. 

Till'  land,  not  oidy  of  this  coniity  but  also  of  most  others  in  the  state. 
Iliav  k'  divided  into  six  natural  varieties,  or  classes.      I'irst,  the  side  river- 

.;i!ii.S  i.r  swamps,  as  t!iey  are  called,  suliject  to  inundations.     Second,  the 
>:•  li.'vatcd  river-lands,  of  inferior  fjuality.  ami  not  suliject  to  overflow. 

i.iiii.liuiiiiiiock,  or  second  river  and  crci'k-boltom.  or  low  grounds  of  a  loose, 
|ii;vk,  suidy  soil,  fertile,  and  above  inundation.     Fourth,  (irst  ((uality  <rf  np- 

.,ii,  i.f  iiitcnnediate  fertility  between   the   hummock   and   seeoid  ijinillty  of 

liiii'l.     Fifth,  second    (juality  of  upland,  consisting  principally  of    piny 

;m1>.  interspersed  witli  a  few  oaks,  hickories,  occ.  Sixth,  prairie.  The 
kjhnt  of  the  first  division,  or  river-bottom,  is  extremely  various  !\ml  irregu- 
l,r.  l'oi:;g  seiiietimes  a  mere  border,  of  not  more  than  forty  or  fifty  yards  in 

i!t!i.  aiidhi  other  places  extending  from  one  to  two  miles  from  the  river;  and  in 
tij::  ,-itiiatioiis  again,  the  second  ipialitv  of  upland  or  piny  woods,  icaohcs 
|otIij  very  river,  forming  high  and  ])reclpitous  bluffs.  Oeuerally,  where  one 
tar.k'f  the  river  or  creek  is  formed  in  this  manner,  the  opposite  one  is  low, 
ffitii  a  greater  or  less  extent  of  rich  river  or  creek-liottom.  ]5eforc,  and  at 
p!ii>i  SL'tilement  of  this  country  by  the  present  white  jiopulation,  the  rich 
riur-];.i;us  were  thickly- covered  with  gigantic  cane;  tins,  since  that  time,  has, 
111  ni'juy  places,  been  entirely  destroyed  by  accidental   fires,  and  by  cattle, 

iliicli  ;u'c  extremely  fond  of  it,  especially  wlieu   young  and  succulent,  at 

fir.di  thiic  they  eagerly  devour  the  whole  plant.  Thus,  when  the  old  cane 
h',u^  it  dues  spontaneously  in  a  few  years,  after  going  to  seed,  as  none  of 

"Uiigcr  growth  has  been  left  to  succci'd,    the  crop   is  cntireiy  destroyed. 

'."."J  is  however,  in  this  state,  a  considerabh"  proportion  of  cane  land  re- 
p'tL' fruin  tlio  rivers  and  creeks.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say,  that  land 
fi!  tliii-  description  is  of  the  first  quality.  When  the  growth  of  cane  is  not 
IJit'uiiti.d  on  tlie  rivers  ami  creeks,  or.  in  other  words,  where  the  soil  which 

'  'iii'i>  It  is  not  »i(i(/i'  Ititiil,  the  result  of  alluvion  and  inundation,  it  is  of 

':iino  IT  liuiestouc  (quality."' 

h"ta  Cahawha  and  the  snrr.iundln2;  eountrv  have,  from  the  beirinnins:  of 


• 


.   t 


.     4 


:i'V:  V 


'        A".    . 


.'...•■■  '•■•il 


J'-  *: 


.'''■'■;.■"..••.' 


7^^'' 


A  .. 


18G 


Tin;  PRINCIPAr-  DISEASES  OV  TJIE 


l"o«, 


•,Rr.  i.j 


LVTERK 


tlioir  scttlt'inoiit,  liocii  siilijcct  tn  violciit  and  dftoii  fatal  ititcriiiitttnt  ai:I:. 
rnitti'iit  f'ovurs;  hut,  with  tlio  iimtrross  nf  cultivation,  tliu  severity  if  tU 
diseases  lias  l)oeii  consiiluialilv  mitiirated. 

IV.  M.Vlilo.v. — Wo  must  iliver;.'c  I'mni  tlie  bed  nf  tlio  Alaliaiiia  l]iv:/ 
Sciy  siiniotliin;^  (if  a  tnwu  situated  on  the  waters  of  the  Caliawha.  3ian.>r,\ 
the  pi'iiieijial  town  of  i'en-y  eount}',  which  adjoins  l>alhis  eouuty  on  tlic  !,Mr'" 
Tlio  streams  whieh  f.ii;.'inate  around  it,  How  ])artly  into  the  ("alunvha,  a^li; 
part  into  tlie  Tusealoosa.  Its  site  is  uneven,  and  the  ground  sl(H)c.«iniH 
ilircetions  from  it.  Tlie  ^'eneral  surl'aee  of  the  country  around  it  isilrvari 
moderately  fertile,  witli  seatteriiii;'  jiines.  Sh  u^dis  and  marshes  aiv  j'tiv;: 
uundiei',  anil  (lie  streams  flow  with  ^'reater  vehnity  than  in  many  otlHri^ri 
of  Seutli  Alaltama.  The  surface,  nuicli  of  ',,hieh  jirescnts  reddi-li, -u;- 
loam,  is  undulating'.  I'^roni  the  liest  information  1  could  obtain,  the  ini' ;;i::, 
liealth  of  Clarion  is  in  liarninny  with  its  favorable  tojiograjihy.  .^Ir.  J v 
the  teacher  of  one  of  the  female  acadenues,  with  h.is  assistant.*,  avi.ra.i; 
.seven  persons  in  the  family,  all  from  tlio  north,  had  resided  here  fouivur; 
without  one  attack  of  autnnnial  fever. 

V.  Ski.m.v. — The  position  of  this  town  is  ten  miles  above  raliawla.'. 
tlie  riuht  bank  of  Alabama  lliver.  Its  sitt;  is  an  elevated  sandy  [ilain, ::;. 
sentin^'  blulfs,  washed  jjy  the  river;  whieh,  on  reaching  the  town,  li"'  fl  W' i 
from  the  south-east,  to  bend  soon  aftr'rwards  to  the  south-west.  Tlic|l:i;: 
covered  with  oaks  and  scattering  pines,  is  free  from  ponds  and  margin-  I 
the  north  and  east  of  the  town,  however,  at  the  distance  of  two  or  ti;r:i  j 
miles,  there  is  an  extensive  swamji.  Scift  and  goed  water  is  obtained  iiiti;| 
town  plat,  by  digging  twenty  or  thirty  feet.  From  a  comparison  ef  nil:.: 
inforuiatiou  I  could  collect,  at  this  place  and  Cahawba,  cou(.'eriiing  autiii,';.i 
fever,  1  am  brought  to  the  conclusion,  that  the  disease  prevails  less  licioth: 
there;  which  might  be  ex[)ccted  from  the  ditfereuccs  in  their  topograjiliy,  I: 
lias  not  liei.'u  visited  by  yellow  fever. 

Ill  a  late  paper  by  Doctor  Harris,  on  the  ^Medical  Topography  of  So:;:: 
Alabama,  I  find  the  I'ollowing  paragraph: 

"In  l^'-!4,  the  yellow  fever  apjieared  in  Selma,  and  tliat  section  "ft:; 
country  known  as  the  I'leasant  \'alley,  ten  or  twelve  miles  north;  one  (S 
under  Doctor  niilli[is  tcrnunated  fatally  (.n  the  third  day  after  black  viDiit 
and  .several  cases  under  my  inspection  on  the  fii'th  and  seventh  days  atur::; 
same,  some  in  collapse.     There  was  no  yellow  fever  in  ^Mobile  at  the  time.'M 

It  is  remarkable  that   J>octor  IIeusti.s,  in  his  paper  on  the  Discanv: 
Cahawba,  is  silent  as  to  this  alleged  vcllow  fever;  and  that  Doctor  Ltwi.-.;:! 
his  3Icdical  History  of  Alabama,  has  not  adverted  to  it;  and  erpially  rdi:;i'i- 
able  that,  in  the  course  of  a  rigid  iuipiiry,  in   l>^\-'>,  into  tlie  fevers  uf ':-■ 
region,  not  one  of  its  numertius   physicians  .should  have  mentiuiicil  t '  :- 

*^\'est.  Jour,  of  I\Io(i.  and  Siir.,  (Louisville),  Jlecciuber,  Is'lC. 


.,.■,;,[  |),„t..r  Harris  has 
|t!.i.«  -tateiiioiit  will  again 
Vf.  Mo\Ti:o\ii;i;v. — 'I 
jofliic  state  of  Alabama 
jc.triii-.diijiping  town  of 
|l!,tK"j  tliaii  lias  been  ln',- 
|(i!i  till'  left  hank  of  Ala 
Liit.-'l:''  III' and  W.  Lon. 
f'jMC  Iii'iid     Thus,  in  ap] 
il•lrt!l■«■o^t,  and,  in  depar: 
froniarlcable  manner,  and 
l-w,  l'iii,2',  lieavily-timben 
lio  riiltivatcd,  except  in 
E  The  iiiiiiiiMliate  site  of 
inaiiiiiliitlioatrc  of  hill-la i 
Stjivai',  and  extending  \'vn 
»'  :)i!aiii  on  which  the  city 
jottli'inciit,  had  some  pi 
Ire iinpavcd,  and  but  indil] 
|lie  city,  there  are  numeroi 
KC  or  le.>s  elongated  an^ 
llaii'au.*,  wliieh  gradually 

.<o!ii  stagnant  and  swamp 

|((1.  sandy  loam,  with  beds 

];.■  ity,  tliore  is  a  margin  ( 

kfwiiidi  attempt.^  were  onC' 

•111  the  rear  of  this 

It:"  '"'.-'iiis,  and  stretches  v 

,f   ::viT,  eight  or  ten  miles 

5 '  :'k.    It  abounds  in  pom 

It  ti.o  city,  a  long  descent 

fatiiina  Crock,  which  is  fou 

Ity.at  distances  varyiii"-  fn, 

ftroiiilialf  a  mile  to  a  mi 

'faiiiiy,  and  its   tree,  bus 

I'll?  lulls  which  boimd  it, 

|ntrti  limestone,— which,  tt 

fp  jits,  belong  to  the  creta 

!i""t  be  surprised  to  learn 

f'-t'd  with  all  the  grades  a 

Spcrioiiccd  an  invasion  of  _; 

M.s  hctffoca  it  and  .Alobih 

Aljout  ten  miles,  1)y  land 

p'^  of  Alabama  lliver,  or 


nv-  I'j 


I.NTERIOR  VAI.LKY  OF  Nom'II  AiMRRICA. 


187 


L'lat  Piietur  ITarris  lias  since  iniMi.slitnl.  Tii  the  lii.story  of  our  yellow  fever, 
[';» -tatt'iii^'nt  will  airaiii  eumo  uiuler  review. 
Vf,  .MoNT<ioMi;i:v. — Tliis  citv  Im.s  lat"ly  been  made  tlie  ])orinaiiont  eM|iital 
Icf  llio  .state  iif  Alahama;  and  bein;^  both  the  nmst  [Mi|iiili)ns,  and  the  largest 
JcitMi-^liii'liiiig  town  of  the  interior  of  the  state,  it  merits  a  more  extended 
Ir:, til'.' tliaii  has  been  bi'stowcd  nimn  Schiia.  The  |ii's'tion  of  ^lontu'nnicry, 
Li  l!ii' K'f't  hank  of  Alabama  Kiver,  fcnr  Imndrcd  niih  s  Ironi  IMnbile.  in  N. 
llat.  ■!-"  l"'aiid  ^\'.  Lon.  ^<i"  1-',  is  on  tlie  convexity  of  a  compressed  horse- 
I'jno  liiii'l.  Thus,  in  aji])roaehing  the  city,  the  river  {\i<\\h /loin  the  nortli 
nrt!l-^ve^t,  and,  in  departin^ir,  flows  /o  the  nortli-wc.-t ;  folding  on  itself  in  a 
leniarbblo  nKiiincr,  and  forming,  o|ipnsite  to,  and  north-west  of,  the  city,  h 
Iff,  j.iii^,  lieavily-tindjcrcd  peninsula,  which  is  too  liable  to  deep  inundations 
t.liO'uItivatod,  except  in  a  few  sjiots. 

The  iiiiiiii'diatc  site  of  the  city  is  a  terrace,  above  high  water-marlc,  with 
linaiiiiiliitlR'utro  of  hill-land,  or  lihilf,  more  tlian  <inc  hui  ^  "od  feet  high,  in 
itj  rtar.  ami  extending  from  the  east  ronnd  to  south-west.  The  surface  of 
Ithoi'laiii  oinvliicli  the  city  is  chiefly  built,  is  sandy;  and,  at  the  begiiniing  of 
it;  a'ttk'iiK'iit,  had  some  pmuls,  Avhieh  have  been  since  filled  up.  Tlic  streets 
irii'.pavnl,  and  but  iiidifl'erently  shaded.  On  the  plain  to  the  north-east  of 
i  'ty,  there  are  luunerous  ponds  and  marshes,  which  are  thrown  into  forms 
t  V  less  elongated  ami  serpentine,  by  oak  and  pine  ridges  or  narrow 
[  ;>.  which  gradually  become  more  elevated  and  hill-like,  but  still  em- 
:[  ■  1;  -tiiL'iiuiit  and  swampy  streams.  The  uji[ior  stratum  of  this  tract  is  a 
?aiRly  Icani,  with  beds  of  silieious  gravel.  To  the  west  north-west  of 
ity,  there  is  a  margin  of  lower  ami  wetter  bottom-land,  on  the  upper  end 
ifwhii'h  attempts  were  once  made  to  build  a  town,  but  it  proved  too  insalu- 
iriMiv  -111  tlie  rear  of  this  bottom,  a  plateau,  as  elevated  as  the  site  of  the 
r  ■  ,'i::s,  and  stretches  westwardly  to  the  junction  of  Catonia  Creek  with 
f  i.vr,  eiglit  or  ten  miles  below.  The  predmuiiiant  growth  of  this  plain 
k  k.  It  abounds  in  ponds  and  marshes.  After  ascending  the  hills  s(Uith 
if  t:  0  city,  a  long  descent  to  the  south  very  soon  begins,  and  continues  to 
itiiina  Creek,  which  is  found  to  the  south-east,  south,  and  south-west  of  the 
iy.  at  (Instances  varying  from  throe  to  uinc  miles.  The  valley  of  this  stream 
iMii  halt'  a  mile  to  a  mile  in  width.  Its  depressed  .surface  is  generally 
amiiV,  and  its  tree,  bu.sh,  and  herbaceous  vegetation,  luxuriant.  The 
I'liiL'  hills  which  bound  it,  present  strata  of  fissile  clay,  and  soft  marlitc,  or 
tt'.n  limostone, —  which,  together  with  the  superincumbent  loam  and  sand 
^■  -^it?.  belong  to  the  cretaceous  formation.  "With  such  a  toi)ography,  wo 
*=  '  '  he  surprised  to  learn,  that  this  locality  is  among  those  Avhich  arc  iii- 
«■■  i  with  all  the  grades  ami  varieties  of  autunui.il  fever;  but  it  has  never 
I  '.idieed  an  invasion  of  yellow  fever,  although  the  intercourse  by  steam- 
at>.  liotwcen  it  and  ^fobile,  is  of  the  most  intimate  kind. 
AhoiU  ten  miles,  by  laud,  above  the  city  of  [Montgomery,  we  reaf-h  the 
it-'l  "f  Alabama  lliver,  or  the  junction  of  the  Tallapoosa  with  the  Voossx. 


■m 


,  ft 

'vil  •■•■,• 'J,  ,1    ■,  ■.    -., 

^ ' .  '    1    '«      •      : 

'•'•.•■'"     '    '  ' 
■>■•■<'.    ■•-■.■ 
•'!i  ■;■.  |;  ';   ' 

•'  ■'   ..      ■    V  >•    '     ' 


)f'7-^'  'U•■r''3\''M>7\^|:/■■ 


•    ..•  ■-■■  •v'k-  ■■:•-  .  ■ 


i  ■..- 


I 


'18 


«•» 


¥  'ii 


.■  •  I'  ■ 


18.^ 


TriK  pRiNciPAr,  DisKASRH  OF  Tin: 


[•ooii 


TIlC  rn;ii|,   lur  IHMst  (if   tin'  (lI>t:illC(',   ]l!ISS('S  (iViT    .1    Jllatfllll.   Wllicll    nldllli.:. 

kIi:i11ii\v  |iiiiitls  :iiiil  stii^iiaiil  ^tl•l^■lllls,  bnrdcrcd  liy  sluiijrlis,  ami  altimiili;  • . 
various  Kimls  nf  (•vor;L:ix'('iis.  The  (li'scciit  iutu  flic  viillcy  (if  llic  Tiilli,  , 
is  liy  tlii'i'i'  ti'i'vai'i's,  tlio  last  of  wliifli,  cxtciMliii,:;  to  tli((  river's  id'c, !«,', 
j(H'(,  to  (licp  iiiiiiirlatioii,  as  a]i|)i'ars  from  tin;  watur-iiiarks  (ni  tl;o  ir^ 
Four  miles  from  this  crossiiiiir,  is  tlio  town  of 

\'ll.      \\'i:riMi'i<  A. —  lis  siti;  is  at  tin;  foot  of  tlie  loiifrra]iiils  of  tin  i' 
wliieli  rivor  diviiirs   it  into  two  villa^'i-s,   (loiioiiiinatcd,  from  (lair  i  .; 
Mast  and  ^V^'st  \\'etnin|il<a.     'I'lui  fornuT  statnls  mioii  a  narrow,  ilvi'.i 
and  rather  ru,:r;j,ed  plain,  with  the  river  on  its  west,  and  a  ranirn  "t'kr'i 
from  one  to  two  hundred   feet  liiuh.  on  the  east,  in  elose  proxiiaitv.    T  • 
are  enniiHiscd  of  a  drv,  p;ravell},  micaceous,  red  loam,   surnioiintdt  1 , : 
and  elicstniits;  and  are  succeeded,   to   the  ea,'<t,  liy  still  loiticr  liiljs.    Wc 
Wetumpka,  connected  with  the  other  villairo  by  a  bridge,  is  IniiJt   i  • 
niarifin  of  a  plain  which  streti-hes  ott'  indelinitely  to  the  west.     A  sliiii': 
jilain,  in  front  of  tlie  lower  [lart  of  the  town,  is  subject  to  oecasinintl  inm ;..  | 
tions.     On  the  terrace  above,  in  the  soiith-wosteru  part  of  tlio  villaL'f, t 
is  a  Ion ir,  uari'ow  swamp,  which  diseharfres  its  waters   into  the  ri\iri 
the  town.     Tho  rest  of  the  site  is  dry,  with  a  sandy  yet  not  sterile  siir'j?  I 
On  the  north  and  north  uorth-wcst,  the  town  jdat  is  dry,  tind  liniitcdliv  :j 
similar  to  those  described  as  lying  on  the  opposite  siile  of  the  river.     A!  il 
three  miles  to  the  west,  there  is  a  stream   called  >Iortar  Crcclc.  ii'd  Ir::| 
cnoUL'h  for  mills,  which   represents  nia'.iy  others  on  the  pine   plains  if  .C 
Lama.     It  consists  of  a  scries  of  narrow  swinnps,  through  which  tlicrc!-:! 
plugL'isli  and  interrupted  current  of  clear  water.     Tho  want  of  dcelivif  > 
at  the  root  of  this  topographical  evil.     IJcds  of  clay  beneath  the  imro-,': 
surl'ace,  prevent  the  rains  from  ]iercolating  into  the  earth,  and  want  :  :^ 
retards  their   flowing  off:   and  tlieroforo  the  water  diffuses  itself  hiti.ri; 
Trees  and  shrubs  which  thmri.sh  in  such   localities,  multiply,  and  wl:;:; 
fall,  tend  still  further  to  obstruct  the  feeble  current,  and  thus  tlio  iii;ii.'''.J 
sujierlicial  pond  is  extended.     Mortar  Creek,  which   enters  the  Cui'?;!  \\'"\ 
three  or  tour  nulcs  below  ^Vctumjika,  has  many  tributaries  partaldiiLMi;"! 
01' less  of  its  own  character,  and  giving  to  tlie  country,  to  the  smitli-ii'-: : 
tlic  town,  a  i;reat  d"al  of  swamiiy  surface.     Thi-ouidi  some  I'f  tlicso  m ''..'I 
•wi.'cli  are  scjiaratcd  by  zi^nes  of  dry  wooded  plateau,  ditches  have  Imto 
with  tho  effect  of  draining  them,  and  cx|)osing  a  dryer  and  highlv  fci;i!o-;>| 
faco.     On  a  visit  to  tho  cotton  plantation  of  (J  overnor  I'itzpatricl;.  i^il 
lies  in  a  bend  of  the  Coosa  River,  between  the  mouth  of  3Iortnr  ('m!;;.:J 
\Vetuni[ik:i,  he  iiifonncil  me,  that  much  of  his  land  liad  been  rci]i'ciiii'iiii:;'-| 
manner.     That  jiart  of  it  which  lies  nearest  tlie  rivor,  gradually  sink.-  i:i! 
until  it  becomes  subject  to  inundation.     I'chiw  the  town,  the  buttciiis;"'! 
Coosa,  on  both  sides,  are,  in  fact,  subject  to  overflow;  and  as  the  rivfl'nal 
bends  to  the  wcs*   its  alluvial  grounds,  not  less  than  the  swamps  orsw;iH;l 
the  plain  which  I  have  described,  unfortunately  lie  to  'be  south-wcfttovi^ii^''' 


lr««r  I.J 


I.VTKRI'M 


I ,  ;'t!ic  tiiwn;  and  il 
lie  vari'iiis  forms  of  a 
\(  hc.'iiiniiig  of  it.s  .set 
lv.,;",iiipk;i,  wliich  is  at  tl 
tvdirrt'ii. 

An'itlicr  fact  must  be 

i:ii.  i  iciility.     The  bod  of 

f;ii' '..  ill  the  upper  part  ( 

jnviiiL'  !i  <li|»  of  about  fori 

iv  iHiisist  of  gneiss  am 

•  iii,MiitcgPitioii.     The 

I    ;  I  ill  mica  and  silicio 

'  I      ivi'  fdriiiiitioiis,  whi( 

iiiniis  country,  aboundini; 

11-;  hiit-crop  of  the  creta' 

f!.r  mil'.'!,  which  is  here  HI) 

^!'i!i'.'  .•|irii)gH  and  wells,  in 

k  wliiili  is  often  observc( 

I'ii'  drinking.      To  thi.- 

!i  'I'w  tliarrhica  whicdi,  in 

liiirv.  pivvails  to  a   degree 

m  <'f  Alabama.     AVhen  t 

'.-iiluroJ. 


n\sIX  OF  THE  TU.Si 

Kkciox  i:i;twki:.v  V' 

l^'-t  Wctmnpka  is  built,  ; 

ii^?|iiv.seiitsadry,  sandy,  ( 

t  k)icr-lcafcd  pine,  inters^ 

'"k'll  swamp  or  marshy  c 

^:i'!i*j  the  north-west  eml 

liii'^nii,  are  frc(piently  in 

irtlnrii  margin  of  the  flat  ( 

p.  yi't  the  number  is  suflic 

kralofthem  that,  ai'ter  Ic 

N' is  unknown.     At  the  > 

Ttli,  and  encounters  th 

'■'ill-  and  autumnal  fev( 

ptMthfl  low  and  wet  valley 

biiial  fever  abounds.     ]}ey 

liillj"  and  healthy  country  i 


[,„, 


lrt«:  '■; 


INTKRIOR  VALLKV  OF  NOKTII  A.MKIMC  \. 


180 


rail  c'f  till'  town;  and  tlii.H  aocinuits  satisfactorily  fur  (lio  (li'ciilcil  |,ii  viilciico 

,  [ ,,.  vari'iii^  I'liJ'"'"  "t"  ''uitimiiiiil  frvcr.  uliirli  liavi.' vi>itL(l  tliis  |i1;iil' since 

t,.  l,o:iii'iiii;x  ft"  its  «L'tt!(.iiR'iit   in   l^;i:>.      Stt'innlMial.s  iVniii   Mtiliilo  visit 

IVitiiiiitilia,  wliicli  is  ut  this  head  nl'  naviij'atiiiii ;  but  tiic  yellow  :'i;vi'V  liii«  not 

\nx\wml 
.\ii,itli('r  fact  must  1)0  inLMitioiicil  t<>  (!oni|ili'tii  tlio  niidiiMl  t<']iii^:i'a|iliy  t»f 

tjii,  i  iiiilitv.     Tlic  bed  uf  tlic  I'iviT,  at  tlio   ti  rniinatiun  nf  tl.e  Inn^'   I'alls  or 

Vi,:!^  in  i.li«  upiicr  part  of  (he  town,  is  (.•()in|M)scd  (if  |iriniitiv(;  mcks,  ///  .st'fii, 

kiviiiL' a  ililt  <)f  ahiiut  fnrfy-iivo  dcvrecs  tn  tlu;  north  or  inTth  north-wi'st. 

[lavi'iiiii'i'^t  "t"  P"<-''f'''*  "'"1  ""'■"  ^hiti',  wliii'h   apiiar  to  he  ni.dor<r(iin^' tdU- 

•,:!  ilisintcgpition.  The  adjacent  liills  vest  u|jiin  these  rocks,  and.  as  they 
k!i  111,(1  in  mica  and  silicious  nialerials,  may  he  regarded  as  tlie  rA////.v  of  the 
Liii!;!ivo  fcrinatiiiiis,  wiuidi,  furthc-r  up  the  river,  are  develii|ic.'d  into  a  im  iu»- 

:.ii;iiiw  (.'(luiitry,  ahdinidinj^  in  j,'old.  Wetunipka  is.  in  fact,  seated  on  the 
ii-t (iiit-cro|Mif  the  cretaecouH  forniatioii,  at  its  Jinictioii  with  (he  jirinntive. 

rkiiiii'!!,  which  is  here  lil)crated  in  larirc  ((lumtitics,  ini|ire,i.'nafes  the  waters 
fcf  t!io  siii'iiiirs  and  wells,  in  the  form  of  an  almost  im|i!il|pa)ile,  ioliaccuus  jkjw- 
Bir.  ffliirh  is  often  observed  in  the  bottoms  of  tlu^  vessels,  in  wdiieji  water  is 
|.[.t  fnr  drinking.     To  this  im])reirnation,  many  of  tlu-  physicians  ascrilie  the 

;!r  'lio  diarrliiea  which,  in  town  and  country,  ami  also  in  the  stale  peniteu- 
Ibrv.  |irevails  to  a  degree  ((uite  unknown,  as  it  would  seem,  in  any  other 
Vari  I'f  Alabama.     AVhen  treating  of  tiiat  disease,  this   hy[iothesis  will  be 

Mi-iJercd. 


!| 


^ 


l.r'.iio--' 
rill;.  ^'.• 

■llirili:^'-'^ 

ik.'iiii''-^ 

tdiii'^'!'-' 

viv.'V  ■'  :"■ 

il'  sv  :i ' '  ■ 

;st  < ■!■  I'i' 

8KCT10X    V. 

UASIN  (M'  THE  TUSC.Vr.dOSA   OR  HI-ACK  WARRIOR  RIVKR. 

I.    Iiiiciox  i;rrwKi;\  V.'ktimi'Ka  ano  Tiscai.oos.v. —  Tlie  [dain  on  which 

f^"t  Wetiunpka  is   built,  stretches  (jif  to  the  west,   and   for   about    thirty 

liik? presents  a  dry,  sandy,  or  day  and  gravel  snrl'aco,  oversliadowid  by  forests 

Img-lcafcd  pine,  interspersed  with  oaks,  and  having,  here  and  there,  a 

'4il  swamp  or  mar.shy  creek  of  very  limited  area.     The  higli,  l)lue  hills, 

pith  1 1  the  north-west  end)osom  the  (^)osa  Itiver.  as  it  flows  down  to  AVe- 

i;na,  are  freipiently  in  sight;    iiulieating  that  tlie  route  lies   near  the 

irtVrn  aiaririn  of  the  flat  country.     The  inhabitants   (ni  this  road  are  but 

li'v  vit  the  number  is  suflicient  to  test  its  salubrity;  and  1  was  assured  by 

Irti.ral  of  them  that,  after  leaving  the  wet  lands  near  "Wetnmpka,  aiituinnal 

S'lr  is  unknown.     At  the  distance  of  thirty  miles,  the  n-ad  turns   more  to 

JU' imrtli,  and  encounters  the  hills,  among  wldch  water  is  still  scarcer  than  on 

jh^l'liiiii,  anil  autumnal  fever  e((Uiilly  al)sent.     At  length  the  road  descends 

til'!  low  and  wet  valley  of  Mulberry  Creek,  at  Maplosville,   where  au- 

!!al  fovor  abounds.     l{e3'ond  this   alluvial  tributary  of  the  Coosa  Kivor, 

I  "lily  and  healthy  country  is  again  reached,  which  continues  to  Centreville, 


,'♦  . 


■•M-!lj/| 

•vVI  c, ' 


.       'if'..       '       ^'      . 

■Vr. '.^ ' 


t"    V 


•     ! 


.  1  • 


M^- 


r^  ■ . 


100 


TilK  rUFNCIPAF-  I>I^'RASEr^  OF  TIIR 


[•Ml 


Oil  the  liaiilcs  of  tlio   (';ili!nvl);i   I'lviT,  wlicrf  nutmiiiinl  fi.'vcr  rc;iji|ii;ir8,  i 
rugged  siirliU'i',  witli  nulc  iiml  |iiiK',  mu'i'cl'iIs;  tliu  inliiiliitMnts  of  wIikIk  . 
a  coiii|ilt'to  iiiiimniity  IVmii  fi'vi'i'.     At  lLii;:th  tlii'  Mirl'iicu  lii'{;iiis  to  sivui,  •, 
lower  1111(1  iiioru  luvfl  uniiui't,  iiinl  a  dark  Itrnwii,  I'rialilo,  ri'rrii;:;iiii)iis  in 
tacLMius  Haiwl^toiKj  hlinws  ilst'ir,  III  ('(iiiiiuitiiiii  with  iiirrea>iii;x  cult 
wliiidi  ann'li(irati<»ii  I'niitimus  to  tin-  town  of  Tu.^i-'alnosa,  on  tlio  lilt 
tho  TusualooiJa  or  IMat/k  Warrinr  Ilhir,  iilidiit  mir  liuiiilrL'd  miles  fruinV, 
tiiiii[)ka;  aii<l   with   this  chniiuu  there  i.s  soiiic  increased  iircvalonce  if^ 
fever.     This  ruiite  lie.s  nearly  in  the  mean  latitude  of  thirty-tliri't.' dr.ri 
and  tho  re,L'i<iii  whieli  it  trawrses,  all'urd.s  an  iii.-tnietive   illii^tratiin  t ; 
coniieeliiin  Itutwcen  tlie  .siirfaees  of  a  eouiitry  and  its  antnmiial  fey 


iv;ii, 


'li'.X 


iTr 


11.     Town  of  Ti-'scalooha. —  'I'hi.s  t.-.^n,   tl:';  seat   of  the    li 


llVti' 


AlalKima,  and  until  lately  the  ea|iitiii  of  the  istate,  stand/  in  N.  J.iit  :i 
Ji.')"'  l.V,  on  the  eastern  (.r  left  bank  of  the  Tnweulo'.^ia  or  IMack  W; 
IJiver,  at  an  elevatimi  nf  iilmnt  one  hundred  feet  ab.ive  the  river.     Tli> 


d  oi 


and  I'l 


:iv;  W: 


IS  eoiiniosi.'il  ot  red  and  yellow,  dry,  ernmljlnig  .sa'id,  gravel, : 
altbon^h  hard  and  comjiact  at  the  Mirfaee,  i.s  readily  undermined  and  \v;i.  . 
oway,  forming  deep  raviiie.s.      l'"rnin  the  iii..t!:-we,st  round  to  the  soiitli-c.; 
tbo  terriieo  is  abutted  bv  a  bill  country,  through  whieb  the  river  iii;ib-, 
way  to  tho  ]ilain.      Here,  also,  i.s  the  liiial  out-crop  of  tbe  iiiiperfccth  _ 
Bolidatcd  crctaeeou.s  and  tertiary  strata;  for  coal  i.s  found  but  a  »liirU: 
taneo  above  the  town,  as  it  is  also  above  Ceiitreville,  near  the  r:iL:ir: 
Eiver;  iiidi(;utiiig  that  a  carbonifernu.s  formation  here  .supports  the  in.;,. 
ous,  which  at  \Vetuiii[d;a  rests  u[»on  the  primitive.     To  the  west,  s  .utli-ve.; 
and  south  of  the  town  of  Tn.'-ealoosa,  tbe  surface  differs  widely  I'n  in  tl.i;i; 
tbe  opposite  directions.     As  it  passes  by  the  town,  tho  course  of  the  riv.rJ 
nearly  south  south-west,  and  between  them  there  is  a  narrow  slip  nl'lw': 
tom,  which  widens  for  a  niilo   almve,  and  then  terminates.     On  tlio  li;r;: 
side  of  the  river,  stands  tho  village  of  ^l'ortbl'ord,  on  a  Avider  alluvial  |i: 
much  of  wbicb  is  liable  to  inundation,  when  the  river  is  swidleii. 

A  mile  or  two  west  of  this  village,  tiiere  is  a  creek  called  Oraiifri.',  mi 
flows  sluggishly  through  a  foul,  wuudcil  swamp,  that  extends  tu  tliu  nv 

there  is  a  mill,  the  sunerinteiidcnt  mI'w;.: 


below  tho  town.     On  this  stret 


ni 


.ilitliiu:.' 


assured  nie,  that  he  bad  l.icen  sick  with  fever  every  autunm  for  l'( 
and  that  nearly  every  one  of  ten  o]ierativcs,  einplo3ed  in  the  eslal 
had  experienced  an  annual  attack  of  tho  same  kind. 

After  passing  Tuscaloosa  and  its  fatihutirii,  2s\irthford,  the  river  tur; 
the  west,  which  direction  it  maintains,  as  Doctor  ])rish  inl'ornicd  iiif,  fr 
oral  miles,  then  bends  to  the  south,  and  finally  flows  for  a  number  nf 
the  cast,  until  meeting  i^andy  Creek,  it  again  turns  to  tbe  south.  Tk 
tbe  south-west  of  Tuscaloosa,  tbere  is  a  great  horse-shoe,  or  elliptiiall' 
broader  than,  liut  anahiirous  to,  that  of  the  Alabama  liiver  near  Mniit: 


mil'. 


cry.     Nearly  the  whole  of  the  cxtcnsi\e  tract  there  inclosed,  is  lialde  ti 
datiou  when  the  river  rises  higli,  and  much  of  it  is  overflowed  in  ci 


iliu: 


\t\V  i.j 


INTHRKi 


Uf  . ,  ■..    JJy  the  Hrst  oi 

^v;ii  r.itcJ;  and  then    i 
TLcsc  |Mirtiiiiis  aro,   gi  ; 
fAiui  which  there  are 
u.  iii..ri:iii.S  di.'h'giircd  I 
I;,.  I !'  iht.se  pniids,  out  o 
l..i;i  >  iiinlcd  to  a  great 
liitiii  il  mc,  without  fiiidii 
\)i  u'  .»wniup»,  one,  o\  c 

;  iiii.rs  lias  a  length 
ii  i".>c  Atvcral  islands,  on 
livi'dii  these  islands,  as 
iKiuiiiiml  fever.     The 
fiiv.aliii'ha,  is  undoubtedly 
jriiicli,  liowcvcr,  are  lujt  as 
Th  t'le  suutli  iif  the  tow 
iart«.  dry,  is  nut  free  from 
jfiu'-iice  with  that  of  the 
pcrivvxisted  in  tho  gout  hi 
Tlsc'aloosa  on  V> 
krj' tiiljutary,  almost  a  c 
•i!ii'  cliaractcr  of  a  mm 
ri  ijcth  its  name  and  ' 
lliuii  |iidi.s,  it  flows  through 
pijinhitiuii  when  the  river  i 
)  Tu<ialiiu,sa.     Near  Muta 
l^iii,  ami  .SI)  low  and  flat  th 
iiaih  side  of  which  there 
p>t,  and  iiiiide  foul  with 
fx\it\k  from  tho  river, 

:.L\  from  the  hill  country 
^luiuiial  fever. 

U.     Cul-MUtV    liKTWKKN 

tCKi;KK  IhvKU.— The  dista 

-tijf  course  nearly  from  e 

'  '«>  turmatioii,  but  much  t 

H>,  hy  estimate,  five  o 

|i>i.r;  and  consist  of  trial 

Y  gravel.    The  scattered 

ills  liigliost  hills  are  near  tl: 

Imki'kbee,  which  has  cut 

P'jits.    Where  the  road  c 

pitfmiptodly  for  two  mi 

kality  I  did  not  discover  ei 


I 


'^f  •' 


INTKIIIOK  VALL1;Y  or  NORTH  A.MI.KICA. 


11)1 


Iff .,  t-i.  I>>'  the  first  of  June,  nuimnlly.  in^st  of  tlio  wiitor  dniiiis  oil',  or  I.h 
r.itcJ;  aii'l  tlieii  tlio  i  iiUivutinu  i.l'  (lio  lii-licr  parts  is  rt'i'diiiiiiriiri'tl. 
I";,iM.'  iHirtimis  !iro,  gciaTiiIly,  in  tlio  form  of  Imi;.',  narrow,  flat  rlil^a'.«, 
|,itivi\.i  wU'-Ii 'I'l-'i'i' '"'"  pLiinniii'iit  ,s\vaiii|is,  la,i:ooiiH,  niid  jtoiuls,  ^^itll  low, 
'uiiiwrgiiis.  ili>fiaii'''^*l  Ijy  lalli'ii  triH.-.,  and  infr-tfd  with  vcMionioiis  KiiaKca. 
Iiiii'.t'ilitse  iioiidf*,  out  iif  wluili  a  htrcaiu  fluws  during'  tlie  wliok'  jear,  lius 
;iiiik(l  tod  yrcat  dL'|itii,  as  Ooctor  (iuild  and  l>iictnr  Ilarrlii^utou  iii- 
..I  i  mt',  wltlioiit  fiiidiii^j;  huttoni.  It  is  douLtK'NS  a  natural  Arti^iau  well, 
[i;  ii,r  «\viini|)f,  one,  i-virsluidowod  Ity  linuidandiar.  and  liy  (.■\jire.>-s  with 
n: 111' >.s  liiis  a  length  of  oiylit  (.r  tun  ndlcs,  with  a  liruudlh  suilicicnt  to 
>H' several  i>lands,  on  wlii<di  tlicro  aro  tottun  |ilaiitati'in.s.  'I'liu  njicra- 
|ivi.  III!  tlit'.'<u  inlands,  us  I  learned  from  |)outor  I  Irish,  are  exccedin^dy  sidijcct 
,;ii;[uiiinal  fever.  The  whole  tract,  lyinj.',  as  it  does,  to  the  windwanl  of 
lii-'.al'iusa,  is  uiuluulitedly  ii  ehief  cause  of  the  fevers  which  prevail  there; 
iLiili,  however,  are  not  as  malignant  as  those  of  sonic  other  localities. 

Til  t'lc  suutli  of  the  town,  the  jdain  on  which  it  stands,  although,  in  most 
'|u  •  iliy,  i.s  nut  free  from  swamps  and  swales,  which  combine  their  sinister 
iiliii' lice  with  tliat  of  the  horse-shoo  bond.     'J'raccs  of  a  swamp,  whidi  for- 
ddiv  existed  in  tho  southern  part  of  the  town  itscdf,  are  still  viffihle. 

11.    Tist'Ai.oos.\  on  lJi,.\(K  A\'ai:i;1(»r  IIivi;u. — This  river  is  properly  a 

^r.o  tributary,  almost  a  eo»'(jual,  of  tiio  Tombeekhee.     Above  the'  tiiwu  it 

B?  iiie  character  of  a  mountain,  or  at  least  au  upland  stream;  below,  until  it 

|[H>  Lidth  its  iiaino  and  waters  in  the  eliiinnel   of  tho  Tombeckbee,  near 

Uiiii  jKilis,  it  flows  through  a  wide  alluvial  valley,  most  of  which  is  liable  to 

D'jiiiiaiiuii  when  the  river  is  swollen.     At  such  times,  steamboats  ascend  it 

Tihviihiusa.     Near  Hutaw,  not  far  from  its  mouth,  the  valley  is  four  miles 

ill'.  uiiAso  low  and  Hat  that  much  of  it  is  traversed  on  a  causeway  of  logs, 

ua^li  side  of  which  there  aro  swamps  and  [londs,  overshadowed  by  a  dense 

(ir'>t.  iiud  made  foul  with  the  decaying  limbs  and  leaves  of  trees,  mingled 

liili  ^ilt  fi'uin  tho  river.     1  need  scarcely  add,  that  those  who  live  on  its 

:.k>,  t'runi  the  liiU  country  above  Tuscaloosa  to  its  mouth,  aro  subject  to 

muiiiiud  fever. 

U.     IViLXTRY    IIETWKEN    TuSCAt.OOSA    AM)    riCKKNSVILl.K    ON    TIIi:    ToM- 

t  KiiKi;  lUvKU. — The  distance  between  these  two  points  is  about  lii'ty  miles 
-I  .'■  euursc  nearly  from  east  to  west.  Tlie  nnid  keeps  within  the  creta- 
;•  iuiumtion,  but  much  of  tho  route  is  high  and  rugged.  Some  of  the 
■  ri<e,  by  estimate,  five  or  six  hundred  feet  above  tho  level  of  Tuscaloosa 
livir;  and  c(jnsist  of  friable,  earthy  sandstone,  with  unconsolidated  loam 
I'i  pavel.  The  scattered  inhabitants  of  this  tract  escape  autumnal  fever. 
lU'  liiirhest  hills  aro  near  the  Sipsey  Ivivcr,  a  considerable  tributary  of  the 
wiiijcekbee,  which  has  cut  itself  a  deep  and  wide  valley  through  these  loose 
ppM^its,  AVhero  the  road  crosses  this  valley,  a  causeway  of  logs  continues 
liiiitorruptcdly  for  two  miles,  with  foul  swamps  on  either  side.  In  this 
Kaiity  I  did  not  discover  either  cypress  or  long  moss ;  though  both  arc  seen 


!l! 


;■     .   - 

.•  .>  :■,  •  ■•,, 

f 


...    ■■       ■  y    , 


'  "* .  '1  ■-: 


U;'f':^-:- 


S! 


■| 


•;l 


102 


TIIK  Pi;iNC.ir.\T,  DISEASES  OF  THE 


;Bfwl. 


ill  t!iL'  ]iMr,«e-slMo  bcml  LcLiw  Tusfaludsu.     Tlie  liititudc  is  atont  o:;  ;;,, 
X.,  Ii.'i;in'  ;i  littli:  nnrtli  (jf  tint  nf  tlic  lu'iid  rorcrrcd  tn.      West  nf  I'd.-ii.  I 
.scv,  till.' i-'iiiiitry  (:<i;itiiuK's  dry  and   riilling,  but   is   less   olcvatuil,  anii. -. 
iia'dy  (Un-liiuii,--,  liei-niui.s  eniiiii;ira;ivi'ly  a  loitile  [d;iiii,  I'^r  iiiany  niilu;  1,^;, J 


ivacliiiiir  the  T  nidjcckbco  Itivor. 


SMCTIOX  \'I. 

LOi'ALITir.S  IN  THE  IJASIX  OF  THE  Tl).^:l!ECKI3El•;. 
r.      PiiKr.Nsvii.i.i:. — This  villa^'e,  wliicli  duos  nut  contain  more  tliaii':%| 
Iniiidriil  iiihahilaiits,  is  seated  ou  llie  western  margin  ol'  tlie  plain  ji;-; 
serilied.  aliuut  liali'  a  mile  east  of  tlio  Tonibeekbeo  liivor,  and  within  ;i; 
of  the  boundary  between   Alabama  and    Mississijijii.      rnimjiortaut  a;  u| 
plaee  may  seem,  its  niedieal  topograjiliy  (b'serves  attcnti(jn.     The  oaii-;  ■ 
the  Tondjeekbeo  lliver,  at  this  point,  is  nearly  sontli  south-east.     Fmn;.- 
north  round  to  the  south-east,  lies  a  Jii^li  and  dry  plateai'   consisting  liftr; I 
ami  yellow  gravelly-loam,  cut  into  ravines,  and  thiidy  covered  with  'a^zA 
jiiiie  tri'es.      The  village  stands  on  the  margin  tif  this  plain,  wliirli,  i:i  ii: 
plaees,  is  thrown  up  into  low  hills.    Ou  descending  i'rom  this  terrace, ti.nc 
sixty  or  eighty  I'ect,  wo  come  upon  tlio  river-bottcim,  whic'i  I,->  subject  tias 
nual  snlimcrsion,   and  covered  with  the  forest  trees   that  belonif   tu  .>:.: 
localities,  overshad'iwing  a  rank  btrbaceous  vegetation.     In  the  river kub 
near  the  water's  edge,  we  see  rotten  limestone  or  marlitc  (  cretuccuiis  liiir| 
stniio  ),  i'.i  strata  dipj)ing  slightly  to  the  south.     On  the  further  siilc"!: 
river,  we  are  again  in  a  low,  untilled  bottom,  subject  to  freipient  ewitl 
and  infested  with  pools,  lagoons,  and    swamps,     'i'his   continues  to  K' i 
ease  for  a  mile  and  a  half,  wiimi  an  imperceptible  ascent  carries  ua  alivi 
diiiarv  fliiods.  but  the  plain  is  still  swamjiy;  and  thi;   streams  that  iixj;.i.: 
feebly  through   it  have  nuirshy  borders,   for   the   distame   of  two  or  i:A 
miles;  when  we  ascend  a  higher  and  better  deliiied  alluvial  or  diluvialt;/| 
race,  which  the  river  cannot  reach.      The  surface  of  this  old  and  u|i[.i.'r  1  :• 
tom,  is  m  )rc  sandy  th:in  that  near  the  river.     It  bears  the  forest  trcr-.!,:..' 
ding   pines,  whifh  in    the   south  belong  to  thin  and  o'-y  soils.     T!'.c  ivil:':.: 
this  bnttnm  is  about  two  nnlrs.      Having  traversed  it,  we  make  anntluTii- 
grcater  rise,  through  a  narrow  belt  of  woods  and  annual  jilants,  ceii:ii..!i  i 
the  limestone   lands   of  Kentucky  and   Ohio,  six  or  seven   degrees  I'lir;.*^'! 
north.     This  sununit-level  attained,  wo  find  ourselves  ou  the  liinesttnepl 
ries.  which  will  bo  described  hereafter.    Tlie  topographical  section  liov;.:' 
is,  1  111  lieve,  applicable  to  almost  every  part  of  the  Tombeckbee  lliver,  aWii 
the  m  inth  of  the  Tuscaloosa,  near   iNinopnlis.  and  not  inapplicalle  t   • 
parts  below.     In  visits  to  l^oetor  Yongue,   Doctor  Sweariugeit.  ami  h' ''I 
Brown,  T  had  favorable  opportunities  for  inspecting  the  valley,  whielicxtaiiiil 
longitudinally,  nearly  from  north-west  to  south-east,  and  lies  dhecth?'*! 


rtUT  !■! 


INTERIOI 


^fi{  of  the  town  of  Picki 
otiior  reciigiiizcd  causi;  o 
must  ascribe  its  annual  v 
thisc  visitations,  in  1^;> 
jteaiiiliiiatH  frcipicntly  st 
oin'id  yellow  fever. 

II.     COLUMDUS,  "MlSSLS 

tmsij  iiboiit  twenty-three 
.•:i:,«  nver  a  surface  dry  i 
trials  with  the  plain  at 
|.r"il"iimiant  forest  trees. 
jirt-eiits  the  final  out-croj 
i  the  west  is  the  broad  trou 
Tlie  town,  standing  on  tl 
kg  ami  rather  narrow  jil 
i  while  on  the  west  we  hav 
hliatuf  a  stream  called  th 
il'.e  Tonibeckhee,  two  mile 
•ivt'rfluwed  whenever  the  ri 
I  found  ill  broken  pine  and 
[nrrtli-east  of  the  town.     I 
fftiignatc;  and  in  their  vail 
;  «w;imji.«,  which  generate  an 
ifiioiitly  roniote  from  all  c 
iTmljeckbee,  opposite  Cob 
I'i'keiisville,  already  descri 
I'a  liliiff.baiik  seventy  or  e: 
Jraakes  a  near  ap[iroach  ;  thi 
|li't;iim  between  them.     In 
pp'isite  the  town,  we  find 
|fliuglis  and  lagoons  behiiul, 
|Mn!icrn  parasite,  the  long 
|t!i!rt\--tlireo  degrees  thirty 
llorraue.  not  snliject  to  inu 
loaring  oaks  and  pines;  tc 
h  ascending  upon  Jie  j)r; 
friable  or  rotten  cretaceous 
river  at  i'iekcnsvillo  prose 
l^lluviul  bottom  and  the  prai 
»« well  as  opposite  ri(d<ens; 
I'W  and  wetter  bottoms.      'I 
'  ii'liiiit  (if  a  satisfactory  C( 
^I'l  so  dove-tailed  into  oac 
«ti*'l  on  the  lower,  of  nece- 
13 


fe    r.,?T  !■. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


103 


jfi-t  of  tlie  town  of  Pickonsvillc,  and  consequently  to  its  windward.  As  no 
other  recn'Miizod  oauso  of  aiit  imiml  fever  exisLs  in  or  near  Pii'ki'nsville,  we 
niust  a.scril)o  its  annual  visitations  by  tliat  di.soa.so  to  tliis  valley.  One  of 
♦liKu  visitations,  in  1J^'>5,  almost  destroyed  or  dispersed  its  iiilialiitafits. 
Siciimboats  freiiuently  stop  at  l'iL'ken.s\illc  landing,  but  it  lias  not  experi- 
.;a-,.,i  yellow  fever. 

II.    Cor.uMiius,  AIissis.^iPi'i. — The  distance  from  l*ickensville  to  Oolum- 

\.:[<y  iibuiit  twenty-three  miles.     Kast  of  the  Tombeckliee  River,  the  road 

MIS  'ivor  a  surface  dry  and  somewhat  broken,  composed  of  tlie  same  ma- 

:•  rials  with  the  plain  at  Piekensville;  and  bearing  oaks  and  pines,  as  it.9 

[.ri'ilmiiiiiant  forest  trees.     To  the  east,  the  country  rises  still  higlier,  and 

i presents  the  final  out-crop,  In  that  direction,  of  the  cretaceous  formations:  to 

the  west  is  the  broad  trough  of  the  Tombeekbee,  and  beyund  it  the  prairies. 

[The  town,  standing  on  the  left  or  east  «ide  of  the  river,  has  for  its  site  a 

■•]]<:  ami  rather  narrow  plain  or  ridge,  on  the  cast  side  of  which  is  a  valley, 

I  while  on  the  west  wc  have  the  Tombeekbee  Kiver.     The  valley  opens  into 

ithatdf  a  stream  called  the  Looksphellila,  which  discharges  its  waters  into 

[the  Tombeekbee,  two  miles  below  the  town,  and  has  its  own  wide  bottoms 

|.ivi'rfliiwe(l  whenever  the  river  is  swollen.     The  sources  of  this  tributary  are 

i'uml  ill  broken  jiine  and  oak  lands,  coiiqiosed  of  loose  materials,  cast  and 

Inirtli-east  of  the  town.     In   summer,  the  waters  of  these  heads  or  sources 

ffta^'iiatc;  and  in  their  valleys  there  are,  uioreover,  small  lagoons  and  cypress 

f'waiiip-;,  which  generate  autumnal  fever  among  the  inhabitants,  who  are  suf- 

|{  iontly  remote  from  all  other  iiisalubriiais  localities.     The  trough  of  the 

iT'iiibeekbee,  opposite  rolumbus  does  not  differ  matcriall}'  from  that  near 

iil'i'kcnsvillc,  already  described.     The  site  of  the  town,  on  the  river  side,  has 

|a  liluff.bank  seventy  or  eighty  feet  high,  to  the  base  of  which   the  river 

Iraakes  a  near  ap^iroach  ;  tliough  imincdiately  above,  there  is  a  wide  and  wet 

^Ijittdin  between  them.     In  traversing  the  bottom,  west  of  the  river,  and  op- 

;["i<!te  tlie  town,  we  find   it  low  and  subject  to  inundations,  which  leave 

iL'lis  and  lagoons  liehind,  overshad<;wed  with  cypress,  destitute  of  its  more 

|s  ■mliern  parasite,  the  long  moss,  which  here  does  not  reach  the  latitude  of 

Ithirty-three  degrees  thirty  minutes.     Then  comes  a  higher  and  cultivablb 

itcrraeo,  not  subject  to  inundation,  but  traversed  by  lagging  streams,  and 

arin,'  oaks  and  pines;  to  which  succeed,  as  at  I'ickeiisville,  the  prairies. 

|1;!  ascemliiig  upon  v^hc  {irair'os,  we  see  in  the  banks  of  the  rivulets,  the 

Kfr.ablc  or  rotten  cretaceous  limestone,  resembling  that  which  the  banks  of  tlie 

ri'.vr  at  I'iekensville  present.     Tlie  intermediate   terrace,  between  the  low 

Siluvial  bottom  ami  the  prairies  or  highest  uplands,  is  inhabited;  and  hero, 

psffell  as  opposite  rickensville,  it  is  declared  to  be  m-ce  unhealthy  than  the 

P'T  and  wettur  bottoms.      The  phintations  on  the  latter  are.  however,  tot)  few 

•a'liiiit  of  a  satisfactory  eompari.son ;  wtiile  the  twf.  belts  are  so  contiguous, 

^fi'i'l  «ii  (love-tailed  into  each  other,  tiiat  whatever  cause  of  disease  is  goucr- 

tiA  (111  the  Uiwer,  of  necessity  afTect.s  the  peoplo  living  on  the  upper  and 

10 


A 


;  *,!•.[■ 


!)l 


A  - 

■M' 

••;i. 

'('■; 

1  ". 

^ii 

f 


fl 


194 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


(BUOt 


i'.UT  I.J 


INTER  10 


r'*«  '^ 


t:4.'fr 


I  ■  •*  IJ 


dryer  ])];iiii.     As  the  general  eotirso  of  tlio  river  liere  is  the  same  as  at  I'ii. 
cnsvillo,  its  broad,  :illuvi;il,  poiuly,  and  niarsliy  valley,  uufortuiiatoly  litv ; 
the   south-west    or  windward   of   the  town.      The   following  fact,  uliii,;; 
received  from   Doetor  .Jones,  seems  worthy  of  being  reeorded  as  a  pan  • 
its  history. 

In  the  summer  of  l^'u,  a  lifld  of  oats,  when  nearly  fit  for  tliu  m  J;] 
was  iinuidat(!d  by  a  great  rise  of  the  river.  After  the  flood  had  niTH 
Doctor  dimes  sent  six  negro  nnMi  to  cut  the  tangled,  half-dead,  and  dt'cavi;,; 
crop.  'J'hoy  lodged  on  the-  jireniises,  in  a  shanty,  for  nearly  a  wuol;,  ivU;. 
one  of  them  sickened  with  fever,  and  the  whole  were  recalled.  All,  liii\v.,r: 
were  soon  afterwartls  taken  dtrwn  with  intermittents  or  remittents,  wLik;:- 
different  families  from  which  they  had  been  detached,  remained  healthy. 

In  the  early  periods  of  its  settlement,  from  1^22  to  11^2"),  ('oIuiiiLu-kj 
much  infi'sted  with  autumnal  fever,  but  latterly  it  has  suilered  less,  1;. 
latitude,  as  1  have  intimated,  is  about  >)'•]''  JJO'  N. 

MI.     Tmjo  l'H.\iitii:s. —  The  tract  of  country  which  is  denominntoil  L. 
Vrairics.'  is  found  chiefly  on  the  western  side  of  the  Tombeckhee  riivti;;..: 
that  stream,  changing  its  course,  !it  length,  from  south  south-east  to  s :;.: 
traverses  the  prairie-country  ;  so  that  land  of  the  same  descrijition  is  IkLJ  i 
to  a  considerable  distance  east  of  that  river,  in  Greene  and  ^larengo  couuk 
where  it  gradually  beeonu'S  wooded,   and  has  received   the  name  of  T:: 
Cane-brakes,'  from  a  luxuriant  growth  of  native  cane  (  Mhy'm).    I  (.at:.; 
state  the  precise  limits  of  this  traet  in  the  north  and  west.     I  was  iiifund 
by  Mr.  Billups,  one  of  its   most  intelligent  inhabitants,  that  it  begiiKs  al : 
the  county  of  Ijowiules,  of  which  Columbus  is  the  seat  of  justice,  and  ixtdi- 1 
inir  southerlv,  throuiih  Noxubee  county,  enters  the  state  of  Alahaiiiaf:: 
the  west.      According  to  another  authority,  it  is  found  in  the  latter  .-ta;... 
the  following  counties:  llussell  and  a  part  of  Barbour;   iMacon  aiidTaiJ- 
poosa,  with  a  part  of  Pike  ;  Montgomery,  Jjowndes,  Dallas,  Wilcox    *'>ti!i;:. 
Derry,    Marengo,  Sunipter,  (irci.iu',  with  portions  of   Tuscaloosa,  I'kki  | 
Bibb,  and  Shelby.     This  extensive  enumeration,  however,  refers  ratlier '.  .| 
tract  which  has  the   same  geological  constitution  as  the  prairies,  tliaii;  . 
surface  destitute  of  trees  and  free  from  overlying  dejjosits  of  •  stoiilo  ■ '. 
gravel,  or  ferruginous  clay,'  which  constitute  the  greater  part  of  the  tur:.^! 
embraced  witliin  those  liroad  limits.     The  best  specimens  of  prairie-ttir'a H 
in  Alabama,  are  Included  in  Greene  inu  Marensro  counties."'''     Even  tlii';":| 
prairie  district  is  by  no  means  destitute  of  trees,  but  abounds  in  ixy'.i'X 
forest,  some  of  which  seem  once  to  hnve  been  the  beds  of  jjonds  urlak.-; 
are  called  'hunnnoeks.'     The  vegetation  of  these  basins  is  identical  \vitli!-'| 
of  the  most  fertile  limestone  borders  of  the   Ohio  lliver,  while  tliat'i 
country  generally  is  entirely  difiercnt.     The  prevailing  width  of  this  trat;.:j 


»  Mr.  C.  S.  Hale  of  Mobile,  in  Doctor  Lewis'  admirable  paper  on  the  Medical  H*' I 
of  Alabama  :  New  Orleans  Med.  and  Sur.  Jour.,  Vol.  Ill,  No.  VI. 


the  state  of  ^rississijijii 
[twa*  iiiliidiited  by  the 
5ent  rosidoiice  beyond  t 
ut-crop  iif  a  thick  form 
Jip!  to  the  south  south-v 
Aavmliiigto  .Mr.  Uale,  ^1= 
nf  .«ilifintis  sand,  with   vf 
liinostoiic :  above  these  is 
*  Tills  bed,  oonnnonly  knov 
:  to  three  lnnulred  feet  thic 
!.;it  iiovcr  disappearing. 
jiilvcrahle  limestone,  wlii( 
;  carbonate  (d'lime."     The 
I  ti  111.  iiitrniiixed  with  the 
;:!'.    iinctors  Cooj)er  an( 
tr-H  .<|iciiMiciis  of  this  soil 
3!:!  humid  spot  of  the  s; 
t  jiiT  cent,  (d' carbonate  of 
hilt.' latter,  fifteen  per  cen 
f  matter:  the  other  ingredii 
irn.    No  attempt  was  m 
t  meats  of  the  organic  matte 


:ii 


[x 


pate,  whii.di  maybe  don 
!t!;'j  rains  flnw  off  but  slow 
I  avl  every  stream  has  not  o 
.  ;'i'.'  suniiiier  these  surface-i 
|;b'i.-t  ijii|iervious,  there  is 
^:;;!ir,  wat.  r. 

V.     Tnn  Ca\k-];i:akk.- 

flbvu  ahvady  said,  are  tni 

Jet  eultivafed  )  with  a  dens 

|t:"ii.«ot'(;njoiie,  3[arengo,  1 

[t-  the  Alalia  ma  Kivcr.     TI 

r'''i'iesivc.  and  almost  ghitii 

''*  watered  as  the  prairie 

^'-    Ai!Ti;sr.vv  AVku.s.—i 

hn^  seuri  discovered  thai 

¥:^^\  which,  Iniwcver,  ta 

F'""  '"•  '^"ziiig  was  all  th 

|'»'^tliaii   I  moderate   sup] 

jTlioso  cxcaA  ations,  called  by 

M  estimation :  and  the 


7^. 


"  citato. 


■:^!? 


,>.W  !■] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


I'Jf) 


tbe  state  nf  Mi.ssi.ssijipi,  as  .Mr.  IJillups  iiirnrimd  iiic,  is  ahmit  twenty  miles, 
ft  wa?  iiiliiil'itecl  by  tlie  ('lioctaw  lii<liaiis,  In'ion;  their  reiinNal  to  tlieir  jirc- 
iiiit  rcsiileiiee  beyond  tbe  ]Mississi|i]ii.  (leuln^ically,  tbe  prairies  arc  tlie 
iit-criip 'jt  a  tbick  forniatinn  of  soft,  erctaeetJiis  or  rotten  limestone,  wbieb 
.Jip;  to  tlie  soutli  snutb-wost,  and  lias  a  line  of  ])earing  nearly  cast  and  west. 
\avircliii<;  to  .Mr.  Hale, '*'  "'Tbe  lower  strata  oi'  tbe  series  consist  [)rin('i]ially 
nf  siliciou.^  sand,  witb  various  inter-stratilications  of  green  .smd,  elay,  and 
liiiiC'Stoiie ;  above  tbese  is  a  bed  of  soft,  iinperx  ions,  argillaeeons  limestone. 
Tills  lii'd,  omnnonly  known  as  rotten  limestone,  is  in  some  Idealities  from  two 
t.i  three  liundred  feet  tbiek,  wbile  in  tbe  otliers  it  is  found  exceedingly  tbin, 
!iUt  iR'Vcr  disappearing.  Itesting  upon  this  stratum  is  a  depo.sit  of  yellow 
lulvtrable  limestone,  wliieli  in  a  i'i:\v  instances  is  replaced  by  a  jnire  wbite 
carbonate  <if  lime."  Tbe  soil,  consisting  largely  of  tbe  (Iclina  of  tins  forma- 
t;  11.  intcriiii.\ed  witb  tbe  recrements  of  animals  and  plants,  is  extremely  fer- 
;,;(.  J)nctors  Cooj)er  and  (jibbs,  of  tbe  College  of  Hiutb  Curolina,  analyzed 
tiTu  .v|itriiiK;iis  of  tbis  soil, —  one  from  a  bigb  and  dry,  tbe  otber  i'rom  a  low 
31.!  liiiiiiid  spot  of  tbe  same  plantatum.  Tbe  former  contained  twenty-five 
itr  loiit.  of  carbonate  of  lime,  and  twenty-eigbt  per  cent,  of  organic  matter; 
tliLJattif.  fifteen  per  cent,  of  carbonate  of  lime,  and  twenty-live  of  organic 
matter;  the  otber  ingredients  were  alumina  and  a  small  ([uanlity  of  silex  and 
ip.ii.  No  attempt  Avas  made  to  separtitc  tbe  animal  from  tbe  vegetable  elc- 
nii'iits  of  the  organic  matter.  Doctor  Jjcwis  supposes  tbe  former  to  jnedom- 
liMti',  wliicli  may  be  doubted. f  As  tbe  general  aspect  of  tbe  prairies  is  level, 
Ir.u  rain.'*  flow  off  but  slowiy,  and  bence  marsbes  or  sbnigbs  arc  numerous, 
;  ;i'iil  every  stream  bas  not  oidy  a  sluggisb  current  but  i.wampy  ;::'Ml('rs.  In 
tli'.' suniiiKT  tliesc  surface-waters  evaporate;  and,  as  tbe  strata  beneatli  are 
;.liii '>t  ijii|ieiTious,  tberc  is  a  want  of  ^^priog  and  well,  ni/t  less  than  of  run- 
i:iiiL',  water. 

IV.    TiiK  C.\N];-imAKE. —  To  tlie  soutb-cast.  in  Alabama,  the  ]ir;iiries,  as 

liavu  already  said,  are  transformed  into  wooil-land.*,   and  covered    (  wbero 

tUuItivated  )  witb  a  dense'  brake  of  tall  cane.     This  is  the  ease  v.itli  por- 

|t:u«  ijf  (!n.'en(>,  3Iarengo.  iVrry.  Dallas,  and  Wilcox  ci.unties,  ([iiite  tlirougb 

[t  tlic  Alabama  IJiver.     Tbe  black   soil  of  tlds  tract  is   several   feet  deep. 

|.'ii!ii;^ive,  Mild  almost  glutinous.     Tts   fertility   is  exbaustless;  but   it  is   as 

!diy  watered  as  tbe  prairies,  being,  geologically,  tbe  very  same  region. 

V  AuTKSi.vN'  Wiar.s. — On  tbe  settlement  of  tbe  jirairies  and  cane-brake, 
|itwas  snon  discovered  tbat  they  were  badly  watered.  1'liis  b'd  to  well - 
-'2iiig:  wbieb,  bowever,  failed  to  su]iply  tbe  ihsiiUrdliiin.  A  feeble  perco- 
ihti'ii  (ir  oozing  was  all  tbat  occurred,  and  no  deptb  of  digging  procured 
liMo  tlian  I  moderate  sujiply  of  warm,  very  bard,  and  sul[iburoiis  water 
ph'^jotxca\ations,  called  by  tbe  people  'sipo  {mp)  wells,'  are  now  bold  in 
p™!  estimation ;  and  tbe  reliance,  on  all  tbe  extensive  plantations,  is  on 


M: 


ji*'> 


•(T  .^ 


.  I 


'  Inn  citato. 


t  Ibid. 


#,; 


.'.  I '  ''.'■ 


196 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOK: 


Artesian  borings,  of  wliich  T  saw  specimens,  from  Lowndes  CouTity,  Mi?*!:, 
sippi,  to  Crrcene  and  Marengo  conntios,  Alabama.     Those  wbii-h  I  visitn 
varied  in  deptli  from  one  liiindrcd  and  twelve  to  five  hundred  and  twi.utT 
feet;  wliich  was  the  depth  of  that  on  the  plantation  of  Mr.  Billnps,  in  .Vs- 
ubeo  county,  ^lississippi.  twenty  miles  south  of  ('ohunbus.     The  water  r'.* 
within  sixty  feet  of  the  surface,  and  he  had  sunk  a  well,  below  that  dejitli.i: 
the  side  of  the  boring,  to  serve  as  a  reservoir,  out  of  whicli  he  would  pmrr 
the  water ;  a  common  resource,  when  it  does  not  rise  to  the  surface  of  t'u 
ground.     As  the  strata  croj)  out  successively,  and  constitute  the  surface  v 
the  country,  I  may  give  the  following  statement,  derived  from  him,  of  ti'.: 
nature,  as  ascertained  by  the  boring. 

Black  soil,  succeeded  by  reddish  loam,  -         -         -         -     8  feet. 

Har  J,  whitish  clay,         -         -         -         -         -         -         -4' 

Bluish  rotten  limestone,  with  very  hard  sulphur  balls  (pyrites),  40S  •• 
Gray  sandstone,  so  hard  as  to  require  the  pick,  -  -  -  10  ■ 
Then  a  feeble  vein  of  water,  followed  by  sand — soft  sand  rock 

—  and  finally,  by  hard,  gray  sandstone,  -         -         -  90    '■ 

Then  a  second  and  more  copious  supply  of  water. 
In  the  southern  part  of  Greene  county,  Alabama,  near  the  residence i; 
Doctor  Dancy,  I  visited  seven  wells  of  the  same  kind,  the  shallowest  of  wh;;: 
was  one  hundred  and  twelve  feet;  the  deepest,  three  hundred  and  twcM: 
feet.  Water  flowed  from  the  whole  of  them,  cither  in  a  feeble  or  strong  ar.; 
copious  stream.  The  depth  and  temperature  of  each  is  presented  hi  tlieliv 
lowing  table,  beginning  with  the  shallowest : 


NO. 

iJtpth. 

Temperature. 

1 

112  Ft. 

66»    Full 

2 

255 

6&0 

3 

268 

69° 

4 

21)0 

67^.5 

5 

307 

69° 

6 

311 

67^^.5 

7 

.•'20 
266 

67° 

Average, 

67°.7l 

As  some  of  tliese  borings  were  in  superficial  valleys,  and  others  on  1 '» 
ridges,  the  figures  in  the  second  column  do  not  accurately  express  tlieir  ik|t: 
below  the  general  level  of  the  country.  It  may  be  considered  rouiarkal.. 
that  there  should  be  so  little  relation  between  their  depth  and  tonijK'ratur': 
The  shallowest,  it  is  true,  falls  one  degree  and  seventy -one  hundr'^dtlis  ki ' 
the  average,  but  the  deepest  falls  nearly  three-quarters  of  a  degree  below,  aw 
one,  which  in  depth  is  at  the  average,  in  temperature  is  at  the  maxinium 
There  was  no  copious  and  permanent  surface-S])ring  in  the  neigliburk'i 
with  which  to  compare  them;  but  a  few  minutes  of  latitude  to  tiie  south, ^ 
the  Tombeckbee  Biver,  not  far  from  ^Moscow  landing,  where  the  limuslK 
has  sunk  below  the  river,  I  found  the  temperature  of  a  copious  spring,  w:.'-- 
burst  out  forty  feet  from  the  top  of  a  clay  and  gravel  bank,  to  be  sisty-tTi 


INTERIO 


'♦r 


riBT  I., 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


197 


I  Jtirrecs.  As  this  observation  was  niailc  on  the  second  day  of  June,  it  could 
;;nt  iiidicato  a  winter  temperature,  and,  tlicret'orc,  we  may  conclude  tliat  the 
,;;;Frrciico  of  live  degrees  and  .seventy-one  hundredths  of  temperature,  was  the 
r;iultut'the  Jitference  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-six  feet  of  dejith,  Iteiiig  one 
ii,.:rree  uf  increased  heat  for  al)uut  every  forty  feet  of  descent  beh>w  the  level  of 
li:.;  spring,  taken  as  a  standard.  The  water  of  all  the  Artesian  wells  w'  'cb  I 
;i;iteil,  had  a  perceptible  su]})hurous  taste,  and,  tested  with  acetate  oi  lead, 
utlfdcd  a  white,  granular  iirecipitate,  indicating,  of  course,  tlic  presence  of 
.  1110  mui'iatit;  (ir  sulphuvie  salt;  —  still  it  is  so  soft  as  to  be  used  by  the 
!i,,,|ilo  t'ur  all  domestic  ])urposes,  without  any  preparation. 

Af  many  of  these  wells  afford  a  large  quantity  of  water,  whieli  flows  by 
ri'lit  and  day,  their  multiplication,  if  means  should  nut  l)e  adopted  to  restrain 
;.;i  i  R'trulatc  tlic  discharge,  must,  at  length,  create  ponds  and  marshes,  which 
ail  scarcely  fail  to  prove  insalubrinus. 

hi  lialiihty  to  autumnal  fever,  the  jirairies  ludd  an  intern;.  Late  place  bc- 
[nicn  tiie  river-bottoms  and  the  sand  and  loam  plair.s,  which  bear  oaks  and 
liiiis.    I  was  told  by  Mr.  IJibl),  who  resides  upim  the  prairies,  twelve  miles 
;  jtli  of  Ctilumbus,  that,  for  several  years,  while  lie  kept  his  uperatives  on 
tio sl'iiios  of  the  prairies  near  the  diluvial  jdain  or  old  buttoni  of  the  Tom- 
I,  lic'.kbee,  tliey  suffered  much  from  autun;iu !  fever ;  which  led  him  to  remove 
tkm  a  few  miles  back,  where  they  i-njoyed  excellent  health.     He  knew  of 
many  other  cases  of  the  same  kind.     Mr.  Moore,  a  few  miles  off,  had  found 
tl:i  prairies  decidedly  healthy.    In  lunc  years,  out  of  one  hundred  operatives, 
i  ittwoadidfs  and  three  or  four  children  had  died.     Mr.  ]3illups,  his  neigh- 
'  r,  liiiwc'ver,  in  eight  years  had  lost  twenty  out  of  one  hundred  and  twenty; 
fwiiniii  hut  two  were  adults;  yet  eight  only  of  the  whole  had  died  of  fever. 
N.vortlicless,  the  prairies,  as  I  learned  from  various  persons  both  in  and  out 
'  f  the  profession,  may  be  said  to  be  subject  to  that  form  of  fever;  but  t' ey 
a.'f  kaltliier  than  the  cane-brake,  in  which  there  is  a  deeper  mold. 
VI.    GuEKXsnouo. — This  town,  one  of  the  tddest  and  most  noted  in  Ala- 
\  hinia.  is  situate  in  about  N.  Lat.  32"  4U',  near  the  northern  border  of  the 
iraiik'8,  ill  the  west  of  Greene  county,  between  the  sources  of  IJig  or  Brush 
ijirk  and  a  branch  of  ]>ig  Prairie  Creek,  both  emptying  into  the  Tusca- 
loosa, near  its  mouth.     The  site  of  Greensboro  is  undulating  and  dry.     TJie 
liipjicr  stratum  consists  of  sand,  loam,  and  gravel,  being  a  part  of  the  wide- 
jSiifuaJ  deposit  on  which  Pickensville  and  Tuscaloosa  have  been  built.     To 
Itk'  south  and  south-west  of  the  town,  there  are  snu.il  ravines  or  valleys, 
jHicli  inclo.se  sluggish  wet-weather  streams,  with  niursliy  borders,  having  a 
jfoilof  the  richest  quality,  and  producing,  along  with  a  luxuriant  herbaceous 
pgctatioii,  a  considerable  growth  of  small  cane;  —  henee  they  are  called 
'sffiteli-cane  marshes'  and  'reed-brakec       These  lucalities,  which  might,  by 
jafcliing.  be  made  dry,  are  at  present  very  unhealthy.     In  reaching  them,  we 
jpissfurone  or  two  miles  over  rolling  and  sandy  pine  and  oak  lands.     From 
post  round  to  north,  the  country  is  poor  and  ridgy.      Its  springs  form  little 


.*^-"-.:vv, 


I 


!| 


•■-.!*■ 


.,) 


■s?''-^'i';?^v::;^'-fc- 


'I ,-. 


M& 


n 


■■'   fi 


':^'^i^'A:%: 


>H^' 


n---: 


198 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DI.-JKASES  OF  THE 


I  Boot ; 


Ui 


1.      M 


streams,  with  mar.-liy  borders  tVdni  fifty  to  oiu!  Imndred  y.:rds  wide.    Tu  t;,. 
nortli,  at  tlic  distaiiec  of  live  miles,  is  }i\g  or  Ilrush  Creek,  the  valli  v 
wliieli,  a  mile  in  widtli,  is  a  swamp  througliout.         farm,  on  its  north  nrl  . 
ward  side,  lias  lieen  I'nund  one  of  the  nmst  nnhealchy  in  the  wliole  oiAmr. 
To  the  north-east,  tiio  hraiadies  of  this  ('re<'k  meander  in  swaiii|iv  vallv- 
one  of  wlii(di  embraciis  a  mill-pond,  and  all  are  iiisalnhrions.     To  tlio  fiju;!;. 
east,  there  is  an  extensive  slonirh  or  swamp,  in  tlie   neighborhood  of  wl,: 
fevers  greatly  abonnd.     Thus,  while  tlie  immediate  town  plat  is  free  frnm;'. 
conditions  which  /.'enerati-  autunmal  fever,  they  abonnd  in  the  sunduiiii: 
country;  and  the  inhaltitants  (tf  both  have,  from  the  beginning  of  iiiiiiii:;r> 
tion  into   this  region,  ex])erienccd  very  violent  intermittent   and  Miiitt':.; 
fevers,  which,  however,  are  more  prevalent  in  some  Idealities  tlian  otliors. 

VII.  l)i;.MOi>OMS. — This  town,  one  of  the  newest  in  the  valley  of  the  Tfn- 
beckbee,  is  situated  on  the  lel't  or  eastern  bank,  innnediatcl}- below  tlie  iii'u: 
of  Tnsealoosa  Eivcr.  On  both  sides  of  the  latter  there  are  wide  hott'iL- 
subject  to  amnial  inundations.  The  site;  of  r>emop(dis  is  dry,  and  ilcvatv: 
above  the  highest  floods  of  the  river.  It  bears  a  sj)ontaneous  growtli  fifr.i 
cedar,  and,  e.xeept  the  drowned  bottoms  just  mentioned,  is  more  favura'h 
situated  as  to  health  than  many  other  towns  in  the  region  to  wliicli  itfe- 
longs.  The  river-faec  of  tlie  bank  on  whidi  the  town  is  built,  sliuw?  ;i:  :■ 
mation  of  cretaceous,  semi-indurated  limestone,  which  bears  a  differcr;' 
aspect  from  that  seen  further  np  tlio  river,  as  at  Piekensville ;  but  it  li;:,v 
like  that,  a  manifest  southern  di[).  The  ujiper  layers,  which  are  dry,  ili,>|t. 
an  almost  chalky  whitenes.*,  while  the  lower  and  damper  are  of  a  liglit  si;;"'.' 
color.  The  wlnde  jiresents  lines  or  fissures,  more  or  less  perpendicular,  im 
of  which  contain  crystals  of  carbonate  of  lime.  Nodules  of  martial  pvri:; 
are  also  connnon.  Near  the  water  this  rock  softens  like  marl,  and  is  perfj- 
rated  by  some  kind  fif  lith(jdonio.  ]\'nui{iolis  and  its  neigliborhood  ar^es- 
ceedingly  deficient  in  water.  The  'sipe-wells'  afford  but  little,  and  tbti; 
almost  saturated  with  lime,  and  imparts  a  snljdiurons  taste.  Artc.«iaii  liiiri':' 
have  been  resorted  to,  but  the  locality  is,  geologically,  too  high.  One  borin: 
on  the  town  plat,  six  hundred  feet  deep,  brought  np  to  within  ten  fict  ijt'!!>: 
surface,  a  moderate  siijinly  of  very  bad  water.  Other  borings,  eight  ImiiilrL; 
feet  in  depth,  have  failed.  The  resource  of  the  people  is  in  cistern? 
wells  so  lined  or  plastered  as  to  prevent  transudation  from  the  surroiinfc 
strata.  These  are  filled  by  the  cold  rains  of  winter,  and  those  of  suiiiiK 
are  excluded.  In  this  way  a  very  tolerable  drinking-water  is  obtained.  i-M 
people  of  Pemoprdis  regard  themselves  as  unfortunate,  in  not  having  I'htr.- 
od  water  by  Artesian  borings;  but  they  have  not  gone  deep  enongli  toreaii 
the  water-l)earing  stratum.  Its  depth  might  be  calculated  from  the  angle 
inclination  of  the  strata  at  Piekensville,  taken  in  connection  with  the  i<if'\ 
of  the  borings  west  of  that  town.  Everywhere  in  this  region,  the  Artc>;a' 
water  is  considered  salubrious;  as  an  evidence  of  which.  Doctor  Stnutei 
■of  Demopolis,  mentioned  to  me,  that  on  a  plantation  of  his,  the  opcntiv-l 


vtp 


nV  !•] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


1!J0 


^1,1,  1)8(1  been  sickly  under  the  use  of  the  water  of  a  'slpc-well,'  bccaiuu 
hoaltliv  as  soon  as  lio  liad  made  an  Artesian  fduntain. 

Iitiiionolif;,  altluiugh  not  so  disadvantagenusly  situated  as  some  other 
., aiisuf  Alal):uiia,  in  reffreiicc  to  th<ise  topdgrajihii'al  conditions  which  gun- 
,r;;te  autumnal  I'uvcr,  is  i)y  no  means  exempt  from  that  disease.  It  lias  con- 
^tjiit  steamboat  eonmiunication  with  .Alobile,  l)iit  has  not  ex|)erionced  yellow 

fever. 

VIIT.  Tin;  Lowi;ii  Tomukcki'.I'.k. — From  Deniopolis,  the  TomLeckbce  lliver 
fluws  nearly  south,  to  mingle  witli  tlie  AlaLama.  Not  I'ar  Lclow  the  town,  as 
[liavo  already  intimated,  the  cretaceous  marl  on  which  it  stands,  from  dip- 
iiini  soutberly,  disappears  beneath  tiie  river,  whoso  hanks,  like  those  of  the 
Aial  ania,  above  Claiborne,  arc  composed  of  deposits  of  various-colored  loam, 
.•ravi'l,  .sand,  and  clay,  with  wide  overflowed  bottoms.  The  eocene  or  old 
t.rtiary  limestone  is  at  length  traversed,  and  buhnv,  the  valley  of  the  river 
viik'ii?,  and  at  the  same  time  becomes  deeper.  The  tides  of  the  (lulf  are 
pTft'ived,  I  wa.s  told,  farther  uji  than  .Jackson,  nearly  one  hundred  miles 
Jivo  Muhile,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty  fnim  the  o[icn  (iulf.  The  low 
b'.ttuns  embrace  extensive  cypress  swamps  with  long  moss;  the  distant 
Mulls  liavo  a  reddish  color.  The  water  of  the  river  lias  an  indescribable, 
Jirty-brown  color,  with  now  and  then  a  shade  of  greenish  yellow.  Its  trans- 
I'arency  is  greatly  reduced.  In  this  condition  it  unites  with  the  Alabama, 
-ixty-live  miles  above  the  city  of  Mobile.  This  [)oint,  or,  rather,  the  higli- 
lawls  in  its  rear  (  for  the  point  is  subject  to  inundation  ),  was  once  the  head 

:' Miiliile  15ay;  and  here  commences  the  estuary,  of  which  some  account 
:;i>lR'en  already  given.'*' 

IX.  The  niLi--CouxTnY. —  llepcatcd  allusion  has  been  made  to  the 
1  w  alpine  region,  which  lies  beyond  the  cretaceous  formation,  and  consti- 
uiti'?, through  the  northern  part  of  Alabama,  a  water-shed,  from  which  trib- 
■,:tanos  of  the  Tennessee  descend  to  the  north,  and  the  various  head  waters 

f  tlio  TombuL-kbec,  Tuscaloosa,  Cahawba,  and  Coosa,  fl  .,  off  to  the  south. 
T!io  eastern  portion  of  this  range,  where  the  Appalachieola,  Tallapoosa,  and 
I'  '-a  have  their  origins,  is,  on  its  southern  side  at  least,  composed  chiefly  of 
irimitive  rocks,  topically  impregiuited  with  gold.  Further  west,  transition  or 
Silurian  limestone  occurs,  overlaid  or  flanked  by  a  coal  formation.  Thus  the 
.'0  'Ingy  of  the  hill-country  differs  from  that  of  South  Alabama,  as  nmch  as 
:;>  ti'pdgraphy.  In  regard  to  the  latter,  however,  it  maybe  remarked  that 
Uit  little  of  it  is  really  mountainous :  the  larger  part  is  jnly  hill-country. 
Tlie  streams  have  a  rapid  current,  wliich,  with  the  density  of  the  old  rocks 

vir  which  they  flow,  has  prevented  their  excavating  wide  alluvial  and 
>ivam[y  valleys ;  while  the  rugged  surface  has  rendered  the  formation  of 
I'liiilsand  marshes  at  a  distance  from  the  water-courses  ei(ually  impossible. 

Xevcrthcless,  this  region,  which  may  be  called  ^liddle  Alabama,  is  not  ex- 


■^<kf: 


■\ 


*  New  Orleans  Journal,  loco  citato. 


I 


200 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOl  1. 


IM  I.I 


INTERIOR 


• . .  1 


r':! 


^t 


m 


m 


enipt  fniin  autumnal  fever;  wlildi,  Imwevcr,  is  most  prevalent  in  tlio  vitiniir 
of  ereuk.s,  uvea  wlioii  ftirnieil  cliii'fiy  Ity  cdpidus  S|ii'iiigs.  Ductnr,  !.()«•  [y,. 
fossur,  (Jraiit,  of  .Menipliis,  wliu  funiierly  lived  four  }eiir.s  in  ]>ent(iii  ei^nr.- 
between  the  Coosa  and  Tallapoosii,  near  the  tliirty-fourtli  degree  of  lutiini 
saw,  as  he  informed  me,  niiiuli  of  tliis  ft'ver,  Ixjth  intermittent  and  romittri;; 
One  summer,  after  eopious  spring  rains,  it  invaded  the  inhabitants  (if  i'^ 
pine  hills.  In  Jueksunville  there  is  a  limestone  spring,  whieli  disfli;ir;'i,  a 
great  ((uantity  of  water;  and  it  is  notorious,  that  tliosc  who  live  noaru.<t  t.;' 
and  to  the  hrook  wiiieh  it  supplies,  are  most  unhealthy.  Doetor  C'liirku  U. 
given  nearly  the  same  aceount  of  the  fevers  of  the  same  county.  This  1 ..,;,;. 
ity,  I  sujjpose,  may  he  taken  as  tlie  representative  of  all  tlie  hill-cuiiiitrv 
from  (jeorgia  through  to  Mississippi.  Of  the  wliolc  region,  Doctor  Luwi.' 
remarks,  that  the  "fevers  of  an  iiitcrinittciit  and  remittent  type,  us'ini. 
make  tlieir  appearance  about  the  first  of  July;  increasing  in  number  aiiillf 
coming  more  violent  in  the  month  of  August,  with  occasioiuilly  one  of  i 
typhoid  character;  and  by  the  first  of  September,  they  have  attaiiitJ  tW; 
maximum  point,  and  usually  begin  to  decline  in  October." 


SECTION  VII. 

OUTLINES   OF  THE   REIUON  BETWEEN   THE   TOMnECKDEE  AM' 

MISSIS.^IPPI   RIVERS. 

The  Tombeckbce  River,  of  which  so  much  lias  just  been  said,  originate 
in  the  depressed  extremity  of  the  western  spur  of  the  xVppalachian  MuuC' 
tains,  which  constittites  the  Avater-shed  between  the  Ohio  Basin  and  ti. 
Gulf  of  IMexieo.  Its  sources  are  chiefly  in  tlie  north-east  corner  of  tlie  itai^ 
of  Mississippi;  subordinately,  in  the  north-west  corner  of  Alabama.  Pas?::;; 
from  the  former  to  the  latter  state,  at  Pickcnsville,  it  pursues  a  cji.r.' 
directly  south  to  Mobile  ]>ay,  at  a  short  distance  from  the  dividing  !::.r 
between  the  two  states.  Its  direction  is  nearly  parallel  to  that  of  tk 
Mississippi  Eiver,  from  which  it  is  distant,  in  a  straight  line,  from  one  hii- 
dred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  miles.  Its  extreme  length,  in  a  straight  li'.e 
is  three  hundred  miles.  Thus,  the  region  on  which  wo  have  now  entered  i-i 
parallelogram,  with  its  longest  sides  nearly  in  the  meridian.  It  includes  ti; 
state  of  3Iississippi,  and,  in  its  south-west  corner,  a  small  part  of  Louisiac: 

Few  portions  of  the  ^Mexican  Basin,  of  the  .same  extent,  present  as  uu::. 
jrcoloiiical  and  toporrraphical  uniforniitv,  as  this  reaion.  Accorilin;: t' '.: 
geological  map  of  Mr.  liyell,  compiled  from  tlie  best  authorities,'!'  tlie  wli  • 
region  embraces  but  two  formations:  1.  The  post-tertiar}' and  tertiary:  l 
the  cretaceous.     The  former  extends  north  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  (bctveff 


*  Med.  Hist,  of  Alabama  :  N.  0.  Jouriuil,  bff'ore  cited. 

t  Travels  ia  Nortli  Aiiiorica.     By  Ciiarlcs  Lycll,  Esq.     1845. 


i  V  I'.'ie  Riy and  the  Mississ 
j,:i''  if  Mis.si.ssippi,  nearly 
]'  :i!|iili.s  to  the  tmngli  of 
I     north  of  this  line,  bel 
(,:!i-iiiferotis  and  Silurian 
(rv . ;  .\labania,  do  not  oc( 
I;  ]':.  till'  nntiee  of  the  inec 
vAt'tchod  out,  is  eonii 
f  iTiitecl,  and  easily 
;  I  the  Ciulf  is  .small. 
me  sources  of  the  Toi 
■cii  hinidred  feet,  while 
•v  feet.     Ill  the  south 
:-;  in  the  north  and 
■'  a>t,  the  ujijier  jiart  < 
r  obstructed,  for  succ 
iiaphieal  eoiiditioii  is, 
k"  those  of  Alaliania, 
I  -11  tlie  Mississippi  l?iv 
i)o;;!inrs  which  lie  on   the 
tr, ;  :  the  region  under  iiisp( 
■  riliL'  its  interior.     This, 
filL'iij?:  for  I  did  not  pcnc 
K'l  [lublijhcd  much  upon  it 
!5ta-oast  corner,  with  tlie  fi 


I 

(i.- 
1 

ev 
■  t:  ■ 
t 

I  ' 


BASIN  C 

!  Th\>  out-of-the-way  and 
M'-  "f  the  state  of  Missis* 
lay.  may  be  seen  on  the  mai, 
■  l"-eii  already  described  ui 
' 'ij'ula  Piiver  is  intermedi 
''-"■y,  to  the  east,  and  Pea, 
'•'•'i  fifteen  counties  of  31 
[tirde  of  3U0  30',  its  extrei 
i'^li  more  than  two  degrc 
1 1''^'  ttTtiary  formation,  m 
^iiii  of  sand  and  luani,  ^s]. 
"^f'f'JUrorfivoluiudredf;..,. 
^ -■rams  have  scooped  out 
'  ■    The  bottom-lands  a 


i|r-  I 


^mm :  I 


rtRT  !■; 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NOKi..  AMERICA. 


liOl 


V  i^liBavand  the  ^lississijijii  l{ivcr),toa  lino  ruiiiiiiifr  across  the  middle  of  tlic 
t,- .  ,,t' Mississippi,  nearly  east  aiid  west,  from  tlie  Tnnibeckbee  Itiver,  lelow 
]i  iiLiulis, tn  till'  tnnioli  of  tlie  .^Iississip[ii,  alioveA^icksliiirf];.  All  above,  or  to 
t  iii.rth  of  this  line,  heluiigs  to  the  cretaceous  formation;  for  the  ohler 
(.  ill ■:.it'niiis  and  Silurian  groups,  which  constitute  so  much  of  the  hill-coun- 
(., .!  Alabama,  do  not  occur  in  IMississippi,  at  least  to  such  an  extent  as  to 
II,  rit  tlio  notice  of  the  medical  ge(dogist.  The  whcde  surface  of  the  region 
I.',  SActi-Iied  out,  is  composed  of  loose,  miscellanc(nis  ingredients,  readily 
(].  ,t  .Tatctl,  and  easily    transported   h)    water.     Its  elevation  above  the 

.jivtl't  the  Oulf  is  small.     The  highest  parts  arc  to  the  north-east,  at  the 

lisiionie  sources  of  the  Tondjeckbee;  but  they  do  not,  probably,  exceed  six 
jr-veii  hundred  feet,  while  the  greater  pirt  ranges  from  four  hundred  down 
lil'tv  feet.  Tn  the  south  of  this  region,  we  have  Pasoagouhi  and  I'earl 
Kinr-:  in  the  north  and  north-west,  the  Big  ]>lack  and  Yazoo;  in  the 
li  rtli-i-'a!>t,  the  ujiper  i)art  of  the  Tombeckbee ;  nearly  all  too  .shallow,  nar- 

^i(w,  "X  iiLstnicted,  for  successi'ul  steamboat  navigation.  An  effect  of  thi.s 
l,  :r  ..'npliical  condition  is,  that  the  towns  of  the  state  of  ]Missis.sippi  are 
B  •  liki'  those  of  Alabama,  on  the  banks  of  rivers,  except  those  which  are 
ft  :i,>l  111  tlio  Missis.->ippi  Eiver.  Having  already  treated  of  them,  and  of  the 
k;;!iiiis  which  lie  on  the  Gulf  of  3lexico  —  having,  as  it  were,  traveled 
P  ;:rl  tlie  region  under  inspection,  it  only  remains,  in  a  series  of  sections,  to 

[it-rihe  its  interior.     This,  however,  I  .shall  not  be  able  to  do  with  much 

.?s:  for  I  did  not  penetrate  it  in  many  jilaces,  and  its  physicians  have 

Ki  iiubH<hed  much  upon  its  medical  topography.     Wo  shall  begin   in  its 

biitj-cast  corner,  with  the  first  river  west  of  ^Mobile  Uay. 


SECTION  YIII. 

BASIN  OF  PASCAGOULA  RIVER. 

Tills  out-of-the-way  and  little-known  district,  constitutes  the  south-east 

lit'  the  state  of  31ississij)[)i.     Its  narrow  base,  embracing  Pascagoula 

|i',  may  be  seen  on  the  map  of  the  Delta  of  the  Mississippi  (  J'/.   \'),  and 

1  .t-n  already  described  under  the  head  of  Gulf  Coasts.      The  basin  of 

a.'iula  Piiver  is  intermediate  between  the  Tombeckbee  Eiver  and  31obilo 

!';..  to  the  east,  and  Pearl  Eiver,  to  the  west.     It  embraces,  entirely  or 

::vt,  fil'tecn  counties  of  31is.<issii)pi;  and  while  its  mouth  is  below  the 

ItiiaJeof  3U"  30',  its  extreme  sources  are  in  32"   40' N.     Thus  it  flows 

"diiiiore  than  two   degrees  of  latitude.     The  whole  of  this  basin  lies 

t"''  tertiary  formation,  and  presents  on  its  level  or  undulating  surface 

;its  of  sand  and  luani,  which,  in  the  northern  portions,  attain  an  eleva- 

|ii"i  I'lur  or  five  hundred  feet  above  the  Gulf.     Throufrh  these  loose  strata 

■■  -'ivams  liave  scooped  out  their  valleys,  many  of  which  have  considerable 

'■'■    The  buttoni-lands  arc  fertile,  and  heavily  timbered  with  the  forest 


■^'.'^'■f- 


.^.•^h^■ 


■i 


-rt. 


.  n 


rm 


.  I 


m 


"  ■■     ■  ■     .  '        ' 
**'  ■  ■     ■      ■ 


'"'■'^ 


'J()2 


TllK  I'KINCH'AL  DISEASES  OV  THE 


:«0'.| 


I.* 


/m--i 


ii|' 


■1  i 


I: 


^ 


trees  appropriate  to  fiuch  Inealitica  in   the  sniitli ;    but  are  mostly  ... 
t.^  iiiuiiilatiniis   in  wiiitcT  and  sprinjir,  wliicli   greatly  limit  their  <ii'iil..|... 
and  cultivation.     AloiiLr  the  Pa.^iapmla    lliver  there  are,  however,  '^ 
diluvial  terraees,  siieh  as  have  hern  descrihed  on  the  Toniheelihcc,  iin-i 
huinni(.'.'ks,  wliitdi  are  aliove  the  reach  of  the  highest  floods.     Tlif  in,; 
or  plain.^  vary  in   fertility,  from  the  dry.  sandy  surface  on  which  tlu;  !• 
leafed  pinj  luxuriates  to  the  exeUtsion  of  almost  every  other  trei,',  tb- 
that  in  which  it  shares  dominion  with  the  oak,  to  one  sufTiciontlv  fir" 
bear  a  niiseollaneous  forest  vegetation,  when   we  nu'et  with  tru(t.<^. 
richest  hummock.     As  a  general  fact,  tlie  ])oorest  ujilands,  and  tlielrai, 
lowest,  and  wettest  bottoni-laiid.s.  are  ncare.-<t  the  (Inlf.     Almost  cvn •• - 
of  the  whole  l)a.sin  abounds   in  permanent  springs,  the  result  of  iiilv- 
from  tli(!  surface. 

31r.  J>arl)y*-  informs  us  that  the  "general  aspect  of  the  soil  on  tli' ',iv 
of  the  I'ascagoula  is  sterile;  but  on  their  margins  a  consideraljle  ?iii;,. 
good  farming  land  exists.     I'ine  forests  rcaeli  the  Gulf  of  ^Mexico  onlntii;::^ 
of  Pascagoula  IJay."     Do.-tor  Merrill,  of  Natchez,  in  1S19  and  l^'JO,  v,,,.;. 
surgeon  of  a  regiment  of  troops  which  cut  a  military  road  througli  tlii»l.. 
from  west  to  east.     lie  found  it   a  level  pine   plateau,  with  but  few -it . 
or  ponds.     The  troops,  recently  from  the  north,  were  subject,  in  siiiiin.ir. 
autunni,  to  a  mild  and   sim[ile  remittent  fever,  of  which  very  few  ife. 
Speaking  of  that  part  which  lies  near  the  (lulf,  ^Nfr.  Darby  says,  itsunlb 
fulness   is  counterbalanced,  to  the  inhabitants,  by  the  health  tliov  f 
According  to  Eesan(;on,  t  most  '.larts  of  it   are  but  little  affected  vi;''i 
fevers  of  autumn;  and  of  one  county  he  says,  it  is  "too  healthy  tn  >•']:: 
a  physician,  too   honest  to  need  a  lawyer,  and  too   free  from  debt  tn  :.::•: 
any  salary  to  the  clerk  of  a  circuit  court."     On  the  whole,  we  niayi.'   ! 
that  the  I'ascagoula  liasin  affords,  in  its  autumnal  salubrity,  instructive 
deuce   of  the  connection,  in  the  manner  of  cause  and  effect,  hotn>.ii : 
topograjihieal  condition  of  a  southern  region  and  its  bili((us  fevcr.«.   If' 
obstructions  to  the  navigation  of  the  I'ascagoula  lliver,  whioli  li'.-  ;.• 
mouth,  and  ciuisist  of  bars  formed  by  the  silt  of  the  river  and  tlio  .<i'  i- 
tlu'  (lulf,  were  removed,  so  that  its  deep  waters  could  be  entered  \<x  ■•  :l 
boats,  its  banks  would  afford  many  healthy,  retired,  and  pleasant  r'.;; 
for  the  people  of  New  Orleans  and  3Iobile,  during  the  sickly  season. 


*  Gcnpr.  Pescrij),  of  Ln.,  p.  206. 

t  An.  Rvg.  of  tlie  State  of  Mi.,  1^38. 


t  MSS.  penes  me. 


INTERIOR 


BA 

Tliis  lia.^in,  which  oci 
j}  -It '  'if  .^Iis.sissip[)i,  ext 
li  ,111(1  balvo  ]{orgn(!  (  /'/ 
J,  \  Lit. :;:!"  in'.  But,  a 
|g  ;■,  it.i  breadth  docs  ni' 
fcjc  .  ni'L'.  It  is,  in  fact,  tlu 
[^  iiiywliero  he  foimd  in 
r  the  cretaceous  prairies 
i.n  |ias.«{'s  tlie  line  of  junet 
|i\T3  tliroiigli  the  latter,  by 
)i;ittM-;iIlry,  or  trough,  is  wii 
..TO  suliji.'ct  to  iinmdatior 
Bui  iiimbar  swamps.  The 
Ir" 


P 

\b 

In 

fir 

!*'' 
ffc:, 

[;li.: 

[»■■ 


111'!]  tlio  lower  half  of  tlu 
!■■!  ivitli  pine.     t)n   tin 

-  vnd  the  river,  the  land 
•'inko.s,  and  even  whole 
i  Itivcr  are,  in  general. 
■,  an.'  fed  by  copious  spi 

-  v.lilili  are  less  liable 
t  live  from  swamps  am 

iiiM.    The  upper  part  o 
-'ipplicd  with  s])rings,  i 
il  tivcr  than  the  lower. 
; ;< larious  in  its  navigat 
il  tiiUTis  to  interest  the 
|ol  M  -M>.viii))i  .stands,  howeV' 
''  -(•',  and,  having 
JDp'OTiiliy. 

.1  ACKsoN',— The  imnu 
I  I'radually  rising  into  a  con; 
I'le,  wigioally,  a  kind  of  mo 
pr.  to  the  cast  north-east, 
■prings.     Extensive  low 
|o?t.  ffliiidi  are  covered  by  d 
>  west,  a  small  tributary 
^niiorly  the  inliabitants  dra 
kictly  on  cisterns,  replenishc 
P'"H  liiniself  to  the  study 
Nfonding  from  the  surface 
mhv;  clay  or  hjam,  seven  or 


i"'J['  --i 


*ri.] 


INTRRIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMFRICA. 


203 


si:cTio\  IX. 

HASLV  (IF  I'KAKL  HIVFR. 

I    Tin's  Imsin,  wliii-li  (u'ciipics  iiKire  tliaii  lialf  tlio  Idiifritiidiiial  center  of 

Bo -tut'  "f  Mississippi,  oxti'iids  from  tlic  A'/'/oA/.v,  Ijotwccii  fiakc  I'uiitr.'linr- 

laiiiiiiM  1-ak'!  Jiiir^Mit' (  /'/.    l'),  (Hi  tlu;  ( iulf  .if  .Mfxico,  in  N.  Lat.  :iO"   1(1', 

i.\.  I,at.  •!•!"  I**'-     '5'if.  wliiltMtsi  loti;:tIi  rc^aclics  tliroii^rli  tliroe  degrees  of 

Ititii'l".  it.i  lii'(?ndlli  (loos  not  average;  more  tliaii  tliree  (|iiartc'>'  of  a  degree  of 

L'iiuili.'.     It  i>»,  in  fact,  the  narrowest  liasin,  in  proiKirtinn  to  it.s  length,  that 

III aiivwliorc  bo  found  in  the  Interior  \'!illey.     Tlu!  river,  originating  in  or 

Itar  the  civtacoous  prairies,  south-west  of  Cohunhus,  on  the  Tonilnckheo, 

-niiasscs  the  line  of  junction  between  that  formation  and  tlio  tertiary,  and 

|iT3tliriiiigh  the  latter,  by  a  course  nearly  soutti,  to  the  (!ulf.      Its  imnie- 

jlato  valli'V,  er  trough,  is  wide,  with  rich,  wooded  bottom-lands,  almost  evcry- 

Ik'fo  suliject  to  inundations,  which  leave  ponds,  lagoons,  ami  cypress  and 

iiilanibar  ,«wanips.     The  uplands,  on  each  side,  arc  suflieiently  level,  and 

|iPiiL'!i  the  liwcr  half  of  the  river's  I  ngth,  especially  on  its  eastern  side,  are 

loTiri'iJ  with  pine.     On   the  western  side  generally,  and  on   Imth   sides  as 

|c:i.^riiil  the  river,  the  land  becomes  more  fertile  and  ndling,  with  bummi'cks, 

^v.i-hnkcs,  rnul  even  whole  counties  of  productive  soil.     The  tributaries  of 

frarl  I'iviT  are,  in  general,  very  short;  but   manv  of  them,  esiieeiallv  the 

pr.  an.' fed  by  copious  springs.     .Most  of  tlicni  flow  through  wide  alluvial 

i!ks,  diich  are  less  liable  to  overflinvs  than  those  of  the  main  stream,  yet 

'notfroc  from  swamps  and  swales,  which  render  tlieir  baid<s  uidn'althy  in 

ptuiiin.    The  upper  part  of  the  basin,  although  more  productive,  is  not  so 

Idl  !!ii|i]ilied  with  springs,  and,  from  its  richer  nudd,  is  more  liabh'  to  au- 

Biiiiial  liver  tiiaii  the  lower.     Hitherto,  Pearl  Puvcr  has  been  found  ditficult 

[iciarinus  in  its  navigation;  in  eonsetjuence  of  which  it  has  no  large  com- 

kiial  towns  to  interest  the  medical  topographer.     The  cajiital  of  the  state 

)li>sis,siiipi  stands,  however,  on  the  west  or  right  bank  of  this  river,  about 

L.it  .'I'i^  "JO',  and,  having  made  a  visit  to  it,  I  shall  give  a  sketch  of  its 

bp'L'raiiliy. 

II.    Jacksox. — The  innnediate  site  of  the  town  is  elevated;  some  parts  of 

I.Ti'li'.ally  rising  into  a  considerable  swell  or  tul  erosity ;  though  other  parts 

It'ro,  iii'igiiially,  a  kind  of  morass,  now  filled  u]i.     Between  the  town  and  the 

iver.  to  the  oast  north-east,  there  are  ponds  of  clear  and  cold  water,  supplied 

■^pnng.s.     Extensive  low  bottoms  lie  to  the  north-east,  east,  antl  south- 

N(-t.  whii'li  are  covered  by  dense  forests,  and  sutler  annual  inundations.     To 

|ft  wt.?t,  a  small  tributary  is  .skirted  with  narrow,   wet,  alluvial  grounds. 

FriiM'ly  the  inhabitants  drank  a  very  impure  well-water;  latterly,  they  rely 

Sttitiy  1,11  cisterns,  replenished  in  rainy  weather.     From  Dr.  Clist,  who  has 

wv  till  himself  to  the  study  of  the  geology  of  this  region,  I  learned  that,  in 

i4-.iiiiliiig  fruni  the  surface,  there  is,.A'''''''.  a  bed  of  mold;  sccom/,  a  bed  of 

.  Jt.K'Wclay  or  loam,  seven  or  eight  feet  thick;  t/dr'l,  a  bed  of  gravel,  variable 


^\   < 


■Vi 


'■^J 

M^ 

1,   . 

■iy^' 

■./ '  • 

'iCfc^ 

•. :  "<■.■ 

"'?;•'' 

■AU. 

•  ''v.*'"*  • 

'  '.  ..  ■ 

.j\ 

*' 

.     .-^.v    '  -  *  ■ 

/•■■r  ''      .     .     ' 

'':'.'m 

'■ .  ■    ■ 

f  ■,»•■ 


•^j,,\f{'-:^^Pu'.\■•^'     ■'   - 


•  ■   u.-K  ■ 


201 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[IOC 


f.iir /.J 


INTER  rofl 


!'  ■     ' 


li    .•   r 


I 


|.-^;--l 


in  tlii(kncH<«,  but,  gciiernlly,  alxiut  tliroo  feet ;  j'lnirlh,  a  strntiini  of  Mn, 
from  ei^flity  to  mn'  liunilri'il  Coot  tliroiigli ;  Ji/lh,  hiiihI,  y^^i  uiikiinwii  (Iciiili    | 
socniid  iiii'l  tliinl  (  loam  ami  jrravrl  )  aro  nl'tfii  wanting.     The  fimrtli  ,' 
day  )  Hoiiictimcs  asf'inncs  a  wliitc,  ^'ray,  or  yclinw  lino.     Tt  alMiund!.  iv. 
of  inilnratod  (.•arlioiiati)  of  linu',  or  rotten  linicstoiu',  marl,  and  ;.'V|iMnii;j 
fialjdiati'H  (pf  iron,  soda,  magnesia,  and  alnmina,  liavo  also  been  (liter;. 
it.      It  altoiindn  in  marino  hIicILs,  remains  of  trees,  and  bone.s  nt' l;ii,  1  ■  .  I 
nials.     'I'lic  fifth,  or  sand  stratum,  in  its  upper  part,  roHcmliles  the  mud  it  ;> 
river;  liaviiig  decayed  animal  and  vegetalih;  nnitters  mingled  with  it, j;] 
sending  up  earlionic  ai'id  gas.     At  the  depth  of  a  few  feet,  the  f<aiiil;iN.;^4 
a  white  color,  and  retains  it,  as  far  as  borings  have  been  made,    'flii- 
which,  l)y  its  undulations,  comes  umch  nearer  the  surface  in  some  |iW;  liit  I 
in  other.H,  abounds  in  animalcides,  of  the  same  kind  that  are  found  in  la 
neighboring  ponds,  whieli  aro  fed  by  springs.     All  the  wells  wliiuh  tim.iai( 
in  the  blue  elay,  aft'ord  bad  water,  and  likewise  some  of  tlio.'^o  wldili  la 
through  it;  but  a  pure  water  is  supplied  by  the  .springs  which  hurst  oiitir! 
the  white  sand,  where  it  approaches  the  surface  near  enough  to  hu  cut  im  iil 
the  streams.     This  interesting  description  is  no  doubt  applicable  niiturJri; 
Hinds  county,  ono  of  the  largest  and  richest  of  the  state,  in  which  Jaik«  nJ 
Bituate,  but  applies  :ilso,  with  some  niodillcations,  to  all  the  northern  W; : 
the  tertiary  deposits  through  Mississippi  and  Alabama. 

For  several  years  after  the  beginning  of  settlements,  this  locality  w:i«fr-| 
jcct  to  autumnal  fevers  of  a  most  malignant  character;  but  latterly,  tli(v!;r 
been  much  milder.  Of  the  liasin  of  l*earl  Kiver,  generally,  it  may  be iii; 
that  places  near  the  river,  and  on  such  of  its  tributaries  as  have  wide  liii;;t 
aro  insalubrious;  but  the  ])ine  and  oak  lands,  and  other  tracts  of  rii.lur-:; 
face,  but  rolling  anil  remote  from  water-courses,  arc  comparatively  liialtLi 


SECTION  X. 

RE(;iON  BETWEEN  PEARL  RIVER  AND  THE  MISSLSSIPFI:  TliE 

BLUFF-ZONE. 

I.  Tn  concluding  our  survey  of  the  region  immediately  north  of  tlioiu. 
wo  come  to  the  most  populous  and  productive  portion  of  the  whole,  ealkj '.,'j 
Mr.  Darby  the  bluff-zone,  llcstiiig  on  the  ]}ayou  Iberville,  on  t'iit  l'«| 
part  of  Amite  Kiver,  on  Lake  .Maurepa.s,  and  on  J^ake  i'oiitchartraiii. 
Lat.  about  o()f'  10',  the  bluff-zone  extends  directly  north,  keeping  y-sl-M 
to  the  Mi.ssissipjii  lliver.  Its  southern  end,  up  to  the  thirty-first  par:i 
comprehends  the  parishes  of  St.  Tammany,  Ijivingston,  Bat(jn  llougi'.  ^■t*! 
and  Kast  Feliciana,  St.  Helena,  and  Wasliingtoii,  all  in  the  state  of  Ljil 
ana.  AVashington  and  St.  Tammany,  from  reaching  to  I'earl  Eivtr. i"^ 
partly  included  in  its  basin.  ])aton  llouge,  Fast  Feliciana,  and  a  small 
of  West  Feliciana,  rest  on  the  Mississippi.     The  most  important  rivtri-- 


jr'i  \i  tliR  .Vtnifc,  which, 
];,,  111  IUtviIIc,  and  gives 
i[  .\irnriiiiig  to  Mr. 
\'y  ;:iy  miles  wiilc,  extendi] 
intilii.illy  t'riini  the  water-b 
iljriik(.'n  atriivity,  covercil 
lie  m".«t  numerous  are  the 
jtreams,  tlioro  are  cypress,  1 
tppi  tliiTu  arc  vast  lirioci 
lufl  iiiiiL'aolias.  This  im 
lur  soc'iiiid  bottoms  of  th 
Ttace  i.s  niodcrately  fertile 
I  tlier  of  nearly  tho  same 
y^r'ii  broken,  often  consido] 
li' .«truani.s  often  fertile,  bn 
\I'im.i  rii/i(/ii ),  and  steriL 
id  the  creeks  and  rivers  ar 
J  As  to  fertility,  it  may  be  8 
Icarl  Hiver)  of  both  these 
•iiTii.  Ill  this  (|uarter  wc 
.M.uxsoxviM.K. — Th 
iBilrivir  Chifuiicti,  near  it> 
li  :rniii  Xmv  Orleans  is  im 
III  ■  iiink'd  by  pine  wood.s, 
tCiiiiated  population  of  the 
'lity.  and  the  eastern  port 
fe:.  are -inoro  exempt  from 
eni're  fertile,  and  lie  in  th. 
Jrij  do,<eril)ed  in  Cliaj)ter  V. 
i'V.  M'e  may  take  anothc 
Fiv-lirst  to  the  thirty-seci 
^t-  "t  Mississip|)i,  inunodiat 
■'■^t  indicated,  by  saying  tl 
|itMvestern  margin.  The  < 
iio  Idufl-zone,  are   AVilk 

pinsaml  Franklin,  then  Jef 
Viali  in  tlicir  rear  to  tho  oa 

.  m  many  respects,  tho  mi 

If  ''''le  Homo  Chit  to  ami 

'  "f  nliioh  flow  into  the  Mi 

"'""'"S-someof  ifc  even 

P  faots  of  pine  with  thii 

*Ge 


ikii;: 


l\''    ■ 


'ri\\ 


itir  !■. 


INTERIOR  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


205 


hi  tilt;  i'''J 


tniii 

,i:.^ 

lUg 

,ar^.. 

rst 

ar.u^ 

:ouL' 

,,W, 

lit  L 

ii  .-II-'- 

Iriva ' 


-ct  iij  tli«  Ainitr.  wliiili,  travcrMiii;?  it  (•ciitnilly,  |iniirN  its  waters  into  tlio 
Ml  [1,1'rvilli',  !iii(l  fiivi'S  its  luiiiio  in  tlio  unitLMl  htrcniiis. 

[\  ,\i''''iniiii;,'  to  Mr.  |)iirl)y,*  a  transvt.THC  Itrit  of  tliin  zone,  altout 
Ivditv  milt'''  wide,  oxtoiiiliii;.'  I'min  tlio  Mi.st<iMsi|i|ii  to  I'carl  Hivor,  rix-s  very 
wihiallv  frtini  tlio  watur-lm.-ie  lino  wliidi  lias  hooii  (If.scril)C'(l.  It  is  an  aliiio8t 
uilmkoii  acclivity,  covltcJ,  over  its  wliolo  area,  witli  forest  trees,  of  wliieh 
I,,,  inn.t  Miiiii'Tnus  are  the  iii|iiiilaiiil)iir,  and  tlie  ((in nitron  oak,  Alonj.'  tlio 
UrMUiJ.  tlM-To  are  eypress,  loii^  moss,  live-oak,  and  eane.  Near  tlie  >lissis- 
I'lni  tliiTu  are  vast  liriodeiidroiis  or  tiiIi|i-|io|ilars,  and  over  the  whole, 
fc.pl  iiiairnolias.  This  inclined  pliiiii  is  diluvial,  and  eorrespondH  with  tho 
(I ;  .)r  second  hottonis  of  the  Toinlieekliee,  wliiih  liavo  been  mentioned.  Its 
Hi:':irc  is  modiTiitely  fertile.  Imniediatidy  succeeding  to  this  licit,  there  is 
II  'liiriif  nearly  the  same  area;  '  tho  surface  of  which,'  aecordini.'  to  Jhir- 
Iv.  iskiikon,  often  considerably  elevated,  the  soil  diversilied  in  (juality  ;  near 
li' streams,  often  fertile,  but  a  much  greater  projioition  covered  with  pine 
\l'iimii  riij'uli'  ),  and  sterile.  Springs  of  excellent  water  become  IVequent, 
111  tlie  creeks  and  rivers  aro  fine  bold  streams  of  very  pure  limpid  water.' 

As  tn  fiTtility,  it  may  be  stated  that  the  eastern  portions  (bordering  on 
rfarl  liivLT )  of  both  these  terraces,  are  more  sterile  and  piny  than  tho 

•tirii.    Ill  this  (pmrter  we  have 

III,  M.u)i!<oxvii,i,K. — The  site  of  this  village  is  on  the  right  bank  of  tho 
BallriviT  Chifuneti,  near  its  junction  with  Lake  I'ontchartrain.  Its  direc- 
biitrniii  New  Orleans  is  indicated  nii  the  map  of  that  city  (  /'/.    17).     It 

•urpniiid'jd  by  pine  woods,  and  I'onstitutea  one  of  tho  retreats  of  the  un- 
iMiutL'd  population  of  the  city,  during  the  preva'  nee  of  yellow  fever.  Its 
H'lity,  and  the  eastern  portions  generally  of  the  region  we  are  now  consid- 
|iii.',  are  •inoro  exempt  from  autumnal  fever  than  those  to  the  west,  which 
b  iiiTM  fiTtile,  and  lie  in  the  rear  of  IJaton  Kouge  and  Bayou  Sara,  which 
It:  'li'si.'rihed  in  Chapter  V. 

IV,  We  may  take  another  section  of  this  bluff-zone,  extending  from  the 
fcrtv-tirst  to  the  thirty-second  degree  of  north  latitude,  and  lying  in  tho 

"f  Mississippi,  immediately  north  of  the  preceding.  Its  position  will 
I'l-t  indicated,  by  saying  that  the  city  of  Natchez  stands  near  the  middle 
I iiMM'stcrn  margin.     Tho  counties  which  compose  this  transverse  section 

tlio  lihitl'-zone,  are    AVilkinson  and    Amite,  adjoining    Louisiana,    then 

Haras  and  Franklin,  then  Jefferson  and  (!laiborno,  with  the  single  county  of 

^I'.ali  in  their  rear  to  the  oast.     This  region  embraces  the  oldest-settled, 

iiMiiaiiy  respects,  the  most  interesting  portion  of  the  state  of  Missis- 

M  llio  Homo  riiitto  and  I3aycu  Pierre  are  its  most  considerable  streams, 
"i"t  which  flow  into  the  Mississippi.     Its  surface  is  considerably  elevated 

i  rolling — some  of  it  even  low-hilly.  Although  generally  fertile,  it  em- 
Icos  tracts  of  pine  with  thin  soil.     Nearly  one-half  of  Amit6  county,  in 


■■%,^ 


!| 


*Geog.  Dc.ocrip.  of  La.,  p.  92. 


20G 


THE  PUINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[m-. 


tA«T  l.j 


lnterkm; 


I-  r.i  . 


>■  •  I 


.'  ■!•  .  1 


,;    I 


"Sir 


■:-t>^  I:-.:.. 


1 


wliicli  tlie  river  Amkc'  originates,  is  covered  uitli  long-loafed  pine;  v. 
anutlicr  portion,  kimwii  as  tlio  'J*ine  llidgc,'  i>asses  diagonally  tlir;::':;  ■ 
county  of  Adams,  to  strike  tlio  I^Iississippi  a  sliort  distance  aliove  Xat.:.,; 
Nevertheless,  taken  as  a  whole,  this  tract  is  decidedly  I'ertile,  ami  is,  .jr^., 
clothed  with  a  nascelluneous  forest,  wliieli  overshadowed  exteiisivo  u-.. 
brakes.     In  many  places,  small  ponds  or  sloughs  disfigure  the  Surfac*.';  nv 
along  the  streams  generally,  tliere  are  foul  alluvial  bottoms,  subject  tiiiL;.| 
dation.     Tn  co)>",e(|uence  of  this,  the  most  extensive  and  valualde  iilantu;;j 
are  on  the  uplands.     Permanent  springs  are  scarce,  and  the  ^vcIImt;,:;  , 
offensive,  and  regarded  as  unhealtliy.    Though  pellucid,  it  deposits, (in-:-, 
i<:-f,  a  whiti.sh  sediment.      3Iost  of  the  wells  terminate  in  rotten  ( ttnir 
limestone.     I  brought  away  a  bottle  of  water,  from  a  well  of  very  la!:,. 
l)uto,  in  Jefferson  county,  several  miles  back  of  the  river-town  of  Pii]-;; 
already  described,  which,  after   the  lapse  of  three  years,  was  cxaiiii:;..': 
Doctor  llaymond,  who  found  a  spontaneous  deposit  of  crystallized  i.ur!  , 
of  lime.     All  the  carbonic  acid  gas,  which  kept  the  lime  in  soliitiuii,  ai.i:. 
sulphuretted  hydrogen  gas,  wdiich  gave  the  water  an  unpleasant  .sniil!.„ 
escaped.     Except  the  bme.  Doctor  llaymond  could  not  detect  aiiyt'.:-:.! 
matter. 

T(j  su[)ply  their  waiit.s,  the  planters,  in  many  parts  of  this  district,  n-:;: 
cisterns.  Tliosc  to  contain  (h'inking  water,  are  idled  by  the  rains  inn;:;- 
those  for  stock  or  o  her  purposes,  at  any  time.  Many  of  these  ci.-itir;.- .;: 
from  twelve  to  fifteen  feet  in  diameter,  and  twenty  to  thirty  feet  duqi.  >: 
largo  plantations  have  several,  in  different  parts,  as  convenience  ri'iair.- 
The  sti.i  k,  not  le.":s  than  the  peojiL\  prefer  this  to  well-water.  As  a  giKrJ 
fact,  all  the  fer.ile  portions  of  this  region  are  subject  to  autuiimal  kt' 
Some  account  of  a  few  localities  will  dlustrate  what  has  been  said. 

V.  Woonvii.i.K. — This  town  is  situated  fifteen  miles  from  the  MisfisJ 
River,  in  tiie  interior  of  )Vilkinson  count}-.  Its  elevation  above.tlicluvtlAl 
the  Gulf  is  throe  hundred  and  forty  feet;  above  the  river,  at  low  water,  il;::l 
two  hundred  and  sixty.  Its  latitude  is  ol^  7'  X.  The  geological  foimaii:! 
or.  which  it  stands,  is  tertiary  sand  and  clay.  According  to  Doctor  Stuiif!';! 
Doctor  Kilpatrick,  its  site  is  the  dry  rolling  land  which  separates  tlie  liuad  ivaM I 
of  the  I'ayou  Sara,  Thompson's  Creek,  and  Buffalo  Creek  from  cacli  <\'s\ 
Some  of  the  siuall  tributaries  of  the  last,  originate  on  the  town-pldt,  ai;a;i| 
they  flow  off  to  the  north,  pass  through  broken  pine  lands,  and  are  fel 
with  narrow  swamps;  but  the  town  and  its  environs,  in  other  dircctioiisK 
entirely  exempt  from  stagnant  water,  which,  i'r(»m  the  unevonness  ut'  i!.i  r:l 
face,  cannot  accumulate  into  ponds  or  mar.shes.  In  every  direction  aKij 
the  town,  except  to  the  north,  tliore  are  extensive  cotton  plantations,  ivk':! 
have  boon  cultivated  more  than  forty  years.  The  population  of  the  t"W:3| 
eight  hundred.  It  has  always  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  must  pkaarJ 
and,  ill  reference  to  autumnal  fever,  one  of  the  healthiest  towns  iu  tlie  !.i:;-| 


■,;i:  yet,inlS44,  it  e.\j 
i<nt,.\),  another  town  ol' 
■it!)  NatL'hci!,  from  whicli, 
i,,t  permit  it  to  bo  separa 

VI.     O.VKLAND  COLLKC 

luutv.iis  miles  from  the 

over  ridges  and  tuberoi- 
lut  tliO  college  grounds, 

ire  level,    ^'isiting  it  in 
.mm  of  any  kind;  and  s 

ammer  and  autur:n,  tli 
laljitauts.  The  prevalence 
It  t!io  distance  of  three  or 

riilier,  anJ])roduces  can( 

VII.      I'uKT  (illiSON. > 

[aiiJs  tlie  town  of  Port  (iil 
4itili'iciit  depth,  in  wet 

Lm  wliidi  it  is  distant  ten 
jf  ilraiid  Tiulf,  was  most  o 

f  wiiicii  ffcro  ratlier  steep. 
J.  low,  alluvial  valley  i 
jriruipal  branches,  that  uni 
p:t  bank  of  the  southern  iu 

ftiio  Bayou  Pierre  are  ove 
■W'.ilou  by  rains,  tiic  inui 

1  w'liich  the  town  stands  ij 
|:.'Uiidit-clean,  and  well  si 
toiu  twenty  to  forty  feet  de 
pa  in  nutny  other  parts  of 
ti)e  tertiary  forinati(jii,  tl 
piaiis  uniform  iu  character. 
pji',  tlicro  are  some  low,  \\ 
^t  junction  of  the  two  brai 
|ortii,  are  ponds  loft  by  tl 
buiitry  is  inodurately  level, 
plj'.ft  to  iiiild  attacks  of  a 
l^'fc  Irequcut  and  fatal.  Il 
A  111-     A  COMPARISON'  OF 

f  tiie  IdufT-zonc  which  have 
m  the  Pascagoula,  wo  fin 
Itiiig  noted :  jirat,  thoy  are  a 

liaeliiie  to  the  south  —  ai 

*  New  Orleans  Med 


rin: !., 


INTERIOR  \ALLCY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA 


20; 


jTisi:  vet, ill  1S44,  it  expcnoncoLl  a  .severe  visitation  of  ^olloiv  fever."*'  Wasb- 
LfH'!,  another  town  of  tliis  zone,  lias  been  already  dcseribeil  in  connection 
if;ti|  NaU'licz,  frum  wliicli,  it.s  iiarticipation  in  the  eiiideuiies  uf  that  city,  do 
u  ;  ■  .rii;it  it  to  bo  seijaratcd  by  the  niediral  top,,'f!Taj)lier. 

VI.  O.UU.AXD  CoLLEOK. — Tlio  sito  of  tlii.s  rural  inbtitutlon  is  in  Claiborne 
i.untv.sis  miles  from  the  ]Mi.ssi.<sij)jii  llivcr.  The  road  from  Uodiiey  reaches 
[ MiT riJiros  and  tidiero.sitics,  composed  largely  of  tertiary  sand  and  loam; 

Jut  ilie  eullego  grounds,  and  their  vicinity,  overshadowed  by  oak  trees,  are 

ri'  Lvcl.    Visiting  it  in  the  month  of  June,  (  did  not  see  a  single  spring  or 

itMiii  of  any  kind;  and  so  great  is  its  destitution  of  water,  that,  very  often, 

..iiiimLT  and  autur:n,  the  3Iississippi  Kivcr  is  the  only  resource  of  the  iii- 

Liiuiiiis.    The  iirevalence  of  autumnal  lever,  in  this  locality, is  small;  but 

Lt  tilt  distance  of  three  or  lour  miles,  where  the  soil,  although  dry  and  rolling, 

!  riiiior,  and  produces  cane,  that  disease  is  comnuin  and  often  violent. 

VII.  ruur  (!ir.S0N. — Near  the  central  part  of  the  same  county,  Jefferson, 
tamij  tliotuwn  of  Port  (jiibson  ;  so  called  because  there  flows  near  it  a  stream, 
it' yuliaic'iit  depth,  in  wet  weather,  to  float  cotton  boats  to  the  3Iississippi; 

iiMvl:ich  Id  is  distant  ten  or  eleven  miles.     The  drive  to  it,  from  the  town 

If  luaiid  (lulf,  was  most  of  the  way  over  hills  and  ridges,  the  sides  of  some 

Ifffiiiiii  were  rather  steep.     JJefore  reaching  it,  the  road  descended  into  the 

I.  !iw,  alluvial  valley  of  the  IJayou  I'ierre ;  whii-h  is  composed  of  two 

liiiiiipal  branches,  that  unite  near  Port  (iibson,  the  site  of  which  is  on  the 

ii'.ik  of  the  southern  fork.     ^Vllen  the  [Mississippi  rises  high,  the  bottoms 

I ilx' Uiiyou  Pierre  are  overflowed;  and,  should  tliat  creek  at  the  same  time 

!5T  .iloii  by  rains,  tiie  inundatii  u  iz  :  .'udercd  wider  and  deeper.     The  plain 

1  iviiieli  tlio  town  stands  is  dry,  and  suilicicntly  elevated  above  the  stream. 
[:  uiM  it- clean,  and  well  shaded  witli  trees.  It  also  has  a  number  of  wells, 
twiiity  to  forty  feet  deep;  and  much  less  cistern-water  is  drunk  here, 
|i:i:.  iu  iiuiuy  other  parts  of  the  district  which  we  are  now  surveying.     Thus, 

dc  tertiary  formati(jn,  the  water  obtained  from  different  strata  is  by  no 
lltaiis  uniform  in  character.  To  tlie  east  of  the  town,  between  it  and  the 
h'k.  there  are  some  low,  wet  grounds;  and  on  the  cape  or  peninsula,  above 

■  jaiictiou  of  the  two  branches  of  the  IJayou  Pierre,  to  the  north-cast  and 
triLi,  arc  ponds  left  by  the  inundations.  In  the  opposite  directions,  the 
iiuiitry  is  iiKiderately  level,  fertile,  and  free  from  swamps.  Port  (Jibson  is 
|iijj'.et  tu  mild  attacks  of  autumnal  fever.  In  the  surrounding  country  it  is 
W'h'  I'rcquont  and' fatal.     It  has  not  experienced  an  iii\;ision  of  yellow  fever. 

\  111.    A  co.Mi'AKiso.\  OF  IjOlwlities. — When  we  compare  the  two  sections 

t!.(j  hluff-zone  which  have  been  described,  with  the  basins  of  Pearl  Iliver 
H'I  the  Piiscagoula,  we  lind  identities  and  diver.sities  which  are  worthy  of 
|tnig  uute J :  //>■/,  they  are  all  incbided  within  the  same  parallels  of  latitude — 
iiadiiioto  the  south  —  and  all  belong  to  the  same  tertiary  deposits;  yet, 


V    •"  f   ,•  I, 


■k:,  ~ 


.&■'■ 


.  \ 


:f»^ 


*  'is' *, 
■•■f '■'.  ■  ' 


*  New  Orleans  Medical  Journal,  Vol.  I,  p.  530;  Vol.  II,  p.  40. 


208 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


IBOJl 


PIRT  !■. 


IXTERIO 


f- 


^y. 


m 


sccotidlij,  the  (lci)th  and  continuity  uf  fertile  soil,  and  tbe  variety  and  ]■;■ . 
riance  of  tree  and  lierbacoous  vegetation,  arc  uuich  greater  in  the  foim. r ::,;  i 
in  the  two  latter.     Now  to  what  cau.>;es  shall  we  ascribe  this  differonco';  j^. 
not  prepared  to  say  that  some  variation  in  their  mineral  constitutiminjav;; 
exist,  as  an  effioicnt  agency  in  tlio  case,  but  am  inclined  to  aseriljuiinKa  • 
the  dilFerenco  to  the  contiguity  of  the  3Iississippi  lliver,  and  its  wide,  Mvas,- 
and  pondy  bottoms.     In  the  great  prairies  of  the  west,  trees  and  a  riiln..> 
tation  arc  only  found  near  the  rivers.     On  the  western  side  of  Lako  Afi-i.;;- 
I  found  a  belt  of  lofty  forest,  two  or  three  miles  wide,  with  prairie iin; .. 
ately  beyond.     It  appears,  then,  that  river  and  lake  exhalations  i'uvr:;- 
vegctation;  and  to  tliis  influence,  continued  ever  .since  the  3Iississiji|)iyi| 
existence,  we  may,  perhaps,  in  good  part  ascribe  the  misccllaneou.si'ori>tiM| 
luxuriant  herbaceous  vegetation,  and  the  rich  soil,  which  distinguish  tin  K. 
zone  from  the  zones  which  lie  immediately  east  of  it;  and  which,  attb,-;;:! 
time,  render  its  inhabitants  more  liable  to  autumnal  fever. 


SECTION   XI. 

THE  RLUFF-ZONE  CONTINUED:   VALLEYS  OF  THE  BIG  BL.\CK  iv 

YAZOO  RIVERS. 

I.     This  section  of  the  zone,  east  of  the  Mississippi  and  west  of  P'sl 
lliver,  extends  from  that  just  described  (the  northern  limits  of  ffLii:: 
between  the  thirty-second  and  thirty-third  degrees  of  latitude),  up  t  ;.;: 
o.V'.     To  the  west,  ti.is  section  of  the  zone  is  limited,  for  a  short  ili-' u 
by  the  3Tississippi,  and  afterwards  by  the  Yazoo   lliver;  to  tlio  ea.-'.::; 
bounded  by  the  upper  waters  of  IVarl  and  Tombeckbec  lUvcrs.    Likr'S 
three  preceding  divisions  through  which  we  have  just  passed,  this  sod;:: 
the  zone  is  narrow,  especially  in  its  lower  part,  where  Pearl  River. !f I 
westerly  bend,  approaches  near  to  the  Big  l>lack.     Our  palc(ititologi>t!.!'!r 
decided,  that  the  line  of  junction  between  the  tertiary  and  the  misit 
formations  of  the  south,  traverses  the  lower  extremity  (if  this  soctinii,  n; 
iiortli  of  tlie  town  of  Jackson,  in  tlio  interior,  ami  of  "N'icksburg,  oiitK)!:^ 
sissi|ipi;  '^o  that  nearly  the  whole  district  on  which  we  have  entorcil.  fcJ 
the  latter  formation.     As  to  civil  divisions,  no  less  than  sixteen  or  a'Vffija 
counties,  in  whole  or  in  part,  are  included  within  its  limits.     Thii.-i'i'^i 
make  up  its  inferior  portion, —  Claiborne,  WarrtMi,  Hinds,  Yaznn,  )\yA 
and  [lolnics, —  began  to  be  settled  as  far  back  as  IMIO,  or  even  k't'Ti: 
the  settlement  of  the  remaiiuler  was  at  a  later  period. 

As  intimated  by  the  heading  of  this  article,  two  rivers  drain  tlicw!:.! 
this  section.     IJig  Black,  the  soutliern  and  shorter  of  these  stre:iui>.''.p| 
nates  in  Choctaw  county,  and  taking  a  south-west  course,  nearly  [laR.:' 
the  Yazoo,  enters  the   ^lissi-^sijipi  iilty-four  miles  below  A'ickshui'L'.  i' 
town  of  Grand  Gulf.     The  county  in  which  this  river  has  its  ori^iiii. ' 


t!;;m  llii'se  through  whicl 
^Ithe  .«trnt.i  are  loose  and  f 
!"Ur.;o.  M  iiroad  valley,  w 
ibad'.AVL'il  by  tali  trees. 
\,.iiA  ill  going  from  Vic 
.'  fill'.  ;i!iiiini(liiig  in  jiomls 
ili.it  tiiii'',  .June  sftst,  nihil 
Pli'k  separates  the  coui 
ti.'l,  arc  wide,  and  subject 
iirilifi'ii  cniinh'es  of  31ai 
|.M-water,   Tallahat.dice, 
iD'ith-wi'st,  descend  into  1 
|,'i!:io  iif  Vazoo.     The  cou 
lli":"i|'|ii,  wliieli   it  juin 
e  the  mouth  of  the  Bi 
I  aro  canals  of  conniiu 
■  tlio  vast  alluvial   [ 
'  "f  the  Yazoo  is  ah. 
■  a;id  constitute   the  \i 
'  ,i'i?.     The  main  trunl 
i:.f  -Mississippi,  but  the  i 
"'■'i  cuter  its  left  or  eas 
t"!i  Kongo  to  "\'ickshur,: 
loir  separated  from  it  bv 
Tin's  jiortion  of  the  bluff 
'  '•  ''iJiy.    It  has  but  fow 
'  '■'■•'  .streams,  and  even 
l«        One  of  the  most  in 
1"  traveled  to  Benton 
Jfrwl;iVli  the  road  passes  i; 
pi.    l]i;.VTo.\  lias  I'or  its 
»!«[':■• '"'itoms  of  the  J}ig 
''"-  >"il  of  this  regiir 
h^'tof  of  the  springs  aii.l 
|r-<'>nt!i.    XotwithstandinJ 
F  "I  any  great  degree,  to 
P"i>:iregnlarvi.sitant,  a 
Pli.   Il„et„r  3Iontgonierv 
y  '^■"•■^  uf  Carroll,   Clio. 
""     J'cnton,  from  which 
I  ^"  "'"  alcove  mentioned 
prt^''l  and  broken;  the  V 
vm- narrow,  and  coiiti 
V'^''  '^t'  any  importance,  \ 


^^^1r 


P4RT  !■ 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


200 


b^hn  those  tlimugli  wlilcli  it  flows,  is  sufiicioiitly  elevated  and  rulllng;  but  as 
h' strata  arc  louse  and  friallo,  it  has  seimpfd  out,  for  the  lower  halt'  of  its 
ifiur-e.  a  broad  vallc\',  with  de[)re.sscd  and  foul  bottom-lands,  densely  over- 
iliid.AVL'J  by  tall  trees.     Even  one  of  its  tributaries,  JJaker's  Creek,  wliich  I 
irr,«i'il  ill  "oing  from  Yieksburg  tn  Jarksun,  had  a  valley  three  or  tour  miles 
\i\c  aliouiuliii'i'  ill  poiids  and  swamps;  and  a  family  near  its  banks  wero  at 
Kit  Um<\  June  Jlst,  afflicted  with  fever.     At  a  higher  point,  where  tiie  Big 
Ilk  -eiianites  the  counties  of  Yazoo  and  [Madison,  its  bottoms,  as  I  ^vai^ 
il  are  wide,  and  subject  to  inundation.    The  Yazoo  lliver  originates  in  the 
icrthrru  coun*:ies  of  31ar>liall,  'I'ippali,  and  INmtotoc,  under  the  names  of 
l-water,   Tallahatchee,   and    Yallnlmsha  ;   whicli  strcains,  flowing  to  the 
iiUli-west,  descend  into  tho'  wide  Mississippi  bottom,  luiito,  and  take  the 
pae  iif  Yazoo.     The  course  of  this  comniuM  truidc  is  nearly  south,  to  the 
ivi^-ii'|ii,  which   it  joins    twelve    miles   above  ^'ick.sburg,  and    si.\ty-,->ix 
live  the  muutli  of  the  ]>ig  ]jhick.     Of  tho  ^un  Flower  and  other  bayous. 
tii  a  u'l;  canals  of  comnuiiiication  from  the  [Mississippi  tn  the  Yazoo  liiver 
Icr  -  t!io  vast  alluvial  plain,  an  account  has  been   already  given.     The 
fc'.ir-t' nf  the  Yazoo  is  along  the  bluff's,  which  terminate  this  plain  to  the 
i",  a;iil  coii.-titute  the  western  margin  of  the  ujiland  zone  we  are  now 
jji;!  i:!_'.     The  main  trunk  of  the  Yazoo   ])elongs,  therefore,  to  the  trough 
If  t     Mississippi,  but  the  upland  streams  which  form  it,  and  the  trihutaries 
ll  '  riitw  its  left  or  eastern  side,  belong  to  th.e  blutf-zone,  which,  from 
liDUge  to  Vicksburg,  a[iproaches  the  .^lississippi,  but  is  afterwards 
separated  from  it  by  the  Yazoo  ildttnni. 
This  jiiirtion  of  the  bluff-zone  is  nowhere  quite  level,  and  in  some  parts 
r  iiilly.    It  has  but  few  lakes  or  swamps,  exce[)t  in  the  immediate  vicin- 
!  its  .streams,  and  even  these,  as  we  advance  to  the  north,  diminish  in 
!;ii,    One  of  the  most  important  counties  of  this  district  is  Yazoo,  into 
.1!  I  traveled  to  ]jeuton,  twelve  miles  from  Yazoo  City.     The  country 
rwiiiuh  the  road  passes  is  elevated  and  uneven. 

IL    ])K.\T(ix  has  for  its  site  a  dry  and  mlling  tract,  with  the  low  and 
rnnv  liuttonis  of  the  J)ig  Bhu^k  eight  or  ten  miles  to  its  east  and  si.uth- 
•    Till.'  -lil  (if  this  region  is  fertile,  tlie  natui'al  vegetation  miscellaneous. 
wator  ot'  the  springs  and  wells  nuich  bitter  than  in  the  bluft'-zone  fur- 
it  j'iv,t!i.     Xntwithstanding  the  country  at  and  aronnd   Benton  doos  not 
II.  in  any  great  degree,  to  i'avor  the  production  of  autunnial  fever,  that 
^1.' is  a  regular  visitant,  and  often  presents  malignant  cases. 
II.   Hiietnr  -Montgomery  lias  lately  published  a  jiaper  on  the  Topography 
crs  of  Carroll,   Choctaw,   Tallahatchee,  and   Yallobusha    counties, 
l!cnton,  from  which  T  make  the  following  extract: 
"III  lilt'  above  mentioned  counties,  the  face  of  the  country  is  very  much 
"'U|ite(l  and  broken;  tlie  valleys  in  all,  except  the  western  border  of  Car- 
■1^'  very  narrow,  and  confined  and  contracted  by  sandy  and  rocky  ridges; 
iiiit-s  of  any  importance,  very  little  land  subject  to  (overflow,  very  few 
U 


'.  • 

1 

i 

'    • 

'  V 

'■■v\- 


•.!>?■ 


■*M 


*i'^;V,-; 


210 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


iBCoi 


iriRTi.i 


INTER  ir 


1 

1    ^ 

i 

)                        '    .              ■                , 

1 ._  ,. 

,1;        ■  ■ 

|.S 

-^^ .     ' '          ■. 

'    -^^ ;. 

-14* 

I" 

r  ;  .  •  ■ '     . 

\\p''->: 

■4 


ponds  of  .stagnant  Avator,  or  any  place  tliat  could  be  properly  called  a  111^. 
rious  swamp.     The  ]}ig  IJlac-k  llivor  touches  the  soutli-ea.stern  Ijurdcf  ■< 
Carridl,  and  courses  tlirougli  tlic  midst  of  Choctaw,  from  its  uortli-eastcrn! 
its  south-western  extremity.     There  are  but  few  creeks,  and  thuse  nf  ijcH 
dimensions,  in  (!liof-t;iw;  and  the  valleys  and  ercek-bottdnis  arc  vcrv't" 
and  contracted  in  that  county.     In  Carroll,  wo  have  the  Yazoo  llivur. ri;. 
ning  nearly  in  a  situthcrl}'  direction  along  our  western  border;  tlic  LlLlis;. 
chee  passes  through  about  thirty  miles  of  our  north-western  edinui;  i,-! 
Black,  as  before  menti(med,  courses  abmg  the  south-eastern  angle  ufti; 
county;  thus,  these  three  rivers  run  nearly  from  north  to  south,  andtlo;:! 
creeks  nearly  all  run  westerly,  to  emj)ty  into  the  Vazoo.     The  creeks  !!>:,;.: 
all  dry  up  in  summer,  and  Ave  have  scarcely  any  ponds  of  stagnant  wa;,; 
The  county  of   Vallobusha  is  only   .,  ursed  by  one  river,  the  YallniKil 
which  traverses  that  county  from  the  north-east,  running  down  tn  tlifs 
eastern  extremity,  then  turning  and  cour.sing  all  along  the  southern  lii.rii:| 
There  is  one  large  creek,  bearing  the  euphonious  name  Aattatanibiiguo,ivi:; 
traverses  the  whole  county,  running  from  north  to  south ;  and  it  is  mirt!iT.| 
remark,  that  the  people  living  near  the  bank  of  this  creek  arc  vcrytj.. 
from  disease.     There  are  a  few  more  small  creeks  in  this  county,  hi  j 
pure,  clear  water;  and  no  malarious  regions  of  any  extent  to  my  knuffki';! 

"We  see,  then,  frcu  this  imperfect  geographical  oatline,  that  tlie  il;I 
local  causes  of  disease  in  these  counties,  are  from  the  ]Jig  IJlack  in ;;; 
south-east,  the  Tallahatchce  and  Yazoo  on  the  west,  and  the  Yallikiuj 
running  westerly  from  Choctaw,  between  Yallobusha  and  CarnJl  CMUii;i«| 
As  I  have  said,  all  this  region,  except  the  Yazoo  valley  in  the  west,  is  v:.- 
much  broken;  the  soil  is  rocky  and  sandy  on  the  hill.j;  the  level  lamlii"! 
composed  of  productive  dark-colored  loam,  with  a  sub-stratum  of  days::! 
some  freestone,  but  little  limestone;  the  springs  of  water  are  jileiity  anJal 
cellent,  mostly  rising  in  sandy  strata,  some  few  containing  largo  puiti-r.;  ;| 
iron  and  sulphur.     The  highlamls,  by  far  the  most  plenty,  arc  covmiKJ 
the  common  pine,  black  jack,  and  red  oak;  the  valleys  are  timbered nitiii:! 
gums,  poplar,  hiukory,  ash,  white  oak,  elm,  beech,  &:c.     There  is  suuic  b 
cane  in  the  Yazoo  valley."'* 

IV.  North  of  these  counties  we  come  to  the  culminating  line  lieraal 
the  Tennessee  River,  belonging  to  the  Ohio  IJasiii,  and  the  Yaznu  I'k 
This  water-shed  is  a  westerly  continuation  of  ihe  hill-country  of  Ahtol 
but  less  elevated  and  not  so  rugged.  Towards  its  eastern  liniit.s  sniue  |iin:3l 
are  said  (  by  liesantjon  i' )  to  reach  the  altitude  of  eight  huiidrud  fiit.  ii| 
ab(tunds  in  springs.  Some  of  its  streams  have  rapid  current!?,  but  ti-^ 
meander  through  wide  b(jttoms  which  tlioy  overtiow.  The  soil  is  geiii.ni;| 
rich,  yet  certain  portions  abound  in  pine,  the    indication  of  ciiiii|'^W"''| 

*  Now  Orloans  .Tournal,  Vol.  I.,  No.  6,  p.  5.')8. 
t  Aniiual  Rfgister. 


-tcrilitv. 


Til  this  region 
j.Vi.vk^ijilii,  there  are  c;i 
If  iiiiJ  ill  .•nme  of  the  1101 
ifiai  ['"riiiatiuii :  hut  tho,s( 
lev'.r.  reserve  .some  remar 
ivc  Iiave  traveled  over  th 
AiitiimiKil  fever  is  an  t 
klwB'v:  lilaek  and  Yazo( 
8i;il  autuuiii  with  violenci 


l!FM.\rXI)ER  OF  T 

I.  To  coiiecive  clearly 
r',  wliieli  is  the  residue  r 
||!.'  basin  of  the  Ohio,  it  i 
riiiiessee  Kiver, ''  '  .sout 
M'.rces  of  tlie  Vazoo,  or  tli 
little  below  the  tliirty-: 
wii's  witliiii  one  liundred 
f.,l'i;  !mt  it  then  turns  nor 
•"Ij:-  iinrtherly  course  it  ce 
il'iiaeniss  the  western  par 
ll-  tliirty-scveiith  parallel. 
}I;--!^^i]|pi.  Throughout 
fytiif  meanders  of  the  s 
■ivrs  from  the  region  Ik 
jrikitaries;  fur  the  water- 
car  to  the  Teiinessei!.  1 
P'J'li  larger  streams,  liowf 
■>t  soutliern  is  A\'olf  Jlivi 
lat-liw  Iiraiieh  of  the  Va; 
pii!iwee.  Xext,  advaiici 
r^'-' vises,  ill  part,  from  tin 

{•■  Mis>i>.si|,l,i  ;it   K:tlldo]|,l 

Itiver  and  bistly  Obi. 
I""^tivaiii  worthy  of  bein 
^  !iiv  now  .studying.     I'l 

l'i'iii>see.  and  the  we.>feni 
'■i'^'t'i'  level  or  uiidiiliitii 
''i--'.*  and  those  of  the  tri 
i';^;"'l  and  ],illv.  livery 
'' ■' ■  ■"'"•ever,  nni.t  he  v'ei 
' --i^'i  ill  cmTciit.  and.  f|,e 


w 


FART  I 


INTERIOR  VALLKY  OF  .NORTH  AMKRICA. 


211 


>t.rilitv.  Tn  this  rcginii,  as  in  tliu  wlioli'  Miift'-/.uiio  (l(i\vii  in  tlio  Oeltii  <>f  tlie 
.Mi>>i*>ip!''>  thcro  ;iro  ciino-lirakos.  Ucsaticdii  itituriiis  us  that  limestouo  is 
If.  tiiiJ  ill  .^"iiic  "t"  tho  iiiirtli-oastuni  cduiitics.  which  probably  bohnigs  tu  tlio 
loial  t'lrmatioii;  but  thdso  nearer  the  Mi.ssi>si|i|)i  are  cretaceous.  T  will,  how- 
Icv'T.  ri'.HTVO  sMiie  remarks  nii  tho  lucdical  gculngy  (if  this  region,  until  after 
|m' Lave  traveled  over  the  next. 

Autumnal  fever  is  an  eiuleniio-e|)i(leniie  of  all  [tarts  of  the  zone  drained  by 
Jt!;'  I)i-' l^''"-'k  and  Yazoo  IJivers;  in  some  localities  recurring  every  summer 
aii'l  nutuiiin  with  violence,  in  others,  as  an  oceasiunal  scourge. 


.■  I. 


IV  till' 


SECTION  XII. 

RFMAINDER  OF  THE  REGION  SOUTH  OF  THE  OHIO  BASIN. 

1.    Tocoiiceive  clearly  of  tin'  form  and  extentof  the  remainder  of  theblufl'- 

■?i\  wliicli  is  the  residue  of  the  great  region  east  of  the  AIi«:>issi|i[ii  and  south  of 

kk  bu;<iii  of  the  Oliio,  it  is  necessary  to  refer  to  the  reniarkabh.'  course  of  the 

riimosa'C  lUver,  *'  ■  southernmost  and  long"st  tributary  of  the  Ohio.     At  the 

crct'S  (if  the  Yazoo,  or  the  northern  limit  of  the  ti'iict  we  have  just  surveyed, 

littK'  below  the  tliirty-tifth  degree  of  nortii  latitude,  the  Tennessee  River 

111  s  within  one  huiulred  and  twenty  miles,  in  a  direct  line,  of  the  Missis- 

m\;  liut  it  tlieii  turns  northerly,  lieing  deflected  by  the  highlands  of  Alabama. 

i!!:- iiiirthcrly  course  it  continues,  {la.ssing  (jut  of  the  state  of  Tennessee,  and 

P'liac'M.ss  the  western  [lart  of  Kentucky,  to  the  (.)hio  Jliver  at  I'adncah,  above 

1j  tliirty-seventh  jiarallel,  and  thirty  miles  in  a   straight  direction  irom  the 

sippi.     Throughout  this  kiwer  section  of  the  Tennessee  lliver,  which, 

meanders  of  the   stream,  is   about   two  hundred   and  lifty  nnle.s  it 

"ivi's  fiviiu  the  region  between  it  and  the  3!ississi]ipi  noi;e  but  the  shortest 

tri'mtarios;  for  the  water-shed  between  the>e  two  rivers,  is  everywhere  very 

rar  tu  tlie  Tennessee.      From  this  dividintr  ridijre,  or  culminatiinx  iilateau, 

|i!k!i  lai-jrer  streams,  however,  descend  wc^twardly  to  the  Missis.'^ijun.      The 

fc>t  S'Hithcrn  is  Wolf  River,  which,  in  its  origin,  interlocks  with  the  Talla- 

latliir  branch  of  the   Yazoo,  and  fuially  joins  the  Mi^sissijijii  at  .Alenijihis, 

(tiiiK'>a'o.    Xext,  advancing  north,  we  have  the  Rig  Ilatchee,  which  like- 

liscs  ill  |iart.  from  the  same  sunnnit.  and.  by  a  cireuitou.-  courx',  enters 

1  ■  Mis-i>sip[ii  at  Randoljih.  sixty  miles  higher  up.     Then  succeed^;  I'urked 

■  ■  Iiivcr,  and  lastly  Obion  River;  after  which,  uji  to  the  Ohio  River,  there 

!  '  ^ticain  Worthy  of  being  noted.      Such  is  the  hydrograjihy  of  the  district 

f(  aiv  imw  studying.     Politically,   it   comprehends   the  western  district  of 

liiiiii'ssiM'.  and  (lie  western  extremity  of  the  state  of  Kentucky.      Its  surface 

'it.icr  level  or  undidating,  except   near  the   streams,  and   betwei  ii    their 

'"I*  and  those  of  the  tributaries  of  the  Tennessee,  where  it  beci  nies  more 

I' "1  iiiid  hilly.     Every  part  of  it  belongs  to  tho  cretareous  formation, 

■  ^I'lWi'Ver.  must  be  very  thin  in   its  northern  margin.      The  rivers  arc 

f"    -i'l  ill  current,  and,  flowing  through  a  loose  .surface,  have  excavated  wide 


^M-^i'. 


^': 


'^:>': 


■'AC'  L'l''/-'     ■  ' 

^■'v.<"4.  .     . 


^. 


:  '    I  ' 


>■  .t  -. : 


212 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I  BOOS 


I'l- 


trmiirlis,  with  liw  alluvial  Itottonis,  wliioli  arc  lialilo  to  fr('i|iu'nt  iimml 
In  travorsiiifr  tliis  trad  rrnm  .Moinpliis  t(i  Savaiiuali,  on  tlm  Tt'anoii,sui' Hi 
tli<3  road  passiiiL'  tlir'niLfh  lialciirli,  Sunu'rvillc.  JJolivar,  and  Vurdy.    Ifh 


l!i(!  stiil  iri'iicrally  rrd,  and  where  the  streams  had  eut  down  forty 
t'eot.  their  lianks  e.\hii)it  the  same  hue([nitt;  to  the  water's  edge.  T 
fragments,  in  whieh  the  luam  aliuund.^  seem  to  prove  that  the  latter 


or : 


isa-i 


eomposed    eondnmeratt!   or   |ieli!)l_y  sandstone;  whih;  the    color  of  tlic 


■ijiows  tliat 


•x}- 


de  (if  imn  was  the  cenKMit. 


"tone  0 


f  that 


;nii 


is  h 


(;ro 


situ,  increasing  in  ijnaiitity  as  we  advance  farther  frnm  the  ]Mississi|i|ii.  \ 
mitice  of  two  hiralities  —  ;ine  low  (hiwn  and  the  other  hiiih  ni) 


■nil  t:: 


Hatidiee,  will  serve  as  si)e<-iniens  of  the  district. 


[[.     TirxoN  ("ouNTV.  —  Doctor  Tlariier 


has 


irivon  us  a  skotfli 


m 


cdical  topography  of  this   county.     IJounded  on  the  west  by  the  .Mi— 
sippi,  it  is  traversed  nearly  through  its  center  ])y  the  Big  Hatclieo.   T 
river,  and  its  trilmtarie/,  an;  bordered  by  low  bottoms,  from  one  to  twn,:,, 
wide,  which  are  hcmnded  by  high  banks  on  either  .side.     The  stru; 
crooked,  and  in  winter  and  spring  overflow  the  liottom-lands,  wl 
mostly  too  W'Ct  for  cultivation,  and  remain  covered  with  their  origiiuill 
For  ten  miles  from  tlic  iMissis.-ippi,  tlio  surface  is  hilly:  but  the  eastii 
of  the  county  is  more  level,  and  is  tlie  chief  seat  of  cultivati 


mij 


111'!! 


on. 


TI 
is  subject  to  autnnnial  fever;   often  contre^tive  or  malignant.     It 


us  (■' 


more  in  latter  years,  than  when 
sunnners  than  wet. 


settlements  were  first  made  ;  and  iii 


111.     J>oi.ivAii. — This  to\\:i.  the  most  inniortant  of  the  interior. 


iil'i:  li. 


1>  «1'' 


sixty-five  niilos  east  of   .^leni] 


ihi. 


on 


the 


iiith  or  left  bank  of  tin 


Hatchee.  from  which  it  is  distant  one  mile.  It  stands  on  a  \\m\\.' 
slopes  gently  to  the  river:  which  is  a  deep,  sluggish  canal,  not  moiv  i: 
one  hundri'd  feet  in  widtli.  Altliougli  between  two  and  three  hundrcilm:' 
i)y  its  meanders,  from  the  ]Mississi[ipi  at  llanihilph,  steamboats  ascci:'! - 
this  piiii\t.  The  bottom  is  here  a  mile  wide,  and  sui)ject  to  deepiimmbi: 
A  dense  forest,  endjracing  cyyiress  trees,  overshadows  it.  Beyond  ttii<  ;i;. 
vium  the  land  rises  to  the  liiLdil  d' from  eight  v  to  one  hundred  feet,  and  inv-i 


ledges  ot  ]H'nslial»le  sandstone  and  conglomeratt 


d 


Tl 


le  wells,  m 


Buliva 


from  sixty  to  seventy  feet  in  depth,  and  afford  much  bette;    .v'atcr  tliaiii 
of  the  cretaceous  reirion,  further  south.     The  followinjjr  strata  aro  "om' 


pa 


sscd 


tl 


u'ouu'h. 


in  diii'Ldn-.':  1,  Clav  or  loam.  iVoni  five  to  fifteen  foct; 


san( 


1.  tVom  fifteen  to  twenty  feet;  o,  very  white  sand,  from  fifteen  tu  tw 


feet:  4,  red  and  white  sand  mingled,  but  ending  in  pure  white,  witl 


llO 


soft  water. 


.L\'.    J>octor,  lliggason,   of  ."^emerville,  .speaks  as  foUows  of  tlio  « 
"Western  District :  t 


»  Wostcru  Journal,  Lonisvillo,  Aug.,  181C. 
t  Transylvania  Jounuii,  Vol.  VIII,  p.  3i). 


P^BT  1.]  INTER 

•  Tile  /lieo  of  the  co 
■m\  drill',  siillicient  to 
tln'  c.-i.'itt'ni  portion,  tlr 
ffiitMrc,  ;nid  presents  j 
ricrv  (III  tlie  other  sidi 
.■iiic  di'L'rce,  along  tin 
-  Ml''  extent,  until  it 
till'  LTiiiTal  face  (d'  the 
'•Tlie  wIio'l!  country, 
-■'■  iiid:iry  foi'iiiation.  cr 
>:!ii'l.  iiiteniiiiigh  (I  witl 
•  ■;l'-t;ii!'M's.  dispo.<od   ia 
■:'''!  ;'t  distinct  epoidis 
-•rit:i  id'  siiiiil.  it   is  noi 
;  r!:ird  ;i  river  or  an  oc^ 
!--i-uMtiiiiied  attrition. 
';>:  :iii(l,  not  uiifrci|nei 
i..i"mv.<  >iilis(anee.  nre  f( 
•';!'';nv  .if  the  cfirth. 
'■  Iiivers  are  iininerou 
'''T.illy  supplied  with 
Kivcr.-;  flow  into  t!ie  Ti 
fl:i'ilii'i>.  Forked  Deer,  a 
l■^v^■s  llieir  sources   in, 
■''I'd  tidvantages  to  (Ik- 

■  ■  wurld.     There  is  no 
idde  water-course 
iiiiii'iT.  are  to  he  foun 

■•  i'l  dry  seasons,  tlu'^ 
ili'yid'  the  soil.  Drv 
'•' '-"initry :  tliey  wind 

■  •  ".  wlioii  they  become 
"■■  'lie  exception  of  hei' 
'■ ''^'ds.     They  are  att: 

'  ■^'•l'.  h'vel  land,  that  h, 
•'"iJ  ^^t^ason.     The  p,,- 
-''"'•  h'oiu  ;,  half  to  foi 
;■'"•>'•  t"  the  size  of  the 
■^'idl  extent  liy  spriiiir 
'- ^i"ii^-hs  and  lakes  i,M 
.'  ''  >iew  evaporation. 
I'lR'se  low  grounds  gi 
■'''"■I'.v,  that  almost   ex. 
Ii'l''^'"'y  li":>vy,  ami  h^dcd 


Wn 


^T^ 


riRT  I 


]  INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


21:5 


•  Till'  f;ifo  of  tlie  ciiutitry  is  <r<'iu>nilly  niiovon,  presontiiig  a  variety  of  liill 
.i„,l  ,].,lt.,  sullicioiit  to  give  a  pliMsiiig  diviTsity  to  tlio  oyo.  A|t])riiacliing 
t'r  M'lL'iMi  |)iirti(in,  the  liiiid  lieeoiiies  a  littlo  iiinre  limken.  assumes  a  bnlilor 
C..|tnn'  Jiiul  presents  an  a])]iriixiiii:itinii,  in  cliarMcter.  to  tlie  iiinuiitiiiii  see- 
m.i'v  nil  the  other  siih' iif  the  'i'ciiiicsseo  Eiver.  This  i'ciituri'  (il)t;iins,  in 
M.iin-  (k'L'vee,  almig  the  Kentm-ky  border,  aixl  (hiwii  i\w  Mississippi  lliver 
[....iiic  extent,  until  it  is  hist  in  the  lieaiitiful  luidnlations,  seattered  over 
.:„  ...i.-ui'mI  fiiee  of  the  eoiiiitry. 

■Tlir  whii'  •  conntrv,  so  far  as  goohigieal  o1)servatii>n  lias  extended,  is  of 

...  iidivv  fii'.'ni;ition,  eoniposed  of  l:iyer  upon  layer  of  hij'tii.  ;ind   chiy,  and 

.  -1.  iiitcniiingh'd  witli   vnrious  Isinds   of  eiirtli,  :ind    sliclls,  and  vegetaLli> 

,  ' i.;;n!i(«s.  disposed  in  sueli  uiaiuier,  as  to  indneo  tin;  iden  of  being  (h'po- 

.•■1  ;it  ilistiiii-t  epochs  of  the  eiirtli's  history.      In  p;issing  tln'ongh  ditl'ereiit 

.•iiI:m4' sand,  it   is  not   nmisuid   to  find  silicioiis   pebbles;  as  if  they  had 

;  rii'd  .'I  river  or   iin  oeian's   bed.  .'ind    h;id  .Mssninod   tlnir  present    form  by 

.-I- .iitiinied  iittiiti'in.      The  impression  of  twigs  an<l  le;ives  is  connnon  in 

,;  ;iii(l,  not  ludVeipiently,  the  trunks  of  trees,  ehanged  to  a  kiml  of  liitu- 

I    ;  ii!>  >ulistanee.  are  found  at  the  distaiiee  of  forty  or  iifty  feet  below  the 

-;:'iirf  iif  the  earth. 

■■  llivcr^  are  ninnerous  here:   perli:i])s  no  country  on  the  glola;   is  more 

'    nilv  supplied  with   navigable   streams   than    this.      Sandy   and   JJeach 

Kill's  How  into   the  Teiinessci-,  on   the   e;ist ;   Wolf,  Loose   Ilatehee,  ]}ig 

[[it,.li..|..  Fdrkid  Deer,  and  Oliion,  into  the  ^Mississippi,  on  the  west:  these, 

'  'iiuMiH'ir  sources  in,  or  jiassing  through,  some   portion  of  the   district. 

:::''ril  advantages  to  the  farmer  and  merchant,  rarely  etjualed  in  any  part  of 

:  r  wiirld.     There  is  no  point  more  than   twenty-five  miles  distant   from  a 

'  .ililc  water-course.     Creeks  and  rivulets,  of  sufficient   size  to   projiel 

i:iiirry,  are  to  be  found  in  almost  every  iieigldiorhood ;  sometimes,  liow- 

;.  ill  dry  seasons,  they  Iteeome  deficient,    0,1   accimnt   of  tlie   absorbent 

: :!;ty  iif  tlie  sdl.     Dry  creeks,  as   they  are  called,  are  si'attered  over  the 

.  !"  rniintry  :   tliey  wind  their  way  among  the  hills,  and  continue  flush  until 

•(  I  ".  wiH'U  they  bcciime  dry,  and  remain  so  until  the   winter  rains  set  in  ; 

:  w:;!i  till,  oxeejitioii  of  heri'  and  there  a  ])0(d,  standing  in  the  deeper  part  of 

tkirht'ds.     They  are  attended  by  little  or  no  swamp  or  marsh  ;  but  by  a  strip 

ii'f  ricdi,  level  land,  that  beeouies   siiiliciently  drained  for   cultivation,  by  the 

i'l:i;itiiiir  season.     The  perennial  streams  carry  .along  witli  tlicin  a  low.  palu- 

|jl;il  l.iiid.  fi'Miii  a  half  to  four  or  live  miles  in  lireadth,  corresponding,  in  some 

|:i!  reiire.  to  the  size  of  the  water-course.     This  land  is  frei[uently  inundated 

jt'iMuH  extent  by  spring  freshets,  and  on  the  reeession  of  the  watin-s.  lunue- 

__r  >  d'nijis  and  lakes  aie  left,  that  renuiiu  stagnant,  until  drained  or  carried 

»(!i  'ly  a  >l(i\v  evaporation. 

'Tliose  liiw  groimds  give  origin  to  a  heavy  growth  of  forest  trees  and 
pinililicrv,  that  almost  ex(dndes  the  snhir  rays.  The  atmoS[diere  is  coiise- 
|:<ii"Mtiy  liiavv.  and  lnaded  with   exhalations  from  decompnsiiig  animal  and 


■"•   I- 


*  .  '    » 


it-.'. 


(■.•■■■ 


i»i  ■  ■ y 


■• 


!! 


M:' 


214 


TIIK  rUINCII'AI.  DISEASES  oF  THE 


Boot 


fllTl] 


FNTEIM* 


.1. 


I   . .     I 


fi  .'!■ 
I  i 


-\\f 


vegot!il)l(\   iiiiittcr,  li'l't   1i_v  the   rctiiiii^'   Wiitcrs.      On    tin-   lil;.'lur  laml., 
forest,  is  not  sn  laMvy,  aixl  uiidtT-linisli  less  jiliiiinlaiit;  until  licrc  ainl-',- 
a  piitcli  (<['  liiirrcii  lthuikI  is  prcst'iitcil,  with  scarcely  a  siilTicient  ^M'nwtl, :• 
the  uses  of  liusliiiii(lry.      'J'liis  olitiiins,  to  some  extent,  over  tluMvlmli,. ,[,. 
triet.   and   is    nincli   soni;lit    liy   the    |ilanters,    ])articul;irly    wlioii   sitp;,',' 
adjacent   to  lands  heavily  liiidieicd,  and  yieldini^  the   su|»[ilies  r(M|iiisi|,  ■ . 
farniinif  purposes.     Small   prairies  are   here  and  there   I'lmnd,  wliidi  ;i|,|,,  ■ 
to  have  lieen  |n'odnced  liy  an  exteii>inn  nf  the  same  natural  causes  wiiii  t,, 
barrens.      They  hotli  are  liin'ht,  and  pnrous,  and  I'ertile;   hotli  alike  suit,!' 
ve^fetalih;  initrinu'nt;   lt(rth  e(pndly   adapted  to   the  jrrowth   ot'  edttun.  ■ 
ditl'eri'ut  uniins,  and  jjrasses;  and  mo  ffeoloyieal  distinction  can  Iiedit"' 
suflieient   ti)   aecnnnt  fur  the  alisence  of  forest  trees.     In  their  iiiiiuii 
nei^hbdrlinod,  ^(M)d  sprin;,'-water  is  generally  scarce;  pridial»ly  owin^f (,.■ 
direct  I'ays  of  the  sun  on  an  alluvial  soil,  favuring  an  evapnratieii  -i  ; 
as  to   prevent  that   absorption  and   percolation  of  water   necessiny  t- : 
fornnitiiin  of  springs,    (jlood  well-water  may,  however,  ])o  procured  in  :\h.  ■■ 
every  part  (if  the  couutrv,  at  the  distance  of  thirty  or  furty  fci't.     Tli:- :• 
the  temperature  (if  si.\ty-t\vii  deirrees   Fahrenheit,  ami  is   considornl  in  • 
wholesiime   than   that   of  sprinus.     ^Vhether   this   is   ()win<>'  to  tlio  lt;: 
]mrity  of  the  one,  or  the   low  marsh-land  iisually  accDiupanyiiig  tli('  '•  • 
is  a.  piiint  in  (piestioii.      Certain  it   is.  that  families   using  well-wain-  .: 
uuire  exempt  from  disease  than  those  using  the  water  of  sjUMUgs.     Tli<r'; 
ill  the   vicinity  of  Somerville,  a  line,  bold  spring  of  clear,  freestone  n'y 
from  which  the   citizens  of  that  village   were  su[tplied  for  some  year.';  a!' 
its  first  s(>ttlenient  ;    during  which  ])eri'id  it   was  unhealthy.     PisiM.^is  : 
violent  and  dangerous  character  prevailed,  particularly  in  the  suniimT  ..... 
fall  of  ISiid  ;  almost  every  case  that  occurred  proved  fatal.     Since  t! ' 
well-water  has   come   into   general  use,    and   the  village    is   C()iti[iai'ativ'; 
healthy;  diseases  are  less  conuuon,  and  of  milder  character  than  bef-o'c.  A 
greater  improvement  has  taken  place  in  this  respect,  than  may  he  a^'■;■i''  : 
to  modes  and  habits  of  life." 

To  this  comprehensive   ace(mnt    may  bo  added  a   briefer  notice,  ir: 
another  phy.iician  of  the  same  district :  * 

"The  ^Yest^M•n  District,"  says  Doctor  Travis,  "is  generally  a  Idwov- 
try,  abounding  in  many  water-courses,  upland  ponds,  and  extensive  iiiai:" 
bottoms,  on  each  side  of  every  river,  creek,  and  braiu-li.  The  rivulct\. 
general,  have  but  little  fall.  ^lill-ponds  are  common;  and,  in  con,*eiHK'. 
of  the  level  surface  of  the  earth,  inuueuso  bodies  of  land  are  covered  ii ;• 
water.  The  soil  is  fertile  and  covered  with  veffotation."  Accortlii!:' ' 
Doctor  Travis,  intermittents  of  a  malignant  type  are  among  the  varictK-  ■ 
autunnial  fever  in  this  district. 

In  addition  to  these  authorities  I  may  add,  that  all  parts  of  the  rcj.".'! 


j,,r,.  iinw  cNploriiig  are  ^ 
\(.{„w  I'M-alities,  it  is  h 

V,  CoTToy  Limit. - 

„t'e(,tt"ii  cultivation. 

[it  foii'^i'-'  tn  he  a  reliabl 

[limited  way.  extends  h;i! 

IthirtV'sixth  luirallel,  in' 

Uitlictliirty-first  —  the 

'"  ]■;  t]<v  larircr  towns  of  t 

]i,i.'  ili>ca.><e;  beyond  th 

radicd  the  northern  boi 


*  Transylvania  Journal,  Vol.  I,  p.  423. 


I.  In  eoiicliiding  the 
.M:.--i--i]i|'i  and  south  of 
crvtaee'dis  and  tertiary  fo 
r:i<t  tn  liavo  a  summary  i 
frm  Tny,  in  Obion  com 
f!  'iliinu  liiver,  to  Ceiiti 
"^":  tlie  general  course 

Ar  Hid  Troy,  the  couii 

I.  tilinL'  but  clay,  which  h 

li'.:.:  S'linewliore  north  of  t 

tie  jtate  of  31ississij)pi,  u 

^ (vorvwhere  .saw  the  same 

I'lt  consists  of  a  heavy  dej 

dirt  uT  nmij,  and  logs  or  tr 

Bij  llafelico,  and  Wolf  Ei 

.  i:  I'  a  .'Stratum  of  sand,  N 

TvMti',  red,  and  yellow  layc 

c' :ravel  and  pipe-clay.     ' 

|t!ie  'juaiitity  of  water  is  so 

■pi.  r  Rivor  has  cut  its  1 

5  'Illy  from  it ;  and  henc( 

I'.aie.    Ill  Some  places,  tl 

'  --  jad.    The  upper  stra 

?!'Vj!iall  ciiunty,  Mississip 

!■  w  eminences  of  the  san( 

f  "t'l  as  the  Tallahatche( 

*Li, iters  on  Geo 


i^  ■•'•:. 


'*Wj 


INTF.RIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMFRICA. 


215 


Mr- 


iriw  cNliliiriiiL' fire  suLjoct    tn  aiitiiiniuil  f(>v('r ;  Imt,  with  tlio  oxooption 

III,.  |iic;iliti('.»,  it  is  li'ss  tV('(|U('Mt  and  f'atiil  than  in  rcgiuns  further  smith. 

('iiTTON'  TiiMiT. — In  th(>  Western  I)istri<'t  we  hav(!  the  northern  limit 

ttnii  cultivation.     'I'he  thirty-sixtli  (h'^iree  nf  hititude  is  that  at  wliieli 

,„,  tiihc   a  relialih-   ami  pmlitalile  ero|) ;   thonirh  its   eultivatinn,  in  a 

,.,|  \v,iv.  extends  iialt'  a  deirrec;  further  north.      Tims  cotton  hears  to  the 

i-M\th  parallel,  nearly  the  same   relation  whieh  the    sn^rar-ciiiie   hears 

■  tliirtv-iirst  —  till'  climatic  dilference  lietween  them  hein;.' five  dej.'reeH. 

1,,,  l;ir<rer  towns  of  the  siiLr:ir-zone.  yellow  fever  is,  ii/>/>(iir»f/i/,  an  endo- 

ili-cnsc;  hcvoiid  tliat    Ixdl,  an  oeeasinnal   epidemic;   hut  it  has  not  yet 

l:iil  tlic  northern  houndary  of  the  cnttoii-/one. 


t       ■  '         ■      '•       . 


SKCTION  XIII. 

A  GEOLOGICAL  SECTION. 

I.  In  ODiieliuling  tlie  topographical  doscrij)tion  of  the  country  cast  of  the 
M:"i>>ip|ii  anil  south  of  the  Ohio  Uasin,  composed  almost  entirely  of  the 
(r:i'i."  u.s  and  tertiary  formations,  it  will  ho  acceptahle  to  the  medical  geol- 
c'-t  t'l  liavo  a  summary  of  the  original  (d)servation.s  of  a  traveler,*  extending 
fr  III  Tiny,  in  Ohion  county,  Tennessee,  N.  Lat.  'W^  20',  a  few  nnles  north 
i:'"!ii'iii  liiver,  to  Contrevillo,  Alahama,  on  the  Cahawba  lliver,  in  liat. 
'.'i'l":  tlio  general  course  of  his  route  being  south  south-east. 

Arniiil  Troy,  the  country  is  level  or  a  little  rolling,  and  the  wells  reveal 
I  •;:iiiL'  hut  clay,  which  is  so  tenacious  that  no  curbing  is  needed.  Begin- 
i; .:  >  iinewhore  north  of  that  town,  and  extending  to  Cold-water  liiver,  in 
t'U'  >tatu  (if  3Iississi]»pi,  one  hundred  and  thirty  miles  south,  Mr.  Christy 
cv.nwlicre  saw  tlie  same  up|)er  stratum,  which  ho  has  designated  as  No.  1. 
I:  iMiisi.-ts  of  a  heavy  dejiosit  of  clay,  whieh  includes  beds  of  leaves,  black 
dir;  nr  mud,  and  logs  or  trunks  of  trees,  not  petrified.  Obion,  Forked  ])eer, 
BL'  Ilutflico,  and  Wolf  Piivers,  have  their  troughs  in  this  stratum.  IJeneath 
i:  i'  :i  stratum  of  sand.  No.  '2,  about  one  hundred  feet  thick,  whieh  presents 
v' ::.',  red,  and  yellow  layers,  and  includes,  in  irregular  dissemination,  beds 
K  rriivol  and  pipe-clay.  "When  wells  are  suidc  through  this  stratum  of  sand, 
t.";n;intity  of  water  is  so  great  as  to  indicate  a  subterranean  stream.  Cold- 
^> :.  r  Kivcr  lias  cut  its  bed  so  deep  into  this  stratum,  as  to  draw  a  large 
f.  jly  fnin  it;  and  hence,  perhaps,  that  temperature  which  suggested  its 
i..ak'.  Tu  siiiue  places,  these  outbursts  of  water  have  the  diameter  of  a 
1  --  Oiul.  The  u])per  stratum  of  clay.  No.  1,  extends  to  near  IIoll}'  Springs, 
3!;i-!iall  tiiunty,  Mississippi,  but  is  attenuated,  and  only  foinid  cajijdng  the 
1 'T  cmii;oiices  of  the  sand  stratum,  No.  2.  This  stratum  extends  as  far 
f  ut!i  as  the  Tallahatchee  Paver,  in  the  southern  edge  of  the  county  just 


»  U.ters  on  Geology.    By  David  Christy,  O.\ford,  0.,  1S18. 


^"1-i.f:-- 


■&■'  ■ 


X.  ■ 

U 


■  ...V'-i'' 


i  ■  \  :       .1 


m'M    I 


i^ 


i.  r 


lilG 


TJIi;  i'UlNCH'AL  Dl.StASE.S  (JF  TIIL: 


l«ooi. 


imuiod,  wlioro  it  is  cut  tlimugli  l»y  tins  river,  and  a  lower  1)C(1,  No.  :!_i.,j 
jifiHcd,  »;(ii)si>iiiii;'  ut'   clay,   iiicliidiri^'  thin   .strata  of   iVrriifxiiKnis  b;uiil«t,t, 
and  (ifrasiiiiial  licds  ui"  irmi  uri'.     it  al.-x*  (;(iiitaiiis  trci's  wiiicli  aro  silj  if 
IJoiiL'atli  tliis,  ill  tliii  saiiio  locality,  is  a  stratum  of  saiid,  witli  iii'il.s  i.l  lu^.,, 
saiidhtciiif.  ill  it.s  Inwcr  |::r  ,  .  — tiiis  is  Nn.   I.       A  ^^l^atlllll  nl'  I'liiv,  ci,!:.!;;;, 
tili)^  No.  ;'),  is  I'uuud  ill  the  .>•      ■•■  lucalily,  iiiilicddin;.;  li^Miitf,  Mink  im,;i_ 
iiii|)r('ssiiiii,s  lit"  leavi'S.      I\  ..  mic,   Missi.-sijijii,  lictwoi'ii  liiu  simico  (|  r- 
Tallaliatclicc  and  tlio  'I'dinlicikliL'i',  stands  mi   tliis,  wliiidi   is  a  piiiu-li.ir;  • 
straluiii.      J)flip\v  tiiis  dcjinf-il,  is  No.  (i,  a   tliiii  bed   of  sanil;  tlan,  N,; 
bed  of  day;  succot'di'd  liy  Nd.  S,  a  marly  flay,  witli   ixds   of  liiuu.-t.;,,,  i ; 
uneonsulidatcd  inariiic  sliflls.     No.  '.'  is  nil  sand;  on  which  f()ll(i\v,>  N,,; 
the  gri'at   dopusit  of  inarlilc,  or   rdlni  rniii^luiu;  so  oftoii  inoiitiumil,  ] 
tirst  a|p|Maraii(('  is  a  few  inilis  south  of  I'oiitotoc.      I'roin  this  town  to  1! ... 
toll,  thirty  miles  directly  south,  tho  road  is  over  Nos.  S,  7,  (),  and  .V  i 
Houston,  .\(i.  !l  makes  the  siirliice,  and  No.  ](»  is  only  twenty  fwt  Uvi 
I'min   lioiistoii  to  Staikvillr,  thiity-M'veii  miles,  still  nearly  s(iutli,  Nm.;';.. 
U|t|u'rniost  for  more  than  half  the  distance;  when  No.  H*  rises  sn  \n^[,\,: 
the  other  is  only  fouml  eaji[iin;:'  the  hills.      .Mr.  Christy  had  now  roaiLii;.: 
great  cretaceous  soft   or   rotten  limestonu  formation,  wliicli  strttilic- ::..  | 
Uctihlieha  county,  of  wliieh   Starksvilh'  is  the  scat  of  ju.-licc,  and  h  u  , 
County,  ol'  which  ('idunilms  is  the  chiul'  town,  round  to  the  Alahuiiin  11;, 
lie   trai-c(l  it  throiii:li  the  prairii's,  to  Centreville  on  the  Cahawha,  ;uiil  l 
many  ohservatioiis  on   its  mineral,  as  well   as   its  ]ialeoutological  cIi;!!;; ;: 
but,  as  we  have  already  said  as  much  concerning  it  as  otitdogy  sccnis  ;:• 
(|iiire,  we  .shall  nut  i'oUow  him  further. 

II.  CoxcM'siox. —  III  concluding  this  chapiter,  a  few  facts  deserve  t  , 
reproduci'd  to  the  reader: 

1.  The  whole  region  which  has  been  surveyed,  lies  south  of  tlio  ti;;r- 
sevcntli  degree  of  north  latitude,  and  its  broadest  part  is  in  .tlio  t„:r;' 
second;  —  it  is,  therefore,  a  southern  region. 

2.  Its  elevation  above  the  Gulf  of -Mexico  is  but  small,  nut  avtni.::; | 
more  than  four  hundred  feet. 

:'>.    It  has  an  inclination  to  tlie  south;  which  is  true  even  of  those  lar:] 
which  discharge  their  waters  westerly  and  south-westerly  into  tlio  Mi; 
sipiii. 

4.  It  is  coniposcd  'f  the  (gcidogically  )  recent  cretaceous  and  ti;!.-;  I 
formations,  which  are  friable  in  texture  and  miscellaneous  in  comimsiti  - 1 
still  containing  remains  of  organic  matter. 


|f»M'  ''J 


INTEIili 


;,  .Mdst  of  it  lias  be 
jtatiMii.'iaro  still  forming. 

I[  i.«,  tlicicforc,  what 

J|ir'i;.'ri'>.'<  cf  cultivation,  i 

liwver,  will  hmg  eoiitii 

tii<|  tliiLS  thread  the  high 

ItLi'  iiifliiciicc  of  a  southci 

y  .iiituinii.'il  fever.     Th 

LiiiiiiiKT  and  aiitmnn,  the 

If  'ilati'd  strata  of  the  c 

I   !.,  wliicli  the  older  c; 

1  I  ."(.'iid  forth.     I  Would 

lilt  if  such  he  the  case,  tl 

■to  ail  additional  cause  of 


THE   SOUTH 


.Mi:ii[r.\LTnro(;RArHY 


LIMIT.S 

I.v  entering  this   liasiii, 
p :'"  tlic  region  wlii(di,  tliirt 

IVu.l.l:V  UK  XUK  MiSSISSII'I'l 

livir  wore  exceedingly  lin 
rl .!  hcgiiining.     The  cent 


5.    As  a  consequence  of  this  structure,  its  streams  liavc  wide  alIuvi'iB|(i  i,.    'I'Ik;  foniiev,  except 


anil  sluggish  currents,  which  lead  to  freijueiit  valley-inundations. 

G.    It  is  undenialde,  that  this  great  region  is  more  generally  and  .-iTi'S-vl 
infested  with  autumnal  fever,  than  any  other  portion  of  the  luturiur  ^a-:; 
of  North  America. 


i.''  .Mis>issi|)j)i,  is  more  ent 

the  south  of  Kcntuck, 

|'^I:ili;nna,  the  north-west  i 

^  5"ili-wcst  angle  of  North 

TvMssco  and  Kentucky, 


••■?'*» 


1>M. 


I  MM.  M 


INTERIOR  VAI.I.KY  OF  NORTH  A.MIIRK  A. 


217 


-    3i,,st  III'  it  lii'^  ''•'•'"  si!(ll"''l  within  tin:  la>t  tiiirt)  \t'iii>,  and  in  w  plan- 
|tati..iis  art!  .still  terming. 

Ij  \y,  tlH'i'i't'iirc,  wliat  wu,  iiruvinciallv.  call  a   mw  (Mmiitrv,   iml  v. ith  the 

i,  .s  nf  ciiltivatinn,  may  lici'dnit!  nimli  In'alliiii'r.     Mii>t  i>\'  its  atriums, 

|[iiii«cvir,  will  ImiK  t-'"i't'""H''   *'"  'jvltHuw  their  low,  lii'nad,  alluvial  Inittcnis, 

jiri  tliiis  tliH'ail  tlie  lii^fhtT  lands  with  lines  nl'  |iimi1s  and  s\Viiui|i,  whiidi.  under 

|t!i'i!i(liiriit't'iit'a  suuthern  sun,  will  (if  neee.-sity  send  I'dith  the  i  ilii  ienl  eaiisc 

m,i  ailinnnal  lever.     Tho  ((uestimi,   iiinrouvcr,  may  lio  rai.sed,   uhethor,  in 

tuiiiiii'i' ami  niitiiiiiii,  tliero  iiia\  tint,  he  idhirie  omaiiiitinns,  IVuni   the  uncnii- 

-lidiitnl  strata  of  tlio  ci»iii|iaratividy  reeent  tertiary  and  erefucudu.s  t'uriua- 

Itiniis.  wliioli  tliu  nlder  (•aihiiidferiJiis,  l>evnnian,  ami   Sihiiian   fniuiatinns  do 

n,  I  •'■ml  toi'tli-     I  wmdil  not  venture,' til  answer  this  unestinn   allliniatively; 

;;  itMii'li  1)0  the  ca.so,  the  rejL'inn  we  have  surveyed  is  jieinianentiy  t.\|MjseJ 

It .  all  lulilitiuiial  cause  of  insalubrity. 


■  •  1 


jsorvu  t  .. 

10  ti.;r:;' 
10  t'..;:'.; 

avcr:;.;:;  I 


,0  M.-> 


ml  t,;;.-: 

!UUll"'-i'i- 

alluv;  -• 


CHAPTER    IX. 


TFIK   SOUTH]-:  UN    15  AS  IN,    CONTTXrKI) 


yi K'ALTOrOURAPIIY  oF  TIIF  RFdIOXS  EAST  OF  THE  .Ml.S.Slfr^^IPPI : 

THE  OHIO  BASIN. 


SECTION  I. 

LnilTS  AND  GENERAL   FEATURES. 

In  cnteriii;,'  this  liasin,  we  vise  from  Tiii';  Soui'ii-Wkst  tn  Tin:  \Vi:st, 
J!' ■  tlic  veifiiiii  whieli,  thirty  years  :iir<i,  was.  in  eoiiinion  jiarlanee,  called  tiie 
^  wii;v  (iK  TiiK  Mississii'i'i;  for,  at  that  time,  the  sottleuients  lievnnd  tliat 
r  :■  wi've  exeeediiiLdy  limited,  and  most  of  tliose  in  the  soiith-west  were 
1  ■  I'liriiiiiiiiir.  The  central  states  of  the  Ohio  IJasiii  are  Kentin-ky  and 
''  Tile  foniK'V,  except  its  farthest  western  extremity,  whiili  rests  on 
•  Mi-Mssijipi,  is  more  entirely  within  the  Ohio  Basin  than  any  other  state. 
,'T  I'lc  sciiith  of  Kentucky,  the  state  of  Tennessee,  the  northern  end  of 
iialiniiia,  the  north-west  corner  of  (Jeoru'ia,  and  a  larv.'er  pnrtion  of  tlie 
!"Utli-WL'St  angle  of  North  Carolina,  lie  within  this  basin;  to  the  east  of 
i'irs?('e  and  Kentucky,  otber  portions  of  North  Candina,  and  the  whole 


"''^hA 


■Mm 

'!;>:■•!•■■ 


•  A\ 


M;  .••V"  ..,.,.    ,r.        .  • 


■r-^-yn 


it 


)■:;   I 


in.,r 


'JIM 


TIIR  PRINCIPAI-  niSEAHES  OF  TIIF, 


[•Ml. 


of  Wfstcni  VirL'iniii,  l»('li>iii»  \n  fliis  Imsin;  cjist  of  tlio  state  i>f  (ii 


w 


illMl    V 


(>st('rii  tliiril-|iart  uf   I'ciihsn  Ivimiii,  ami  a  |ii)rtinii  nf  tlir  snutli-ui 
of  Ni'W  Vi)rk,(li|»  into  tlic  xaini!  Imsiii ;  tln'  iiurtlicni  part  of  (thii 
of  it,  (if  fmliaiia  and  Illiiinis,  likewise  a|i|ii'vtaiii  to  tlic  (Hiiu  l{a>iii,  nf  \i 
tlio  wrstcni  limit  run.-  fliriiiiirli  'Ik-  stati'  of  lllinnis  fmiii  nurtli  t<i  wmr!; 
an  to  IiicIikU'  alimit   a  fiftli-iiart  >'\'  tliat  stat(>.     Tims,  wliilo  no  Hiriirlc.- 
lies   ciitiri'ly   in   tliis   Iia-in,  Ti'nm-sft',    Kt'iihu'ky,    Indiana,   and  fiiii 
cliiclly  in  it,  and  cunstitiitc  wliat  is,  or  was  fiirnn-rly,  called  TtiK  \Vk.-t. 
nilditiim  to    tlicsc,  ciirlit   other   states  diseliarirt'   a   portion  of  tlieir  wv 
lln'onL'li   the  Ohio    Hiver:  nial<in;r   in  all   twelve  states,  which  iirc  !:\i 
graphically   cimneeted   with   this   liasin.     Of  all   the   liasins  of  tlic  (i; 
Interior  Valley,  this  approaidioa  nearest  to  a  circular  fi^nire;  its  icnti;,] 
iiitorsc'cting  diameters  conforminji  to   the  cardinal   points,  ami  hiin.' h 
of  the    same!   lenirtli.      Its  center   would   he    inclndeil   within  a  lini'  ijr, 
tliroUifh  Mavsville  ami  Ticxinirton,  Kentu(d<v;    Madisnu,  Imlianii:  ;ii<.|i 


L'lnna 


ti.  Ol 


no : 


Let 


wi'cH  the  (hirty-ciuhth  and  thirty-ninth  ]Kiri 


ciyhty-fourth  and  eiLdity-tii'th  meridians.     Its   most  southern  1; 
the  hifrldands  heyniid  the  ^reat  lieml  iifthe  TeiMiessce  liiver,  i-  i 


iliti.' 


II  tl 


of  Alaliama,  Jihout  thirty-four  degrees  and  fifteen  minutes;   its  iiortl 
New  York,  a  little  ahove  the   fort v-second  deur 


11'.' 


CO. 


Inl 


(inL'itiiili'  It  iM 


from  a  hunt  seventy-eiirht  to  eighty-nine  west.  The  former  of  tliiM' n. 
diaiis  runs  through  New  York  and  IVnnsylvania,  at  the  source.'*  if 
Alleghany  Iviver;  the  latter  passes  through  the  mouth  of  the  Oliid  11 


The  Oliio  IJasin  differs,  in  many  respects,  from  the  more  snutl 


iHi; 


lOl'li  ly; 


over  whi(di  WO  hav(!  traveled.  Its  general  elevation  above  the  level  if 
sen,  excluding  its  imiuntaius,  is  more  than  twice  as  great  as  the  rcL'ii!!- 
liavo  just  left  —  that  i.s  from  seven  hundred  to 
the   mountain   borders    to   the   east    and   .si.i.'tii- 


oue 


tl 


lousnnd 


feet ; 


ist,  rise  fmni   tw' 


sand  five  hundred  to  five  thousaiul    feet.      The    north-west    pm'ti' 
Illinois,   Indiana,  and   Ohio,  enihrace   tracts  df  level  land,   not  uiilib' 


iii«  :: 


1 


ilaiiis  of  Alaliama  :  ])ut  south  of  the  Ohi(;  River,  the  surfaci'  is  evenw! 


riilgy,  rising  eastwardly   into  the   mountainous;   a  character   wliieli 
equally  to  the  eastern  portions  of  the  region  north  of  the  Ohio. 


Ge(d( 


j;ically,  the   difference  is   equally  great.     A  very 


sma 


11 


i;irt. 


the  mouths  of  the  Ohio  and  Teiuiessee  llivers,  presents  the  eretaee 


euu? 


Ill 


ation,  on  which  we   have  dwelt  so  loiur ;  all  the  rest  offers   at  the  surli- 


oldor 


r   <i'e(doi.ncal   furniatious. 


ho  western,   southern,   a 


md 


eastern  |ia:;: 


line: 


embraee  extensive  eoal  depo.sits,  with  their  accompanying  sand.st 

and  linu'stone  ;  the  central  jinrtions  show  at  the  surface  Deviniiaii  ?au- 


stones  and  shales,  of  an  nldcr  u'cnl 


iii;'lc 


d  date 


an( 


I  hirire  tracts  uf  Siluris-' 


limestone,  still  older  in  the  geohigical  series,  are  found  at  the  surt'tut:  !i 
carboniferous  and  Devonian  formations  seeming  to  have  been  wa^lieilaw 
The  oldest  of  these  Silurian  or  transition  rocks  bulge  up  in,  and  a  little  seutli'- 
Avliat  has  been  designated  as  the  geographical  center  of  the  basin.    Tli'.'!  v 


h*t  ''J 


INTFIJlnl 


^ft'iiH'VariiiUH  fnrmation 
^ii.j  tl  riiiiry  deposit.i,  ani 
iii,-i!  direetion.     Ilenc 
\  "i  t!ii'«i'.'  wliieli   have 
l5m'  i'  e^|iceiidly  true  of 
f:^\.  :.    To  its  north,    h 
i  |.  ,iiiil  c.xti'iisive  depo>i 
b\i;n,ili'i|    wide    valleyn, 
fi-    :■'.     .Ml  parts   affni 
III  lire,  and  wcll-w;il 
|n  !>  ri-e  rapidly,  and  the 
11!'  :,  riheni  margin  of  tin 
tl  :\  'peaking,  largo  pon 
\v  ill  till'  hasin  generally 
Tiili.'iinrth  of  the  Oh 
l(.',il'i'  tracts  of  jirairie; 
i;irf  and  lofty  forests, 
f       •  iN  of  the  middle  hi 

i'!i: 
|i:i.  ;ii'il  \'irginia. 

.\«  :•  iiii|ilicd  in  the  i.am 
ill  .  'iii'ml  enurse  of  whic 
ll  :  nil  >idc,  hegiiuilng  w 
tC  ■  Mi.iiiii.  Scioto,  Mn.ski 
0  iielfr  aiiotluT  name. 
;  I.  -■  ;iii(l  ilesctMiding,  fir.'- 
[i   AllMLVJiaiiy.   at    I'ittshui 

l':l;-,  Kelifiicky,   (Jrccil,  C 

kf  rivers  (m  the  nm-th  side 
P'A  tlnw  lit'  the  oppo..<ite  s 


Lt  ••.  .ire  eliieflv  found  in 


Tnr 

fi'iii  the  mouth  of  the  0 

''•I'liirali,  tlie  distance  is  1 

f"  '■  itli.    Through  the  wh 

tvof  till.  I'iv,.!-,  the  current 

p'l't  n-lion  there  is  a  flood 

■  •'^'i^-^is.Mppi.     The  river, 
|''!i;i.|t!i  ,.v(.„  givater  than 

■^■.  fur  much  of  the  distf 

■  '"''■•  iiiid   its   bottoms 


h't 


f.IlT  Ij 


inti:rior  valluy  of  north  amlkica. 


210 


/,.'tiii*eviirii'UH  fnnnatii)ii.««an'  firmly  iiidnrafcd,  niiii|ian'il  with  tlic  crctarcnii.s 
i,,|  urtijirv  il('|piisits,  ami  Imvi-,  tlH'rcrnriv  lifuti  artcd  ii|iiiii  miirli  Icmh  in  a 
t,.-il  ilim''iiin.     lIi'iK'o   iim^t  of  tlic  valloy.s   arc   uwrv  ra\im'S.  rnin|ian'tl 

li  t'ii'«('  ttlii<'li  liavo  l)i'('ii   I'.veavatod   tlinmgli  Inust!   and  fVialilr  (-trata. 

j.  j.  (..iiiicially  tnii'  < it'  tli.it  |i!iit  of  the  liasiii  wliirli  licM  Hmitli  nl'  llic  ( (liiu 
'I'm  its  imitli,   liuwcrviT,   in   Tllinois,   Indiana,    :ind    Oliin,  tlii'if  are 

|,  ,itiil  I'xtt'iisive  dc'|MiMits  nf  drift  nr  ijilnsinm.  in  wliidi  tlic  streams  liavu 
L;iv:itiMl  \\'u\i'  valli'VH,  and  fnrnit'd  alln\ial  Ihittnms  uf  curn'siMindin!^ 
fcri.c'l!!i.  All  parts  alfurd  springs,  tlHin;^di  not  (if  cqnal  fnpidusiiC'S  and 
jniiMii'ii'''',  'Hid  wrll-watrr  can  cvci'^'wlicrt'  lie  nlitiiiiifd.  'I'lic  crci'ks  and 
|i\r.  ri-c  vapidly,  and  tlie  ran^'o  Itotwccn  ln\v  and  lii;.'li  water  is  j.>rrat.  ]\i 
Iji' iiHrtliirii  inar^'in  nf  tlic  liasin,  tlicris  aro  many  snnill  lakes,  nr,  nmro  pni- 
r:\  -iii'iikiiiL',  lar.L'i'  punds,  and  numemns  swamps  of  still  greater  area; 
;•  ill  the  li.isin  j,'encrally  tliey  aro  nut  tuiiml. 

J.  till'  iiei'tli  ef  tlio  Oluu,  in  [llinuis,  Indiana,  and  Oliio,  there  are  ciinsi- 
ki'i'"  tnii'ts  (if  prairie;  Imt.  the  liasin  generally  presents,  (ir  did  present, 
hii:i  I't  ;ilid  liii'ty  firests,  ennipnsed  (if  the  diversilicd  tree  vegetatinii  of  the 
Irii!''  >'Hi  (if  the  middle  lafitndes.      The  pines,  liemhicks,  and  (ither  resinnus 

..  .iri' cliiefly  fniiiid  in  the  mniiiitains  nf  Western  N('w  Vnrh,  IVnnsylva- 
lij.  iii'l  Virj.'iiiia. 

A- :•  iiii|ilied  in  the  i.ame  given  tn  this  liasin,  its  great  rivei'  is  the  Oliin, 

li  :'•:!(  nil  cnurse  (if  whicli  is  west  smith-west.     Its  principal  trilmtaries  nn 

111'  II  rtli  side,  heginning  with  the  lowest  and  ascending,  are  the  Waliash, 

llr  I*  Miiiiiii,  Scintii,  Miiskingnm,  and  Alleghany;   which  last  is,  in  fact,  thu 

L;-,  nmlrr  aiKither  name.      On  tht.'  snittli  side  we  have,  lieginning  with  tho 

li.'-t  iind  descLMiding.  first,  the  Mnndngahela,  the  jmictii.in   (if  which  with 

[tl    A'!'':'liaiiy,   at    Pittslmrgh,   fdrms   the   Ohin;    then    the    Kenawha,    the 

F        Ki'iitucky,  (Ireen,  Ciimlierland,  and  Tennessee.      As  a  general  fact, 

ii.ir>  (III  the  mirth  side  have  a  shnrter  cmirso  and  ;i  nmre  rajiid  descent, 
pi\  tliuse  of  the  upjiiisite  side  df  the  <Jhi(j. 


:\\- 


■m- 


!l 


SECTION  II. 

TROUGH  OF  THB  RIVER. 

Fi-iii  the  iniiuth  nf  the  Ohin  td  that  (if  the  Tennessee,  that  is,  fnnii  Cairo 

ll'i'liuali,  the  distance  is  furty-llve  miles,  fulhiwing  the  Ohio  in  its  lioiidto 

•I'tli.     Thrmigh  the  wlmle  nf  this  section,  which  may  lie  called  the  estii- 

pv"t  till'  river,  the  cnrreiit   is  shudv  and  gentle,  indicating  vt'ry  little  fall, 

!'t  wiion  there  is  a  flodd  in  the  Ohid,  and,  at  the  same  time,  low  water  in 

I'  M!«>is>i|i|ii.     The  rivr,  in  the  hiwer  ]iart  of  the  estnary,  is  exjiandcd  to 

':i:iilt!i  even  greater  than  that  of  the   Mississippi  where  they  unite.     Its 

K\  tur  iMuch  of  the  distance  fmrn  its  indiith  up  to  the  Tennessee  Ilivcr, 

■  ''^■.  ;ind   its   hottoms    so   wide   that    no    hills   can    be   seen.       Larii'e 


'  ,v 


220 


THE  rRLN'CIPAL  DISEASES  OF  TJtE 


[•OOi 


'f 


tni'-ts  an\  of  coiirso,  ammally  nvi'rfldwed,  carlv  in  tlic  .^])niinr  Ijyt'nii 
later  liy  tlie   ^Iis,'^issip|ii,  and  (iccasioiially  by  a  siimiltaiit'(iu;j  fluiid  i.i  ■ 
Those  iinmdatidii.s  Icavr  jioikIs.  and  extensive  swamps,  lieavilv  sIkk!,,!   . 
syeainnre,  eottdn-woud,  \vater-ina[ile,  and  ]i(|nidandiar,  on   Mutli  i<iili;>,- 
estuary.      Here  and  tliere  a  elay  er  gravel  liank,  eretacoous,  tertiarv, .; 
vial,  rises  almve  liiuli-water  iiiiiik;  Init  in  its  rear  tliere  is,  eumiiiiiiil'.  j  - 
and  |piiiidy  land.     A  ridge  or  terrace  <*f  tlii.s  kind  is  seen  for  sonio  ili.' 
on  the  iiiii'tli  .'iile  nt"  the   river,  between  Cairo  and  l*adneali.  |ir(i(lu(i:i_.,,., 
of  a  diniinvitivc  size,  and  haviiii,'  punds  in  its  rear.     The  only  tdwus  i.;  jp 
importance  on  the  estuary  are,  Cairo,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  alrtsii  I 
(lesi-rilicd   wlien  treatiii;j;  of   the  trou;.i'h  nf   tlie    Mississippi.  ;nii|  PaJwu 
innnediately  below  the  month  of  the  Tennessee  Kivcr.      The  scattcrcili!; .  •. 
ant.s  between  these  places,  not  less  than  the  jieople  of  the  furnier.  are -- 
to  autumnal   fever,  which  occasinnally  shows  a  mali;j;nant  chnriicttr.   I 
depression   of  this  portion  of  the  valley  below  the  hitdi-water  luvtl  ■: 
Ohio  a;id   Mississijipi,  must  forever  render  it  liable  to  thi.s  fonii  i;:  v 
From  th(^  Tennes.see  Kiver  upward  to  the  mountains,  the  hanks  itM!.:: 
elevated  than  below,  and  second  terraces  are  everywhere  met  witli.    Kv 
thi;'d  i.s  occasionally  seen.     The  former  are  rarel}'  so  low  as  to  he  roiiili;': 
the  hiii'hcst  floods   of  the  river;  the   latter,  of  course,  always  ahiiVr  t .; 
The  first   Ijottoms  are  mostly  aririllaceou.s,  with  a  dee])   soil.     Tlir  - 
and    third   consist  lar<rely  of  bowlders,   jiebbles,  gTavel,  and  suml,  !■■. 
with  a  stratum  of  yellow  loiini,  oversjiread  with  a  thin  layer  of  snil.    T  ; 
surface   is  generally  dry.      The  (hhris  of  which  they  are  couipi.suil. :;   . 
water-worn  to  a  polished  surface,  except  those  which  obviously  lul:. 
the  adjacent  strata.     The  sand  is  almost  invariably  in  the  deeper  ['ur-  : 
these  dejio.sits,  while  the  other  and  larger  masses  are  found  nearer  tin:!:'' 
face;   showing  that  they  have  been  agitated  by  the  fluctuations  ef  >i;'.'::; 
Avater;   a  further  evidence  of  which   Is,  that   the  materials  arc, .iiii|iiit';  I 
disposed   in  strata,  which  at  considerable   depths  are  variously  ourvci  j. 
inclined,  but  near  the  surface  are  generally  horizontal.     Ai.iong  tin]""  ■ 
and  small  bowlders,  there  are  fragments  of  all  the  diirereiit  rooks  \v\  ;•■ 
covered  to  the  east,  north-east,  and  north  of  the  ri\er;   and  the  fiu't':'.:''' 
ascend  it,  the  larger  are  these  masses,  and  the  more  extensive  the  U]i':  ' 
second  bottoms  whieh   they  compose.      In  their  depths,  beds  of  tuij': 
blre  clay  are  occasi(inally  met  with,  ami  fragnuuits  of  trees,  with  ('/"'".i 
other   fresh-water  shell-;,   of  the  existing  geological    era.       Detarln'l ;: 
water-worn  teeth   and  vertelirie  of  the   mastod(Ui   and   arctic  el(iili;ii'  ' 
likewise  found.     Well-water  of  a   hard  and  sometimes  sulphurous  fi:.'; 
but   generally  ]talatalile   and  sidnl)rioi"-',  i.^  obtained  at  various  deptl'v ;:-| 
two'ity  to  oiu'  hundred  feet.     In  some   places,  where  there  is  a  tliii'l'-' 
race,  the   lichrls  are  consolidated,  l)y  oxyde  of  iron,  into  ii  coarse,  str.i': 
conglomerate.     All  the   beautiful  town-sites  and  vallc'-resiih'Ueo  iil'-- 
Ohio,  are   seated  on   these  old   l)ott<rm>,  which   are  called  bv  the  Lf'"   -" 


r\RT  !• 


IXTERK 


dijivial"!'  pest-tort  iai'v 
tv.vvii  tiicse  and  the  i  i\ 
t:,,.  ..r I     They  are  ; 

Y  ;i,,',r,  reildisli,  or  blue. 
]',  ,'.;'.i..it,  tley  are  ca 
^   \.  :;iiil  (letaclu  d   boi 

,,;t,\'-ri:ii'  iiiaiiinuilia.     Tli 

^aliii'lia  the  gravel  plar 

'hi-f  liiw  terraces,  and 

livrr,  ami  hence  the  wat( 

'ill  rain,  il^es  not  flow  dir 

p;ir;ilirl  til  it.  forming  s) 

ii;;.i  t'r  liill-trihutaries  < 

1;;  li'i'iiier  times,  tlu'si 

I   (,  :.\irii'il  into  jionds,  ov 

fc!iii  lieiMving  tvees.     Th' 

%>i>.  was  produced   1)y  t 

^  iii'k  \\\\m  furtlicr  back. 

inks,  liut  throwing 

(tr-iiii-.  and  into  the  bea 

pr  liiriiJiT  oil  many  of  th 

rt;i,:ii::*  ill  front.      When 

V  'i  is  left,  with  sloughs' 
t'ii :.'  In  their  depth  am 
t:  ■  aiijiiiiiing  hills. 

Mill  is  the  general 
c:  ■':'■  nliio.  It  only  w 
\  -  a  width  Avhi(di  varie; 
(i:  -:'ii.'i'ahle  trihiitaries  ci 
P'tii  "idrs  at  the  saiiii'  ]d; 
ti  ■..  Uf  the  hills  it  m; 
^ua^livd  t'ect  al)ove  the  lo 
iaiT-w  ravines,  but  are  ci 
I ;  i  I'ilty  growth  of  forest 
lii' ":  llie  river,  which,  a 
«i'  ;'\  1  laiiil,  until  we  asc 
ti  ;^  lit'  the  Ap[ialachiaii 
v..J|  iiiti-y  heeonus  more  br( 
|/  Having  niade  this  gen 
rUivir,  we  must  now  proce 
I'  i 'iiii;'  this,  it  will  be 
•■'It..  Mile;  as  wo  shall  th 
t^'    The  localitie;,  along 


M 


^^ 


[lOOI, 


FiST  I.J 


LNTEItlOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


221 


fun'':- 


f  IK.,; 

1  ti,"'  • 

Uu-h'. 

(■I.IkiI- 

(I.. 

t 

V  . 

i- 


■,;,;  ,,r  piist-tcrtiiiry  (lt']tiisits.     The  first    or  lowest   In  tti.ms,  lyiiiiL'  I'e- 
:i  thi'SL'  ami  tbo  river,  iire  .SDiuetinies  wider,  smtietiiiies  iiarrnwc  i'   tlian 

,,iil.     Tliey  ;ire  (icneriilly  ecpiii|iiise(l,  a.s  already  intimated,  et'  elay, — 

■,v.  ivililisli,  or  blue, —  willi  more  or  less  marl  and  sand.    When  tlie  last 

■Pid.at,  tlii'V  are  easily  \vaslied  away.      'I'li'W  also  inelnse  frau'iiients  (if 

_.   ;    .,,,1  (lrt:ieli(  d  lidnes,  (ir  even   wlmlt^   ski'leliMis,  (if  (.'Xtim.-t  as  \vell  as 

f-^,';'  iiKiiiiiiiidia.     The  water  they  atlord  is  often  not  so  |iure  as  tliat  ol)- 

t  ;  .,1  ill  tlio  iri'uvol  jilains,  and  freijnently  contains  tiie  liiearlionato  (f  iron. 

]  ,  .,■  'n\v  terraces,  and  also  the  higher  and  (dder,  jifenerally  inelint;  from  the 

i    li'  I',  and  heiii'C  the  water  whieli  de.seends  upon  them  from  tlie  hills,  or  falls 

111  ;:iiii.  il'ies  nut  flow  dircetly  to  the  river,  hut  takes  a  eourse  more  or  le.s.s 

':',.[  til  it.  fiirniing  swamjiy  streams,  whieli  slowly  disehargo  themselves 

till'  hill-trilmtaries  of  the  river. 

imiiu'r  thiies,  these  marshy  hrooks  were  da.iimed  up  hy  lieavers,  and 
iiteil  into  p(jnd,s,  overshadowed  liy  the  forest,  and  half-filled  with  dead 
lii'iayiiig  tveen.     The  dotdivity  of  these,  like  tliat  of  other  tilluvi.d  hot- 
..  was  priiduced   by  the   greater   deposit  of  silt  near  the  niar^'in  of  tlie 
li;  -:  ;iiaii  t'lirtlier  haek.     In  ordinary  Hoods,  the  river  no  longer  passes  over 
it- '  ihk.-,  l)ut  throwing  its   back-water  up  tlie  estuaries   of  its  tributary 
II-.  and  into  the  beaver-ereeks,  spreads  over   the  rear  of  the  bottoms, 
,  iha'  nil  many  of  them  a  deep  inundation,  whih;  a  inargin  of  dry  hind 
;>  ill  trniit.      \Vhcn  rhe  fimid  rec(Mli   ,  a  new  deposit  of  silt  and  drift- 
is  Ict't,  with  shiughs  ;ind  ]»onds,  which  dry  up  more  or  less  rapidly,  ao- 
c    i  iL' to  their  depth  and  the  degreo  in  which  they  arc  fed  by  springslVom 
t    .I'liuiiiing  hills. 
:•  ii  i.i  is   the   general    character    of    the    trough    or    inimodiate    valley 
!'■  Ohiii.     It  only  remains  to  add,   that  this  valley,  from  //l/l  fo  hill, 
,!  width  whieli  varies   from  one   to  two  miles,  and  that,  except  where 
Mcralile  trlhiitaiies  enter,  the  buttnms  are  rarely  of  the  stnno  width  on 
Miles  at  till!  same  place,  but  present  the  wide  and  narrow  in   allcrna- 
"f  the  hills  it  may  be   stated,  that  they  generally  rise  about  four 
iinl  feet  above  the  lowest  level   (,f  the  river.  ar(;  steep,  and  divided  by 


f;, 


f 


I 

c 

1 

C 

\. 

C  :  V,  ravines,  but  are  covered  with  productive  .-^oil,  'ind  sustain  a  vigorou.^^ 

>  I  lilty  growth  of  forest  trees.     They  constitute  a  rugged  zone  on   each 

f      •;  tlio  river,  which,  at  a  <hort  distance  liatdc,  graduates  into  undulating 

«;  'A  1  land,  until  we  ascend  the  river  about  six  hundred  miles,  to  the  (Uit- 

t:    ~  lit' the  Appalachian  coal  furmation,  when  the  whole   surface  of  the 

c  ..'i'v  beeonios  more  broken. 

Iliviiiir  made  this  lieiieral  survey  of  the  basin  and  trouu'h  of  the  Ohio 
K  1.  we  must  now  proceed  t>)  more  particular  topographical  descriptions. 
1  1  iiijr  this,  it  will  be  proper  to  begin  with  the  lower  tributaries  on  the 
f  ;' .  Mili;;  as  wo  shall  then  start  from  the  terminal  line  of  the  last  ehap- 
*'      riiu  hjcalitica  along  the  Ohio  River,  will  be  described  (as  far  as  I 


k-r.-i 

V  ill 


•.■■■  ■  )■ 


■;.f  i 


■:■■■[  :\t. 


•'"u-i'.'l'      •         •    I.'-" 

..;.)■     4,-.  .r 


J    -  ■ 


V 

■* 

Mm' 

■  r, 

• 

f: 

. 

■  '■•■ '  .  ■ 

'    . 

, 

'  ■/  _,  :'  .  -- 

• 

■  • 

ooo 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I  Wet , 


»  TART  I., 


INTERI 


i 


■I    I  ■ 


>  .1 


.!■■•;{  ..-1 


!■''  , 


■^\i 


liavc  materials)   as  wo  jiass  from  the  iinaitli  nl"  one  tributary  tu  tLa: 
aiinfiicr.     We,  of  coursi',  cmiiniciiCL'  with  the  Tennessee. 


SECTION   III. 

SOUTIIERxN  OniO  IJASIN  :   THE  TENNESSEE  RIVER. 

T.  The  Tennessee  lliver  has  scunetinies  beer,  cninjiarcil  witli  tlii'  (.; 
which  it  aliniist  eijnals  in  lenL''th,  ami  in  .some  ]>laees  rivals  in  Imtult!:; 
to  the  medical  topoifraiihcr,  the  interest  it  [irescnts  is  far  less.  Itj.viir- 
in  the  mountains  of  N'iriiinia  ami  North  Carolina,  are  found  as  far  uur;!;;, 
the  ti'iirtv-soventh  parallel;  which  is  that  of  its  mouth,  in  the  statu  cif  Kg. 
tnck\  ;  while  its  midillu  is  Iiciit  down,  in  the  slate  of  Alabama,  to  tliu  ti::::- 
fourth  di":  ee.  Tin-ough  the  first  half  of  its  eourse  the  Tennes.sco  is,  stric 
spealci'ii,  a  mountani  river ;  but  afterwards,  it  flows  throuirh  a  liill-euuKr 
For  (hrc  ■j-foiu"ths  of  its  length,  the  A]i[)alaehian  ^Mountains,  and  tlif  dcr-Iii; 
spurs  which  tln.'y  send  off,  wcstwardly,  across  the  state  of  Alabama,  rt-T:: 
it  on  the  south;  while  the  Cumberland  Kiver,  which  conforms  to  its.-. 
curve,  ap]n'oaches  it  so  clo.sely  on  the  opposite  side,  as  greatly  tn  m\r\\:- 
liasin.  ireiue,  after  its  formation  by  the  CHiudi  and  II(jlstoii,  at  Ki\-:: 
six  hundred  miles  frimi  its  mouth,  it  does  not  receive  a  single  triljiit;ir,v, 
and  deep  enough  for  steamboat  navigation.  This  limitation  nf  it-i- 
taken  in  connection  with  a  number  of  shoals  and  rapids,  has  combiiici! w.:; 
the  hilliness  of  many  parts  of  the  country  through  which  it  flows,  ;i>i- 
narrowness  of  most  of  its  alluvial  grounds,  in  retarding  the  settloiii'iit  t,j 
banks,  and  rendering  their  study  an  object  of  interest  to  the  medical  ctii  1 'y 
From  its  mouth  to  its  sources,  tiie  banks  do  not  present  a  single  t"\nr:. 
one  thousand  inhabitants;  nor  is  there  a  town  within  its  basin  tliat cuihiil: | 
more  than  that  nund)er. 

In  continuing  the  description,  wo  may  conveniently  divide  tlii.s  rivt.r : 
the  Lower  and  the  Upper  Tctuiessco,  taking  the  3Iusele  Shoals,  bL'twi',  l- 
ronce  and  Triana,  a.s  the  line  of  division.     The  length  of  the  lower  .ht;;  :.,: 
about  two  hundred  and  seventy-five  '.liles.     Through  most  of  tlii?  Ji-tas 
the  country  on  each  side  is  somewhat  rugged,  and  composed  largcK  I't'iii'  ■■ 
iferous  linu'stone;  which,  however,  is  often  found  oidy  in  the  bed  ui'tla'r;'' 
while  the  hills  are  composed  of,  or  capjied  with,  the  rotten  or  cretaeei  ii^ Ix- 
.stone; — as  I  had  an  opportunity  of  observing,  on  the  route  from  )Iiii.|  • 
through  Purdy  and  Savannah,  to  Florence.     The  bottom-lands  of  tlii»-  ' 
of  the  Tennessee,  are  said  not  to  be  very  broad:   there  is  Vi)  great  |i;''';/ 
of  ponds  and  swanqis,  compared  with  the  rivers  farther  south;  aiidtvir  ' 
bility  to  autum  lal  lever  is  in  corres]iondence  with  this  topography. 

ir.       Fl.OKKNCK,  IN  NoilTII  .Vl.AltAMA. Tllis  toWU,  OUO    of  tllC  ol(lo.*t  i" - 

basin  of  the  Tennessee,  stands  on  its  right  or   northern  bank,  not  tar ' . '  I 
the  Muscle  Shoals.     Its  site  is  on  the  southern  edge  of  a  considcni' 1. - 


of  taUc-land.  elevated 
ri\cT.  i'rco  trum  ponds  ; 
f.v.i  !i  tlie  town  and  the 
aU'iviiil  bMltoin,  a  rpiart 
anj  i'M!i«tituto.s  the  chic 
Imhitaiits  obtain  their 
(if  iixty  or  eighty  feet, 
'  aij-'Uiitliiia  in  detached 
s[iiiie.    The  water  is  sol 
F;iiiri'nlicit.     Like  othe 
^ii^rtli,  Florence  is  visitei 
|ei:!ieral  of  a  mild  cliarae 

III.     TlsCU.MlilA.— 

Isnutli  siile  of  the  Teniie.'- 
lEi'Uiitaiii  liiglilands,  whi 
ptiic  C'liLsa,  which  flows  t' 
i'gontly  undulating  and  of 
nvi  r,  in  the  midst  of  ex 
.camMa.    The  most  inte 
If  ipriiiL',  which,  almost  in  t 
b  iiiiei'ous  limestone  rock; 
cwi'il  by  trees ;  the  water 
|(if  a^iuatic  plants.     Its  ti 
f  F:ii:rt'i!li"it.     In  tlowinjr  o: 
|THT  siHiii  jiiiii.s  itself  wii 
\\'.i-  name  of  Spring  Creel 
jfe:' Itiver.  three  miles  froi 
■Bijil'ii'  >tnituin  (jf  the  ]»laii 
f  f.  "illy  inundated  ;  and  1 
f  :rvut;tutninnal  fever, 
IV.    TiiK  Mlsclr  Sill 


linal 


Tl 


leir 


ivi'lt"!  into  many  chanii 
ti'ivr.-  rapid,  islamls,  o 
v:i'l''  trougli  very  great 
"'Jill,  thnoigh  the  wlude 
Nihia  is  built  ;  and  in  ti 
t'  railrn.id.  to  Decatur, 
^\!i'^i!a'!:iau  Mountains,  v 
♦■'«■  in  sight  to  the  .sou 
«^:''>.  Aitloiugli  it  is,  to 
^iir;:in.  is  unt  fi'ee  from  p 
l">"\vliulivein  the  villa 


V.    !) 


'I'-vnu  stands  on 


;  »r.T  I.J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


22;j 


L'tWl  •  •. 

or  .-i''!: 


niM:::.;  ■ 

•  tlii-  •  ■  ■ 

t  ,,r.^:.: 

nilt>.:r..- 

y. 

,W>\\:'.'- 

Kit  far '  '.  ■■ 

[m 


.  ,jiii,..lan(l.  elevated  from  oiglity  to  one  liuiulred  feet  a1)ovt'  tlie  level  of  tlie 
r ',r  i're«  ii'tiin  p.nuls  and  sluuglis,  and  subJL'cted  tu  cotton  cultivation.  l>c- 
. r  ,n  the  town  and  tlio  river,  wliieli  here  runs  from  cast  to  vjst,  tliiro  is  an 
J  ivi;illji)ltuni,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  width,  wliich  is  subject  to  inundation, 

„  j utitutes  the  chief  source  of  autumnal  fever  in  this  locality.     'J"hc  in- 

!  iliitants  obtain  their  drinking-water  from  wells.  They  are  dug  to  the  dqith 
,•  .;xtv  or  eii-dity  feet,  through  loose  materials  —  coarse  red  sand  and  da}-, 
;  uii'liiiiT  in  detached  organic  rcnuiins  and  moldering  fragments  of  .'^ilicious 
.  >■.  Tlic  water  is  soft,  and  of  the  temperature,  in  Juno,  of  sixty-one  dogrocs 
I'r.iviilioit.  Like  other  rivC/  towns  in  the  latitude  of  tliirty-iive  degrees 
I,  i;li.  Fliirenco  is  visited  annually  with  autunmal  fever,  which,  howe\er,  is  in 
r : .  ral  uf  a  mild  character. 

HI.  TrsciMitiA. — The  plain  on  which  J-'lorence  stands  reappears  on  the 
J  'itii  Mile  of  the  Tennessee  Kiver,  and  stretches  off  eight  or  ten  miles,  to  the 
I:,  uiitaiu  highlands,  which  constitute  the  water-shed  between  this  river  and 
t  .Cnisa,  which  flows  to  the  south.  On  this  jdain,  the  surface  of  which  is 
pnth-  undulating  and  of  a  reddish  color,  at  the  distance  of  four  miles  from  the 
r.. M,  iii  tlio  midst  of  extensive  cotton-lields,  stands  the  newer  town  of  Tus- 
i;i!,i i:i.  The  most  interesting  object  in  the  topography  of  this  place,  is  a 
I  (|.ri!iL',  wliicli,  almost  in  the  center  of  tiie  village,  gushes  from  a  ledge  of  car- 
biiii'fi'ous  limestone  rocks.  The  pool  which  it  forms  is  beautifully  overshad- 
(i  by  trees;  the  water  displays  a  bluish  tint,  ;.nd  abounds  In  long  wreaths 
<:  :i|uatic  plants.  Its  temperature,  in  the  month  of  June.  wu.-.  _-Lvty  degrees 
1 ,  nr.li'it.  In  Howing  off,  it  expands  into  a  brook  thirty  yards  in  width,  which 
'.  .  >ii.,ii  jiiiiis  itself  with  a  surface-stream;  and  the  united  waters,  under 
t  Mini' lit' Spring  Creek,  nndce  their  way,  north-westerly,  to  the  Tennes- 
^  iJivrr.  three  milesfrom  the  town.  Tliis  creek,  fiowiiig  thi'inigh  the  loose 
I  r  -iratuin  of  the  jilain,  has  formed  wiile  alluvial  bottoms,  whicii  are  occa- 
f  illy  iiiuiidafed  ;  and  hence  Tuscumbia  has,  to  its  windward,  a  ptrnmncnt 
f   rv  lit' autumnal  fever,  from  whicli  it  ainiually  suffers. 

iV.      'J'lIK    MlSCLK    SiIOAI.S    AXlt     AD.I.UKNT    Pl.AIX. T    did    liot    V!<it    tllC 

Jl'.- li'  Sli.ials.  Their  length  is  sixty  or  seventy  miles.  The  river  is 
^'  ii'il  into  many  channels,  in  whicli  tiie  water  is  in  some  parts  slack,  in 
i:  'is  rapid.  Islands,  of  course,  are  numerous,  and  the  lircadth  of  the 
T:.!''  tri'Uirli  very  great,  compared  with  that  above  or  below.  To  the 
f  .'.!i.  tlinmgh  the  wholi'  length  of  tiie  shoals,  lies  the  plain  on  which  Tus- 
t;i'!'ia  i>  huilt  ;  and  in  traver>ing  it  for  a  distance  of  forty-three  nnles  by 
ti  raihiMd.  to  Decatur,  above  the  sliojils.  the  low  range  of  termiiniting 
.iV|i;i!aihian  Mountains,  which  stretches  across  North  Alaliama,  i<  every- 
'^  »' in  sight  to  the  smith.  The  width  of  this  jdain  is  fnjui  six  to  ten 
1  'V  Altlidugh  it  is,  except  near  the  river,  above  the  highest  floods,  its 
•iir:;ir.  i«  imt  fVec  tVoni  poinls  and  shnighs  ;  and  its  inhabitants,  iiicbnling 
*i;  ••  wim  live  in  the  village  of  Court  land,  are  subject  to  antninn;il  fever, 
*■     I'iX'Anu  stands  on  the  eastern  edge  of  this  plain,  and  is  less  eleva- 


•^f  .   ..  * 


:»'AJf 


r'A";., 


'.u 


m 


.f  • 


224 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


iBO.)t. 


I     .  .        ( 


a: 


■m 


<:.'•    L 


tod  ii'.'ivo  tlic  river  tli;in  Tiiscuiiilila  or  ridrt'iicc.  It  sooiiis  t(j  befuuir^ 
(■'iiocial  Miurccs  ot'  discaso,  as  lar  as  tho  )jlaiii  annind  it  is  concerned,  Ip :■ 
Hot  licyiiiid  tlie  reach  of  sinister  iiillueiices  lV"iii  the  opposite  side. 

VJ.  iloiTi:  KKOM  Dkcatui;  to  IIuxtsvillk. —  Tho  river  at  Doatur- 
nearly  l.df  a  mile  in  width,  with  shallow  and  staj^-nant  water  in  tliu  yis.. 
nier.  Its  north  or  ri^dit  hank  is  low,  and  the  road  jtassos  for  two  i.riV, 
miles  over  a  causeway,  in  the  midst  of  foul  ponds,  lagoons,  and  swainn*, i;'; 
hy  the  s[»rii)L'  inundations  of  the  river;  —  heyond  this  Itottoui,  it  mount*" 
table-land  of  the  same  kind  with  that  on  the  opposite  side  of  tin.' ,;>; 
From  this  plateau,  wliieh  is  several  nules  in  width,  the  road  rises  tu  u- 
summits  uf  a  tract  of  low  hills;  from  the  north-eastern  edge  of  wlii.li.i, 
look  over  the  [ilaii!,  on  which  stands  the  most  noted  and  beautiful  town; 
the  TeiHiessee  JJasin  —  lluntsville. 

VII.  IIuNTSViLLK  is  environed  by  spurs  and  off-sets  of  the  Ciiinkr'iffl 
branch  i)f  the  Appalachian  iMountains,  which  repose  aroinal  it  in  1  in 
masses.  This  town  enjoys  the  advantaiics  of  a  fountain  as  pure  ami'  ■;• 
ous  as  that  of  Tnscundna.  Its  sur|)lus  water  is  made  to  stipjily  .t..,:... 
■which  is  contbu'ted  along  its  valley,  in  a  southerly  direction,  to  tlie  TiU:- 
see  Itivrr, —  a  distance  of  twelve  miles.  In  this  valley  and  the  siiutlkr ij;. 
cral  valleys  openinc:  int(»  it,  there  is  nnich  drowned  bottom-land,  ami,  (.nii*  i 
quently,  the  people  of  lluntsville  are  not  Avithout  annual  visitati-i- 
autunuial  fever,  some  of  which  are  severe.  There  is  no  town  in  tlitji.- 
west,  the  streets  of  whicli  are  better  protected  from  tho  sun  by  sliink'-ti?! 
than  this.  In  Mississipjd  and  Florida,  up  to  north  latitude  thirty-t' 
degrees  thirty  minutes,  the  pride  of  China  (Jlclta  axedanu'li)  is  \\k\ 
vailing  >hade-trce.  Ilert'.  as  at  Memphis,  about  tlie  thirty-fiftli  fe' 
is  replaced  by  our  native  wdiite-fluwering  locust  (liof/i/iic  /'scudiiaio"  <.\:'.\ 
branches  of  wdnch  ;,vo  longer  and  touirher  than  in  the  higher  latitiiib. 

VIIT.  3I0NTE  Sano. — The  insulated  and  con. '.dal  nupuntaiii  wl.:- 1 -• 
(not  inap]iro]»riately  )  received  the  attractive  name  of  3Ionte  .Sano, rear- :• 
bead  in  sight  of  lluntsville  to  the  east.  By  two  barometrical  ailnic; -i;: • 
racnts.  Doctor  Thomas  Fearn  has  determined  its  altitude  to  be  tm  liuiic:  I 
and  ninety  feet  above  the  town,  which  itself  caiino^  be  less  than  sixliimi": 
feet  above  the  sea,  making  tho  positive  elevation  of  the  mountain  nearly  ^l'V^■ 
teen  hundred  feet.  Ilestingon  carbonifenms  limestone,  it  belongs  to  the; - 
formation,  and  presents  thin  strata  of  that  combustible  amid  its  -■■• 
stones  and  shales.  About  nine  hinidred  feet  from  its  base,  a  cii|iiuiis  ■;'■; 
bursts  out  on  its  northern  declivity,  the  tciiiperature  of  which,  in  .lu'.x'- 
fifty-four  degrees  Fahrenheit.  Taking  the  heat  of  tho  spring  hcluWiit--. 
degrees  Fahrenheit,  we  have  a  dinunution  of  one  degree  of  tcmporatiiri' : ' 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  of  ascent.  The  zone  at  the  altitude  <if  tlnv;: 
spring  sustains  nearly  the  same  vegetation  as  the  banks  of  the  Olii'iii''' 
latitude  of  thirty-eight  and  thirty-iiine  degrees,  Avhere  the  mean  tcini''^'; ' 
of  the  year  is  about  fifty-four  degrees.     The  smumit  of  the  niuuiit.ii!.  j: 


P>«TI. 


INTKFUO 


<.,!t-a  liniiti'd  plateau  o 
l,,:.kl'\vii  into  coves  an 
[i..ctnr  ri'.'ini.  fmni  (doni 
Siioli  is  the  lofty,  pii'ti 
1'  If'ii'fsvillc,  who  have 
(fii'it.  Imwcvcr,  entirely 
'.  ...  ii!;il;i(Iics  have  soini 

IX,      WllITKSBrRC. —  I 

it.'iv  of  this  .-niall  oott' 
i.-niiossiM'  liivcr.  eleven  1 
"The  (nuntry  in  this  v 
t'liii'untiiiiis  inaki.ig  in  t 
u--i':itt(Tinfr  spurs  and 
vr  till'  hunks  iif  the  ri^ 
MiiL'lis.  Ts  fn  have  give 
iiriiiL'  In'irh  tides  in  the  1 
',!"i|;itiiin.     The  lands  iic 
J"  I'fnorally  of  cood  fpin 
ciliit.ints  nnniher  about 

'••'I  in  tlie  production  < 
iri'in.  .nnd  chjils  are  so  ci 
iili^k'  year." 

^Vr.  musr  now  leave  this 
«'  .'III'  tiiiLT  the  reader  al 
r    ''  !■  :<  fall  ({('■^criptidn. 

\      IIiU  TK    KIIOM    |fr\T.'= 

tf  '.'1  .fville,  in  Ka^t  Tenn 
fl  in  tlio  liasin  of  the  T( 
II  ''iniy  f,rk  of  rniubcrh 
*  K>  oiiurse  is  iiearlv  w 
11  Aiipalacliian  chain  is 
■'i:":'l.  At  tir^t.  till'  ri 
'■■:-iry  of  the  Tennes-e( 
-ML'  in  iiiiirnlar  noibd( 
•I  'l!-iiite;:Tation.  form 
'' T  ]iarts  of  this  gre 
ii'inl  |ii, nils  and  mill 
•'■nlarkiiid  in  the  sout 
-ii.'iiiling  from  it,  and. 
i'"rth  latitude  thirty- 
■"'"g;  ami  a  irranur 


♦Western 


N 

11 


fUT  I. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMHRICA 


005 


iiiit^  .1  limited  i>lutr;ni  or  trililc,  from  tlio  niarcrins  of  wliicli,  on  every  side,  wc 
„;i,-  (ImWU  iiit'i  ''lives  and  valleys.  wIkto  it  often  rains,  as  I  was  informed  by 
i? Iii.(ti)r  Fc.'ini.  fnini  clnnds  wliieli  do  nut  rise  as  liiirli  as  tlie  ninuntaiii. 

<',]c]\  is  till' loft V.  [iictures(|iie.  and  salubrious  suinnier-retrcat  of  tlic  ]i('o|de 
'■  Ilnntsvilii'.  wIki  liave  ereeted  many  Imt-weatlier  eottaires  u|ion  it.      'I'liey 
L|,  „,,{  liowcvcr.  entirely  eseape  the  fevers  of  autumn:   for.  in  rainy  seasons, 
^li  so  nmlailie^  liave  sometimes  invaded  their  snnimcr  asylum. 
IX,    \ViiiTi:.«iu'n(i. — Doetor  Cap'^haw  *  has  oivon  us  a  sketeli  of  the  topn- 
rii'liv  iif  this  .•^nlMll  e(itt(Hi-sliip|iiiiL'  town,  situated  on  the  riL'ht  liank  of  the 
Ti iiiM'Sscp  liiver.  eleven  miles  fmni  lliuitsvillo. 

"Tho  cimntrv  in  this  vicinity  is  diversified  :  on   the  cast  wc  have  a  ridge 

bt'iiM'mitiiiiis  inakiaff  in  towai'd  the  river,  while  to  the  north  and  west  are  a 

'fv-ritti'viiiir  spurs  and  knohs.  risinir  friin  a  L'cneral  plain  hut  little  elevated 

I  J'  V,' tlic  hanks  of  the  river.      The  plain  is  so  much  euf  up  with  ponds  and 

Mii;;lis.  IS  to  have  iriven   eurrenoy  to  the   Incal  appellation  of   I 'mid  Heat. 

tiiriiiir  liidi  tides  in  the  river,  ahout  one-si.\th   of  tlie  surface  is  suhjecr   to 

nu'iiiitiiin.     The  lands  nut  occujtied  by  nn  i'"lains.  and   free  frnni  overflow, 

^r"  I'cncrallv  iif  i.'o(id  quality,  and  mostly  reduced  to  cultivatiim.      The  in- 

liaMt.iiits  nmnher  about   nine  hundred.  two-third<  of  wlmm   are   .<laves.  em- 

I  ill  the  production  of  cotton.      The  prevailiiiL' diseases  are  of  malarious 

Ir.'iii.  and  cliiils  arc  so  common  that  few  are  so  fortunate  as  to  c.seajie  them 

livlii.k'  year." 

W.' mu.«r  now  leave  this  portion  of  t'le  river,  as  T  am  UMder  tlie  necessity 
fcfi  'iihiitiii;:  the  reader  aliUL'  the  rnutes  v.hich  T  travch'd.  not  having  mato- 
r'-t'ir  a  full  descriptinn. 
X    IloiTK  VKOM  JIiNT.^vii.i.E  TO  !v\o\viiJ,i:. — The  Tuad  fi'oni  Iluntsville 
Kn  xville,  in  Ka^t  Tennessee,  passes  throuL'h  Winche;;ter  and  .^le.Aiiiiville, 
:'  !'!  llie  lia<iii  of  the  Tennessee  Kiver.  to  Sparta,  en    the  head-wal:'rs  of 
l'  I'miU'V  f  irk  of  Cundierland  J\iver,  in  the  ea-terii  edLre  nf  .^liddh^  Tennes- 
hs  course  is  nearly  mirth-east,  and   ihe  outlyinjx  ("umberland  riduc  of 
Aiijialachiiui   chain   is  most   of   the  way  in  siirlit.   to  the  s<iuth-east  or 
■  li'.u'.'l.     At  first,  tlie  route  lies  tlirou'jfh  the  broad  valley  df  Mint  liiver, 
Ifil'Htary  of  the  Teunessei.     The  soil  of  this  valley  is  a  rich  reddish  l^am, 
i 'liiiL' in  aiiiriilar  nedoles  of  chert,  once  imbeihh'd  in  I'oi-ks.  which,  haviiif 
*!  I'll  il!>intei;Tati(in.  i'nnn  the  jiresent  surface.      The  staiile  of  cullivation. 
'.': 'tiiiT  parts  of  this  ^.Tcat  licnd  of  the  Tennessee,  is  cottnn.     There  are 
'  ;.;i!ura!  puinlsaiid  mill-ponds  in  this  valley,  whii-li.  like  other  localities 
' -iiiiilar  kind  in  the  south,  is  infested  with  autumnal  fever. 
1 1  s.H'oiidiiig  frem  it,  and.  at  the  same  time,  enterinii'  ihc  state  of  Tennes- 
''•'.ninrtli  latitude  thirty-five  dep'oes.  the  s-irface  of  the  country  becomes 
F"  ri'lliiiir ;  and  a  <:ramineous  aLTicuIture,   witli   tobacco  and  pasturage, 


^i 


'.n 


•p  r '  h 


v-r/  ■  ■ 


■■t\A':- 


f 
i 


m- 


\ 


•<i  d  ^'J;sK  .w  ■     .   .. 


l.T 


•  Wi'stern  Journal,  Louisville,  Vol.  IV,  j).  1. 


220 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[loot 


".\    ■ 


■  i 


replaces,  to  a  cunsiilcrable  extent,  that  of  cutt(jn,    Apiilc-orcliard.-,  uImjU  ,■ 
more  nniDonius  and  nioro  iivoductivc. 

After  crossing  the  u|i[ier  part  nf  ICllc  lliver,  at  Wincliostcr,  the  road  in;;--. 
ccj)til»ly  attains  considerable  elevation,  over  an  off-set  of  tlio  Cuinljerli': 
Monntaiii ;  tlie  red  cotton  soil  of  the  Tluntsville  plain  now  disapiifar?;  jn 
the  descent  into  the  btisin  nf  (!aney  Jiiver,  is  nuido  over  a  sncces,si(jni.iflj..5ii. 
tifid  terraces,  called  the  PIcdmiit  P/<t!ns,  thi!  surface  of  wliicli  is  a  }vi;  j 
loam,  with  fragments  of  cl"^'-t.  Two  springs,  which  burst  out  fruiii  U;,. 
of  carboniferous  limestone  rock,  in  north  latitude  about  thirty-five  dcjir^ 
thirty  minutes,  had,  in  June,  the  temperature  of  fifty-six  and  fiftv-.:.: 
dcL'rees  Fahrenheit.  Near  McMinville  the  red  soil,  with  iioduk'S  of  r .- 
reapi)ears.  From  the  valley  of  Flint  lliver  to  McMinville,  tliu  uouwr, , 
generally  dry,  and  appears  to  bo  but  little  infested  with  autuimial  fe--: 
From  jMcMinville  to  Sparta,  it  continues  dry,  and  is  more  broken. 

From  Sparta.  Avhicli  stands  near  the  base  of  the  Cund)crland  Miuit;.: 
the  route  to  Knoxville  is  nearly  cast.     The  mountain  belongs  tothti^ 
formation,  and  tlie  strata  wliich  it  presents  on  its  western  side  are  mi: 
identical  with  those  of  3Ionte  Sano.     A  spring,  about  two  hundred  aidr 
feet  above  its  base,  had,  at  the  end  of  June,  the  temperature  of  fitivvt 
degrees  Fahrenheit ;  anuther,  in  one  of  the  valleys  beyond  the  first  r;,; 
was  fifty-six  degrees  Fahrenheit.     A  succession  of  ridges,  with  intme::::,| 
ravines  destitute  "f  alluvion,  at  length  brings  us  into  a  deeper  valley, r:.; 
separates  the  Cumbcrlaiul  Mountain    fruni  "Walden   llidge.     Sumcif: 
crests  passed  over  are.  from  their  elevatidu  and  sterility,  ineapalilo  if; 
ducing  Indian  corn.     From  the   summit   of  this  ridge,  which  is  ci'iiij  ^ 
almost  entirely  of  sandstone  and  conghmicrate,  the  very  distant  andeliva:-..! 
mountains  of  North  Candina,  in  which  the  Tennes.sco  has  its  remotest  it:;:  | 
can  be  seen  in   smoky  outline.     The  descent  from  this  mountain  is  iiit:.i 
valley  of  Clinch  Eiver,  wliich  is  reached,  over  a  succession  of' low  lii:!!.:| 
Kingston,  where  it  unites  with  the  Ilolston  to  form  the  Tennessee  K;-: 
The  valley  is  composed  of  transition  or  Silurian  limestone.     It  need  sea::. 
be  stated,  that  from  Sparta  to  Kingston  autumnal  fever  is  almost  uiikr." 
elevation,  aridity  of  surface,  and  barrenness  of  soil  opposing  its  produd; - 

From  Kingston  to  Knoxville,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Ilolston,  tbore;;; 
mountain,  but  the  country  is,  on  the  whole,  hilly;  yet  some  of  the  vallev> ;:: 
of  considerable  breadth,  and,  as  they  rest  on  limestone,  support  a  kss--- 
vegetation.     They  do  not.  however,  abound  in  ponds  and  marshes. 

XIT.     KxoxviM.K  is  situate  above  high-water  mark,  on  the  riglit  la- 
the ILdston,  and  is  not  surrounded  by  marshes.     There  are,  hovrevir." 
mill-streams  adjacent  to  the  town,  one  above,  and  the  other  a  slinit  ■ 
tance  below,  which  have  dams  and  ponds.     It  was,  doubtless,  to  some  pa:::- 
ular  condition    of  these   ponds,  that  we  should  ascribe   the  fever  'n-.'-l 
according  to  report,  a  few  years  since,  nearly  depopulated  the  place,  a::; 
which  the  history  has  not,  I  believe,  been  written  by  any  of  its  plij-iw-l 


ririmitive.    All  the  rivcr.>^ 


•  Transylvania  Journal,  Vol.  1 


yTTTTTiAyi 


riBT  1- 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


227 


Privi'ush'  to  tlmt  eiddomic,  Doctor  Eanisey  *  had  read  before  the  ^Medical 
Society  at  Xashville  "An  Essay  on  the  Medical  Tupngraphy  of  East  Ti'n- 
i^.sitr:"  but  he  does  not  give  us  a  description  of  the  site  of  KnoxviUc,  his 
rcsidtuco,  nor  of  any  otlicr  hicality. 

XIH.    Tl'^'  indefatigable  state  geologist  of  Tennessc(,',  Professor  Troost,t 

lias  shown  that  the  whole  of  this  region,  cast  of  Waldcn  Kidge,  consists  of 

-  Siluria'i  and  other  old  transition  rocks  (  chiefly  calcareous  ),  ending  in  the 

ririmitive.    AH  the  rivers  aliove  Kingston  —  the  Clinch,  and  its  large  tribu- 

tarv.  I'liweirs  River,  to  the  north;  and  the  Ilol.-ton,  with  its  tributaries,  the 

ToiincS'Ce  (ini|)iiiperly  so  called  ),  and  the  French  IJroad  —  may  be  regarded 

a.  nii'Uiitain-torrents,  converging  to  furm  a  common  trunk,  tlic  Tennessee, 

fk  luindrcd  miles  from  its  junction  with  tho  Ohio.     Of  the  elevation  of  this 

sub- Alpine  region  above  the  level  of  tho  sea  I  cannot  speak,  except  from 

estimate.    It  probably  ranges  from  eight  to  sixteen  hundred  feet.     liut,  to 

saviii'tiiing  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains  to  the  west,  it  is  surrounded  from 

I  tk' mirth  round  to  the  south  south.-west  by  mountains,  which  attain  an 

ck'vati'in  varying  from  two  to  five  thousand  feet,  leaving  an  open  valley  to 

j  t'jc  soiitli-west.     It  is  to  the  divergence  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains  from 

I  til  Ap|ialaeliian  group,  as  it  advances  southerly,  that  this  great  nmuntain 

]  ciVi'  ( to  burrow  a  term  from  the  sea-shore  )  owes  its  existenci^,  and  constitutes 

|,a peculiar  region,  so  well  entitled  to  the  attention  of  the  medical  eti(dogist. 

Uf  this  region.  Doctor  llanisoy,  in  tho  pape"  referred  to,  speaks  in  the  fol- 

kiwiii^'  language :  "  The  water-courses  of  East  Tennessee  are  pure  and  trans- 

far-iit.  and  their  currents   rai»id.     There  arc  no  sluggish  streams,  and  no 

swamps  or  marshes  of  any  extent.     The  water  is  generally  impregnated  with 

lime,  liut  .springs  of  freestone  water  are  not  unconnnon.'' 

Ill  irtbrence  to  the  autumnal  fevers  of  East  Teiuiessce,  the  same  writer 
thus  expresses  himself: 

•Iliavo  already  observed  that,  during  the  first  settlement  of  the  country, 
t'  ri'  was  generally  a  remarkable  exemption  of  the  iiiliabitants  from  disease. 
Ti.i-  i<  especially  true  in  relation  tofc/'crs',  properly  so  called.  Tnterniittents 
il;:;;;^- t!ie  period  of  autumnal  insalubrity  i'orm  an  exception.  These  pre- 
Tiile Extensively;  but  the  apyrexia  being  a  state  of  comparative  comtbrt, 
t::'}  rre'ved  little  attention,  and  remedial  agents  were  rarely  employed. 
Bi;  with  the  opening  and  improvement  of  the  country,  sotu'ces  of  disease 
bv'j  liuen  nudtiplied,  and  with  them  fever  has  prevailed  to  considerable 
ix:.!K.  It  is  not  confined  to  tho  valleys  and  banks  of  large  rivers  ;  but  the 
n.  '■  ik'vated  countries  are  annually  visited  with  its  severest  forms.  The 
f:  :.  that  fever  prevails  in  districts  where  vegetable  decompositiim  is  ineon- 
Eil'mijle,  if  not  harmless,  seems  to  invalidate  the  correctness  of  the  theory 
I  vi'ieli  ascribes  idiopathic  fever  to  a  miasmatic  origin  exclusively.     I  would 


«.■"^l•.•■  ■• 


•    T    I    I' 


'. 

'1 

■  [h 

'    1  ■■ 

*                  • 

I 

r'>M 


I 


'  Transylvania  Journal,  Vol.  V,  p.  3G3.  t  Geological  Reports. 


I 


■  1  ..'■ 


228 


TIJK  3'RINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I'wi 


'A»T  I., 


INTEini 


f  ■  ■ 

' 


Mm 


r 


iKtt  lio  uiuIoi-Mtnod  to  deny,  /'//  /"/''.  that  in^ii'sli  luiusiu  is  the  cause  dl'  tVp. 
but  since  tlicy  iirovail  with  us  in  a  (h-grco  no  way  |iroj)(irtiiiiiate  t  .tlieextc, 
or  c'iiii''';ntratioii  (it  the  niahiria,  I  must  avuw  my  seeptiiisiii  of  the  ailoiiua,; 
of  the  cause,  to  the  jiroduction  of  sueh  extensive  and  poworful  resultt.  !:. 
termittents  an;  generally  iiiihl  and  manageahle.  Ivemittuut  fevor  is  :• 
violent  and  obstinate." 

Since  tlie  iiublicatiuii  oi'  Doctor  Ilamsey's  iia|ier,  another  has  a|i]j(arfri 
from  tiic  pen  of  Doctor  Cunningham,  of  .loncsboro,*  tlic  most  eastern ui; 
in  Tennessee,  from  wliidi  1  inalce  the  following  extract: 

"East  Tennessee,  bounded  by  North  Carolina  on  the  east,  and  txt  ini;:; 
to  Cundjcrlainl  Mountain  westward,  embraces  some  two  hundred  iiiili,- i 
length.  From  the  mountains  on  its  southern  border,  to  the  line  dividing  ■ 
from  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  it  has  a  medium  breadth  of  fifty  milc.>.  !;, 
into:  'perf^cd  with  mountains  and  valleys,  and  every  intcruiodiatc  variitv : 
■V. :{'•-<■<}  and  geological  structure. 

"  u  *he  highest  parts  of  the  upper  counties,  it  presents  high  ridgus  a 
preeipit  ^  -  'lountains,  with  a  small  proportion  of  valley,  or  even  aralluk: 
Here  the  rocky  formation  is  [irincipally  primitive.  The  water  is  tlif  [lur.; 
freestone.  The  streams  having  rapid  currents,  speedily  drain  the  soil  ii-': 
is  almost  destitute  of  marshes,  and  the  dense  forests  and  hills  cvirywUri 
interpose  to  neutralize  the  action  of  heat  in  summer.  Thu.s,  miasmati  ii,i' 
once  can  hardly  be  said  to  exist  at  all.  The  atmos])here  is  cunsuijui  .;; 
pure  and  salubrious,  except  I'roui  thernionictrical  and  liygronietrieal  \\b 
cnee.  Following  the  western  slope,  wc  find  the  country  less  precipitnUj-L. 
primitive,  though  still  broken.  Hero  ai:ricultural  industry  has  broken!: 
upon  and  measurably  dispersed  the  dense  .«hades  of  the  forest.  Tlieatiuv 
phere  is  consequently  less  humid,  l)ut  the  country  is  more  exposeil  ;  '.- 
sciirchini;  sun  in  sunnner,  and  to  tlie  bleak  and  chillinc;  blasts  of  winter.::: 

CD  '  O  [ 

to  the  daily  vicissitudes  of  our  climate.  In  this  region  the  gcolu'giiai  >!::■ 
turo  is  secondary  or  transition, —  the  water  chiefly  pure  limestone,  esc.];  : 
the  waters  of  Lick  Creek  and  Horse  Creek,  botli  of  which  streams  ■:'i-' 
from  the  southern  and  eastern  declivities  of  Bay's  Mountain.  1'~--- 
streams,  as  well  as  some  others,  from  their  having  percolated  slate-r.ii.  : 
soap-stone  (which  is  the  striking  formation  of  tiiat  mountain,  amhli-^ 
region  through  which  they  pass  ),  present  constantly  a  muddy  and  in  i: 
water,  unpleasant  in  taste,  and  possibly  exert  some  influence  on  the  Lio.- 
of  the  inhabitants,  though  until  late  years  there  was  no  marked  evideiUT  ■ 
this.  The  inhabitants,  as  far  as  we  are  informed,  enjoy  as  good  healtli  :l^ ' 
other  localities. 

"  But  of  late,  the  extensive  nnirsli  and  meadow-lands  bordering  i— 
streams,  which  were  densely  timbered,  so  as  to  obstruct  the  rays  of  the  >i 

»  Southern  Medical  and  Surgical  Journal,  Aug.,  1646,  p.  150. 


ijidpvint  miasmatic 
'pieoverflowiiig  from  t! 
1. [i...;:  iif  vegctalilc  ma 
r;ij,i.lly  into  dceoiiipositi 
.'ite  pM'k,  or  clayey  stn 
:i;;jt,  .if  course,  dry  n\ 
jii'iitly.  there  is  great  ii: 
j  f  r  the  jrreat  increase  of 
|voar.«.    Still  further  d 
pirmiN  there  is  but  littl 
a:Teatii'  expanse  of  si 
tfet  or  rainy  seasons  ovi 
linda  .saturated  soil  eon 


I  is  ah"  hotter,  and  here 

i  (lurii-'g  >ea.<(iiis  when  th(  I 

jcise     While  it  will  ap| 

|ca<e.s  are  fever,  in  thcii 

jluwer  cuunties.      Betwei 

lintho  highest  niountaino 

jToanessoo,  where  the  Te 

tain,  there  is  a  difrereiu 

j  niouiitaiM  range  borderin; 

I  counties  of  this  division 

I  breezes  (if  Georgia  and  A 

IgO'd (lei'ree  operate  on  In 

?  character  of  diseases  won 

|f'f  thftvro  extremes  of  F 

|tivir  ill  the  one,  are  very 

|f)iitirii)ati(in  of  the  (  so  t( 

janaxiiiiu  that  (^ause  and 

Iseemfairto  conclude,  tha 

■'and ill  treatment  alsn,  exi 

-\IV    CoMi'AUisox   m 

|*!aj.>e  lit"  time  shall  have  p 

i  t!ie  tii|)ograpliy,  climati 

■  ■  t.  ;i,niiit  a  full  and  a 

,1" '  ■.1  interest  as  a  conipai 

pintiu.r  Valley.     Tliese  e: 

t^^Aii  the  same  parallels 

•■'■ii-  the  mouth,  of  the  riv 

'■'■•er  aljiiut  six  degrees  of 

f'''  i-ry>talliiic  or  semi-cr 


midil 


creeks  and  riv 


■  '""lis  or  ponds.     "West 


■ '"  ^rij^i 


MiT  I-l 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


2'2'J 


ml Kovi'iit  iiii;isniiitic  cllluviii,  liavo  bcun  pxtcjisivoly  clciiroil  for  ctiltivMtinn. 

Tiy  i.vrrfl'iwiiiL' from  tlio  Iicavy  rMiiis  leaves  pools  of  water,  with  a  cnpiima 

l.:]i,.';  nt' vi'gi'talili'  matter,  whidi,  when  cxpostMl  to  tlic  .suiniiu'r  licat,  enters 

riiiilh  into  (leODiiiiiosition.     In  aiLlitinii   to  this,  tiie  siih-stratuni  is  cither 

.';:ti'  pirk,  or  elnyey  striirtiire,  thrnii;.'h  which  water  sinks  with  (lifliciilty.     It 

must. 'if  course,  dry  nj»  iiidro  by  evnporatlmi  than  by  absorption;  eonse- 

■  ii^ntlv.  tlicre  is  irreat  inerease  of  niiasmatir  influenee,  wliidi  rcailily  aeeuunts 

f, r t!;i' f'rt-'at  increase  of  siekness  whieli  has  jnevailed  there  for  the  last  low 

|voar.<.    >till  further  down   are  some   exten>ivc   jdains,  but  the  snil  ln-ing 

n'liii-.  there  is  but  little  malaria.     Yet  on  the  rivers,  alFordinfr,  as  they  do, 

1 1  iTcati'V  expanse  of  surface,  relaxed  in  enrrents.  and  in  high  tides  during 

Iff.;  ur  raiuv  soaseiis  overflowing  th(>ir  liaid<s,  they  may  leave  standing  water 

M'U  «;iturated  soil  enui[)ose(l  of  alluvial  and  vegetable  matter.    Tlie  climate 

iijal.Ni  butter,  and  hero  may  bo  the  elements  for  the  production  of  fever 

I  Juriii"  ?oa.«ons  when  their  eonibin.ation  of  causes  is  brought  into  full  cxcr- 

.:<•,:     While  it  will  appear  that  in  the  upper  counties  a  large  ]iroportioii  of 

c?.- s  are  fever,  in  tlieir  eti(dogy  they  differ  materially  from  those  in  the 

Jhwi.t  t'luatios.      Between  the  sunuuit-levol  of  Johnston  eountj    jol  "dded 

jintliL' liighcst  mountainous  region  of  the  state,  and  the  lowest  [ioi;u  o     Kast 

Tov.nefsoe,  where  the  Tonnesseo  lliver  breaks  through  the  liooi.  cut  .♦loun- 

|;  tiii:.  tliiTO  is  a  difference   in    elevation   of  about  one  thousand   feet.     The 

I  mountain  range  bordering  it  on  the  south,  recedes  so  as  to  leave  t  o  western 

cfiunties  of  this  ilivision  of  the  state   open   and  exposeil   t  <  the   southern 

lireozcs  of  (Jeorgia  and  Alabanui,  so  that  similar  natui'al  ca     .'s  nnist  to  a 

i j.i 'J (li'irroe  operate  on  both,  and  it  is  therefore  reasonable  to  suppose  their 

fcliaraetor  of  diseases  w<uild  ap])roximatc  each  other  more  nearly  than  those 

fifthfftwo  extremes  of  East  Tennessee  itself.     IJut  the  producing  causes  of 

:f'Vir  ill  the  one,  arc  very  different  from  those  of  the  other;  hence  we  have 

l^onlirination  of  the  (  so  to  speak  )  polygoneric  causes  of  fever;  and  if  it  be 

^aiiaxi'iin  that  cause  and  effect  arc  steailily  related  to  each  other,  it  wouhl 

jsecmfair  to  conclude,  that  a  difference  in  kind,  in  devebipmcut  or  character, 

[and  in  treatment  also,  exists." 

I;    XIV.    CoMi'AUi.soN   bktwi:kx   E.\st  and  ^YKST  Tkxnkssf.e. — AYlieii  the 

|lai'5eoi'  time  sliall  liave  put  us  in  ]iosscssion  of  a  sufficient  number  of  facts 

|('Utlio  tiipiigraphy,  climate,  and  endemic  diseases  of  Kast  and  ^Vest  Teunes- 

m\  tu  [KTiiiit  a  full  ami  accurate  comparison,  it  will  be  found  to  possess  as 

pK;v:i  iiitorost  as  a  com[)arisou  between  any  otlier  two  regions  of  the  (ireat 

Jlnteiijr  \  alley.     These  extrcmo  [tortious  of  the  state  of  Tennessee  lie  be- 

ptwocn  tho  same  parallels  of  latitude,  one  near  the  sources,  aiul  the  other 

sDear  tlic  mouth,  of  the  river  which  bears  its  name,  though  distant  from  each 

fotlier  about  six  degrees  of  longitude.     East  Tennessee  has  a  solid  basis  of 

V^l''  mstalhiic  or  seuu-erystalline  rock;  is  hilly,  rising  into  mountains;  and 

|<,lia5  rajiicl  creeks  and  rivers,  with  narrow  alluvions,  good  sjirings,  and  few 

I '.'Tamps  or  ponds.     "West  Tennessee  is  based  upon  loose,  crumbling.  mist;cl- 


r.. 


.•1 


It 


'•    1 

Iv. 


I'll 


■  ■  t 

-i 

■,  ■ 

• 

2^0 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


.  Imoi 


i^jSj*'}"* ' 


Inneou.s  .strata — crctaocouH,  tertiary,  and  alluvial  —  abounding  in  f,r 
matters,  ami  imprcgnatt'd  with  the  gases  developed  by  their  slow  dii  ], 
sitioii;  has  a  coinpaiatively  level  surfaee,  overspread  more  or  kss  wn 
slouglis;  its  rivers  and  brooks  have  wide  and  wet  alluvi;d  buttoin.M,  anil  t^- 
currents  arc  sluggish;  its  springs  are  lew,  and  its  well-water  gentnillvij.. 
pure;  its  elevation  above  the  level  of  the  sea  is  from  a  half  to  a  fourth  tir 
of  East  Tennessee;  and,  finally,  it  is  surrounded  by  plains,  or  low  liilj-laii,'. 
while  tho  other  is  inclosed  by  mountains.  The  constitutions  and  distaMj  ■' 
people  living  under  cnndilidiis  so  difTcrcnt  as  these,  cannot,  of  course,  W ti.- 
same,  althdugh  their  I.itituilcs  arc  identical.  In  reference  (o  autimiiin! iW'r, 
it  is  well  known  that  it  prevails  incomparably  more  in  the  western  tlian: 
the  eastern  locality. 

XA".  Vova(;k.s  on  the  ri'PKU  Tk.n.nksskk. —  Kingston,  at  tlio  jiincti;! 
of  the  Clinch  and  llolston,  is  the  lower  head  of  stcandjoat  navigatinncn!!; 
Tennessee  Ilivcr;  Kuoxvillc,  on  the  llolston,  thirty  miles  above,  ist!n'fir.j. 
terminus.  From  the  latter  town  to  Decatur,  near  the  Muscle  ^hi>. 
the  distance  is  about  thre(t  liunch'cd  miles.  At  tliis  time  the  suttl iikl:.! 
from  Kingston  to  Triai:a,  not  far  above  ])ecatur.  are  too  liuiiteil  to  r*: 
the  baidvs  of  tho  river  an  object  of  interest  to  the  pliysician.  .^^,lcilot' ti- 
region  througli  whiidi  it  jia.'^scs  was,  indeed,  until  lately,  the  habitatidn  if;i; 
Chcnikce  Indians;  and  much  of  it,  in  (leorgia  and  Alabama,  n:it  k.-ytiii: 
Tennessee,  is  too  mountainous  to  admit  of  a  dense  popidation.  On  ;ti: 
very  ai-count,  however,  it  will  be  a  desirable  summer  and  autmnii;il  ivtMi 
for  the  people  of  the  Imt,  humid,  and  malarious  ctiasts  of  (1  eorgia,  B di 
and  Alabama ;  —  a  change  of  altitude  near  their  own  h(jmes,  confirrii.'i 
the  climatic  beiielits  of  a  distant  and  expensive  voyage  to  the  iif/rtli.  I: 
commction  with  this  change  ol'iiir,  they  nuxy  enjoy  the  voyage  on  the  I'li'.: 
Tennessee  lliver;  which  may  likewise  be  coimnended  to  invalids  if:, 
higher  latitudes,  when  dc.-irous,  as  they  .should  l)e,  of  seasoning  .tk'ir  iK- 
cise  with  the  condiment  of  wild,  seijuestered,  and  romantic  sceiim,  .\I 
these  advantages,  however,  are  [)rospeetive  rather  than  present,  for  tlir  i;: 
bcr  of  steaudjoats  on  the  Upper  Teiuiessee  is  small,  and  the  dilli' :I' 
reaching  that  valley,  great.  When  it  shall  be  penetrated  from  snutii 
north  by  the  railroads  wliieh  are  in  progres.s  or  have  been  projected,  tW ic 
cess  to  it  will  become  eas}-;  and  frum  the  vernal  ei|uinox  to  the  sunniiiT  s  ■■ 
stice  ( through  which  the  Tennessee  will  be  navigable),  we  may  exiicct.soiW 
or  later,  to  see  the  invalids  from  various  latitudes  united  in  vhul'i!  :  | 
health  and  pleasure  on  the  retired  waters  of  the  mountain  river.  I  will.-' - 
the  probability  of  this  anticipation  by  a  brief  notice  of  a  descending  >ii-- 
buat  voyage  in  the  month  of  July.  Uelow  Kingston,  the  river,  with  a  ^'fir 
ral  bearing  to  the  south-west,  is  exceedingly  serpentine.  The  narrow  it- 
down  to  the  water's  edge,  were  at  that  time  clothed  in  a  luxuriant  vegcwt- 
of  the  deepest  green,  ami  over  the  woialcd  hills  in  their  rear,  octajKi- 
glimpses  were  had  of  AValden  llidgc  on  the  right,  and  the  more  distant  at- 1 


KIT  !•] 


INTERI 


;.tt\-iioaksof  Unaka 
fin.n  the  river  expandc( 
Sid  nitli  kiw.  green  isl 
:'-  111  tliu  Iiiiiiks  of  wliii 
..•r  tliu  margin  of  tli 
•prs.  drodpiiig  under  tl 
rriHisiiig  on  the  clear 
tro'lincss  of  this  scene 
in:.' aii'ivo  the  lnwer  rai 
!i!!il'S,  wliifh  fornied  w 
ioautv.    Coiitiiuiiiig  it- 
jfnaclios,  but  dues  not 
rf  the  Cliorokeo  count 
Uniinerd  lies  off  at  a  s 
in:',  whrro  the  river  tii 
line,  i'tt'ty,  and  precipiti 
!  ffaiid  Hat  huiil  througl 
'■:<■  Kivor.  and  in  which 
jhilecliiso  at  hand,  to  t 
A«  wi'  neared  the  Look- 
;i;iihlarlc  cavern  beiieatli 
.".hi've  u,-:  hut,  after  ami 
urri-Mit  wlioelcd  rapidly  i 
:!n'  riK'ky  foundations,  t 
.■lianiipl  through  which  it 
anew  pdsitioii,  and  jn-est 
!ered..strctcliing  far  awa; 
ri^'ht.  stood  the  lofty  ab 
the  high  ami  rugged  os 
itttw  (if  calm  niagnificeui 
never  failo  away.     Tu  a  ii 
•Wt  distance  along  the  I 
iivi'oii  if  and  the  third  ( 
ruik',  rooky  gateway,  with 
bl  mllcd  down,  and  coni 
'fi'lth;  it.s  current  was  iri 
t'l  the  water  above  that  a 
;  •  Tumbling  Shoals.'     ' 
"•hi'h  tho  mountain  chasi 
^■■i>  poured  into  a  deep  cl 
i^lii -h  it  glided  as  on  a 
'  "i"  1-boatnion ;    to  Avhich 
'"lined,  and  then  another 
'Ji'i'TO.     The  stream  no 


•e. 


f  l»T  l.J 


INTKRIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


1»31 


,  1^.  .ip.,]{4  of  Uiiiika  Mountain,  ill  N'ortli  Carolina,  on  tlio  loft.  Now  and 
fi' the  river  expiinili'd  to  throe  times  its  ordinary  Infadtli,  and  was  Itcauti- 
«iil  with  low.  grcon  islamls,  o(iin|trossinj^  the  navigalili'  rliannd  into  a  oaiial, 
'Vm  the  banks  of  wliiili  a  cnnc-lirako  Ijciit  its  long  stoijis  and  tomlor  loaves 
I  vir  tl"''  nmr"iii  of  tho  stroaiii,  wliilo  tlio  low  linihs  of  tlio  ovor-lmdiwiiig 
•r'T\  (Inii'I'i"!!  midor  tlio  weight  of  their  luxuriant  foliage,  sought  relief  by 
;,.!,n>iiig  on  tlio  oloar  waters.  No  valley  could  surjiass  tho  verdure  and 
'p'^lmeH  of  tills  seeiio;  in  the  midst  of  which  a  grovo  of  ayoamoros,  tower- 
^ii '  iilinve  tho  liiwer  ranges  of  the  forest,  jiroscnted  a  lattiee-work  of  white 
'iiiil.ii,  which  foriuod  with  tho  surrounding  gvooii  a  ei»ntrast  of  sur|)assing 
li'aiitv.  rniitiiiuing  its  course  to  tho  south-west,  the  river  at  length  ap- 
■.rnacliis,  Imt  does  not  enter,  tho  state  of  (loorgia.  It  is  here,  in  the  eentor 
if  tho  Clierukee  country,  that  tho  now  abandoned  missionary  station  of 
Iir;iiiieril  lies,  off  at  a  short  distance  to  the  loft.  Then  eoiuo.'j  lloss's  J<and- 
in:'.  wlioro  tho  river  turns  directly  to  tho  south;  and  Tiook-out  Mountain, 
Mile,  loft V.  and  iirecijiitous,  is  seen  a  few  miles  ahead.  To  tho  east  is  the 
:  waiiiltiat  land  tliroiigh  wliieh  the  (leorgia  llailroad  is  to  reach  tho  Teiines- 
■.'•  Hivor.  and  ill  whieh  branelies  of  the  Alabama  Jviver  have  their  origin; 
Tliilecliisc  at  h.iiid,  to  tho  left,  Waldeii  IJidge  rises  like  a  mighty  ranipart. 
A>wc  iioiircd  the  Look-out,  the  river  seemed  about  to  plunge  into  some  deep 
Jill]  (lark  cavern  beneath  the  rugged  buttress  which  rose  one  tiiousand  feet 
;,1»veus:  hut,  after  amusing  itself  for  a  moment  with  our  bewilderment,  the 

i  ".rri'iit  wheeled  ra|tidly  to  the  right,  and  flowing  for  a  sliort  ilistancc  along 
;'ii'  mcky  foundations,  turned  still  further  round,  and  almost  touched  the 
eliannel  tlirouith  which  its  assault  was  made.  Another  instant  broufjht  us  to 
a  now  position,  and  jiresented  tho  side  of  tho  mountain  wo  had  just  encoun- 
t'ml..strotcliiiig  far  away  into  the  state  of  deorgia;  while  before  us,  on  the 

i  :i.'!:t,  stood  the  lofty  abutments  of  Walden  liidge,  eonfroiitiiig,  to  the  left, 
•):,':  high  and  rugged  osearpnient  of  Raeeooii  Mountain,  and  presenting  a 
Kiiio  of  lalm  raagiiificoneo  and  solemn  grandeur,  the  memory  of  which  can 
iicntfado  away.  Tii  a  moment  we  lost  sight  of  the  first,  and  running  for  a 
•Vrt  distance  along  the  base  of  tho  second,  wo  entered  the  rent,  or  gap,  be- 
tffi.'i'ii  it  and  the  third  of  tiiese  mountains,  when  wo  found  ourselves  in  a 
rmk',  rocky  gateway,  with  imnieiise  preeipiecs  on  either  side.  A'ast  fragments 
!.a  trolled  down,  and  contraetod  tho  bed  of  tho  river  to  one-third  of  its  usual 
^fi'ltli :  its  current  was  greatly  increased,  and  huge  rocks  at  the  bottom  gave 
t' the  water  above  that  agitation  which  had  suggested  the  approj)riato  name 

I  !  •Tumbling  Shoals.'  To  them  succeeded  a  ])o(d  of  traiKpiil  water  ;  after 
^'■'■'A\  the  mountain  chasm  suddenly  narrowed  still  closer,  and  the  whole  river 
«:i>  jioured  into  a  deep  channel  not  more  than  one  hundred  yards  wide,  down 
ifhieh  it  glided  as  on  a  smooth  inclined  plane.  This  is  the  '  suck'  of  the 
w"  1-boatmen ;  to  which  succeeded  a  spot  where  tho  water  boiled  and 
'':ini'-''l,  and  then  another  in  wliich  the  same  coinniotioii  appeared  in  a  less 
iiLTOc.     The  stream  now  assumed  a  calmer  aspect,  and  wound  its  way 


1 

* 

^■,f^ 


i.  ■'.  • 

I 
c 

Ik 

'  .;.V'., 

m 

' '  ' ' . 


..■    f: .'.  i>. 


«■• 

.1 

• 

i;    ,. 


,   'I 


•  .1 


:f 


f  .         1 


THE  PRINCIPAL  UlSEA.SErf  ol   TIIU 


l».H 


iiniiiii^  tlio  niouiituiiiH,  by  which  it  is  no  \wul  ii|i,  that  purtioiiH  of  it,  ri./,t  , 
thon,  tal\i.>  III!  the  tni-iii  ami  tucr  ut'  iiarrnw  Al|iiiit.'  lakes.     Ax  thi,su  mm 
heu.ity  and  .suhhiiiity  lic^'aii  to  dii)  away,  wo  Iniiiid  uur.sflvi'f^  nii  a  wiJi.  n. 
Htill  licaiiii;^   to  tlif   Miiith-WL'st  to  eiitiT  Ahibaiiia,  alter  iniMhin;,'  wiiLii, ; 
niilu  of  tho  state  of  Citorgia.     The  rouiitry  now  ujs.smned  u  more  Lultiix., 
a8|ient,  with  tamer  Hcenery;  yet.  hluo  ihum.so8  of  tiie  CuniherhmJ  .Mtiui.ti,;, 
lyiii^'  off  to  our  riirht.  (icca>ionally  reminded  u«  of  tho  shifting  seeia-s  >  f  ;rn 
deur  ttirou,^ii  whicli  wo  had  paHhcd.     The  hist  olijict  (jf  intere.-<t  uiiicli  m.; 
our    view,  was    tho    j)re(i|)ico    ealled  tho  'I'ainted  lloek.s.'     Itisiiig,  lu^  j 
wall,  on  tho  ri^^iit  inar;:in  of  tho  river,  to  tlio  hi^dit  of  a  liiinJied  feet.  j,. 
compu.sed   of  tho  carbouiforous  limestone  wliieh   forms  the  base  of  \l.ji,j. 
Sniio,  diH|iu.>.ed  in  horizontal  layers,  it  dih|ihiy.H  tho  aspeet  of  un  iniuieiisc!,:- 
tilicatiiin.      l-'rom  thi.s  puint  to    Poeatiir,  the   low  hill;-t  roeede,  and  tliu  r;.;: 
flows  through  bottom-lands  which  are  liable  to  annual  inundation.* 

X\'[.  SouriiKUN    I'oimo.N  OK    .Mioih.k   Tk-wk-^skk. — About  one  iiai: 
iMid<llo  Tonncssoe  belongs  to  tho  basin  wo  aro  now  exploring.    .""iimL' awm,; 
of  its  eastern  part  lias  l)eeu  already  given  in  tho  route  from  Iluiit«\i;: 
Knoxville.     My  jier.sonal  observations   on  the  remainder,  were  liiiiituiij 
journey  from  Iluntsvillc  to  Xa-slivillc,  tliroufrh  I'ula.ski  and  ('oluuilia,  loi. 
wliieh  lie  witliui  the  basin  of  tho  Teimessee  lliver.     Uoetor  IJui-liauaii,  m  ;.• 
latter  town,  I'  has  dosoril)eil  tho  medical  topograph}  of  this  region  more  iiL 
than  my  own  opportunities  would  pernnt. 

Its  most  imiiortant  rivers  aro  l-llk  and  Duck.  Tho  former  fiuws  to  l 
south,  and  joins  tho  'J'onnesseo  at  tho  Mustle  Shoals;  the  latttr  li'ii- . 
western  course,  and  unites  with  tho  .same  tributary,  as  it  orosau.i  tliusta;.; 
tho  north.  These  rivers  drain  six  or  eight  of  the  most  jiojiuluus  and  in,;  • 
taut  Counties  of  .Middle  Tonno.sseo.  Their  basis  is  limestone  —  earbonil.r  i 
to  tho  south,  Silurian  to  tho  north  —  generally  covered  with  a  thin  Li.i; 
calcareous  loam  of  a  yellowish-rod  color,  overspread  with  mold,  whii'liij;..: 
on  the  ridiTos,  but  deep  and  black  near  tho  water-courses.  The  loose  iiji':: 
covering  of  the  rocks  seems  to  bo,  in  a  great  degree,  tho  result  of  tliiir'I' 
disintegration.  No  drift  or  trans[)orted  materials  are  found  in  the  district 
Ponds  and  swamps,  even  of  a  limited  extent,  aro  but  occasionally  niit  ul 
and  the  alluvial  grounds  of  tho  rivers  and  creeks,  unlike  those  iu  tlie  mts- 
ceous  and  tertiary  deposits  west  of  tlio  Tennessee  lliver,  are  narrow, ac: 
not  often  iiuuuhited.  in  some  places,  tho  surface  becomes  hilly  and  ile.auJ 
Of  tho  springs  in  this  region.  Doctor  Ijuchanan  speaks  as  follows: 
"From  tho  fact  of  our  rock  formations  beini:  all  of  carboniferous  fe- 


*Tliis  voynffo  was  pi-rfornn'il  iu  coinp.iuy  with  Dootor  Fcarii  ami  Dortor  linok. 
Iluiitsvillo.  I,c|{ny  I'opp.  Es.]..  of  IMoinpiiis,  K.   i>.   Manstirld,  Esq.,  of  CiiicimWi' ^'' 
Turviii,  of  Decatur,  and  si-voral  otiu-r  <,'t'ntlemiMi,  all  of  whom  had  tiie  .saiiK-  impr'';" 
of  its  interest. 

+  Transylvania  Journal,  Vol.  IX,  No.  ,3. 


f»iT  I-, 


iNTi;in< 


(jt  !,.■,  ilic  c|iriiig8  are  al 
wr.  iiuintrous;  and,  al 
J,;;,  |,riniary  region  ol 
|r.;ri:'iiiiij,'.     '•"■"*hing,  a 
I(,l'r  rk.>,  or  i.'i.suing  IVnii 
ji,r  i'lavi'lly  bottom  to  tl 
|(i,riii.'\  wliii'li  I  notic(( 
lli;tv-i:.'!it  decrees  Kalu 
l|,ii,s  C'hiinliia  with  w 
tiiui  tilt'  tiniperatun 
ll'tv  luliiT  it  was  lifty-el 
■(iiTd' ;  at  .several  othci 
li:.  i!m'  I'oiuitry  were  ali 
d  .Ttrs.    * 
U'itii  all  those  favor.i 
.o:i|ie  iiutunniul  fever,  i 
.\!:!i";i;;Ii  most  of  tlicni  ' 
tjtuf.  yet,  in  sunum  r.  ti 
Ifj!!  vm  low.  and  nmcli  ( 
ill!   a  jjrius  of  stagnant 
Ji:li-ilaiii.s.  often  at  short  > 
c:  ivL'i  niposahle  matter  i 
I'ln.i'i  tlie  scanty  .-iupplies 
l;i'i'  latitudes  of  tiurty- 
ll .  iiiiiidrcd  feet  above  tl 
ili.;'.  '.aniiut  fail  to  gonorat 


BASIN  ( 

I  I     Ul-TU.VKS.— It  lias  1 
»?iiil  iif  the  Tennessee  ]{iv 
■■'■ims:  yet  it  does  not  w 
"'-■  tlie  extremities  of  b( 
'i  '!.>  aro  .separated  a   l\ 
f-  "vo,  has  its  source  in  t 
■  !ii  'untain  whoso  name  : 
>'Utli.itdip,>:iit.o:>liddl 
'':'ls  on  its  left    :ink.     11 
^:':'-.  at  length,  within  a  f 
i'-vairky,  and,  crossing  th 


f UT  I.J 


INTERIOR  VALM:Y  OF  NORTH  AMHRICA. 


233 


J  J,,  (lie  jinriiigs  iiru  all  iminr^'iiatetl,  iiioru  nr  li>-.«^,  with  lime;  but  tin'}  urc 

vcr.  iiui"'-'""""*'  ami,  altliDiigli  hot  (|uitL' mi  purn  (iml  liiiijiitl  ns  tlic  H|trlngM 

.|,> !,  pfiiuurv  rt'giiiti  of  fDiuitry,  aii',   iiL'Vt.Ttlifk'.s.H,  ciiol,  tnuiM|tareiit,  ami 

IrcWiii'ir''  '•>i'''''"J«'  ""  ''"^'.v  '^"  ''"■  ^'"'  """*'  I""''-  ''■'""  '<t!t\vc'oii  two  Mtrata 
loir  rk>,  iir  is>uiii,ii  tVoiii  llio  Imso  of  a  liill,  tlicir  wafers  jrliili-  upon  a  rocky 
lor  "iiivillv  ludtoin  to  tlii.'  lar^'cr  htrcaiiis.  Tlif  iiuiiii  tcinpL'ratiiro  of  our 
L.fiiiN.  whirli  I  iiotiffd  at  ditri.'n.Mit  tiiiios  timing  tlif  la.nt  year,  is  about 
L„..,;;f|it  (logri'cx  I'iiliiviilifit.  Tlic  tiinpt'iaturo  of  tlio  spring  wliitli  Hup- 
[t,i;,s  C"liiiiiliiii  willi  water,  was  lifty-sis  dcgrtcs,  aliout  the  first  of  .lime, 
,1  lilt'  tt'Uiiii'ratiin'  of  the  atiiiosphero  was  eighty-four  dogrees ;  in 
[liiv iiibcr  it  was  lil'ty-eight  (h';.'rei's  —  teiiiperatiire  of  the  atinosphero  lift}' 
[(iiTa"*;  at  several  other  times  it  was  lilt) -six  degrees.  Many  other  springs 
III,  till' I'ltuHtry  wore  about  the  wauie  ;  Homo  were  also  as  hi^h  as  sixty-two 

With  all  tlieso  favorable  topographieal  conditions,  tliis  region  does  not 
;:i|,o  imtuiiiiud  fever,  the  ehief  sourees  of  which  are  the  wator-eoiuses. 
,\!;'.ii'ii;.'li  laii.st  of  tlioni  have  bottoiu-laiids.  not  often  overllowed  to  any  great 
if-it  lit.  jet,  ill  summer,  tlwy  become  insalubrious.  In  times  of  drought  they 
f  .  :a  I'lW,  aiid  niueli  of  their  beds  becomes  dry.  'i'hus  they  are  converted 
i  a  ■'i-'rics  of  slagiiaiit  pools.  .Many  of  them,  moreover,  are  arrested  by 
1  Inns,  iifteii  at  short  distances  from  each  other,  altove  wliii-h  a  great  deal 
(  .i  iii|iiisah!c  matter  is  accumulated,  to  l)e  expo.^ed  to  the  action  of  the 
i:.  -  liios.'aiity  .sLipplios  of  water,  in  .Vugiist  and  September,  are  evaporated. 
I  ■  •■  latitiiilL'.s  of  thirty-tivt!  and  thirty-.six  degrees,  at  an  elevation  of  only 
i  iiinlroil  feet  above  the  sea,  which  is  that  of  the  beds  uf  these  streams, 
t     .;iiiiiut  fail  to  generate  autuunial  fever. 


'    i| 


SFX'TION  \\. 

HA.^IX  or  Tift:  CUMHHIII-AM)  RIVER. 

Miri.i.NK.s. — It  has  been  already  stated  that  this  river  lies  in  the  great 

Vil  'f  the  Toiiiiessee  JJivcr,  to  whieii,  in  its  general  course  and  curvature,  it 

'ii'itnis:  yet  it  does  not  wheel  so  far  to  the  south  as  that  stream  ;  and  iienee, 

'ill' tijo  extremities  of  both  are  in  nearly  the  same  latitudes,  their  middle 

"<■>  arc  separated  a  lull  degree.     Tlie  Cumberland,  much  the  shorter  of 

V'l,  has  its  source  in  the  state  of  Kentucky,  on  the  western  declivities  of 

I  uiitaiii  wlmse  name  it  bears;  whence,  flowing  to  the  west,  and  then  to 

lith.iulip-   iito  Middle  Tennessee,  the  metropolis  of  which  —  Nashville — 

I.Mm  it.s  left  .  ink.     Having  passed  that  town,  it  turns  north-west,  and 

-  at  length,  within  a  few  miles  of  Tennessee  Eiver,  when  it  repasses  into 

'I'ky,  and,  crossing  that  state,  joins  the  Ohio  Kivcr  at  Smithlaiul,  only 


■i'»:«- 


I'vt 


*  Loco  citato. 


If    '  -> 


k-,l--.- 


23  4 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


'Ml. 


ten  miles  cabovc  the  mouth  of  tlic  Tennessee.  Tlius  it  drains  much  of  ?fii;ti.. 
Kentucky,  aiul  the  whole  northern  portion  of  ^litldle  Tennessee.  Its5i,:.-« 
are  in  tlie  Appalaeliian  or  Cuiib'Thind  coal  liasin;  its  middle  in  the 'r, 
niferons  and  Silurian  limestone;  its  terniination  in  the  margin  of  tlielii:, 
coal  formation.  Having  laid  down  the  outlines  of  this  ba.sin.  let  «> :  t 
ascend  through  it  to  the  mountains.  I.nmediately  below  its  mouth  ii-i 
town  of  Sinithland,  of  wln'eh  T  am  unalde  to  give  a  topographical  (loscrii';' 

II.  The  CuMin-iti.ANn  Uasin,  i;i'  to  Nasiivii.i.k. — The  Cunihcrlaiiill;:- 
traced  from  its  nKJUtli  up  to  the  city  of  Nashville,  a  distance  of  two  Lv.irr. 
miles,  is  found  to  make  its  way  through   a  hilly  and  wofided  couiitn    \  I 
tributaries  are  generally  short :  especially  on   the  south  or  left  side.  iri.s 
they  are  limited  by  the  proximity  of  the  Tennessee  River,  until  we  asceM: 
the  neighborhood  of  Nashville.     The  bottoms  along  this  river  arc  imv?h.f- 1 
rower  than  those  along  the  rivers  of  the  soutli-west.  and  are  notasliuK  ;. 
inundations.     The  beds  and  banks  of  the  Cuml)erland,  and  of  its  trihuia^.  i 
are,  in  general,  rocky.     Within  the  limits  of  its  narrow  basin,  on  itsri:!: 
north-eastern  side,  in  Trigg  and  Christian  ccmnties,  Kentucky,  vre  h;: 
western  limit  of  a  peculiar  tract,  called  '  The  Barrens,'  which  will  ; 
scribed  in  connection  with  the  Green  Kivcr  IJasin. 

III.  Nasiivii.lk.  tlie  capit;r  of  the  state  of  Tennessee,  and  the  fd;.- 1 
of  the  Cumberland  Basin,  stanus  on  the  left  side  of  the  river,  in  N.  Lat 
9'  30",  and  W.  Lon.  86'^  49'  3".  Its  site  is  an  elevated  platform.  : 
Silurian  limestone,  identical  with  that  of  Cinchinati.  The  covering  if 
and  soil  is  so  thin  that  the  rocks  of  the  streets  have  to  be  blasted,  tn :; 
receptacles  for  the  soil  necessary  to  the  cultivation  of  shade-trees.  Orii'::i.;| 
this  terrace  sustained  a  grove  of  red  cedars  (  Jioiipcrus  V^l•f|lnknm^.vi'^''h\ 
many  trees  and  bushes  still  remain.  (Jn  the  southern  part  of  the  tnwr. ; 
there  rises  a  beautiful  rocky,  oval  hill,  overspread  with  the  same  untrriii:^ 
deuce  of  a  dry  and  stony  ^loil.  The  surrounding  country,  in  that  'Hr::';:J 
is  calcareous  and  r(dling.  Innnediatcly  below  the  town,  to  the  west.  t-'-.A 
a  depression,  in  which  a  sulphur  sprnig  bursts  out.  and  over  which  tht.Mii:->l 
of  the  Cumberland  sj)read  themselves  in  high  floods.  On  the  opposite -.j;  | 
the  river,  there  is  a  bottom  of  considerable  extent,  too  elevated  to  he  'i;] 
flowed.  Thus  Nashville  is  favorably  situated,  as  to  what  are  rogardeiK 
sources  of  p.utumiial  fever;  and  its  exemption  from  the  disease  appearM  J 
in  correspondence  with  its  topugra|)hy. 

The  surroundiiig  country,  seen  from  the  top  of  Cedar  Hill,  present.-:: 
ged,  beautiful,  and  spirited  panorama.  I;i  all  directions  it  displav.><  tb:  j 
figuration  which  excludes  swamps  and  every  variety  of  wet  surfaec  'i 
suggests  ravines,  with  lagging  streams,  which,  in  summer  and  aiituii:r.'| 
liable  to  insalubrious  depression. 

The  settlement  of  Nashville,  by  emigrants  from  North  Carohnaaii'i^'l 
ginia,  was  begun  in  the  year  1784.     Hence,  being  one  of  the  oldest  t  (f:;-| 


f,^r  I 


INTER  K 


t   t'>  ''lii"  Basin,  the  loc; 

i:  :i  jtage  from  forest  t 

[\'     lirTiiKUFOitn  C' 

B.  -•  i;ii|iiirt;(iit  of  the  st 

fr  :.;  uliieh  it.-i  principal 

]•■  ',i>i.«  is  the  hliie  Sil 

f:r/  Mil  .if  Iiiaiii  and  snil 

r  .;:v  hasis.  the  latter  a 

t.'    :;;itiiral  to  sueli  surf; 

i':.-   r  level;  hut  tlie  si 

f.    ,  jiart  of  it  is  inters( 

t-:.cr:t  of  the  Cumberlai 

5j ';:;.'-:  and.  therefore,  ; 

^jV'.rtl  '«•  portions  of  their 

ire  ii'iivcrtcd  into  lines  c 

Prarfl'iathsome  and  dis"ii 

M'jniit  seventeen  creeks, 

IL-  iiiaiii  river  (  Stone's 

vx'.i[\-.    These  branches 

na;  many  directions  to  t 

Pt>  "X  forty  mill-dams,  bo 

p*i.'i  fi^h-traps.     The  pon 

Han  where  there  are  no 

iTil  fall  arc  unusually  dry 

hrii'iiidof  the  county;  ex 

|>ni'ii'ir plantations,  forth 

•'^ut!i  a  locality,  in  tiie  1 

len' 'Uj  invasions  of  autum 

criat.  in  proporti(jn  as 

ft!iqi„„!s  jjehnv  its  comi 

V     ^\'lL,<O.V   COUXTV.— 

Imiiiiiar}  of  iho  top'igrapli 
lo'iiiu  and  Cumberland  1{ 

"^^il>on  county,  contain 

1  the  north  by  Cumberlan 

pr'-am?,  at  nearly  ofpial  di 

ft'«r^e  nn  the  one  hand  int. 

'''^'  "ther  hand,  into  S 

'««  seetions  of  the  countr 

If'nio  hilly,  <,r  what  we  cali 

:™tin!r  the  small  north  { 


•"^IW'lon,  inth,.  Transyh 
"  ^■^liTii  Journal,  Ciiiciiim 


\ev' 


Tl\] 


riN 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


235 


,;,, !)]{],,  Bnsin.  the  locality  in  wliicli  it  stands,  has  jiasscd  through  the  trans- 
;.;  ,,  -tairo  from  forest  to  cultivated  field. 

IV.  KiTiiKUKOUu  County. — This  comity,'''  one  of  the  oldest-settled  and 
J  -•  important  of  the  stai :  of  Tennessee,  lies  to  the  south-east  of  Na.sliville; 
f,  a  wliich  it!!  jirincipal  town,  ^Mukfkedj^isoko',  is  di.stant  about  thirty  miles. 
]•- !;i«is  is  the  blue  Silurian  limestone  of  that  city,  covered  with  a  dcei)ev 
f,-iiii  ;if  Inam  and  soil  —  the  former  a  product  of  the  disintegration  of  the 
I  i:,  lia-sis.  the  latter  a  result  of  the  decomposition  of  the  luxuriant  vegeta- 
t;  :  natural  to  such  surfaces.  The  aspect  of  this  country  is  either  uudnlat- 
i;-  r  level:  but  the  surrounding  country  is  somewhat  knobby.  Almost 
f  ;v  part  of  it  is  intersected  by  the  up[)er  tributaries  of  Stoiie'.s  River,  an 
t'',int  of  the  Cumberland.  These  nunx.'rous  streams  are  but  scantily  fed  by 
5"  :;:'>:  and.  therefore,  although  flush  in  the  rainy  season,  so  as  even  to 
(.rri'W  portions  of  their  narrow  bottoms,  they  either  dry  up  in  summer,  or 
I  ."iivertod  into  lines  of  pools,  which,  in  the  language  of  Doctor  ]k'cton, 
••arrliathsomc  and  disgusting  to  the  sight,  and  offensively  fetid  to  the  smidl." 
'A'  ut  seventeen  creeks,  forks,  and  prongs,"  he  adds,  '"unite  to  con>titute 
•Vl.  main  river  (Stone's),  wliich  runs  in  a  iiortli-wcst  course  aer<is.<  the 
e  ;,;v  These  branches  and  creeks  rise  from  almost  every  point,  and  run 
i:.  -  many  directions  to  the  main  channel.  Across  them  are  perhaps  thirty- 
Jv.r  forty  mill-dams,  besides  many  other  obstructions,  made  for  eott<in-gins 
»: '  S>!i-tra]is.  The  p(mds  made  by  these  dams  are  lunger  in  evap<iratiiig 
^'4L;i!nvlierc  there  are  no  such  obstructions.  2\  ear  them,  when  the  summer 
;]  tall  are  unusually  dry,  there  has  been  more  sickness  than  in  any  neigh- 
drbnod  of  the  county;  except  where  the  farmers  have  made  watering-ponds 
or.  I'iiir  plantations,  for  the  accommodation  of  their  stock." 

•h  a  locality,  in  the  latitude  of  thirty-six  degrees  north,  cannot  escape 
»;ri"U!  invasions  of  autumnal  (over ;  which  Doctor  Uectun  has  observed  to 
'  :Teat,  in  proportion  as  a  more  than  usually  dry  season  vfduces  the  water 
;C!  ■  qiniils  below  its  common  summer-levels.     31any  cases  are  malignant. 
\     Wilson  Count  v. — The  late  Doctor  Iloggt  has  given  tlie  lullnwing 
uimiiar}  of  ilio  topography  of  this  count}-,  which  lies  between  llutherford 
ounn  and  Cumberland  River: 
'^\ilson  county,  containing  an  area  of  twenty-five  miles  si|uare.  is  bounded 
itho  north  by  Cumberland  River,  and  inteisectetl  by  twelve  or  fifteen  small 
!  It:  iin-.  at  nearly  erpial  distances  from  eaeli  other,  running  nearly::  north 
('ur;o  on  the  one  hand  into  the  Cumberland,  and  from  south  to  south-west 
the  other  hand,  into  Stone's  River.     The  south  south-east,  and  south- 
^ejt  sections  of  the  country,  after  leaving  the  river  ten  or  twelve  miles,  be- 
to'  liilly,  (ir  what  we  call  very  broken,  terminating  ia  an  extensive  ridge 
irating  the  small  north  and  south  streams  which  I  have  mentioned.     In 


■in   :' 


V.^ 


^-  >M 


•Dr,  Bccton,  in  the  Transylvania  .lourn.ii,  v^;.  v.,  p.  157 
•^VsttTii  Journal,  Cincinnati,  Vol.  1,  p.  001. 


M'  ■' 


230 


THE  PRL\XIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


jui , 


JiSI  I', 


INTERIOR 


common  seasons,  tlio  sniall  streams  or  creeks,  from  the  last  of  July  until  s 
middle  of  Xmcmljcr,  iH.'oome  ;diiiii.<t  dry  or  stairiiant ;  in  coiiso(|ucii(u ■ ;  - 
tlio  dejiosits  from  the  previous  ili.iods  are  cxjioscd  to  the  suii  durin-  • 
weather.     The  soil  on  the  high  ground  is  rich  and  productive,  wliei\",v 
rock  (hies  not  piMJecr.     The  inrcHt  is  luxuriant,  and  consists  of  beodi. -titf. 
bark   liickory,  elm,  Kugar-ma|ile,  walnut,  and  wild  cherry;  or  of  wl.i: 
and  Spanish  oak.  ji'iplar,  hickury.  dog-wood,  sa^^si^afras,  and  grape  vin,;  ]., 
flat  lands,  which  are  not  very  fertile,  are  covered  with  oak,  hickory,  el;;.  .,•  I 
dog-wipod,  and  cedar,  with  much  grass  and  weeds." 

Having  given  this  sketch  ol"  the  medical  topography  of  ^Vils(l!l  , 
Doctor  Hogg  goes  on  to  state,  that  autunnial  fever,  sometime.-;  of  a  \\,'^. 
nant  tyjjc,  is  one  of  its  annual  visiters. 

W.     ]'i>ii)t'K  OF  Till-;  ('lmi!i:ui-.\.\1)  ]>.\.'<in. —  On  tlie  soutli  Mik  ,:;^ 
Cundjcrland  I'avcr,  from  llutlierford  and  \\'ilson  counties  eastwardh  !■  ■■ 
Cumberland  ^loimtains,  thn  ugh  the  counties  of  Warren,  White,  (h,: 
and  part  of  Smith  and  Jackson,  the  country  is  ridling  or  hilly,  at  l;i.-;\.! 
coming  hiw-mountainous,  and  the  streams  are  less  liable  to  suiihiki  .•: . 
tioii;   ponds  are  few  in  number,  and  swamps  still  rarer.     The  rivir  . 
scarcely  be  said  to  be  alluvial,  and  its  bottom-lands  arc  narrow. 

On  the  north  side  of  the  Cumberland,  from  below  Nashville  njmsri;: 
tin' point  at  which  the  river  passes  from  Kentucky  to  Tennessee,  tlif 'ii-;j 
is   narrow,  and  has  substantially  the    topographical    characteristics  if  al 
southern  side.     In  traversing  Sumner  county,  northwanlly,  from  N'asliviiitJ 
found  it  rolling  or  hilly,  and  dry,  with  a  sub-stratum  of  Silurian  ]imcst'::.t;| 
the  margin  of  tlie  adjoining  basin.     East  and  north-east  of  that  piiui:tv."!| 
surface  gradually  becomes  more  rugged,  to  tin.    Cumberland  .Mmu:,;. 
whicli  the  river  has  its  sources.      At  what  staarc  of  this  ascent  i;i)  tktiaLiil 
of  the  mountain,  autumnal  fever  ceases,  1  am  not  iiifornied. 


si:cTioN  y. 

BASIN  OF  GREEN  RIVER. 

I.     OiTi-iNK  ViK'-y.'s. — The  d.'stanee,  along  tlie   Oliio,  finni  tlic  i- 
Cumlterland  to  the  mouth   of  (Jreen  Kiver.  is  one  hundred  ainl  I'i. 
miles;   but  no  town  of  any  iiuto  stands  on  the  left  or  soutliorn  haiik 
river,  except    Henderson,  with  tlie  niedi'-al   topography  of  whieii  I  lii- 
acipMinted.      The  basin   of    (ireeu  llivor  comprehends  what  is.  tiy  ■ 
called   Southern   Kentucky,  by  otliers,  the  Creen  Hi ver  Country,  b;  ' 
the  ]>arrens,  from  its  embracing  hirge  tracts  of  undulating  h.nd  neaih 
tuii;  of  trees.     The  thirty-seventh  parallel  passes  a  little  south  ofti' 
of  tlii.s  l)a.>in,  tin  whole  of  wliieh  lies  within  the  state  of  Kentucky.  !i:- 
longs  to  the  Illiii  lis  coal  formation.     Only  the  north-western  or  Wii' ' 


\„x!i:\-o\;  contains  beds  o 
,,no.  ffliieh  underlies  the 
Thi.  lied  of  Green  llivi 
l^jiLottoms,  which  are  ii' 
r,  through  nearly  its 
■hmi.  of  which,  :n 
ii!n:-itaiit>.  I  cannot  spca 
T';  surface  of  this  ba^ 
|(r..-  Mil  the  niountaino 
tliii  -.'[.aratcs  it  from  the 
T'r  (irofn  llivcr  Hasii- 
I    II  tt-m-lands  arc  not. 
i.i.«.  micultivahle.     Thei 
■',  'flic  podls  formed  in 
'•/.  Natural  and  artifi' 
\r.:.r  •ujiply  of  stock-wat 
.-.  Mil  leaving  the  Tenn 
iiltiratiun  of  cotton  di 
ipa->inL'friiin  the  latter  i 
lii-.-M.'i  tlegrcos  thirty  ni 
[jiiii'Hl  by  tobacco  and  hi 

II.     TlIK   BUIIIENS.— ^\ 

r  was  made  to  the  regl 

Y  ti;at  basin,  while  the 

'■'.iiiig  to  Doctors  Owe 

•;a'ils  sub-stratum  the 

-ji-'ad  with  a  deep  la; 

liii;;'  ill  fragments  of 

k.v  \ylio,.ie  gradual  di 

Ml  imlebtod  to  my  coil( 

!  v  the  following  topoj 

^'  rvations  vcere  cliiefli 

lially  a]iplicab!(   N)  t 

'•  ii''ii  f  first  went  to  Hi 

"-!'',  the  aspect  of  the 

1  hv  the  prairies  of  T 

f'i~ destitution  of  ti: 

—  t!ie  annual  ravages 

'  'Us  ]ilants,  in  autui 

''  which  may  have  spn 

V'L'etable  productions 


1 


'  iMsoarches  among  flie  Pre 


"^'If 


INTERIOR  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  A.MKRICA. 


237 


t 


j^       ;•,  (uiitaiiis  beds  of  coal:  tlic  (.t'ler  rc!^;t,s  on  tlic  cii-ljdiiilVi'cus  liiiio- 
I ,;,,.  ^rllil•h  undcvlios  tlio  coiil  moasun's. 

Tlir  lied  I'f  (Irocti  ]iiver  for  sonic  distance  up.  is  burdiTid  witli  lidi  .••llu- 

I  Imttoms,  wliioli  an.'  iidt.  to  any  great  extent,  .subject  t<>  inni.i'mtii'n.    Tlie 

(jn:.  through  nearly  its  \vli<de  leiigtli,  lias  liein  cenvertcil  into  jmids  by 

,k-ilanis.  of  wbicli,  "n  reference  to  tin  ir  influence  en  tlie   bcaltli  nf  the 

ijia-itants.  I  cannot  speak. 

T'y  surface  of  this  basin  is  either  nmlnlating  or  billy.     Tn  some  places  it 

■(■r^,.  oil  the  moiintainons.  especially  to  the  north-east,  where  Muldrou's 

tiiil  .it.aratcs  it  from  the  basin  of  Salt  Kiver. 

T'.  (Iroen  lUver  Hasin  is  comparatively  free  from  swani])?:  and  its  iiar- 

It  la-lands  are  not.  in  general,  so  low  as  to  be,  by  reason  (<f  inuiidu- 

ii.v,  uiicultivaiile.     There  are,  however,  two   sources  of  autnnnial   fever: 

-'.  Til'-' pools  fiirnied  in  the  beds  of  streams  nearly  dried  up  in  .•^innmer; 

v/,  Natural  and  artificial  ponds,  preserved  or  made,  to  afford  an  ade- 

m<-  jiipply  of  stock-water. 

.\:  ■!!  leaving  the  Tennessee  IJasin  and  entering  the  (Aimberland,  wc  find 

Bt  I  altivation  of  cotton  decreasing,  and  tiiat  of  the  v.  (O/^/z/ra  increasing,  so, 

ii;.m':il' from  the  latter  into  the  (Jreen  Kiver  I'asiii.  about  north  latitude 

r   -ix  degrees  thirty  minutes,  the  cottfm-lield  is  no  longer  seen,  but  is 

<  111  by  tobacco  and  hemp. 

!!    The  Bakufn.*. — When  treating  of  the  Cumberland  I3asin,  a  refer- 

fi.--m  made  to  the  region  called  the  'Barrens,'  juirt  (»f  which  spreads 

•':,at  basin,  while  the  remainder  lies  in  the  one  we  are  now  studying. 

'iiiig  to  Doctors  ( hvon  and  Norwood,*  tliis  peculiar  tract  (>f  country 

r  its  sub-stratum  the  carboniferous  linn?stone  of  the  Illinois  coal  Ij;,.-in, 

•iradwith  a  deep  layer  of  loam,  colurcd  red  with  oxyde  (.f  iron,  and 

.liiiir  in  fragments  of  (diert  or  petrosilex,  which  witc  onre  indjcdded  in 

■  k.>.  whose  gradxuil  disintegration  has  generated  the  loamy  covering. 

'  !ii  imlcbtcd  to  my  colleague,  Trofessor  Short,  of  the  I'niversity  of  Louis- 

1    'vtlie  f'ullowii'g  to])ographical  doseri]>tion  of  this  di.^rrict.j"     Although 

•■' nations  vere  chiefly  made  in  the  western  part,  T  am  a.-surcd.  they  are 

in  ■■  itiallv  applioabh  \)  the  wlnde.     The  following  is  bi.s  account: 

'Wiou  I  first  went  to  Ilopkhisville,  where  T  jiracliced  medicine  fr<.m  l^-IT 

1'-'',  the  aspect  of  the  barrens  was  very  nuich  the  same  with  that  j»re- 

h!t "lliy  the  prairies  of  Illinois:  and,  J  supi»osc,  the  ebaracteristie  feature 

'f'l  — destitution  of  timber  —  is  in  both  eases  attrib'utable  to  the  same 

—  the  annual  ravages  of  fire:  which,  fed  by  the  tall  grasses,  and  dead 

""U.s  plants,  in  autumn,  is  so  intense  as  to  destroy  all  the  ligneous 

"i  which  may  have  sprung  up  during  the  preceding  spring  and  summer. 

V  getaUe  productions  of  h>t)>.  these  regions  —  barrens  and  prairies  — 


II 


f  I 


V 


i 


'   ^I'arohes  r.inong  the  Prot.  and  Carb.  Rocks  of  Central  Kentucky. 
■  ^^^^- penes  me. 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


l2V-. 


t* 


•■I 


are  very  similar;  tlic  grasses  Ijoing,  f(  r  llio  mo.'t  (art,  various  specie!.. t 
dropoijiin  and  7V<^/(•«//(,  and  tlic  licrbaccov.3  veirctatioTj  consisting,  cliicflv.,!^. 
cially  ill  autumn,  of  tlie  various  romjiosinr — S'l/i/thir.i,  As(  r,  'SW/f/i«/o. i- a 
(o.-i'iiii,  Sea.:  wliilc  along  tlio  water-courses,  in  Ijoth  rcjrioiis,  the  arli(irt;>-. 
s^iceios  are  very  much  the  same;  as  the}  arc,  also,  'v.\  eert!;ln  woodlaml tra.-; 
called  Ijy  the  pco[)lo  'groves.'  This  difference,  however,  obtains,  botwiii, •.:: 
barrens  of  Kentucky  and  the  prairies  north  of  the  Ohio,  viz,  thattliefms 
are  sinierim|)osed  on  a  bed  of  limestone,  which  is  wanting  in  llliiinis.  f;. 
limestone  of  the  barrens,  too,  is  of  a  iieculiar  kind,  and  very  diffwi!:!:  - 
that  of  northern  Kentucky.  Instead  of  being  regularly  stratified,  or  uk  ... 
in  horizontal  layers,  it  seems  amorphous  and  irregub";  generally  ti,ui;,;;; 
very  different  depths  beneath  the  surface,  and  covered  \vith  a  red,  tcnati.j 
clay  Containing  chert,  or  else  projecting  above  the  surface  in  misiW 
blocks.  This  limestone,  moreover,  is  exceedingly  cavernous;  and  'sinb.:! 
de])res.sions,  arc  fre((ueiitly  met  with,  which  lead  to  apertures  in  tlie  ri 
Indeed,  in  many  parts  of  this  di.<triet,  large  streams  disappear  from  di  •:•• 
"ace,  take  subterranean  courses  for  miles,  and  again  emerge  into  day.  l:-. 
barrens  of  Kentucky  are,  moreover,  much  more  rolling,  and  uneven  on  ds 
surface,  than  tlie  prairies  of  Illinois ;  and  you  nowhere  meet  with  those  atv 
sivc  tracts  of  level  surface,  so  common  in  the  large  prairies  of  that  state.  B: 
cultivation,  and  the  prevention  of  destroying  tire.;,  the  barrens  arc  iii;; 
yearly,  their  once  pecvdiar  features;  for,  no  soop^t  are  the  fires  kept oai;:; 
a  Tew  years,  than  the  surface  becomes  clothed  with  a  dense  growth  of  tiuili:- 
oaks  and  hickories  —  so  dense,  indeed,  ca  to  sthle  entirely  all  lierliait.j 
undergrowth. 

"  3Iurs/i('s,  in  the  proper  sense  of  that  term,  are  exceedingly  rare  am  i;:::- 
barrens.  Indeed,  within  the  limits  of  the  three  euiuities  in  which  I  practki;- 
Cliristian,  Todd,  and  Trigg  —  I  know  of  but  uir;  marsh  of  any  nia;iiiiii.: 
and  that  I  shall  never  forget,  from  the  circumstaii're  of  finding  in  it  tin; '.: 
mxs  l/ifciLs;  tha  most  nr.ignifieeiit  of  all  ai^uatic  plants.  Around  tkcii:- 
gin  of  tliis  mars' 'i  ,>i  -.he  shalhuv,  muddy  water,  were  growing  tliickb: 
Deration  vertk-'dhUcn-,  ik'jj/tidunl/iiis  occidc)italif,  Eoxa  Carolina,  aiv\  '■' 
semi-acjuatic  shrubs. 

"  Till'  streams,  in  the  western  part  of  the  barrens,  run  in  deep  i:*'" 
l)eds ;  the  banks  being  often  precipitous,  and  ten  or  twenty  feet  abiVMi: 
ordinary  level  of  the  water;  thus  they  rarely  overflow  their  narrow b' tic 
In  fact,  I  d<j  not  know  any  part  of  that  region  which  is  inuiulatt'd,  cwf"' 
be  where  the  streams  have  been  dammed  for  the  erection  of  mills.  Tlitfei 
however,  another  source  of  mai'sh  effluvium,  that,  no  doubt,  exerts  a  iiiit.r.' 
influence  on  th^'  health  of  the  inhabitants;  which  is.  the  nunihor  of  p-^' 
s<nne  of  them  natural,  but  many  more  artificial,  which  are  found  tlin u:!-' 
the  barrens;  for  no  sooner  are  the  apertures  in  the  limestone  closed. ii!--' 
by  accident  or  design,  than  the  'sinks.'  surrounding  them  bceorao  fiW'." 
rains ;  and  the  tough,  red  clay  preventing  all  percolation,  these  powl-  ■ 


m 


nt- 


INTERK 


;'.•  •  -'.'adily  to  increa.^ 
,   ;     .Mirrounding  brim 
ami  tliere  is  scarcely  a  f; 
(iftkni  do  not  exist,  sio 
(,f(.- 'ursf,  to  various  flu. 
(!;•',  up.  in  times  of  droi 
]„ff.  ill  the  latter  part  ol 
{.fViil,  their  beds  being 
tli.'V  arc  iilistructed  by  d 
•  During  the  nine  yea 
Ti:ir  a  very  general  prev 
Juiy.  and  continuing  t( 
marked  intermittent  torn 
S'lmtimos  extended  far  i 
f.    I  am  informed  by  my 
j  t!;e  kirren.s  several  times 
|tua;ii  are  aiiimally  increa; 
Tliu.<  while  the  coniUKJii. 
ti"!'..  is  to  abate  the  frei|u 
fovrt-.  here,  a.s  an  excepti 
tril'r.t'jJ  to  their  greater  j 
I^ial!  extend  this  artic 
|tf":v,ardly,  fron.  near  (il: 
jrn.  llutler,  Logan,  Todd, 
llivcr.  and  embrace  the  t( 
a:.l-.j-eral  other.-  of  less 
lil.    TUK  Ma.mmotu  C 
ti!J"y  the  distinction  of  ii 
Iwiiarkable  of  tlie  numei 
In-  :ith  the  Illinoi,s  coal  fi. 
Iwi'ViT,  til  otiidngy,  but  1 
c:i->.  and  has  been  propoi 
frr.  reeuivo  a  notice  in 
iaiiihriims  localities  and  re 
Till' Manimuth  Cave  coi 
i".vi!Kliiiir  ii]ierturcs,  cor 
jy  wander  an  indefinite  i 
>  t!ie  carboniferous  limesl 
t-iUe  that  all  its  cells  are 
'uru.ys  might  be  perforn 
!"■  Barrens.     Soir.o  !«pirt 
"11 'light  eminently  fitted 
wier,  wli.,..5o  toreli  L'jrowi 
CreJ  foet  above  bis  hjad. 


mmM. 


■*.-^v^' 


lK;; 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


'2'.]0 


mil.'!,!!:.: 
i!     '■-. 


K  iil.v  ■ 

Its  a  &■' 

tlivu: 

|iio  li.-'  ■ 


'■Vr..  ^'I'aJily  ti)  increase  in  area  aiul  doptli.  r.ntil,  if  nut  dranietl,  tliey  ri^e 
;  .  niirriiuiuliii^L'  l)riiii.  Tii  this  way  are  these  j)()i'<ls  cnnstantlv  ti  viniiig; 
I  ^l^^.y^;  is  scarei'ly  a  farm  to  be  found  in  the  whole  ro^'Ion,  wliere  ;i  nunihcr 

ii.fthtin  do  not  exist,  some  to  thv-  extort  of  several  acres.  They  a--"  suliject, 
,t\  .iiisc  to  various  flueaiations,  and  expose  a  large  surface  of  mud,  ;.s  tin  y 
,!■■  Ill',  ill  times  of  drougiit.  The  running  streams,  moreover,  become  ver^ 
l„\v  iii  llic  latter  ])art  of  summer  and  in  early  autumn  ;  liut,  as  l)ef<  re  ol)- 
t.rvi il.  tlieir  hed.s  being  rocky,  tliey  are  eomparaliveiy  harmless,  e.\eept  vvliere 
tk'V  arc  obstructed  by  dams. 

•Iluriii"  the  nine  years  that  I  resided  at  IlopkinsviUe,  there  was  every 
\v;ir  a  very  general  prevalence  of  fiutumnal  fever;  beginning,  commonly,  in 
Julv.  and  coiitiiiuiiig  to  Octobe"  The  wnrst  eases  wore  an  (discurely- 
nnrk^'d  intermittent  form,  attended  by  deep  C(jngestions  of  the  viscera.      They 

j.t  UR'nuu'S  extended  far  into  winter." 

I  I  am  informed  by  my  colleague,  Profcss(jr  Yandell,  who  has  lately  visited 
t!io  liirrens  several  times  on  geological  explorations,  that  the  fevers  of  au- 
tuiiiii  are  annually  increasing ;  which  he  ascribes  to  t);e  increase  of  j)onds. 
T!iu?  wbilo  the  connuon,  the  legitimate  influence  of  settlemeiif  and  cultiva- 
ti"ii.  ii  to  abate  the  frei^uency  and  violence  of  our  intermittent  and  remittent 
fever<,  hero,  as  an  exception,  is  a  district  in  which  art  has,  undesignedly,  cou- 
tril'iitod  to  their  greater  prevalence. 

I  «liall  extend  this  article  no  farther  than  to  add,  that  the  barrens  extend 
if-tHurJly,  froni  near  (Glasgow,  in  Barren  county,  through  Kdmondson,  AV.  r- 
r.Ti.  Ijiitler,  Logan,  Todd,  Christian,  and  Trigg  counties,  to  the  Cumberland 
KiviT.  aad  onibrace  the  towns  of  ]>owling-Grcen,  riussellville,  IlopkinsviUe, 
a:.l  -ivoral  others  of  less  note. 

Ii[,  TiiK  Ma.mmotii  Cavk. — The  barrens  and  the  basin  of  Green  Eivcr 
t!:j"\  the  distinction  of  including  the  celebrated  IMammoth  Cave,  the  most 
Miuikilile  of  tlie  numerou.s  caverns  in  wliieli  the  limestone  innnediately 
li'.:i<;itli  the  Illinois  coal  formation  aliounds.  Tlie  interest  of  this  cave  is  not, 
twiwr,  to  etiology,  but  to  practical  medicine ;  for  it  does  not  cause  dis- 
ifav.s.  and  has  been  proposed  as  a  residence  for  their  cure.  It  may,  there- 
ifiri'.  reeeive  a  notice  in  tliis  work,  with  the  same  propriety  that  certain 
laluliriiiUM  localities  and  regions  for  travel  have  been  indicated. 

Tl;i'  Mammoth  Cave  consists  of  a  labyrinth  of  subterranean  cells,  united 
lly 'viiidiiig  apertures,  corridors,  and  broad  avenues,  in  which  the  traveler 
n.jy  wauder  an  iiulefniite  distance,  witliout  threading  all  its  mazes.  Indeed, 
;•  ■  "  riirbiiniferous  limestone  is  essentially  caveriiou.s,  it  i.s  extremely  pro- 
tliut  all  its  Cells  are  connected  with  each  other,  and  that  su1)terranean 
J  ::.}s  might  be  perforMjd  throughout  the  wlnde  tract  of  country  called 
t  Barrens,  Soirio  i'pirtments  of  tliis  cave  are  small;  others  of  a  breadth 
5  i  'iijrht  eminently  fitted  to  raise  emotions  of  wonder  and  sublimity  in  the 
^  -IT.  whose  torcli  t'jrows  a  dim  light  on  rocky  ceilings  more  than  a  hun- 
'-'Itt'ot  above  his  luad.     Stalactites,  alabasters,  and  crystallized  gypsums, 


i|i 


i#::sii 


v.l-      .' 


?■■■  ! 


:<■•   ^ 


r. 

t 

i    . 

I 

240 


THE  PULNCirAL  DISEASRS  OF  THE 


ECU, 


as  v-Iiiti'  ;'ii(l  v;iiic:;;iti'il  in  I'nriii  as  flakc.x  (if  snow,  (Iccoratc  the  ^l<,\vK.  . 
cavin^i'  walls  ol"  ntliiT  ajiarhiiciits;   wliilo  streams  and  punls  ol"  pun' «;!•■> 
aniniatcil  with  fisli,  wlm^c  eyes.  tVi>ni  tin-  litter  darkiu'ss  of  tlicir  Liiliiia:; 
Iiavo  not  been  pereeiitihly  (levelo|ie(l.      'J'Ih'  atniospliere  of  this  liihyvii.ti; 
oxeavatloii.  is  said  not   to  he  damp  to  tlie  feeling;   hut  I  have  iidt  niut  w. 
iiny  ohNcrvations  on   its  dew-point.     A'urlous  processes  of  natural  i'liciiii.trr 
perhaps,  ahsorl)  t!ie  moisture  of  tlie  air,  and  convert   it  into  tliu  \v;it.r  ,' 
crvslallization.      IJesides  the  formation  of  crvstalline  earlionate  and  s"!;.' 
of  lime,   the   nitrate   oi"  lime   is   constantly   ,i!'enerateil ;    out  of  wliidi  .,•. 
petre  was  f  irmerly  mannfaetured,  liy  the  aid  of  wood-ashes.*     These  invr:.. 
at  tin;  time  the  rocks  were  depositi'd.  were  jirohahly  tilled  with  soft  nr(l.  ■!> 
posahle  nniterials  :   which   have  since  been  dissolved  or  washed  awnv:    ■ 
the  work  of  eidarii'emeiit   is  doubtless  still  iroini^  on.  by  the  slow  (■iiiivt.r«;,!! 
of  their  walls  into  nitrate  of  linu',  a  soluble  salt.f 

The  tenijierature  of  the  deeper  parts  of  the  cave,  is  said  to  be  lifty-niin' i- 
griics  Fahrenheit,  throughout  the  year.^     lu  winter,  a  current  of  ;iir  »li«n'  i. 
into  the  cave;  in  summer,  escapes  from  it;  often  with  such  veliioitv;i- 
extiuLiuish  the  lamps  of  those  who  are  enteriufr.     This  is  a|)pareiitlyflni'i;!- 
mode   >'    which  the   external  atmosphere  modifies  that  of  the  cavern.   Ty. 
air  of  the  cave  has  not  been  analyzed.     Its  sensible  (pnilitics  arcsiinplvt':  ^ 
of  freshness.     No  diflieulty  of  respiration,  or  headache,  is  pruducuJ  jiv  ;i,v 
atmosphere  of  any  apartment,   and  the   liglits  which   visiters  earrv  kr. 
Itrlii'htly  in  every  ]iart.      Ilence.  we  see.  there  is  no  addition  of  c:irli"iiii'  !  , 
gas,  or  other  mephitic  air.      Dead  aninuil  matter  does  not  l)eeoinc  ]mtri(l,i  '. 
iiiideriroes  desiccation.      There  are  no  reptiles  of  any  kind.     NcitluT  i. ' 
Tuir  sounds  UKike  thei:   tvay  into  the  deep  recesses.      They  who  liavrvi-;', 
this  great  excavation,  s[ieak  of  wandering  and  (damliering  for  a  wii  V' i 
without  fatigue.      They  regard  the  atmosphere  as  invigorating.     It  iiisv 
that  it  holds  saline  sul)stances  in  solution,  w'hich,  entering  the  blond  !■}!  ■ 
lungs,  favor  its  aeration,  and  thu.s  ward  off  the  fatigue  of  exertin'.i:  'T' 
meut.-d  excitement  may  su[tport  the  strength  of  body. 

^VIleM  salt-[ietre  was  nianufactured  there,  it  was  observed  that  t'li''' 
of  the  operatives  was  excellent,  and  that  many  -ailing'  or  "wcmI;!}'  |"  ■  ■ 
liecann'  soinid  in  health,  ami  experienced  increase  of  flesh.  The  n.M'i!.  ■■• 
that  were  eni[iloyed,  not  only  continued  in  good  health,  but  hci-i'n.' ' 
With  these  facts  before  their  eyes,  the  people  near  the  cave  have  1"!:'  ■ 
lieved  that  it  might  be  made  an  advantageous  abode  for  invalids,  c^"■  - 
those  affected  witli  pulmonary  disea<ies,  as  they  would  escape  all  vir>-  • 
'••f  temperature.  Tt  was  not.  however,  until  within  the  last  W'W  year^,  t  •  '■' 
tages  were  erected,  aiid  sick  persons  publicly  invited  to  make  it  a  plB<v    ■• 


*  Doctor  :'.  'Rrown,  in  Trnnsiietions  of  .\niorican  Philosophical  Society. 
t  Vt'stcrn  .lonrnai,  I.oiiisvillo,  October.  1847. 
i  Rambles  in  tho  Marnuioth  Cave,  1S44. 


''"■  ^»c  that  was  set  f, 


lUT  !■ 


INTERIOR  VAIJ.KV  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


•J  11 


1.   .     This  ciitcnpriM'  wns  umlrrtalciMi   liy  ItnPtcr  Cn'irlia'i.  cf  |,niiisvillo, 
■i„  liaviii" '•<'C<'"ii' '^^  ]irn|)riet(ir.  was  saiiLniiiic  in  tlic  anticipation  that  it 
. ; 'lit  lie  inado  siixniiHy  iM'ncfi'ial  tn  <  iiisinn|itiv('  |ialicnts,     S..inc  (.'Niiri-i- 
•  •^liavo  'ii'i'n  ina<lo,  Imt  tin'  ri'^nlt-;.  [  Iu'licvi',  liavc  nut  liccn  iMa'(iiira;:injr. 
Tic  mere  fi'cliiM' 111  <it'  a  jiatii'iit  tVi'in  tlii'  cliaiiii'rs  nf  flio  \vt.'atlii'i',  is  imt  a 
■  -itivo  iiiflnoiict',  and  hy  im  moans  to  lie  relied  u|i(in   tn  arrest  !i  malady 
vi'ili  mav  •"■C'li' •'"l^'l"'"'^''"*'  "t'  siieli  vieissitudos.      Tlieii  tlie  si'litiuie  and 
•ildH'P.  the  darkness,  tlie  snioko.  the  atiiiM^pIieric  r(!|inse  —  fur  the  wind  is 
.riiivid  "idv  at  tlie  entrance  —  the  want  uf  cxcrci-c.  tlic  al'seiKH-  of  inaiiy 
';l:.' ixcitors  and  sustaiiiers  nl"  (Jiir  mental  and  li'idily  activity,  are  cuniiter- 
1  til; '  a'.'C'iioiesi,  imt  to  lie  furi^ntteii   in  a   c-aiidid  estimate.     To  render  a 
.' urii  in  these  suhterrancan  cells  efTeetive  iii  the  reniuval  (if  diseases,  the 
riiiits  shi'uld  have  (iccu|iatinn.  like  ttmse  wlm  fnice  mad(!  salt-|ietre  tliero; 
!  v'l  til  roc'iuiiicnd  sncli  an  a'liide  t'l  those  wlm  arc  too  ill  to  hiln.i',  and  are 
,  i!r'"l  iifiuedicatiiin.  wonld  seem  injudicions.  i!"  not  absurd.      '!'<!  what  forms 
,;■  lininic  disease  such  a  residence  is,  in  fact,  liest  adapted,  cannot,  1  think, 
■  ilotoriiiiiicd  f/  /ii'inrl.     I  wonld  eoiijectiire.  however,  that  <  hroiiic  ln'onclii- 
;;.  MMilfuiictioiial  disorders  of  the  stoniadi.  hiiwels.  liver,  and  spleen,  would 
'.•in'ri' certainly  relieved  than  any  <.tlier-.      To  these  1  would,  eonjectiirally. 
,il  -iiliacute  ophthalmia,  olistin.'ite  uIcit,-;,  and   other  chronic  atfrctions  of 
•-'.'■  .-kill.     As  to  phthisis,  if  the  jiatient  could  eiiii'asfe  in  hard  lal<or.  and  tlie 
[•'I'vri^uhir  transformation  of  his  lungs  liail  not  advanced  very  far,  it  might, 
[-■r':a[i>.  lie  arrested:  hut  if  lie  had  reached  the  latter  stages  of  the  disease, 
I';  wmuM  do  well  to  remain  at  limne. 

A  iiinrc  favorahle  opinion  may  lie  given  of  vi.siN  to  the  cave,  than  <if  a 
'M;i!it  residence  in  it.  As  a  place  of  resort  tor  invalids  who  reijuire  exer- 
:>■.  with  change  of  scene,  it  has  much  to  recommend  if.  for  its  -wonders 
1  ^  iiist  liiiding  out,"  and,  for  several  weeks,  an  impiisitive  invaliil  might  lind 
[■ ;  ;•  ^c  ;nid  interest  in  threading  its  laliyrinths,  while  the  weather  was  either 
r  "  i"M.  ur  toci  lint,  or  ton  wet  to  admit  of  hi-,  taking  adeniiate  recreati"ii  in 
I"'!!  air.  I'o  all  such  it  may  lie  announced,  that  the  muniticeiit  proprie- 
j'-r  Las  taken  care  to  provide  comfortaMe.  and  eveti  elegant  acciunni'dations, 
['•irthc  pnrtuls  of  the  cave. 


4 


''{■'*J': 


II 


SFXTIOX   A' I, 

niE  LtFT    IJANK   i)F    Till::    OHIO,    FROM    i;R1;KN    RIVER    To    .<ALT 
KIVER:    HASIN  'iF  THE  LATTER. 

•  Tin-.  ruvKi!.  — The  length  of  this  prrtiou  of  the  Ohio  lliv.  ;  Is  ahout 
'■  imiidi-iil  and  sixty  lidles.  In  a.-<-T-iiding  it,  we  cro,-s  tiie  tl.i'.iy-eightli 
"•iM  iif  hititudv  The  general  character  of  the  lie(l  and  hanks  of  the  river 
■'"•  *.itac  that  wars  sit  forth  at  large  in  Section  II  i)\'  this  Chapter.  At 
'■'' !'it:t«.  the  riv-r  has  Cat  through   heds  of   -eal:  it  also  tr:. verses  the 


242 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[Vh;i 


:-t--f- 


uiidi'il} iiig  fjirbuiiiterous  liiufstonc,  whieli,  in  certain  jilacL'S,  jtrcseiits  iii^- 
j)rt'ci|iiet'S,  Ituariiiff  red  cedars.     As  wo  advance  iijiward,  tlio  secund  boltt. 
liecdhie  more  elevated,  and  tlie  luwer  alluvial  lands  arc  ratlier  less  .sulijii- 
inundation.      In  Hancock  county  there  is  an  expansion  of  the  rivur-lMij;. 
to  llie  widtii  of  seven  miles." 

There  are  several  tiiriving  villages  on  this  hank  of  the  river,  of  fftjcj 
Ilawcsville,  where  coal  is  dug,  is  the  most  noted.  The  whole,  tugotiiw  wi;: 
the  country  helweeii  tlu'Ui,  are  suliject  to  intermittent  and  remittent  fevtr;, 
but  not  to  such  a  degree  as  to  retard  their  growtli  or  pros^jcrity. 

II.  IJasin  ok  Salt  Uivkii.  —  The  breadth  of  this  little  basin,  unlike lia- 
of  mo-st  through  which  we  have  traveled,  is  »iuitc  cijual  to  its  length.  Ta,. 
river  consists  of  two  principal  branches.  The  southern,  bearing  the  nauiev: 
Jiolling  l"'ork,  interlocks  to  the  south  with  the  waters  of  (Jrceii  Kiver;  tic 
northern,  known  as  Salt  llivcr,  has  its  origin  between  the  Kentucky  iljv.: 
and  the  Ohio.  Their  union  is  but  a  few  miles  from  the  juncti(jn  ot  the  i.e. 
mon  trunk  with  the  Ohio,  twenty  miles  below  Louisville.  Salt  Kiver  [^-ti 
or  the  northern  branch,  has  all  its  head-wutcrs  in  an  out-crop  of  the  ui;  • 
Silurian  limestone,  which  emerges  not  far  above  Louisville,  and  extend; ; 
tlio  Kentucky  Hiver  at  Frankfurt.  Tliis  region  prcsenis  ravines  ami  iji 
winding  ridges,  having  a  fertile  soil,  with  tolerable  springs  and  verv  vi 
marshes.  J5ut,  as  in  the  other  basins  where  the  gc(jlogy  is  the  same,  :>. 
streams  sink  in  summer  and  autumn  into  pools,  and  the  country  is  not  oxeitp; 
from  fever.  The  llolling  or  south'"  .  Fork  has  its  origin  mainly  in  the  iv- 
boniferous  limestone  of  the  adjoin. ..g  (Ireen  lliver  Basin;  and  nuieh  ofu 
surface  which  it  drains  is  hilly;  s(jme  parts  low-mountainous.  The  imraeilia: 
valleys  or  troughs  of  both  forks  of  Salt  Kiver,  present  a  considerable  extent  : 
bottom-land,  which,  with  that  along  the  common  trunk,  is  occasionally  iiiv- 
dated.  Fevers,  often  malignant  and  fatal,  prevail  along  these  streams,  i.-; 
cially  low  down,  where  their  common  valley  opens  into  that  of  the  Ohio. 

in.  IL\iU!0DSiu;u(i  Si'iiiXGS. — These  springs  belong  to  the  basin  u 
under  examination,  being  situated  near  the  sources  of  Suit  llivcr.  Unlike iiii; 
of  the  mineral  springs  of  Kentucky,  which  arc  found  iu  deep  valleys,  !!;■;<- 
hurst  out  near  the  summit-level  of  the  country,  at  an  altitude  of  near  a  li:  :• 
sand  feet  above  the  (iulf  of  3Iexico.  From  near  the  springs,  small  tril:> 
ries  of  the  Kentucky  Kiver  and  of  l)ick"s  Kiver  flow  off  to  the  east  and  n-C 
and  those  of  Salt  Kiver  to  the  south  and  west;  a  sufllcient  evidence  ut';:: 
relative  elevation  of  the  spot  where  they  are  found.  In  every  direction,:'.: 
several  miles  round,  the  country  is  as  free  from  drowned  laiids,  mars'fc 
swales,  and  ponds,  as  any  other  cijual  area  in  the  Ohio  Basin.  In  fact,tl;crT 
does  not  seem  to  be  a  single  source  of  malaria  in  their  neighborhood;  andij 
colleague.  Professor  IMillcr,  who  practiced  medicine  nine  years  in  this  local" 


»  CoUins's  Kentucky. 


PLX 


■-I  L 


^■4:^. 


0 


■„v  ' 


•  t. 


6.- .  .-, 


'  ■  r-i        ..-^t'-----    •^-,-1,,'      ■         ^L±_        "^         ' C^    ,•     *,-'t*y    '•' 


"'.  'X  .■ ,  ••  -V.,H  w',V->  «/*,/.H  A2-,f  ^'*V,»«^.  ^ :-"  :  -^J'  '     ■•> 


Hi 

^  !  Lrx 


c 
b 


^^ 


^^r. 


-^-V, 


/ 


-or 


■V, 


^o^,. 


,*;   ,!»    (3t  .^  Ji    ?«    9i5    ^'    ».  V.    ^    iu  .s:  ">« 

f  t  i  i  ^^  '^'  t'  ^^  E  I'  I  ?  M  5 


ir      > 


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2 
CO 


■■■-l'^ 


)■ 


.  .   r    4.-.  ^ 


I 


1 

■it 


ri 


HIT.  I.] 


INTE 


Iia>  assured  ino,  that 

iitre  flian  in  tlio  Han 

Till'  town  of  Ilarro 

thi.'  (irst-sottlod  spot  i 

Ici'ii  timlprcultivatiijii 

•ivo  yvar.x ;  a  jieriod  (j 

ninitulft'Ver  remotely 

hecaiiso  most  of  the  v 

-•oiirgeJ  in  August  ar 

\i>b  ol  tlic  South-west 

■aniint  have  tlieir  cons 

situated  ill  malarious  1 

HarroiJsburg  Spring 

ftlio  Ohio,  after  I'itti 

!iy  I'rufessor  Vandell,  r 

lia,Mii.    Considered  in 

iimistoiie. 

Desirous  of  publish; 
«:iters,  I  desired  Doct( 
t::iiii;  which  he  did  in 
iiiiis  from  which  iiivalii 
wtii  which  he  has  furni 


hiiimlknts  in  a phit 
lijc.irhunate  ofmagnc 
liicarburiatc  of  limo, 
Sulphate  of  magnesia 
.''iilpliate  of  lime  (  cf 
''lilurideof  sodium,  a 


THE  SA 


I'i'.'arhonate  of  rnagne 
'iicarbunate  of  linic, 
bicarbonate  of  iron,  - 
sulphate  of  magnesia 
•^  Jll^'iate  of  lime  (  cryi 
'■''loride  of  sodium, 


tmv. 


Tlio  bicarbonate  of  ii 
^^Its  a  light  fawn-color. 


fUT    I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


'li\i 


ha>  iissiired  mo,  that  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  are  far  less  prevalent 
htrc  than  in  tlio  MarrL-iiH. 

Tlic  town  of  IIurriHlsburg,  in  tlio  suburbs  of  wliich  we  find  the  spritigs,  way 
the  tirst-sottk'd  spot  in  the  state  of  Kentucky  ;  and  CDiiseniiciitly  the  soil  lias* 
k'l'n  umior  cultivation  since  the  moiitii  of  J\ine,  1774;  that  is,  nearly  seventy- 
five  vcars;  a  period  (juite  sufficient  to  diminish  those  elements  on  width  au- 
tumnaUbver  remotely  depends.  1  am  the  more  careful  to  set  forth  these  facts. 
because  m'lst  of  the  waterinfr-places  in  the  West,  from  being  in  valleys,  are 
jeoured  ill  .\iigust  and  September  with  bilious  fevers;  and  liecause  the  inva- 
lids ol  the  South-west,  esfiecially  those  who  have  been  made  such  Jiy  its  fevers. 
eanuot  have  their  constitutions  repaired  by  sojourning  at  springs  which  arc 
situated  ill  malariou.*  localities. 

Harrodshurj:;  Springs  arc  not  only  in  the  (ddest-settlcd  spot  in  the  valley 
,if  the  <-lliio.  after  Pittsburgh,  but  they  issue  from  strata  which,  I  am  iiiforiiied 
by  Professor  Yandell,  rest  upon  the  very  oldest  formations  known  in  the  Ohio 
Ijajin.  Considered  in  reference  to  chemical  character,  they  are  magnesian 
Iime?t(ino. 

Dosinms  of  publishing  an  accurate  account  of  the  composition  of  those 
ffatiTS,  1  desired  Doctor  C.  11.  Kaymond,  of  ('iiiiiiinati,  to  visit  and  analyze 
tkiii;  which  lie  did  in  the  month  of  October,  1S4'^,  selecting  the  two  foun- 
t;uiis  from  which  invalids  are  chiefly  supplied.  The  following  are  the  results 
ivith  wliieli  he  has  furnished  me : 


M 


I 


■•  I- 


• 


I 

•  1 


;''rt.^ 


THE  GREENVILLE  SPRING. 
Ii'limlit'nls  in  a  pint  of  the  water,  stated  in  y  rains  and  hnndrcdt/is,  Tr(»j. 


Bjeorbonate  of  magnesia,    ------ 

Bicarbonate  of  lime,        ------ 

Sulphate  of  magnesia  (  crystallized  ),   - 
Sulpliate  of  lime  (  crystallized  ),       - 
•  'hluride  of  sodium,  a  trace. 

THE  SALOON,  OR  CHALYBEATE  SPRING. 
Quantity  of  water  the  same. 

liioarbonate  of  magnesia, 

liiearbonate  of  lime,      ------ 

Bicarbonate  of  iron,  ------- 

Sulphate  of  magnesia  (crystallized), 

Sulphate  of  lime  ( crystallized ),  -         -         .         . 

Chloride  of  sodium,       ------ 


L'.S7 

10.16 
11.06 

ao.iio 


0.43 
4.31 

0.50 
27.92 
10.24 

1.20 

44.60 


The  bicarbonate  of  iron   in  this  spring  is  sufficient  to   impart   to   its 
^«ts  a  light  fawn-color.      The  water  of  both  springs  is  limpid.     Doctor 


'■'-■«l '•'■?'.'• 


4.^ 


,.  ^t^^. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


'^ 


1.0 


I.I 


■^  1^    1 2.2 

tii  hi     — 

i_i«  lis 

1.8 


1.25      1.4   III 

1.6 

.« 6"     

► 

V). 


^ 


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v: 


'^1 


oK     •> 


▼  ^  sr  ^'^ 


>> 


y 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corpomtion 


\ 


«v 


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<> 


i\ 


m 


-s^\ 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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1  i. 


■ii 


*, ,    '.f 


WU:-:J^^-->:- 


••• '.  I 

■  ■■.(• 


244 


Tin;  riMxcii'Ai,  diseases  of  the 


[BOOI  I, 


l{;i3iiioiitl  could  not  detect  eitlicr  I'rco  carbonic  acid  ov  f?ul|iliureted  liyd] 


gas. 


TfgiJ 


It  will  bi"  seen  liy  these  aual}>cs,  tliat  every  tumbler  of  tlic  wiitor  lif-', 
fJrcenville  Sjiring  contains  witliin  a  fru'tion  of  sixteen  grains  of  saliiiuu'. 
ter,  more  tbaii  lialf  of  wliicli  consists  uf  magnesiau  salts;  that  ovcrv  tniLi ,. 
uf  tlie  water  of  tljc  Saloon  Spring  contains  twcnty-twu  grains  i,!,,;/'^, 
mutter,  two-tliirdsof  wbii-li  arc;  snlphate,  with  a  small  quantity  of  hiearlciiiins 
of  magnesia;  and  that  in  the  same  (quantity  uf  the  water  there  is  a  hiiar;,- 
of  a  grain  of  iron.  The  juiticnt,  who  in  one  morning  drinks  four  tniiililii,  • 
the  Avater  of  the  Saloon  Spring,  takes  nearly  a  drachm  of  sulphate  u' m;- 
nesia,  with  other  saline  ingredients,  and  a  grain  of  bicarbonate  of  iron. 

T  sliall  follow  these  estimates  no  furtlier,  but  proceed  to  sav.  tluit  •;- 
^Yatcr  of  the  (Ireenville  Spring  is  the  better  antacid  —  that  of  Saloon, iliu liw, 
ter  tonic.  Indeed,  small  as  the  (puintitv  of  iron  is,  it  sometime:.  priiiliip.>i' 
uncomfortable  feeling  in  the  head,  wliich  is  relieved  by  drinking  at  thtii;.] 
fountain.  In  reference  to  the  excretions,  the  water  from  botli  acts  ii| 011 ;':;  i 
bowels,  kidneys,  and  under  jiroper  n.'gulations  at  niglit,  upon  the  skin. 
yond  these  sensible  effects,  it  pervades  tlie  wdiole  constitution,  and  u. 
classes  of  invalids  very  socm  feel  a  renovation  of  appetite,  strcngtb, 
cheerfubiess,  altlnjugli  its  primary  effects  seem  to  be  sedative,  not  stini!;!;::: 
I  transcribe  from  the  article  in  the  Journal  already  (quoted,  the  fulki:; 
remarks  on  tlie  curative  cflects  of  tliese  waters: 

"The  cases  to  which  tliey  are,  in  a  jieciiliar  manner,  adapted,  areilr:; 
inflannnations,  and  obstructions  in  the  abdominal  viscera.      Tims.  t!:i.'.i:;| 


*  III  tlio  year  182.3,  while  attache.!  to  the  medical  department  of  Transylvniiial':- 
versity,  ;..?si.sted  by  my  ingenious  and  lamented  friend,  the  late  Doctor  Robert  I!iJt.;> 
junct  to  the  Profes.sor  of  Chemistry,  I  made  a  qiialitdtivc  analysis  of  the  watir  c;l-| 
Saloon  S|)ring;  whieh  has  ever  sinec  heen  b.  lure  the   public.     (See  West.  Jour.;: 
]\Ied.  and  Phys.  Srieiice,  Ciiioiiinati,  .Tnni',  1^:^>\)      V  want  of  faith  in  its  ;icciiracy.! 
nic  to  ])roi)ose  a  new  analysis,  by  a  nuich  abler  hand.     The  resiiUs  then  ohtai:!' ;' 
the  following : 

Cai'honate  of  magnesia,         -         .         .         .         . 

C  ar'j  mute  of  lime,  ------- 

Sul[)hatc  of  magnesia,  .         .         -         .        . 

Siil[)hate  of  Mini ,     --.---- 

Sulphate  of  soda,  .-.-.- 

Iron  (  probably  in  the  Htato  of  a  sulphate  ), 

Sulplnireted  iiydrogen,  -  -  -  .  - 

It  will  be  observed,  that  this  analysis  and  that  by  Doctor  Raymond  "five  iiearlyKi 
same  ingredients;  ami  lioth  nearly  correspond  with  one  made  subseqnently  toinin''! 
Professor  Yandell.  (  Transylv.  Jonr. )  Doctor  R.  has  more  [jroperly  res::iri!''il  lli'"'-i 
bonates  as  biearbonati^s,  and  aseertained  that  tlu."  iron  is  a  salt  of  that  kiad,  in<l'';i':;:'| 
sulphate;  he  likewise  found  the  soda  to  be  eomldned  with  hydrochlorie  aeiil,  insl'.'aiio:"*! 
sulphnrie  ;  finally,  he  eonld  not  detect  any  sulphureted  hydroijen  ;  wliicli  m:'}',''^! 
ha])s,  sometimes  be  present  in  minute  (juantities,  and  somi.'times  absent.  In  lii^'-^- 
nation,  sub.'iequent  to  my  own,  Professor  Yandell  detected  tliat  gas  in  small  qiiaiitii^l 


in  a  small  iiuaiitily, 

"     minute  " 
"     large 

"     small  " 

(I       <i  '' 

a  trace 

in  a  minute  " 


MBT  !■, 


IXTEi; 


j  ,;i|.i:!eiitK'  scrviccalde 
I  oiite  ira-stritis;  in  aim 
hiriri.^  iiiilurati'd,  and. 
jjUntaii  attendant  on 
[f:,iullyliciicfieial  ill  c 
[mi  — specially  of  tli 
rk'imiatisni,  and  in  vai 
\mf.  fr"iii  s^Vjiliilis.  an 
I otkr  nioan.s  had  failed. 
Ta  chrom'c  di 
lirhon  the  patient  has  li 
It  the  .^iirtaee.      In  on  I 
jht  11  it  i!i  tlio  same  de 
:Vir  \\<r  ill  those  malai 
|t':i' '■arly  stages  of  suli 
h'wh.  tuborctihir  siij>j 
't!i'?;.' are  injurious,  and, 
Ihvi^  vcmlcrod  occasional 
:■•::.'  a  \\i  irhid  conditi. 
lt:H:i!.    Ill  .-ri'k  licadiichc 
''kinate  malady  are  atti 
a-  -ysteiii.  tliat  their  s 
T::r  ('.\[icricnco  of  mii' 
^;;i;'«ai:M,  lias,  in  the  mf 
KiijI'L'uo  of  maladies   wl 
Tiic  Ilarrodshurg  watc 
neJ'.vci'  the  Sontli-west, 
rirri^^'iis.     The  salts  obt; 
lytai'  [looplo,  and  also  b^ 
jtaci-as  than  the  officinal 
I:  is  proper  to  say  sonu 
^"-■ivMiloiieo  to  the  infiri 
fKia.    To  this  end,  the  e 
p|icT  Oraliam,  through  a 
a  liberality  only   erp 
rn-d,  !n's  pormaiieiit   e.\ 

'-"•>•  and  he  is  stillinvc 

itKtoalusc  of  the  water 

}''■l^  «i  whicli,  from  the 

p-.'  valiialde  in  a  areat  ^ 

At, 


'gi'apliical  map  ( 


H:<'hv^  tlie  various  im])r 
F'  I'liOer,  Topographical 
M'tiun  of  them  unneci 


[Boot  I 

cdliyilnw, 

Wiittr  (.:!' ;'_, 
i'  fillillf  i:.i;. 
very  tuiii,: 

ins    (4  ;;;.u 

■  liicarljMiiatt 
3  is  a  ([iiattt: 
ir  tuiiiliki-i 
hate  nf  m:- 
:>f  iron. 
say,  tliat  ta;  ] 

lluOll.llil'l 

ig  at  tlio  >v.d  I 
acts  ii['onih 

\w  skin.    E~ 

ion,  and  iir 
streiigtli,  iiil 
not  stiiimbi' 

,  the  fulluwi;! 

od,  are cki; 
Thus,  tk'va;?! 


m: 


RTI.. 


INTKRIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


•J45 


•ansylvaniaUi- 
Robert  Bi'St.i:- 

\\\f  wuliT  or:? 

Wi'st,  Joii:;: 

its  aucuracy, .:■. 

II  oblaiiicii '-J 

jail  i|uaiit;;y. 
luiti'    '■ 


luito     '■ 

irivi'  lioir'y;-'! 
|,.,ltly  to  Kill- ''I 

Ircfardoiltlif'- 

hil,in?t'''i'''"''''| 
Ivhieli  iiKiy.  i'^-l 
Inhise5i2-| 
I  small  qiwiA'J'1 


riiiincntlv  scrvicca1)lc  in  i^ucli  cases  <if  »I}S[iO]).'^in.  n.s  aro  fittcndcd  with  .^idia- 
j^_,  „(,«tritis :  in  ;ilniii.st  every  Kind   of  liepatic  disorder,  except  ■\vlien  the 


Vvif  i"  i>!'i'""^''''^'  "'"^'  '"""■'^'-''1^"^"^'}''  iiieuvalilc ;  and  in  eonstipatiim,  so  eon- 

s'lnt  an  attendant  111)  di.«eases  of  tlio  stdinaeli  and  liver.     They  are  almost 

f:  lullv  hi-'nefii'ial  in  chronic  iiiflannnations  of  many  other  parts  of  the  sys- 

.^..,,_e.'peciullv  nf  the  serous  and  fiornus  nnMnhranes.     In  tunic  dropsies,  in 

riicmiati.'^ni,  and  in  vaviniis  affectii'tis  tit'  the  periosteum  from  febrile  motas- 

[]i.s.  frum  svidiilis,  and  from  mercury,  they  have  often  effected  a  cur;,  when 

otkr  moans  had  failed.     In  several  urinary  disorders  they  have  done  equal 

rmi    In  chronic  diseases  of  the  shin  tliey  have  also  been  found  useful, 

when  the  patient  has  been  subjected  to  a  rogimcii   that  has  determined  them 

t  t!io sm'faeo.      In  pulmonary  cmnplaints  tliey  Inive  been  found  serviceable; 

r.t  ;i't  ill  the  same  dearee   as  in  disorders  cif  the  abdominal  organs;  and 

ttaruse  in  those  maladies  reipu'rcs  discrimination.     In  chroiuc  pleurisy,  and 

t'lo  oadv  stages  of  subacute  bronchitis,  they  liave  performed  cures ;  but  in 

T«a,  tuhorcnlar  suppur.itions,  and   liepatizatimi  if  the  pidnionary  tissue. 

tliovaro  iiijuri'ius,  and,  if  jiersevcri'd  in,  may  even  prove  fatal.     AVhen  tliey 

ibvo  rendered  occasional  as.^istance  in  these  affectinns.  it  was  cliiefly  by  cor- 

tiii' a  mirhid  cuiiditioii  of  the  digestive  functions,  so  often  associated  with 

itfei!.    In  sick  headache  they  occasionally  do  good  ;  but  many  cases  of  that 

bvinate  malady  arc  attended  with  such  an  enervated  condition  of  the  ner- 

JT ',1- >vsteni.  tliat  their  sedative  operation  becomes  jircjudicial." 

The  expcrienco  of  multitudes,  since  these  remarks  were  p.ublished,  twenty 

ar>agii,  has,  in  the  main,  confirmed  their  accuracy,  and  even  added  to  th.e 

ii,il  L'ue  of  maladies   which  have  been  palliated  or  removed. 

Tiie  IlaiTodshurg  waters  have,  b}-  exportation,  been  extensively  distribu- 

(•ii.ver  the  South-west,  and  even  found  their  way  into  use  in  scver;il  of  our 

The  salts  obtained  by  their  evapnratinu  liave  long  been  employed 

ly  till' [leoplo,  and  also  by  many  physicians,  who  luive  found  them  more  eff;- 

ci'fl.s  than  the  officinal  sulphate  of  magnesia. 

It  is  proper  to  say  something  of  what  art  has  done  to  make  this  an  accept- 
!■•  resilience  to  tlie  inlirm,  and  to  the  friends  who  may  desire  to  acconipanj' 
[t:,.:::.    To  this  end,  the  enterprising'  and  cnurteiius  jn-cprietor,  Doctor  Chris- 
liiCr  (Iraham,  through  a  period  of  twenty-live  years,  has  devoted  himself. 
;.;  a  lihendity  only  erpialed  by  his  taste  and   diligence.       "Within   that 
ri-l  Ills  ])erniancnt   expenditures  have  exceeded  two  hundred  thiiusand 
..;i:'-.  and  he  is  still  inventing  new  means  for  cmnfort,  amusement,  and  the 
•'■.'.ti'ial  use  of  the  water;  among  whicli  are  liatlis,  botli  cidd  and  warm,  tlie 
p." 'u  which,  from  tlio   high' degree  of  saline   imjiregnation,   cainiot  but 
fcr.'Vo  valuaUo  in  a  great  variety  of  cases. 
A  t  [iiigraphical  map  (  PL  X)  of  the  grounds  around  the  principal  spring, 
Muiliim- tlie  various  improvements,  has  been  made  at  my  reipiest,  by  Cap- 
Bin  Fuller,  Topographical  Engineer,  the  inspection  of  which  will  render  a 
ponption  of  them  unnecessary;  and  I  need  only  say,  that  while  the  Maters 


^WP- 


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THE  riilNCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[Boot  I 


are  perhaps  adapted  to  as  great  a  variety  of  infirmities  as  any  now  in  ui,. 
in  any  country,  the  accommodations  wliieh  Iiave  been  created  will,  from  •'•: 
reports  of  travelers,  bear  an  advantageous  comparison  with  any  to  be  foutr 
cither  in  America  or  Europe.  Such  is  the  spdt  which,  in  tlie  miilst  ff , 
liighly  cultivated  society,  may  be  added  to  the  wild  scenes  on  tlie  Ti.nni/..™ 
River,  the  Mammoth  Cave,  tlie  Upper  ]\Iississippi,  and  the  Croat  Prain,. 
already  reconunciided  as  places  of  beneficial  resort  for  various  classes  ' 
invalids. 

]iiit  the  attractions  of  the  TIarrodsburg  locality  arc  not  confiiiL'd  t- ;. 
medicinal  waters  audits  munificent  aecommodati(ms;  for,  although  it  lie;/ 
a  region  of  fertile  ami  gently  rolling  country,  which  would  seeiii  to  pn^n,!- 
lujthing  rare  or  romantic  in  nature,  it  is  by  no  means  destitute  of  olije^; 
and  scenery  which  the  eye  of  taste  must  regard  with  the  deepest  intereii 
About  fifteen  miles  to  tlio  south-east  are  the  '  Knob.s,'  where,  on  a  |'i'r. 
the  basis  of  which  is  the  black  or  Devnuian  slate,  may  l)e  seen  a  s/attiM 
and  pictures(|uc  group  of  slate-clay  pyramids,  or  rude,  truncated  tone: 
rising  from  one  to  two  hundred  feet  in  bight.  At  a  less  distance  totlicoa;: 
is  the  gorge  through  which  Dick's  River  precij)itates  itself  into  tlic  Kt:.- 
tucky.  Lastly,  at  the  distance  of  eight  or  ten  miles  to  the  nortli,  the  k- 
holder  finds  himself  on  the  verge  of  a  chasm,  as  deep,  and  dark,  aiiJiviii 
as  that  of  Niagara  below  the  Falls.  In  this  profound  ravine,  with  wall,.  ; 
the  oldest  transition  marble,  and  a  garniture  of  mingled  evergreen  ami  it- 
ciduous  forest  trees,  the  Kentucky  River  quietly  winds  its  way,  and,  liyi 
very  repose,  seems  to  say  that  its  work  f.f  excavation  is  finished. 


SECTION  Vll. 

FALLS  OF  OHIO  — LOUISVILLE. 
T.     TopoGiiAPiiY. — Li  ascciuling  the  Ohio  River  from  the  mouth  of  >i\ 
River  to  the  Falls,  the  course  is  but  a  few  degrees  east  of  north — tlieiiiv 
tance  about  twenty  miles.     In  traveling  from  one  point  to  the  other  bv  bl 
the  journey  is  over  a  plain,  the  elevation  of  which  is  above  h igh- water  niarL : 
and  its  breadth   from  three  to  five  or  six  miles.     From  every  part  of  tb 
plain,  which  extends  to  the  river  on  the  west,  the  blue  range  of  Silver  Crm  I 
Hills  may  be  seen,  running  parallel  with  the  river  :n  its  western  or  ripi| 
yido,  while  a  lower  range,  called  the  'Knobs,'  is  seen  to  terminate  the ilas 
on  the  opposite  or  eastern   side.     Thus  between  Salt  River  and  the  lali;, 
there  is  an  ample  terrace,  elevated  nearly  as  high  as  the  second  bottoms'': 
the  river,  already  described  in  Section  II  of  this  Chapter.     It  cannot,  tui' 
ever,  in  strictness,  be  classed  with  those  deposits,  which,  genornlly  ilf''- 
back  toward  the  hills,  and  composed  largely  of  gravel,  pebbles,  and  bnwws 
retain  but  little  water  on  their  surface;    while  this,  although  it  pri'seffi 
many  beds  and  ridges  of  sand  or  sandy  loam,  so  abounds  in  clay,  that  lit 


•<N 


^ 


^^it-t- 


tfl:i!^::l>^* 


PL  X 


/,  /'nii-itwtttf  I 


^4:i.^'!'*i!?"t''vh'.A^ 


m^ 


-     -.J     ,  '  ,        »•    .;        /!•■  f.  -  I 


r:^t^'^ 


'■'<m^.  :■■'■■  • 


# 


M1.TI.J  INTEI 

rain-  are  hut  sli^wly  u 
vdit  tlicir  readily  flov 
tJ  ill  the  (li'pressio 
iiiniti'il  elm  and  iiiapli 
(t'liT  seasons  send  mi 
;,i.j  into  the  (Jliiu,  1 
viiiithern  portions  of  t 
if  ^Teatcst  extent,  is  ( 
f  The  area  of  the  ontiro 
•,r!if'Ie  of  wliioli  lies  to 
;•  built  on  its  northern 
f  the  city  itself  was 
-<:nn\\  years  have  el 
'liins  (if  both  may  bo  s 
j'lay:  for  t!io  drainin; 
/".AY,    Even  tlio  sti 
111-  ;«tiire  and  disposed 
;.  :il!  draining  difficult. 

rass  descends  from  t 
I'ridnate  on  the  plain, 
until  it  reaches  the  riv( 
rw  canal,  makes  its  \ 
Enally  joins  at  the  mi( 
in  t!ic  estuary  of  this  c 
l-nrn  between  it  and 
iiiilo  frum  the  mouth  of 
kad  of  the  Louisville 
enters  the  Ohio  below  t 
reni>val  of  which  has  gi 
\miMy  between  it  an 
hvm  is  so  low  as  to  1 
|ininioiliatcly  above  the  j 
e^liniiig  village  of  Ship 
tat  even  its  most  dcpi 
"''!?,  is  the  newer  and 

iif^h.to  the  south,  then 

P^T  terrace. 

![•    Geologv  of  the 

n?e  of  liills  on  the  wc 
f"  and  six  hundred  feel 
"'•crop,  to  the  ea  .f,  of 

!'■'!  underlie  the  Illino 

'"t-ctfip  of  black  or  De\ 

t  Falls  emerges.     This 


<Vi 


f<llT  I., 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


247 


nin^  are  hut  slowly  absoibctl,  and,  at  the  same  timo,  it  is  so  level  as  to  prc- 

viit  their  rtadily  flowing  oiF.     Thus,  in  times  long  gone  by,  th'  y  aceunmla- 

•,1  ill  the  (lopressions  on  its  surface,  and    overspread  it  witl    ponds  and 

jiiiiitol  elm  and  maple  swamps;  which  dry  up  in  summer  and  autunni,  but  at 

,  then  seasons  send  out  small  streams  that  make  their  way  into  Salt  lliver, 

ar.(l  into  the  Ohio,  both   above  and  below  the    Falls.       The  middle    and 

..itluTi!  portions  of  tliis  plain,  where  the  natiu'al  cisterns  were,  and  still  are, 

t  .Tuatei-t  extent,  is  called  by  the  ominous  name  of  the  'Pond  Settlement.' 

i'iir  ;irea  of  the  entire  plateau  cannot  bo  less  than  sixty  S(juarc  miles ;  the 

■xhi  lie  I  if  which  lies  to  the  summer-windward  of  the  city  of  Louisville,  which 

;.  Iiuilt  111!  it.s  northern  extremity,  opposite  to  and  above  the  Falls.     The  site 

f  tiie  city  itself  was  swampy,  with  .snal'ow  ponds,  and  although  more  than 

..voiitv  years  have  elapsed  since  the  eonimencement  of  settlement,  speei- 

'ii,  IIS  of  both  may  be  seen  within  two  miles  to  the  south  and  west  of  the  city 

;:iv:  lor  the  draining  of  which  a  trench  has  been  dug,  as  may  be  seen  in 

/  .  AY.    Even  tho  streets  of  the  southern  suburbs,  show  a  soil  retentive  of 

1:1  ;-tiire  and  disposed  to  swampiness,  while  the  surface  is  so  level  as  to  render 

I  liiaining  dilP.cvdt.     To  the  south-east  of  the  city,  the  creek  called  Boar- 

I  grass  dcsecnds  from  the  higher  lands,  and  being  joined  by  streams  which 

'ridnate  on  the  plain,  flows  to  the  north  along  the  base  of  the  low  hills, 

until  it  reaches  the  river-bottom,  when  it  turns  to  the  west,  and,  like  a  nar- 

[rw  canal,  makes  its  way  for  a  mile  nearly  parallel  to  the  river,  which  it 

|f.:i'illy  jiiins  at  the  middle  of  the  northern  margin  of  the  city.     The  water 

i'l  till' estuary  of  this  creek  is  generally  foul  and  stagnant;  and  the  slip  of 

li  ttfim  between  it  and  the  river  is  sometimes  overflowed.     A  ([uarter  of  a 

|iiiilc  from  the  mouth  of  Beargrass,  opposite  the  lower  part  of  the  city,  is  the 

rt'::i!  "f  the  Louisville  and  Portland  Canal,  which,  after  running  two  miles, 

er.tirs  the  Ohio  below  the  Falls.     The  bed  of  the  canal  is  in  solid  rocks,  the 

ireni  ival  of  which  has  given  it  high  and  stony  banks ;  but  on  each  side,  and 

|(-ii  >  i;illy  between  it  and  the  river,  after  tho  first  mile  from  its  head,  the 

pttMiii  is  so  low  as  to  bo  subject  to  annual  inundation.     On  this  bottom, 

pmotliately  above  the  junction  of  the  canal  with  the  river,  stands  the  old, 

ling  village  of  Shippingport.     Below  the  junction,  on  a  bank  so  high 

|t'.at  oven  its  most  depressed  portions  are  inundated  only  by  the  greatest 

P '  '1?.  is  the  newer  and  more  growing  tov;n  of  T'ortland ;  in  tho  rear  of 

pliieh.to  the  south,  there  are  many  small  ponds  and  swamps,  situated  on  the 

I'por  terrace. 

n.  Geology  of  the  Falls. — Reference  has  been  already  made  to  a 
^.ii?e  of  hills  on  tho  western  side  of  tho  Ohio.  Their  altitude  k  betwoon 
BK'  and  six  hundred  feet  above  low-water  mark.  They  constitute  the  final 
p'lt-crop,  to  the  ea.t,  of  the  fine-grained  sandstone,  with  beds  of  limestone, 
f'''A\  underlie  the  Illinois  coal  basin.  At  tho  base  of  these  hills  there  is  an 
)'it-crop  of  black  or  Devonian  slate,  and  from  beneath  it  the  limestone  of 


Falls 


\ 


I! 


<!•„ 


'■0.k'j-  ^^  -^B'iX'' 


■■mm: 


s  emerges.     This  limestone,  as  Doctor  Shumard  informs  me,  belongs 


.m^^-H% 


%'  ■' 


:248 


tiff;  principal  diseases  of  the 


.I*'!  . 


■■| 


i  ,'  : 


".'I't  ■•   -J 


■1  1 


to  tlio  Dt.'ViHiiaii  ^TdUjt,  l;iit  i>  I'jir  Ii.,rtlti'  and  iiini'L'  'iit](;,struftil)lu  t!,;,ii  •-. 
folate  wliii-h  rt'sls  upon  it.  \\'itli  tlieso  fads  bulun  us,  the  oxiilahaii,,. 
tho  pnuliictiiiii  (if  iIr!  FalLs  is  imt  (lilliciilt.  Flawing  nvcr  the  liincstumi;. 
the  ea.st,  and  rcaciiiiig  the  suiter  slate,  the  water  woidd  excavatu  it  iii.> 
rapidly,  and  very  si xm  a  descent  i'rniii  one  furniatioii  to  the  other 'mhiII  i, 
ostalilishi'd.  The  depth  of  this  descent  is  prohabl}  still  on  the  incra-. 
The  entire  fall  al  this  time  is  twenty-live  leet  nine  inelies.  AWu  u- 
rapids,  tho  extreme  rise  of  the  river,  from  'ow  to  hi^h- water,  is  futlvf.-' 
two  inches;  helow,  sixty-t'our  feet  live  iin  s.*  The  general  kvd i<!  i;. 
great  terrace  on  which  tlie  city  stands  is  twenty-four  feet  above  lii"li.\v,iv 
luarlc,  wluch  being  I'our  hundred  and  seventeen  feet  above  tho  sea,  iiiii. . 
tlie  elevation  of  the  Louisville  plateau  four  hundred  and  i'orty-oiie  fuit. 

After  the  few  words  wliieh  ha'.e  been  .-aid  (.n  the  geology  of  the  FalK, ;i 
explanation  of  the  origin  of  tlie  [ilateau  which  has  been  ilescribd,  wii! '• 
easily  made.  The  spot  it  oecupic,  was  once  eovereil  by  a  deep  beiloilL.i 
.--late,  which  has  been  washed  away  or  decomposed,  and  left,  in  part,  tin.: 
.stituli;  tlie  present  uuiterials  of  the  plain;  and,  like  those  left  by  all  i. 
integrated  slates,  they  abound  in  argill.ieeous  matter,  which  ]iraviiit:  !:■ 
rain.-  from  sihbing  into  tlie  I'arlli,  and  tlais  swamjis  and  ponds  arc  I'lUri- 
ted.  !"  Had  au  ei]iial  amount  of  sandstone  been  decomposed,  a  dr,  ;.:. 
sterile  plain  would  uow  occupy  the  place  of  that  wblcli  has  beeiuWdir. 
Thus  it  is  that  geology  illustrates  topography.  In  most  jiurts  uf  ;.!■ 
platcar..  excellent  hard  water  is  obtained  by  sinking  wells. 

11[.     Tin;  CiTV  of  J.oi  i.-vn.i.i:  is  in  X.  liut.  'i><"'  ;",  and  W.  Lii.  >■ 
nO'.     Its  position  in  reference  U)  the  river,  the  Falls,  the  estuary ''t'l]..:' 
grass,  and  the  pondy  terrace  to  the  south,  uniy  be  seen  in  J'l.  XL  \wivt: 
times,  a  largo  portion  of  its  dwelling-bouses  were  built  with  basement!  al-: 
tbe  ground,  to   avoid  the  danipn  'ss  of  tho  surface.     Tbe  change  iu  !- 
fashion,  wbicli  is  going  on,  indicates  the  progressive  drying  of  the  A\.   i- 
bouses  are  chieily  of  brick,      .^everal  of  tbe  streets  are  unusually  wiJr,  ) 
parts  of  the   city  are   very  compactly  btult.      Its   spread  has  butii  i![i  5-- 
town  the  river,  uiucli  more  than  from  it,  as  the  sv.ales  and  poiuls  in  its ''- 
lavo  Hunted  its  extension  in  that  direction.     The  descent  of  the  stnot; i:-' | 
the  rivev  is  sucb  as  to  admit  of  successful  tlraiiuige;  but,  at  the  Ji.-t;:!.. 
a  few  sipiares  from  the  bauk,  the  leveluess  is  so  great  as  to  interim' ii:;:;c- 1 
rially  with   the   discharge   of  the  cont';iits  or    the  gutters  into  tbe:*: 
which  has   been  duir  bebind  the  town,  the  outlet  of  wbicli  is  iulotb'"- 
some  distance  below  the  Falls.     The  fuel  of  tbe  city,  formerly  wood ;ii--j 
bs  now  ehietly  eoal.     It  has  no  hydrant  s\stem,  and  well-water  i^uu  w'^-^- 
sal  use.     Its  mannfactin'ing  establishments  are  not  sufficiently  nuuierou.>s'-'-| 
ixtcnsivo  to  merit  tho  attention  of  tbe  etioloiiist,  witb  the  single  exctj" 


I  iiicTiasing  density 


!U'e  low,  !;ut  ri.<e  i 


\ 


n: 


r.^i' 


^r^:    ! 


J 

11 

f  'r 

n 

1 

*  Coloiii'l  Tioiiu;,  T-.  f^.  Toi)on;ra])liical  Engineer,  MP.S.  penes  mr. 

t  Conti-ibiitions  to  the  Geou);iy  of  Ivy.     ]5y  I")octor.-i  Yuiulell  and  Slnnnaru. 


-'<l 


flHTl; 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NUinil  A:\IMItICA. 


i:4!» 


„•  i,iii].-i:inliii;X  'i'"l  S|iiiiiiiiif,'.  Tiuulsvillc  was  Dii^iiially  M'tllrd  hy  eliil- 
Taiil'li'i'iii  Virginia,  lait  at  the  |iru,sciit  liiiio  its  |io|iul!;ti'iii  imliulcs  jicdjilc 
mil  nil  !>t  of  the  states,  and  also  iVum  Variuii.s  kiiigtli  ins  (•!' Kurt.[ie,  t,il'\sliuiu 
ti.'ii'rmans  arc  the  UK.st  imiiiennis. 

;V.    Ai  I'i'MNAi,  Fi:vi:i!s. — From  tlic  earliest  ])eiii.(l  df  its  settlement,  the 

^, !,,.  iilatcau,  friiiu  the  l''alls  t(i  Salt  l>iver,  has  lieen  infested  with  aiitimiiial 

!cM.-.  iitiriiiitteiit  and  remitteiif,  sinijilo  and  iiiali^niaiit.     They  still  |irivail. 

l,ut  nliii't'Viv  clearing,  eultivati-n,  and   (haining  iiave  extended,   they  have 

I  >i:'ul!v  tliiiiiiiished.     SoUiu  iMirtiniis,  iinwever.  liave  re|ielled  tlmse  whn,  ,<et- 

.|ii,_- iiiiiiii,  might    have    traiisfuraied   tlieiii,   and    slill    leiiiaiii    unredaiineih 

I,  iii^vilk' it^uH"  oilers  a  beautiful  exani]ih>  of  the  iiitlueuee  of  eivic  iiii|irnve- 

I  ii;,  .;.•.  ill  iL'stmying  the  ti'|Higra|ilieal  idiiditinus  (iiMvliit  h  these  fevers  do- 

iri'iitl.    I'or  a  lung  time,  when  its  poiadatinii  was  small  and  seattered,  its 

.trcrts  uiiparcd,  and  its  out-lots  oversjiread  with  small  sv  ■im|is  and  shallow 

[link  the  annual  invasions  of  .uituninal  fever  wiTe  severe;  and  in   I'^li'J,  u 

fickh' vc'iii' (iver  the  AVest  generally,  it   was   soiuirged  almost  to  desolation.* 

hVitli  iairtasing  density  of  poi)ulati((n,  howeve-r,  anil  the  eonsei|uent  draining, 

t'litivati'in,  and  drying,  a  great  aniclioratioii   has  taken   j)lace ;  and  fever, 

|f.-iitviallv  tliu  intermittent  form,  is  now  a  rare  oe^'Uiienoe  in  the  heart  of  the 

|ut.:lnit  as  we  advaiiee  into  the  sul)i'rlis,  tlie  disease  inereast'S.      Tiius  a 

1  (iitliriiiuL'  of  a  few  sijuares,  gives  a  striking  dill'erenee  in  iuitumnal  liealtli.t 

Tu  till' east,  the  people  on  both  r^ides  of  Eeargrass  are  peeulir.ily  subject 
iii.fiviT:  anil  to  the  west,  those  of  Ship[iingjiort,  situated,  as  we  have  seen, 
;  a  li)\v  rivur-hottum,  are  ei^ualiy  liable. 


SECTION   VI II. 

BASIN  OF  THE  KENTl'CKY  RIVER. 

I.  A-fK.NT  or  Tin;  Ohio  Fkivi:!;. — The  di>tan(o  fruin  tlic  b^-ills  to  tlie 
|c!  iu!i  (if  the  Kentucky  liivor,  is  si.\ty-two  miles;  the  eoui'M',  in  a  uireet 
li:>.  iKiirly  north-east.  The  river-bottohis,  on  the  left  or  Kentucky  side. 
jjiimt  pre.sent  any  in-port:'iit  town,  or  any  renuirkalde  locality.  The  hills 
jat fir-tare  low,  but  rise  gradually,  and  are  compiised  of  tlie  Devonian  lime- 
ht '!.!'.  wliieh  emerges  at  the  Falls;  to  wliich  ,>-nc(-ceil  iiut-ci-i_p<  of  upper 
J>;hmii,  or  gray  elifl",  and  then  lower  Silurian,  or  Idue  shell  limestone, 
jliiiiiiiiliatcly  above  the  junction  of  the  Kentucky  with  the  Oliid  stands  the 
I'll  villag,'  of  Tort  William,  now  called 

n.  r.viiuoi.Tox. — Tin.'  extensive  bottom  on  whh  li  it  is  built,  consists  of 
ja  narrow  terrace  along  both  rivers,  liable  to  sjjring  inundations,  and  a  higlier 
|s:h  hruailer  platiau,  which  in   tlie   rear   is  depressed,  and  was   i'ormerly  a 


'  J.  P.  Harrison,  M.  D.,  ia  the  Pliil.  Jour. 
'■-jatributious  to  tlio  Gtoi.  of  Ky.     By  Doctors  Yanilcll  and  ShuniKrd. 


.<>: 

.   <!.: 


J^ 


><iii^:--^ 


%  >:*<■ 


-.C..':-:; 


•  .       • 


■■^c:Ji 


I! 


•  4 


■    •   -  '.■,  '   Ml"   t 


m 


250 


TIIF.  riUNCU'AL  DISEASES  OT  TIIR 


[*>«. 


Hit  I.j 


INTER  I< 


H: 


..(  i 


h 


■■■■f 


■  ..;  V 


nl 

1    j:|t,. -;;.■• 

1 

ill ' ' 

.  ■  ■   "  ■'  ■ 

If 

{■,  :'■ 

'■■■,-•■ 

If 

1^:  ■  ,'' .  ■ 
'ii,;  *,•:  * 

i  V' •■^; -^-^Sl 

Mi| 

8W!iinp,  povercd  with  Honii-jujuntic  slirult.s  aiid  herbaceous  jjluiits,  liv  i/, . 
ing  und  destroying  the  iiiitural  vegetation,  thi«  traet  of  forty  nr  fifty  arn., 
now  dry  and  reduced  to  cultiviitioM.  From  Doctor  MaHon,  my  autlidri'v;. 
this  fact,  I  loam  that  formerly  the  jicojih-  living  adjacent  to  tiiis  swami  .  •. 
ferod  greatly  from  fever,  especially  intermittents,  which  even  ovimrni!. 
village;  but  since  tlio  abatement  of  tho  jialiulal  nuisaiu'c,  the  disia^  ,, 
almost  disappeared,  notwithstanding  the  shores  of  tlu'  two  rivciN  m;.,,- 
lu'arly  in  the  condition  in  whicii  they  were  when  the  disease  previiilcij. 

Iir.      (iKM'.UAl-    ClIAKACTKK  OK  TIIH    Kl'.NTL'CKV    IllVI'.It. FroiU  till.' >  >ir,. 

of  this  river  in  the  Cnndierlaiid  .Mountains,  to  its  mouth,  the  dirirt  i  ;:. 
is  lu'arly  north-west;  l)ut  it  does  not  flow  on  that  line.  For  tlio  fiw  i,;;; 
of  its  length  it  runs  nearly  west;  through  the  second  half,  almost  iiim 
In  ascending  it,  for  the  first  thirty  or  forty  ndles  tho  bottoms  ari' ii  . 
width  as  to  admit  of  cultivation,  and,  in  geiu'ral,  so  elevated  as  ii(,t  ti  ■• 
overflowcil.  These  bottoms  gradually  narrowing,  the  opposite  liills  a[iiir,i; 
each  other,  and,  before  we  reach  Frankfort,  tlic  capital  of  tliu  stati, i:v 
sent  a  ravine  with  mural  ])reeipicos;  a  eunformatiou  wliich  continue"  ir; 
great  distance,  and  has  been  already  pointed  out  in  treating  of  the  Karri-- 
burg  Springs.  Beyond  this  ravine,  tiio  upj)er  parts  of  the  river  are  I  •£: 
among  tho  flanks  of  the  Cund)erland  Mountains,  in  the  Ap|ialacliiaii  : 
formation.  Tho  lower  .strata  found  in  tho  walls  of  the  ravine.  bcliuiLMri 
am  assured  l>y  Doctors  Vandell  and  Shumard,  to  tho  oldest  rnnostoni;  m 
witii  in  tlie  southern  Interior  Valley,  as  it  luidorlies  the  blue  Silurian  k- 
stiiic  of  Natchez  and  Cincinnati.  Of  course,  except  near  its  moutii.tt 
alluvial  grounds  of  such  a  river  can  present  nothing  of  interest  to  tlnii;;- 
cal  toi)ographer;  but  tho  river  itself  desorves  attention.  The  fall  tlir  :.: 
its  lower  half  is  so  inconsiderable,  that  the  high  floods  of  the  Oliii  H  : 
c.  crt  an  influentio  as  far  up  as  Frankfort,  seventy-fiv(>  miles.  From  lb 
approach  to  a  horizontal  bottom,  tlio  river  formerly  piesentcd,  in  miihi;  : 
and  autumn,  a  series  of  pools  and  ripples,  from  the  margins  of  wliiclnn- 
lations  arose  which  generated  autumnal  fevers.  A  few  years  since  tin  >!i: 
of  Kentucky  constructed  a  series  of  dams  and  locks,  which  have  cnatiii 
slack-water,  navigated  for  tho  distance  fif  nearly  one  hundred  niilos.  Tk 
tho  river,  exce{)t  when  in  flood,  presents  a  series  of  long  and  deep p -• 
which  do  iu)t  sink  so  low  in  times  of  drought  as  the  natural  pools,  anJai- 
sequently  there  i.«  less  exposure  of  foul  nuirgins  to  tho  sun. 

Anxious  to  ascertain  tho  effect  of  this  change  in  tho  condition  "t  i- 
river  on  autumnal  health,  I  wrote  to  Doctor  Drane,  who  resides  in  .V''- 
castle,  a  few  miles  from  its  left  bank,  and  his  reply  was  that  it  liaJ'': 
increased  tho  annual  sickness.  I  also  wrote  to  Doctor  W.  C.  Snoad, ' 
Frankfort,  who  answered  the  question  as  fcdlows:  "The  slack-watcriii:  M 
the  Kentucky  Eiver,  has  very  matcrial'y  imjiroved  the  health  uf  tliuHi" 
living  along  its  banks.  The  old-fashioned  fevers  have  almust  eiitirt:; 
disappeared,  and  settlements  that  were  ouco  considered  very  unliealta,'  • 


ai 


Ijiitiiiim,  are  nearly  cxc 
ITliavc  paid  .special  att 
Ifcel  fully  sati.slied  that  t 
Icfl'irrHltoii,  however,  1 
IjM  p'li'l  formed  by  a  d 
|l..:i  iii"ro  afloi'tid  by  i 
|T!ii.'v  ili>crc|)aneie.s  are 
|fi|[!ii'  riviT.  Opposite 
y  Poctor  Poano  were 
iFraiikfirt  tlicy  are  narr 
J„iVi'  4one  harm ;  wlier 
It  t'l  liavc  produced  ai 

[\',     I'ltANKKOIlT. — T 

|(bt  tlironglioiit  its  wind' 
1  ti'i'.  except  Frankfort. 
fi.e  buttiiiu  on  which  th 
livo  liigh-ffator  mark, 
phnt  four  hundred  and  (. 
irard  of  three  hundred  1 
i>t.  I'i'tffccn  the  nort 
KPld's.  makes  its  way,  th 
JTiiis  valley,  I  was  tidd,  o 
lave  been  once  tho  bed  of 
pile,  but  a  little  above,  tl 

■!i  the  town  is  built. 

|tiniv,<  Juti'iTs  inundation. 

leot  ami  remittent  fevers, 

leartlie  obsolete  river-bc 

■t  deeply.     The  penitev 

pc  :•'  r,  and  Mr.  Joel  Scott 

iti.  •  i:itfrmittonts  oecurrec 

U-'-ii  ju,st  ((uoted,  the  co 

lii'i  a  deep  and  permanent 

Fi:iiikfort  is  an  old -sett' 

t  supplied  with  hard  wal 

^.   rn.Axi)  Portion  c 

p  basin  is  uneven,  ridfv  ( 

pe almost  unknown;  but 

path  greater  number  for 

pttr.    This  suggests  th 

tf'icrally  are  apt  to  fail,  w 

t'-  beds  of  many  even  ber 

*  ''"k  united  by  tin-cac 

liimted  alluvial  botton: 


f.t»T  I.J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


•J')! 


lautiinin,  arc  nearly  exempt  from  tlio  i'|ii(lt'iiiifs  iimliT  wliicli  tlioy  HufVcrcd. 
lllivi' p;ml  fpi'iMal  iitft.'iitioii  to  this  siilijert  .or  tlio  last  seven  years,  ami 
Ifrfltiillv  ".itislu'il  that  tlic  facts  a1)ovp  stated  are  eonx'(;t."  I^oetm-  >Lmsoii, 
|(fl':irr"ltHii,  however,  has  iiifornieil  me,  that  the  |ieo|ih'  who  reside  nhmj:  tliu 
|§r>t  p'"'l  tftrmed  by  a  dam,  oidy  two  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river,  have 
llM!iin"ro  affected  by  uiitiimiial  fever  than  before  the  ereetioii  of  tho  dam. 
|t!u..,' ili.«crc|)aiu'ies  arc  resolved  by  referring  to  the  charaeter  of  the  banks 
|{iftlif  river.  ()|i|iosite  the  first  pool  they  are  Itroad  ;  where  tlie  ol)servationa 
|(,i  Iiiictnr  Doaiie  were  made,  they  are  mueli  narrowed,  and  at  and  al)ove 
JFMiiktnrt  tlicy  are  narrower  still.  "Where  tho  bottoms  are  widest  the  dams 
jlivi' 'luiie  harm;  where  narrowest,  good;  wliere  intermediate,  they  seem 
inttoliave  produced  any  efleet  on  heultli. 

IV.    FuANKfouT. — The  bottoms  of  the  Kentueky  lliver  are  so  narrow, 

llbt  tliriiiiulKiut  its  whide  length  there  i.s  not  a  town  entitled  to  tho  slightest 

"tko,  except  Frankfort.     The  fourth  lo';k-dam  is  about  a  mile  below  it. 

lie  Wti.m  on  wliieh  the  town  stands  la  north-east  of  the  river,  elevated 

kb'ive  high- water  mark,  and  has  an  altitude  above  the  tlulf  of  ^lexico  of 

lilt  four  liiiiulred  and  eighty  feet.     Its  area  is  very  limited,  and  hills  up- 

|rarJ  ul'  three  hundred  feet  high  elosely  environ  it  to  the  west,  north,  and 

PR'twoon  the  northern  and  eastern  hills  a  small  stream,  with  swaley 

Kinlers,  makes  its  way,  through  a  valley  disproporti(jnately  wide,  to  tho  river. 

I'tis  valley,  I  was  told,  opens  into  the  river  behnv  the  town,  and  seems  to 

lave  hem  once  the  bed  of  a  part  of  the  river.     To  the  south,  on  the  oj)posite 

m,  hut  a  little  above,  there  is  a  tract  of  bottom-land  as  large  as  that  on 

iriiich  the  town  is  built.     It  is  less  elevated  than  the  town-plot,  and  some- 

liiiies  suffers  inundation.     This  locality  lias  always  been  subject  to  intermit- 

leot  and  remittent  fevers,  in  which  the  people  living  in  South  Frankfort,  and 

learthe  olxsolete  river-bed  to  tho  north-east  of  the  town,  have  participated 

•lift  Jocply.     The  penitentiary  of  tho  state  stands  near  tho  upper  end  of  this 

lutlet.  ami  Mr.  Joel  Scott,  who  was  its  keeper  for  nine  years,  informed  me 

cat  intcrmittents  occurred  among  the  convicts  every  autumn.     According  to 

hmi  just  quoted,  the  conversion  of  the  river  opjiosite  and  above  the  town 

Bt'i  a  deep  and  permanent  pool,  has  diminished  tho  fre(iuency  of  fevers. 

Frankfort  is  an  old -settled  town.     Its  Lat.  is  30"  14'  N.     Tho  inhabitants 

supplied  with  hard  water. 

y   1  ri-Axi)  Portion  of  the  Kentucky  Hiver  Basin.  —  Every  part  of 

hi  basin  is  uneven,  ridgy  or  hilly,  rising  in  the  east  into  mountainous.    Swamps 

le almost  unknown;  but  it  has  some  small  natural  ponds,  and  latterl}',  a 

ph  greater  number  formed  artificially,  not  for  irrigation,  but  for  stock- 

pttr.    This  suggests  that  tho  tributary  streams  of  tho  Kentucky  Kiver 

lencrally  are  apt  to  fail,  which  is  the  fact.     In  dry  summers  and  autumns, 

p  heds  of  many  even  become  dusty,  while  all  are  reduced  to  the  condition 

piols,  united  by  thready  currents.     As  most  of  them  have  rocky  beds 

hniitcd  alluvial  bottoms,  this  drying-up  is  not  accompanied  by  the  pro- 


.^'*-  :i;.r  P;' 


J! 


I 


►/•tH. 


-r.  ?. 


yJ/,- 


262 


Tin;  I'IMNriI'M,  mSKASKS  Ul"  Till', 


ik*r 


iii; 


INTIlIJloi 


•  k 


iliit'lliiii,  Id  uiiy  j^rciit  cxtoiit,  iif  iiiitiiiiiiial  fuver;  mnl  iin  rL';,'iiin  ovtr»L.i 
wo  liave  tnivulu'tl,  cast  of  tliu  Mi»,siN«i|i|ii,  is,  on  tlio  wlinlc,  iiinn.  fxcim,.   •, 
Is  (i  fa<t,  ImwcviT,  that  I'vt.'ii  tlio.Hi)  rklju'i's  uliicli  nru  si'|)anil(il  Itv  tl.i  i, 
ti'aii.sieiit  lii'iMik.s,  ami  wlicro  Mcarccly  any  hiirt'aci'-wator  can  lio  ni'ih  iitt.r-J 
HUiniiifr  Miil.sti<n\  nuiittml  lover  is  nut  iinoniiniion  ;  wliilo  in  tlu'  nui^lil,  r..' 
of  tilt!  lai'i^'iT  .streams  tliiTo  arc  siiporaililud  iiiiM  intonnittoiifs;  tlieliiNH 
huwoviT,  arc  tliu  nmrc  lri'(|uont  of  the  two.     This  liasin  oiini|pri,sfs  tlicli..;! 
ftutth'nu.'iitH  anywhoro  i.n  tlio  trilmtarics  of  tho  ( >hio,  oxi-opt  thnse  nfW,.-. 
IVniisylvania,  as  thry  dato  liaik  to  the  year  177  h  und  eon,>-c(|U(iitlvit»: '. 
nro  oxtcnsivoly  th'stroyod  or  tidnnud  ont  ;  and  most  of  its  s\n'f;i(o  v.a- ;• 
sinoo  transforniod  fnun  a  wihl  to  u  cuhivatcd  stato.     Tiirough  all  tin,-    :.| 
ditions,  consfiinrnt  on  it>  si'ttlcniont,  it  soeius  to  have  Iumii  Imt  liglitlv.ll;  v| 
wiHi  autinnnal  fovor,  oxi'i'|it  on  the  hanks  of  tliu  lar^ror  streams.    Tin-' 
topic'rapliy  of  a  few  localities  will  fnrtlier  illustrate  the  wliolo. 

\'f.     l>A\vii.i.i:. — This  town,  one  of  the  oldest  of  the  state,  is  situr:;! 
ton  nnlcs  smith -east  from  Ilarrodslmr;.',  and  two  nulcs  from  l>ii'k'sll^ 
trilmtary  of  the  Kentucky.     .\s  the  seat  of  a  eollogo  and  of  the  St;it.' 1 
and  Dunih  Asylinn,  it  has  claims  to  a  passing,'  nutico  of  its  t(ip(igr:i|l.vK(i| 
antimnial  health.     The  site  is  a  fl.'itted  rid^re,  [tassing  into  a  si;rt'n'\  € 
luveler,   especially  to  the  south-east.     There  aro   sniuo  small  [Mini]..  1  •: 
natur.al  ami  iirtilicial.  in  its  neii:hl)orhood,  hut  no  marshes.     lt.s  riviild.  .' 
Sjtreanis,  like  those  in  other  p.arts  of  tlit-  Iiasin,  lieconn;  .slu^'gisli  ^r  i!vv  : : 
sunnner  and   e.irly  autumn.     Jiike  the  ueiL'hljoring  town  of  Iliinnl.!  .-.•I 
already  de.^crihed.  it  is  very  slightly  affected  hy  autumnal  reiiiilti.nt  ;■.• 
Danville,  just  <lescrihed,  stands  not  far  from  the  most  soutliurii  |i'.rt; 
the  LH'eat  hend  of  the  Kentucky  Itiver,  mentioned  in  the  genentl  iIi'Mii];;:! 
Wo  must  now  cros>  the  river  to  the  north,  and  say  .sumothing  of  tlii'tr:;: 
country  found  within  the  liend. 

VI  T.    OOLNTIKS  IN  Oil  NKAll  Til  11  CllUI.VT  BkXD  OF  THE  KkXTITKY  llHii.- 

The  Counties  of  this  locality,  are  ('lark,  Jessamine,  Fayotto,  Scntt,  ami  \\'  .' 
ford,  which  have  over  been,  and  still  are,  regarded  as  the  gardeii-spit  iilv:'| 
tucky.     Tlu^y  aro  among  the  oldest-settled  portions  of  the  ."^tate,  aii'l 
surface  is  nearly  all  inclosed.     The  natural  herbage,  cane-brakes,  aipl  v"' 
bery  are  destroyed;  but  many  open  forests  have  boon  preserved,  and  a  t:'l 
of  blue-i^'rass  flourishes  iK.'Ueath  their  shade.     The  sub-stratum  uf  tlaMv„'.-j 
is  Silurian  limestone,  on  which  rests  a  deep  stratum  of  loam  and  laeld.  .M.;i-:..'j 
aro  almost  unknown,  but  artificial  pimds  arc  numerous.     Tlic  sta'aii)?.  ^1 
sunnner.  become  stagnant,  and  many  dry  up.     In  Fayette,  tlio  coutnii : 
most  important  county,  much   of  the  surface  originally  jireseiitiil  <lo.i' 
ahnost  level  dep.osits  of  black  soil,  abounding  in  moisture,  and  (iver.-i;."--! 
by  dense  cane-brakes.     The  orgaine  matters  contained  in  the.-^o  be(i>. '■'^■1 
long  since,  by  eultivatitm.  been  thoroughly  cx|tosed  to  the  actioa  ot'tliesirT 
rains,  and  sun.     This  tract,  so  noted  for  its  fertility,  is  drained  by  I'^'f-' 
born,  a  tributary  of  Kentucky  lliver;  and  has  been  made  the  .subject:'! 


.^rintlioTraiismctioii 
bin.'uijlio'l  Ahhi''  ("oi'i 
L*,;,i|,iiii"ii,  that  fheic 

;,':ir.  till.'  (loc.iy  of  \.'ii 
kvl'irovalciirc  (if  iiiteri 
li'iii'tlic  tniiik  and   hi 
Iritti  ■illiiviiil  ground,  but 

■  W  lliT. 

VIII,    Lkxi.mitox.  - 
|r.i  i,.ii,  ^4"   •-'()'    W. 
iiiiu  iif  tlic  upper 
Hii;!i'.-liipi"»  towards  w 
mw*  it  flows  oil'  to 
pi  !iiii,«  fiviiti'S  a    linil 
|tv,    Miii'i'iiver.  ill  ditli  r 
i'l'dly  miilidatiiig.  dm 
any 'it'  tlio  brooks  have 
lifli'Sr  iiitoniiitt.Mit   ff'V( 
'ill' ('"1111111111.     Jiexin;:'t 
iiliwii  fiiiiiilics,  for  will 

1'".      A  siiiitlieni    pir 
't''ii  iiiiiiitlis  ill  that  ci 


u 


r.!ir:''.'iiiciit  of  the  splee 

'I  >iiiroi'ed  for  a  eoiisi 

l.'Kin.'tiiii  Was  once  th 

•'■    The  first  Lunatic 

Mi»i>>i|ipi,  wei'e  cstii 

^i!ir  Has  urbanized  in   tli 

liiii^'."'  ill  the  Interior  A 

1-  :it  such   di.^tant    poi 

h.  tlic  editors  of  joi 

i'li  tills  testimony  to  a  • 

|I.\.    Simth  of  the  (hill 

"''t"n;  north  of  that  ri 

'  Kriititeky,  of  hemp. 

pr'.iii'li  every  region  fro: 

i"l,viiii.'.    South-east  of 

t.'iii  tlio  slopes  of  the  A 

h'|icars  lienc'ath    the    s 

Jniiiiti'iii.      Of  the  prev: 

kut'ky  River  I}a,i„,  I  , 

pty  miles,  the  topogra) 

■'"It's  deeply  cut,  and  o1 

rcl «itli  (lay  hearing  a  t 


kit:  I.' 


iNTKiuon  vam.f:v  of  north  ami:i!I('.\. 


..).i 


<t  * 


(lt.'M'l'I(iIi'tl 

if  tlietrai;tv!J 

CKV  Knu-I 
-tt,  ami  W.  ;• 
-siiiit  !•;  K-'.' 
iti',  aiiJ  il.a| 
.■«,  ainl  ■)\d' 
1,  iiiid  a  i-'l 
lit'  tlieV>if" 

■  strcani!.  il 
0  central  :i'i 
ti'd  ilitl'  i-'l 
„\-er,-li;ii:«lf 
.<e  boil-,  l-'^l 
oil  of  tlie  M 
,ll,vtl;>'E;H 

;  >ulii--t 


i,iri:i  tlio  Traiisu'titiiiH  (»r  till'  Aiiioricni  l'iiili)su|iliiriil  S<icirty,  \iy  tlir  hito 
.riiL-ul-lic'l  Altlx''  ('••rrc.'i,  I*nrtu;.'iu'.-('  .Minister  to  flio   I'liitcil  Sfiitc-,  wlio 

1 , !  nliini'itl,  tllllt  tllcTC   llilil  nIKM'  lu'Cll   ll|iiill   it  II    ITHNlf   «ll')i(i'^it  nf  Vt'J.'I'tlllllt.' 

r  ill,'  iji'iMV  iif  \,'ncli  liiiil  pciioriiti'il  tin;  tl('('|i  Htnitiuii  iA'  iii'M.     'I'lio 
;,.' i,rc'vali'iici'  (ifiiitiTiuiiU'iit  t'oviT  witliin  the  district  \vi'  nrc  now  t'X|iIiiritiir, 
till' trunk  iiiiil  Iiraiici/'s  of  tlif    l'",lkliiprn,  vlifrc  it  is  lurt  citiiiicftfil 
I,  but  with  tlio  rt'iliKLd  vuliiiiii)  ami  .>l;ii,'ki'iiL'il  current  of 


li'ii: 


tllHial  U'MUIK 


'  water. 


Vlll,    LuxiXiiTov,  —  Till-  city  (if  TiOxiii.irton  sfuiids  in    f,:it.  :!s">  '2'  N., 
I.Mii.   ^4"    -(y    W.       Its    cK'Vatinii    iilinvi'    tlic    sea    is    citrtit    IlillHli'cd 
iljieoftlio  upper  liraiiclicN  (if  Mlklmrii  ('reck  pa.'^M's  fliriiu^,di  if.  tlio 
ii' ..lii|ie'<  tdwarils  wliidi,  cause;  n   perfect  draiiiairc  nl  tlic  site;   Init  tlio 
ItpaninHt  flnws  nil'  tn  tlic  west,  sinks  iiitn  pudls,  iii  siMiinicr  and  aiitiimu. 


I  tliii.' cri'Mtcs  a    limited  sdiircc  nf  iiisalulirity,   tn  tl;e   wind 


M 


iil'CdVlT, 


ill  difl 


ereiit  dircctiniis  rniiml  tile  citv.  till'  surface,  a!th<ini.di 


\va-i|  ( 
It 


f  t 


10 


:.|iillv  iiinliilatiiiir.  dncs   imt   favnr  a  rapiil  t'sca|ic  uf  flic  rain-water,  aud 
iVdt' till' iiriKiks  liave  ii  slui:',i.'isli  current  with  spniiiry  linrders.      Ncver- 


iiitoniiittoiit   ft'vcr.<  nro  alumst   uukimwu,    and    remittciit.- 


hv    no 


'iiaimi 


1.     Lcxinytoii  is  Lrradiiallv  liecomiiii 


suniuier-rc'^iileiic 


lor 


mvrn 


tainilics  for  whi 


ell   its  topoMrapliical   cninjitioii   o-ives  it  a  de( 


ided 


A  snntlicru  jihysiciaii    told   me  that,  while   ;i    student,  ho  spent 

gb'iii  iimiitlis  ill  that  city,  during;  which,  without   the  use  of  medicine,  an 

lit  of  tlio  spleen  —  the  result  of  intermittont  fever  —  under  wliieli 


jfLTliie 


>l,v 


siiiTorcd  for 


coiisulera 


hie  t 


ime,  was  eiitirolv  reiiioveil 


'•XlllJ 


.M 


111  was  once  the  metropolis,  not  only  of  Kentucky,  liiit  of  the 
Tlic  first  JiUiiutic  Asylum  and  the  first  I'liiver.sity  in  tlio  Valley  of 
Ms>i|ipi,  were  estahlished  there.     The  medical   department    of  the 


liiir  \v;is  iir^uiiized  in  the  autuniii  of  1^17.  and  then  lic'^aii  tin 


ISO  mei 


ileal 


h  iiiii;'s  ill  the  Interior  Vallev,  which 


are   now  comliu 


ted  I 


)y  so  many  per- 


at 


siH'li  distant    jioints.      Its  (i/miu/l  have   lieconie   the   founders   i»f 


dit 


le  editors  i 


if  journals,  and,  larirely,  coutrilnitois  to  the  work 


ui 


'iii-ii 


Ins  testimony  to  a  |iioiieer  institution  is  recorded. 


j  I.\.    Siiutli  of  the  Oumlierland  Jliver.  the   prevailing  a^irriculture  is  that 

'"ttmi;  niirth  of  that  river,  to  the  Kentucky  Kiver,  of  tobaeeo;  north  of 
Ki'iitiicky,  of  hemp.  Wheat  ruii.s  through  the  whole,  as  maize  runs 
pr.iiL'h  fvery  ro^aou  from  the  (Julf  of  Mexico  up  to  that  we  are  now 
I'lviiij:.  South-east  of  licxingtou.  at  the  distance  of  forty  or  fifty  miles, 
|t.'iii  the  slopes  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  aud  the  Silurian  rmiestonc 
ifq'pears  beneath    the    shales    and  sandstones  of  the    Appahuhiaii  coal 

iiatiflii.      Of  the  prevalence  of  autunuial  fever  in  that   portion  of  the 

tntueky  Kivor  ]Jasin,  1 

■^■iity  miles,  the  t 

'iiies  ( 

||  with 


I  not  informed.     North  of  Ijcxingtoii  for  about 
opograpliy  remains  nearly  unchanged ;  then  the  surface 
Iwply  cut,  and  of  course  ruirc:ed.     The  Silurian  limestone  is  c(»v~ 


ly  bearing  a  thin  layi^r  uf  soil,     b'urfaee-water  is  scuvee. 


Th( 


1r 


>y' 


* 


'^  ••'■- 


*              ■            ,                     '. 

ti54 


THE  PRINClx'AL  DISEASES  OE  THE 


1"OOJ  I, 


principal  stream,  Ea^lo  Creole,  a  tril)utary  of  tlio  Kentucky,  .sinks  lnwai,] 
l)ceoinos  poiuly.  On  tin;  ridges,  except  near  the  stream,  intermittijnt>  .^i 
almost  unkinnvn,  but  remittents  occur  more  or  less  every  year.  (Ivirt  . 
kind  of  surlacu!  v.v!  reach  th(;  Ohio,  l)et\veen  tlie  inimth  of  the  Kuiturt- 
]{iver,  and  that  of  Licking  eighty-five  miles  higher  uj),  and  nearly  yf , 
degree  farther  north.  Between  the  two  there  is  no  locality  that  UKn-. 
special  notice. 


|il-i-..^^= 


•  'j^ 


.-■■1 
■,l 


r     ,' 

■ 

■■ 

■n: 


i:   V 


I 


'I 


SECTION   IX. 

HASIN  OE  LICKING  RIVER  :    NORTH-EAST  KENTUCKY. 

I.  liic.  ng  Hive;-  maybe  compared  with  Green  and  the  Kcntuctv,  i: 
which  it  is  parallel  incour.se,  and  a|i]iroachos  in  size  and  the  area  of  ;:i 
basin.  Its  sources  are  among  the  outliers  of  the  Cumbcrluiiil  Mijuntjii:, 
immediately  north  of  those  of  tho  Kentucky  River ;  its  jmictidii  >vit!i!';: 
Ohio  i.s  opposite  Cincinnati.  Its  souther;',  tributaries  interlock  with  tl;;: 
of  the  Kentucky  Ri\er,  its  northern  with  the  brooks  and  rivul;  ts  ivij.; 
flow  into  the  Ohio.  Connnencing  in  the  Appalachian  coal  forinatk  ii 
pours  its  waters  into  the  Ohio,  over  the  lower  Silurian,  or  blue  slicll  h-- 
stone  of  Cincinnati.  I  may  add,  that  it  flows  a  greater  distance  tliiMi.: 
that  formation  tlian  any  other  affluent  of  the  Ohio  lliver.  Aliiio.st  tverv- 
where  it  winds  tortuously  through  a  ravine,  embracing  narrow  alkvi 
grouuils,  or  none  at  all,  until  it  approaches  t.Se  Ohio,  where,  like  those  I't'ti.; 
other  tributaries,  they  widen.  Its  bed  and  banks  are  generally  cmiip-:; 
of  rock.  Its  current  is  unequal,  and  in  summer  and  autumn  it  ]^rt:c:- 
alternate  pools  and  ripples.  Thus,  in  some  ])laccs  where  it  winds  s:.; 
labors  among  the  hills,  the  surface  of  stagnant  water  becomes  quite  as  grtsi 
?.s  if  the  country  were  flat  and  pondy.  In  the  spring  of  tlio  year,  ::• 
freshets  jiten  overflow  its  banks.  Nearly  all  its  tributaries  conform  .'ii  ti- 
actly  to  its  model,  that  a  sei)arate  description  is  unnecessary. 

The  smface  of  this  basin,  as  far  up  as  the  eastern  out-cri.^  )f  the  Sik'X 
limestone  (which  is  nearly  as  far  as  we  find  much  population), is rifc 
and  rathe  "  arid,  but  has  scattered  mill-ponds,  and  is  beginning  to  al)d 
in  artificial  ponds,  on  which  the  agricultural  population  rely  for  stock-water. 
as  permanent  springs  are  scarce,  and  wells  not  only  difficult  to  be  t 
through  the  hard  Silurian  strata,  but  often  unproductive  of  mucli  waisr 
More  than  half  of  this  basin  has  but  a  thin  covering  of  mold,  resting  on  a  fc 
stratum  oi  yellow  clay,  containing  very  little  sand;  but  the  rcmaii:^':!;^' 
fertile  as  any  portion  of  the  Ohio  Basin.  The  predominant  trees  of  ttt 
former  variety  of  soil,  are  oak;  the  'after  is,  or  rather  was,  clothed  in  tms 
and  shrubs  whicli  .flourish  on  the  richest  soils  of  the  middle  latitudes.  («• 
shadowing  the  most  northern  cane-brakes  found  in  the  Great  Interiur^s-- 
ley.     Among  the  forest  trees  I  may  designate  two  as  abounding,  and  '^ti  ■ 


iRTl.| 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


255 


re  almost  a;'!  cluiractcristio  (if  ii  Ideality  but  little  iufcsttMl  with  ;ni(\niin!il 

Vvi'F  .IS  the  cyiiri'S.s  and   li((iii(Ia)iiliar  arc  imlicativc  of  tlic  upiidsite  fondi- 

.;,M_llicy  arc  tlic  lihic  ash  (  Fnuiii/ts  (//((ii/i(iii;/'i/(/f((  )  aiid  [irickly-slicllcd 

i^th'\i'(yi'>!''"l"'<  O/ilocii.sis). 
Si'ine  portions  of  this  basin,  as  the  counties  of  Mason,  Nicholas,  and  l^oiir- 

1j„ii  wliic'li  constitute  its  (X'uter  froninortli  to  sotitli,  are  anid'      the  oldest- 

..>ttlf(l  and  nlo^t  |i(i|inldus  jiarts  of  tlio  st;ite  of  Kentucky,  bi,,    the  infertile 

.,i!.:ire  still  hut  thinly  peopled, 
(i;' uutumiial  fever  it  may  be  stated,  that  tlic  intermittent  variety  is  lim- 

iii'd  til  the  neighborhood  nf  the  water-coiu'scs,  where  it  appears  annually  in 

;; -iiiivk' and  mitigated  form.     The  remittent  variety  occurs  in   tlu;  same 

iilitiu.'',  and  also  on  the  dryest  ridges,  between  whiidi  there  .ire  no  stag- 

iiit  watiTS.     Its  character  is  commonly  simple  or  inflammatory,  tending  to 

2( 'iitiiiuud  or  typlious  type.     But  1  may  express  this  fact  in  a  more  specific 
!niai;ner.    It  is  instructive  to  travel  along  the  valley  of  the  Licking,  and  it.s 
;,,;t;irii'S  —  Stoner,  Ilinkson,  Jidmson's  Fork,  and  the  Nortti  Fdrk  —  and 
■\  iiitiimittents  every  autuiim,  while  the  intervening  tracts  of  low-ridgy 
1  irM  surface  between  them,  remain  exempt,  but  arc  liable  to  remittents. 
,i;.  ::.v' 'jiiL'L' flourishing,  but  now  decayed  town  of  Washington,  Doctor  l>ay- 

k".a  native  of  the  place,  informs  me  intermittents  are  absidutely  unknown; 

kt  remittents  occur  more  or  less  every  autunni.     There  is  so  little  surfaee- 
[m'.t,  that  the  inhabitants  have  sometimes  b'cen  coi'ipelled  to  haul  water 
llr  111  tk' Ohio,  at  3Iaysville,  a  distance  of  four  miles. 
Tnthe  ciituldgue  of  anonnilies  presented  by  our  autumnal  fever,  I  may 

»il  two,  which,  it  is  true,  are  multiples  of  known  irregularities,  rather  than 

ID  ■Vfhiui!. 

].  In  the  year  1795,  a  family  settled  in  the  woods,  one  mile  out  of  the 
iiL'i' of  Mayslick,  in  ^lason  county,  on  dry  blue-asli  ridges,  remote  from 
IJ -tagnaiit  water,  aiul  remained  entirely  exenqit  from  autunnial  fever  until 
fs:  lall  (if  1800,  when  three  children  were  seized,  alxiut  the  same  time, 
Miiilile  tertian  intermittents,  wldch  jiroved  obstinate,  but  not  violent. 

■iKij.'l.bors  around  remained  unaffected,  and  the  disease  did  not  again 
C'ur  in  the  family. 

The  village  just  named  was  situate  under  nearly  the  same  topograph- 
|[ai  drcumslanees.  It  was  settled  in  the  year  1781-!,  and  its  inhabitants  rc- 
pi:;'il  free  from  autumnal  fever,  with  the  exception  of  sporadic  cases,  until 
|l;  autumn  of  ISOG,  when  an  endemic  remittent,  manifesting  a  typhous  ten- 
h':}-.  arose  and  prevailed  for  two  months,  affecting  part  of  the  inhabitants 

almost  every  house  in  the  village,  with  many  in  its  vicinity.*  By  a 
Ifitul  examination,  I  ascertained  that  the  topographical  circumstances  of 
l;  village  were  the  same  that  year  that  they  had  been  before,  except  what 
N.t(d  from  a  groat  drought ;  the  very  condition  which  is  said  to  preserve 
V>  localities  from  autumnal  fever,  and  promote  it  in  the  wet. 
I "    The  Blue  Licks. — This  singular  locality  deserves  a  passing  notice. 


--»^ 


.  '  ':            \ 

- :  ■  !i 

•    1 

'                      t            •       • 

* 

.  -1 

i      .    ■  •     * 

■  i\ 

r.:i  ?. 


n^ 


)•"  .' 


'I..'--:  ,.' V  .ri  ■ 


M.rx: 


":'^'.;Hf  ,-• 


*'.■' 


*  Drake,  in  Barton's  Med.  and  Phys.  Jour.,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  85. 


■If 


r'fl. ,  V 


«'     I, 


it-'  : 

1 

:'i 

'f 

*.  t 

i     ■ 
!   ■''' 

t           \ 

'■  ■  '1 

--, 

■'■ 

'■■  • ' 

.  '■ 

.  , 

I'  .i 


•  It 


.*f:^:-i-^ 


■"f-".-'^'-': 


.i-*-  ■''    '■  t 


i?i-f.ft:;,-:.^; 


' 

,•) 

.  •    :         '    , 

il 

liii 

pft.;;: 

r 

IwW 

'»•     i',  ' 

i 

^M::    ^ 

256 


THE  nilNCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOS 


Tts  cciifcr,  t\v(Mity-rmif  miles  soutli  from  tlic  Oliin  at  IMnvsvillc.  i,>;  travir..:] 
by  Lickiiiu'  l!iv  r,  (ni  the  li.iiiks  of  wliiili  arc  tli(!  i^'-'iHiics,  vulL'iirlv  cam 
'Licks,'  iVdiii  the  prai'ticf  wliii-li  the  licrMvdrnns  animals  (if  tlic  tiiiv>t  lA 
iif  lickinix  the  salin'  cavtli  ai'diiiid  such  spi'Iiii'^s.  Tlic  l)i'iiip  (if  tJK'si..  j'lnjr. 
tains  is  sn  (iiliitc,  tliat  s:ilt  is  no  Idii'i-cr  manufactured  from  it."^' 

The  cliaracteri.-tic  ef  this  locality  is  the  ahsence  cf  the  stratiuu  (it'>hil;,.,i 
Uiam  fri'iii  ihe  Silurian  limestone,  ami  a  u'l'cat  (lcfici('ncy  (if  fdi^.t  inv. 
The  surlace  presents  liltle  else  llian  dark  lunss-covcrod  rocks,  ]ii  Ian,- 
years,  however,  gi'ovcs  (if  red  cedar  are  bo^'inuiiiji  to  overspread  iiml  ! . 
crease  its  wildness.  At  Avhat  time  and  from  what  cause  this  tract  ].  .r ;., 
earthy  cuvcrinu',  and  liccaiiu.'  denuded  of  trees,  or  vvlietlior  they  li;iil  a!\v:iv, 
been  kept  friini  u'rowin^-  there,  canmit  he  tdld.  3Iauy  years  ii^i'.  tlii' ii;. 
Colonel  .James  Mdrrismi,  of  LexinLitim,  iniurmed  me,  that  he  first  vImm 
this  spot  in  177"),  at  which  time;  the  lmll'alo(n'  hisoii  (  JJos  Aim-iiauiiix]i\,. 
((ueuted  it  in  ^U(■ll  numbers,  that  they  had  formed  roads  to  it  fnjiii  vari ;; 
parts  of  the  country.  They  were  accustumed  to  remain  in  the  viiiiii;;  ; 
the  spiiugs  (  drinking  the  salt  water)  for  many  days,  on  each  visit,  uml  ■ 
their  ('.epredatious  and  tramjiiniiS,  with  the  action  of  the  rtiins.  lie  a.rp.; 
the  fdrmation  of  this  desert  in  the  midst  of  a  fertile  country.  TIumIn-;. 
ery  of  t!io  bones  of  the  mastoddu.  and  nther  gigantic  extinct  liti'liim:';- 
animals,  near  the  springs,  shows  that  tlu'y,  also,  had  frequented  tli.- li'ditv 
The  Hlue  Licks  are  now  I'csortcd  to  as  a  watering-place.  ^Iiu'latf  iif  >i4 
with  abnn(hiueo  of  sul^iliureted  liydrngen  gas,  is  the  preddiiiiiiaiit  ii:;-- 
dient  of  the  water;  which  \fi  shipped  in  liarrels,  and  extensively  ouiiMfei 
over  Mk'  West  and  South. 

Ill  fiirmer  times,  when  salt  was  manufactured  hero  by  furnaco-licit. au- 
tumnal fever  seems  to  have  prevailed  but  little.  Latt(!rly.  liifflvvo'.";! 
sluggish  river  which  winds  round  the  springs,  generates  interiiiittoiits. \vU 
nevertheloss  do  not  become  jirevalent  until  the  latter  part  of  suuiiin;'.  »i 
watering-places  are  nut  miudi  fre(|uented.  As  stnne  etiohigists  liavi' tis-i  I 
upon  snl[iliuretted  hydrdgeii  as  the  efficient  cause  of  autnmiinl  iVvor,  i: iiflj 
be  asked,  whether  tlie  intermittents  of  this  locality  slnuild  net  W  rfrM 
to  that  gas.  The  answer  is,  tliat  tlie  river  is  also  present,  ami  tl;!  "^ 
disease  occurs  with  still  trreatcr  vii'lonce  in  other  iiiaces  aloiiL'  that  ^irui 
where  no  sulphuretcd  hydrogen  is  disengaged. 

In  conclnding  this  acc(uint  of  the  Licking  Tjasin,  I  may  roiiKM'k  tlaU 
ascending  towards  the  S(nirces  of  the  river,  to  the  margin  of  the  cunl  ki-::,;- 
country  bep(mics  so  barren  and  broken,  that  its  population  is  sparse,  aiw-j! 
but  little  is  known  to  me  of  its  autumnal  health.  That  little  iudii-'atcMn 
bo  good. 


f.iBri.j 


INTIi 


ni,     b'.l.VKS  OF 

:i  kiiiiml  iiiilcs  the 
vi.ii  may  l<ii>k  down 
;'  that  river.     (.)ii 
.Vwiii'rtaialCuviiigl 
Locality,  and  can  lie  1 
\.\i  riviT  fmni  tills  jn 

'■A>\\  'if  Imttollls,  ;i 

li'Vatid  above  ortliiia 

.\fi;isi.i,  an  eld  \ 

:.;.''i  liiittciiiis,  with  hi 

.■iti'.    Tlic  next  loca 

.M.IV-'  ri.i.K.— This 
;:;!.■  stall'  ^f  Iveiiluck\ 
:;■!::  a  claiiu  which  is 
ifXurtli-east  KentucI 
:  ivliii-li  is  never  reac 
jwitiTS  tile  Ohiu  at  the 
V.m  iM.tti.ni;  hut  hot 
Jclidy  adjacent  hills  ar 
|["i.>ite  >id(.'  (if  the  rivei 
j-nidiiiics  ovcrflijwed. 
laru'f  a  mild  idiaracter. 
Tiic  (il.io  Itivor  aho 
ll.a!ik«  and  liills  as  below 
Jriiii  the  latter  become  i 
l(iiawi.'e(ifge(ilegicaIelKii' 
jfliltiiijrswith-eastwardlj 
pn  saadstune  and  shiti 
|ir.'nieiicef(,rth,  as  lono' 
iJ'l.-Ill  enlitlliucs,  Ave   slui 
^'riiiatiiiiis.  witli  aspects  ( 
'"'IV  hecii  lo(dving,  as 
N^vir,  we  must  recur  to 


fJENERAL 

''  ■'■'.^■'"iiildetedasm 
'■  "lii'»  south  of  tha 
^»'  ■'•  P'ti't  of  the  basin 
rj5^J'M,fit«t„pographi 
J'  its  simtliern  and  we 
^'"'■■1'  enter  the  Tenncssc 


''f^'"tutes  its  northorn  a 


n 


an 


nWi-. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA 


257 


III      ]]aXKs  of   THK    (JlllO    NORTH    OF    TIIIO    LiCKIXti    JjA^l.V. Yol'    IK'arly 

I  liumlial  miles  the  Licking  basin  extends  aluiust  to  tho  liills,  from  wliicli 
,,.iiii;iv  I'Mili  down  u[)iin  the  Ohio  Kiver.  Lot  us  tleseonil  up6ii  tlie  hanks 
iif  tliut  liver.  On  eitlicr  side  of  tiie  mouth  of  Licking,  are  tlio  towns  of 
\.ffiii.it;iinH.'"vington  (  /'/.  XIII ),  wliieli,  liowevor,  l)clong  to  tlie  Cincitniati 
.lalitv  ami  can  he  hest  noticed  in  connection  with  tliat  city.  In  ascending 
sliver  fniiii  this  point,  its  h'l't  or  southern  hank  ])resents  the  usual  suc- 
,..i,iiMl'  hottoiiis,  alternating  with  those  of  the  opposite  side,  and  mostly 
;,.v;iti;il  ahove  ordinary  river  fresliets. 

AwijTA,  an  old  villagi',  and  the  seat  of  a  college,  stands  on  one  of  tlieso 
.;.'li  li.ittnms,  with  hills  in  its  rear;  and  is  but  little  infested  with  autiunnal 
fvvti".    The  next  locality  aliove  which  merits  a  dcseriptiuii  is  that  of — 

Mav-mi,le. — This  ancient  landing-place  of  most  of  the  innuigrants  to 

;i;c  state  'f  Kentucky,  has  a  historical  importance  that  entitles  it  to  attcn- 

;i  i; :  a  ilaiiii  which  is  strengthened  ])y  its  being  the  most  considerable  town 

fXorth-cast  Kentucky.     Its  site  is  a  narrow  but  high  bottom,  the  surface 

:  wliiili  is  never  reached  by  ordinary  floods  of  the  river;  a  small  stream 

riitir^tliL'  Ohio  at  the  u[ipcr  end  of  the  town,  beyond  which  is  a  wider  and 

h ',7ir  iM'tti.m;  hut  both  lie  to  the  leeward  of  the  town.     Tho   bohl  and 

I  i;i  sciv  ailiacont  hills  are  composed  of  old  k^iluriau  limestone.      On  the  op- 

I'l-iti.'  .-iilo  ol'  the  river,  (here  is  a  bottom  of  considerable  width,  which  is 

|!..inetimc.s  overflowed.     Tho  autunuial  fevers  of  3Liysville  antl  its  vicinity 

lari'i't"  a  mild  character. 

Tilt'  Uliin  Itiver  above  tliis  town  continues  to  present  nearly  tlie  same 

[kifc  and  hills  as  below,  until  we  ascend  al)out  tweiity-Iive  or  thirty  ndles, 

Ivku  the  latter  become  more  lofty,  and  show  by  their  outlines  and  aspect  a 

Itliaiii'u  (if  geological  character,     ^\'e  here  leave  the  Hilurian  limestone  (  which 

iiir  south-eastwardly  sinks  beneath  the  surface),  and  enter  the  Devo- 

Itiaii siiulstoiie  and  slate  which  underlie  the  A|i[iulachian  ciial  formation; 

pi  henceft.rtli,  as  long  as  our  ex]doration  of  the   soutli  side   of  the   Ohio 

Ba>iii  iiiiitiiuios,  we  shall  travel  over  carboniferous  and  sub-carb(jiiiferous 

Iiruuitiiiiis,  with  aspects  of  surface  so  diH'erent  from  most  of  those  on  which 

iiavi-  liooii  looking,  as  to  constitute  it  a  new  region.     Before  entering  it, 

i.'Wiver,  wo  must  recur  to  some  general  views  of  the  one  we  arc  about  to  t|uit, 


*      'i      * 


,   .1     ■■.■••■ ' 


.*.  t 


;.v-  V 


;..^|.v.,,|;;-^t,;."-^ 


^^r::ir  P-S'ih 


^'li^:.-. 


m- 


l|;' •4,:v^^ . ;  •  ■  ' ' 


■  'I 


SECTION   X. 

GENERAL  REM/.RKS  AND  CONCLUSIONS. 

ILuinir  completed  a  survey  of  ,  he  fertile  and  p(jpulous  part  of  tlie  basin 

p  ''-■'  Ohio  south  of  that  river,  it  will  be   proper,  before  leaving   it  Ibr 

fej!     '1'  part  of  the  basin  presenting  very  diH'erent  characters,  to  recapitu- 

fcti.' suiiic  of  its  topographical  and  geological  features. 

!•   Its  siiutliern  and  western  boundaries  are  the  sources  of  the  streams 

''"'■■li  outer  the  Tennessee  lliver  through  its  left  bank;  the  Ohio  lliver 

njtiiute'*  its  northern  and  a  iiart  of  its  western  boundary;  while  to  the 

17  ^ 


.■.5..:-^.'r-   . 


:-1    •'• 


J 


.v^Jl-v  •••>•: 


r|i- 


!!*■_ 


'I  ■ 


258 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


mv.. 


'■■\  ^:v.-: 


•f.i; 

i     ■! 


•    I 


'i  ■  'a 


Iff- 


MM- 


I' ,:  I'"-- 


mmm-^.^^:-f. 


tl'l 


■   i,  1:      I  • 


ca,«t  it  is  l)onii(lc(l  by  tlio  groat  oiit-crop  of  plialc  ami  sandstone  wliiili  l,j; ,, 
liri(;  ut'  licariiiij;  IVdui  the  Oliin  HivcT,  ahitvo  31a3'svill(',  to  tlio  Tumii,.,,, 
llivor,  near  JIuntsvillo,  the  coursi-  being  nearly  south  south-west.  1^5,,. 
diately  east  of  this  high  and  alirupt  margin,  wo  conio  to  the  western  >ili. 
the  A])|)alachian  coal  formation. 

If.  Much  of  the  largest  liniestono  region  of  the  Interior  ^'all^'v  > f  _\"- 
Ameriea  lies  west  of  tlii.s  out-erop.  in  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  and  Aliiliaa.i 

III.  The  crec.'ks  and  rivers  ninre  generally  flow  in  narrow  riivin.- 1.- 
those  of  any  other  portion  of  the  Clreat  N'alley,  ami  liave  more  limitnl  ;,;.i. 
vial  bottoms. 

IV.  While,  as  intimated  in  the  first  section  of  this  chapter,  tlio  >i;.:' 
of  that  portion  of  the  Ohio  I>;isin  which  lies  north  of  tlio  river,  is  oxtiii-i;  ;•; 
l)uried  np  with  (//'//V  or  transported  materials  (much  of  it  brouirlit  ivi. 
great  distance  in  the  nortli ),  the  region  wo  have  been  exi^loriiig  lias  i;;.:; 
the  trough  of  tho  Ohio  Itiver  being  its  southern  boundary. 

V.  Tho  deposits  of  organic  matter  in  all  parts  of  tho  region  \vc  !„;: 
ex)dored,  are  com[tarativcly  limited  in  deptli  and  area. 

A'^I.  Swamps,  marslies,  and  sloughs  are  almo.st  unknown;  hut  por.il;  r.; 
pools,  both  natural  and  artificial,  are  common  in  every  part. 

Yll.  Copious  and  permanent  springs  are  scarce;  and  the  greater psrt ; 
the  countless  number  of  brooks  which  irrigate  the  country  in  spriii;'.  !'. - 
between  the  summer  solstice  an'  tho  autumnal  eijuinox,  or  s\ih-Vk' 
stagnation. 

VIII.  AYhen  wo  compare  this  great  region  of  transition  and  sccoiii I 
rocks,  with  the  cretaceous  and  tertiary  regions  lying  between  it  aiidt!:  ' 
of  3lexico,  we  find  instructive  evidence  of  the  influence  whieli  tlie  gi' i . 
constitution  of  a  country  exerts  on  its  medical  topography  and  liylp  lt; 
each  of  the  two  regions  having  a  characteristic  surface  of  deep  intercut  t 
physician,  which  is  clearly  referable  to  its  geology. 

IX.  In  the  region  we  have  exjihn'ed,  it  was  found  tliat,  as  we  5>| 
vanced  from  south  to  north,  tlicre  was  a  diminution  in  theprcvaloncoffi:.;:' 
mittent  fever,  which,  at  the  same  time,  became  more  simjde  ;  tlicro  w;i- ;..• 
but  in  a  less  degree,  a  diminished  prevalence  of  remittent  fever,  and  a  mtj 
ally  increasing  tendency  to  assume  a  continued  type.  Altliongh  cliaii:;  ;j 
climate  is  a  manifest  cause  of  this  modification,  it  is  not.  I  presume,  tlie c"| 
one  ;  for  we  must,  also,  admit  a  telluric  influence. 


SECTION  XI. 

THE  OHIO  RIVER,  FROM  MAYSVILLE  TO  BIG  SANDY  RIVF.K. 
As  intimated  in  tho  last  two  sections,  when  wo  ascend  the  Oliin  totk::- 
tancc  of  twcnty-fivo  or  thirty  miles  above  Maysville,  tho  hills  wliicli  pai 
near  Louisville  are  composed  entirely  of  Silurian  limestone,  gray  aiiJ 
begin  to  show  cajis  or  sunnnits  of  Devonian  slate  and  sandstone,  and  iitu?-* 
are  composed  of  those  formations  down  to  the  water's  edge.     As  we  c '.::  - 


MRT !. 


INTEI 


;,)  (iilvaiice,  a  coiiglom 

in'l-t'jtN and  soon  rep 

n-iili  t'r'im  an  c;istcrn 

iatlio  region  between 

Jill  ij  ill  the  opposite  d 

-\ .  !•  Hji  into  lofty  pi 

ir.'lls;i;.  I  tlie  co;il  im.'ii 

in  .Vnrtii  Alaljiuiia  and 

I'ical  structure  tlicre  ri 

fveot'tlie  nsoeiuling  v* 

ni-re  than  the  trouirh  ' 

-':!';ti;illyt lie  .same  as  i 

'iii'i  its  valley  are  perce 

;"D!-l'>'uls  are  less  sulije 

I'riiiripal  triltutaries. 

S'lUtli  ot  this  section 
'4' throe  or  four  liundrei 
little  fitted  for  cultivntio 
[  -•(■rvc's  through  to  the  T 
•r'i'-ii  are  undMuhtedly 
:"iw  ]iurtions  of  the  ri\ 


n.\.«L\.^  OF  THE 

Tiio  months  of  these 

''ir^e  they  run  nearly  j 

^ii'-h  is  the  hirger  of  t 

jK  itneky  ;iik1  \'iru'iiiia. 

jalMV,  Maysville.     The  n; 

jiW  rivers  )  is  the  abl 

i"''i".' who  from  ]iersonal 

'Theq.'aeo  oeeiipiod  h 

[s'lareaofaboutonehum 

piil">  of  longitude.     Theii 

'i^^ft".  and  iiitevLjck  with 

"'"•ivestern  trihntarief 

iMn.hes  descend  f-om  tin 

|[''"'"tuiii,s.  and  from  the 

J^''^'l>  <f  the  Holston  and 

ratvj  region,  they  pass  th 

|;";i'"-'  ^'"'"ti-y  to   be  fnu 

'  l"l«l  up  ill  enormou 


*Sili 


nil 


:»sTi.. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


259 


•iiiilvnnce,  a  coiigloiULM-ate  or  {uuldliig-stone  takes  tlioir  iiiace  on  tlio  liigli 
!iii|.twi>,.i!Hl  so(iii  ropliiocs  tlioiii  to  tilt'  (k'[itlis  of  tlio  valleys.  Tiiose  cliaiigcs 
rriilt  frnni  an  castoni  or  soutli -eastern  dijt  of  all  these  formations,  beginning 
i'l  tlio  rcion  between  Cincinnati  and  3Iaysville.  wbilo  we.st  of  that  line  the 
,Jini?iii  till'  oiiposite  direction.     IJoyond  the  out-cmp  of  conirloniorato  (  wliicb. 

.1 t:>  up  into  lofty  pinnacles  )  conic  tlie  i^roat  deposits  of  iron  ore,  the  salt 

irill*.  Mii'l  the  coal  measures  of  the  Apiialuchian  formation,  vvhich  we  lirst  met 
in  N'"rt!i  Alabama  ami  Kast  Tennessee.  From  this  signal  change  of  goolo- 
ral  structure  there  results  a  topographical  change,  which  is  obvious  to  the 
.vfit'tlic  ii:-ocnding  voya^'or:  but  tlu'  country  on  eacli  side  displays  i',  even 
ni' re  tliaii  the  trough  or  inunediate  valley  of  the  river.  This  continues  sub- 
.!:mti;illy  the  same  as  itwasfroju  Louisville  to  3Iaysville;  liut  both  the  river 
ml  its  valley  are  perceptibly  diminished  in  width,  and,  on  the  whole,  the  ])0t- 
:i!i-!"uls  arc  less  subject  to  inundation,  except  at  the  junction  of  some  of  the 
l.riiiripal  tril)utaries. 

SiMtli  of  this  section  of  tlie  Ohio,  the  country  is  rugged ;  has  an  elevation 
iftliro'j  nr  fimr  hundred  feet  over  tlic  limestone  country  farther  west ;  and  is 
little  fitted fer  cultivation,  and  but  thiiih'  pcfipled  ;  characteristics  which  it  pre- 
iWTOs  tlirniigli  to  the  Tennessee.  I  know  but  little  of  its  autumnal  diseases, 
T'liili  are  undoubtedly  of  a  mild  character,  compared  with  those  along  the 
l"wcr  portions  of  the  rivers  which  originate  in  this  sub-alpine  belt. 


•••  ■■■:,''• 


IS..' 


m- 


SECTION  XII. 

n.\SINS  OF  THE  BIG  t^'ANDY  AND  GUYANDOTTE  RIVERS. 

Tlie  mouths  of  these  rivers  are  but  ten  miles  ajiart,  and  in  their  general 

lirsi'  iliey  run  nearly  jiarallel,  with  interlocking  tributaries.     The  former, 

Iwiii'ii  i.*  the  hirger  of  the  two,  makes   a  part  of  the  dividing  line  between 

jK  ituiky  ;ind  \'irginia.     Its  junction  witli  the  Ohio  is  about  ninety  miles 

ali"V(,' Maysville.     The  natural  historian  of  the  coal  region  (  which  iiu;ludes 

i';ie>C' rivers )  is  the  able  ami  indefatigable  Doctor  Tlildreth.  of  Marietta, 

I "lii' I.' who  from  personal  observation  gives  us  the  following  description: 

"The  space  occupied  liy  the  triliutary  liranches  of  these  two  streams,  covH'rs 

jsttarea  of  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  of  latitude,  and  one  hundred 

mil'.-  of  longitude.     Their  head- waters  rise  a  little  north  of  the  thirty-seventh 

•iegrce.and  intovluek  with  those  of  the  Clinch  and  TTolston  Rivers,  and  some 

I ''{ the  western  tributaries  of  the  New  l\iver  or  Kenawha.     Their  extreme 

Iraiulies  descend  f>'om  the  nmst  elevated  peaks  of  the  Cumberland  group  of 

|t'i"untaiiis,  and  from  the  flat  mountains  or  tiible-knds  found  between  the 

jliiads  (,f  the  Ilolston  and  the  Guyandotte.     In  their  descent  from  this  ele- 

ratnl  region,  they  pass  through  some  of  the  most  wild,  broken,  and  pictu- 

|f|'>'iue  country  to  be  found  in  tlie  west.     Immense   deposits  of  sandstone 

V'-'^iil  piled  up  in  enormous  masses  to  the  bight  of  lifteen  hundred  or  two 


*  Sillimau's  Jouriuil,  Vol.  XXIX,  No.  1. 


V-  •>■ ;'  ?■;    ■  ■-■  ■■•■  .■  ,      «  ■    "".  >:    . 


•  1, 


U..'./-    • 


>:.  '■ 


}'•  t'M  •.  .1?-     .■ 


K-  ..•■ 


I': 


■■r..  i: 


::l' 


.  .  K  ■  ■  ■ 

ffltii 


'M     M     ^*'  '-  * 

1: 


tJvi 


200 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOl; 


tlious.'iiul  foL't,  compose  all  the  center  part  of  this  region.  Tlio  stroam-  y 
coiifiiietl  to  narrow  ravines  and  valleys,  so  deep  as  hardly  to  admit  tlio  ii,, 
of  the  sun  at  noon-day.  Except  near  the  borders  of  the  larger  stnau)*,  ti 
whole  district  is  a  jierlect  wilderness.  The  scanty  [lopulation  wMcli  i^  wi,!,.', 
scattered  over  its  surface,  olitain  tlu'ir  sujiport  by  hunting  and  difiiin^r  t'! 
roots  of  the  ginseng,  an  article  as  highly  prized  by  the  Chinese,  us  their  n  :•■ 
dedicate  teas  are  by  us.  This  beautiful  plant  grows  with  great  luxuiiau, 
and  in  the  most  wonilerful  abundance,  along  the  rii  h  virgin  soil  of  tlnj  li] 
and  mountain  sides, conijiosed  of  the  disintegrated  siindstonc  and  tlie  (l(c:r,.l 
leaves  of  the  forest,  whicli  have  been  accumulating,  undisturbed,  f(.r  ;. . 
For  thirty  years  these  hills  an<l  forests  have  furiuslied  a  constant  >u[|lv:' 
thousands  of  tons  of  this  plant  to  the  traders  stationed  at  remote  points  al '.■ 
the  larger  strLnnis.  *  *  •""  The  hills  'Uid  mcmntains,  although  stoeji;i:,i 
broken,  are  cnvcred  by  an  inmiense  growth  of  forest  trees,  of  all  tbe^p.  ;. 
connuon  to  the  climate,  which  here  attain  an  elevation  and  a  niagnitu'!  :. ; 
seen  in  any  other  place;  rich  mountain  sides  in  a  temperate  climati;  aln;;-; 
affording  a  heavier  and  taller  growth  than  the  lowlands.  *  *  ='■  It;; 
but  a  few  years  since  the  bottom-lands  on  the  Randy  were  clothed  with  c;'.:.: 
and  as  late  as  the  year  1S(),">,  boato  visited  that  stream  as  high  up  a?  •'::•. 
Could  navigate,  until  checked  by  the  falls,  for  the  purpose  of  collecting  ;>; 
stems  of  this  jriijantlc  <  'ass  to  bo  manufactured  into  reeds.  &o.  Since  lb; 
ingress  of  domestic  animals,  the  cane  has  wholly  disappeared,  except  iujce 
inaccessible  recesses." 

As  Doctor  Ifildreth  lias  said  n.othingof  tlie  autumnal  ."'Vers  of  tliis  a'l:: 
region,  which  extends  through  Eastern  Kentucky  and  Western  Yirpii:i! 
the  up[ier  valley  of  Tennessee  River,  F  wrote  to  a  gentleman  of  Ohi", .% 
(rcorge  A.  "Warder,  who  had  traveled  up  and  down  tlie  valley  of  tl;o  B:; 
Sandy;  and  although  his  answer  is  not  fidl  <mi  that  point,  I  will  give:i;ii.x-  j 
tract  from  it.  as  furtiier  illustrating  the  medical  topography  of  a  rcgi'iil': 
Utile  known,  although  nearly  surrounded  by  old  settlements: 

"  I  have  passed  up  and  down  the  Big  Sandy  lliver  several  timr«,  am! : 
various  seasons  of  the  year.     The  main  river  is  about  one  hundred  aii'l  Sf: 
miles  in  Icnirth.  risintj;  in  the  mountains  of   South-western  VirL'iiiia.  a:.i 
flowing  a  nurtliirly  course  to  the  Ohio.     The  alluvial  lands  on  tho  I:'; 
stream?  are  very  narrow,  and  would  not  bo  considered  worthy  of  cultivat:  a  j 
in  Ohio,  but  as  the  nnntntains  arc  sterile,  these  small  bottoms  arc  oecii];-; 
As  you  descend,  the  valley  widens  to  about  a  mile;  from  within  sixf,  iii- 
of  its  mouth  the  farms  ii;creaso  in  size,  and  have  a  rich,  warm.  saiiJ}-:- 
From  the  junction  of  the  Louisa  Fork  with  Tug  Fork,  twenty-live  niiii; 
above  the  mouth,  there  is  so  little  fall,  that  every  considerable  rise  in  i^; 
Ohio  River  affects  this  stream;  and  as  there  arc  a  number  of  i-roeks  i'ni]tj- 
ing  into  it,  every  time  a  rise  in  the  Ohio  occurs,  the  back-wator  fills  the  i- 
lets  of  these  streams.     The  Saridy  River  is  subject  to  very  great  ami  ■ 
den  rises;  an<l  T  have  been  told  that  it  hag  risen  in  one  night  sixty  ted 
above  its  usual  level,  of  course  overflowing  the  boitom-lands  ami  'H'| 
much  damage.     This  can  easily  bo  accounted  for,  as  the  river  is  short,  n-^ 


flRT  !■; 


L\TEU1 


■:i  t!iv  iiii'iiiitai'iis,  and 

;.ii:;k,  whifli  lias  veiy 

;■   ai'iiaiit  water  any\ 

,,  i-  wry  licaltliy  ;  an 

xii:i«  vo  desi/ciiil  tlie  ; 

■:i..a>i'.  3't'l  I  d'd  not  w 

irai'i'  used  hy  tlie  iiilial 

,,:v  liiit  ('ew  springs.     I 

;j  iitii  of  the  stream,  it 


TiAf^r: 

I.    Gi'N-KRAr.  l)i;s('i;ii 

•ihV.-  of  the  (.)liio,  has  i 
i..'.h<'i  the  Appalachian 
•ifvali'iii  of  frmii   two   t( 
T:."  |!"iiu-Ipal  and  Ijiigoi; 
iT/arjiiiiciit  of  the  ]>lue 
' ":»  nearly  imrtii.     Ti 
:>tjuiiis  it,  and  then  su: 
\v..v  liaiiie  of   Kenawlia. 
llivtrs,  the  distance  is  se 
■■■.'.mis  more  than  seven 
['':!;i!''y,  tlie  united  water; 
■■=n-^twiie.     These  are   t 
[-■■.!u!d'otirreiit  to  the  Olii 
[.:•  utmost  source  in    Xo 
-i-,rsi'.  has  iioldly  cut  its 
iv.'li.jis  .some  of  the  wihh 
I'-'Jtiii.s,  however,  we  must 
■:oliLicnlitiosasare  of  in 
II.    \'allky  of  the  (1 
h;:  til.  was  once  tlie  basin  ( 
It-It.'  mountain  ranges  dem 
|t.:im-fivo  or  il,rty  miles 
['■•Mdi  both  ranges,  ivn^■^, 
r'"''^'\V^rumonc  to  the 
p.  at  the  distance  of  ,, 
|^^'i'"".^iiiiiition.  coalesce,   a 
/^^  sources  are  two  'tin 
f  ■■!'"ii  of  the  stream  with 
pr^'i  and  twenty-five  feet. 
pii  at  Msteeu  hundred  fee 
'  f^^    Over  its  whole  surfii 


[Booi ;. 


INTEIlIOIl  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AiMERICA. 


an 


•  ,]j^.  iiuiuiitaiiis,  ami  lias  a  groat  tlciil  of  fall  frum  its  simrci's  ti)  llic  main 
■.•iii'k  wliifli  luis  veiy  little.  I  'lo  not  rciucmliui'  over  having  soon  pmicls 
,,(■  a"iiiiiit  water  anywlioro  alung  tlio  valloy.  'i'lio  ii[i)ior  )iart  of  tlii.s  val- 
;  r  i- wry  lioiiltliy ;  ami  I  novor  saw  nr  lioanl  of  agiio  and  fovor  tlioro;  — 
vnk'.secnil  tlio  stroani,  wo  might  su|t|)oso  its   Imnlii's  liable  to  that 


^lii  ;e 


,;j.,.a<i',  yt't  I  il'tl  lift  witness  it.  The  water  is  heautlfully  clear,  and  i>  gen- 
nilv  UHod  hy  the  inhabitants  for  driiilang  and  lionseheld  |iur|ii).ses,  as  tiioro 
i-i.  liut  tow  springs.  I  boliovc  there  is  mi  limestone  !'"iini  the  source  to  the 
,  ,;tii  of  the  stroaii),  its  course  being  entirely  through  sandstone." 


;-  ..\ 


;.l'   1).. 


:\m.  I'j  i 
'tlio  b:il 
(•ultivatU 

re  oeeui'irl. 
sist;  Kilf 
sandy  '(i 

v-five  mil" 
rise  in  t:: 

ills  tlie  '*• 

it  andjii'i-' 

it  sixty  fell 

ami  'la' 

short,  ri^'' 


SECTION    XIII. 

HASIX  01'  THE  KENAWIIA  RIVER. 

1.    GtXERAL  Di".sciurxio.\. — Tliis  alpine  river,  (nie  of  the  greatest  trlbu- 

tjasiif  tliu  Ohio,  has  its  origin,  by  many  largo  streams,  among  the  suni- 

i;:i!Mil' the  A|t|i;daehian  I^Iountnins  of  A'irdnia  and  North   Carolina,  at  an 

■  'ovati'iii  (if  frniii   two   to   three  thdnsaml   feet   above   the  level  of  thi;  sea. 

T:r  iHiK'i[ial  and  1  )nge!  t  stream,  called  New  Iiiver,  liogins  in  the  granite 

t::ariimout  nf  tlie  IJluc   ^lountains,   within   the   latter   state,  and  takes  a 

nw  ucaily  niirtli.     Tlio  (Ireeidirier,  wliieh  belongs  to  the  former  state, 

'Sr-tjuin.x  it,  and  then  su'jceeds  the  (jiauloy,  when  the  common  trunk  assumes 

r  v.Mw  (if   Kenawlia.     l>otweon  the  mouths  of  (iroonlirier  and  Canley 


Fiivtrs.  tl 


1(3  (li 


■<t;ince  is  sevonty  miles,  in  pas'-i.g  through  wldeh  New  llivor 


ikcfiuls  more  than  seven  hundred  feet,  f^ooii  after  their  being  joined  by  the 
liaiilijy,  the  imitod  waters  are  ])reci;iitated  twenty-two  feet,  from  a  ledge  of 
I iandstimo.  Tliese  are  the  'Clrcat  Falls,'  whence  the  river  flows  with  a 
L'cntkr  current  to  the  Ohio,  at  Point  Pleasant,  sevonty  miles  below.  From 
;;>  utmost  source  in  North  Carolina,  this  river,  jiin-.suing  a  north-west 
i;r«t',  has  boldly  cut  its  way  thro'.;gh  several  mountain  chains,  and  thus 
juvvilips  Some  of  the  wildest  and  subliniost  scenery  within  oiu'  (Ireat  ^'alley. 
|0:i tills,  however,  wo  must  not  dwell,  l)ut  iiroeeod  to  direct  our  attention  tu 
lidi  Incalities  as  are  of  interest  to  the  medical  topogra]iher. 

11.  Vallkv  of  the  CuEEXiiiUKR. — This,  in  the  opinion  of  Doctor  Ilil- 
le  ti).  was  (iiK'c  the  basin  of  a  lake.  To  the  east  and  west  it  is  lumnded  by 
lilii'  iiinuntaiu  ranges  denominated  Alleghany  and  Greenbrier,  which  arc 
Jt!iirty-tivo  or  forty  miles  apart  in  the  south,  where  Now  Eivor.  cutting 
lt:;riuirli  both  ranges,  traverses  the  valley  nearly  at  right  angles  to  them,  and 
iBitj  way  Avm  one  to  the  other,  receives  Creeidn-ier  Eiver.  To  the  north- 
Nt.  at  the  distance  of  one  hundred  miles,  those  mountains,  by  gradual 
ppiiiMximatidn.  cualesco,  and  there  (iroonlirier  Piver  has  its  beginnings. 
'SO  sources  are  two  thousand  foot  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  and  the 
i'K'.'tiiiii  of  the  stream  with  Now  Iiiver  is  at  the  altitude  of  thirteen  hun- 
|lrolaii(l  twenty-five  foot.  Thus,  the  average  elevation  of  the  basin  may  be 
pi'uat  sixtoen  hundred  feet,  whil,'  the  mountains  which  bimnd  it  are  as  much 
^.    Over  its  whijle  surface  there  is  a  thick  calcareous  deposit,  resting  on 


■m 


.    .      I 


!>.." 


*.i»> 


,...,     ■/■■■■■■, h      ■     : 


-^.^i' 

■''.  ^••:■ 

■^'--/^ 

4*\ 

I'i'.S: 

■|,  -,.■•-■,. 

'      i 

•■^.l>'V 

ft? 

* 

fe- 

.     _  "• : 

•^#;; 

!f. 

':X-  ■ 


■■1.       A. 


'■:*■< 


%. 


202 


THE  nUNCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[Boot  ' 


rat  !•! 


INTEUIi 


■ 

■  '4 

'.';■,. 

'.1 

■!■ :  ■ .    . 

'   ■       .,  ' 

i     ' 

,.:!•■ 

.  '  ■      '  ' 

i; 

■■'  ■ 

" , 

■  ■  i 


v^ 


S 


i 


™"i-r- 


'.   '• '  **5h:    *' 


Vt  :    .      ■■.■ 


saiulstono,  with  siDlvitig  sprin^rs,  nml  caves  oontitinirig  Siilt-|)ctre  (aith.  TK 
soil  (if  tlic  viillt'y  i.s  cnifiirodus,  iiiid  mIhpiukIs  in  dcconiposed  V('■>(.{^lli^.  i,.,,. 
tcr.  Its  siirfiice  is  liillv,  with  smiH!  sputs  cullid  'lovols.'  Tlio  i'i!ili;'at[,j 
White.  l>hi(>.  lied,  fiii.l  Salt  Siiliihiir  Sprinirs  nf  \'irL'iiiia  ]](>  in  tliis  vjil!..; 

IH.  Vai.moy  ok  tiik  (iAi-i.i;v. — "This  stream  i.s  ahinit  i.iic  Imiidn.li,,',, 
iii]('ii^th,aii(l,  at  it.-;  iimmiiIi,  iii'H't.  tlu'ii  nnc  hiindrod  yards  in  l)roiuhli.  h(,ik . 
its  rise  in  the;  spurs  and  sidc-s  of  tho  liaurid,  (Irt'cnhricr,  and  Gaulcv  rai:;ii 
•  if  monntaiti'^.  The  cipuntrv  tlirmi^h  which  it  pn.ssos  is  ninniitaiiiiiKsji.-j 
broken  into  h)fty  preci  pit  oils  liill.s  of  sandstone  vuAi.  'The  chtl's  nf  (liii;i,v' 
arc  soi'ond  only  in  lii,^ht  and  gruinh'ur  to  those  of  New  River;  cxti.;;!!;: ' 
for  many  inilcs  on  each  side  of  the  stream,  at  an  elevaMon  of  live  nr  .<ix  :;;■. 
dred  feet.  Tl:e  river  itself  is  precipitated  over  falls  and  rapids  for  a  cii,.,. 
dcrahle  part  of  the  eourse :  !nid  its  hed  is  so  lillod  with  hujxe  lilieks  li's;.]. 
stone  roeh,  as  to  prevent  any  navigation  on  its  water.s." 

TV.  (.!f-Aiti:s.  —  "  Toward  the  heads  of  this  river,  tht'  mountain.s  spmih  ,; 
into  tahle-lands,  known  hy  the  name  of  'glales.'  'J'hey  lie  in  Iciij;  iiarr.it 
patclics,  at  an  eh-vat'on  df  seven  or  eiirlit  hundred  fee.' above  the  watLT-0(,i;r..i 
with  an  elevateil  ridge  ur  hordin*  along  their  sides,  through  whicli.at  iiiti:.,,. 
arc  found  gaps  lor  the  water  to  pass  off,  down  innnensepveeijiiees,  tn  tlit'st;-',,;:.. 
below.  They  arc  destitute  of  heavy  timber.  The  more  elevated  and  iu: 
porti(nis  produee  line  erojis  of  barley,  oats,  and  j)otatoos,  wliile  the  more k 
afford  good  meadow,-,  and  the  swampy  jdaees  produce  cranherrics  in;ili;:;- 
danee.  Tin'  soil  i.<  lilack,  based  on  yellow  elay ,  indicating  that  tlii'-ev  .v 
at  some  remote  jierind,  tlie  ))eds  of  lakes  or  ponds." 

A'.     Ai'TiM.xAi,  1''kvi:i!s.  —  As  the  valleys  of  New  Ixiver  and  tlie  (ipa- 
brier,  witli  the  table-lands  or  glades  of  the  (Janley,  have  an  elevatinii  i.fl:  ■ 
sixteen  hundred  to  two  thousand  fei't  abuve  the  neean,  with  moist  ^nil.s;ii:"",: 
ing  in  org  inic  matter,  and  are  comprehended  b'jtwecn  the  parallels  of  tliiriy- 
seven  and  thirty-nine  degrees  of  north  latitude,  they  aff(/rd  a]iproiiriatoli":i.," 
ties  for  ascertaining  the  influence  of  elevation  on  autumnal  fovcr  in  t 
latitudes.     T^nable  to  visit  them,  I  have  souglit,  by  correspondonee, tmhiii: 
the  desired  infornnitioa ;  but  of  twelve  letters  ivritten  to  physicians  in  lU: 
region,  two  only  have  been  answered.     Doctor  AV.  L.  BoiidHraiit,  ct'  1'^  ,• 
hontas  county,  high  uj)  <irceidirier  lliver,  in  north  latitude  t'lirty-ei^l.t  '• 
grees  fifteen  mir.utes.  writes  as  follows:  '-The  surface  of  our  soil  is  fir;:!- 
especially  that  of  the  (irecnl)rier  bottoms,  which  are  low  and  anmiallv ivv:- 
flowed.     On  or  near  these  bottoms  there  are  scattering  cases  of  iiitoriniiK' 
fever  every  year;  but  remittent  is  nuich  commoner,  and  often  asjiuii'-3 
congestive  type,  terminating  fatally  in   four  m-  five  days."     Fnmi  Px!! 
David  3r.  French,  of  (Jiles  count}',  far  up  New  lliver,  in  about  ncrtli  latu- 
thirty-seven  degrees  fifteen  minute.s,  I  have  received  the  folL  iwing :  '  1- 
valley  of  New  lliver  is  at  an  elevation  of  from  two  to  three  tliousaiiJ  I' ! 
above  tide- water.     The  general  aspect  of  the  countr}''  is  mountainuu-.   I- 
soil  of  the  parts  Avhieh  are  Siiflieiontly  level  for  cultivation,  is  rieli,  |)i'i'iliiiuf' 
and  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  growth  of  grass.     Our  elimate  is  dry,  liut^'-' 
ject  to  great  variations.     Kcmittent  fever  is  almost  unknown  aiiniig^'''  >•  - 


i„,,riiiit tents  are  rare  ' 
jp,  ,,lnavs  uiild."  If} 
;„. I' iii-iil  survey  of  th; 
raii'ii,  1  linve  been  fas 
tr„!iii!ii'  mmitli  of  (Jan! 
liiiiiiialnniittcnt  an('  in 
ni'iilyiii  the  open  distri 
r.vr  travcnies  the  nioui 
aj  i.'1'Mt'ralIy  as  in  the  K  > 
i.tt'-m-hin'l  is  not  so  ci 
,,;,iidi'|i(i.sit.s  occur  the\ 
(f.Miiic  iinitt-T.     Tiie 


■,.  .^trcn^'ly  to  tl.  ■  CI 


i,-r 


h  would  appear,  fn  n 
liiiidrwi  cr  two  thousan( 
liclTi'i'S  iiurtli,  is  not  snil 
iivji'.'li  Ooiitaia  fertile  soil 
VI.    Lo\vi:u  A'ai.lev 
[  miiiilii.  thu  Kenawha  gr 
mi!'  to  nearly  a  mile. 
raliuTU  !<h;n'p  outline,  w 
I '^..v  gradually  sink  to  tv 
ha -re  ivntle.     Two  lati: 
|i:.to  till'  Keiiawlia,  have 

;.'}■.      Its  ImttOms,  Coll 

[iiiaiii,  abuvu  high-water  i 
V  ap;  uioie  depres,«ed, 

i' ii-aiif.  ;it  til.  mouth  o 
['''.ic:i  k'ave.  on  reccdin, 
h:..it'-r.    Ill  descending 

'iiiail  ill  Vdlunie,  it  becoi 

Tliu  pecplc  wlio  live  i 

I  ;^Jtu!M;ial  lever  than  thos 

|l:iiir  I'levation  above  the 

!i>  the  aliiuid(!  of  the  mo 

■■••'■'I'll'  is  a  little  less  tin 
p^  river,  up  to  the  Viw 
I  ni';li.'iiant  caocs  are  almo 
VI L  TiiK  Sau.ves.- 
|t-.'iiiiiiiir^;it  Charleston, 
hiueyiiiay  he  about  half 

f;i!iiros  uf  hills  which  bou 
[fc^abuvethebedof  the 
p""l  f'-'al-lieda  of  the  ca 
;  i^'-noral  so  high  as  not  to 


i,m51  J  'd! 


^r|.> 


r.iT  !■! 


I.NTKUIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


IIOJ 


•  fiiiittoiits  are  rare  occurrences.  TlKy  liiiii|)cii  diily  in  wot  .scinmis,  and 
ri  ilffavs  mild. "  Uy  I'rutV'.-  Mir  liii^ors,  nf  tlio  I'liivLTsit y  nf  \'irL:iiii;i,  wIhihc 
v li.'ii'iil  survey  of  tliat  j^t.iti'  fuviiid  liiiii  in  tliu  ri-i^idu  iwiw  untlor  fun>idt'- 
nii'ii  I  I'iivo  been  favoruil  witli  tlio  lullnwini;'  liicts:  "Along  New  Jliwr, 
.  iinl,,.  iimutli  of  (liiulcy  n|i  to  tlif  HIuo  IIiilj:o,  I  liavo  noticoil  cases  (if  uu- 
fiiuiMl  remittent  :ui('  interniittiMit  I'cver.  '"Iii'so  I  liavo  dlisorvoi'.  nidrc  etmi- 
n'.nlviii  tin-  'iiion  districts,  as  in  .Munnc  and  (Jiics  counties,  than  wiiero  tlie 
rviT traviTses  tlie  mountains;  but  in  no  \>h<-t  of  tliis  reiiion  do  tlicy  |irevail 
iit'i'iit'Killvn-^  ill  l'"^'  Ivenawlia  valley  below.  Tlu'  extent  of  river-terrace  or 
i.tti.m-laiid  U  not  8(t  considerable  in  this  u|i[)er  valley  of  the  river;  but  where 
iikii  dc'l'"'^*"'^  occur  they  are  covered  with  a  pnidui-tive  soil,  well  charL'ed  with 
(.raiiic  iiiattjr.  The  same  remarks,  as  tu  heahii  and  soil,  a|)jily  ]ii'rhaps 
&■:••  sti'iiiiLdy  to  tl.  ■  Clinch,  and  other  streani.s  flowing  into  the  Tennessee 

i;;v,r." 

it  wo'ikl  appeur,  frfjti  the.so  observation,-,  that  an  olev.i'ion  of  ciiihtoeii 
hmlri'ii  I'l"  two  thousand  feet,  in  tlie  latitmle  of  thirty-seven  or  thirty-eight 
iKjci'Siiiirth,  is  not  snllieiriit  entirely  to  ])revent  autumnal  fever  in  localities 
irji''li  Ciiiitaia  iVrtile  soil  abnnmlini;'  in  oriianie  matter. 

VI.  howKR  ^'Al.l.l■■i'  or  Tin;  Kk.wwma. —  I'roni  the  Great  Falls  to  its 
nii'iuli.  tliu  Kenuwlwi  grnd;ially  widens,  ami  its  valley  ex]iands  fiuni  half  a 
mill'  to  nearly  a  mile.  The  hills  wiiieh  bound  it  have,  in  the  upper  part. 
ra'.kra  sliarp  outline,  with  an  clevati.in  of  seven  or  ei'iht  lumdred  feet;  but 
'W  gradually  sink  to  two  hundred  and  lifty,  and  at  the  same  time  become 
B'K  ceutlo.  Two  latt:-!il  valleys,  through  which  Coal  and  Klk  KiviTS  flow 
iiito  the  lu'iiawha,  have  the  same  topographical  character  with  the  jnincipal 
■:,lley.  lis  hiittoms,  coinposud  of  the  (/i/tris  of  the  cn;d  formatiMii,  are,  on  the 
iii.iiii,  aliuYu  high-water  mark  and  well  cultivated.  Near  the  Ohio,  liowever. 
;!:»  ai'i:  iiiine  depressed,  and  as  Doctor  Coucli  and  Hoctor  ."^liaw,  of  i'oint 
ri'iisiii'.  at  th.  mouth  of  the  river,  infurmed  me,  are  su'j.ct  to  inundations 
'.vjcli  leave,  on  receding,  ponds  and  .slouglis,  abounding  in  decomposable 
ii.^it'T.  In  descending  the  river  early  in  July,  I  observed,  that  whcu  rc- 
'.  i'l  viihniie,  it  becomes  a  line  of  pools  and  rapids. 

Hie  jieiiplo  wlio  live  near  the  nmutli  of  the  Kenawha  suflfer  more  from 
satiuiiaal  lever  than  thi  se  who  inhabit  the  lU'ighburing  bottoms  of  tlie  Oliio. 
I'liir  elevatiiiu  above  the  .sea  is  about  six  hundrevl  feet,  or  one-third  as  much 
!!<  tile  altitiulo  of  the  nnuuitain  localities  which  have  been  described.  Their 
ijiituile  is  a  little  less  than  thirty-nine  degrees  north,  ^/ove  the  estuary  of 
ilie  river,  up  to  the  Great  Falls,  the  fever  is  scarcely  ever  epidemic,  and 
s'-'.i.'iKint  cases  are  almost  unknown. 

Ul.  Tni':  Sai.ixks.  —  These  extend  ten  or  twelve  miles  uj)  the  valley. 
t"L'inmiig  at  Charleston,  about  fifty  miles  from  the  Ohio.  The  width  of  the 
vaJev  may  he  about  half  a  mile;  its  course  nearly  north  and  south.  The 
r;i!ii'es  11!  lulls  which  bound  it  on  either  side  rise  from  five  to  seven  h.undred 
ttetabiivo  the  bed  of  the  river;  and  are  composed  of  the  sandstones,  shales, 
aii'l  cual-lieds  of  the  carboniferous  formation.  The  nver-terraces  are  in 
s;*!iev.il  so  high  as  not  t(j  bo  submerged,  except  in  extraordinary  floods.     The 


\ 

\ 


':H....- 


• 

1 

P--    ■  ■:   . 

■ 

;*t'',:Vi:"i.  -. 


i^-'  i:,'.-i: 


•>.■■:■■  .•..■"•■■ 


.V    . 


♦'•v 


i-'- 


$m 


(/.   ; 


.:.ri 


■}  . 


li  ' 


t  - 


204 


TUK  riMNcir.\r,  diseases  of  the 


[won 


mmilicr  .if  fmintaiiis  is  frrcrt,  niid  flioy  li.-ivc  Imm-ii  d'cMtcil  liv  deep  Art..- 
borin;;.-',  from  Hdiiic  (if  wliidi  tliiTi!  is  a  eii|iiitus  cscniio  of  liydrnpoti  "as  \ 
till'  hriiic  is  lint  cvMiiunitcd  liy  snlar,  Imf  ciiliiuirv  licat,  a  vai-t  imiiilitr.ft  . 
naof.'s,  Hii|i|iortc(l  l)y  liitmiiiiiniis  cnal,  art;  iiiLtlit  and  (lav  in  liliist,  S-nc,. 
tlicm,  linwcvcr,  nro  inaiiit.iiiiiMl  liy  tlw  cniMlnistion  of  tlic  liyilnijL'fii  ;fib  ^t];,,; 
rises  with  the  watrr.  The  |irciilia)iti  '  <'iis  Ideality  nro./zV,  the  n,.;,,, 
fif  tliat  fras  into  tlio  atinospliere  ;  scroi/ii  leveln|iim'nt  of  n  firciit  il. ,||  < 

calorie;  lliiril,\\n'.  eopiiiiis  (lifl'iision  of  tlie  ir..-;'S  jreiicrated  liv  tlic  ('(.nilii..; , 
of  eoal ;  yo/^/'///,  the  (devatioii  of  immense  vidunies  of  steam,  lidldjn^f ,;,;;  ■ 
8olutioii.  Now,  wliat  is  the  ellei-t  of  all  this  on  (he  ]irevalt'neo  nf  atitnmr/ 
fever  anionp  tho  a;]; Jilts  and  ojiorativcs".''  'J'he  niswor  given  hy  tin;  n,.'! 
gentlemen  of  the  valley  is,  that  tlioso  persons  are  not  qnite  as  li;dl' t. ;''. 
disease  as  the  people  who  reside  away  from  tin;  fiirnaees.  The  inliaMu- 
of  (Charleston  appear  to  snffer  hut  little  from  it. 

AMIT.  The  Keiiawha  liasiii,  taken  as  a  Avlnde,  is  too  rngcjed  ntid  iirir. 
ductivo  to  admit  (d'  a  dense  population.  The  inhaldtants  will  he  eliji.flvi 
its  narrow  valleys  and  UMuntaiii  glades.  Mn(di  of  it  nmst  fnrovcrrnir  . 
wilderness. 

The  LiTTi.i;  Ki:\.vwiiA,  wdiieli  jidns  the  Ohio  sixty  or  seventy  mile*  alj-; 
the  Great  Kenawlia,  so  elosely  resemldes  it  in  jroology  and  topnrtr!i|iln-.  \\a\: 
separati'  deseription  is  not  neeessary.  A'love  the  mouth  of  this  livcr. wiivrJ 
wc  iiiid  the  town  of  I'arkersliurii',  the  left  hank  fd' the  Ohio  presents iiit':; 
of  interest  to  the  etiolon'ist  until  we  reaeli  the  (dd  town  of  Whecliiii:;  vii.L 
however,  I  shall  descrihc  in  eonncetion  with  the  baidcs  of  the  rivorakc 
aft(>r  having  first  completed  the  survey  of  another,  and  the  last  liydrngripi.:- 1 
cal  basin  south  of  the  Ohio  Iviver. 


SECTION  XIV. 

BASIN  OF  Tin;  MONONGAIIELA  RIVER. 

T.  OrTi.iXK  Dk-scuii'TION. — The  ^ronouL^ahela  is  the  soiitlicrn  if  i' 
nearly  coequal  rivers,  wdiieh  unite  at  Pittsburdi  to  form  the  Oliin.  It^'j-: 
lies  l)et\ve(>n  that  of  the  Kenawha  and  that  cd'  the  Alle!,diany.  north  "M:: 
former  and  south  of  the  latter.  An  aeeount  of  it  will  iinisli  the  JiMii;;:"- 
of  the  southern  half  of  the  Ohio  IJasin. 

The  3[ononfrahela  Kiver  is  eomposed  of  four  subordinate  streams:  /'''J 
The  West  Branch,  whieh  oriiiinates  in  the  south-west,  where  it  iiitirli- 
with  the  sources  of  the  Little  Kenawha,  and  (d'  Elk  l{ivcr,  a  triliiitan' : 
the  Great  Kenawha.     Its  course  is  nearly  north-east.     ScmmU  The  b-M 
Fork,  or  Tygart's  A'alley  lliver,  which  interlocks,  in  sources,  with  tlic  Gaiilfj  | 
and  Grccnl)rier,  and  runniuir  north  unites  with  the  West  Branch.    I/'' 
Cheat  Kiver,  lying  further  cast,  originating  on  the  slo])es  of  Cheat  M-'"- 
tain,  where  it  is  connected  with  the  head  of  Greenbrier  Eiver,  ■hIil-i'' ' 
runs  northerly  to  join  the  common  trunk  of  the  last  two  branches.    /'''■' 


fiitr  '•, 


IVTEI!! 


j|i,.  V^  ii'.diiinrlieny.  ii" 
i:.J  \\w  tliO  coiiiiiion 
I'v.rvpart  of  tin'  M 
Mlidiiiiti  ciirlininferonf 
.'.ir.'i'i^f  river  id'  the  Gr( 
[nv.i«iri.«.  Tnid  is  fotn 
jMH'.  diiile,  mid  that  li 

Tlic  siirfaci'  of  this 
j  K>>'fi"!ia,  yet  its  sunili 
|v3l|._\«aiid  talde-laiuls 
■  fr.iji.iderable  density, 
itrnis :  * 

■'The  streams  are  tin 
iviiij  t'l  t!ie  valley,  tlio 
f.f  and  >iiiall,  and  r^ail 
arc irrcL'ular  in  their  hig 
virt'i-'rlile.  covered  wit  I 
irdii'-r  a  liixiiriaiit  vegi 
v;n«;  they  arc  iiivariald 
.\r:;ii>,'i'  the  n.sscniMa;;-! 
rrt'i".'  main  trunk  itself, 
i]:'."i!Tal  narrow.  Soni 
tk'hrad  syiioliiial  axes 
ItM  the  f'lilliiwiiig  is  an 

II.     TvhAKt's    \'Al.r,KY 

lpii':;.-  nf  tlii.s  region,"  s; 

Icvir  tln'  heads  of  the  '  \ 

m:\  Beverly,  the   conn 

jii'it  ■(.•veiity  miles  long, 

TLnltli  it  varies  from  ihk 

!!■:■  C'li'':it  and  Laurel  .Afo 

'<4<  tliat  this  valley  has 

■3M>.  rising  ahuve  the  e 

|l  ■•  ."■,  and  the  Valley  ] 

'vi's  fliaanols  in  the  bed 

ii!'>iii  length,  and  from  ■ 

t'lo  base  of  the  moun 

Itiii'ond-.us  hight,  not  les: 

if.1  |itures(|uc  view,  and 

'■•iiK'mitain.'   The  fissun 

ig  nilTieient  evidenc 


l^nliii' 


'■wii'sest  coiiglonieratc: 
f ';"-'  l"niierly  been  the  I 
ppwMcavating  the  earth 


i'lnian's  Journal,  loco  ci 


fiW  '•, 


INTCRIOR  VALLEY  OK  NORTH  AMERICA. 


liGf) 


n,.  V.iM'.'liiiij:lif"\'-  ""rt'i-cn-^  "''  'l"'  ('In'iit.  wliifli  flows  to  llic  iiortli-woHt, 
,.,1  iiiiifi  tlio  rdiiiiiiiiii  triii'k  IicImw  tliiit  .strc.'iiii. 

I'-rvpart  of  tlu'  M<iiiniiif!ilicl:i  lies  witliiii  tlu-  cmil  iuomsuivs  uf  the  A|»- 
,,'ii'iiri  (.irlimiitVrmts  foniuitiiii,  niul  it  li;is  tlio  (li.-^tiiictinn  of  liciii','  tlio 
1  ,,,,j;f  fiver  I't'  till'  (IrcMt  Iiiti'iinr  \';illfy  Hint  liiMriiis  mikI  oiuls  witlilu  tlioso 
niH.vias.  fi'iiJ  '■'^  <'">'"'  i"  I'Verv  part  fA'  tlic  Imsiii,  and  tlio  rocks  are  siuitl- 
it m\  ^!l:lll^  iiiiil  tli.it  liiiicstoiic  wliirli  is  IuiiikI  witliiii  iIk;  cumI  j-crii's. 

Thi' surface  of  tlii.s  liasiii  is  lo<s  fli'Vatiil  ninl  ni;:L'i'tl  tluiii  tli;it  of  tlio 
Kd'a«!i;i,  vet  its  soiith-ctistiTii  portion  is  iiioiiiitiiiiious,  with  some  cultiviiltk' 
nllvainl  tiiMo-laiuIs  or  irliKlos.  Tlic  rcmaiiider,  wliirli  lias  ii  |io)iulati()n 
,fh.!i«iikT;ibIi'  density,  is  cliaractori/.t'd  liy  i^octdr  llildrctli  in  tlio  fnllowiiig 

itriii* :  * 
••The  streams  aro  turliid,  and  tortuous  in  tlioir  course;  and  as  tlioy  dc- 

(011(1  til  tlie  vulli'V,  tlioy  boconio  slow  in  tlioir  [irooross.     Tlio  spring's  iire 

l'ir.'iii4  »iiiall,  Mild  readily  afTootod  Ity  tlio  drouirlits  of  sunmior.     Tlio  hills 

ar,' irri-itlar  in  tlioir  liii;-1it.  and  in  their  arraiii^onioiit.  hut  tlioy  aro  aenorally 

Trr  tLTtilc.  t'i>vorud  with  a  rioli  ar^illaocoiis  soil  to  tlioir  very  snniinits,  and 

Tr'bc  ;i  luxuriant  vojr<'tation,  such  as  is  usually  found  only  on  rloh  allu- 

Ti'n>:  tliov  are  iiivariahly  olothod  with  I'orost  trees  of  tlio  nmst  lofty  hi^ht."' 

Ni';lier  the  asscnihla^u'o  of  small  rivers  wliioh  constitute  tlio  ^loiionu'ahohi, 

ET tin;  main  trunk  itself,  can  he  roLi'ardod  as  alluvial,  for  tlioir  bottoms  are 

in L'O'icnil  narrow.     Some  of  the  triluitarios,  however,  flow  tor  a  distaiuc  in 

tk'k'ail  synclinal  axes  or  valleys  which  lie  hot weon  niouiitaiii  ranges,  of 

w'ili  tlic  fi)llowiii<;  is  an  oxaiii|)le  : 

II.    Tvuaiit's  Vam.kv. — '•One  of  the  most  intorosfiii'i-  spots  in  tliO  topo- 

raji!;y  iif  tliis  re_<rioii,"  says  Doctor  liildreth,'!"  "is  Tygart's  A'alloy.     It  lies 

Kir  till.'  licads  of  the  'Valley  IJivor,'  twenty  miles  south-east  from  ('larks- 

■;:.':  Beverly,  the   county  seat  of  Raiidol[)h,  lies  in   this  valh'y.      It  is 

i 'It  M,'venty  miles  long,  including  that  portion  on  Loading  Crook,  and  in 

jhailtli  it  varies  from  ono  to  throe.     Its  hiuindaries  are  I'onned  hy  ranges  of 

':•:  ('lii'nt  :nid  Laurel  .Aluuntaius,  rising  to  a  groat  liight,aud  atlording  many 

:  stliiit  this  valley  has  once  boon  occupied  hy  a  lake.     The  accumulated 

at'.rs.  rising  above  the  elevation  of  the  Laurel  range,  liavt;  hi'rc  forced  a 

'im.'c,  and  the  Valley  I'ivor,  and  Loading  Creek,  have  formed  foi'  tliom- 

Ives  fliaiiiicls  in  the  bod  of  this  ancient  lake.    This  passage  is  about  three 

iik'>  ill  length,  and  from  three  to  four  hundred  yards  in  breadth,  cut  down 

t'lo  base  r»f  the  mountains.     The  cliffs  of  rock   on  each  side  aro  of  a 

it'J|iii!i[ius  liight,  not  less  than  one  thousand  feet,  affording  a  most  grand 

in'l|'irturesi|ue  view,  and  may  not  iiiap|iropriatcly  be  called  'the  g;  tos  of 

U'ninuiitaiii.'    The  fissure  in  the  rocks  and  strata  on  each  .side  cornspond; 

if  rdiiig  sulTicient  evidence  of  their  former  junction.     The  rock  itself  is  of 

it''  coarsest  conglomerate  sandstone.      Additional  evidence  of  this  valley 

'111:' tnniierly  boon  the  bed  of  a  lake,  is  also  found  in  the  fossils  brought 

'inexeavating  the  earth  for  wells.       *      *      *      Tlie  base  of  the  valley 


'■■^iilinwirs  Journal,  i!oco  cifaio. 


t  Ibid. 


KV . 


■r.  ' 


\ 


.1 


.1 


.    • 


*  .'V  ' ' 


"» 


r^     I 


••('.(t 


'i"iii:  I'lJiNcipAi,  i»isi;.\hi:h  ok  'I'iii: 


iM , 


!.■>  • 


I     i. 


!H-t 


Km 


■'Oik. 


^ 


rincH  M'ly  irnnliiJillv  iis  ii  mlviiiu'cs  lnwaril  ii  •>  Im.uI  in  llic  Cluul  Mmiihijj,, 
Till'  riMT  iiiiiiiitlfrs  •lifiiiij;li  iln  \\\\mU<  li-ii^'lli  wiili  a  <  aim  ainl  |ilin'ul  ^mfj,^ 
l-)ii\iri>iu>i|  liy  I'iili^i's  til'  l<>ri\  iiiiiiiiilaiiiH,  ami  mIhiI.  i'IiI  tVnm  ||||<  virile  iii<,| 
tumiih  nrilic  Mil  rniimliii!,'  WHild,  iliis  \alli'\  aH'inilM,  at  iirlain  MMSdUHhfi;,, 
_\«'ar,  all  llic  iialmal  aiiil  jiit  I  iiri>t|iii'  licaiilirs  mT  iIic  I'alilril  \  alley  nf  ,|,>(|,, 
Hull.  Ili'io  may  lit>  rmiinl  iii'arl\  all  llii<  rare  ami  ciirii'iis  slinili.s  ami  fl  |, 
oriii;;  IriM'.s  iiiili'^cKnus  to  tin-  wc^h  in  ronnlr\.  '  •"  ''  Nuiiii'iMii^wiiir. 
lallr*  ami  rapids.  liclnW  llm  '^-ali's  nl'  (lin  imiiiiilaiii,'  >.'ivi'  to  lliiin  hciimi'jI.m 
s|n>t,  liy  llifir  iioisy  iMiilra.st,  :i  slill  Lffcalcr  air  nl'  lrMm|iiillily.  In  |l,,,  ,|, 
laini>  i>\'  (\yi'iil\-li\('  miles,  tin'  ri\t'r  lias  a  ili'^cnil  nl'  scNcral  liiitnlr,  1 1,,, 
as  it  |ia>^i's  (liiwn  tin-  Inoail  |ilatt'ans  nl'  llic  imainliiiiis  inln  |||im,i1',i 
lu'Itiw.  Miirli  nt'  |lii>  (Irsri'iil  is  iiiailc  u|i  cif  r;i|ii(U  ami  ri|i|i|(  s,  liiit  in i iliff 
plai'i's  it  I'lirms  prrju'mlirulir  i  a^  aili's,  ami  |iililii's  uycr  the  .saiitl(ituiier«i; 
\yliit'li  Lii'iinally  t'nrm  its  lird." 

III.  Tin;  (li.vhKs  nK  Ciii'AT  \m>  I.viuii.  Moint.mns. — We  lia\r  iilrait 
lintii'i'd  till'  Liladcs  anmnd  llic  (I,inlc\  l!a>in.  'rim>c  wliidi  air  IhiiikI  in  t'j, 
fOiiioii  \vc  arc  m>\y  i'.\|iliiiiiiir,  lirlmm  to  tlic  Client,  ivml  Laiinl  .^^  m!,,  ^ 
ami  arc  dc-crilicd  Ity   l>iiit(ir  llildrdli  as  lulluws:  ' 

••  'I'lic  w  liclc  face  (if  tlic  ccimtrv  liccumcs  cicyatcd,  and  lu'lwccii  tlio  r;i::< 
ct'  iiii'iiiitains  \vc  meet  willi  Inii^'  luil  narinw  .-trips  ul'  lc\cl  land,  lnn' ni; 
'i^ladcs,'  'I'licN.iii  seme  respects,  reseiiililc  llie  prairies  nt'  tlie  woi,  1  ,;; 
el  'tliod  with  a  scanty  ^rewtli  o['  rorcsl  trees  uiid  slirulis,  Iml  are  fHiii|«if.J 
ol"  a  rieli  vi'L'ctablc  snil.  \yidl  suited  tu  tlic  frrnwtli  ol'  grain,  pntatno, aw 
P'ass.  Init  arc  ten  luiicli  clcvaled  ami  sniijeet  to  laic  iVusIs,  I'nr  tlio  sumssfiil 
oultivatii'U  nl'  Imliaii  enni.  TlicN  wire,  willmnt  dunlit,  nmc  the  l.^j- ; 
laki  s,  ami  liavi'  iiiiifcrinlx  a  stream  nl"  water  pa.-^siiiij;  tlinmgli  their  iuimI* 
pcntlinu'  pnvticns.  Tlie  taMc-lamls  ol'  .Nlexicn  arc  here  represeiileiliniiiii.il- 
turc.  Tlic  jiladi's  >yere  mn'c  pnitiniis  ul'  the  dilLiinal  lied  ul'  the  eeean.  l":^ 
the  imuuiaiii  raiiL'i's  were  lil'ied  np,  er  'Iikui^IiI  I'lirtli,' — Init  at  lli;it  ii:: , 
were  elevated  with  the  raiiucs  to  their  pirseiil  liiuht.  Ueiiii.'  .-urrnunilnl  ki 
rivlire-.  they,  t'or  a  Imig  time,  reniaiiu'd  euveri'd  with  water,  imlil,  hy  aMim- 
lutiuns  I'ruiu  the  adjacent  hi::'1ilaiids,  the  water  I'oreed  a  passap'  i\m:i 
some  less  elevated  spot,  and  drainiiiii'  oil"  by  dcii'roes  the  aeeuiinilaUil  r.  •- 
its  bed  wa--  eventually  laid  bare,  wiiieli  bed  now  t'urms  a  iiinderii  ji'lmlt'.' 

IV.  JhriiANVN.  —  The  tnwii  bearing;  this  uanu;  is  situate  alunil  lit 
tliirty-niiith  dcirroc  o\'  north  latiimlc.  on  tlio  K't't  or  west  bank  (if  a  smii! 
river  ot'  the  same  name,  wliieh  diseliariTcs  its  waters  into  tlie  East  Itei 
of  the  ^lonouiraliela.  In  iis  rear,  to  the  west,  as  1  am  ini'iiriiiiHl  liy}lr 
White,  a  student  ot"  medieinc.  there  is  a  considorablo  tract  of  bettnin,  v-" 
is  liable  to  ovorllows.  and  C'mtinues  swampy;  vet  iioitlicr  inleniiittcutc'i 
roiuittont  t'evors  occur. 

V.  Oi..uiKsr.nui.  —  This  is  unc  v['  tho  oldest  towns  of  the  MoiioiipiH'M 
Basin.     It  is  siattcrindy  Iniilt  on  a  small  tract  of  uneven  table-lamUntlK 
left  bank  of  the  West   branch  of  tho  IMouoiio-ahela.     The  stream  ji'i-- w 


Silliinaii's  .Tournul,  loco  citato. 


•'  "■•i.i-.    ir.\      1  I 

^'"'Tiglitliaiikof  theriv 


fc*. 


p>ltl-l 


i.\Ti;ini»i{  vAM.i.v  (II'  NoijTii  amuukn. 


i!ti7 


,  i,i  Miiniiii'i',  liiiM  n  ri'iKv  lii'il.  mill  liiil  lilllt-  HMlt'-:illin  inii.  lis  clfviititm 
I  1^^,,  ll„.  ,,'ii  it  lii'twci'ii  I'iirlit  ninl  nine  liiinilrirl  I'dt.  TIimI  nl'  llir  liinnc- 
liliiti'lv  liMrriiiiiiilii'u' III""' '"^  "'"'"'  I  ^M'  IiiiihIk  (I   iimii'.      'I'lir  ri'j..iiiii   inwliiili 

||l,i.  t.HVII   !■<  Ml""'''''     '■'    I'llL'^''''.   \Ml'l     IlllllnW    \llllr\-,    I  I'Mi-ii'Iif     hi  I'l'lilll- ,     l|ii 

L,,.ii,i|,^,ir  iiniiil-J,  mill  lull  Irw  Hpriii^'H; — llin  hhIi  ,slriilii  iirc  hIiiiIi'  iiihI  wiiwI- 
I  J II,,  «illi  i.i'iiiii>(  111' cinil  ;iii(l  Vi  r\  liltlc  llmi'^lniiiv  On  Ii:i\t  rsiiijjr  llii-<  n^'inii 
Iff  III  till' «''''•'**'"**"'''  ''.^  llii-  |ii'n|ilr    lliiil    ii;'.iii'  iir    inliTiiiilltiil   I'imt  '\h 

LljlvlMtfll,  iT  llt'lll'lv  Hii;     I'll!     lll.ll     ('MTV    lull    (Ih'V   llll\''    '//"•    I'l'MT,'    li\    ullitll 

It   ',  iiiriiiit  I'i'iiiilliiiL''  liilimis  I'l'Mr.  Iriiiliii''  In  ii  rniiliiiniil  l\|ii'.      In  <'l;irl<H- 

lli'ir:,  I  iiiiivcrHt'tl  willi  lln'   \i'iii'r;ilpi inirciiiiriini,    hmlur    NVilli.iin.  .  ulm 

|b'l  riii'li"!  llii'i'''  rii|'l\-si'\i'ii  vtMiM,  iiiiil  lie  iiM><iir(  (I  ini',  llial  iii'iu'  iinil   Ii'vit 

Ih'l  MiMT /'''"'""'"'  •'"■""'•''   l''"''  li'ii;.'  |"iliiil.  ami  liml  M'aricis  cm  r  niTiir- 

|f,,|  .|i,rr!iilir;illv,  ill  llii'  linvii   III'  ils  \iiiiiil\.       I'lscii  alini;.'  I  lie   \\  v^i    nianrji 

Icltiii' Miiiiiiiij.'iili''lii.  Ii''  liati  iii'Vir  scni  a  cast'.     Mvcry  \i'iir.  Ii''\vc\ir,  lir  iiail 

\\;  i>«iil  iiiiiri'  or  It^s  nf  ri'iiiiltfiit.   Irvrr.      Tlii-t   ri'|iir,^i'iilarMiii   wa.s  (aiii- 

Itriii'illiv  |li»liir  MrCallv.  wlm  liail  al'^n  |ii'iirrna'il  in   Clai  JHlnir^r  IkI'  many 

^i;irv    Till' iiu'iH'M   lit' liail  ^<l  ell  wiTc  nmlraflnl  cIm'wImii' r   liiil,   icmillriils 

tirinl  sriilti'i'iiijjily  i'Vi'ry  auliimn,  mi    hill   ami  \allr_\  alike,  ami  wric,  now 

llEJtlu'ii,  iiiii(l('rah'l_v  r|iiilfiiiif. 

VI.  I\iNi;\ui(tii. —  Imiiih  ('larksliiir;.'  to  Kiii;'\viiiiil  llic  j/riiiTal  (aair.sc  nl" 
||Vr.  ail  i>  til  till' null  li-i'a.^l.  Il  rrn.-f^cs  tlic  llasj  ur 'I'n  Liarl.s  \'allr_v  Miaiicli 
■>!  I'r  .^^||||lML^lll•'la.  I  ruiiml  llm  niiiiiliy  ilry.  lla:  .'^In'aiiis  traiihicnl,  ami 
Itc  >|irin'.',s  iiritluT  iiiiiiiiTnii.s  imr  |ii'iiiiaii('iil.  Hrl  wciii  lln-  wcmI.  ami  cant 
liwrlii"' iif  till!  river,  llic  .siirraic  i.s  hilly,  iImhimIi  nnl  iimrc  clcxalcd  than 
' mill  Cliii'lisldirj;;  hut  licynml  the  latter  hraiieli,  the  hill.'^  hcennie  lnllier,  aial 
i.'.'i'iit'n!!  surface  al  leiii'lh  ri.se.s  iiitu  hiw-imiiMilaiiiuiis.  The  ehiif  |iii|ni- 
b'  'i  i-  in  llie  iiarmw  \alley.'<.  wlicre  remilleiil  Icmt  neeiir.s  In  a  moderate 
pent;  lull  iiiU'i'iiiitleiit  is  aliimsl,  if  imt  i|iiile,  iiiilciinwii. 

!\i!iL'\viiii(l.  lilic  ('larl;sl)iirL',  is  sealeil   mi   a    pieee  (if  talile-lami    elevated 

^ii  lit  two  liuiiilred  feet  aliuve  ( 'heat    l!iver,  which  flows  u  iiiil(«  and   a   half 

■'"lit,  nil  till' niTlh-easl.      I>e;,midthe   river  is  Cheat  Mmiiitaiii.      The  .-itc 

KKiiigWH.iil  is,  by  e.^tiiiiate,  twelve  hiimli'ed   feet   alu.ve  the  .--('a.      The   ^ur- 

Diiiiiliiii.' (iiuutry,  in  ils  aspeels  iiiid  v(';j;i't.'ilimi,  is  wild  and  al|iinc;  (.'|')ii|i(isimI 

[■arliiiMifiTdiis  shales  and  saiidstmies,  dee|ily  cut  intu  i'a\  iiies;  and  ()Vers|ireud 

ntliliit'ty  furosts,  which  einln'aee  halniias,  laurels,  rhedi'dendriiiis.  piiii's,  and 

jiimts;  wliih.'  its  euel  and  darkly  einbnsmned  waleis  alimuid  in  speikled 

put  (  .9'/////') /()«////(///,<),  unkiinwii  at    a  lnwer  h-vel,  or  further  west  in   tlio 

llloyiit'tliG  Oliio.     It  is  alninst  unneeessary  In  say,  that  in  this  rcirimi  a.Lnic 

Hil  tivcr  (loos  not  dt'cur.     All  with  wlimn  1  cmivursed   (  including.'  Diyctor 

M^volliind  the  Hon.  .'Mr.  ]}ruwu,  of  Kin}.^wo(.cl  ),  testified  to  this  fact.     Tt 

P  liili'fil.  a  luijiulur  ojiinion  tliere,  tkat  localities  wliieli  alu  iiml  in  trout  aro 

I't  Irnni  iigue.     3Iild  remittent  fevers,  however,  oeeur  occasionally  every 

K'uiiin.  ill  that  as  well  as  other  jiarts  of  tlie  Monongaliela  IJasin,  Imt  not  to 

p^' same  extent  as  in  its  western  iiortimis. 

HI.   .^MYTiiFiKU),  OX  THE  YoL'ciiiiO(iiiKNY. — Tliis  liuniMc  villago  IS  situate 

f-  '-^o  right  Lank  of  the  river,  wliurc  it  i.s  erosseil  by  the  National  lload,  near 


ill 


J; 


!i 


.1 


t?. 

«■ 

»';#•'  ■.- 

■' 

-  .• 

"•..'. 

#■*. 


■•t- 


■!  ,•    i  ■ 


^ 


K  ■■'  r 


'i  '  ■ 


I! 


'■\ 


■'■■■'^j^M 


.    '■  ■ .      -v. 


•..■■•■  I; 


•:t 


.    # 

■A 

.  I 


268 


THE  TRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


iBOOJ  ;. 


t1ic  caslern  base  of  tlio  Laurel  ^Mountain.  The  bottoms  of  tlic  stream  'v. 
those  alonjv  tlio  otlier  brandies  of  tlio  Moiiongalicla,  are  of  liniityil  ^.^^ .. 
Tlioy  arc  less  elevated,  by  two  or  tliree  liuiidred  l\;et.  than  the  ]ilat(a;i  • 
whii.-li  Kiiio'wood  .stands.  From  Doctor  Tetter,  who  had  resided  in  t!ii.il  f. 
lity  for  five  years,  I  learned  tliat  he  had  seen  Ijiit  one  case  of  iiitiiu;itii.r. 
fever.  It  occrrrcd  on  tlie  river  bank,  a  mile  below  the  village.  llciiii;;,f 
fever  is,  however,  a  yearly  visitor,  and  appears  on  the  mountaiii-tht.  j;  I 
much  as  in  the  \  alley.  Once  it  assumed  an  epidemic  cliaracter,  lau  it  L 
generally  been  sporadic. 

AMll.     LowKii  IJasin  of  tiik  [Moxoxo.viieia.  —  The  lower  portioninftniij 
valley,  and  that  also  of  the  Yougliiogheny  lliver,  are  no  longcrnuaiutaiiioDi 
but  constitute  a  hilly  and  rolling  plain,  which  stretches  off  to  the  OliioHivt; 
from  tlie  base  of  Laurel  Iliii,  the  most  western  of  the  Appalacliian  it  ■;; 
Monongahela  county,  in  A'irginia,  and  the  counties  of  Gre^'iie  aiiil  Riw;;, 
with  large  portions  of  Washington,  Westmoreland,  and  Allegliaiij,  i;i 'r*! 
state  of    Pennsylvania,    compose    the    civil    divisions   of  this  limitol,  h| 
not  unimportant,  district,  wluch  is,  properly,   tlie  bcgiiniiag  of  cukiviii;! 
country,  in    coming   into    the    basin    of  the    Ohio   from   tlie  east.  It  ii| 
traversed  by  the  Naticjual  Iioad  from  the  foot  of  Laurel  Hill,  tkii:':! 
Uniontown,  ]>rownsville,  and  "Wheeling,  to  the  Ohio.     Tliat  portioa  kBI 
lies  near  the  mountain  is    more    lepressed    and   level    than  some  (tfef 
In   advancing  to   Bro'vnsville  on  the    3Ionongahcla,  the  surface  .socii)>  t)| 
rise  and  become  mure  rugged.     The  river,  at  I'fownsville.  is  .sevtn  \z- 
dred  and  thir(y-si.\  feet  above  tlie  sea,  and  the  surrounding  liilLs  appiari; 
be,  at  least,  four  hundred  more :  giving  them  an  altitude  of  nearly  twelvoiiE-l 
dred  feet.     Farther  west  the  country  rises,  almost  impereeptibly, totlii.'':i.'b| 
of  fifteen   or  sixteen  hundred  feet,  at  Ilillsboro,  and  then  sinks  gvailii;'!;v!.| 
Wheeling,  ■where  it  dtics  not  exceed  eleven  hundred  feet.      Tlie  priric 
ravines  which  have  been  cut  through  this  district,  are  those  in  wliir'i  t: 
principal  rivers  upproach  and  unite,  the  Yougliiogheny  yielding  up  itM,aiJ;ij 
and  contri))uting,  by  its  ■waters,  io  prepare  the  3Ionong,",liel;i  for  more i\d| 
unidii  with  tlie  Alleghany,  in  foriring  the  Ohio  liiver  at  Pittsliargli.  hi 
ravines  through  which  these  rivers  flow  arc  generally  narrow,  ami  cmf. 
licnd,  of  course,  but  little  alluvial  bottom, —  the  common  character  et';i;i!-(j 
streams  of  the  district.    A  series  of  locks  and  dams  has  prudueed  slaek-itaaj 
in  the  3Ionongahela,  fron.  Pitt.-^burgh  to  Prownsville;  between  wlii'.-i; i-*'^ 
difference  in  level  is  thirty-two  feet. 

Much  of  this  district  has  a  calcareous  basis  and  a  fertile  soil.  ItssfiiJisI 
are  neither  numerous  nor  permanent.  It  has  no  swamps,  nor  aiiyiwl 
except  tliose  produced  by  mill-dams,  or  the  subsidence  of  the  streani! sal 
they  degenerate  into  [xnds  connected  by  feeble  currents.  Charlicrlr-il 
wliicli  orio-inates  near  Washinti'ton  and  flows  into  the  Ohio  a  little  1' 'I 
Pittsburgh,  has  wider  alluvimis  than  the  ^Monongahela,  and  some  o'. ;  .'il 
show  small  ponds  and  sloughs;  on  the  whide,  however,  this  distrii't  i)i'.' 
placed  among  the  dryest  in  the  basin  of  the  Ohio.  Being  one  of  tlie'iKJ 
settled  portions  of  the  basin,  its  f.  rests  have  Ijceii  extei!''ively  'lestP'V'J 


Ir.r.r  i.j 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  Is'ORTH  AMERICA. 


11G9 


\[ •  I'lformatioii  coucorning  its  liuliility  to  aiitniiiiial  fovcr  is  tlio  folliAviii^. 
H- 1'  ■  !it"Wii,  near  tho  liasc  of  the  nuiuutaiii,  I  learned  I'runi  Ductir  Jl. 
J)v„,,i,ril  ami  Doetur  riiller,  that  intermit  tent  lever  is  nearly  unkniwn  in 
ilniiiiirt  "f  the  district,  and  that  |)atieiits  eoniing  uith  it  (Vdni  (.tlier  Im^ali- 
li  oi'ten  recover  without  the  use  of  nieilieine;  Ijnt  remittent  f'eviT  occurs 
ir.Kfcilly  tvery  autumn,  and  in  the  year  1^1'.>,  Doctor  Cam[)Lell  saw  it 
I'liiiiir.    In  sunic  cases  remissions  were  distinctly  marked,  liut  in  ( thers 
i,(.vH-,iv  cbscure,  and  there  was  a  tendency  to  a  cimtinued  ty]ic.     At  tlio 
faH'^iaiice  ironworks  of  Mr.  Olipbant,  seven  miles  south  ol'   rniontuwn, 
LjrtlieliRi-e  of  tho  mountain,  intennittcnts  among  tho  operatives  were  never 
i,ii'l,tuf    At  IJrownsvillo,  which  is  built  on  steep  ri.-er-hills,  that  remind 
Ice  if  Vioksburi;',  Doctor  Stanley,  Doctor  Lalierty.  and  Doctor  Jones,  through 
y::\Ai  uf  fuurtecn,  eleven,  and  four  years,  had  never  seen  a  case  of  ague  and 
levir,  until  after  the  construction  of  hjcks  and  dams  for  slack-water  naviga- 
te orjateil  a  p'lol,  the  head  of  which  was  near  tho  town.     These  cases,  ob- 
iervtJl'V  Doctor  Stanley,  were,  however,  few  in  nundjcr,  and  were  aeconipa- 
|ii  i  1 V  chills  only.     Cases  of  ague  from  a  distance  had  sometimes  proved 
ilMiiiato:  and  periodical  neuralgias  of  the  Lrow  are  not  unconnnon.     lic- 
Li;!  !it  fever  is  of  annual  recurrence  here,  but  not,  strictly  speaking,  cjiidemlc. 
11  La- ti't'iiuontly  shown  a  tendency  to  the  continued  form.     In  Washington, 
Imii-r  I."Miiiiiic,  in  a  practice  of  twenty-five  years,  had  seen  but  five  original 
r iu'liL'tMiniis  cases  of  internnttent  fever,  two  of  which  were  of  the  town,  in  a 
CHMvliich  had  waicr  in  the  cellar  throughout  the  summer;  the  otlier  three 
[tri'iii'ar  a  mill-pond.     Doctor  Wishart,  in  tho  course  of  a  long  practice,  had 
M V'jry  few  cases,  cxcej)t  those  contracted  aliroad.    Doctor  King  had  seen 
Iciif. ill  Juno,  in  a  man  wlio  ':ad  snjourned  in  an  aguish  locality  the  preced- 

.•:V;1,  witliout  then  having  an  attack.  All  these  gentlemen  testity  to  the 
f'irurrence  of  remittent  fever,  but  not  as  an  epidemic,  except  in  the 
ilioiiil  of  some  of  tho  streams  which  abound  in  ponds.  It  oi'teu 
|E;iiaK<  a  typhous  character,  and  never  terminates  in  an  intermittent  type. 
|o  l!iij  testimony  I  may  add  that  of  Doctor  Ilecd,  who,  althongli  not  in 
ractivi',  liail  long  been  an  attentive  observer  in  this  locality.  In  the  neigb- 
btoiid  of  West  Alexandria,  between  Washington  and  AVhceling,  among  the 
imccs  of  Buffiilo  ;.nd  Wheeling  Creeks,  wlierc  the  surface  is  tortuou.sly 

iC'ainlliiw-liriy,  with  gocjd  springs  and  without  swamps  or  ponds.  Doctor 
laviikn.  in  a  practice  of  eight  years,  had  never  seen  a  case  of  ague  or  inter- 
litti.Et:  and  even  remittents  appear  to  be  replaced  by  continued  fever;  which 
livai's  more  in  autumn,  however,  than  in  other  seasons  of  the  year.  These 
prvatimis,  extending  through  this  district  from  the  mountains  to  the  Ohio 
f'».  a  di.'rtance  of  seventy  nules,  will  bo  sufficient  to  show  the  degree  to 
|l::;'.i  it  is  affected  by  autumnal  fever. 

jlA.  ^\ii£i;lixg. — The  course  in  which  wo  have  traveled,  has  brought  us 
W-i  li  the  Ohio  River,  at  tho  town  of  Wheeling.  The  uiiection  of  the 
F  at  this  place  is  nearly  south-west.  The  town  stands  on  its  left  bank, 
po  high-water  mark,  on  two  alluvial  terraces  —  a  lower  and  an  upper  — 
pito  of  ^hich  is  very  wide.     The  lower  is  composed  chiefly  of  sand  and 


f 


n'-' 


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j.'->V-'.' '" .  .'■;;   ,-,; 

I     .  ,  ■■ 


(^m':iiHi: 


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H||"-  .,■ 

270 


THE  rUINGIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


iMOKl, 


gravel,  tlio  Tipper  of  saiidj  loam.  Tl-oso  terraces  are  traversed  bv  Wkr , 
Creek,  wliicli  diviiles  tlie  town  itself  into  S-'utli  and  North  M'licclinfr  v' 
ereek  originates  not  i'ur  to  the  south-east,  where  it  interlocks  with  a  tri' 
tary  of  the  West  IJrarieh  of  the  31onongahela.  As  it  ajtprouehcs  tlif  twp: 
\yinils  among  the  hills,  has  narrow  hotton:s  with  high  hanks,  iKit  Hiililotdn 
nndalion;  hut  it  receives  the  back-water  of  tlie  Ohio  when  in ilmi],  in,,,,,;: 
ately  opposite  the  town,  there  is  a  largo  islaiul,  which  is  so  olevuted  a- 1 
admit  (if  lieiiig  highly  cultivated.  I'eyond  this  island,  the  hills  iiriylaH 
upon  the  river,  and  have  an  o[)ening  or  ravine  from  the  west,  tlirou;;lMv!r 
Indian  Creok  makes  its  way  to  the  river.  Thus,  Wheeling,  for  a  rivir  t .ipi 
is  favorably  situated,  as  to  the  conditions  which  generate  autuimial  tV,Y, 
The  elevation  of  its  site  is  about  seven  hundred  and  sixty  feet  ahova  tlif  ^a' I 
that  of  the  surrounding  hills,  not  far  from  eleven  hundred.  As  to  voM'li. 
tion,  it  cannot  be  acted  upon  with  eflcct,  except  by  winds  from  tliciifn-. 
east,  or  south-west  and  west. 

AVheeling,  in  N.  Lat.  about  40^*,  is  one  of  the  oldest  towns  of  tlioi':;. 
Basin;  its  population  is   about  ten  thousand  souls;  it  has  inaiivfait  •> 
and  consumes  a  vast  (quantity  of  sulphuro-bituminous  coal,  drawn  fMr,!;! 
adjacent  hills. 

Wluiu  Doctor  ]M.  II.  Houston,*  to  whom  I  aui  indebted  for  most  i.fmifl 
particulars,  removed  to  "Wheeling,  in  ISol,  and  for  two  years  aftoruaii!:J 
termittent  and  remittent  fevers  prevailed  to  a  considerable  extent,  aii'iw.::: I 
much  commoner  on  the  upper  than  the  lower  terrace;  owing,  no  r.lijiil4,;i 
the  hitter  having  the  densest  population.     After  an  invasion  of  qiijirj; 
cholera,  in  ISoo,  these  fevers  nearly  disa])peared,  and  have  not  since nt'irril 
except  in  the  mildest  degree.     AVhen  at  Jefi'erson  City,  31issouri.  ( [i,  li> 
Doctor  W.  A.  Davison,  wdio  had  practiced  medicine  in  Wheeling  friiii  Is! 
to  1840,  confirmed  this  statement,  by  saying  that  he  found  tlio  fevtrsiifji-l 
tumn,  in  his  present  locality,  decidedly  more  frcijuent  and  dangerous  tl..,;i* 
had  found  them  in  Wheeling.     A  comparison  of  the  topography  ami  ru;-::'! 
ages  of  the  two  towns  will  explain  this  ditlerence.     Doctor  IIonstniii-D'! 
ble  to  designate  any  topographical  changes  cotemporary  with  the  cli4ia:!J 
18o3,  cxce])t  a  more  general  paving  of  the  streets,  and  the  substituiic 
hydrant-water  for  well-water.      The  same  gentleman  has  notiocil  tint.; 
such  portions  of  the  hill-country  around  Wheeling  as  have  a  clav-ufflj 
with  a  prevalence  of  oak  trees,  the  fevers  of  autumn  are  of  a  morevik: 
character,  than  in  any  other  part  of  this  locality. 

X.     From  Wiikeuno  to  Pittshukgii. — The  distance  between  those |'a«| 
is  ninety  miles.     In  ascending  from  the  former  to  the  latter,  tlie  vi'Vin"  :'j 
half  the  distance,  is  directly  north,   then  uorth-east,  and  then,  1"!  i!;";| 
miles,  south-east.     Thus,  a  kind  of  promontory  is  formed,  tlie  suriaft'l 
which  is  di^eply  cut  with  ravines,  giving  hills,   the  sunmiits  of  wliif''  '^ 
about  eleven  hundred  feet  above  the  sea,  until  we  a[H)roach  Pittsbuipu-fj 
they  rise  still  higher.     As  a  general  fact,  there  is  no  marsh  aiul  vcn  .Ml 


*  MSS.  penes  me. 


-  -^^ 


1  BOOK  I, 

'sed  l»y  Wl;,t!;.. 
AVhocliiig.  'fi' 
cks  ^\-itli  a  trii,ii. 

aches  tlllj  thWli ;; 

i,  iidt  lialilo  tij  ij. 
"fl'"''l.  liiiiiioJi. 
sii  clovated  a?  t-, 
^  liills  pn-sskrl 
St,  throiigli  ivik: 
,  for  a  riviT  h^, 
i  aiituninnl  fod 
;et  abnvo  tin;  >fj;  I 
As  to  vii.rl;. 
3  from  tlieuini- 


(   I 


;owns  of  tlie  i )-s 
as  many  tact.r;« 
1,  drawn  fi'"iii'.;t 


.  <  ■  .  i*,'  ^'  ^1  ■ , » . 


for  mii«t  ..ftkit 
ears  al'teruaiJ.!:..| 
e  extent,  aiiil  wt:. 
ffing,  no  (.[.ult. ; 
asioii  of  qiik.; 
not  sincerttiin.-;! 
issouri.  ( p.  li> 
icoliiifffriiiulv.'l 
the  fovi'i'SHii 
angeruu*  tl..,E 
aphy  and  rtli!;: 
Houston  i>&  I 
til  the  difl'ia .' 
10  suh.^itu;;  T: : 
i  iiotiuoil  t!:;i!.-j 
vc  a  claysufflj 
of  a  niore'.":'B| 

woon  those  I'jf: 
■r,  the  voya;:".:' 

then,  for  tH:"| 
(1,  tho  s-aria-. 
lits  of  ffliit'i  '■ 

I'ittsburgli."'*'! 
■sh  and  very  liii' 


*>-''r-,~ 


>-M- 


.l:rl. 


v:> 


■?;*• 


1 


,.vj-. 


•:'-'<!;1i; 


■? 


I*."  *■* 


■■i  ^^. 


I   if 


] 


1   « 


1    . 


IH 


mfr:  . 


•Hii^n'^  ■  "■ 


'i':-     i. 


V  i'i  •,' 
"    <l, 


^' 


PL  XH 


4^  /^rlM 


bottmn-land  in  tliis  ]>i 
nf  Cii;irticr  Croek,  wl 
■ir'I.iii'l  piirtiniis,  the  o 
ti;e  3Innoiig;iht'I;t  Bii: 
!;rapliica!ly,  this  tract 
ieft  bank  of  tlie  river 
in-iff  lif  nothing  pen 
[nift  ill  }IillL'r,sl)urg, 
irhji'h  lie  f^aw  but  one 
privailuJ  to  some  exti 
.haractcr;  but  other  ti 


PITTS 

1.  The  western  inc 
ftlh'  .Monouf'ahclii  an 
t"ry  or  point  of  laui] 
ikXlI).  Am  accoi 
snutlimi  lialf  of  tlio  0 
Tlif  latitude  of  this 
loK-wator  elevation  of 
ihovc  the  sea,  and  one 
plains  or  terraces  on  w 
ar.'Imilt,  vary  in  elcval 
abuvc  it.  The  neiglibf 
and  sixty-seven  feet  ab 
^'irruunding  country  alj 
"I'll  I'f  the  topograpbic 
>ta'h-  of  this  locality. 

On  the  south  or  left' 
■'!'  stoop  hills,  ri.^ing  all 
■ind  sixty-five  feet  abo 
Jtveral  miles  below  the 
irjillaecous  bottom-lani 
lias  been  erected.     Mof 

jffflntofit,  isthefirsto 
river  to  Brownsville. 

For  a  long  period  of 
>'=e  junction  of  the  rivi 
'''i'or  old  citizens,  aboui 

^  '^^^''■'   In  the  rear  of  tl 
'^■^^ir  nimraits  the  obscr 

small,  shallow  lake,  toi 
^^me  of  East  Liberty  \ 


mrt  I'J 


INTEPJOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


271 


'.  I 


i,„tt  !!i-I;in'l '"  tliis  jteiiiiisiilii,  oxei'[)t  jiliui^-  the  Ohio  and  tho  lower  jortimis 
,'  Chirtier  Crook,  where  there  aro  suniofiiiios  juirtial  iimiKlatiini.-.  On  the 
].in,l portions,  the  cxeni|iti(in.  '.Voni  iiitcrniittciit  frvcr  is  as  groat  as  that  of 
fi-e  Mi'iioiK'uhohi  Basin  t'nmi  ruinntdwn  to  Wasliington,  of  Avhii'li.  t(i|i(i- 
„j.,.,!,i(.;,llv,  this  tract  is  a  cimtinnatinn.  No  iin)iiirtant  town  stands  on  the 
liK 'juiil:  of  tho  rivor  aliovo  AVhooling.  'I'ho  inost  iiotod  is  \\'i:M,si;riif;.  I 
]jn,iff  (if  nothing  poouliar  in  its  topography.  Doctor  Grafton. -with  whom 
hint  ill  Millovshurg,  Kotitucky,  rosi(h'd  niiio  years  in  AVollslnirg,  during 
ivniili  lie  ?;iw  l)ut  one  case  of  indigi.Mious  agiio  and  fever,  lleniittent  fever 
r.rovailoJ  to  some  o.xtent,  and  in  one  autnnin  almost  assumed  an  epidemic 
teictcr;  hut  other  autumns  passed  without  a  single  case. 


SECTION  XV. 

PITTSBURCII    AND    ITS    DEPENDENCIES. 

1.  The  western  metropolis  of  Pennsylvania  belongs  eipially  to  tlio  I'anlcs 
ftlir  Moniiiigahohi  and  tlio  Alleghany  Bivers,  as  it  stands  on  the  jirumon- 
tiirv  or  point  of  laud  aliovo  tho  junction  by  whieh  they  form  the  Ohio 
il'I.XIf).  An  account  of  its  topography  will  finisli  the  desoriptiou  of  the 
southern  half  of  the  Ohio  Basin  and  introduce  us  to  the  northern. 

The  latitude  of  this  city  is  40"  35' N. ;  its  longitmle  .^O"'  14' W.  The 
!'W-vrater  elevation  of  the  adjoining  rivers,  is  seven  hundred  and  four  feet 
ihovc  the  sea,  and  one  hundred  and  forty  above  Lake  Erie;  the  different 
plains  or  terraces  on  which  tho  city  and  its  surrounding  towns  and  villages 
ari'kilt,  vary  in  elevation  from  a  few  feet  below  higli-'water,  to  forty  or  fifty 
a!)iYo  it.  The  neighboring  hills  rise  to  different  bights,  up  to  four  hundred 
;i!il  sixty-seven  feet  above  the  rivers,  making  the  general  summit-level  of  the 
^'irruiiiuliiig  country  about  eleven  hundred  feet  above  the  oceaji.  An  inspce- 
tlMi  of  the  topographical  map  (  PZ.  A7/)  will  afford  important  aid  in  the 
stuily  (if  diis  locality. 

On  the  south  or  left-hand  side  of  tlie  ^fononiiahela  Iliver,  we  sec  a  rnnce 
■f  steep  hills,  rising  almost  from  its  margin  to  the  hight  of  foxir  hundred 
md sixty-five  feet  above  low-water.  They  continue  in  this  proximity  for 
several  miles  below  the  city;  but  above  it  recede,  so  as  to  give  a  tract  of 
argillaceous  hottom-land,  on  whicli  tho  inanufacturing  town  of  ]}irmingham 
bsbecn  erected.  Most  of  it  rises  above  the  highest  floods  of  the  river.  Tn 
frfintofit,  is  the  first  of  the  scries  of  dams  and  looks  whicb  extend  up  the 
river  to  Brownsville. 

.or  a  long  period  of  time  tho  town  was  limited  to  the  point  of  land  above 
iM  junction  of  the  rivers,  which,  as  I  was  informed  by  Mr.  Tchbaum,  and 
"thor  (jid  citizens,  abounded  in  ponds  and  sloughs,  now  filled  up  and  Imilt 
"^er,  In  the  rear  of  the  town  the  hills  are  near,  and  soon  after  reaching 
'noir  summits  the  observer  finds  himself  in  tbc  dry  bed  of  what  was  once  a 
small,  shallow  lake,  tortuously  stretching  off  to  tho  nortli-east,  under  the 
Mmo  of  East  Liberty  Valley.     Its  elevation,  as  I  was  informed  by  Edward 


.><i  •  U 


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2T2 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I'OOI !. 


31illcr,  Esfj.,  Civil  Engineer,  i,s  one  liuiidreil  and  .seventy-five  feet  above  tie 
Pittsbui'i^-li  pluin,  wliii/li  wonM  niukc  it  aliout  nine  Imndrud  and  rifh-fataljip 
tbo  soil.  The  liills  which  surround  it  ri^^c  iibdut  one  liundrcd  ami  (iftvi'rt. 
Ligho.,  tliat  is,  tu  the  general  level  (if  the  country.  A  dee[)  .stratum  of  lam 
witl  rich  soil  ovcr.spreads  the  bottom  of  this  ob.soletc  lake ;  on  wLieli  hujt 
water-worn  bowlder.s  arc  scattered,  iudicatinji;  the  fact,  that  tliis  locality!^. 
longs  to  a  ditfcrent  geological  and  topograpliical  region  from  that  of  tlie sftutli 
side  of  tlic  Monougaliela  llivcr.  ]>efore  leaving  this  .S})ot,  I  niajrcmarl; 
that  Judge  Wilkin.s,  who  resides  in  its  midst,  assured  me  that  inttTinittict 
fevers  do  not  occur  among  its  inhabitants,  and  that  remittents  are  cxtromth 
rare.  This  exemption  should  perliaps  bo  ascribed,  in  part  at  lca.st,  tu  ti's 
great  length  of  time  it  has  been  cultivated,  for  an  elevation  of  nine  liuinlrtl 
and  fifty  I'ect,  and  a  latitude  of  forty  degrees  thirty-five  niiiiutis,  arc  u 
sufficient  to  countervail  the  morbifiu  influence  of  a  flat  and  fertile  surla.; 
abounding  (  originally )  iu  organic  matter,  and  adequately  suppliiJ  mi 
moisture, 

"When  Ave  look  from  the  lulls  to  the  south  of  this  locality,  up  tlic  vali.v.: 
the  Moiiongahela,  wo  see  a  deep  ravine,  with  abrupt  and  closply-apiiruxic. 
ted  hills,  in  harmony  with  the  general  character  of  the  upper  portions  of  tie 
Ohio  Uasin  on  the  south  side  of  the  river ;  but  Avhen  we  look  down,  to  ti; 
north  and  north-west,  upon  the  Allegluxny  lliver,  we  find  it  muanJiri;; 
through  broad  alluvial  and  diluvial  bottoms,  witli  hills  of  gentler  sluju.  ij: 
examining  these  plains  we  soon  discover  that  they  are  not  ( like  tliose  to  tb 
south  )  composed  merely  of  the  disintegrated  strata  through  whicli  tliurivt: 
has  floM'ed,  but  abound  in  sand,  gravel,  pebbles,  and  bowlders,  detaclml  im  I 
rocks  of  a  much  older  geological  date,  than  the  carboniferous,  araonf.Mvl;ii.!;  | 
they  are  deposited ;  and  have,  like  the  boAvlders  in  the  dried-up  littkli: 
just  described,  been  transported  hither  by  vast   currents  from  the  n.n:. 
Such  is  the  valley  which  stretches  up  the  Alleghany  lliver  from  Titt:^!":;:''. 
and  through  which  the  Pennsylvania  Canal  has  been  exi-avatod.    Tls  I 
miles  from  the  city,   on  tlie  left  bank  of  the  Alleghany  lliver,  stai;il-i:! 
United  States  Arsenal.     The  bottom  over  which  the  road  to  tbis  niilita,^ 
posl  lies,  presents  some  brick-ponds,  and  is  partially  overflowed  in  orJicir;  I 
river  floods;  but  these  spots  are  to  tlie  north-east  or  leeward  of  tk ciij 
Captain   llardhig,  who  commanded  the  station,  and  Doctor  Day,  an  a.M' 
army  surgeon,  assured  mo,  in  1847,   that  autumnal  fevers  arc  aluK'-«t  in- 
known  among  the  soldiers  and  operatives  of  the  arsenal;  and  the pcnplai I 
the  adjoining  village  of  Lawrencevillo  enjoy,  I  believe,  nearly  an  eip!  ei- 
exemption.     The  road  to   the  arsenal  passes  over  a  terminal  basin  "tt::[ 
canal,  in  the  northern  suburb  of  the  city.     The  water  in  this  ba.siii,  twii'-- 
absence  of  an  outlet,  is  stagnant,  and  foul  in  appearance ;  yet,  as  P'XK 
Addison  and  Doctor  Speer  assured  mo,  it  has  not  generated  either  intiTiHi- 
tent  or  remittent  fevers,  iu  those  who  reside  around  it. 

The  bottom  which  has  been  described,  lies  on  the  east  or  Pittsburgli  Mm 
the  Alleghany  River;  but  below,  a  still  wider  bottom  becomes  dcviloi«^^| 
the  opposite  or  right  side,  which  continues  for  three  miles  down  m  •'''■■ 


UTI. 


INTERIOR  VALLF.Y  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


•273 


t::j  is  mar  be  seen  on  tlio  map,  is  tlie  site  nf  Allojrliany  Town.     A  narrow 

..rii, -,f  this  iKittoni  lying  aliin;,' tlio  slioro,  botli  abovo  and  below  tlie  jniic- 

•;,n , if  tliis  river  with  the   Monmiirabcla.  is  so  low  as  to   .suO'cr  innndation, 

,ti.l  ili-iplavs  a  foul  and  wot  s.irt'acc,  wliii-li,  in  f>i  no  yilaoos,  i.-     ondy,  though 

111  a  quail  sealo.     Tlic  oanal  wliidi,  by  an  ai|nednot,  ,«npplios  the  basin  on 

til,.  MptMisite  sido  of  the  river,  continues  throngli  tho  upper  half  of  this  bot- 

Hii.  when  it  (li^^eliargos  its  water  into  tho  Alleghany.      In  its  rear,  there  Is  a 

:,i'l;,.i'  terrace  —  an    old  or  second    bottom  —  which,   like    other  plaiiii--   of 

tj;,.  ,ame  geelogieal   ago  along  the    Oliio    llivcr,   abounds   in    rolled    and 

iinli<lieil  fragments  of  the  primitive  roelx's  ol  tho  north.     Tills  tcrraec;  does 

'vl  liuwever,  extend  back  to   the  hills,  which  lie  at  the  distance  of  nearlj" 

■1  mile,  kit  soon  di.'cllnes  into  a  kind  of  superficial  valley,  through  which 

I  i!  is  obvious  the  Alleghany,  or  a  part  of  its  waters,  when  of  much  greater 

.jnme  than  at   )rosont,  once  flowed  to  tho  Ohio,  two  or  three  miles  l)olow 

lit^prcsent  junction  with  the  Monongahela.     Of  course  this  ancient  bed  is 

rMii.s  free  from  watery  surface  as  that  part  of  tho  plain  which  li:is  not  been 

hhii«  cut  (liiwn. 

Iniiiifdlateh' holow  the  junction  of  the  Alleghany  with  the  ^fonongahela, 
hoar  till' right-liand  shore,  thm-o  were  formerly  two  islands.  tli(>  upper  ."^trata 
ifwiiicli  have  been  washed  away  till  they  are  no  longer  visible,  except  when 
li'tt  vivcr  is  low.  The  surfaces  which  are  tliero  exposed  abound  in  sand. 
Iiifjii  Mte  to  tliom,  at  a  short  distance  from  the  river,  an  oval  eminence  rises 
ii'^' Imndrod  feet  a1»ove  the  plain,  and  has  been  made  the  site  of  a  public 
ItWidfal  seminary.  It  was  an  island  when  a  part  of  the  Alleghany  flowed 
Iti its  north.  Its  composition  is  th(>  same  as  that  (^f  the  surrounding  hills,  of 
r'i'-  it  is  at  oncn  a  remnant  and  a  monument. 

A  iinic  lieliiw  is  the  village  of  .^IaneIlester,  partly  built  on  portions  of  tho 
Iflaiii wliiiji  iii-e.  to  some  extent,  liable  to  sulmicrsion  when  the  Ohio  is  up; 
I'll  al<ii  rctaiiMvatcr  in  shallow  pond^.  after  rain.     Tn  prneeeding  farther 
■fli  tlie  river  the  higher  terrai-e  disappears,  and  tlio  adjacent  hills  come 
i'lnr  to  tlie  river.     The  surface  of  the  lower  bottom  still  reniains  so  high 
^tiosoii]ie  all  except  extraordinary  Hoods:  but  a  permanent  swamp  over- 
'Mils  much  of  its  breadth.  ;ind  svretches  with  it  alono-  tlie  river,  Ijeconilng 
^!'l  rn-i  it  advances.     Near  the  Tipper  end  of  this  swamp  tlie  Tainted  States 
•'iiiiim;ial  linspital    has  been   erected.       O]iposite  the  swamp    is  TJruno's 
•Hml— a  part  of  the  bottom  cut  off  from  the  rest  by  the  current. 
riiim  the  junction  of  the  ^lonongahela  and  Alleghany,  the  Ohio  or  common 
r';s  tiikes  a  direction  nearly  north-west,  with  tho  hills  on  the  south  sido 
ll'i'na'iiiiig  it  closely  for  several  miles  from  the  city.     Thus  the  south  and 
"'i-west  winds  flow  down  upon  Pittsburgh  and  its  yirogonj'  of  villages,  from 
'"rnice  four  hundred  feet   abov(>  them.     ^Vhen  the  west  and  north-west 
fi';'l*  prevail,  they  come  over  the  hospital-swamp,  and  bear  its  oxlialations 
*''';'i'.' towns  above;  by  which  ^ranehester  and  the  south-western  part  of 
'• -iinny  Town  sufFcr  much  more  than  Pittsburgh  :  which  is  more  vnnote, 
P' ''"'  Alli^ghany  lliver  interposed  to  its  windward,  and  is  compactly  b-.ult, — 
'i''liti"ns  favorable  to  protection  against  paludal  influences. 


','       ' 


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274 


TIIH  PRINCII'AIi  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOI  • 


All  the  jyliysleiaiis  of  Pittslmrgli  and  Allcgliany  Town  witli  whom  1 1  i,. 
versed,  agree  in  represeiitiii<^  that  the;  intermittent  fevers  of  this  Iccalitv  ■ 
be  traced  up  to  (In;  low  frroiuids  and  the  swamp  to  the  west  ami  iiurtli.Ur.f 
being  more  freijuent  near  tliem,  in  proportion  to  the  population,  and  dimiiiis,. 
ing  as  we  recede  from  them.  Doctor  Smith,  of  Alleghany  T(Avn,  asaiucd  nc 
that,  althou^n  there  is  much  wet  and  foul  surface  about  the  teniiinatinn  „f 
the  canal,  it  d(ies  not  seem  to  produce  intermittent  fever;  so  true  is  it  tLa; 
swamp  is  the  prolilic  source  of  that  form  of  fever,  and  that  towns  Imve  it ij; 
capacity  for  resisting  it.  Kemittent  fever  prevails  over  tlie  same  tract  T^ii 
intermittent,  and  also  beyond ;  for  it  occurs  in  Pittsburgli,  where  intoraiittcm 
arc  now  nearly  unknown,  and,  indeed,  seem  never  to  have  prevailed  to  niuii 
extent. 

AVhile  tlic  north-east  and  north-west  winds,  traversing  the  vallovs  ot  t:,. 
Alleghany  and  Ohio  llivers,  ventilate  Pittsburgli  and  its  villages  very  efiecm- 
ally,  the  winds  of  summer,  from  south-east  to  south- west,  have  hut  little  p.  w^r 
in  that  way;  but.  at  the  same  time,  they  bring  less  of  impure  air  tban  t:.  v 
carry  into  any  other  town  on  tlie  banks  of  the  Ohio. 

In  connection  with  ventilation,  I  must  refer  tn  the  factitious  atraospkr; 
generated  in  tliis  locality  by  the  combustion  of  stone-coal.  Coal-Hill.  tt. 
rampart  on  the  south  side  of  the  Monongahela,  abounds  in  strata  of  tlie  vtrv 
best  bitumi.,(ius  coal,  in  horizontal  beds,  above  the  level  of  the  city  anL;- 
fmiho/tri/b-.  To  this,  in  a  great  degree,  may  bo  ascribed  the  cstalili.-lnnti;; 
of  factories  requiring  fuel,  for  which  this  place  has  beci.me  so  fiimou.-.  i" 
their  number  it  is  neither  possible  nor  necessary  for  me  to  speak;  but  i 
([uantity  of  bitumindus  coal  consumed  in  this  locality  is  greater,  I  supp-i. 
than  in  any  other  on  tlie  continent.  The  amount,  as  Jam  informed bv  |iM:!r 
Denny,  is  estimated  at  ten  millions  of  bushels  annually.  As  yet;  verylir.. 
of  the  smoke  arising  from  these  fires  is  consumed,  and  conse((uentlylt  escai.- 
in  immense  volumes,  carrying  into  the  atmosnhere  its  carbonaceous  matter. 
carbonic  acid,  carbui'ctted  hydrogen,  and  perhaps  sulphurous  ai  id,  all  :' 
which  hover  over  the  city  and  its  environs  the  longer,  from  the  obstacks  i: 
free  ventilation  which  tlie  surrounding  hills  oppose. 

As  in  other  towns  of  the  West,  through  the  early  periods  of  settleraem.  tli 
people  of  Pittsburgh,  previous  to  the  year  1827,  drank  well-water;  since tk 
time  they  have  drunk  the  water  of  Alleghany  Kiver,  supplied  tbroiidi  i 
system  of  liydrants.  To  this  time,  however,  the  inhabitants  of  Alleglis;:y 
Town,  nineteen  thousand  in  number,  and  those  of  the  other  faiihoum  iii« 
well-water  chiefly. 

Pittsburgh  is  the  oldest  Anglo-American  town  in  the  basin  of  tlie  Uti' 
In  17<')4,  the  French  from  Canada  built  Furl  die  Quesne,  at  the  juiicti'ii  : 
the  two  rivers  which  form  the  Ohio.  In  1758,  they  were  exiDclled  bvt:.. 
colonists,  and  the  name  was  changed  to  Fort  Pitt.  In  1760,  the  builJiDS 
for  residence  were  commenced;  and  in  1705,  a  town-plot  was  survejii 
The  present  population  of  the  city  and  its  suburban  towns  and  villajrw  i^ 
estimated,  as  Doctor  Denny  informs  me,  at  eighty-five  thousand,  of  "I'i'-!'" 
plurality,  I  believe,  are  Irish,  either  by  birth  or  extraction. 


THE  SOI 


!rancli  of  tlie  Monon^al 


fUT  I.. 


LNTGRIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


276 


CHAPTER    X. 

THE  SOUTIIEUN   13A8IN,    CONTINUKl> 


WmCM  TOPOGRAPHY   OF   THE    REOIONS    EAST    <>F    TIFE    MfSSIS- 
SlPi'I:  UASLV    OF  THE    OHIO   ON   THE    NORTHERN    SH)E   OF   THE 


SECTION  I. 

IJASIN  OF  THE  ALLEGHANY  RIVER. 

I.    A  liiiu  drawn  thrmiifli  tlie  coiitor  of  tliis  basin,  from  Pittsliurgli  to  tlic 
aklillo  sdurci'fi  of  the  Allouhaiiy  llivor,  would  run  about  iiortli  north-oust, 
tnivorsing  two  dogreos  of  latitude,  and  ast-onding  through  seven  hundred 
fett  of  altitude,  from  luw-water  mark  at  J'ittshurgh.     In  nianj'  places  the 
iainiiiliate  valley  expands  into  broad  alluvial  and  diluvial  bottoms,  abound- 
'■.'iii  ilie  (Icl/ris  of  primitive  northern  roeks,  but  in  otlier  places  wild  and 
;  ..  il  hills  compress  it  on  both  sides.     The  couiitry  west  of  the  river  bears 
wusidonible  rescndjlance,  in    aspects    and   altitude,  to   that  west  of   the 
'!  :"iiL'aliela,  but  is  more  broken.     To  the  east  of  the  Alleghany  it  has  a 
>•  ir|«  r  and  loftier  hillincss,  whitdi  graduates  into  the  Chestnut  ]lidgo,  and 
tihor  outLT  ranges  of  the  Appalachian  ^lountaii's ;  though  the  elevation 
I  attained  is  nowhere  as  great  as  that  of  the  region  in  which  the  Cheat  Kiver 
lancli  of  the  Monongahela  has  its  origin.      All  the  largo  tributaries  of  the 
A'i'.'liany,  except  French  Creek,  arc;  found  on  its  eastern  side.    The  shorter 
■!:'lfroiii  the  western  slopes  of  Chestn\it  liidge;  others  originate  in  the 
[Talk  tiutwoen  it  and  Laurel  Hill ;  while  some  have  their  sources  beyond 
■'     liter,  in  the  western  escarpments  of  the  Alleghany  range,   and  cut 
It-ruiiJi  bdtli  the  other  ridges.     Of  this  kind  is  the  Kiskiniinitas  or  Cone- 
ItoL'li,  which  enters  the  Alleghany  thirty  miles  from  Pittsburgh,  and  by  its 
Ivalliv  iifforJs  a  iiassaffc  for  the  Ponnsvlvania  Canal  throui;'h  both  the  Chest- 
BtitRidire  and  Laurel  Hill  —  as  the  valley  of  the  Youghiogheny  is  expected 
afford  a  way  through  the   same  for  the   Chesapeake  and  Ohio   Canal. 
W!iydro!.frap]iical  facts  show  that  Chestnut  Ridge  and  Laurel  Hill  are  not 
^  'uudary  mountains  of  our  Great  Valley,  but  are  really  included  in  it.     Its 
uehiiuts  arc,  in  fact,  the  Alleghany  Kidge  in  J\'nnsylvania  and  northern 
jjifginia,  while  in  the  southern  part  of  the  latter  state,  and  in  North  Caro- 
aa,  the  Blue  Ridge  is  its  actual  terminus  or  rim.    The  medical  etiologist  of 


\'^^\ 


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fi; 

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270 


Till:  I'RIiNCIPAL  DISHASIIS  01'  THE 


l«ooi: 


tin-  Iiitcridr  Viilloy  lins.  tlicii.  witliiii  lii.s  nwii  jiiristlictiou,  a  licoiid  aliiiii, 
ro^'iuii,  ruiiiiiii;^  tlir()ii}.rli  <'in;lit  (Icarccs  of  latitmlc,  with  a  iiiciin  olcvatiMii  ,- 
fit'tccii  Imiwlri'd  Ibct  iiltnvc  tlio  liril  and  liank.s  ol'  tlm  .MiHsi.>;>i|ijii,  to  wliielj  ;■ 
Ih  iiai'iillcl;  and  tlu!  time  will  coiiio  when  a  iM»ni|)aii-<uii  of  tlic  two  lult,., n, 
tli(!  |ili_v.^inlii^y  Jind  discasi's  (if  tlicir  iiiliabitaiits,  will  lie  n';:^ar(lc(l  as  mv.fjj 
of  d('0[)  iiitrri'st.  I'lialilc  tn  visit  any  part  of  tliu  n-ginii  lying  lii;twwii  tl;' 
AUcirliany  liivrr  and  tlit;  Allcj^liany  Moinitain-crcst,  or  to  incft  with  |41i. 
eatiiins  illnstratiiiL'  its  nunlical  to|injfi'a]iliy  or  di-rascs,  I  must  coiitont  :ir,. 
SL'lf,  at  this  tiiiK'.  with  inchcatin;.'  it  to  dtluTS,  as  a  lii'ld  ••onijtarativi.'lv  uiax- 
[diircd  by  the  physiiian.  ( M'  tlio  other,  or  wcstoni  side  of  tlio  AlWiai,; 
]jasin,  I  i!an  say  something  frum  ixTSimal  observation  and  inijimT. 

II.  FrdUi  Pittsluirgh  to  Franklin,  at  tho  mdiith  of  FrcnLJi  Cnvk, ;:.,. 
ro:id,  running  nearly  north,  passes  over  a  country  of  ridges  with  fji.M;isihi.a| 
plateaus.  'JMie  streams  have  mon;  of  interval  or  bottum-land  thtni  thii>C"i' 
the  Moiiongahela  Basin.  The  general  elevation  nf  tlie  country  i^ahoiui;, 
.same  as  around  i*ittsl>urgh.  Tlie  whole  distance  Is  within  the  carhuiiiiin.- 
formation,  but  the  scams  of  coal  are  thin,  for  the  maruin  of  the  fiiinan ; 
lies  but  a  little  further  north.  From  Ooctor  l>ewolfe  and  J)octor  .Mi.iur.- 
kin,  of  the  town  of  IJi'Ti.iui,  thirty  miles  from  I'ittsburgh,  1  leiiriud  t!ia;. 
although  intermittent  fever  is  almost,  if  not  absidutely,  uidiimwii  in  ;;,; 
town  (  notwithstanding  there  is  a  stream  and  niill-poiul  eloi?e  to  it  mii  i!jo 
south-east  ),  still  there  are  parts  of  the  country  in  whicli  tliat  disease  ocear- 
in  a  nuieli  more  decided  n)unner.  llemittent  fever  is  not  unuuiuiuuii,  ;ibi 
often  shows  a  leaning  toward  a  continued  type, 

III.  FiiAXKLiN. — The  site  of  this  town,  once  the  place  of  a  French  mili- 
tary jiost,  is  a  beautiful  diluvial  terrace,  a!  the  junction  of  French  Criri 
with  the  Alleghany  liiver,  on  the  south  or  rig.  -hand  side  of  tlio  furniLr.au 
more  in  connection  with  it  than  with  the  latter.  The  jdain  is  oxtcuMve 
emmgh  for  a  largo  town,  and  neither  subject  to  inundation  nor  iiifestcdivitii 
swamps.  Tt.s  elevation  above  the  sea  cannot  vary  much  from  eleven  hiimy 
feet,  nor  tliat  of  the  surrounding  hills  from  four  hundred  laore.  iiKikiiij 
their  general  level  fifteen  liundred  feet.  French  Creek  flows  down  aiiuilii- 
vial  and  diluvial  valley,  which,  at  an  ancient  geological  period,  coiivcveil  i 
large  river,  i^everal  vears  since  it  was  locked  and  dammed,  the  effect  rf 
which  on  the  autumnal  health  of  the  iiihabitaiits  was  bad.  From  I'oeur 
Gillet  1  le;irned  that  ii\termittent  fever,  generally  of  a  tertian  tyjic  prevail 
in  this  valley  every  year ;  commonly  mild,  but  soniotimes  acconipaniud  wi;: 
protracted  coldness  and  ri'luctant  reaction.  Jt  does  nut  cxtciul  tu  tlioi* 
leans  of  the  hills.  Ectnittent  fever  is  less  common,  and  often  terniiiwtj;^ 
the  other  variety,  iiisteail  of  a  ty[ihous  condition.  Tn  the  last  week  i't''fii:J 
I  was  shown  .\ises  of  iniennittent  fever  by  Doctor  tiillct. 

IV.  Wauren. — Up  the  Alleghany  for  seven  miles,  to  the  mouth  of  Ui 

Crook,  the  river  is  closely  cftmpressed  by  the  liills.     Oil  Creek  flows  tlirMKt 

a  broad  valley.     At  its  month  the  ro"d  ascends  Jiiiili  and  barren  liiii;! 

*  .1 

conglomerate,  the  rock  which  underlies  the  coal  basin, —  from  wliielnvo  .i'( 

now  escaped,  after  having  repeatedly  entered  and  traversed  it,  fi'uni  t;* 


i"iis,  and  compose 


i;    V    ■•' 


r.iT  I.J 


INTKKIOH  VAI,LKY  OF  NORTFI  A.MF.RICA. 


1171 


'f,,,ii,i...j.'o  nivcr,  in  the  tliirty-fmirtli  (Icl'vco  of  iKn-tli  latitude  Frum  the 
.niiiiiiit*  "''  *''•'*  fint-crii|p,  tin-  cli'viitioii  of  wliicli  cMiiiiot.  hv  li'>s  tliaii  scvcii- 
ttdi  l:ii'"l'''''' '''''*' ^^'^  grailiially  •Irsfcinl.  oyer  |ilati'nii<  niul  ritlpos,  into  tin- 
„]I,>v  of  tho  Alli'gliaiiy,  W'liii'li,  I'l'iiiii  tliis  |ioiiit,  fur  ;i  proat  (listiiiicc  down 
I  n^  I  \v;i«!  told),  is  very  iinrrow,  tlic  river  stniLrgliup;  tliroiifrli  a  lahyriiitli  of 
iiill,,  iMivtTod  witli  ]tiiio,  liondock,  and  cliotimt.  Ascending  tlio  vnllcy  fnn  i 
tlii«  iMiint,  it  ciiiitintics  narrow  for  several  iiiiles,  wlien  wo  n|i|iroafli  tin- 
iiiMiitii  "f  till'  stream  called  IJrokeii  Straw,  where  it  bc-onics  ns  l)rond  as  that 
nf  till' Oliii).  Tho  t'l(!vatloii  of  this  alluvial  plain  is  eleven  hundred  and 
$ixtv-si'ven  feet  iihovotho  sea.*  <  >n  jiassiii^'  this  spot,  the  hottoni  contracts 
:i  iittli' fer  six  miles,  when  M"e  reai'li  the  town  of  Warren,  on  tho  right  or  west 
li;ink  iif  tl:o  river,  in  latitudi;  forty-on<!  de^^recH  hfty  minutes  north,  at  an  clo- 
vMimi  iif  oli'veii  hundred  and  ciglity-live  feet : !'  the  eoiii.doinorate  and  sand- 
stone Mils  anmnd,  attainin^c,  by  estimate,  tho  altitude  of  .sixteen  or  seventeen 
bi'MJivil  t'eet.  These  hills,  in  every  direction,  are  destitute  of  a  siiiirle  stratum 
ffliini'»tiiiio,  and  the  water  which  they  supply  is  solt.  AVarren  i.s  situated  on  a 
|i>autifMl  scmi-limar  bend  of  the  riviM-.  within  which,  on  tho  opposite  side  from 
t*:!' t  iwii.  tliore  is  a  low,  broad,  wooded  iHittom.  subject  to  inuiidatinn.  The 
siteiif  tlie  town  is  a  diluvial  terrace,  elevated  above  high-water  mark  of  the 
iiwr:  hut  Imvina;  some  portions  of  its  bai'k  part  swaley,  from  springs  which 
bur-t  iiiit  of  tlio  adjcining  hill.  Innuediaicly  above  the  town,  the  outlet  of 
Cli!iiitimi|ue  liakc,  called  ('onewango  Crook,  joins  the  river  from  tho  north. 
Till;  water  of  hotli  strc;ims  is  dark-c(dored.  a  si  oi  of  its  having  flowed 
llirmiL'li  or  from  tamarack  sw.'imps.  Near  their  jiuietion.  there  are  patches 
"f  liiittuin.  Avliieh  are  overflowed  by  the  freshets  of  the  Alloghany.  Warren, 
till' m(i.«t  beautiful  of  all  the  mountain  villages,  is  one  of  tho  cinjiorhi  of  the 
piin'-lunibcr  trado.  As  to  intermittent  fever,  Doctor  Sargent  and  Doctor 
Irrini'  assured  nic  that  it  is  nearly  unknown :  nor  does  it  occur  on  the  broad 
I'lttMiii  at  the  mouth  (f  Urokeu  Straw,  llcuiitteiit  fever  prevails  to  a  lim- 
itfil  oxti'Dt  only.  In  a  ])opidatiou  of  twelve  hundicd,  there  arc,  in  some  au- 
tumns, four  eases  at  one  time.  They  are  so  mild  and  manageable,  that 
i;eitW  of  the  gentlemen  had  soon  a  fatal  case  for  twelve  years.  Ncr  is  it 
rofb  c'd  hy  typhus  fever,  whiidi  is  (|uito  as  rare  as  tho  remittent.  It  is  !'"t 
Mij  to  assign  a  reason  for  th(>  very  ditb'reiit  prevalence  o!'  intermittent 
feviTfit  Fr.iiiklin  and  this  r.aco. 

V  f'oxEw.vxdo  CiiKKK  ANM)  ( 'ii ArT-U'iiii;  Lakk. —  [u  ascending  the 
•  nnowango.  which  is  but  a  mill-stream,  its  valley  is  seen  td  be  as  wide 
^r  widiT  than  that  of  tho  Ohio,  abounding  in  diluvial  terraces  of  variou« 
tlf/Viitions,  and  composed  largely  of  pebbles  and  bowlders,  many  of  which  are 
Miiitc,  and  have  been  transported  thither  from  the  iM.rth.  For  the  li/st 
nine  nr  ton  miles  tho  stream  has  a  rapid  f;dl.  Tiion.  sudd(>nly,  the  valley 
™'"s  to  throe  times  its  previous  breadth  :  the  rapid  cro(d<  becomes  a  deep 
iml sliirrrrisl,  canal;  broad,  low.  flat,  and  fertile  bottoms  spread  <iut;  and  the 
^KH'iit  hills  exchange  their  rugged  aspect  Ibr  one  of  g(Mitle  rotundity,  and. 

•  Reports  on  the  Erie  and  Smilniry  Railroad.     By  Ed.  .MUIlt,  Civil  Engineer. 

*  Ibid. 


,1 

1 

rr 

1 

1  n 

1  il 

1 1 

■>  :J'. 


;>■} 


■..■•■• '•■•4- ■■■'•  ■■■'■ 


•  1    . 


1 ,, 

* 

' 

.                3 

.  1 ' . 

,       . 

:<  ..■• 


^■r 


(   .  : 


Ilii 


,,fii. 


27b 


TIIH  I'lIINCirAI-  DISKASKS  OK  Till:] 


[loot 


loHiii^  tliiir  (ml<M,  jiiul  •licHtiiutH,  uml  wlicrtlflii'rrics,  |ircserit  pn.vcs  of  Mwar. 
nmplo,  walnut,  lie'inli,  niiil  utlitT  trccH  of  a  like  kind,  witli  wliicli  wMtc  i,^,. 
as  lol'ty  and  aliiindant  a.M  un  tin-  piioriT  Hnils,  an!  htrikinjrly  lili'inlid,  fi  , 
rc'inaikalilc  translunnatinii  dl' surlarc  mid  Hrcncry  discluMS  two  t'ai'tH:--/ ,,. 
J'liat  Wi'  liavc  passed  tliriiiinli  tin;  linal  iiiil-(rii|)  i\\'  tliu  <'iiiij;l(,iiu'r;ili',  ani 
coiiK^  iipiiM  tlio  Kovunian  saiidstnnr  and  slato,  whicli  Iiavo  oiucT^j'cd  tnin  I,,., 
iicatli;  Si'roiid,  Tliat,  wu  aro  in  tlu;  lied  nl  an  (diMili'tt!  nr  drained  liikt',  wLi^ 
was  (inc('  foinicctcd  witli  (!liantaiii|UO  Lake,  Init  at  u  little  Iowit  l..\,i 
Tlii'oii^^di  tliis  dry  lacustrine  iM'd,  the  Coiu'wan^sii,  which  at  tiiacs  ()\trtiiit. 
|»iirti(ins  of  it,  has  an  extensive  iim  lunhTin^'  and  circuitnns  ediim-,  inMiij.: 
of  which  tliu  road  is  continued  over  u  .surie.s  of  high  diluvial  terriuis ai.i 
low  slate  ridges,  until  it  readies  .I,\mi>to\\n,  in  the  state  of  New  Vika 
the  eastern  end  of  ( 'hautiiui|iie  l<;i';e.  'I'hu  MJiole  distance  tVuia  WiUMM 
this  place  is  twenty  miles,  ami  the  dividing  lino  hetwcen  I'eiinsylvaiiiaai,. 
New  York  crosses  nearly  e(|ui-(listaiit  Iietweeii  them, 

1  have  spoken  of  the  Coiiowanuo  n.-i  liw  outlet  of  ('linut.'nii|iii>  Lake:  Ic 
it  has  all  imlependenl  existence,  and  originates  to  the  le.rth-east  nt  tlia: 
lake,  al)ovo  the  latitude  of  forty-two  degrees,  whence  it  de.scellu.^  ;;:;  it 
obsolete  lake-lied,  and  unites  W'tli  the  outlet  nl' ('huutau(|UO  Jjaku,  Ihilii. 
toin-hiiuls  of  this  huge  creek  and  its  trilmtarios,  before  it  reaeliw  that 
localify.  are  broad  and  depressed,  covered  with  hemlock,  and  siilijnt  ; 
inumlatioii.  They  bear,  in  fact,  a  eluse  resemblance  to  the  widr,  lnv, aiiij 
wet  interval  lands  of  many  of  tlie  smaller  .streauis  in  the'  cretaocdiis  airi 
tertiary  fonnatinns  of  Alabama  and  Mississij)pi,  near  which,  as  we  haw , hi 
autimiiial  fevers  of  the  nmst  malignant  chaiaeter  are  generated. 

ChuutaiHjue  Lake  ks  twenty  uiiles  loug,  and  from  one  to  tlircoirl;' 
broad.  Its  iigure  is  serpentine;  its  western  extremity  reaches  witliin  liit'i', 
or  twenty  miles  of  iiake  I'lrie;  the  ciunlrv  around  it  slopes  beautilully  (1« 
to  it.s  margin;  in  some  places  terminating  in  a  Idulf  b;iiik,  in  otlierH  mm: 
to  the  level  of  the  lake  before  reaching  it.  and  thus  creating  s\vaiii|is.iiii 
which  rivulets  discharge  their  waters,  and  on  which  those  ol  tin  \mxv  wi 
3ometime.s  blown.  Un  a  small  stream  called  (ioose  Creek,  which  iiiiamb 
through  one  of  these  swam]is,  I  saw  a  uiill-dam  with  a  poinl  nf  ilir  M;/ 
est  aspect.  The  altit\ule  of  this  little  lake  is  twelve  huiulnd  M 
ninety  feet  above  the  levtd  of  the  .'•ea.  and  seven  hundred  and  twoiitv-tivt 
above  Lake  Erie,  although  so  near  it.  Tlie  average  higlit  of  the  .^iuiTiiinJ- 
ing  ridge- summits,  is  estimated  liy  Doctor  llazeltine.  who  resides  ii|i";ii'!>' 
of  them  to  the  south  of  tin.'  lake,  at  two  liundred  aiul  sixty  more,  er  tiitet!: 
iiundrcd  and  fifty  abuve  the  sea:  which  may  be  taken  as  the  suniiiiit-lcvi!': 
the  hnig  belt  of  rolling  table-land  tlurt  stretcdies  from  a  ])oiiit  coiKMilmi.; 
east  of  Chautauipie  Iiake  to  an  undelined  termination  far  west;  n'Stiiii.' ofi 
tlie  Devonian  sandstone  and  slate,  as  on  a  liroad  terrace;  and  coii>titiiiH'. 
beyond  comparison,  the  un.st  interesting  region  to  be  found  at  the  Siiine ik- 
vation  east  of  the  ^lississipjii  ;  with  the  sources  of  which  river  it  mm" 
ponds  in   elevation.     It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  bowlders  ofgraii"^"'' 


riiT 


1.1 


INTKRIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMMRICA. 


'J70 


-r-nt  Mtc-  '>'<  wt'll  as  dcpiiMitM  nf  rulluil  pcliliIcM,  ;irc  Iniiiul  in  tlio  su|i('rtk'iul 
i,,;|,",s  oml  even  on  tlio  liiirliest  ri(lL"'H  of  this  talilo. 

.hMf'^TOW'N,  on  tilt'  Ift't-liriiid  liiiiik  of'  the  tnitlrt  of'  tli(>  lnl<o,  is  Iniilt  mi 
the  L't'iitlo  ilopo  of  a  I'lW  liill,  mill  is  tVi'i'  rrniii  iiiiy  coiitiLMiinis  swimip,  cx- 
,,,,,t  iiiiiii' »in.'ill  trarfs  |iruilii('i'il  liy  a  iiiill-ilain  iirar  tin-  tnwii.     'I'lu!  srttlc- 

.,|,.|lt  lit'  this  lilai'l'  llt'L'IlM  ill    IX];').       Its  |in[iMlatin|l  is  JlllHllt  twu  tliniisaiid. 

\  I.  Iji't  us  imw  turn  tn  tlir  aiituiuiial  lioalth  of  tlils  cxtLMifivo  nnil  iiitcr- 
.iliiiL'  licnlity,  At  a  oorrosjidiiiliiij,'  elovatinn  iiinuiiL'  tin-  wnti-rs  nf  tin- 
K'l (iiuvlin  mill  M'liiniiL'alicla,  wi-  t'liiiml  ni'itliiT  l'il<i's,  ihukIs,  s\v;iiii|is,  iinr  allii- 
vin!  !i"ttiiiiis,  lit'  any  cniisiiliTalilo  extent,  ami  emiM  nut,  tlieret'ure,  ascrilie 
•'.  liiiiiti'il  |irevale!ii'i'  of  autnninal  fever  tliere  tn  mere  elevatimi;  liero.  Imw- 
,i.T,  \vf  have  tlie  wlidlc  of  tlieso  «nrl'iK'e-ciiiiiiitiiiiis  in  Intitmles  tin-  siniie 
r.'li  ri'L'iniis  lyin.:.'  tit  tlio  west,  wliieli  are  seven  nr  ei^'lit  Imndred  feet  lieluw 
•',;<  I'li'iilitv :  wliii'li  ri'L'i'ins,  US  we  sliali  liereal'ter  sim*,  are  ^Tfafly  infestpii 
«i!!i  iuituiiiiial  fuver.  The  difVereni-e,  then,  lietween  this  s|iiit  :inil  others 
iT?>f  nf  it,  ill  roL'ard  tn  jiutiiiiinul  fever,  ean  he  asiTiln'd  "iily  t"  ditl'i  reiu-e  in 
ili'vatiiiii.  Let  lis  iiKjuiro  how  irrcat  this  dit}"ereiiee  is.  h'lMin  noctnr  lla/.el- 
i':i,wiiii  raiiio  hither  at  the  euninieneenient  of  settlement,  I  leiiriied  that, 
frt'ii' first  three  years  of  his  re-idenee,  he  did  imt  sei-  !i  ense  of  infermit- 
I.  it  i'l  ver,  The  disease  then  made  its  a|i|iearanee,  and  |irevailed  nnxlerately 
fur  fliree  years,  and  then  he^inii  to  deejine.  The  type  was  niostlv  dinilile 
i!ti:iii.  Other  diseases  diiriii<;  that  period  displayeil  Munethin;;  of  a  jieriod- 
iuil  I'liiraf'ter.  and  several  enhiriied  spleens  fell  unih'r  his  notice.  Thron!;'h 
t'"  >U!iit'  ]ierio(l,  remittents  o<MMirred,  and  were  prone  to  end  in  a;.'nes. 
Th'V,  (il.'iii,  heeamo  fewer,  jiori  'jxihsii  ^vith  intermittents,  find  for  several 
vi'u- lie  !i;id  not  seen  a  ease  of  either.  He  lived  in  .l.inie-towii,  Imt  hi.s 
il-iTvatiiiiis  wore  extended  over  the  whole  lueality. 

FiHin  l>iictiir  KIderkin,  who  has  loiic!;  resided  on  the  inari/in  of  the  <ioo,se- 
I'pok  .swiinip.  near  the  mill-pond  wliieli  has  lieen  mentioned.  1  learned  that 
■'•■'immil  casi'.s  of  hotli  intermittent  and  remittent  fever  oi-enr  in  their 
vi  iiiity;  but  neither  disease  has  ever  prei'iulvil  in  that  locality,  althouLdi  so 
v!l-fitteil,  tepriifrapliically.  to  proilnce  them;  and  in  hitti  r  years  their  ocenr- 
ri'i'i'  lias  liiMHiiuo  still  rarer. 

l!v  Hnctor  Axtell,  who  had  resided  for  twenty  years  in  the  obsolete  lako- 
bi'Uiiuth  of  Jamestown,  and  practiced  medicine  there  for  the  last  five  years. 
Iff:i>  infiiniii'd  that,  thromihont  the  whole  period,  he  had  scarcely  heard  of  ;i 
>i!ii'k' inteniiitt.'iit.  All  that  he  had  seen,  amountint'  only  to  three  ir  foiii-, 
b'l  bt'on  contracted  elsewlioro.  llcmittent  fever  oeoir.s,  but  with  great 
rarity, 

IlKsevarions  statements  were  strengthened  by  the  observations  of  Doctor 
ll;iZi;ltiiio.  junior,  and  of  gentlemen  out  of  the  profession,  as  communicated 
t"  1110  (in  the  spot.  The  (^nicwango  and  its  branches,  before  that  stream 
ii::ir>  the  obsolete  lake-bed  which  has  liceii  described,  flow  tlironn-h  wide 
^'I'lvial  lands,  abounding  in  hemlock  swamps.  In  one  of  these  valleys  that 
"•  t.ie  bittle  Concwango,  stands  the  village  of  ]{am)Oi.i'Ii.  til'teen  or  eighteen 
'•''^•>  nortli-east  of  Jamestown;  at  which.  I  was  assured,  tliev  never  have 


• 


•   }\ 


ll 


.i^ 


♦ 

'■•V 

*  . 

.1 


(    I 


p^ 


libU 


Til]')  rULNClPAL  DlSEArfEri  OF  THE 


IBOOK 


ii"a 


either  iutorniitteiit  ur  roiiiitteiit  i'cvi.T.  !Noarly  t'urty  miles  fartlar  to  tlio 
east,  ill  latitude  about  4'J''  liO',  at  I'illirottville.  ou  tlie  ijaiiks  ut  (irout  Vali,-, 
Creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Alleu'hany.  t''^'  elevatiou  being  *>l)out  t'uunetii  lur'. 
dred  I'eet,  I  v/us  assured  by  l)oct./r  William,-!,  who  had  refilled  tlicri;  :;ii,o. 
tcou  year.'i,  tluit  iutmiiittcHt  ;uid  rrmit.  'ut  levers  aiu  uukiK.wn:  ainj  ji,,. 
tor  Stanton,  after  a  shorter  residence,  eonlirmed  the  statement,  o,xco|,t  tljat 
lie  had  seen  Avliat  turned  out  to  be  eoiitinued  fi.'vers,  eommuiice  widioWu^ 
remissions. 

Wu  find,  tliuii,  that  in  tliu  latitude  of  42'^  X.,  the  tojiograpliiual  tuiiij. 
tioiis  whieli  originato  autumnal  lever,  are  nearly  overeome  by  a  lueaii  aiti- 
tudo  of  fourteen  hundred  fuet;  but  we  have  previously  secu  that.  i;i  li,, 
basin  of  the  Ivenawha,  r.mong  the  iiionntains  of  \'iryinia,  at  an  ek'vatiih,: 
eighteen  hundred  i'eet,  Professor  Juigers  .saw  many  fa>es  of  iutenimun; 
fever.  This  is  to  lie  aseribed  to  the  dill'erence  of  latitude,  that  LiaiiiT 
Tueini;- aljout  four  degrees  farther  snutii  than  the  table-land  in  t'ac  \i'i:.i;; 
of  ('liautau([ue  J^ake. 

\'Jl.  I'uivXcii  Cui:kk.  —  The  extreme  snurees  of  French  Crei:k  an  ;;; ; 
l)V-Chautau((iie  ijake,  mi  the  rolling  table-land  just  de.scribed,  and  alsow;;!, 
a  few  miles  of  Jiake  Erie,  its  coui-se  is  iirst  to  the  south-west,  audti..  • 
the  south-east,  and  the  town  of  3leadvillo  is  ineluded  in  the  bend  tliu.s  fuiitai 
Its  eastern  ti'ibntaries  inteidoek  with  those  of  the  Ijrcikeii  Htraw  and  nl  iji. 
Creek,  before  mentioned  as  al'lluents  <if  the  AUegliany,  whiidi  tlay  jnin  I- 
tween  Frankli;.  and  Warren.  The  elevation  of  this  little  region  U  ai 
fifteen  hundred  feet;  and  many  of  the  summits  [U'eseiit  extunsivu  taiuaraCk 
swam[»s,*  but  ot  its  liability  lo  autumnal  fever  1  eaiuiot  speak.  As  lY 
Creek  deseends  fnaii  this  elevation,  jias.-ing  near  Waterford,  the  uldlit.. 
post  of  Lo  ]J(out',  it  appears  like  a  dull,  dark  eanal,  meandering  tlirmigluii 
Interval  lands,  aboumling  in  hemlock  svi'amps.  and  in  many  ])lace.s  oversjiri*; 
with  drift  and  bowlders  troin  the  north.  The  adjacent  rounded  liill- ;:: 
eomposed,  like  those  near  Chautampie  Lake,  of  Devonian  slate  and  saiulv.;/ 
AVith  this  character  it  eoiitinues  to  Meadville.  From  that  tuwii  down; 
Franklin,  at  its  junction  v.ith  the  Alleghany,  the  valley  of  this  creek  piiM:,!: 
wide  alluvial  bottinns,  but  the  peo[de  living  on  them  were  generally  exdiiK 
i'rom  autium.al  fever:  in  the  language  of  J  doctor  J"]llis,  that  disease  wa- 
scarcely  known.  During  the  years  1>;J"2,  lS;j;],  and  isijd,  liuwever.  » 
series  of  locks  and  dams  already  mentioned  under  the  head  of  '  Fraiikliii.' i^i' 
constructed,  converting  the  river  into  poids  as  far  u[)  as  ^leadvilk.  U' 
(apparent)  oft'ect  of  this  proceeding  was  the  gimeration  of  intcniiittuiitj!i!i': 
remittents,  and  their  annual  prevalence  to  such  an  extent,  .ihnig  t!io  w'jk 
line  of  pools  that  in  \^i'.>,  the  inhabitants  destroyed  all  the  dams.  Uutt 
autumnal  sickness  continued  to  recur,  and  in  1N44  spread  on  the  wv3;'-- 
ing  hills,  many  cases  presenting  a  congestive  or  malignant  cliaraei'.r.  i 
1845  and  1^4(1  a  similar  state  of  things  returned;  but  hi  l!^47,  tliuviar'^ 
my  vi.siting  this  locality,  the  fever  was  replaced  by  dysentery;  many  casi.-  ' 


*  Report  on  Erie  ami  Siuiljur\  Railroad.     By  E.  Miller,  Civil  Eiigiiieir. 


.MRT.  I. 


IXTEI 


iriii.ii.  lirtvevt'i'.  Mcniai 
jViTJia'  lii^'lit  '1'  ili'''^ 
it.  lutirmk'  41"  oil'  X 
(jveli.  almvo  3Iuad\ilI 
till'  ilivatiou  and  lati 
tn'ourj. 

VIII.    .'\Ii;.\DViLi.i:. 
AiiVi'liaiiy Jlivcr.     it  ^ 
Creek,  but  lia.s  also  ext 
iraversL'3  tlio  lower  ten' 
111*  hrtii  {lammed,  and 
'  tijriiii.'li  the  tuwn,  and 
teniiiiiate  in  Comicaut 
.iaiiiiiicr  and  autimin  m 
I  ca::al,  >'!  that  its  bed,  in 
'  vi;i! I  he  nearly  dry.  hi 
iiiii.    The  elovatiiin  (jf 
:m-iivi'  foot;  that  of 
id  .<aiid!<t()iK'.  cappeil  ■ 
ai.'i  titty- live  feet  liighei 
[Kt!.'    It-  latitude   is 
la-virid  hy  Doctcr  Flli 
.■-arly  twenty  years,  tna 
|t>  esi:avatii)n  id'  the  c 
''tijt  t'riiffi  the  dam  alj 
iCi::ahvii,^  not  used.      T 
!a:.f'.'.  ami  has  continued 
^'i"  liavoseen,  in  Sec. 
{''■"■i  ii])per  part  of  tin 
b'M:;,  aiid,>;ix  hundred  fi 
HE iiinvaso,  hut  a  diniinii 
|i:.(0  u(  effect  he  ascribe 
Ki.'iy  of  the  two  valley 
|fj'»y  trough,  with    dee| 
j(r:'3:iif  matter;  init  J-'re 
IP--  "f  which  were  do 
'•^^■"^;:  on  a  s,jii  abound 


*  Kogers's  Tiiird  A 


'f-**f1 


w 


MRT. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


2S1 


v,ii  Imwcvor,  (IoiiiuiiiIl'iI  the  saino  treatment  as  int'onuittoiit  fevor.     The 

vir.ri' 'lii-'I't    'I'  iliifi  valley  i.s  about  eleven  liundieu  I'eet  ahove  tlie  sea  — 

:,.  ];itiiiulc  41*^  tVO'  N.     Aeeordiiig  to  l^oetov  I'llli.s,  in  the  valley  of  J'rench 

iVtk  above  3Ioailville,  where  Inehs  ami  dams  were   imt  erectetl,  ami  both 

lii,.  t4evation  and  latitude  are  something  hi|j,her,  autumnal   fever    searei.'ly 

iicmii'.-. 
Vlll.    31i;Ai>viLi.i;.  —  This  is  tlie  most   noted  town   within  the  basin  of 

Vile 'Iiaiiv  Kivcr.     It  staiuls  chiefly  on  a  low.  Hat,  lelt-hiiml  bottom  of  French 

('rtk.  but  has  also  extended  u)ion  a   higher  diluvial  plain.     A  small  stream 

'.wrii'S  the  lower  terrace.     Two  ur  three  miles  above  the  town  ]''reneh  Creek 

,,  Ic.'ii  (lammed,  and  a  canal,  su|ii)lied  from  the  jiond  thus  created,  passes 

;,i  n.'li  the  town,  and  is  afterward,  by  a  preat  ildonr  to  the  west,  nnido  to 

t,'r:::iii;i'.c  in  Coinieaut  ]jake,  of  which  an  account  will  be  aiven  ju'esciitly.     In 

.,;,::;M'aml  autinim  nearly  all  the  water  of  I'rench  Cree^:  passes  along  this 

c;i;i:iL^i  that  its  bed,  innnediately  to  the  south-west  or  Mimlwai'd  of  the  town, 

V  uM  hi!  nearly  dry,  but  that  a  tributary  enters  from  the  west,  below  the 

;,::ii.    The  elevation  of  the  lower  part  of  the  town  site  is  (doven  hundred  and 

r'.-iiU'  fuct ;  that  of  the  surrounding  hills  (  composed  of  l)evoni;;n  slate 

::,1  sHiiilstniie,  capped  with   conglomerate)  is,  on  a;i  average,  four  hundred 

..itil'tv-livo  feet  higher,  maki;ig  their  altitude  above  the  sea  sixteen  hiuidrcd 

;..!.     Its  latitude   is  alxuit   A^^  40'   N.     As   to   autumnal   fever.   1   was 

,"ipi  iiy  Ductcr  Kllis  ami   Hoctor  Yates,  avIio  h:ul   residual   in  the   town 

uarh"  twcuty  years,  that  intermittent  fever  was  alnmst  lud^nown  until  alter 

l>  ixravatiuu  of  the  canal  which  passes  through   it.      The  water  was  let 

'•t'it  friiiu  the  dam  above  the  town,  and  suffered  to  stagnate  in  it,  for  the 

(i.;;ihva.s  not  used.      Then  it  was  that  the  lever  began  to  make  its  appear- 

i:.('..  ami  has  contiiuied  to  return  annually  ever  sinee. 

W^'  have  seen,  in  Sec.  A'TIF,  of  (.'li.  JX,  that  the  erection  of  hicks  ami  dams 

'.;:;;  ii])per  jiart  of  the    Kentucky  liiver,  although  three  degrees  farther 

•  ;;:,  ami  six  hundred  feet  nearer  the  level  of  the  sea.  was  not  followed  by 

[at iiirrcaso.  hut  a  diminution   of  autiunnal  fever.      To  what  shall  the  differ- 

jUiio  if  effect  he  ascribed?     .1  know  of  uothing  but  the  comjiaralive  topo- 

Jrah'iy  of  the  two  valleys.     Tlic  upper   Kentucky  liiver  Hows   through    a 

lr;"K}  ti'oiish,  with    dc'cp  sliore-wati'rs,  and   margins   generally  free    tVom 

|ira!iio  matter;  t)ut  French    Creek   runs  in   a  broad  alluvial  valley,  many 

['•;■  "!  wiiich  were   diuditless   overspread   Mitli    sheets  of   shallow  water 

f'-^-:.'.'  I'll  a  soil  abounding  in,  decomposable  material. 


f-M  .■ 


• 

•   1 

'■'  :x'  .li 

t 

.% 

■    ► 

- 

■\i'.'.  ■'■>'  (■.■» 

■.  •'!':•■-•..'  ■    ■ 

■  , 

>   ' 


^:  ''•■,>■• 


'^i^:i.?'-' 


"\ -:■':' -'4^:^^ 


*  Picjrcrs's  Third  Aiiinial  IJiinjit  on   the  tJeulogy  of  IV'iuisylvaiiiu, 


.••    t: 


'^■■': 


%. 


'i.;\,w!-.''-'?>'i' 


It*''-;  / : 


■Y 


51;' 


H. 


■;•! 

•i< 

:l  ■ 

M 


|:;f:r:j- 


THE  PRlXCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


SECTION  IT. 


■_icioii, 


BASIN  OF  BEAVER   RIVER  — CONNEAUT   J,AKE  — JiEAVER  AM)  ert 

CAXAf,. 

I.  (I  I'.M'.it.vi,  l")j;sruii'Ti(iN'  —  M'lic  n'Li-ioii  dcsifriuitod  l)y  those  titliJ 
west  of  tlu'  Alk'irlKiiiy  ]>a,siii,  in  I'ciiiisvlviiiiia.  uiid  cast  nf  tlio  ,Mu.«ki!wi5 1 
I5asiii.  in  Oliin.  It  brinu's  us  upnii  a  luwoi'  and  Icvi'lor  surface;  wliiili  i.  ,\ 
fact,  a.  OdutiuiiatidM  (in  tliu  unrtli  side  of  tlu'  Ohio,  df  t!n'  roirinn  k'twctjl 
Brownsville  and  A\'lH'clinLf.  'I'Im' castcni  |Mirtions  of  tliis  Imsiii  jiavo  aliii'.l 
elevation  on  the  Ohio  liiviT  in  the  south,  of  twelve  hiuidrcd  feet,  risin^r,,;.! 
dually,  as  we  u'o  liaek,  to  liftccn  hundred,  Imt  decliniiiL;'  to  elevoii  lnii:iiri.il.si.i| 
even  one  thousand,  as  we  pass  to  the  west  from  IJutler  and  ('niwfdrdeuiiutii 
Peuusylvania,  into  Truud)ull  eouutv.  Ohio.  'I'he  water-levels  cif  tlii;  (aiyi 
and  principal  branches  of  the  Beaver,  rise  fmni  seven  hnndrod  to  ilvmi,;;-. 
dred  feet."  \\'e  shall  see  that  tlu'se  details  make  a  necessary  clcmHit"tti:i| 
nu'dical  topntrraphy  of  this  reL;ion.  East  of  Ui'aver  1  liver,  the  ninrotkiHl 
.su-"ace  is  i'Ui;'cred  ;  M'est  of  that  river  it  Ix'cumes  much  leveler,  amlic -.it!! 
us  with  the  eastern  extremity  or  ceiumencement  of  a  Hat  wator-slicil. rii:il 
extends  westwardly  (  i^'radually  becominir  lnwer  )  until  it  reailios  t!ie.<;'jiw| 
of  the  streams  which  flow  into  the  Mississippi. 

The  Beaver,  and  its  tji'eat  elementary  Iiranches  ShenauiiVi  and  3I;i': 'iij 
flow  throu^ii  wide  valleys  wliicli  abound   in   alluvial   ai'.d  diluvial  tiTOwj 
IMany  of  them  originate  in  extensive  swamps,  which  impart  a  dark  I'l! 
tlu'ir  water,  and  lar^iv  tracts  of  lidttdni-land,  ainmally  ovevflo.ved.  arellj 
with  sLiULidis  and  shallow  ponds.     Autunuial  fever  prevails  tliniuglnait. 

II.  Ca.v.vi.s  AM)  CoNXK.MT  L.VKH.  —  A  oaiial  ascends  the  Beaver ValltJ 
from  its  junction  with  that  ef  the  Ohio,  thirty  miles  below  ritt.sburi'h. tiki 
town  of  New  Castle,  about  thirty  nulcs  u]i.  wlici'e  the  MaiioiiiiiL',  tk' >:;r 
nango,  and  the  snudler  >«'esliann(  Iv  unite.     'I'iic  eonuuon  trunk  tliore&J 
eates;  and  while  the  western  In'ancli  jiasses  up  tlic  3I:ihoiiinir  for  ricv:;.!:!] 
tlie  other  continues  up  the  Shonanfrn,  directly  north,  to  the  tnwnof  \'.6:. 
its  way  if  passes  hard  l)y  the  western  end  of  Conneaut  Lake,  wliii-lii«"!.;a 
siunmif-level.  and  supplies  both  extremities  of  the  canal  M'itli  water.   ":"J 
dannniuu'-iip  the  outlet  of  this  lake,  and  the  introduction  (jf  water  bvalwia 
from  ab(]ve  Meadville,  1  have  spoken  in  the  last  Section.     This  primili:? 
as  Doct  ir  Kllis  informed  me.  raised  the  surface  of  the  lake  eleven  tkt  i£^ 
caused  the  overflow  of  its  l)ai!ks  with  shallow  water  to  t'le  extent  of  >0V': 
thousand  acres;  muidi  of  which,  in  snnnner  and  autumn,  wdien  the  ?KjM 
sup])lyiiiL;-  the  lake  were  low.  was  laid  bare  by  the  drawinc  off  to  s!i|t!y; 
canal.      At  the  same  time,  the  water  in  the  l)road  alluvial  outlet  it't'.  .i| 
became  ><taa'nant.  from  the  arrest,  liy  the  dam,  of  the  curroiit  int  >  i' 
addition  to  this,  near  the  south-west   purticn  of  tlie  laki',  there  ffiis  :i 
swa  up  throuiidi  whi(di  the  Shenango  ]iasse.«,  and  a   dam  was  thr"ffn  a'T'!! 
both  the  stream  and  the  lower  or  .^outli  end  of  the  swamp,  the  tree- iiii'''^l 


'' PciHisN  Iv.uiii  an.l  (''lio  (Icological  Rcjiorts. 


bar  !•. 


INTER  I( 


Jn 


iTcro  lilt  d"Wn. 

U.;iIol. 

[  Tlie  effei-ts  of  this  bn 
Liira:er,  were  of  the  n 
ir,b''it;iiii>  iiviiifT  near 
;v..  ill',  in  all  direetiiiii 
lull  lit  a  distance.     In 
fc village  of  Kvaushur 
(ivLike.  and  found  it  lit 
Jetiiiii  it>  streets.     In  e 
liM-t  "f  ileserted  plant n 
Liiiliiiits  liad  eiijuyed  ti'i 
Iv.ijliii'e  mi  tile  Slieiianir 
I  Im  iieeii  told,  and  adi 
ftliiVl'.rality.    AVhilc  t 
viLiire  on  the  canal  nea 
.•iiuiLir  aecoiint ;  and  li; 
rio>  »f  siiininer  anil  ai 
■"iiijiaiiieil  hy  shiuiidiiiu 
:i:::.'i,f  tliu  vital  jinwer 
ii'U.-. tiie  shalh'W  iiiuiid 
li'tiic  i-aiial,  wliieli  liml 
lL;!t.  it  is  projier  to  a 
111  aliiivc  the  sea  of 
I  III.    .MLitci;n.— Thirty 
k'l>  tlie  town  of  31cr 
|jM«.  and  whence  it  fhi 
pl.'a-tlf.     j'nmi  the  v; 
ptaif  erunihli:  J-  ^•'\''ih 
m  ".ve  have  returned  ] 
Y'i  '.'f  autumnal  fever,  1 
.'iv^ideiit  there,  has  be 
'•■•lid  has  seen   dyseii 
liiiittiy  pei'iudie-al  cliarac 
[IV.   riusivi.  -This  vi 
|ii':i  iias  alluvial  bottoms, 
im  acv(i!js  the  river,  ere 
^>-."l  fflii.  eaniu  to  the  vill 
'■""■■^l  III",  in  1847,  that 
"I'll'''''- wnrk.s,  which  I  1 
■t'.'if.  hi-gan  to  appear, 
¥''11%.  who  resides  a  i 
r ''"'tlie  niill-pmid.  infoi 
f' "H  .voar.s  hcfm'e  a  case 
'  '"fnni  I)}  the  ,sj,ri»f/  a 
I'    -Niu-Ci^Tu.— iVoi 


A  rii 


Ifjrt  ■■. 


LNTKIIIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


2X:] 


diiwn.      Ill    tills   way   a    slialhnv   ,siiii[ili'ineiitary    roservnir   was 


riioolfects 'if  tills  brcakin;:f-n|i  of  tlio  natural  iTlatimis  liotwcoii  the  land 
riiv;i:ii'.  wt'i'i'  I't  '''G  iii"St  disastrous  kind,  and  by  im  means  llinitfd  to  tli(! 
'j;a  !t;iii!-  iiviiiir  "ear  tliu  inarii'lns  of  tlu;  water,  Imt  wore  I'olt  tor  several 
: if.  ill  all  tlireetioiis.     Tliey  were,  liowever,  inucli  worse  on  its  shores 

rail  lit  ii  ili>t;iii''<''     In  visitiiiji- this  loealily  witli  Doctor   Mllis,  we  eaiiie  to 
f  .iiiiii'i'  tj'  I'lvaiishui'ir.  near  the  dam  at  the  iiead  of   tlie  natural  outlet  of 

ilit  iiki.  aipl  foiiiKl  it  literally  de|io[)iil;ited.  JJut  two  or  three  persons  were 
(•!i ill  it>  streets.  In  coiitiiiuiiie-  our  drive  lje.\ond,  we  passed  throuirli  the 
H-l  nf  ikwrted  iilaiitalioiis;  where,  previously,  as  in  the  villa.ii'e,  the  iu- 
i'iiaiits  iuul  eiijiyud  g(jod  autumnal  lieidth.  \\  hen  we  reiiehed  llart>lowii 
viiii.'riiu  the  Sliciuuij.'o,  at  the  other  dam,  Doctor  White  eonlirmed  all  tliat 
iiail  lirt'ii  teklaiid  added  many  details  eoiieerninif  the  siidiness  of  that  part 
tiiis Imalitv.  While  there  1  met  with  Doctor  IJardwell,  of  llarm;ui,-.lairir, 
rilLiLToii  the  euiitd  near  the  north-west  extremity  of  the  l;i];e,  who  ^ave  me 
■iiuiliir  aucuiiiit ;  and  has  since,  liy  letter,  added,  that  the  i'(;vers  and  dysen- 
•ii'>  iif  .-miiiiicr  and  autumn  had  been  reiidi'red  most  marmuaiit:  beiiif; 
iiiii[i;iiiii'il  !y  sloiidiiiig  or  <raiieTeiioiis  ulcers,   hemorrha^'es,  and   a  fatal 

Lki::^' iif  the  vital  jmwers.  lie  could  not  decide  which  had  been  must  per- 
u.vtiie  shallow  inundation  of  dry  land,  or  the  draining;  (d' swamp-siirfaco 

li .  tiif  raruil.  wiiicli  had  taken  place  in  .some  p;irts  of  this  devoti'd  locality; 

lL:.'t.  it  is  pniper  to  add,  lies   in    north    latitude   ■iU~'   ;;.»',   and   has   an 
v:iti'iii  abevu  the  sea  of  eleven  hundred  feet. 

I  III.    Mi;i!Ci:it. — Thirty   miles   south   of   ^leadville  and   (!oniieaut   Tiake, 
j1>  till'  town   of  Mercer,   on   hill   land,   where   tlie   \e,-haiiuck    has   It.s 

[iBWv  and  whence  it  Hows  to  the  south-west,  and  joins  tlu'   Sheiian.u'o,  at 

l.">  Getlc.     Fi'din  the  valley  of  this  stream,  which  makes  its  wav  throii^h 
■i;:i  ■  t' liiinihli:  j;  'hale  and  soft  sand.->tone,  wituiii   the  coal  basin   (into 
Vie  have  returned  ),  there   arise    exhalations,   which    u-eiierate    many 

t'.iuf  aiituiiiiiid  fever,  both  in  and  around   tlii^   town.      Doctor  ^la^oilin, 

p.' ii fiik'iit  there,  has  lu'cn  accustomed  to  meet  with  malii^naiit  ir.termit- 
.  ami  has  seen  dysentery,  palpitatio  cordis,  and  eephalalj:'ia  assume  a 
i'-'iy  ]ii'vi(idical  character. 

In.    i'n.ASM.  — This  villao-e  is  seated  on  the  left  bank-  of  the  Sheiiango, 

fi'.'ii  lia>  .illuvial  Imttoms.  The  canal  passes  through  it,  ami  there  is,  also. 
Dam  acrci^s  the  river,  creating  a  pond  of  remarkably  black  water.  Doctor 
"liii  came  to  the  village  in  its  infancy,  thirtccii  years  belbre  my  visit, 
''■':ht<:<\  nil',  ill  1847,  that  for  several  years  intermitlents  were  unknown. 

j'l'iililii- \vi  irks,  which.  I  have  meiit  mied,  were  then  constructed,  and  iiiter- 

|t!'.:t>  hegjiii  to  appear,  and  have  spread  over  the  adjoining  hills.     ^Jr. 

P'lii.tv.  wild  resides  a  mile  above  the  village,  on  the  west  or  windward 

r 'i  thf  iiiill-poiid,  informed  me,  that  his   family  oecujiled  that  spot  for 
•:i  U-Mis  liefiire  a  case  of  intermittent  fever  a[ipeared  among  them,  and 
''•'■:'  '"'/III  Id  iI,c  xpruiij  af  the  iivar. 

r-    ^'i\v  C.\sTi,i;.— Truiu  i>ula.-ki  to  New  Castle,  ten  miles,  the  broad 


K 


y  :■■  '■■.'4  y  .  • 

?\V    T     HiA    ■       ..     .    ■     ■ 

h4  ■■■■I'.-    ■■     -      ■   •  ■. 


■:U-   , 


\if'  ' 


'r<i-. 


:'f 


■•,1, 


»;/• 


"f-i'.i 


'•■'i 


284 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


.toot  i 


alluvial  ;iml  diluvial  valley  of  tlie  Slieiiaiigo  lias,  in  latter  years,  liccrm,,  •  i 

tested  widi   iiitcrniitteiits.     The  canal  lias  caused  an  overfl'iw  i,r  tn' •  I 

sputs.  New  (yastle  stands  on  a  dry  plain,  at  the  junction  of  tin.  Sir  y.  I 
and  Neslianoek.  J)cctor  ('ossitt  and  Doctor  Giunblo  infunmd  nif  t4l 
interniittonts  had  crcatly  increaseil  in  hitter  years. 

From  these  varions  testimonies  it  would  appear,  that  the  excavabiMCiv 
Eeaver  and  Eric  Canal  has  been  [>rnduetive  nf  much  injury  tu  tlii;  li..;|i,, 
the  inhabitants. 


SECTION  III. 

BASIN  OF  THE  ^n^SKIXGUM  RIVER. 

T.     Tkansitiox    riio.^r   ])i:.vvi:r   to   IMuskinocm   Rivku, — AltlM!.'; 
sources  of  these  rivers   interlock,   on   the   summit-level  bctwciii  I'l. 
]?iver  ami  Lake   Krie,  their  nmuths  are  one  hundred  and  (ift\  luiK.  , 
Thrnui.di  tliat  distance  the  course  of  the  Ohio  is  south  soutli--\vc.-t.    ];• 
tonis  ai'c  of  tlu;  ordinary  breadth  and  elevation  for  the  upper  pari  • 
river,  and  do  not  merit  further  notice.     On  one  of  them  stands  t'n" 
STEniK.NViiJ.i:,  of  Avlilcli  I  am  nut  able  to  say  anything.     The  ;iilj;ir  :• 
of  upland  <lcmands  a  more   extended  notice.     It  is  very  imrruw,  f'-'j 
IMuskiiigum  lliver  presses  it  on  the  west.     The  counties  wiiich  aro  i  : 
bended   in   it,  are   Culumbiana,  .Jeffersmi,  Ifanisoii,  IJeluinnt,  M"i,:  • 
part  (if  ^Vashingt()n ;  all  in  the   state  of  Ohio.      Tn  to[iograpliii';;l  1' rd 
this  /,  ine   is   an   extension   of  the  western   part   of  the  hiwcr  lia-i.. 
3Ionoiigaliela  Kiver,  in  Pennsylvania  and  A'irginia.     The  town  of  V.' 
lies  nearly  opposite  its  miihlle.     3Iost  of  its  streams  flow  iutu  tlii  ' 
but  tlic  western  ]>avt  of  ea(di  county,  except  Jefferson,  gives  ovigiiitn': 
which,  taking  a  western  direction,  with  a  sluggisli  current,  liecumc  tri' 
to  t1ic   3Iu<kinguin.      They  are  flush  in  rainy  weather,  bat  drv  i;i, 
very  low,  in  summer   and  autumn.     Tlmse   of  Columbiana  cuuniy  ;,: 
most  permaiient.     The  .springs  are  sufficiently  numerous,  and  tnlcv;;''lv 
bio,  but  never  oopicuxs;   they  cinnnionly  burst  (Uit   above  or  In.!.,: 
seams.      There  are  no  ponds  or  swaiiqis,  and   the  bottoiu-laiiil- m-. . 
main,  too  narrow  and  destitute  of  alluvion  to  exert  mucli  siiii.-tiT  hh-^ 
On  the  wliolc,  this  hnig  narrow  belt  is  one  of  tlie  dryest  in  the  I'lii- 
Its  surf;ice  is  everywhere  rolling  nr  steep-hilly,  with  an  average  .smmii'-- 
vatiou  of  eleven  hundred  feet;  wliile  sonic  parts  of  liebnont  ci  iint;  !.■ 
tlie   aUitudi.'  of    twelve   hundred   and   eighty-four   feet,  and  are.  t'.i; 
among  tlic  highest  in  the  state  of  Ohio. 

Poctor  Thomas  Carroll,  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  much  of  tlii- H"  ■'-'^ 
tion,  and  who  practiced  his  profession  for  seventeen  years  in  tlii^i'"' 
and  lias  wi'il  ten  on  its  topography  and  diseases,*  informs  iiic,  tliat 
whole  time  he  did  not  see  more  than  four  or  five  eases  of  iiiturniitt'--'iit''-''i 


*  Western  .Toiinuil,  Louisville,  January,  1S12. 


INTER  lOi; 


150.  lie  thinks,  wcr 


n 


ludtlio. 

nrc  and  often  a; 

Ljfj;,:  "'i'liko  the  count 
•ri.ffl  the  IV'iiiisylvaii 
\^.fv:■<■n  it  and  the  Missis 
ii,  !■  iiiitry  could  be  i 
iHit'iti-ns  partially  br 
i;  intorc.-ting  and  instr 
.'ivviics.-;  and  elevatio 
ii'':;ii  .\.,  ill  wliicli  par; 
Vraw.  iiitfriiiittent  ami 
j;!i..'V  als'i  (111  along  IJe; 
i!.'5Ci'  further  north. 
II.   Tin:  .MrsKiNGLor 
Iriii,  "I'  -Marietta,  I  have 
][;;;>'  lnwer  part  of  the 
Bci'-villr.  pas.^es  nearly  s( 
i'b'm  iv>t  against  the 
lirHwc.'ii  them  hut  a  nan 
;,!J  t-i  the  width  of  half; 
liii;  tiie  ii|i|ier  portions 
ni>  are  luwcr  than  t 
irlii'  .■■pring  rains,  or  t 
1;  t'lr'itiifh  .^'iniiner  and 
l-j  irarts  have  been  dit 
liMiitoiit  and  remittent 
I'lii''  whole  of  this  port] 
^frivi?iiit?iit.«.  on  the  effeei 
Wh'i'e  the  banks 
puraiit.'i  has  heeu  iinpro 
P'.tIv.  were  exposed  to  t 
f\  Si'iitoinbcr.  are  now  k 
1  the  hack  parts  of 
t!ie  river,  by  the  d; 
'■";i:i' rains  ef  spring;  ai 
r'f  :itler.  the  peo[)lc  are 
ivo  diiiio  niorc;  good 
it  liccu  (ihscrveil.  tha 
l''.rt,ill.<,  are  nmre  uiihea 
paiT  to  what  was  tlio 
},' 1  !'»;\v  iiiilos  from  the  r 
Vs"iiHiru  on  the  bottom 
*iii.  t'rnm  Marietta  for  s 
^^i'-muA  sandstone,  of  t 
■  'f  their  ilvtriln.?.     ]5e 
'':>-'  suuth,  which  str 


litT 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


1285 


J  ,.iso.  lie  think!',  wore  ciintractcd  clfcwlioro.     lleiiiittLMits,  1io\vov«m',  iiro 
.  1  nil'!'. '111^1  'iftoii  assuiiic  a  ty|ilioii,s  cliaractLT.     In  liis  jiapor  lie  ro- 
Tiiko  the  cDiiiitry  fm-  twenty  lullcs  west  nF  tlie  (>]<\n.  ami  cNtciid- 
•ri.iii  the  ruiiii.sylvaiiia  li;io  tn   .Maiiutta.  and,   1   a|iprL'lu'iid,  y.n  di^tiict 
■nv ell  it  iind  the  Mississi|)]ii,  lias  so  v:\VAt  an  e.\eni|ition  iVuni  these  levers; 

c.,iiiitrv  could  Ijo  nnicli  hotter  caleulated  to  votioe  to  |ieri'eet  health 

lidcai'iis  jiartially  hrokcn  down  by  renattiii,<r  and  iiitoi-niiitinii'  fovcr.s." 

ii  .  iiitiTOtiii"  and  in.><tru(:tive  t(.)  note  tlii.s  antminial  salul))'lty.  in  eoniiectii.u 

rlt'ailrviios  :ind  elevation  of  snrfaee.     'J'lie  moan  latitndL'  of  the  loeality  is 

.;n  X.,  iinvliich  parallel,  at  a  lower  level,  and  M'ith  a  different  kind  of 

iriKv.  iiitfrmitteiit  and  remittent  fever.s  prevail,  in  u  very  decided  dt-LTOO 

;ii.val.sn  do  ahjntr  IJeaver  llivor  and  its  branches,  up  to  Conneaut  Jjake, 

ferci.' further  mirth. 

II,   Tin:  Mi.sKixiiu.M  Valley  up  to  Zam:.svilt,e.  —  From  Doetor  TTil- 
[ttii,  111' Marietta,  I  have  received  the  following  notices  of  the  top(iL:ra])hy 
liii' lower  part  of  the  3Iu.skingnni  15asin.     "The  river  from  its  lalls,  at 
fcvilk'.  passes  nearly  south-east,  through  a  hilly  region.     In  some  places, 
Li; -ros  rc?t  against  the  foot  of  the  hills,  or  apjiroaeh  so  near,  that   there 
onvi'iMi  tlieai  hut  a  narrow  strip  of  alluvion.     In  others,  the  bc;^. ms  ex- 
li  !m  tiie  width  of  half  a  mile,  but,  on  the  whole,  are  nu'eh  nairower  than 
ij  :iie  upper  portions  of  the  river.     The  bacdc  parts  of  most  of  these 
rm>  are  lower  than  the  front,  and  in  many  places,  covered  with  water 
;:i' spring  rahis,  or  the  river  freshets,  by  which  marshes  and  ponds  are 
l; tir'udi  s'.nnnier  and  autnnui.      In  the  progress  of  settlement  many  of 
•tracts  have  been  ditched  and  drained,  whereby  a  great  ilinanutiouof 
leniitttMit  and  remittent  fever  has  been  effected. 
Tip' vdiule  of  this  portion  of  the  river  has  been  subjected  to  slack-water 
r'V'?iiii'nt.s.  on  tlio  effects  of  which   I  have  made  the  following  obscirva- 
j.   Wlii.TO  the  banks  are  high   and  bidd,  the  autnnnial  health  of  their 
:!)itaiits  has  been  improved.     The  heads  of  islands  and  sand-bars,  which, 
''i'.riy.  were  e.\])osod  to  the  actinn  of  the  sun.  as  the  river  fell  in  August 
lii  .'"'qitOMihcr.  are  now  kept  covered  with  water.      \\'here  the   banks  are 
ami  the  hack  parts  of  the  bottoms  swaley,  the  keeping  u\)  of  the  sur- 
est the  river,  by  the  dams,  prevents  the  siu'face-water  from  flowing  off 
rt!;i' rains  ef  spring;  and  remaining  to  be  slowly  evaporated  dming  the 
>''f;itU'r.  the  pei)[)le  are  made  more  sickly,     (bi  the  whole.  hov,"ever,  the 
lin>!:;tve  done  more  good  than  harm  to  the  health  of  the  inhabitants.     Jt 
lit  hccu  iibsorved.  that  those  who  live  near  the  dams,  over  which  the 
it'.rlall>.  are  more  unhealthy  than  those  who  live  between  them,  which  is 
iKtraiy  to  ^yliat  was  the   popnlar  o|miion.      The  iidnibitants  of  the  hills, 
i.va  lew  miks  from  the  river,  arc  never  aif(>cted  with  interm'  '  nts,  uidess 
•}H"urno!i  the  liottoms.      \s  to  the  ge(dogy  of  the  lower  part  of  the 
^■vii.  triiui  Marietta  for  some  distance  up.  the  hills   are  composed  of  soft 
"bo.nis  sandstone,  of  the  coal  formation,  and  the  ))ottoms  in  a  great  de- 
1  their  ildnt'is.     Beyond  this,  we  come   to  an  out-crop  of  limestone 
'  '-'  South,  which  stretches  off  oast  and  west,  in  its  line  of  bearing, 


.1  ^      ^ 


f''^:   -  , ,. 


■  •"  ■.■:>S•^'■>i 


•)■■'    ;.-.".i'' 


u- 

..-■'* 

•- 

;i  /     - 

■h:i 

■'    '  -  ,^    ' 

:      -  "i  • 

^k' 

I  ■ 

-.1'- 

""■ ,  ' . . 

<•     M 


1V-:-/.. 


m^  : 


•  ...>■  '-.'i- 


'i 


i^:  ■    'l^.'- 


'JSCi 


THE  PRINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


,IOrit : 


fil'l-. 


INTERH 


i 


.  ■■»■■■* 


1  ■  . 


widi  ;i  widtli  of  twenty  "i-  tliirty  miles.     Tliis  rock  gives  a  very  (liff,.K,r. 
c'liaiMctcr  to  tli(!  liills,  wliivli,  iiistoud  of  beii\!^  clothed  with  oak  tin' 
tlmse  of  the   sandstoiu!  forination,   jirodiKjo  sujrar-troc,  lioocli,  ]ii,|,!;if  ^,j 
other  trees  and  .shrulis,  similar  to  tliosi;  which  nn)  found  on  ihe  bnttinis," 

The  lower  or  southern  part  of  the  ]Mu.skin;2uin  ]>asin  is  unooinmnnlv  naj. 
row.  as  it  is  encroacheil  njion  hy  the  Ohio  to  the  oast,  and  lIoekiii[;  Hivefj,- 
tht!  A\est. 

111.      ri'i'Kii   3Iiskin(;lm    ]5asi.\. —  Ininiediately  ahove   Zinicsvillo,  ii;, 
basin  spreads  out  to  the  cast  and  west,  until  it  bcconic;  hnuuliTtliim  jb; 
other  in  ihe  state  of  ( >hin;  and  is  Avatcred  by  many  beautiful  stream?,  wiVj 
flow  through  wide  alluvial  and  diluvial  bottoms,  a])ounding  in  or2iinio  iiijr. 
tor.     The  largest  uf  these  streams  ixro  the  liieking,  which  enters  tli"  3Ii;.. 
kingiim  on  its  west  side  opposite  Zanesville,  anil  the  Walhonding  and  T'>:i. 
rawas,  whieh,  by  tlieir  miion  at  Co.shocton,  form  the  iMuskingum.    Tin.'  it, 
latter  originate  on  the  table-land  whieh  divides  the  waters  of  the  OliiofMni 
those  of  Jjake  lOrie,  about  north  latitude  forty-one  degrees.    This  ir,!ile-!d| 
may  be  regarded  as  a  continuation,  at  a  lower  level,  of  the  tahlo-l;;ml  ar  ci 
Chautau(|uc  Jjake,  at  the  sources  of  the  Allegliany  lliver,  in  New  Vi  I 
This  portion  of  the  Muskingum  IJasin  lies  north  of  the  coal  foriuatiiirM! 
Devonian  slate  and  sandstnue,  and  has  a  general  elevation  of  one  ih^M] 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.     It  contains  many  ponds  or  snitdl  lakcj,si!ii 
numerous  cranberry  swamps,  some  of  whicli  arc  of  great  extent. 

The  diluvial  deposits,  consisting  of  matter.?  l)rought  by  ancient  cumrsl 
frmn  tlie  north,  are  in  this  region  very  broad,  and  not  confined  t"  tlio  v;fe 
(which  near  the  sou'-ces  of  the  streams  arc  .shallow),  but  hury  iipniBilpf 
the  Devonian  or  sub-carboniferous  strata  of  the  uplands.  In  cntirini' t':::> 
region,  wo  arrive,  distinctly,  at  tlie  prairies,  whicli,  as  wo  sliall  liereafitr-e. 
stretch  wostwardly  to  the  ]Mississi[)pi  lliver,  becoming  greater  in  cstai. 
proportionally  to  the  woodland,  as  we  advance.  The  whole  of  t!ie  ujwr 
Muskingum  I3asiu  is  not  level.  The  greatest  flatness  of  surface  is  finin'i a 
the  norlhern  range  of  counties  —  Stark,  AVayne.  nnd  lliehlaiitl.  Sjiitlii 
these,  as  wc  approach  the  conglomerate  which  underlies  the  coal,  tlie  tuEij 
becomes  broken,  and  swales  and  marshes  are  fewer  in  nund)er;  tie  AKa^. 
however,  contiiuio  to  flow  through  wide  bottoms,  which  in  many  placi!  ir;| 
liable  to  inundation.  As  a  general  fact,  it  may  be  sti-tod.  that  iiitcrmUK' 
and  remittents  prevail  over  every  part  of  the  upper  basin. 

After   these   general  view.s,  wo   must   bestow  some  attention  on  a  w  I 
localities. 

lA'.  Ohio  and  Erik  Caxai.. —  This  canal,  which  passes  from  Ckvoh'i  I 
on  Lake  Erie,  to  rortsnio\itli,  on  the  Ohio  Kiver,  enters  the  upper  Mu-h- 
gum  I3asin,  at  the  sources  of  tlie  Tuscarawas,  in  the  north,  ainl  pa^tv'" 
to  the  south,  after  traversing  the  valley  of  Licking.  As  it  was  excavatei 
between  L^:I5  and  1830,  it  is  not  practicable,  at  this  late  jicriod,  t'»  nscemiii  | 
the  modifications  of  autumnal  health  which  attended  or  followed  tliatiipcn- 
tion :  and,  as  it  has  been  carried  along  streams,  through  alluvial  grmii'l'  •' 
present  influence  is  so  mixed  up  v.'ith  theirs,  as  to  defy  analysis.    .\.'-t'ji»f 


::,;,Iiii.if  the  boatmen, 

I j,ci  trt  autumnal  fever  t 

llikir-tatenients  sceinci 
jTi-  iiiav  i-onjecturc,  th;it 
iHtTtja  [ifiteetive  intlm 
lido  til''  >einto  Valley,  t 

i'lijjv  ivater  to  tlie  cana 
J'/i  Rfttcri'dir. —  The 

m:i.    Its  (levatioii  ahi 

jrt,i  several  thousand  a 
H::vri:>t  a  wooded  cranb 
'•'i  earth,  taken  fn 
i  low  ground,  kept 

Y>m\  nf  tiie  inclosure 
lat  left  nntlisturljcd  on  tl 
pMvas  siiliniergod,  the 
m  a  sykly  aspect;  an< 
biriiiiii  in  lS-10,  tliey  ) 
Iclnianyof  tlieiii  had  b 
ictdiar  and  melancholy  a 
piemen  of  the  neighlx 

'■|i'' ill  the  vicinity  of  th 
jL'!'."  its  Cciistnictidii,  tli; 
litSy  supplied  liy  the  80 

flamed  into  it,     Ijel'on 

''Vitfliiwcd  itsbotton 

IV;  I '(.vt line  healthier  in  a 

Tile  euntrast  of  t'ds  stf 
piiig  tiic  Coniieaut  llesi 

:1k'  accuracy  of  botli; 
liiiittiiig  their  truth,  wc 
W'> '  t  medical  hydrology) 
i)'!«ed. 

|V.  CiXTON- —  The  upi 

"'^:ii''!i(rraiivilIo,  Xewarl 
m^-n,  and  ('auton,  are 

|t-«'opt  ill  reference  to  < 

j^'-'''  topography  and  aul 

I'ii^riole;  lor  they  are  { 

l^'antHii  staiid.s  in  latitude 

Ifft-'t  above  the  level  ol 

;'™it'diately  above  the 
•iiJin  Creek,  an  eastern  ti.'l 

i  a'we  the  reach  of  inun 
[-^■>treams  are  alluvial, 
r  ^'"-'se  low  terraces  w 


,1  .; 


IriiTiv 


INTERKMl  VAIJ.KY  OF  IS'OHTII  AMERICA. 


12.^7 


althof  tlic  l»(iatincn,  I  was  assured  liy  a  luinilier.  tlmt  tlicy  arc  less  fuIi- 
ijrft  t'Tiiituiiiiial  ibvortlian  tlic  |)('ii|il(!  avIio  iTsido  on  tlic  l)aiiks  dl"  the  canal. 
Ij!j^;[.,(a(ements  scenicil  tn  lie  made  in  li'nod  t'aitli;  and  if  wi;  admit  tlic  fact. 
U  iiiav  conjecture,  that  tlic  watery  snrl'aco  dvcr  wliidi  tlicv  constantly  live 
Ls.ff.  ■!  iirntei'tive  iiifluoiice.  A\'liere  tlie  canal  leaves  the  Li.-kintr.  to  jiass 
lictjih.' Sciiitii  A'alley,  there  is  an  extensive  urtilicial  reservnir.  desiu'ned  to 
Ifiii.nlv  water  to  the  canal,  (if  which  it  will  lie  |)rn|»or  to  say  sonicthinf. 

Jk  Rfstrviiir. —  The  latitude  of  this  receptaele   is  very  near  forty  dc- 

Uk.   Its  elevation  above  the  sea  ei^lit  hundred  and  ci^irhty-ninc  feet.     Its 

iri',1  jijvural  thousand  acres.     A  part  of  this  reservoir  was  a  natural  lake, 

Iv  n-t  a  wooileil  cranherry  swamp.      The  surrounding  cndjanknient  is  coni- 

nil  iif  earth,  taken  from  the  surface  without,  so  that  there  is  an  exterior 

fct  I f  low  grouiul,  kept  wet  hy  jicrcolation  from  the  reservoir.      Fnnn  a 

|Kini:i!inf  the  iuclosnrc  the  forest  was  removed  before  the  water  was  let  in, 

(lai  left  niulisturhcd  on  the  other.     Through  the  first  sununer  after  the  sur- 

fifc was  Mihiiierged,  the  trees  uiaintained  their  verdure:  in  the  .second,  tbey 

LJ  a  sickly  aspect ;  and  before  the  ensuing  spring,  were  dead.     AVhen  I 

laivtii'Hi  in  11^40,  they  were  drop|)ing  their  decayed  lindjs  into  the  water, 

liiianyof  tlicni  had  been  blown  uji  by  the  roots.     The  landsca]ie  Avorc  a 

■Jiar  ami  melancholy  as]>cct  of  desidation.     ])y  Ib^ctor  Kwing,  and  other 

liiiiiiifii  of  tlio  neighboring  village  of  Ileln-on,  I  was  assured,  that  the 

ill  tliu  vicinity  of  the  reservoir  have  sulFered  less  from  autunnial  fever, 

tj  oniistrnction,  than  while  the  spot  was  a  swam]).     The  reservoir  is 

li'Sv  jiijiiilied  hy  the  South  Fork  of  Jjicking  llivcr,  most  of  whose  waters 

:  tanii'd  into  it.     Before  this  diversion,  that  stream,  in  the  spring  of  the 

pr'vtrflowcd  its  bottoms,  !)nt  nut  since;  and  the  pc(tple  who  live  near  it 

pvilucniuo  healthier  in  autumn  than  formerly. 

liicciiiitrast  of  ti'is  statement,  with  that  in  the  preceding  section,  con- 
|Er:.iii2  tiiu  (Jeiiiioant  licservoir,  is  so  striking,  as  almost  to  raise  a  doubt  as 
tliv  accuracy  (if  both ;  yet  both  were  made  by  respectable  physicians. 
|il:iii!tiiijr  their  truth,  we  arc  adnmnished  to  regard  some  of  the  prob- 
'i'  medical  hydrology,  as  more  dillicidt  of  solution  than  is  generally 

'li'iSCil. 

|\.  CvxTON.  —  The  upper  iMu.skingum  Basin  has  many  flourisliing  towns, 
I  iviii 'h  (irauvillo,  Newark,  31ount  \'ernon,  ]MansHeld,  Wooster,  Cosliocton, 
|i--;.:  n,  and  Canton,  are  the  principid;  but  uiy  notes  arc  too  imperfect  for 
■  «'i.pt  in  reference  to  the  last,  which  is  luit  the  nnist  important :  but  its 
i-'iitiipngraphy  and  autunnial  diseases  maybe  taken  as  representatives 
St  whole;  for  they  are  all  built  on  alluvial  or  dihivial  terraces. 
{''antnn  stands  in  latitude  40"^  3S'  N.,  at  an  elevation  of  about  nine  liun- 
1  !'-'.'t  above  the  level  (jf  the  sea.  The  site  of  the  town  is  the  point  of 
1  ininiediately  above  the  junction  of  the  East  and  West  Forks  of  Nimi- 
il"!  Crock,  an  eastern  ti.'br.tary  of  the  Tuscarawas.  The  plain  is  diluvial, 
1 5'"ve  die  reach  of  inundations  by  the  streams ;  but  the  immediate  banks 
p'.<-' >trcams  are  alluvial,  wet,  and  swamjiy,  wdiile  their  currents  arc  slug- 
Thcsc  low  terraces  were  heavily  wooded,  when  Doctor  Stidler  arrived 


T 


vl 

i 


.»■■:      ■  -   r-j- 


^nl 


#-|jr'f}r 


:;---r. 


tr''''-^ 


i     :■      ■    ■ 


xi 


'■  •'■' 


'U 


ill 


••f 


II: 


r.M 


I    1 


2s,S 


TIIK  riMXCII'Ar.  niSRASRS  OF  THE 


[8001  I, 


in  ill''  _v<';ir  IS-J^;  but  tin;  troi'S  Iiiivi-  siiico  licoii  nmstly  felled,  and tlio>r„jj 

litis   In'rilllic   dniT.        .Mlll'll    (if   tllL'  (Iriit    i>ll   wllicll   llic   tnWU   is  llllilt,  till,  l(,„j 

lirtiU'jlit  froiii  rcuiuiis  of  pi'imitivo  rmk  in  tlic  imrtli,  mikI  rests  uri  lli'V.rian 
iir  .siil>-r';irl)niiii'i.rMti-<  sMiidstiiin'.  Tlic  cnuntry  iii'innul  is  inclined  tn  ],.V(ii;,„ 
:iii(l  aliMiindri  in  iintuviil  |hjii(Is,  nii!l-]Miii(ls,  imd  swaniiis.      In  tlio  oaiiv  |i.riM,l 


of  Pdctor  Stidlci-'s  [inirliue  in  this  plaeo,  Initli  tlio  vilhiire  ;inil  tlic  siino'iinl. 
in^"  country  wore  lireatly  infested  witli  iMterniittents  and  rciiiittonts.  wliifi) 
^vero  sometimes  iiiali^-naiit ;  Imt,  imder  the  infiuenee  of  clcarinir  anil  cnliiva. 
tiuii,  they  are  le^^s  prevalent.  Still,  in  conversation  Avitli  Doctor  \Vl;i!ii;;,i3 
tile  li')th  of  S(|itemlior,  I  found  that  he  then  had  thirteen  ]iatioiit3\vitliiiutr- 
niitteiit  lever,  all  rcsidincr,  however,  in  the  country,  on  tlio  hordors  of  strfaiiis 
or  marshes,  lie  dcsci-ihed  cases  of  as  mali_L'iiaiit  and  fatal  a  type,  as  anvivbi 
are  ;:"enerated  uu  the  Laiiks  of  the  Oahawlia.  or  IV'arl  Kiver,  eight  ilrwi 
tarthor  south,  and  six  liundrcd  feet  nearer  the  level  of  the  sen.  llmti  r  K-'-r 
had  observed  tliat  remittents  were  more  freijuent  in  the  town  tliaii  iiitcnii.!- 
tents,  and  prone  to  become  continued. 

VI.  Z.\M''.s villi;.  —  This  city,  the  ])opnlation  of  which,  witli  i;<  r  ■ 
/;o;//','/.s',  West  Zanesvillu  and  Putnam,  is  aliout  nine  thousand,  staiiib  ii,  .\ 
Lat.  30"  51)',  on  a  high  diluvial  terrace,  which  makes  the  oast  crldtlaBJ 
of  the  Ahiskingum  Kiver,  adjacent  to  its  falls,  and  opposite  the  iimuili  i|  ::- 
largo  tributary  the  ]ii(d<ing.  The  elevation  of  the  plain  is  seven  Inin.inil 
feet  above  the  sea.  It  lies  within  the  coal  basin,  and  is  siuToniidcil  liyi.;;!', 
which  rise  about  two  hundred  feet  higher.*  The  village  of  AVest  Zaiu>t::ie 
con.'^ists  of  a  single  street, above  iinindation.  with  hills  in  its  rc.u'.  '\'\kI"Vi 
of  Putnam  stands  on  a  wider  bottom,  which  is  also  exemjit  fnmi  suIhikne. 
and  is  liounded  by  bills.  IJetweeii  them,  near  the  inouth  of  LieldiiL'. j'lii* 
.small  portions  of  bottom  are  liable  to  occasional  inundations.  At  tlif  taS' 
there  are  a  dam  and  look,  from  which  a  niiil-rai'e  or  canal  has  been  diiiMii'v 
the  most  depressed  jiart  of  the  Zane.-ville  plain,  and  gives  some  ffi't  -iifc 
in  the  south-western  suburbs  of  the  city.  The  inlialiitants  are  ,«ii]i|i!i:i"":': 
excellent  well-water,  and  also  with  river-water,  by  a  hydrant  system.  Tl.' r  | 
chief  fuel  is  coal.  The  country  arfmnd  is  broken,  dry,  and,  except  :il"'::';s 
river,  delicieiit  in  fertility,  l-'rom  Doctors  .Aloorehead  and  (,'.('.  lliM:''" 
whoso  communications  have  eorreoted  and  enlarged  my  personal  obscrvat;  L^  j 
I  loam  that  autumnal  fever  scarcely  occurs  in  tliis  locality.  T!iri",;i;i 
period  of  fifteen  years,  the  latter  never  saw  it  assume  an  ejddeniic  diini!;' 
and  most  of  the  sporadic  oases  had  evidently  been  contracted  ohcwuw 
Near  the  river  margin  of  the  plain,  however,  in  the  south-western  ■'!:hir*' 
whore,  as  wo  have  seen,  there  is  some  wot  ground,  Doctor  llildretli  l:;i-  '■ 
served  the  people  to  be  more  atfeetod  with  that  fever  than  clsewliere. 

VIT.     LxCKixd  Eivi-u  demands  a  notice.     Near  its  mouth  there  i-iMS 
and  a  second,  si.Ktoon  foot  high,  a  few  miles  up  the  stream.     Tlie  Ijitt'rti! 
created  a  poid  several  miles  in  length,  fr(jm  which,  when  the  river  i:<  in "'"*  I 
considerable  tracts  of  alluvial  terrace  are  overflowed.     In  one  ol  tli'-e  •■■ 


Oliio  Geological  Reports, 


fjRTI.J 


INTER! 


ton)!',  moreover,  there  i 
[  ;iiii  iiidehtcd  for  tlics 
autJimnal  fever. 

The  .Vitsk'niriurd  Pck 

ffn(l<  lip  ti  the  town  o 

liio  "Innervations  of  l)i 

effect  in  producing  aut 

irhero  there  are  oxton< 

staznant  .surface-water, 

remittent  fevers.     The 

iorae  importance  in  rel 

reeall  tho.se  observed  at 

I'le  atmn.spheric  nioistu 

tkii  up  Lieking  Creek, 

t!f"  latter  localities  are  ; 

r;l  liiimidity  is  rofjuire( 

VII.    .Makiktt.a. —  1 

!'t'ii'(»hio  and  Mn.skir 

small  stream  from  the 

i  ir.'i  3  its  waters  into 

W'lters  are  hacked  up  tl 

S'wod.    The  greater  pa 

"ii  the  opposite  side  of 

tiitis  the  site  of  the  no 

f'rt.     Between  the  two 

Muskiiiiruin,  creating  a  p 

n-il;"^  a  part  of  the  slacl 

O.'.in,  above  the  town,  tl 

.iKrlv  opposite  the  town 

Tlie  h'w-water  olevatio 

1  fi'v  luindred  and  si.\ty-si: 

I  ''-an  the  surface  of  Lake 

I  fnn  fifty  to  eighty  feet 

I  '-"rty  feet  above  tlie  sea ; 

'i^'nof  two  hundred  and 

r.i:i'- hundred  kvA.     Thes 

lAiboftheearhoniferon 

'■-its  longitude  SP  2S 

■^'arietta  enjoys  the  dist 

l-\^"'ifan  settlement  was 

''■'V'«  tlie  7th  of  April. 

KeXorth-westemTerrito 

:''""'^^  and  Wisconsin.    I 

[""^^t'^,  and  as  the  town: 
r'^'  Viinoties  of  physiology. 

•"  '•'«  <^arly  period  of  i 
19 


h  i' 


,    'A         ' 


niT  I.J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMRRICA. 


2S9 


tAra"  moreover,  there  is  n  pond.  Acconlinc!  to  Doctor  Moorohond,  to  whom 
i  ;iiii  indelitc'd  for  these  facts,  there  is  in  this  locality  a  decided  prcvaloiicc  of 
a-t;iiiinal  fever. 

I  !ie  .Viiskiiif/um  Pool,  formed  liy  tlio  dam  at  its  falls,  nine  fcot  hijili.  ex- 
U'li'U  itp  to  tlic  town  of  Dkksdk.v,  a  distiinco  of  fifteen  miles.  Aceordiiifr  to 
t'liM'liserviitions  of  Tuctor  Moorehcad,  this  [)ool  lias  not  had  the  sliglitcst 
,|tct  in  producing  autnninal  fever;  but  beyond  It,  at  and  above  Dresden, 
where  there  are  extensive  bottoms,  which  snflfer  inundation  and  abound  in 
itai'nant  surface-water,  tlie  inhabitants  are  infested  with  intermittent  and 
nniitteiit  fevers.  The  facts  connected  with  the  Zancsville  locality  arc  of 
<,nio  importance  in  reference  to  the  remote  i-auso  of  autumnal  fever,  and 
roialltlio.se  observed  at  Pensaeola  (pp.  52,  53).  The  summer  heat  and 
t'le  atiiiiisphcric  moisture  arc  Ijotb  as  great,  or  even  greater,  in  Zancsville, 
t'nan  up  Licking  Creek,  or  along  the  Muskingum  above  Dresden  ;  and  yet  the 
tif.i latter  localities  arc  much  sicklier;  indicating  that  something  bey(md  heat 
ml  humidity  is  required  to  generate  autunuuil  fever. 

VII.  Mauiktt.\. —  The  town  of  Marietta  is  luiilt  on  a  bottom  (^ommon 
ti  the  Ohio  and  Muskingum  Rivers,  immediately  above  their  junction.  A 
sniiill  stream  from  the  liills  to  the  cast,  traverses  tlu>  town-jdat,  and  dis- 
'!i;;r:'i'.s  it.s  waters  into  the  Muskingum.  When  the  rivers  are  high,  their 
Kitirsare  backed  up  this  creek,  and  some  portions  of  the  plat  are  ovcr- 
AmvoiI.  The  greater  part  of  the  plain  is,  however,  above  the  highest  floods. 
i 111  the  opposite  side  of  the  Mu.skinguni  another  and  lower  bottom  consti- 
tutes the  site  of  the  newer  town  of  Haioiar,  in  early  times  the  site  of  a 
frt.  Between  the  two  towns  a  dam  and  lock  have  been  erected  in  the 
M.i<kiiiguir),  creating  a  pool,  which  extends  several  miles  u|»  the  river,  and 
!i;te  a  part  of  the  slack-water  system  which  has  been  described.  Up  the 
0!.i»,  alinve  the  town,  there  is  an  extensive  and  highly  cultivated  bottom ; 
ntirly  opposite  ttie  town  is  the  lower  end  of  a  long  island. 

The hw-watcr  elevation  of  the  Ohio  at  the  mouth  of  the  ^Fuskingum  is 

I  five  hundred  and  sixty-six  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  or  two  feet  higher 

I  t!an  the  siu-face  of  Lake  Krie.     The  jdain  on  which  the  town  is  built  rises 

fnin  fifty  to  eighty  feet  liigher,  giving  it  an  average  of  six  hundred  and 

I  t:iirty  foot  ai)ovc  tlie  sea ;  while  tlie  surrounding  hills,  present  a  mean  cleva- 

tF.n  of  two  hundred  and  seventy  more,  or  an  altitude  above  the   ocean  of 

tise hundred  feet.     These  hills  aro  composed  of  the  soft  sandstones  and 

Wosof  the  carboniferous  formation.     The  latitude  of  the  town  is  DO*^  25' 

P'. -it?  longitude  8P  29'  W. 

Marii'tta  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  spot  at  whicli  an  Anglo- 

■Wrican  settlement  M-as  made  in  the   northern  half  of  the  Ohio  Easin. 

"we.  nil  the  7th  of  April,  17!^8,  began  the  civil  and  political  existence  of 

I'te  Nurtb-western  Territory,  since  divided  into  the  states  of  Ohio,  Indiana, 

iiniiiJ.  and  Wisconsin.    Its  original  inhabitants  were  a  colony  from  Massa- 

jciiusetts,  and  as  the  town  has  not  grown  beyond  a  few  thousand,  it  presents 

jf'^'  varieties  of  physiology. 

•!i  the  early  period  of  its  settlement,  this  locality  was  infested  with  au- 
19 


<; 


-fv 


:::-';-f::'i;-  ; ..  " 


# 


:^..' 


200 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OV  THE 


[•001  I 


:;l 


I .  : 


}■•'  . 


m 


ii  ^ 


a-. 


w 


-J-,". 


i:  '"*■ 


Wt^':- 


tumniil  fovcr  up  to  tlio  i.vornyc  tlogrcc;  but  witli  the  progress  of  cultivati  j 
and  civil  existence,  tliat  ni.ilady  hag  Huffcrod  the  usual  abatement. 


SECTION  IV. 

THE   REGION    BETWEEN    THE    MUSKINGUM    AND  SCIOTO  RIVER« 

HOCKING  RIVER. 

I.  From  tlio  mouth  of  the  Muskingum  to  that  of  the  Scioto,  tlie  dijtan^ 
by  the  Ohio  is  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  miles,  while  many  of  tlic  mm 
tributaries  of  those  rivers  meander  in  the  same  localities.  For  a  coiisi(li;ral;;i; 
distance  they  run  nearly  parallel ;  then  the  Muskingum  diverges  to  the  <:in. 
and  enters  the  Ohio;  which  afterward  flows  far  to  the  south-west  amltlies 
to  the  north-west,  before  the  Scioto,  by  a  directly  southern  cuurso,  uiiit'! 
with  it.  The  region  between  the  lower  portions  of  these  two  river?  is  tL; 
now  under  C'amination.  It  has  a  long  connection  with  the  Ohio  river;  h. 
as  it  wero,  in  a  great  bend ;  but  does  not  run  very  far  back.  If  nijt  ti 
most  elevated,  it  is  the  most  rugged  and  sterile  portion  of  the  state  nf  lihi... 
Geologically,  it  constitutes  a  part  of  the  brim  of  the  great  AppaWliian.vi; 
basin;  and  when  we  pass  out,  at  any  po.nt  between  north  and  wst. wc ka^^e 
that  formation  and  come  upon  the  Devonian  conglomerate  sandstone  mi 
slate,  which  dip  to  the  south-cast,  beneath  tlio  coal  mcasijics.  Tliis  distra 
abounds  in  iron,  salt,  and  coal;  and,  of  course,  CMbraces  large  elajsi>  i 
operatives,  exposed  to  whatever  etiological  influences  belong  to  tlicir  rtsje- 
tive  pursuits.  The  principal  river  of  this  region  is  the  Hocking,  wliicb.  ori;- 
nating  near  its  northern  margin,  where  the  surface  is  coniparativolv  kv^. 
takes  a  south-east  course  and  unites  with  the  Ohio  not  far  below  tlio  Ml- 
kingui^.  The  alluvial  bottoms  of  tliis  tortuous  stream,  hidden,  as  it  mre,:'r 
much  of  its  distance  among  the  hills,  arc  wide,  and  many  of  thcmsukwi- 
to  be  subject  to  submersion  when  the  river  is  swollen.  The  next  in  size.aEi 
only  other  considerable  stream,  is  Racoon  River,  which  joins  the  Oliior  "■ 
lower  down  than  the  ITockli'g.  It  likewise  is  skirted  with  broad  luw  It- 
toms;  which  is  also  the  case  with  a  still  smaller  tributary,  Symmes' Crtti.  | 
which  enters  tlio  Ohio  further  doM'n. 

All  these  alluvial  valleys  are  infested  with   intermittent  and  remittee!  I 
fevers;  while  the  hill-country,  generally,  is  almost  exempt,  especially trE 
the  former.    A  few  words  concerning  two  or  three  towns  of  this  rcgiiin,  ctii  ] 
suffice. 

II.     Lancaster. —  This  town  is  built  on  the  left  bank  of  tlie  Hocfc 
near  its  source.     The  site  is  an  alluvial  plain,  rising  upon  high  diluvir 
On  the  western  or  right  side  of  the  river,  there  was  a  low  prairie,  in  Wui?-- 
the  stream  meanders  with  a  sluggish  current.    A  canal  now  passes  tliruii^M 
*he  town.     The  substratum  is   Devonian  slate.     Autumnal  fever  fornitri.' [ 
prevailed  here  to  a  decided  degree,  but  has  long  been  on  the  decline. 


■?!lii'i!»: 


nV  !■] 


INTERIOR  VALLHY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


201 


\\\  PoMKROV. —  The  sito  of  tliis  town  is  a  iiiirrow,  Oliio-rivcr  terrace, 
eniToachcJ  upon,  in  tlio  rear,  by  soft,  siiiHlstoiie,  iiiunil  l)l(ifrH.  Tlio  terrace 
IS  aliuvo  high-water  iiiiirk.  (Mi  the  opposite  side  of  tlir  river,  tliere  ia  a 
riJiraii'l  I'lwcr  wooded  bottom,  in  wliiidi  there  are  some  ponds.  Two  miloe 
1h1  iff  the  town,  the  terrace  ex]iaiids  into  a  ennsideralil'  plain,  some  portions 
,fii!iii'h  arc  subjeet  to  inundation.  Near  t\\v.  upper  part  of  this  plain  is 
•j;c  iiiiiiiii"  viUage  of  Ooalport,  inhabited  alnmst  exebisively  by  the  opera- 
tives who  (Hg  for  coal  ill  the  adjacent  hill.  In  tlie  new  town  of  I'omeroy 
j;tiiiiinal  iiiterniittents  are  few  antl  simple;  and  the  people  of  Coalpurt  aro 
ilnjnit  as  exempt ;  ])ut  the  iidiabitants  of  the  wide  bottom  below  them  arc 
jubjoijt  to  that  disease. 

IV,  Gallu'OMS. —  Thi.s  old,  and,  origiiwdly,  French  town,  stands  twenty 
miles  Wow  the  la.st.  It  was  settled  in  171*1,  by  innniurants  from  Paris.  Ita 
>:!e,  very  nearly  in  N.  Lat.  DU'^,  is  a  biirli  and  ample  alluvial  or  diluvial  ter- 
ra^, su  level  that,  in  its  natural  state,  the  surfaee  was  poiidy.  Above  the 
im  there  is  a  wide  and  lower  buttom,  the  margin  of  wl  ieli  near  the  river 
]sit\.  hut  further  back  there  are  ponds  and  swales,  cspceially  in  the  vicinity 
•t  a  finall  .stream  called  Campaign  Creek,  which  there  enters  the  Ohio.  In 
tiii,<  piirt  of  the  locality,  as  1  was  told  liy  Doctor  Maxoii  and  I)octor  Ilib- 
kpJ.  aiitumiuil  fever  is  much  more  prevalent  than  i;i  any  other.  Inniieiliately 
Wiw  the  town,  a  creek,  known  by  the  name  of  Chickaniargo,  citers  tbe 
O'ii.  having  alluvial  liottoms,  wliieli  are  subjeet  to  inundati(jn  when  tho 
river  is  in  flood.  8ix  or  eight  miles  to  the  north-west  of  Clalii>)oiis,  Kacoon 
Hivtraml  Campaign  Creek  approach  within  a  few  miles  of  e;ieh  other.  The 
:.u!t-laiKl  between  them  is  called  the  Pi.nk  Pi.-vins,  and  imdudes  the  village 
f  Pouter.  The  .streams  have  alluvial  bottoms,  portions  of  which  are  liable 
'■'  «ulinier.*ion.  From  Doctor  Si.s.son,  one  of  the  physicians  of  this  village, 
!1  aril  that  autumnal  fever  Invades  every  part  of  the  plain,  not  even  sparing 
;:.e  village. 

YSjw  Fever. —  Gallipolis  is  the  only  town  of  the  Ohio  Basin  wliieh  has 

kfii  charged  with  generatinf;  jcllow  fever.     As  much  depends,  in  reference 

i-tk' ongin  of  that  disease,  on  tho  truth  of  this  imputation,  it  is  neces.sary 

: I  :iiiliurc  into  the  ^/roofs.     The  plain  on  which  the  town  is  built  was  cov- 

ff'.il  In-  a  heavy  forest  when   the  Parisian  immigrants  arrived,  and  '"ts  wet 

iorface  was  charged  with  organic  matter.     As  the  trees  were  cut  dowii,  and 

'-- sun  admitted  upon  the  surface,  tlie  new-comers  fell  sick  of  the  fevers 

wtii.h  everywhere  ajip^ar  under  such  conditions,  in  tho  latitude  and  at  tho 

j  wvation  (about  six  hundred  feet)  of  tliis  place.     The  summer  and  autumn 

i  lit  the  year  1797,  seem  to  have  l)een  seasons  of  great  mortality ;  du/nig  which 

■  Ir.  Lllieott*  arrived  there  on  his  voyage  to  Natchez,  and  reported  to  the  edi- 

''fsofthe  New  York  Medical  llepository,  besides  recording  it  in  his  journal, 

laat  the  (lisoasc  was  yellow  fever.     Previou.'^ly,  and  about   the  time  of  his 

l^isit,  that  fever  had  prevailed  in  Philadelphia  and  xVew  York,  and  was  held 


'Journal  of  Andrew  Ellicott,  Commissioner  for  surveying  the  boundary  between 

'Mrnited  States  and  Florida. 


\ 


I 

« 


■    •'i 


■•''•■   •  ■.••■■  ;• 


■  ^•• 


■  •.  (■■•' 


w 


.].^«*,' 


i 

^^. 


\.h 

.  -if 

'  • 

'  ■  ■    ' ," 

•t 

202 


Tin;  rKINCH'M,  DISDAHKS  Ol*  TIIH 


iKXHi, 


by  many  pIiyKiciuiiH  tn  lie  only  tin-  liiglioHt  frrado  of  <tur  indigenous  autumn,] 
fovcr.  At  that  tiuH.'  tlm  iiialigiiiiiit  or  confft'wtivo  rcniitteiitH,  with  whiifu,, 
aro  now  t'liiniliar  in  tlu)  Wi'Ht,  liad  nut  lixid  tliu  utti'htiun  of  tlio  sitiliri 
who,  bcl'ori'  tlio  iiiveiitioii  of  stcaniltout.'*,  diit  not  M'ck  tlio  river-lioUmii,  a< 
tlicy  httvo  hincf.  Mr.  Kllieott  did  not  duMcriiio  this  fever  in  such  tiniii^ajt^ 
show  that  it  really  waH  identical  with  that  which  prevailed  on  tlio  Atlaiiiic 
coast.  In  lookiiifj;  at  the  whole  matter,  the  proufs  sceni  to  nie  inMiffukiitt,, 
Mn.staiii  his  declaration;  and  1  suppose  tin;  ca.-Jes  which  led  to  it  wort  mui- 
pies  of  what  is  nnw  known  nver  the  West  and  South-west  as  the  iiiarpai; 
remittent  fever  of  the  country.  To  this  eoiielnsion  I  uni  the  moro  iiidiii,,| 
from  having  witnessed  the  autunnial  fevers  of  sickly  localities,  cm  the  laitj 
of  the  Ohio,  since  tiie  year  ISdO,  without  liaving  seen  a  pvevuleiico  (ifvillw 
fever,  though  (jccasional  eases  have  elnsdy  rescnililed  that  di.sea.si'.  Itistlw 
more  important  to  bo  careful  in  the  exaniinathm  of  this  isolated  c|)iiliiiii,'. ,f 
(  so  called  )  yellow  fever,  iiuismueh  as  the  adopti(Mi  of  Mr.  Ellicntt'sripit, 
precludes  all  further  impiiry  as  to  the  local  or  iiidigomms  origin  of  thatJi" 
ease;  1  will,  therefore,  add,  that  the  distance  from  the  sea,  and  the  clevaii  u 
ab(jve  its  surface,  not  less  than  the  rural  instead  of  urban  chariicter  nf  tk 
infant  village,  all  militate  against  the  conelusion  that  the  epidemic  was  jd- 
low  fever. 


.■  I'' 


'r  i'" 


•II  • 


^ 


■'i 


SECTION  V. 

BASIN  OF  Tllf^-  SCIOTO  RIVER. 

I.  Genkral  Views. —  The  Scioto  is  the  longest  and  most  central  r* 
of  the  State  of  Ohio.  Its  sources  interlock  with  those  of  the  Samlibkw: 
Lake  I'h'ie.  Its  course  is  almost  directly  south.  Originating  amoiii'tlie 
upper  Silurian  or  gray  cliff  limestone,  in  its  progress  it  cuts  tlio  out-rrj- 
ping  Devonian  sandstone  and  slate,  and  finally  reaches  the  Oliin  at  Piiris- 
mouth,  in  the  midst  of  the  conglomerate  which  makes  the  fouiiilatiuiioftte 
Apj)alachian  coal  basin.  Until  it  enters  the  last  out-croj),  its  basin  is  o* 
paratively  level,  in  many  parts  flat ;  and  this  character  of  ,surf;KC  cxterl' 
over  more  than  five-sixths  of  it ;  the  elevation  of  which  is  fro» nine  hiinJroi 
to  one  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 

The  larger  part  of  the  surface  consists  of  dry  and  fertile  lands,  partly 
wood-land  and  partly  prairie,  but  it  includes  several  varieties,  which  dcsiW 
to  be  mentioned;  Jirst,  small  lakes  or  ponds  of  clear,  cold  water;  scc'Ml.m\ 
or  marshy  prairies,  generally  the  beds  of  tillcd-up  ponds;  t/iird,  exteiisv! 
wooded  swamps,  which  become  nearly  dry  in  autumn;  fonrth,  slmigli-'.':^ 
'  slashes,'  as  they  are  called  by  the  inhabitants,  of  small  extent,  uverssa- 
dowed  by  water-maples  and  gigantic  white  elms,  supporting  a  luxuriant  gr*' 
of  the  Rhus  toxkodoidrun,  and  generally  drying  up  in  summer.  A  iJpocM 
of  the  black  soil  from  one  of  these  sloughs,  analyzed  at  my  reiiuest  by  DoiW 
Raymond,  gave  the  following  results : 


■ '''  intermittent  and  re 


llOOl  I, 

IB  anliin;r:,i 
til  whiili »„ 
■lie  ai'UliTi; 
-liottutii.,  a, 
1  t(riii«a<t, 
tilt!  Atlaiitk' 

IIMllTlcivIit  to 

were  (.Sam. 
10  iiialignaii; 
viri'  iiicliikl 
111  till'  l.ai.ks 
nco  (it'\i'l!a 

Sl'.     It  is  tij.) 

1  eirnli'iui'.',  if 
iciitt'snpiti, 
1  of  tliat  J;*- 
tho  clcvalH 
aracter  nf  tte 
uinic  was  vol- 


f»IT  1] 


INTKinOR  VAIJ.RY  OF  NORTH  AMIIIJICA. 


203 


ociitral  .'!"'.■ 
Saiitlii>k}  u' 
iiiumi.'  itt 

10   UUt-iTl- 

,0  111  IVri- 
atiiiii  of  tie 
>in  is  M- 

•fllcC  CXtillJJ 

lint;  huwlrri 

lands,  parti; 
\vliicli  (le.-.rw 

;    )iiX'jl"l.  ^■'^ 
I,  CXtcll«i-! 

ii,  sloiigli.'.'f 

lit,  uver<r.j-  ] 
uriaiit  gr'^fti 

A  lipwiiiifi 
.cstbyDo'.i'! 


nr 


to 


IN  ONK  HnNnKKD  CRAINS  OF  BLACK  .SOH,. 
(irL'aiiic  oxtriK't,  with  si  traco  of  nitrate  (if  soda, 

I'lrlinniito  of  linu', 

I'liH-iiliatcs  of  aliiiiiiiiii  ami  iron,  .... 

liocHiiiiHiiS''"!  firifaiiic  matter,    ----.- 

Ihilecimipiiscd  "  "  

Alumina,  witli  ft  trace  of  iron  and  lime,     .... 
Nlica, 


2.5 

r.. 
4.5 
80. 

18. 
( . 
20.5 
.5 

loo.b 


Tlicliniitoil  elm  .nnd  niaplo  swaloH  or  sliallow  jionds,  one  of  vliicli  nft'ordcd 
t',iMn.'rinH'iiiif  siiil  wliicli  was  anal_vzo(l,  constituto  one  of  tlio  ,s|)i'cijil  iVatiiroB 
fflliis  basin.  I  liavo  seen  tliem  in  bnt  one  other  loeality,  and  that,  althongh 
I  [iHirapliioally  remote,  i.s  <^eologieally  identical.  I  refer  to  the  Loui.sville 
rliiiif.w  /'.  -47  ).  TliJit  terrace,  it  will  ho  recollected,,  is  composed  of  the 
''iV'<  of  black  or  Devonian  .wlate,  resting'  on  irray  linie.stonc.  Now,  in  tho 
■.;j«r  part  of  the  Scioto  IJasin  wc  fiml  the  eminences  capped  with  the  same 
ki;,il »f slate,  resting  on  the  same  variety  of  limestone;  the  strata  at  Louis- 
•:',!■  (.Tupping  out  to  tho  west  from  l)uneath  the  Illinois  coal  formation  ;  those 
:  till' liasiii  we  arc  now  examining'  from  the  south-east,  from  beneath  tho 
Ai'' ab.'hian  coal  formation.  J)isinteirratcd  .<late  is,  then,  the  iiit/i/s  of  theso 
•w;i!c-:  a  fact  which  enlarges  our  views  of  tho  relation  hotwceu  geology  and 
!m'li''ii!  tnjKiiirrnphy. 

Aii'dicr  f'caturo  of  tho  upper  or  northern  ]iortions  of  this  basin,  ap  of  the 
Mbkiiiiiuni  (Section  HI  ),  is  an  immense  dcjiosit  of  northern  drift,  by  no 
iiieaii>  njiiliiied  to  the  streams,  and  irrcatly  filiscuring  tho  rocky  strata. 

The  ,*^cioto,  and  nearly  all  its  tributaries,  flf)W  through  wide  valley.o,  but 
iiul"  ilpprcssod  below  the  level  of  the  country,  until  wc  come  into  the  lower 
r^iutbern  part  of  the  valley,  where  tlu;  bottoms  are  still  wide,  but  the  val- 
I'VJ  ;iro  cut  deep  into  tho  sandstone,  sl.'ite,  and  con;j:lomerate  formations. 
l.H'iicrally  in  the  valleys  there  are  two,  and  sometimes  three  terraces;  the 
lowst  of  which  may  bo  called  alluvial,  is  commonly  wet,  and  fre(inently  suffers 
'.nniilati'in,  Tho  others  are  above  hiuh-water  mark,  consist  cliiefly  of  sand 
iM  prbblos,  and  may  lie  rejrarded  as  diluvial.  When  the  river,  in  the  south, 
"Uter'i  the  billy  part  of  the  l)asin,  its  bottom-lands  continue  of  ;:rcat  width, 
m  suffer  under  spring  floods ;  but  those  of  the  smaller  streams  become  much 
'ntracteJ,  Some  points  in  this  ])ortion  of  tho  basin,  arc  among  the  highest 
"1  tlio  State  of  Ohio,  as,  for  examide,  Tlill.sborouL'h,  in   Highland  countv, 

I'll  '  '  '  * 

'■■I'll  lia:*  an  altitude  of  eleven  hundred  and  four  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
■M.  and  also  the  conical  summits  of  tho  conglomerate  hills  on  the  eastern 
^iJ»-'<'ftbo  river,  in  tho  neighborhood  of  Chillicothe,  and  thence  to  tho  Ohio 
River  at  Piirtsmoutli. 

As  a  general  fact,  it  may  bo  stated  that  every  part  of  the  Scioto  IJasin. 
ir^rn  die  beginning  of  its  settlement,  has  been  iin'-sted  with  autumnal  fever. 
■'  ;'|  intLTiuittont  and  remittent,  which,  although  miiigatcd  in  the  long-cul- 


i 

\ 


l| 


V>' 


■ '  i*' 


^;#. 


'■» ; 


■".'.V' 


■...    i^' 


•  •■  t' 


A-  ■  -r  '     ■  ■.      t 


294 


THE  PRINCIPAIi  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I'OOI  I, 


'M'Pi 


•■I 

-  A. 


0 

A' I 


;.:-.   1^ 


I*  I' 
f  A' 


•■■f 


):.-s ' 


g*''  K 


iiif;.'"\'  : 


V  '. 


I  ■:  i  ., 


tivated  portions,  is  by  no  means  extinct.     A  brief  notice  of  a,  few  loealitiii 
may  serve  for  tlie  w'lule. 

II.  Washington  — This  inconsiderable  village,  tlie  scat  of  justice  of  Far- 
ctte  county,  is  situate  near  Paint  Crock,  a  western  tributary  of  the  Sciot'i 
at  some  distance  from  its  junction  with  the  river.  The  surface  of  tlii'  sur- 
rounding country  is  either  level  or  slightly  undulating;  prairies  and  woi.d-laiiii 
are  intermingled;  s<ime  of  the  former  are  wet  and  springy,  wliile  tlie  latter 
are  divisible  into  two  varieties,  ojien  oak-lands  with  dry  and  thick  soil,  anj 
compact  diversified  forest,  abounding  in  occusioiud  ponds  and  shallow  swanii.;, 
which  dry  up  in  sunnner  and  autumn.  The  substratum  is  the  upper  Silurian 
or  cliff  limestone,  fnini  wnich  the  Devonian  slate  has  been  swept  ofl'dnlijir,. 
tegrated.  The  rocky  strata  are  generally  buried  up  in  clay  or  gravel.  T!.. 
streams,  consisting  of  the  upper  branches  of  Paint  Creek,  from  tlie  general 
Icvclness  of  the  country,  have  a  nmst  slugghsh  current;  their  low  kiib are 
badly  defined,  and  subject  to  c.-_tensivc  inuiulatioiis;  while  their  beds  are  t'.ii! 
and  obstructed  with  decaying  timber.  The  annual  prevalence  of  autimtai 
fever,  in  sucli  a  locality,  is  what  might  be  exjiccted ;  but  my  object  is  sunic- 
thing  more  than  to  nirke  this  known. 

An  JtJpidemir. — Tli  s  village  stands  on  tlie  north-^ast  side  of  Paint  Cretl; 
About  the  year  182(',  a  mill-dam  was  erected  a  short  distance  above  ti;- 
town,  which  caused  the  inundation,  to  the  de])th  of  a  few  feet,  of  a!i  51 
sixty  acres  of  bottom-land.  As  the  stream  generally  fell  to  low,  byiL- 
first  of  June,  to  admit  of  grinding  at  the  mill,  it  \vas  the  custom  of  tiiepr- 
prietors  to  open  the  flood-gates  and  let  the  water  escape,  after  wliicli  ti;» 
copious  showers  of  that  nujnia  commonly  washed  away  the  recent  tle|ii-;:-. 
and  thus  tlie  health  of  the  village  die'  not  appciir  to  suffer.  In  the  vear 
I80S,  the  owners  did  not  let  off  the  water  until  July,  and  no  rains  fulloffciJt 
wash  away  tlie  silt.  In  a  short  time  an  offensive  smell  was  wafted  frcmtiij 
foul  and  drying  surface  into  the  village,  which  was  to  its  leeward,  and  in  tie 
month  of  August  tlie  inhabitants  began  to  sicken  with  remittent  and  int  r- 
mittent  fevers.  In  a  ].npulation  not  exceeding  four  hundred,  my  infurniaDt, 
Doctor  Henton,  the  principal  physician,  prescribed  for  nearly  eighty,  and  tk 
village  hist  eleven  of  its  inhabitants.  Tlmsewho  lived  on  the  streets  neartJi 
the  pond  suffered  most.  The  people  who  resided  in  the  vicinity,  totheivtj! 
or  wii^dward,  did  not  suffer.  No  epidemic,  so  severe,  had  ever  visited  tb 
village  before.  It  did  not  ceas','  with  the  autumn,  but  continued  in  tlio  f''^ 
of  winter  and  spring  fevers.  In  the  two  succeding  years,  up  to  the  uniO'i 
luy  visit  in  1840,  the  water  had  been  drained  off  the  first  of  June,  amlffiiiA 
of  the  drift-wood  and  filth  cleared  away;  apparently,  in  cousec|ucnccofw!iifii. 
the  epidemic  had  not  recurred. 

III.  CoLU.Miius,  the  seat  of  government  of  Ohio,  stands  on  a  bmad  ter- 
race, Avhich  stretches  eastwardly  from  the  Scioto  lUver.  A  narrow  jlij)' 
lower  buttuni  than  that  (jii  which  tlio  city  is  built  lies  between  its  ffeswa 
side  and  the  river.  There  are  no  hills  near  the  city  on  the  left-band  side :' 
the  river,  but  on  the  right,  after  crossing  the  broad  low  bottom,  suljoft  tv 
partial  iiumdation,  on  which  the  town  of  Franklinton  stands,  we  arrive  a;  3 


T';e  valley  here  is  wide, 
Sat:i'd  hills,  with  an  u 


[!.tre  is  an  extensive  p 


I'.'if  buttoms!.    At  and  a 


'■  "■  *ri 


nil  I'. 


;'NTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


295 


.Mr,,  of  hills  or  bluffs  uboiit  one  huiulred  feet  high.  Near  the  upper 
,,,,  „!'  Colurahus,  a  large  affluent,  calli"!  tl-.'^  Whotstune,  pours  its  waters 
"M  the  Scioto,  tliniugh  its  left  bank.  To  the  east  of  the  city,  at  the  dis- 
-incP  dt'  a  few  miles  (  without  any  intervening  hills),  flows  Alum  Cicek,  to 
1 ;.]  Walnut  Creek,  which  afterward  enters  the  river  some  distance  down. 
Fr.ni  the  lower  part  of  the  city,  a  canal,  twelve  miles  louir,  passes  down  the 
.jvor  to  join  the  Ohio  and  Erie  Canal.  N  'ur  the  junction  of  these  canals, 
t'';^.  surface  of  the  country  is  flat,  wet,  an'l  jxtremely  fertile,  the  consc(|uence 
.f  ffliich,  as  I  learned  from  Doctor  Gr.d,  is  the  annual  prevalence  of  severe 
ami  often  maliifiiant  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers. 

Ji,  return  to  the  city,  it  may  be  said,  tiiat  although  its  suburbs  and 
viiiiitv  arc  in  many  ])laces  wet,  and  everywhere  abundant  in  organic  mat- 
['/  tiie  prevalence  of  autumnal  fever  has  not  been  such  as  to  jtrevent  a 
Kriiil  croffth,  which  began  in  the  year  181G,  up  to  which  time  its  site  was  a 

I'.ri'ft. 

The  latitude  of  Columbus  is  39"  57'  X. ;  its  elevation  abdve  the  sea. 
ivveu  luiudrcfl  and  sixty-two  feet.  The  State  of  Ohio  has  made  here  four 
(■•taUi.-limeiits  of  interest  to  the  physician  —  a  penitentiary,  a  lunatic 
tvhuii,  a  school  for  the  deaf  and  dumb,  and  a  school  for  the  blind. 

IV,  Ciiii-i-icoTiiK. —  Tlic  site  of  this  town  is  a  high  alluvial  (u- diluvial 
plain,  on  the  west  l)ank  of  the  Scioto  River,  about  fifty  miles  from  its  mouth. 
I'le  valley  here  is  wide,  and  presents,  in  the  rear  of  the  town,  rounded  or 
littod  liills.  witli  an  upper  stratum  of  sandstone,  and  on  the  eastern  side 
ti.'licr  ami  mure  conical  hills,  capped  with  the  overlying  conglomerate.  To 
!::'.•  north,  above  the  town,  some  portions  "*"  the  jdain  are  liable  to  iuunda- 
t::!.  and  near  the  base  of  the  adjacent  hill,  to  the  'lorth-west  of  the  town, 
l!.'.re  is  an  extensive  pond,  supplied  with  water  fr(im  the  high  lands,  On 
iht  oiiiio.site  side  of  the  river,  above  the  town,  the  bott(.ims  are  wide,  and 
(Misidirablo  tracts  are  subject  to  overflows  from  the  riv^r;  which,  moreover, 
'ii'iiles  into  two  channels,  and  forms  a  low  and  wet  but  grassy  i.^land  in 
ilk  of  the  town.  To  the  west,  the  plain  juts  up  against  the  base  of  the 
slate  and  sandstone  hills.  To  the  east,  it  declines  toward  the  river,  and 
jr^ont?  a  tract  of  Idw  bdttom,  from  which  the  rains  drain  (iff  iinperfectl}', 
aii'lnvcr  parts  of  Avhich  the  river  rises  in  every  high  freshet.  This  bottom 
tstemls  down  the  river  to  the  south,  and  is  traversed  by  Paint  Creek,  a 

I  fe  tributary,  which  flows  in  from  the  west,  through  a  wide  valley,  with 
kwliuttoms.  At  and  around  the  junction  of  tliis  stream  with  the  Scioto, 
"Uth  .«iiutli-cast  of  the  town,  the  bottums  generally  are  depressed,  and, 
!ii'i"Ugh  (like  the  others  which  have  been  named)  they  are  now  under 
t' i.nvation,  the  river-floods  and  the  spring  rains  give  them  a  wet  surface : 
i'  '1.  together  with  their  extreme  fertility',  produces  a  rank  annual  vegeta- 
'1^.    Finally,  to  the  cast,  there  is  a  mill-pond,  at  the  distance  of  a  mile  and 

i^blf;  and  the  Ohio  and  Krie  Canal,  with  two  or  three  hicks,  passes  through 
'  'ii'Tthern  and  eastern  edge  of  the  town.     The  redeeming  circumstances  in 

!  '^  '*  ''therwise  unpromising  topography,  are  the  long  range  of  hills  directly  to 
'  -"Uth-wcst  and  west,  or  windward,  of  the  tnwii ;  while  the  extensive  and 


<iV.  /  ■  ■,'^;  ''■ 


'W 


3!*^'^'4.:. 


■l-  ■' 


;«' 


my 


«,' 


296 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I'ooi: 


prolific  sources  of  autumnal  fever  lie  in  such  directions,  thut  the  ffinij<,> 
August  and  Sej)tenil)cr  do  nut  often  blow  from  them  to  the  town.  \^., 
theless,  it  is  undeniaWe,  that  the  inhabitants  living  along  even  tlie  nii.' 
populous  streets,  are  liable  to  autumnal  fever,  while  those  of  tlie  suljurl,* 
especially  bolow  the  town,  are  much  more  aft'ected  by  it. 

Chillicothe,  for  many  years  the  scat  of  government  of  Ohio,  is  unc  of  tl. 
older  towns  of  tlie  state,  having  been  commenced  in  the  year  1790.  I'rnu, 
its  early  medical  historian.  Doctor  Peachy  IlarrLson,*  we  learn,  that  for  tk 
first  five  or  six  years,  it  suffered  very  little  from  fever;  but  in  1^01  a  viol.u 
epidemic  arose,  since  wliich,  it  has  been  more  or  less  invaded  in  the  sunmei- 
and  autumn  of  every  year.  Its  latitude  is  about  39"  20'  N. ; — itsaltiui 
above  the  sea,  six  hundred  and  forty-five  feet. 

V.  I'onTSMOLTii.  —  On  cacli  side  of  the  Heioto,  as  it  approaches  ;,, 
Ohio,  there  is  an  oxtensivo  bottom.  That  below  the  mouth  of  tlic  river,  t 
the  west,  is  low,  extremely  rich  in  soil,  abounding  in  rank  weeds,  and  ovir- 
shadowed  with  tress  —  all  of  a  kind  which  flourish  best  in  wet  sitiiatiii.- 
Every  river-flood  inundates  this  alluvial  plain  to  such  depth  tliat  it  is  uncj;- 
tivable.  The  Oliio  and  Erie  Canal,  so  often  mentioned,  passes  tliruipit; 
join  the  Ohio  by  the  mouth  of  the  iScioto. 

The  terrace  above  or  cast  of  the  river  is  so  high,  that  only  some  littitd 
depres.sions  arc  liiible  to  submersion.  On  this  plain  stanils  tlie  ti.wn  (.: 
Portsmouth.  The  river-beach  in  front  is  free  from  topographical  nuisaiito 
On  the  o])posite  side  of  the  river,  the  bottom  is  narrow  and  tlriscly  i*- 
jn-essed  by  a  range  of  steep  and  very  lofty  sandstone  and  conglomerate  liiiii 

The  latitude  of  Portsmouth  is  38"  45'  N.;  —  the  low- water  cIctm 
of  the  Ohio  above  tlie  sea  four  hundred  and  sixty-eight  feet;  that  of  tie 
terrace  on  which  the  town  is  built,  about  five  hundred  and  forty. 

As  miglit  be  expected,  the  low  bottom,  to  the  west  or  windward  of  tLt 
Scioto  River  and  of  the  town,  is  a  prolific  and  permanent  source  of  ml'i- 
brity;  and  fevers  prevail  more  or  less  every  autumn.  According  to  DoiM 
Hempstead,!  the  expcjrienccd  nie<lical  hi.sti/riaii  of  this  locality,  the  pa'dal 
influence  is  so  great,  tliat  a  large  number  ;>£  diseases  assume  more  or  ksj  j! 
a  periodical  type. 

West  of  the  Scioto,  taere  is  no  tributary  of  the  Ohio  of  sufficient  size  !• 
demand  a  notice,  until  we  arrive  at  the  Little  Miami,  di.'^tant  about uiie hun- 
dred and  ten  miles.  In  running  that  distance  the  Ohio  bears  south  ut  ivwi. 
as  far  as  ^laysville,  Kentucky,  then  west  north-west.  The  tract  of  couiitr; 
lying  in  this  groat  bend  is  hilly  near  the  river,  but  formed  into  a  kiwi  o: 
table-land  at  a  short  distance  back,  with  an  argillaceous  surface.  I  can^ij 
nothing  special  of  its  autumnal  fevers. 


»  N.  Y.  Modical  Uopository,  Vol.  X,  p.  G. 

t  Proceedings  of  the  i\Iedical  Convention  of  Oliio,  1842. 


nn:  '-J 


INTER 


THE  M 

I.    ijKNEK.vii  Dksc: 

i:i;i  !iof  the  united 

,'o;i;i,reiieiid  the  soutli- 

of  Indiana.     To  the  ^ 

iiii:;i;le  with  tliuso  of 

t;..;  irreat  Miami  ari.se 

.  I'lariost  affluent  of 

t'..  V  interlock  with  the 

aiiJ  i.ere  it  is  that  the 

Ct'ili  "f  Mexico.    All 

p^'ivd  i;f  tlie  older  or 

I  wpiuusinterlaniiiuition 

liatin  rest  on  the  iicwei 

•ii' ill  drift  or  diluvium, 

I  :fi"t.i.    The  wluije  of 

•lai'liiiig  the  Ohi  i  11 

r-'UiiJod  hills,  which  di 

rL'.Miainies,  as  they  d( 

I  I:v?,  whioli  continue  wi 

I  rivtr.    Their  descent  fi 

is  fo  rapid,  tliat  the  ba( 

p'.ni  their  mouths ;  whi 

nation  in  Licking  Hive: 

I  K'.ntucky,  for  scvcnty-1 

Tiie  immediate  valley 

I  ri>ing  over  each  other,  .i 

I  materials  from  tlie  nor; 

Im  hottoin.s  are  frofpi 

I  cSiia'd  ]iliiin,  their  curri 

^  f'niparcd  with  th 

I  furred  tu.    The  ujiper  p 

hki,  wood-land  swamp,' 

j'Utliern  portions  offer  ) 

ha!ley-i  of  both  the  3Ii; 

|Tariityof  wot  surface  v 

'^it<  wore  first  made : 

I  iciuli  dryer  condition  lias 

'"■'■n  givatly  multiplied, 

I '''"'■'' tij  Lake  Erie,  am 

|Cinilridge,  in  the  State 

I  Juno  tliey  are  annually  ( 

.J'^ttoins,  U  scraped  out  i 

f'f'"".  Ciiieiuiiati,  takes  v 


m 


filll-  I'J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


297 


SECTION   VI. 

THE  MIAMI  BASIN:  CITY  OF  CINCINNATL 

[  Gkneral  Pescrii'tion. —  Tlio  Oliunii  Yalloy'  is  the  familiar  appel- 
^a;'' !i  of  the  united  basins  of  tlio  Groat  ami  Ijittlo  ^liami  I'ivcrs;  wliieli 
,v,:iiiirulioml  the  soutli-wost  ai\irlo  of  Oliio,  and  nmch  of  tlic  soutli-oast  corntT 
0'  huiiuiia.  To  the  east,  the  upper  tributaries  of  lioth  these  rivers  inter- 
iniiijewith  those  of  the  Scioto;  to  the  west,  all  the  longer  tributaries  of 
ito  Groat  Miami  arise  on  common  ground  with  the  sources  of  AVhite  lliver, 
tie laricst  affluent  of  the  Wal)ash,  the  cliief  river  of  Indiana;  to  the  north, 
tlirtiiitorloi'k  with  the  southern  head  streams  of  the  ]Nfanmeo  of  Lake  Erie  ; 
aul  Lire  it  is  that  the  Ijasin  of  the  lakes  penetrates  fartlicst  into  that  of  the 
li'jlf  uf  Mexico.  All  the  southern  portions  of  the  ^Miami  Basin  arc  com- 
pujjd  of  the  older  or  lower  Silurian  limestone  —  the  blue  sliell  —  with  a 
ripijus  intci'hiniiiiation  of  marlacoous  Iduc  shale;  the  nortiiern  parts  of  the 
i wii  rest  on  t!iu  newer  or  u])per  Silurian  limestone,  but  much  <if  it  is  buried 
•;M!iih'ift  or  diluvium,  like  that  of  the  upper  basins  of  the  3Inskingum  and 
Si  ti.  The  whole  of  this  portion  is  either  level  or  undulating;  but  (m  ap- 
irarliiii!;  the  Ohi)  lliver  in  the  lower  basin,  deep  ravines  give  rise  to 
r  Jii'Mliills,  which  do  not,  however,  rise  above   the  general  level.     Both 

■  Miaiiiics,  as  they  descend  to  the  Ohio,  present  trouglis  or  immediate  val- 
l;v5,  which  continue  wide,  and  gradually  deepen,  down  to  the  level  of  that 
i  river.  Their  descent  from  the  water-shed  between  the  Ohio  and  Lake  Erie 
i>?ora|iiil,  that  the  back-water  of  the  Ohio  is  oidy  felt  ten  or  twelve  miles 
;:'mtlifiriiinuths;  while  on  the  ojiposite  side  of  that  river  it  produces  stag. 
:3t; ill  ill  Licking  River  to  the  distance  of  forty  or  fifty  miles;  and  in  the 
K'litucky,  for  seventy-five  miles. 

The  immediate  valleys  of  the  3Iiamies  present  several  terraces  or  bottoms, 

j  ri-irig  iiYor  each  other,  and  composed,  like  those  of  the  Ohio,  of  transported 

\iahnik  from  the  north.     In  the   spring  and  early  summer,  many  of  the 

[  !/wor  bottoms  are  frequently  overflowed.     As  these  streams  de.«('end  an  in- 

fliiied  plain,  tlicir  currents  are  rapid,  and  they  present  but  few  stagnant 

f)"ls,  eouipared  with  the  rivers  of  the  ojijiosite  side  of  the  Oliio,  just  rc- 

krtilto.    Tiie  upper  portions  of  this  l)asin  abound  in  wet  or  marsh  prai- 

tkj,  woml-land  swamps,  and  ponds,  or  small  lakes  of  pure  water.     The 

Ij'Utherii  portions  offer  but  little  of  either,  on  the  uplands;  but  in  the  wide 

I  vaJev?  of  both  the  Miamies,  and  along  all  their  larger  tributaries,  every 

I  Tmtty  of  wot  surface  was  found  in  .spring  and  early  summer,  when  settle - 

piehts  were  fii\st  made:  by  clearing,  cultivation,  and  draining,  huwever,  a 

much  dryer  condition  has  been  produced.     At  the  same  time,  mill-ponds  have 

'«n  greatly  multiphed,  and  two  canals,  one  from  Cincinnati  to  Dayton,  and 

p:'''' to  Lake  Erie,  and  the  other  from  the  former  city,  to  Brookville  and 

[(iiiihridge,  in  the  State  of  Indiana,  have  been  excavated.     In  tlie  month  of 

1  Jane  they  arc  annually  emptied  of  water,  and  the  mud  accumulated  in  their 

'•^Jttums,  is  scraped  out  uixui  their  banks.     The  canal  to  Dayton,  on  starting 

I  'fi'  Cincimiati,  takes  up  the  valley  of  Millcrcck,  and,  at  the  distance  of 


* 


i^i^ 


.v-;-^i;''^-^:^-v 


»    '■_■ 

•  •       ■  ■•> 


:i)^'^ 

* 

:  .'  *  .f  « **■ 

.'I'M 

i , 

•  •  r   ,f  •' 


■I-    ;  ,        V 
'•*k  •■'',■,    *■  1.  ■  1    ■ 


¥■ 


■    ■'■ 

• 

:'  •    .  ,  ■ 

■    J<-r 

,   i 

1;  i ..%  ■■•.[,   - 

'  \     ' 

,-■ '' 

iill'l?-:  ■ 

*•  '3     " 

■. 

;  .■ ';  •    ' 

N:.r:-iLA 


!■■  -k': !'.  f  V?  '.-i  '..1     ,:t  ■  .1 


t""-. 


2ns 


TIIC  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[Boot  I, 


tweiity-fivo  miles,  outers  tlio  valley  of  tlie  Great  Miami.  Tlirou"li  i'. 
whole  distaiiee,  it  traverses  a  fertile  valley,  from  one  to  three  mik's  in  wiil'- 
ahoiiiuliiig  ill  diluvial  terraces  and  low  alluvial  bottoms,  to  wl]ii;!i  tl 
present  dimiinitive  stream  bears,  in  the  volume  of  its  waters,  no  as<iriiali'- 
proportion.  This  valley  is,  in  faet,  the  obsolete  bed  of  one  of  tlirisc  y-.- 
river-currents,  which  once  flowed  from  the  north  into  the  trough  of  tlie  I llu, 
llivcr.  At  that  time,  the  stream  which  is  now  called  the  Groat  Miami 
divided  into  two  mouths,  at  Hamilton,  twenty-five  miles  north  of  ('jniit. 
nati;  and  its  eastern  branch  flowed  throngh  this  valley,  near  tlie  kri'l  •' 
which,  tliere  are  ponds,  which  resemble  the  crescent-lahes  of  the  U-- 
^lississippi,  represented  in  PL  V.  A  few  miles  north  of  rindnnati,  tii; 
pr.iiijT  of  the  extinct  river,  agaiu  divided,  and  sent  ofi"  a  branch  to  tiie  {■a>; 
which  entered  the  Little  jMiami  not  far  above  its  mouth;  which  river  tbt 
was  of  great  witlth  and  depth.  This  disparity  between  tl''  ,  resent  vikiai 
of  water  and  the  broad  valleys  through  which  they  flow,  is  a  coninion  cliar- 
aeteristie  of  the  rivers  on  the  north  side  of  the  Ohio,  from  tlie  Appalaiiiia: 
AEouuiains  to  the  ^Mississippi;  and,  hence,  the  extent  of  bottuni  or  intiiva;. 
lands,  in  the  region  just  indicated,  is  incomparably  greater  than  in  tb: 
south  of  the  Ohio,  which  was  never  furrowed  out  by  such  currents. 

The  general  level  of  the  liill-summits  of  the  Miami  Basin  is  mt  tliesan! 
throug]n)ut.  Along  the  Ohio  Kiver  it  is  from  eight  to  nine  hundrcil  fat: ;; 
the  s.M.rces  of  the  Great  Miami,  from  eight  hundred  and  forty-twu— sir 
lowest  depression  at  the  St.  3Iarys  —  up  to  fVmrteen  hundred  feet,*  ar^-i 
iiellefontaine,  through  which  the  railroad  from  Cincinnati  to  SamM: 
passes.  This  protuberance  constitutes  the  highest  land  in  the  state  of  (fe 
As  the  valleys  by  which  the  IMiamies  reach  the  Ohio  are  trougli*  of  oxim- 
tion,  the  altitude  of  their  bottoms  iucrea.ses  regularly  from  the  priikiji 
river,  where  they  are  about  five  hundred  feet,  up  to  the  summits  wliicli  b: 
been  indicated;  the  bounding  hills  regularly  diminishing  in  elevation  ab'Af I 
the  streams.  As  to  position,  the  Miami  Basin  extends  from  latitude  ol** 
to  about  40^  30'  N. 

1  ersonal  cd)servations  in  the  Miami  Basin,  for  foriy-eight  years,  t!iat  :• 
since  the  twelfth  year  of  its  settlement,  enable  me  to  .fay,  tluit  it  has  atailj 
times  been  subject  to  autumnal  fever;  which,  along  the  streams,  lias  Wa 
both  intermittent  and  remittent,  while  on  the  intervcninir  hill,>:  ami  talk- 
lands,  the  latter  type  has  generally  jirevailed. 

From  the  earliest  period  down  to  the  present  time,  these  fevers  liavt  fe' 
of  a  siniide  or  iuflanunatory  character,  though  malignant  or  congpstivoct 
have  not  been  uidcnown.  The  progress  of  settlcnn'ut  and  cultivatin -ij 
diminished,  but  not  put  an  end  to  their  annual  visitations.  ThisetfecU'l 
most  perce[(tiblc  in  the  towns,  such,  for  example,  as  Hamilton,  Dayton, ' 
Springfield,  which  are  at  present  less  infested  than  in  the  early  poriii'! 
their  settlement.  The  laborers,  by  whom  the  canals  were  cxcavatii  "J' 
fered  in  autumn  from  fever;  but,  living  as  they  did,  they  would  pr"'*'? 


•  Letters  on  Geology.    By  David  Christy. 


[Boot  I, 


Tlirou;'li  t;:t 

lilt'S  in  mil;';. 

'■»  wliit.;i  tie 
no  assignaUe 
of  tliosu  vs:t 
:li  (if  tlie  I  iLi 
<^'i''-at  Miami, 
til  'if  Ciin-ir.- 
11'  tlie  liead  of 
I  if  tlie  lire: 
'imniiiiati.  tiii- 
li  to  t!:c  «>;, 
ich  river  in 
resent  vikiai 
ciimniiiii  cli!!!- 
e  Apiialailia: 
jiu  <>y  mr;i- 
•  tlimi  ill  tiiji 
•rents. 

is  lH't  tilCsii; 

mdroilfoi.'t: :.; 
orty-twu— :':,> 
d  feet*  arci 
I  to  Saiidii;!;' 
state  (jfOliic 
i  of  exeaTi- 
lie  prinoifs! 
wliicb  h\ 
evatiuii  ali ''.  I 
atitmlc  o'.'- 


vears,  tliai  i' 
it  lias  at  i"  1 
mis,  lias  Wt"- 1 
and  ta!t 


rcrs  liavv  bti' 
mscstivi'  f^'; 
niltivati-a  rA' 
This  effect  K 
:mi,  Paytoii.  i  j 
■arly  ja'ri" 
!xcavatid.  •"■•  I 

roulil  pr"''"^'-.^ 


<•,*- 


>^; 


•>;#- 


*       r-,  \ 

If 


M 


:  .v.. S'  ■■■I.  ■■  • '  ■ .    ■  , ii  ,    ..'■ 
■  if:   ' f :,:-.:, J.' :^p-  , 


■■.-■! 
■  •  •  -1. 


Ma 


•■-i  k 


■'■■'  ;i -.;.•  ■-'•■■•■^1  ;  ;/ 

'i..^''  f ■'■•''       .'' '' "  •|^"'^■ 
■> •■I  ■•   .  --if  •  .■- 


:"-'•■! 


nil 


^'v  ■. 


, 

•  ^      '  '    ' 

• 

!.• 

^} 

I 

ii     1 

i. 

li" 

» ■ 

1 

Ml 

•1  ■ 

* 

PL.XIII. 


nav.'  ?iiffor('tl  in  the  s; 
!,,,.;  iKit  appoar,  tluit 
faiial-i  were  (lug  wore 
sflitu  tlioy  were  finislic 
face,  that  the  annual 
ffVir;  wliii-h  .sIiouM,  pc 
aattiT.    The  mud  tlirt 

(i:io  of  those  canals 
fiTorin  the  suninier  an 
Wliitewatcr  Canal,  v]u 
!  fincinnati— fifteen  rail 
water  was  drawn  (iff,  ai 
I  fXp"Si.Ml   til    tlie    sun, 
fcvcr  liecanie  epitleniie 
I  aafciiaiit  character ), 
':  k:  .-imradieally. 

Tiic  .Miami  Basin  — 

Xiio  of  Ohio  —  cuibra 

tKir  t.iiingraphy  is  muc 

I  'iiall  dismiss  them  wil 

I  s>  art' much  more  infos 

variety,  than  their  interi 

!:jVi>  fflt  the  ameliorati 

litciiJcJ  extent. 

II.   CiTv  OP  Cincin: 

::.!>']  Lindiiig  for  the  pen 

'Jti  ii^'iv  stands,  there  wi 

[('ictwecii  Xew  Orleans  a 

I ;je emampment  of  twcnt 

j 'be  forest  of  beech  tree 

hMiMiiary  white  pojiulatii 

'-•mkrs.  ranks  as  the  fi 

jrwtli  would,  perliaps,  ji 

liii!  historian  were  m 


If' 


'lIT  !■.' 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


299 


,^^,,  qifforcd  in  the  saiiu' degree,  if  nut  eiifrnged  in  tliat  emiilnynieiit.  It 
ji,.;  ii"t  ajipoar,  that  tlio  inhabitants  (if  the  rogions  tlirongh  v.liich  the 
.-uaU  ^\<'ro  dug  ^^'i-'i'"^  injured  l»y  the  proeoss,  or  by  letting  in  tlio  water 
irhdi  they  were  finished ;  nor  have  T  been  aide  to  cnlU-ct  any  relialde  evi- 
lieiiiv,  that  the  annual  enijitying  and  eleaning  (lut,  have  been  jinidnetivc  of 
vytr;  which  shoulil,  perhaps.  ]io  aserilied  to  their  receiving  but  little  (irganic 
;;;;itti'r.    The  mud  thrown  out  is,  in  fact,  ehiefly  the  dc/jrix  of  their  earthy 

I  I'M"  (if  those  canals  seems,  howe^'or,  to  have  given  origin  to  autumnal 
fvorin  the  siuunier  ami  autumn  of  the  present  year,  1^4!^.  I  refer  to  the 
WLkewator  Canal,  vhieh  runs  along  the  river  bank,  from  North  IJend  to 
Ciadiiiiati  — fifteen  miles.  From  a  break  in  its  banks  the  year  before  the 
water  was  drawn  off.  and  from  its  bottom  abounding  in  shallow  jioids  left 
ixp  s.'.l  to  the  sun,  through  the  seasons  just  mentioned,  autumnal 
fyr  hccanie  epidemic  along  its  whole  length  ( some  cases  assuming  a 
::.aiL'i!iiiit  character ),  where  it  had  hitherto,  for  many  years,  oeeurred 
Ir  Hiioradically. 

Till'  Miami  Basin  —  taken  as  a  whole,  the  tddest-settled  ])ortion  of  the 
rate  uf  Ohio  —  embraces  many  flourishing  and  populous  towns;  but  as 
;':>;' t  iprigraphy  is  much  the  same,  being  nearly  all  built  on  river  terraces, 
i  •'.all  di<iiii,'s  them  with  the  general  remark,  that  their  suburbs  and  vieini- 
::■- arc  Dmclniifire  infested  with  autunnial  fever,  especially  its  intermittent 
variety,  than  their  interior  and  pojtulous  streets,  and  that  even  the  former 

Uavi'fclt  the  ameliorating  influence  of  clearing  and  cultivation,  to  a  very 
lieciileil  extent. 
11.    CiTV  OF  CiNCiXN'.\Ti.  — AVhen,  on  the  20tli  of  December,  17^8,  the 

I  ::^ir]  landing  for  the  permanent  settlement  of  Ohio  was  made,  where  Cincin- 
'W  stand.*,  there  were  already  in  the  Interior  ^'alley  of  North  America 
wcOH  Xl'w  Orleans  and  Quebec  )  more  than  thirty  towns.  In  sixty  years. 
:jeeni:iui[inient  of  twenty -si.K  men,  by  the  side  of  a  beaver  pond,  bei.iath  a 
te  forest  of  beech  trees,  has  grown  into  a  city,  which  has  a  more  numerous 
^ii::.:ivy  white  po])ulation  than  any  other  within  the  tireat  Valley;  and,  in 

|:jiii!"?is.  ranks  as  the  fifth  city  of  the  United  States.     .Such  an  unrivaled 
Mvth  Would,  perhaps,  justify  an  ample   notice  of  its  condition,  even  if  the 

jinediri',  liistorian  were  not  identified  with  it  in  feeling,  interest,  and  early 

-Vi'i'ii'-c  upon  the  map  (PL  XTTI)  will  disclose,  to  the  experienced  eye, 
jntit  is  true,  the  social  and  p(ditical  causes  of  this  r.ipid  developnuuit,  but 
j'-'lavHnilile  ahsonce  of  many  topographical  conditions,  the  presence  of  whicli 
(ci?!it  liave  countervailed  them. 

Th'.'  >ite  (if  the  city,  on  the  left  bank  of  t1  Ohio  Eiver,  consists  of  two 
j[.j:i;<  (ir  bottoms,  one  near  the  river,  comparatively  narrow,  and  coinjiosed  of 
|a':illaecous  alluvion ;  the  other  in  its  rear,  si.\  or  eight  times  as  broad,  dilu- 
rji.  and  made  up,  like  the  higher  or  second  terraces  generally,  of  peblilcs, 
jpvi'Uud  sand,  with  a  covering  of  loam  and  soil.  The  lower  plain  widens 
|a>  It  «trotclios  down  the  river,  and  its  back  part,  on  the  settlement  of  the 


liV 


^,''-^- 


■i^:^.. 


i 


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i:.. 


1 1 


■■'■.,  '.'*■■' 


if:'- 


f 


f,    .- 


i/'r 


m 


m 


, 

1^ 

'4 . 


i:  ■ 


'■.•■•■:;rr  *- 


';t 


•v.     .  v.. 


300 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[booi 


tdwii,  WHS  a  narrow,  sliallnw,  and  heavily-tinibcreil  pond  or  swamp, ovirflf.,,,; 
by  iirdinary  spring  fludd.s  of  the  river,  wliich  ascended  upon  it  alMirti,, 
inarsliy  rivulets  by  wlii(l\  that  tract  was  partially  drained  into  tli.'  iii 
below  tlu;  town.     In   ITi*-)   the  wbole   of  the  lower  [ilain  was  sulmr-J 
and  ill  ]y,]'I  and  .1S4S  the  inundation  was  repeated,  upon  evury  tiartnlu 
had  not  ))ecn  raised,  with  materials  washed  by  the  rains,  or  liaiikd  frnit'. 
adjacent  higher  terrace.     For  many  years  after  the  settlement  of  tlio  vilb. 
the  draiiiaL'e  of  both  terraces  was  into  the  low  grounds  of  this  bottini.wlin,. 
it  a(;eunudated  in  part  upon  the  surface,  and  partly  in  the  numuroii*  i'-; 
formed  by  the  manufacture   of  brick.     From  these  foul  accumulati!;;  r 
Runnner  and  early  autumn,  a  constant  escape  of  gas  through  the  supiriiicm. 
bent  water  could  be  perceived.     The  extent  of  this  tract,  lying  to  tlu'woiti; 
windward  (»f  the  village,  was  sufficient  to  generate  a  grout  nmnv  caM*  a- 
autumnal  fever,  chiefly  of  the  remittent  type,  not  a  few  (jf  wliidi  cvcrwtj;! 
proved  fatal.*     Had  its  surface  been  but  a  few  feet  lower,  so  that  it  cuiilirc 
have  be(!n  reclaimed,  the  nuisances  in  which  it  abounded  nuist  liavc  r.  rv;  I 
a  retarding  influence  on  the  jirogress  of  the  city.     But  for  tlio  la«ttw;;: 
years  the  work  of  transformation  })y  draining,  filling  up,  and  Imildin; , 
has  been  steadily  advancing,  and  with  it  a  corresponding  inipruvifcct  :  I 
autumnal  health. 

From  the  lower  ]plain  to  the  upper  and  older,  the  ascent  is  betwotn  fc I 
and  sixty  fi^et.  With  the  growth  of  the  town,  the  front  margin  of  tleliitttr 
which  was  originally  a  bhdf  bank,  has  been  graded  to  a  gentle  dcdivitv, a:; I 
the  removed  material  used,  as  already  intimated,  to  raise  the  l)a(!v  partifilel 
lower  bottom;  so  that  the  drainage  of  the  city  is  now  chiefly  by  the. >tMli I 
directly  into  the  river. 

The  upper  terrace,  as  was  the  case  with  the  lower,  slopes  gently  Kickfr 
its  southern  or  river  margin,  and,  at  the  average  distance  of  a  mile,  timi'l 
nates  against  the  base  of  the  ]Mount  Auburn  range  of  Tdue  Silurian  liiiiisl  t(j 
hills;  whence,  during  rains,  there  descend  upon  it  several  torrents,  wiiii'hc' J- 1 
lesce  and  flow  nearly  in  the  same  direction  with  the  river.     To  the  ca-tt-H 
terrace  is  terminated  by  the  narrow  valley  of  a  hill-torrent,  called  Po'Tfe 
Up  this  valley,  in  early  times,  the  back-.vatcr  of  the  river,  when  iiiS' 
ascended  for  half  a  mile;  and  on  its  recess  left  a  deposit  of  silt,  whiikk- 
ever,  was  to  the  summer-leeward  of  the  town,  and  therefore  never  iTilii'SJ 
much  eflect  on  the  health  of  the  people.     Beyond  this  ravine  ^tamls  .M.r 
Adams,  between  the  base  of  wliith  and  the  eastern  margin  of  the  eityumsl 
the  low  ground  has  been  raised  above  the  highest  river  floods,  a  culvert .lil 
been  formed  for  the  creek,  with  streets  extended  across  it,  and  theiiwsi'' 
face  built  upon.     The  ravine,  higlier  up,  has  a  rocky  bed  and  no  bit* 
lands. 

The  "Western  Canal,  from  Lake  lu-ie,  generally  called  tlic  Miami  bd\ 
traverses  the  back  part  of  the  upper  terrace,  from  north-west  to  souti!-t*i| 


*  Drake :  Notices  concerning  Cincinnati,  1810. 


fl«T  I.J 


IVTKin 


I  lot  MH'Ui  tu  have  gcner: 

WHiuift  now  tarn 

■liii  that  direction  dou 

tbcv  are  lost  in  the  bro; 

I  jiat  n'ver,  joins  the  <)l 

It,;  tank.-*  are  of  mud,  a 

lljit  wiirk  of  elevation, 

iHrraoi'.  is,  Iiowcvor,  goii 

jiirntiiin:  so  that  the  ti 

IreliiiieJ  from  all  hut 

|ptrin!>,  and  of  which  tl 

itf.ity.    From  that  da 

liciiityhavc  bcou  suhjet 

exeni|it. 

Ti.f  Whitewater  Cana 

[erivi'S -Mill  Creek  hy  an  i 

Ih  a  lia.-iu  of  stagnant  wal 

c.  iJ' uht,  to  the  prevalei 

Tiie  river  .siiore,  from 

|j'ii-taiice  of  two  miles  ai 

K'iiitthe  .stream  has  thn 

iJ  liare  to  a  limited  ext 

ram  natural  sources  of 

bn  to  low  water.     In  f 

ii  .«ili,  enveloping  the  tru 

i?  e.xposed  in  sunm 

iiiv,  may  he  regarded  as  1 

tiMiim  of  Mill  Creek 

pr  Uiiles,  there  is  no  alli 

'tftlii.'Hmestone  hills. 

^^  t;  must  now  cross  tl 
fjvjiijrton,  as  promised  v 
:1>  I't'  tlnit  river  is  ne 
|tan(l<  the  old  hut  slow- 
i"rt  vigorous  town  of  C 
jeiited  on  PI.  XII f.  Th 
H  e\(.ept  a  margin  of  ii 
fi' liighe.^t  floods  of  the  ( 
pr,  there  is  some  swaley 
|tm'S  dry  in  autumn.  [ 
iil'js,  as  a  dry,  elevated,  a 
Pk'i'.  Jamkstowx,  oppos 
'''"■  'lie  mouth  of  Licki 
"'•  ^^itli  the  exception  c 
^«  waters  of  the  Ohio  as 


II 


w,.  ^, 


ntt  I.J 


INTEinOR  VAI-LKY  OF  NORTH  AMfMlICA. 


:]0l 


JdrCfiuls  into  tlie  Oli'n)  liy  a  scries  ot"  Iik-Ivh  llinm^li  tlii.s  valK'y,  liiit  Joes 
■lOt  .eiui  to  liavo  geiieratcil  lever. 

We  must  now  turn  to  tlic  wewterii  margin  of  tlie  terraces.  In  stn  telling 
iffiii  tiiat  (lireetiun  down  tlie  river,  lioth  become  wider  and  sink  Inuir,  initil 
ihcvm'lnst  ill  the  broad  alhivial  valley  of  Mill  Creek,  wliicli  stream,  onee  a 
mat  river,  jtiiiis  the  Oliio  one  mile  and  a  liall"  below  tlie  center  nl'  tlie  city. 
Itjbaiik.-  are  of  mud,  and  portions  of  them  are  overflowed  by  river  IVesIiet.-^. 
The  iriirk  of  elevation,  by  the  transfer  of  gravel  and  pebbles  from  the  upper 
wrraei',  is,  however,  going  on  with  the  rapid  extension  of  the  city  in  that 
fetiim:  so  that  the  time  seems  to  Ik;  at  hand  when  the  whole  tract  will  bo 
rw.iiiii.ll  from  all  but  the  extraordinary  Hoods  whicii  happen  at  distant 
Minis,  aiiJ  of  which  there  have  been  but  three  since  the  lirst  settlement  of 
icivitv.  From  that  date  down  to  the  present  time,  the  iiihaliitants  of  this 
jociiitvhave  been  subject  to  autunnial  fever,  whih'  those  farther  oast  remained 

leiemiit. 

Tin- Whitewater  Canal,  from  Indiana,  which  i.s  conducted  up  the  river  bank, 
|tn«;t;s -Mill  Creek  by  an  aqueduct,  and  traversing  the  lower  terrace,  terminates 
lia  a  liai^ia  of  stagnant  water  in  the  south-western  part  of  the  city,  contributing, 
|liMl"ulit,  to  the  prevalence  of  fever  in  that  ((uarter. 

The  river  hhore,  from  the  mouth  of  Deer  Creek  to  the  mouth  of  31111  Creek, 

I  Ji-taiice  of  two  miles  and  a  half,  presents  but  few  nuisances.     At  the  former 

jint  the  stream  has  thrown  out  a  quantity  of  silt,  which,  in  low  water,  is 

lilbareto  a  limited  extent;  from  that  spot  to  the  other,  the  shore  is  free 

km  natural  sources  of  insalubrity,  much  of  it  being  sloped  and  graveled 

\iu  to  low  water.     In  front  of  the  mouth  of  IMill  Creek  there  is  a  deposit 

l^fjilt,  enveloping  the  trunks  and  limbs  of  trees,  of  which  a  considerable  cx- 

st  is  exposed  in  sunuuer  and  autumn,  and,  lying  to  the  windward  of  the 

lity.iiiav  be  regarded  as  the  most  permanent  nuisance  around  it.     IJelowthe 

y>,'i4m'  of  .Mill  Creek,  for  two  miles,  and  above  that  of  ])eer  Creek  for 

lur  nillfs,  there  is  no  alluvial  bottom,  and  the  river  presses  against  the  base 

^f  till' limestone  hills. 

\\e  must  now  cross  tlie  Ohio,  and  speak  of  the  towns  of  Newport  and 

Uviiifftdn,  as  promised  when   treating  of  the   Licking  Eivor  Basin.     The 

toitli  lit' that  river  is  nearly  opposite  the  center  of  Cincinnati.     Above  it 

Ws  the  old  hut  slow-growing  town  of  Newport ;  below,  the  young  and 

»■«' vigorous  town  of  Covington.     The  position  of  these  towns  is  reprc- 

Wi'l«\\Pl.  Xni     The  b  ttoin  on  which   the  former  stands,  is  ample; 

rl  except  a  margin  of  its  back  part  near  Licking  River,  is  elevated  above 

tf  lii^'liost  floods  of  the  Ohio.     "Where  the  plain  approaches  the  hills  in  its 

pJ.  lliere  is  some  swaley  ground,  bearing  semi-aquatic  gi-asses,  which  be- 

lt*.s  dry  ill  autumn.     The  Newport  bottom  extends  up  the  Ohio  three 

as  a  dry,  elevated,  and  shiping  plain,  and  has  become  the  site  of  a  new 

-•  JAMESTOw>f,  opposite  the  village  of  Fulton.     The  Covington  terrace, 

lie  mouth  of  Licking,  is  still  more  elevated  than  that  of  Newport, 

'^•Iwitn  the  exception  of  a  ravine  through  its  western  margin,  up  which 

<•■  Waters  of  the  Ohio  ascend  in  high  floods,  is  free  from  every  insalubrious 


iia:'i.'. 
kv 


4 


tr 


■I 


.1   .     :'-i* 


-.   ■*.««.., 


f- 


.V  ■• 


m- 


t 


i^- 


r-. 


302 


Tin;  niiNcirAr,  diskasks  of  tiiI': 


i»ocr 


tu|)oorii|)liical  (tomlitinii.  A  raiij;'^  nl'  dry  liillss  rifles  huldly  to  its  fouth-Kid 
one  (iT  wliicli  almost  loia-lies  tliu  Oliio  oppusito  tlio  mouth  of  Mill  Criil;  p.. 
codiii;,'  immediately  at'tenvard,  and  afl'ordiiif^  a  broad,  elevated,  ami  aril 
liottoni,  on  wliieli  another  village,  su|)|i'rmentiiry  to  the  eity,  has  Ijuch  ^,u. 
iiioneed.  The  hottom-lands  .<f  Licking  lviv>T  abovo  these  towns,  ii\ 
directly  tJoiith  of  them,  are  about  a  ndlo  in  widt'  .ut  ho  flcvatcJ,  that tby 
are  but  jiartially  ovcrilowed  by  river-fre.shcts,  \\',,ik'.  leave  bcliind  tlicmv.rr 
few  ponds  or  marshes.  Finally:  On  the  promontory  above  the  moutli  f 
liieking,  the  general  government,  . since  the  year  L^O"),  has  hud  an  ar-t!;il 
and  barracks;  but  the  number  of  troops  stationed  there  has  gcnerullvl.t: 
small,  and  no  returns  have  been  published  in  the  army  statistics. 

The  prevalence  of  antnnuial  fever  in  Newport  and  r<ivinj:tim  lias  at  i!. 
times  been  in  harmony  with  their  topography  as  here  described.  IiitlnL;. 
ter,  the  number  of  cases  is  smaller  in  proportion  to  the  population  than: 
the  former;  which  is  what  its  topograpliical  condition  dcniaiids.  Tliei:r.-t; 
which  occur  are  chiefly  on  the  border  which  extends  up  the  valley  of  Lid- 
ing.  That  valley  lies  to  the  windward  of  Newp(n't,  and  exerts  a  prpiiiiiki! 
influence  on  the  health  of  that  portion  of  its  people  who  live  iicarc-t  t'j ;;: 
but  they  are  never  seriously  invaded. 

Let  us  now  contemphite,  as  a  whole,  the  h)cality  wc  have  been  m\mi 
in  detail.     Firxl:    As  a  general  fact,  where  a  tributary  enters  tlie  tfe 
there  is  much   low  bottom;  but  here,  two  join  it,  on  opposite  sides, aiiil tii 
extent  of  drowned  land  is  very  little.     I  have  elsewhere  intimated  that  % 
Creek,  during  the  diluvial  period,  was  a  great  river ;  and  then  it  was,  tliati: 
immense  quantity  of  drift,  in  tlio  form  of  sand,  gravel,  pebbles,  and  l<- 
ders,  was  heaped  \\y  in  this  locality  to  such  a  bight  that  nearly  al!  tlk'  u:- 
races  arc  above  the  ordinary  freshets  of  the  Ohio.     Second:  The  ana i 
these  terraces,  including  both  sides  of  the  river,  is  about  six  sijuarc  mij: 
and  their  extent,  taken  in  connecticm  with  their  elevation  above  tlierKJ 
gives  this  locality  an  advantage  over  every  other,  from  the  sources  to  tit 
mouth  of  the  river.      Third  :   As  a  consequence  of  this  topograph}',  tkreii 
no  other  spot  on  the  banks  of  the  (Jhio,  where  so  great  a  nuuiher  ot'i>or;:L' 
could  reside  with  as  little  exposui'C  to  the  causes  of  interniitteiit  and  reEi- 
tent   fever.      Fourth  :    From    observations   continued   through  forty-t:;:i| 
years,  I  am   enabled  to  say,  that  while,  in    early  times,  autumnal  itver. 
occurring  every  year,  was  seldom,  exce})t  in  some  very  limited  spots,  a  t::- 
lent  and  frequent  disease,  it  has  regularly-  diminhshed;  and  that  parts 'S«J 
infested  have  become  exempt.     So  true  is  this  of  the  central  portions  CJMJ 
city,  in  latter  years,  that  when  a  case  of  intermittent  fever  happens  thtrf.;i| 
is  generally  found  that  the  patient  had  sojourned  in  the  country.    OtriS'- 
tent  fever,  so  much  cannot  1)0  said,  as  occasional  cases  still  appear  on  jtriti: I 
■which  are  entirely  exempt  from  the  other  variety.     Fifth  :  The  atm'M 
population,  within  a  circle  having  a  radius  of  a  mile  and  a  half,  is  about  m 
hundred  and  ten  thousand ;  and  the  extraordinary  growth,  which  has  as'D-r 
bled  such  a  number  in  so  short  a  time,  must  undoubtedly  he  ascnb'>^l 


part,  to  the  slight  prevalence  of  autumnal  fever;  by  which  we  areuistrut' 


:i\ 


im  !■■  4 


•lIT  !•] 


INTKRIOR  VAM.llV  oF  NORTH   AMKHICA. 


"M" 


taat  iiK' 


ilical  tiip",;rra|iliy  lias  an  iiitiinatt'  (•(imR'ttinn  with  tlic  pruj^rc.-is  <i|' 


M 


il,iti,,ii  iinil  civil  iiii|iripV('iii(Mit. 


('iminiiali  lias  extciitlcil  (  cliirll^'  Iiy  a  .slii;;lc  street  )  nearly  I'niir  inilt'S  up 
,),^  dhio,  with  the  rivor  cluso  mi  oiio  sido  and  tlit,'  liills  as  close  nii  tlio  ntlicr; 
tl-e bank  rising  above  lii^'li  water  This  i-xteii^inii  ('(iiiipreheiKls  the  villanL'S 
ifl'iilt'in.  Li'wistnwii,  anil  I'dnlli'toii.  IJoyoinl  tlio  last,  tn  the  iiiiiiith  nfllii' 
V\\k  Miami  llivor,  two  miles  I'lirthcr  up,  there  is  a  hmail,  alluvial  plain,  on 
ihi'h «!iee  stood  the  vilhiL;u  of  Culinubia,  the  second  settlement  in  the  Slate 
i.fllhio,  made  Xovembor  If^tli,  17SS,  .Much  of  this  bottom,  cf[)eeially  that 
Mreit  the  )Iiaiiii,  is  subject  to  inundation  in  the  spring  of  the  your,  and 
;';ii  inliahitants,  chiefly  agriculturalists,  arc  subject  to  autunnial  fever;  which, 
l.ffcvor,  is  niufli  less  prevalent  and  violent  than  I  saw  it  in  l.'^C^i,  and  fur 
iiiinv  vears  afterward,  when  the  locality  was  in  transitu  from  dense  woods  to 
cuhivateil  fioMs. 
rp  the  valky  of  Mill  Creek,  which  is  eijual  in  width  to  that  of  the  Ohio 
alth'iiigh  ia  suinuier  there  is  scarcely  the  feeblest  current  of  water), 
Siiuiniial  fever  is  an  annual  cndcniio-epidcmie.  This  valley  is  not  without 
to  nil.  and  even  third,  bottoms  or  terraces,  which  are  elevated  and  dry;  but 
iiiias  also  broad  and  low  alluvions,  on  which  the  overflows  of  the  stream 
i.lt'jo  .spring  rains  leave  sloughs  filled  with  the  decaying  vegetation  of  its 
ixpaml  fiTtilo  soil.  To  these  surfaces  we  should  ascribe  the  fever,  which, 
feilto  thcui  in  its  origin,  extends  far  lieyond  them  in  its  s[n'cad;  as  it 
fri'peiitly  reaches,  not  only  those  who  reside  on  the  (ddcr  terraces,  but,  also, 
'.M  i,.yiitaiits  of  the  neighboring  blufil's.  The  malignant  intcrmittents  of 
ILC  .•  uth  arc  not,  however,  often  met  with  in  this  locality,  nor  ever  have 
fen:  and  the  chief  mortality  is  from  the  remittent  type,  in  its  progress 
kiiniing  typhous. 

Thi' hill-lands  around  Cincinnati  arc,  in  all  directions,  of  the  same  hight 

ml  character.     In  some  places  there  are  gently  undulating  table-lands;  but 

in  L'enonil  the  country  is  rolling,  and  presents  a  countless  number  of  knobs 

or  luhifosities,  covered  with  rich  soil,  resting  on  a  clay  or  loam  bed,  embel- 

cJ  with  numerous  country  scats.     Permanent  .springs  arc   scarce,  and 

iMcli  of  the  well-water   i?    of  an  inferior  ((uality.     Ponds,    swales,   and 

immpsare,  of  course,  unknown;  yet  autunnial  remitting  fever,  tending  to  a 

Cf«tinucd  type,  occurs  more  or  less  every  year,  and  sometimes  proves  fatal. 

Fr  many  years  after  the  first  settlement  of  Cincinnati,  the  people  sup- 

ly  themselves  with  water  from  wells,  and,  also,  from  the  river,  as  is  still 

li*  case  in  Newport  and  Covington.     But  to  these  methods  succeeded  the 

resent  hydraulic  system.     The  water  is  thrown  by  a  forcing  pump  into 

iervoirs,  exposed  to  the  sun  and  raiuo,  whence  it  is  distributed,  through 

M  and  load  pipes,  over   the    eity.     It    often    comes    to    the    consumers 

iwwd.    The  silt  which  it  deposits  in  the  reservoirs,  a  portion  of  wdiich,  ro- 

aaing  in  suspension,  is  swallowed  with  the  water,  no  doubt  varies  consider- 

H^inifs  composition.     A  single  analysis,  of  a  specimen  throwi;  out  of  the 

fS'^rvoir  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  was  made,  at  my  reijuest,  by  Doctor  llay- 

loao,  and  gave  the  following  results  iu  one  hundred  parts : 


I 


>v 


■*:'S'.*'  A. 


V«!. 


S04 


TIIK  I'KINCIl'AI,  DISKASKS  ()F  TIIK 


!«o«ii. 


Almiiitm,        -         -         -         . 
Silcx,        .... 
('arlMiiiiitd  ol"  liiiK>, 
I'll.  Initi. 

IMiii,<«|)liiitcs  ul'  aluniliia  ami  iron, 
(.'iirljiiiiato  (if  iiia^^iK'sia,  a  trace, 
Vi'X''*'''''''  mold  (  liiimii.s  ), 
Other  or'^unic  matter, 


4!)M 

2,11(1 

i.i;, 

(Mill 

4.G!i 
liili.iii) 


In  pciieral,  during  every  flood,  tlio  water  when  distrilmted  is  turbid, 

I'dr  a  liiii^  time  alter  flie  settlement  <it'  ('iiicimiati,  its  (nily  I'ufl  \va.sffi,if 
but  tlii.s,  to  a  i^reat  extent,  lias  been  aupersetled  liy  liituiiiiiiims  Cdal  I'm 
the  Apiiiiiaeliian  l?a.siu.  At  present,  the  amount  eonsinncil  i.s  irreatirt!:;: 
in  any  other  locality  in  the  Interior  Valley,  save  l*ittsl)ur;.'li.  This  p-iii.; 
not  merely  from  the  great  nundier  of  inhabitants,  but  also  tnun  the  nmltiiJi. 
cation  of  their  manufaeturinj];  establishments;  .some  of  which  will  cdiii  idii 
review  when  referring  to  the  causes  of  other  diseases  than  autumnal  livcr 
From  the  better  ventilation  of  this  loealit}-,  its  atmosjihere  is,  howcvHriiJii'i! 
less  laden  with  the  fumes  of  Lurning  coal,  than  that  of  Pitt.iljurjrh.  Ta 
natural  facilities  for  this  ventilation  may  be  seen  by  referririL'  tutheninr 

Cincinnati  stands  in  Lat.  oD"  (")'  N.,  and  Long.  S4»  '.111'  ;]0"  W,  Tif 
elevation  of  the  surface  of  the  river,  at  low  water,  above  the  level  of  tho-A 
is  four  hundred  and  thirty-one  feet;  that  of  the  lower  jilaiii  abdut  fuur  hii- 
dred  and  ninety;  that  of  the  upper,  live  hundred  and  forty-throo;  tliat  ' 
the  surrounding  hills,  on  an  average,  not  far  from  eight  hundred  aiifc; 
feet. 

The  population  of  the  city  i)rcsents  nniny  varieties  of  pliysinlogy.  Th  j 
original  settlers  were  from  various  states  of  tho  Union;  and  the  ariiheii 
Ilarmar,  St.  Clair,  and  Wayne,  during  tho  Indian  war.s,  loft  hehiml  tbciiii 
still  greater  variety  of  persons.       The    subsequent  inuniOTtinii,  altli 
largely  from  the  3Iiddle  and  Northern  Atlantic  States,  has  been,  in  li 
from  the  more  Southern.     In  latter  years  it  has  l)Ocn  composed,  still  ii]fl  I 
than  from  either,  of  Kuropeans.     The  most  numerous  of  these  are  (urMi:!, 
next  Irish,  tlu'U  English,  Welsh,  and  Scotch.     Very  few  Freiicli,  Italiar,-,  r  j 
Spaniards  have  sought  it  out.     Lastly,  its  African  populatidii,  chiifl}  (ii;s:' 
cipated  slaves  and  their  oflspring,  from  Kentucky  and  Virginia,  is  law: 
and  although  intermarriages  with  the  whites  are  unknown,  the  street.' preW  I 
as  many  mulatto,  grifl'e,  and   (luadroon   complexions,  as  those  of  New  I'r- 
leans.     Thus  the  varieties  of  national  physiology  arc  very  great. 


voRTIIFU'uV  liAA 


iarai'tir  of  tho  surface 


•■•  tri 


rati. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OV  NoRTlI  AMLRICA. 

SKCTIOX  VII. 


806 


voRTHF.IlN  BANK^  ANH  jriLF.S  or  TIFK  OHIO  IMVLR,  FROM  THE 
(illEAT  MIAMI  TO  TlIK  WAIIASII. 

I  ilKNKnAi.  CuAnACTKUi.HTicM. —  Tt  is  tt  rpni;ul<a1)lo  feature  in  tlio  tril»u- 
urv'li\ilri'>,'i!'!»^'y  "'' ^'"'  '"''''"''  f*^''''""  "f  tin-  Oliio,  mi  its  iinrtlioni  siile, 
•[/ IMii  the  (!rcnt  Miami  to  tlio  Waliasli,  a  ilisfaiico  nt'  tlirco  liiiuilicil  ami 
.  Vfii'a-tivo  miles,  there  is  iii)t  a  ,«iiigl(;  allliieiit  wliieli  <lc.<ervt'S  tlio  titlo  of 
fiY^.f  — nut  one  that  is  moro  than  a  wet-weatlior  hill-torrciit,  iii.siiiliclciit 
.■unf'r  mill  jiurposos,  cxccitt  in  rainy  seaHoiis.  Tii  I'act,  at  clistaiiccs,  vary- 
ii'triiu  ti?ii  to  tliirty  mih'S,  back  IViiiii  the;  (ihi'i,  tlie  stri'aiiis  ilow  ufl'  ti»  the 
vr:b.  aii'l  iiavo  their  CDiilliionco  in  tho  Ka.st  I'l^rli  of  AVhito  .Uiver,  which, 
atiii.Mvith  the  West  Furk.  iiours  its  waters  into  tho  Waliash. 

il.Ti',  then,  is  a  long,  narrow,  serpentine  /.'ino,  deeply  cut  liy  rivulets, 
Khk'li,  ih'seending  to  the  south,  enter  the  Ohio  tIirouf,'h  its  broad  bottoms,  or 
Ivothur -^treanis  which  flow  to  the  nortli,  in  excavations  wliieli  are  le.^s  pro- 
I  ;iiiij  Sui.'li  a  tract  cannot  abiaind  in  swamps  or  ponds,  and  tlie  watcr- 
c  jrs'.'  ['rusent  but  few  wide  alluvial  bottoms.  As  a  general  Hict,  thoy  sink 
itlie  It'Vi.1  of  the  Ohio  before  reaching  it ;  and,  therefore,  near  tlicir  iiiouths, 
ii(  rme.  in  all  its  floods,  rcccpttieles  of  baek-waler,  which  (.n  receding,  leavca 
Uvvil<  nf  mud  and  drift-wood,  which  tho  subsc([uent  rains  generally  wasli 

•'.iiit'i  tho  river.  AVhon,  however,  there  is  a  .hino  Hood  in  the  Ohin,  tho 
!iiii.-a[it  to  remain  through  the  subsequent  dry  si'asoii,  and  jtrovt  a  source 
)t  in>aluljrity.  Ilcnco,  those  who  live  near  these  foul  estuaries,  which 
li'id'.'  thuii'  influoMCo  with  that  of  tho  river-bottonis,  oxporionco  intermlt- 
;..:it;iml  rLiiiittcut  fevers,  notwithstaudiiig  they  are  in  the  midst  of  a  hilly 

iiitry.    In  traveling  on  this  zone  from  its  upper  to  its  lower  cxtrenuty,  wc 

:';rt  iijion  the  blue  shell  or  old  Silurian  liniestoiic ;  then  meet,  resting  on  it, 
Uidi the  upper  or  cliff  Silurian;  then  with  tho  Devonian  limestone,  support- 
|iD:tbe  Mack  slate,  on  which  rests  the  line-grained  sand.^-tonc  of  tho  same 
i|;:  a/tcr  which,  wc  meet  with  the  carboniferous  limestone,  imuI  the  higher 
1  within  the  Illinois  coal  basin.  All  these  formations  crcp  out  to  tho 
jwft  (ir  South-east,  from  beneath  that  l^asin.  (')f  course  the  niincralogical 
|c!iarai;t(.T  of  tlic  s-urfaco,  composed  as  it  is  of  the  (Mns  of  these  dillercnt 
It'rniatiMr.s,  intoriiiiiiglcd  with  forest  and  herbaceous  remains,  varies  accord- 
jic^totlio  mineral  constitution  of  tho  rocks  ;  and  a  similar  remark  is  appli- 
IcjIjIMo  the  water  of  tho  springs  and  wells.  Tin;  whole  tract  is  wooded,  the 
|troe?vmiiig  in  their  species  with  the  varieties  of  soil.  The  mean  elevation 
jel  the  zone  may  be  taken  at  eight  hundred  feet,  but  the  highest  swells  at- 
jtaia  the  altitude  of  one  thousand  feet.     "We  must  now  say  something  of  the 

r?t  important  localities. 
H.   L.vwKExcEKuuG  stands  a  mile  below  tho  mouth  of  the  Great  iMiami, 

atiie  >tatc  of  Indiana;  the  dividing  line  between  that  state  and  Ohio,  being 
K'^'O nioridian  of  the  mouth  of  that  river.  Its  site  is  a  l>ottom,  so  low  that 
I'!' parts  not  artificially  raised,  are  subject  to  annual  inundation.     Above  the 

pj^D,  to  Its  east  and  north-east,  are  the  wide,  low,  and  annually  immdatcd 
20 


.       .5.     •        • 


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306 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[won. 


bottoms,  on  each  s'ulc  of  the  estuary  of  the  Miami,  well  known  to  penerat.. 
autuimial  fever;  but  as  they  lie  to  the  leeward  of  the  town,  tlicir  peruiM. 
influence,  in  summer  and  autumn,  is  much  less  than  it  would  otlierwise  h 
Yet,  doubtless,  tliey  contribute  sonietliing  to  that  prevalence  of  iiitfrmitf-* 
and  remittent  fever  which  is  partly  to  be  ascribed  to  the  inuinlatiunof  t', 
greater  part  of  the  plain,  on  the  front  of  which  the  town  is  erected  aiil 
partly  to  a  valley-stream  in  its  rear,  called  Tanner's  Creek,  up  wlijdi  tie 
back-water  in  river-floods  miikes  it  way  almost  round  the  town.  The  main 
street,  since  it  was  raised,  is  four  hundred  and  seventy-three  feet  abuvM  ti,. 
sea  —  the  hills  at  the  sources  of  Tanner's  Creek  ten  hundred  and  tliirtctij 
feet.*  In  the  early  jjcriod  of  the  settlement  of  Lawrcnceburg,  these  fever; 
were  cxtremel^y  prevalent;  but  at  present  are  so  mitigated  in  frofiuoiicv acl 
violence,  as  to  show  very  conclusively  tlic  influence  of  cultivation  and  tows- 
construction,  in  destroying  the  topographical  condition  on  which  tlioyiWd 
Within  a  few  years,  a  branch  of  the  Whitewater  Canal  has  been  lirii!;:- 
through  the  town,  but  of  its  influence  on  autumnal  health  I  cannot  smak 

Passing  by  Aurora,  Rising  Sun,  and  some  other  villages  (  for  all  caiiD"t 
bo  noticed  ),  wo  must  do  'otc  a  page  to  a  larger  and  more  important  tOK 
than  either. 

III.  Madison.  —  This  town,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  considcraUo  ij 
the  State  of  Indiana,  is  situated  on  a  diluvial  and  dry  second  bottom  «i  tte 
Ohio  River,  but  has,  in  front  of  its  lower  half,  a  narrow  strip  uf  alluvk-D 
which  is  subject  to  occasional  inundation.  The  upper  terrace  is  oltvatij 
about  four  hundred  nnd  seventy-five  feet  above  the  sea.  Its  breadth i«  r.; 
very  great,  for  an  amphitheater  of  Silurian  limestone  hills,  rising  four:;;:.- 
dred  feet  higher,  closely  surrounds  it.  The  back  part  of  the  terrace  detii* 
a  little,  and  is  somewhat  cut  tip  Ity  ravines,  whicli  run  into  a  commnii  tttii;!! 
calbnl  Crooked  Creek,  in  which  the  torrents  from  the  adjoining  hills  Niiif- 
times  con^-rcgato  so  as  to  occasion  a  considerable  inundation.  This  .vrer. 
enters  the  Ohio  two  miles  below  the  town,  behind  which  it  coiidud-  ti: 
back-water  of  the  river  in  every  great  freshet.    The  banks,  however, 


!\yi' 


and,  on  the  whole,  the  plain  is  not  infested  with  any  form  of  drowne'lL::;!.-: 
the  shore,  in  front  of  the  town,  is  free  from  nuisances:  and  the  opposite b 
of  Kentucky  ap[)roach  close  to  the  river,  whose  course  to  the  south-wi-t.  i 
leaving  the  town,  favors  ventilation  by  the  sunmier  winds,  wliich,  in  roa :::: 
it,  do  not  pass  over  any  paludal  surface.  Sucli  a  topograjdiy  nui,-t  ailii'it  : 
a  favorable  report,  as  to  autumnal  fever;  which,  in  fact,  prcvail.s  here  h'iti 
a  limited  degree. 

IV.  Jkfkersoxville.  —  The  position  of  this  town  may  be  seen  on  Plil 
Ch.  IX,  Sect.  Vn.  It  stands  al)out  a  mile  above  the  Falls  of  the  01;iv.: 
a  tcrraoe,  the  south  or  river  side  of  wliich  is  forty  feet  above  lnvr  Fitcr.s^J 
about  four  hundred  and  twenty  above  the  sea.  This  terrace,  like  m"?! ''"'■'- 
along  the  Ohio,  declines  from  near  the  river,  and  is  liable  to  inuiidatin^.!.' 
that  in  high  floods  the  town  becomes  insulated.     Roth  above  and  beH i' 


*  Indiana  Engineers'  Reports. 


rt»T  !•] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


307 


there  are  small  .xtreams  entering  tlic  Oliio,  wliicli  arc  the  oliannels  hy  which 
Au-.n'  nvorflows  arc  cflocted.  To  the  north  and  north-cast,  near  the  town, 
iK'"  arc  ponds  skirted  with  marsh,  one  of  which  has  hecn  latel\  drained. 
l"!,,.  surface,  like  that  of  the  plain  on  which  Louisville  stands,  on  the  ojipo- 
,■-,.  ijdo  of  the  river,  is  argillaceous,  and  retains  the  water  which  rains  or 
firTMiponit.  It  will  be  observed  that  all  the  insalubrious  surface  lies  to 
•■.•  Miniiiior-lccward  of  the  town  ;  but  the  flats  and  stagnant  waters  near  the 
a  itii  lit'Hcar-gvass  Cn.'ck,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Ohio,  arc  directly  to 
t:;..  ffiiidward  of  this  town,  with  only  the  river  intervening.  Jiffcrsonville 
:;al«Hto  the  leeward  of  the  Falls,  and  exposed  therefore  to  any  insalubrious 
;■..  -  diich  may  be  liberated  by  the  agitation  of  the  waters.  Two  miles 
•I  rth  iif  the  town,  a  water -shed,  between  the  Ohio  River  and  Silver  Creek, 
'  iiiiiionce.s  and  runs  to  Charleston,  thirteen  miles  north.  At  its  commencc- 
teit  tliis  terrace  is  sixty  feet  above  the  level  of  the  town,  and  its  rise,  af. er- 
Kird.  is  about  ten  feet  per  mile.  Doctor  Stewart,  to  whom  I  am  indebted 
f  r  several  of  the  facts  in  this  article,  informs  nie  that  autumnal  inter- 
nments and  remittents  are  decidedly  prevalent  in  Jeffersonville  and  its 
Ti'ir.itv. 

The  Penitentiary  of  the  State  of  Indiana  stands  in  the  western  pai  t  of  Jef- 
kjonville.  Doctor  Oollum.  its  jdiysician,  informs  me  that  the  convicts  are 
everv  year  invaded  by  autumnal  fever,  but  in  a  degree  rather  less  than  the 
i'i'iliitants  of  the  town. 

V.    New  Alhany.  —  The  position  of  this  town  is  below  the  Falls,  nearly 

Gffii^te  Portland  (  PL  AT ).     Silver  Creek  enters  the  river  between  New 

.\!l'anv  and  Jeffersonville,  which  are  about  six  miles  apart.     Of  this  stream, 

D  ''r^r  Clapp  (  b}'  whom  T  have  been  favored  with  facts  for  this  description  ) 

say;,  -it  presents  no  ponds  or  marshes,  within  ten  miles  of  New  Albany, 

tS-'j't  mill-p(inds,  and  they  cause  but  little  overflow  of  the  surface."     As  to 

t':e t'wn-siti'.  a  narrow  slip  near  the  river,  not  very  much  built  upon,  it  has 

■ii  entirely  overflowed  Imt  twice  in  thirty  years.     The  upper  terrace  is 

j  Jt;  nfeet  above  the  highest  freshets,  and  four  hundred  and  twenty-six  above 

I li"  s";!.    Immediately  to  its  west  is  a  small  stream  called  Jailing  Run,  up 

I  W3:ili  the  back-water  of  the  river  ascends  a  short  distance  ;  and  about  oiieo 

1  iJ!  "r  .,r  five  years  ovei  flows  a  few  acres.     The  bed  of  this  stream  is  rocky, 

i:  1  it*  fkseont  rapid.     It  flows  at  the  ba.se  of  the  bold  rampart  called  Silver 

'''xliilU,  wliieli  rises  to  an  altitude  of  nine  hundred  feet  over  the  .sea,  aiid 

f  irhumlred  and  eighty  above  the  terrace  on  which  the  town  is  built.     This 

twacc  consists  of  a  bed  of  alluvion,  thirty  feet  deep,  resting  on  black  or 

l^'iiian  slate,  which  emerges  from  underneath  the  hills. 

"f  iillthe  towns  aro\ind  the  Falls,  New  Albany  is  the  least  exposed  to  the 
j'f.'npliical  causes  of  autumnal  fever;  and  from  the  best  data  I  have  been 
jifetocollect,  it  suffers  least.  From  1817  to  iS'J'i,  the  first  five  years  of 
Y  '■'■''J  Clapp' .s  residence  in  it  those  fevers  prevailed  extensively,  but  huvo 
h' '  Mne,.  lioon  diminishing, 

*'  1"K  KucK-si,ATK  Va[,ley-Flain.  —  A  descrijttion  of  that  portion 
l«  -;s  [)laiii  which  lies  south  of  the  Ohio  River,  was  given  iu  Sect.  VII  of 


'  i] 


■x 


X-: 


<'K 


■'.t 


•  ■  .  ■   ( 


v\.i 


308 


THE  PRINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


leooK: 


■  ■i.'iiii^' 


'M-'i- 


iiq 

.,t-;-. 

■ '  4  ■ 

'    1  : 

V  ■' 

'    .    A 

^■^' 

■  ■'■    ; 

A  ■■■ 

■■,.   'V     •  ■ 

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P  ^      ... 


^•■■■■VJ: 


■•■'t 


1  I '-^-^^ 


liV  -^''^'\  - 


^^f^ 


the  last  Chapter,  p.  '240.  It.><  extension  to  the  north  sido  of  tlie  Falh  l^j. 
been  announced,  in  speaking  of  the  substrata  (in  which  thi>  alluvial  onJil.j. 
vial  terraces  of  New  Albany  and  .Jefforsitnvillo  rest.  It  remains  to  sav.tht 
this  deprcssiuu  extends  nurtlnvardly  quite  into  the  interior  of  Indiana.  ]'• 
twcnty-tiirec  <ir  twenly-four  miles,  it  preserves  a  wiilth  corrcsiiondinfMvi;' 
that  from  the  mouth  (if  Salt  l{iver  to  the  Falls.  'I'he  hills  tliuii  apnroacbv, 
near  to  each  other,  that  the  plain  becomes  an  isthmus,  and  has  received  tl;. 
name  of  Collins'  Cap.  it  afterward  expands;  but  to  trace  it  farther wndi 
carry  us  tod  far  beyond  the  limits  (if  this  Seetidu.  The  apprnximate I;;!'. 
have  an  altitude,  on  the  eastern  side,  of  (.me  hnndrtl  and  seventy  frut:  "nthf 
western,  of  five  hundred  feet.  The  former  are  composed  (if  the  iip|ior?!!li!r;;i; 
limestone,  which  has  emerged  from  beneath  the  black  slate;  the  latter  of tL. 
sandstone  which,  farther  west,  overlays  that  fdrniatinii.  The  (lisinteLTCi:. 
of  the  skill',  T  may  repeat,  has  produced  this  remarkable  valley;  tiie?iiilw 
of  whi(jh  is  iK'arly  five  hundi.  '  xcet  l)e]  •,;  the  general  level  (d'  tlie  ciaintrT 
Its  principal  stream,  en  the  ;.orth  ^ido  (if  the  Ohio,  is  Silver  Creek.  Via 
the  French  travekr,  Volncy,*  visited  the  Falls,  in  1770,  his  atteiitinii  w;; 
strongly  turned  to  this  depression,  which,  he  conjectured,  was  tlie  bod  4% 
drained  lake  ;  a  theory  which  is  sustained  by  the  undulating  deports,  a;.! 
what  Doctor  ^MclMurtviet  calls  '  planispherical  accunudations'  of  saiid.KUi 
in  various  places  rest  on  thi,-  argillacetjus  debris  of  the  slate  formation:  ;iVt- 
torn  which  is  almost  water-tight,  and  has,  conscjuently,  given  origin  to  fe 
ponds  and  swairps  which  have  rendered  the  whole  tract  unhealthy,  in  aata:,.: 
from  the  earliest  periotl  of  its  settlement.  When  the  surface  slinll  be  ^ .i- 
plctely  drained  and  cultivated,  the  health  of  the  iiihabitauts  will  imdci'."  s 
great  amelioration. 

VI.  Ev.wsviLLE,  the  commercial  metropdiis  of  soutli-wcst  Indiana, fhfi- 
a  little  below  the  thirty-eighth  degree  of  north  latitude,  not  far  abiive  :!:• 
mouth  of  the  Wabash  lliver,  and  alnujst  beyond  the  southern  c.\trdiiily (; 
tiic  hill-zouo  described  in  Xo.  I,  of  this  Section.  I  am  indebted  tu  Ite 
Walker  for  the  following  account: 

"The  plain  on  which  the  town  is  built  has  an  clevatiun  of  about  tlircc  lie- 
dred  aiul  seventy-two  feet  above  the  sea.  :ind  ten  or  twelve  over  the  liiit!: 
floods  of  the  Ohio.  It  is  situated  on  the  extreme  convexity  of  a  sb.irtlnd 
made  by  tlie  Ohio,  which,  after  having  flowed  many  miles  to  tlie  iiort!H\;t. 
turns  suddenly  and  sharply  to  the  south-west,  and  then  to  the  suutlwa-t. 
whence,  making  a  dc/oar  round  to  the  west,  north-west,  and  even  nurtk:; 
resumes  its  general  course  and  flovvs  off  to  the  west,  A  sluggish  iwjvi 
beginning  a  short  distance  behiwthe  town,  constitutes  the  chord  of  tlii.-grii: 
segment,  or  rather,  completes  a  rude  circle,  Avhich  incloses  fifteen  or  sixteea 
square  miles  nf  low  bottdm,  fertile,  subject  to  inundation,  and  lying  to  tM 
pouth-Avest  or  summer-windward  of  tlie  town.  The  l.iayou  itself i.-^t'"iil""^ 
has  low  grounds  on  both  its  sides.     As  the  river  approaches  the  t'Wiui 


♦  View  of  the  Soil  anil  Climate  of  the  United  States:  1804,  Pliilad. 
+  Sketches  of  Louisvillo.    By  H.  McMiirtrie,  1H19. 


?    fiKXEnAi,  nvni!( 
'i::i"Sta  e(iC(jiial,  (d'  th 


■:m 


■".  -1 


fllT  1-1 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


a09 


iivil's  into  two  eliaiinols,  iiicliisiiig  a  Iniiif  tloprosscd  ishuul.  Tlie  cliannel, 
•.vM'!;  lic'!  (in  tlio  same  ^ido  uf  the  rivor  with  tlio  town,  and  wliicli  reunites 
m;h  the  other  but  a  sliort  distance  above  it,  is  tito  shallow  and  obstructed  for 
I,\v-water  uavigation,  and  liccduios  foul  in  sninnier.  Opposite  the  town,  on 
lii  Kentuckv  side,  there  is  an  extensive  liottoni,  wliich  is  lialde  to  frc(ju(.'nt 
•aiiilatinns.  The  river-lidttonis.  oonnnencing  a  mile  l)elow  and  half  a  mile 
;iliivf  the  town,  are  liable  to  subTnorsions  every  fimr  or  five  years,  and  are 
iH  iji-titutc  of  ponds  and  sluugli'^.  The  terrace  on  which  tlie  town  is  built, 
iiri.tchcs off  to  the  nortli  for  many  miles;  a  sufficient  evidence  t]iat,in  reach- 
ic'liis  locality,  wo  have  nearly  escaped  frum  the  zimc  (.f  hill-country  dc- 
.[•ri'icil  ia  X".  I,  of  this  .Section.  A  mill-strenni,  eaiied  I'igeon  Creek,  tra- 
tlIms  tin-  valley,  passes  near  the  rear  of  the  town,  and  joins  the  Ohio  a  sh(n-t 
iistance  below.  Its  banks  are  generally  so  high,  that  neither  its  own  floods 
■r  the  back-waters  of  the  Ohio  overflow  them  to  much  extent. 

The  siirroiuuliiig  u[ilands  rise  from  one  to  two  hundred  feet  abo--e  the 
:  wn-site,  and  present  many  tracts  of  table-land,  abounding  in  swales  and 
marshes. 

T!  is  locality,  both  in  town  and  country,  but  much  more  in  the  latter  than 
;';!(.' furiiiur,  is  subject  to  autumnal  fevers,  wliich  often  assume  a  malignant 
;.i'.l  fatal  character.  ]Many  tojiicrd  affections,  moreover,  such  as  neuralgias, 
3»!iimo  a  periodical  character,  and  afford  additional  evidence  of  autumnal 
!n>alnhrity. 

With  those  notices  we  dismiss  the  rivcr-zfmo.  and  travel  into  the  interior. 
Tno  rci'iiiiMvliich  must  first  receive  attention,  lies  in  the  rear  of  that  which 
'.a;ljwii  described,  and  is  con)[irehcnded  in  a  small  liydrographical  basin.  1 
•iili  treat  it  iu  the  briefest  manner. 


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I'tV-' 


SECTION    VIII. 

BASIN   OF  WHITE   RIVER. 

!■  Gkn'er.u.  lIvDitoGnAiMiY. —  White  lliver  is  the  largest  tributar}-,  and 
"- >t  a  cdcipial,  nf  the  Wabash,  w)ii(li  it  joins  about  one  hundred  and  ten 
■iiikj  frniii  the  junction  of  the  latter  (following  its  meanders)  M'ith  the 
"ii"-  On  the  north  it  is  surroumlcd  by  the  Wabash ;  on  the  east  its 
^'lira's  mingle  with  those  of  the  tributaries  of  the  Great  Miami;  on  the 
!"iit.i,  it  receives  the  water  of  streams  whi(di  originate  on  the  northern  sIojjos 
i  the  hill-zone  wdiich  has  just  been  described.  White  Eiver  is  composed  of 
'■"•'I  irrcat  branches,  caUcd  the  East  and  West  Forks,  the  former  of  which 
•  >^'^  iioitily  parallel  with  the  Ohio,  while  the  latter  pursues  a  more  southerly 

iir>e,  until  tlicy  unite  not  many  miles  above  the  junction  of  their  con)mou 
■"ink  with  the  Wabash.  Nearly  a  third  part  of  the  State  of  Indiana  —  its 
vjuthern  and  south-eastern — is  compreheiuled  in  this  basin,  the  eastern 
'"'"Hill  of  which  rests  on  Silurian  limestone,  while  the  western  lies  within 


:-1- 


*\."'     . 


"?<•■?  ;JS  ".-UK, 


.0  ■  . 


■    1 


%■  f. -■ 


310 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


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the  great  Illinois  coal  form  at  ion.     Thus,  its  surface-rock  is,  in  some  [.art; 
calcareous,  in  others,  arenaceous,  in  others,  schistose  or  argillaceous. 

II.  The  East  Foiik. —  That  diviisiim  of  the  basin  which  is  draintiUv 
the  East  J'ork,  i.s,  in  rL't'eroiice  to  its  surface,  a  continuation  of  the  luwcr'r 
southern  part  of  the  .Miami  JJasiii;  that  is,  it  presents  roiuided  woijilud  liilL 
not  formed  by  elevation  above  the  general  surface  of  the  country,  Uit  In 
valleys  and  ravines  of  excavation;  some  of  whicii  have  bottoni-lamb  ot'cib 
siderable  widtli,  but,  on  tlie  whole,  narniw  alluvions,  more  like  those  on  tie 
south  than  the  north  s^ide  of  tlie  Ohio  llivcr.  Tlie  body  and  liasis  of  tliose 
hills  is  the  limestone  already  mentioned.  In  pu.'^sing  westwanlly  we  leave 
this  limestone,  not  to  meet  with  it  again  in  the  Ohio  Basin,  and  cuniotutt' 
Devonian  slate,  which  Htretehe.M,  nurthwardly  frcmi  the  Falls  of  Ohio,  in  a 
belt  of  more  level  land,  with  a  more  pondy  and  swampy  s^urface;  to  t'ji.. 
succeeds  —  still  going  to  the  west  —  the  rugged  eastern  margin  of  the  .a! 
formation,  which,  however,  beconies  more  flat  after  we  have  passed  the  ,;• 
crop  of  sandstone  which  underlies  the  coal  measures,  and  their  associati 
shales,  .sandstones,  and  carboniferous  limestones. 

Every  part  of  the  region  drained  by  the  Jvi.st  Fork  of  White  Eivir.  :• 
subject  to  autumnal  fever,  whicli  is  more  frequent  and  severe  in  the  iiti  'ii- 
borhood  of  the  river  and  its  larger  tributaries,  than  upon  the  upland.s. 

III.  TiiM  West  Fork  —  more  correctly  the  north  —  is  a  longer  stroac 
than  the  East,  ruiuiiiig  nearly  south  stiutli-west,  tlu'ough  t\vr,  degrees  of  lati- 
tude, but  not  (Iraining  a  greater  surface.  The  region  from  which  it  i.ivil- 
more  level  than  the  last,  embraces  many  prairies,  both  wet  and  dry,  and  [n- 
seuts  along  its  streams  n)uch  wide  bottiim-lands,  with  more  of  nortliem 
drift  or  tnnsported  materials  on  its  surface.  Tims,  it  is  a  contiiiuati.ii  : 
the  upper  part  of  the  .Miami  ]]asiu.  Its  autuunial  fevers  are  e!!oentiall}  tl.- 
same  as  those  of  tlie  East  Fork. 

IV.  Indianai'OUS,  the  capital  of  the  otate  of  Indiana,  stands  mi  t:> 
left  or  east  bank  of  tlie  We.^t  Fork  of  White  Eiver,  in  N.  Lat.  o'J"  55',  au 
W.  Long.  SO"  5'.  The  plain  which  constitutes  its  site  is  sliglitly  umiuu- 
ting,  with  an  average  elevation  of  twenty  feet  above  low-water  mark,  ar,i 
about  seven  hundred  above  the  level  of  the  sea.*  The  principal  part  itt'v 
town  is  three  quarter.s  of  a  mile  from  the  river.  At  a  short  di.«taiiic;!i 
and  to  the  north  of  the  town,  Fall  Creek  enters  the  river,  which  it  reai^v; 
from  the  north-east.  A  smaller  stream  passes  through  the  suburbs  uf  tte 
town,  on  the  cast  and  south  sides,  to  join  the  river  below.  In  .suiumtr  ari 
autumn  this  stream  nearly  dries  up.  ImnuHliately  north,  there  wasfoniirrl) 
a  pond,  which  discharged  its  superfluous  waters  across  the  town-plat:  ha 
ditch  has  been  made  to  drain  it  into  Fall  Creek.  East  of  the  town,  at  t-v 
distance  of  a  mile,  is  the  margin  of  a  slightly  rolling  tract  of  argilb'  ii-" 
ground,  covered  with  beech  timber.  To  the  north,  the  country  i.s  a  htt.o 
broken:  but  we  have  there  the  wide  alluvial  bottoms  of  White  River  ai:. 
Fall  Creek.     "West  of  the  river,  the  bottom  is  a  mile  in  width,  and  so  luwa- 


*  Indiana  Engineers'  Reports. 


; ,  lie  overflowed  in 
Mie  this  bottom, 
irii!'.'.  overshadiiwed 
u-.-iud  and  other   n 
Ioii::tli  li  about  tw 
icveral  miles,  tliere 
(jril't.  bounded  by  I 
stands  the  Lunatic 
k'Uveen  it  and  the 
jioscs  with  a  lock  t 
summer  it  becomes 
ilo<tniyed  by  letting 
Pnc'tur  S.  (1.  -Miti 
first  ;ia.s.s  throu-di  f 
•acnty  feet  of  grave 
perforations  had  lie 
3|i"li.s  tidls  us,  that 
iviieii  the  plain  wa 
spring  of  1821,  thes 
iipnn  the  spot,   uiiti 
Tliov  were  miserahl 
iiilisisted  lar^rely  on 
wre  unusually  hot  ai 
(if  the  fallen  trees 
(It'conipo.sition.     Exh, 
animals  died,  and,  ii 
ttvcrs  appeared.     Th 
tlirough  the  new  villa 
'imiie  closed  in  Octi 
pised,  and  scventy-tv 
.Many  of  the  most  ma 
tents,    Since  that  tim 
liut  its  vicinity,  especi 
would  lead  us  to  expoi 


I.  Gkxerai,  Sunn 
'■A  its  size  and  ,slig 
'Inscribe  it  under  a  so 
mouth  of  its  great  allli 


♦doctor  John  Evans. 
;\Ve»tern  Journal  (Ci 


riHT  I.. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


311 


f, K> ovci-floweil  in  all  high  frcshots.  At  the  foot  of  the  bluffs  which  termi- 
nate tliis  bdttoin,  tliere  is  a  swiile,  or  pitndy  belt,  from  ten  to  forty  rods 
mh.  oversliadiiwed  with  trees  and  rank  grass,  or  rendered  foul  with  drift- 
^A.,i\  and  other  organic  matters,  thrown  into  it  by  the  river  fl(jods.  Its 
len^tli  is  about  two  miles.  IJcyond  this,  to  the  west  and  north-west,  for 
sovoral  miles,  there  is  a  drv,  old  tcrraf^e  of  sund,  graved,  and  other  northern 
Jrit't,  limnded  by  Kagle  Creek.  On  one  of  the  undulations  of  tliis  plain, 
:tanl«  the  Lunatic  Asylum  of  Indiana.*  On  the  terrace  cast  of  the  river, 
between  it  and  the  town,  there  is  a  canal,  designed  merely  for  hydraulic  pur- 
iiosi'S,  with  a  lock  through  which  the  water  is  restored  to  the  river.  Every 
summer  it  becomes  choked  up  with  a  luxuriant  aijuatic  vegetation,  which  is 
,le.tPived  by  letting  out  the  water  in  -luly  or  August. 

p.iitnr  S.  Cr.  Mitchellt  informs  me  that,  on  digging  wells  in  the  town,  they 
first  '.y^i-f  throu;^di  four  or  five  feet  of  soil  and  loam,  then  through  fil'teen  or 
tieiitv  feet  of  gravel,  and  afterward  eoTitiiuie  in  white  sand,  as  low  down  as 
perffiratioiis  had  been  made.  The  same  early  medical  hi.storian  of  Indian- 
snolis  tells  us,  that  the  settlement  of  the  town  was  commenced  in  1820, 
ir'iijii  the  ]ilain  was  heavily  timbered  with  various  kinds  of  tr  s.  In  the 
>]iriiig  of  \^'ll,  these  were  extensively  cut  down,  and  inunigrants  crowded 
iii'iiii  tlie  spot,  until,  by  midsummer,  they  nundjcred  about  six  hundred. 
Tlicy  were  miserably  lodged  in  open  cabins,  shanties,  and  even  tents;  and 
siilisi.sted  largely  on  iish  and  ganu\  with  very  little  salt.  July  and  August 
me  unusually  hot  and  wet.  Every  thing  molded.  The  luxuriant  foliage 
(if  tlio  fallen  trees  and  trodden-down  annual  plants,  underwent  a  rapid 
jcC'iiiposition.  Exhalations  offensive  t.)  the  smell  arose.  Many  domestic 
animals  died,  and,  in  the  latter  part  of  July  intermittent  and  remittent 
fovcrs  appeared.  They  coinnieneed  near  the  river,  and  xtended  eastwardly 
through  tlie  new  village,  assuming  a  malignant  character.  Before  the  epi- 
demic closed  in  October,  nearly  every  person  had  been  more  or  less  indis- 
pf>sfil,  and  seventy-two,  or  about  an  eighth  part  of  the  population,  had  died. 
Many  of  the  most  malignant  or  algid  cases  commenced  as  simple  intermit- 
tent.s.  Since  that  time,  Indianajiolis  has  not  experienced  a  severe  vi.-itation; 
but  if?  vicinity,  especially  to  the  north,  ren.iains,  as  its  medical  topography 
would  lead  us  to  expect,  subject  to  annual  invasions. 


:ii 


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'       t 

SECTION    IX. 

BASIN  OF  THE  WAHASH. 

I.  Gexer.u  Survey.— Although  White  River  is  a  branch  of  the  Wa- 
■nsli,  its  size  and  slight  coiuiection  witli  tliat  river,  made  it  convenient  to 
'ieseribe  it  under  a  separate  head.  The  basin  of  the  Wabash  above  the 
mouth  of  its  great  affluent,  is  Ions:,  narrow,  and  curved  round  from  south- 


t  Doctor  John  Evans.     MS.  panrs  inc. 

iWcbtern  Journal  ( Cincizinati),  Vol.  II,  p.  443. 


■^>/ 


v< 


'hPt^ 


■  ^  i>. 


t  .  > 


"       .      1.  . 


312 


THE  PIILNCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOJi. 


west  to  nortli-cast.  The  uiontli  (if  tlio  ^Vabasli  is  found  in  N.  Lat.  ;]^  4- 
aiid  "\V.  Lon.  S7"  4;")';  its  iimst  nortlieni  suiireos  in  Lat.  4P  15',  amlltsmost 
eastuni  in  Lon.  81^  :!(l'.  Originating:  in  the  western  part  of  the;  Statf  if 
Ohio,  it  traverses  Indiana  diaynnaliy,  and  jdins  tlie  Oldo  I'livor  bctweon  tlat 
state  and  Illinois,  not  far  below  Kvansville.  Its  ujjper  waters  ori'.'iiiati;  i- 
ponds  or  small  lakes,  and  extensive  niarsli-prairies,  on  the  sunnnit-li;vel  Ijo. 
tween  the  Ohio  ]>a.sin,  aiul  the  basins  of  l^akes  3Iiehigan  and  Erii\  Knr. 
ncntly  an  alluvial  river,  it  everywhere  has  wide  bottom-lands,  ninnvdf  iv!,i^.'„ 
are  subject  to  spring  and  early  summer  inniidatl.  ,is,  leaving  liolnnd  tinn 
ponds,  bayous,  nuirshes,  and  swales,  alioundiiig  in  drift-wood,  and  utlnrfiiij! 
deposits.  Tlie  fertility  of  these  bottoms  is  great,  and  their  veiretatiinlim. 
riant.  All  the  upper  jmrtioiis  of  the  "Wabash  ]5asin  are  oversimad rjt 
extensive  terraces  or  plains  of  clay,  sand,  gravel,  ]iebbles,  and  utliir  trans- 
ported materials  from  the  north,  which  bury  up  the  rocky  strata.*  In  tit 
lower  or  southo'rn  pdrtions  of  tlie  valley,  which  are  nutderatcly  brok'ii,  tin; 
amount  of  drift  is  much  less,  though  it  is  abundant  in  the  wide  troiu'lioftht 
Wabash.  It  need  scarcely  be  added,  that  such  a  reginu  as  has  linn  tb 
comprehensively  sketched,  having  an  altitude  not  exceeding  seven  ov  d^iit 
liundred  feet  ior  its  snnnnits,  while  the  bottom-lands  of  its  streams  arocin' 
siderably  lower,  is  liable  to  autumnal  i'ever.  That  disease,  in  fact.  |irevai]< 
in  cv(.'ry  portion  of  it.  But  I  must  not  dismiss  it  without  giving  an  aecotmt 
of  some  of  its  nujre  important  localities. 

IT.  Lavayktti:. —  1  have  received  from  Doetor  Deniing  the  material;  k 
a  descriptive  notice  of  this  locality.  The  town  stands  on  the  IcftdiainUaEk 
of  an  eastern  bend  of  the  Wabash,  in  Lat.  40"  IS',  at  a  liight  of  fi\e  Iiub- 
drcd  and  thirty-eight  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and  thirty-tivc  k 
above  low  water;  an  elevation  which  jjrotects  it  from  inundatiuii.  Tiit 
upper  strata  of  this  terrace  consist  of  sand  and  gravel,  resting  on  a  stratum': 
hard  blue  clay,  in  some  jdaccs  fifteen  fo'ct  thick,  which  has  to  Ijo  pasij 
through  to  obtain  good  well-water.  Behiw  this  deposit,  and  in  tlii'iiOk 
there  arc  strata  of  sub-earbonifcrous  liuu'stone.  The  surface  of  tl:e  tcrracf 
is  sufficiently  undulating  to  favor  draining.  In  the  southern  part  ofthf 
town-plat  there  are  a  number  of  small  streams,  fed  by  springs,  and  th-n 
were  formerly  several  acres  nf  boggy  marsh,  wdiicli  have  been  drained  and  put 
under  cultivation.  With  the  exception  of  this  spot,  there  were  no  >«aiiif; 
or  ponds  near  the  town,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river.  In  receding  iVmn tie 
river  to  the  cast,  an  old  or  second  bottom  is  encountered,  the  Miifi' margin cl 
which  has  been  shipcd  so  as  to  present  a  gradual  rise.  The  hill-lnml  n.-'r! 
on  the  south  side  of  the  town  to  the  liiaht  of  eiclitv  feet  —  on  the  east.!' 
one  hundred  and  seventy  feet  —  on  the  north-east,  to  one  hundred  ai:il  ti!ij 
This  semi-circle  of  highland  is  covered  with  timber,  beyond  wlm!i.  «:;• 
wardly,  lies  the  Wild-cat  Prairie;  portions  of  which  were  swaiii[iy.  Imtbve 
been  reclaimed,  with  a  eoiisciiucnt  great  amelioration  of  autumnal  IkhiJ 
Opposite  the  town,  on  the  western  side  of  the  river,  a  low  bottom,  coii«ii- 


**  Doctor  Oweu'ti  Second  Geological  Report. 


*!r 


riiT  II 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


. •!  iiiili!  i'''"ve,  oxtciul.s  sovoral  juiles  Ijulow.     It  is  ;iiiiiii:ilK  imimlatod, 

icuitt  M'i  to  tlie  cl<'[)tli  of  loiirt(,'Oii  i'eet,  and  Doetur  J)L'iiiiiig  lins  noticed, 

A  J  :(^  ,,^.(;;isioiial  suuuncr-inundatioiis  are  far  iiiuro  jivoduetive  uf  fever  tliaii 

ti'ujt' of  spi'iiif-'"     Tlie  width  of  this  bottoiu  varies  from  a  (luarUr  of  a  mile 

I     „;ilj.    Lying  to  tlio  siuunier-wiiidward,  tliis  liuttuni,  witli  llic  ^\et  and 

,ja''-v  tnu't  on  t!ic  feouth  wide  u\'  tlie  tdwn,  is  no  duuLt  the  j)rinei|ial  causo 

:  tn;  ikideJ  |irevaleiiec  of  autumnal  fcvei-,  wliich  annually  oecurs  at  this 

[ilair.   AcciirJing  to  Ductur  Deming,  a  largo  pvoportiim  of  its  diseases  are 

liLMi'jittent  and  remittent  fevers;  many  cases  of  the  former,  called  by  tiio 

p,.!,',o, 'sinking  chills,'  are  decidedly  malignant.     So  great,   indeed,  is  the 

L.ialiiifiiwnfC,  th:it  ahu'ist  all  forms  of  disease,  especially  pneuuiuiiia,  dys- 

^ritrv,  ami  ciiiJuniic  erysipelas,  manifest  its  ofl'ects. 

[,    Tkkui:  IIavti:. —  I  have  been  favored  by  Doctor  I'ead  and  Doctor 

jCliiiinL'cr,  whli  facts  for  an  account  of  this  locality.      The  latitude  of  Terre 

Br;to  ii  aliimt  •'i!)'^  --1'  N.     Its  elevation  above  the  level  of  tlie  sea,  is  four 

:.irel  and  eighty-three  feet''' — above  high-water  mark  of  the  Waliash, 

il^er.tv-fivo  feet.    At  the  distance  of  three  miles  cast  froni  the  ri\cr,  there  is 

at'.'  tt'i'racc  about  fifty  feet  higher.     'J'he  town  stands  on  tiiO  left  or 

L>irr!i  >iili' of  the  river,  and  occu|)ies  a  portion  of  the  western  margin  of 

phiiijust  mentioned,  whicli  is  known  as  tlie  Tort  Harrison  ]'r;iiiie.    This 

irrj'T.  wliidi,  fruui  its  elevation,  suggested  the  name  by  wi:!<h  t!'i'  town  is 

;ini,  extends  several  miles  up  and  down  tlie  river.     It  belongs  to  the 

tiviil  o|M)cli,  and  rests  upon  the  coal  measures.     According  to  ])(.ctor 

lull  i;i  sinking  wells  into  it,  they  jiass  throug;;  soil,  and  then  Mhite  sand, 

I'casii.nal  layers  of   gravel,  to  the   average  depth  of  fifty-five    feet 

||r.!his  Itenoath  hiw-water  mark   of  the  ^^'abash ),  when  aliundance  of 

ll&r.  "Id.  hard  water  is  found,  in  a  broad  sheet  or  stream,  making  its  way 

di  the  .«and  to  the  south-west,  in  the  general  course  of  the  river. 

nling  to  the  same  authority,  there  is,  at  the  distance  of  half  a  mile  east 

f tiic  town,  a  depression  of  the  terrace,  to  the  extent  of  several  thousand 

pj.   Its  length  is  parallel  to  the  river.  ;nid  it  formerly  received  water 

Ml  t!ie  higher  ground,  during  rains,  and  was  left  with  a  swali'V  surface. 

pt  which  fliiwcd  into  it  was,  however,  at  length  turned  to  the  river,  and 

iirimleroclainied  and  cultivated,  with  a  favorable  influence  on  the  health 

I  liif  inliabitants.     Doctor   ("loppinger  did   not  ol'Servo  that  tliis  swampy 

I' ' 'Xii'tod  any  injurious  eflect  on  the  In'alth  of  the  town,  which  lies  to  its 

Kt windward;  but  the  peojile  who  reside  north  of  it  sufl'ered  severely. 

■"pliHsite  or  western  side  of  the  river,  there  is  a  low,  wide,  heavily- 

"'rod,  allnvial  liottom;  whi(di  is,  every  spring  and  sunnner,  di-eply  inun- 

i*l.  giving  t')  the  river  in  higli  floods  the  width  of  a  mile.      Tliese  floods 

isfo  t!io  smfaeo  wet  and  foul ;  and  in  the  middle  of  the  bottom,  half  a  mile 

I'-t  I't  the  nvor,  there  is  a  ])(>rmanent  swamp  of  about  twenty  acres,  be- 

f«n  which  and  tlie  town,  there  stands,  however,  a  thick  wood,  wiiich  is 

ppii-ed  to  exert  a  protecting  influence. 


':^^ 
"•«••*, 


.  I*  ■  , 


]• 


■^■-"■ 


*  Indiana  Eng.  Rep. 


pli^^*^ 


'F 


:-.!     .' 


I,  ■ 


•I 


'•  W-  ;.-■,-  . 


814 


Tiri']  PRINCIPAh  i'lSEASES  OF  THE 


[•ooi  :.l 


IJotli  flic  gcntlonicn  wlioiii  1  liavo  quutod,  testify  to  t'lo  great  prevaWi.  fl 
aiituinnal  fever  in  tliis  localitv,  wliero  all  the  varieties,  from  tht  niost  ti  tiL 
Uji  to  llie  must  iiialignaiit,  an;  met  with.      In  snniiiier  and  a\ituinn  "//iHm'  ' 
aceoi'tlin^  to  Doctor  Heed,  tend  to  ])eriodicit}-,  and,  in  ^villtt•r,  iiiumium,; 
en  greatly  modilied  liy  tho  paludal  influoncc.  that  liloddlettinc  js  s(y,|[;., 
followed  hy  death.     IJoth  these  physician,'*,  moreover,  testify  to  tlie  fait  i  i 
pcr.son.s  living-  near  the  mar'^iii.'^,  and  almost  on  the  level  of  tiip  paludal  iri 
are  less  snhjeet  t<i  antumnal  fever  tiian  those  who  reside  at  the  (li.^taiKXMJ 
half  a  mile  or  a  mile,  and  at  a  hiifjicr  elevation.      In  su|i]i(irt  of  tlii>  jta-J 
mont,  Doctor  Cloppiiiger  has  made  a  number  of  spcciKeatioiis,  wlijch 
not  space  to  tran.scril)e.  and  concludes  hy  informing  nic,  that  Dwtcr  l';itriil 
an  (ild  and  intelligent  physician,  long  resident  at  Terre  Haute,  Las  ilnrrHi 
all  that  is  hero  recorded. 

TV.  VixcKXNKS.  —  The  i;ite  of  this  town,  an  old  French  villan'.«i!;'. J 
more  than  a  centur)  s'tjc,  is  a  heautiful  diluvial  jirairie,  from  one  tuj 
miles  in  width,  >  .i'     si::  miles  along  the  Waba.^h  Kivcr,  nn  its  HtJ 

eastern  side.     31        of  M  ^  ])lain  is  .sandy.      The  sput  on  which  tlictMr:,  j 
built  is  not  subjeei  to  inuu'..  i '•  ns,  but  innnediately  below,  and  for  tlm.taa 
down,  tlie  bottom,  before  it  wan  protected  by  a  levee,  way  liuhlc  to  mi1«i.| 
sion.     About  a  mile  and  a  half  cast  of  the  town,  there  were  several  fjii 
and  marshes,  which,  however,  have  been  drained  into  the  river,  tivt  njy 
below.     IJeyond  these  poiuls  there  arc  bluffs,  followed  by  chivcv  tal-k-kijl 
On  the  west,  or  right-hand  side  of  the  river,  there  is  a  belt  of  low  liml)irttlM.|| 
tom-land,  a  mile  in  width,  succeded  by  a  prairie  six  miles  wide,  andni'Miij 
greater  length  up  and  down  tho  river,  which,  in  high  floods,  i.s  mori'  itI< 
subject  to  inundations,  that  leave  ponds  and  marshes  behind  them.   .'"UfiJ 
the  broad  valley  of  the  AVaba.sh  at  this  point.      The  elevatiun  of  itslii'J 
diluvial  bottom-lands  is  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the  soa. 
latitude  of  the  town  is  38^  43'  N.,  its  longitude  87"  25'  W.    It.^  impiiku 
is  two  thousand  five  hundred,  one-third  of  whom  are  descendants  uftiittr:: 
nal  French  settlers. 

The  inhabitants  of  tho  prairie  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  are  sulijnt  ij 
a  decided  degree,  to  remittent  and  intermittent  fevers;  those  cm  tlie  eastti 
side  are  affected  rather  less,  as  to  the  number  of  cases,  but  more  sevirtlyiij 
degree.  In  latter  years,  malignant  cases,  late  in  autunm,  have  not 
uncommon.* 

Y.     Nkw  Harmony.  —  This  is  tho  settlement  made  by  Jlr.  Robert  Hweij 
of  Scotland,  in  the  year  1S-J4.     Its  latitude  is  38*^  11'  N.,  its  longitmie  >'| 
35'  W.    Tt  stands  on  the  left  or  south-eastern  bank  of  tho  WaliasliriviTM 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  its  margin,  and  about  half  a  mile  from  a  liijiliiT HJ 
race  in  its  rear.     "The  bottom  on  which  the  town  is  liuilt,"  says  I'-'W 
Mur[)hy,  "  is  considerably  more  elevated  than  the  sli[)  between  it  ai.ii '-( 
river.     The  whole  bottom,  from  the  river  to  the  highest  terraee,  is  al)'-'"' ' 
mile  wide,  increases  gradually  in  width,  as  we  ascend  the  river,  and  i; ns'i'l 


Ijimes  to  a  mean  hight. 


*  Doctor  Joseph  Sonimes.  MS.  penes  me. 


m 


fiir  '■; 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


315 


LVviiiin.  Tilt!  level  ol"  the  town  who  is  about  six  feet  above  tlio  lii;:;li('St 
L  Jiiftlie  r'ver,  and  iiuar  futir  huiidriid  feet  abovo  tho  Culf  of  iMoxieo. 
T« .  lil  consists  of  rich  vcgotablo  mold,  with  a  liberal  admixturo  of  sand,  in 
Ln'C'iiii'nee  of  wliidi  it  dries  ra|)idly  after  rain.  Tlie  only  standin;.'  water 
I  Pirllit  !"«■"  '•''  "■  brick-pond,  to  its  south,  wliieli  is  sixty  yards  in  diniiietor, 
liiid  iii'irlv  ilrii-'s  up  i"  suiiiiner.  Tlio  water  used  liy  the  iiihuliitants  is  from 
Ifeilj  nliicli  receive  it  by  percolation  from  the  Waltasli,  and,  therefore,  it  is 
To  the  north-west  of  the  town  is  the  river,  the  width  of  whleh  is  nearly 
hiiiarti'r  iif  a  niilc.  Haifa  mile  bi'low  thi;  center  of  the  town  the  ITninony 
Itm-li'i.-sues  from  the  river,  to  join  it  three  miles  below;  by  whieli,  frnm  the 
Itiri'iitMis  course  of  the  river,  an  alluvial  island,  fifteen  miles  in  circumference, 
lijfriii-J  to  tlio  west  of  the  town,  'i'ho  whole  of  this  surface  is  overflowed 
I'crrivTfn'sliots,  and  ponds  and  sluices  are  left  behind,  but  none  of  them  lie 
ha: '.y  town.  It  is  eoveretl  by  a  dense  forest,  with  luxuriant  herbaceous 
iTewMatiiiii,  and  none  of  it  is  under  cultivation.  Opposite  the  town  is  ]''ox 
I-u:,].  "11  tlie  western  side  of  which  a  portion  of  the  AVabash  flows,  whenever 
|i;ri-ej  I"  Jimcaii  higlit.  This  i.-land  is  covered  with  forest  trees  and  a  canc- 
Itinki.  ami  presents  ponds  and  bayous,  none  of  which,  however,  are  near  the 
|li!i.  It  iiiily  remains  to  add,  that  to  the  south  of  the  town  there  is  a  range 
Icf  siik  and  that  the  terrace  on  which  the  town  is  built  stretches  ofi'  sumc 
liiia:;  •'  to  the  cast,  and  is  under  high  cultivation." 

1;  :.•,  I  sujipose,  generally  known,  that  in  prosecuting  his  great  experiment 

Kinti.i.' Cpnimmiity-sy.-tem,  Mr.  Owen  assembled  around  him,  on  this  spot,  a 

|lim!"r  of  distinguished  .siirm/s,  wiio  knew  much  more  of  the  physical  than 

lo: the  moral  world.     Both  the  cultivators  of  science  and  of  the  soil  were  long 

P'  ilL-jierscd ;  and  a  common  American  town,  with  eight  hundred  iidiabi- 

te.  ii'iw  occupies  ground  consecrated  to  the  new  social  system.     They  are 

Irui'int  to  tlio  fevers  of  autumn,  which  often  di.splay  a  malignant  character, 

p  till  so  of  the  towns  higher  up  the  river. 

VI,    Valley  of  the  AVaiiasii  uklow  Nkw  IIahmoxy. —  From  New  Ilar- 

iv.  to  tlio  junction  of  tho  Wabash  with  the  Ohio  Kiver,  the  distance  is 

l:;v-iivL'  miles.      According  to  Doctor  3Iurpliy,  the  valley  is  in  general  from 

pre  ti  live  miles  wide  ;  and  there  are  but  few  spots  in  the  whole  distance 

\M  are  not  overflowed  by  the  freshets  of  tho  river,  to  a  depth  varying 

Ir'.iii  tlirco  to  ten  feet,  until  we  approach  the   Ohio,  when,  from  the  back- 

baiiT if  that  river,  the  inundation  is  often  much  deeper.     These  overflows 

piilako  jdaee  in  sunmier,  but  do  not  seem  to  be  tho  cause  of  insalubrity; 

Hiif  eoiitrary,  dry  and  hot  summers  are  the  most  unhealthy.    On  the  other 

i-'U'octor  Murphy  has  observed,  that  persons  living  off  the  river-bottoms 

I'iffs,  on  the  uplands,  are  iimre  sickly  in  wet  summers  than  dry.     In 

SSipiiin^  tlio  inhabitants  in  and  near  the  valley  with  those  who  reside  be- 

^'H'lit^  influence,  he  has  found  the  health  and  longevity  of  the  latter  supo- 

rti  those  of  the  former.     lie  has  everywhere  observed  autumnal  fever  to 

'liimiiishod  by  cultivation.     The  whole  of  this  region  lies  in  the  coal 


'I    Regiox  wkst  of  tue  Wauasii.  —  In  passing  the  river  to  tho  west, 


..i^: 


*     I 


•  .       .    » 


',,.  f 


810 


TIIF,  PRINCirAL  DISF:ASES  or  THE 


l>001: 


f  JT  I., 


INTEIil 


liii 


It 


'*i      /hvl 


H"    J     ., 


WO  outer  on  the  vast  pmirics  fif  llliiidiH.     East  of  tho  Wabash  tlior  ar"  — 
ordinate  to  tlm  wnod-laml.s  —  wost,  tlio  itrnpnrtiinis  are  reversed,   (iftl|i<,, 
pioii.  a  I)i'lt,  twit  or  tlirc"  coiintics  wide,  cxtt'iidiiiL'  fniiu  tin;  suiniuit.!,; 
hi'twecii  t'lu  wafors  of  L;ikc  Midiigiiii  iiiid  tlic  Waluisli,  bolunffs  to  tlii' Wn 
wc  arc  now  cxploriiig.  and  is  drained  by  tbo   Kinbarras  and  ]m\^  ^Vii,^.; 
KivcrH,  iKit  tu  niuntidii  siM;il]or  tributaries.     Tbo  ii|(|tor  boils  df  tli,.je  f,:^. 
toiMi  or  (il'tcon  countio.-,  cunslst  abnust  oiitircly  of  ilibiviid  inblilus. 't^v^' 
sand,   and    day,    witli    a   (■(iverinj^  of   rich   vc;;i'tabb,'    innld.    Tliu  strjui  i 
tliron^di  siirli  bioso  do|iii,sits,  of  cunrso,  bavo  Avido  Ixittunidaiuls,  iKiirhall 
wbicb  aro  Habic  tu  liinudalinii  in  tinii'S  nf  bii^li  water.     Tlio  surface  uf  [lij  I 
region,  wbetbor  wonded  or  wooillcss,  is  L'l'O'irally  inidubitinc;  or  Itwl,  aii 
scarcely  aiiywbcro  broken  into  bills  and  ravines.     Tlie  ridd  L'ra.*>es d!' |U 
prairies  retard  the  escape  of  rains  and  nudtcd  snows,  while  tliuir  liiii; itLt 
roots  bind  tho  soil,  and  ])revent  the  waters  from  excavating  tvLMichos  t!ir  sj 
which  they  might  flow  oil'.     Tims,  extensive  tracts  of  wet  nr  iii:n\li_v  |.raK{| 
are  formed  and  maintained.     IJetwcen   these  (  many  of  Avliidi  will  i...  r.;. 
dered  dry  by  <litching,  when   the  ]iopulation  becomes  denser),  ami  tlie ill 
bottoms,  whi(di  are  irreclaimable,  the  whole  of  this  extensive  ami  furtil^rkr. 
tion  of  the  Waliash  JJa.sin  is  infotcd  with  aiitunmal  fever,  ef  wliidi  ujitI 
eases  assnme  a  malignant  and  fatal  character.*     The  mean  latitml(;ifiij| 
belt  is  o!*'-'   X. ;  —  its  elevation   from  seven  to  eight    liundroil  feet  Av'l 
the  sea. 


SIXTIOX    X. 
REMAINDKR  OF  THE  OHIO  BA.^IN. 

I.  (li;\i:i!A[.  Descrii'XIOX.  —  Between  the  mouth  of  the  Waia^'i  dj 
tho  Mississipjii  River  there  lies  a  range  of  counties,  a  notice  of  wliitliwll 
fiinsh  the  description  of  the  Ohio  Basin.  They  are  drained  by  HaliiR  B/.l 
and  Cash  (^reeks;  end)raec  but  few  prairies;  and  are  geiiunillv  i'i*i| 
with  heavy  forests,  in  tin;  southern  parts  of  which  there  are  caiii-lriitil 
and  cypress  swamps.  The  upper  or  northern  counties  —  Ilaniihuii,  Frj:i'| 
lin,  AVilliamson,  and  (Jallatin. — have  a  sandy  surface,  and  abnuiiil  i;  i'- 
boniferous  lime-tone;  —  tbo  sandstone  which  underlies  the  ccal  l'"riii:;:!>j 
appearing  here  and  there.  The  diluvium  which  overs[iroads  tlie  C'-Etnl 
further  north,  is  here  mudi  reduced  in  ijuantity.  Tho  rcniaiiuk • ;  ^^i 
district  nnikes  a  jiart  of  tho  extensive  alluvial  region  through  wliioi  i^| 
Ohi<i  unites  itself  with  the  ^Mississippi,  and  over  which,  when  tluj'.' r;T.^j 
are  in  flood,  their  waters  spread  wide  and  deep;  leaving,  wlieii  tlii\vri'.v;!| 
large  ponds  and  swamps. t 

Aboiit  six  miles  from  tin*  Ohio  Biver,  and  running  parallel  with  it.  :^ 
ancient  bed  of  the  Wabash,  or  of  a  part  of  that  river.     Tt  is  now  a  i'**j 

•Peck's  Gazottocr  of  Illiiioi.s. 
t Ibid. 


.y,,f,.,<  jwaiiip,  inipa- 
lltejU'ini-ifrom  tho  W'a 
wren  the  Olii'i  Hivcr  is 
I  of  tlii-' anci>iit  lied.* 

A- thi' ri'gi'iu  wliii'h 
|t!i:':.-«ovt'n  dcp'ocs,  an 
j^i.M!ic(Jiilf  of  ^b'.\ 
|'.r.r-.    ^\'c!  iiui.st  say  s 
II.    Smawxkktown.- 
|(iCJorii'!i"ii  I'f  this  local 
•  ShawneetowH  stam 
\r.:h\  mill's  above  the  nii 
lisiranje  of  fertile,  liea 
Ittc'C I'r'iii  the  < >liio,  fri 
hiimioi'town,  they  are  e 
liiilj",  there  are  a  great  n 
I w frill  mip  ti)  three  n 
lii-iih.    Their  dejitli  is  <' 
ItMv  a!l  coiiir.iuiiicato  a\ 
|i:m,  iiil'i  the  les.scr  ba 
Ir'inil  than  that  behind 
|::?>;iiiif  time,  its  entire 
:'t..i'  river,  the  hills  op| 
|::.'<'iir<',  but  soon  reeiil 
'     Thus,  the  vail 
|d'-wiJe,  and  not  unfre 
!i  the  S'lUtli  side   1 
ir-'irwatiT  is  dear  and  ( 
[I-rcririi  to  the  plain  on 
Irivir  hank,  there  is  ;i  ci 
K.i.:i  umlergoes  a  rapid  > 
'C'tli':'  |.laiu  alfnrd  ditl'e; 
|f"3io  it  i>  soft ;  ill  the  f'n 
!-•  rr.ir.  near  the  foot  ol 
IjUdi.  Ihie  clay,  yellow  cli 
jtsn!,  fmir  iw't  thick,  of  ri\ 
JM  t'"  tir.-t  being  Convcrti 
">bwncctown  has  al 
prb:>.  the  State  of  : 
|t!it!;o  Construction  of  a  i 
jfol.ully,  and  the  operr 
jjart  uf  thtni  died,  ami 
|fc!i.  frty  feet  in  depth, 
Nl  t;:o  swamps  and  pond 


t] 


'4ri-J 


INTKRIOII  VALI-1:Y  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


;ji: 


_,  5^j„ip,  iiiijiassaMo.  PX(.-o|it  in  two  jiliu-oH,  mid  tlicn'  by  caiisowa^s. 
It  stiiiii- fr""' •'"'  ^^'iil'!'^''  ♦"  '"*:ilii"'  <'rtM'k,  ciulitcfii  nr  twmty  miles.  luitl 
II ,!,,,  Oiiii)  liiver  in  swoUfii,  u  |Mirtiun  ul' itis  haek-watcr  takes  tin;  lmjuisu 

\* tK' rogi"'"  wlii'-li  li""^  ^'^'<^"  brkfly  skctohi'd  Vwa  in  tlio  iiwaii  latiliuld  (if 
jV.f.-.iOTt'n  (1i'lT''i-'S.  and  is  clcvatod  only  aluiut  lliroo  luindn.'d  uwd  tilty  I'd! 
iL',i>  the 'r lilt'  of  .Muxic",  it  is.  of  t'diirsc,  int't'stt'd  with  dun;:oruus  autumnal 
.-.vr..    Wc  must  .«ay  hnniotliing  of  its  priiici|ial  town. 

II,  SiiAWXKETOWN.  —  [  am  indebted  tu  J)oct('r  Hou  lor  tlic  Inllowing 
Je<.;ri!'ti'in  of  this  locality  : 

••*h;iwne<tiiwn  stands  ton  miles  below  tliu  nioutli  of  tlio  Wabash,  and 
r*!t  iiiilfs  above  the  nioutli  oi'  .■^aliiio  Creek.  ]''rom  one  to  (lie  illier,  tliorc 
biranie  of  fertile,  lieavily-timbcred,  sandstone  hills,  varying  in  their  dis- 
tjn.'C fri>m the  Ohio,  from  half  a  mile  to  three  miles,  or  iveii  mure.  At 
S'jiTCOi'town,  they  are  distant  a  mile.  In  the  river  bottoms  in  front  uf  these 
iiilj.,  ti.ere  are  a  great  number  of  lagoon.s  or  bayous.  Those  above  the  town 
iitfr'flM'iU'  to  three  miles  long,  and  from  a  hundred  yards  to  a  mile  in 
filth.  Their  depth  is  often  con.siderable.  i)uriiig  high  water  in  the  river, 
m  all  coiiir.iuiiicato  with  caeh  other,  and  jiour  tiieir  waters,  behind  the 
im.  iiito  the  les.>er  bayous  Im  low  it.  The  town  itsidf  stands  on  higher 
r  ".nil  tl:an  that  behind  it ;  but  when  the  Uliio  anin\'aba»h  are  swollen  at 
;:e Millie  time,  its  entire  site  is  overflowed.  On  the  south  <.r  Kentucky  side 
;' till' river,  the  hills  ojiposito  the  mouth  of  the  Wabash  press  elose  upon 

•.«'w,  uut  soon  recede,  and  a  bottom,  like  that  already  described,  is  de- 
•.:':!  i.  Thus,  the  valley  of  the  Ohio.  thro\igh  this  region,  is  about  four 
d- will'?,  and  nut  nnfrei|uently  the  whole  of  it  is  under  water.  The  ponds 
'.  :  n  ilie  snuth  siile  have  in  general  muddy  liaiiks  and  sandy  bottoms. 
TUirwater  is  clear  and  cool,  and  they  are  overshadowed  with  cypress  trees. 
Trcnni  til  the  plain  on  which  the  town  is  built,  T  may  state,  that  in  the 
rviT  liaiik,  there  is  a  eonghimerate  ruck,  abounding  in  sul|)huret  of  iron, 
t'&.li  uiulergoes  a  rapid  decomposition,  forming  sulphate  of  iron.  The  wells 
"ft'ii?  |ilaia  afford  different  kinds  of  water,  aceording  to  their  depth;  in 
Mcit  iysoft;  in  the  greater  nnndier,  hard.  In  tligging  a  well,  a  nnle  from 
ti' rivir.  near  the  foot  of  the  hill,  after  having  passed  through  sand,  gravel, 
Im  blm.' clay,  yellow  clay,  nuick  sand,  and  fine  (day,  they  came  to  :i  stra- 
hni.  fi'Urfeet  thick,  of  river  mml,  fdled  with  logs,  bru.-h,  and  leaves,  portions 
w  i'."  tir^t  being  converted  into  beautiful  lignite. 

'."■iuiwnectijwn  has  always  been  notorious  as  a  'slekly  place.'  In  the 
.^Sir  h>.  the  State  of  Illinois  employed  a  largo  number  of  laborers  here, 
catlie construction  of  a  railroad.     It  was  a  sickly  year;  the  town  suflered 

Milfiillv,  aiul  the  operatives,  who  were  strangers,  still  worse.  A  seventh 
fart  lif  them  died,  and  nearly  all  were  sick.  ]3ut  they  dug  an  innnense 
fc'i.  f  rty  fcft  ill  depth,  near  the  river,  and  deep  enough  generally  to  drain 
il!ti:o  swamps  and  ponds  in  the  vicinity  of  the  town.     The  ellect  of  this 


•«». 


i^::- 


•      M 


»  Doctor  Roe. 


r 


ai8 


TIFR  rrUNCIPAL  niHFASEH  OF  TIIF 


[XXJll. 


U           :     •■ 

I   • 


measure  ou  tlio  autuiiiiinl  licnlth  of  the  inliiibitaiilH  was  inxtantanoiiun  j 
has  contiimod  ever  huwv,.  TIio  fevers  of  tliat  season  no  longer  return  '< 
wlieii  wo  Iiiivo  nn  occasional  intcriiiittctit,  it  \»  generally  in  the  Mm' 
Ncvcrtlielcss,  a  niali'.'Mant  case,  called  liy  the  |ie(i|ile  a  ciitipe«ti\>  diH  ,, 
now  and  thou  met  with.  Our  worst  disense  is  ptieninonin,  wliich  bjjj  , , 
hoar  the  lancet,  and  often  re((uircs  tlio  sul|iliate  of  ([uinine.  Tlio  foKr  itji 
continues  to  prevail  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Ohio,  wlierc  the  swaiuuiit, 
not  lieen  dr.iined." 

111.  CoNci.LSioN.  —  W»(  liavo  now  finished  the  topnj»r!i|iliieal  jurv,;  . 
the  Ohio  Hasin.  If  the  reader  has  found  it  tedious,  he  sliould  rccfillit  i-i 
great  superficies;  extendiM-,'  from  the  sources  of  the  southern  trilutar;M  ( 
tho  T"nnesseo  Hiver,  in  (Ieer;.Ma  and  Alaliaina,  to  those  of  the  Allt't'l.a!  • 
Now  York ;  and  from  the  hanks  of  tho  Mississippi  Hivcr,  in  Illiiinij  j-i] 
Kentucky,  to  the  IJluo  Kid,L'o  in  ^'ir^ir^u.  He  should  also  rcniemUr -j 
diversified  gC(doi^ieal  constitution,  from  tlic  tertiary  deposits  to  the  iU«t 
Silurian  or  transition  limestone.  Still  further  he  should  meditate  on ;!» 
vast  varieties  of  surface,  necessarily  presented  l)y  such  a  divcrsiiieilpl - 
Ho  should  not  forget  tho  difference  in  altitude  —  nearly  two  tlioiisanJfd;- 
betwecu  tho  alluvial  bottoms  of  tho  Ohio,  where  it  unites  with  the  .Miw.- 
sippi,  and  tho  crests  of  the  Ai)palachian  Moufitains,  from  which  its  riritj 
descend.  Finally,  he  should  realize,  th;it  this  great  and  fertile  Im.in 3, 
and  over  must  be,  tho  most  populous  and  important  portion  of  the  Im.r.  • 
Valley  of  North  America;  and  thus  he  will  he  jirepared  to  adinit,  tin' : 
thoro  be,  to  tbc  physician,  any  utility  in  this  kind  of  study,  any  vidiio u 
medical  topography,  geography,  and  geology,  the  time  devoted  to  the  (fe 
Uasiu  has  not  been  misspent,  nor  tho  space  allowed  it  greater  than  to 
demanded. 


.lEuI'J.NS  EAST  OF 


ruf-j 


INTERIOR  VALIJ:Y  oK  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


819 


?m 


CHAPTKU    XI. 


TIIK  SOUTIIEllN    UASIN,    CONTINUED. 


IrEuI  i.W  EAST  OF  THE   MI^SI>!SiriT   RIVHR,  AND   NORTH  OK   THE 

OHIO  UA.SIN. 


SECTION  I. 

GENF-RAf.  VIEWS. 

Tie  rcmaindor  nf  the  Soutliorii  »r  Mexican  IJasIii  consists  dt'a  lon^,  narrow 

'.niiidiil,  on  tlic  west,  by  tlic  Mi.-.^is.>i|)|ii,  ahuvo  tlie  uiuiitli  of  tlio  (Jliio; 

Miith-cait,  by  the  basin  of  tbc  latter  river;  on  tiie  nortii-ea.st,  by  tbc 

*3-::i  if  till!  lakes;  and,  on  the  north,  by  thu  lliidson  Basin.     In  length,  tho 

1  'A\  which  wo  havo  now  entered  extends  through  ten  dej^rees  of  latitude, 

ku  i'.  t'r<iiii  tlio  thirty -seventh  to  tlic  fnrty-seventb.     Fur  thu  fir.^t  five  or  six 

•its  axis  is  directly  north,  wlu-n  it  turns  to  the  north  north-east,  uiitd 

li'  :;i::!,uti«  at  tiie  interhiekin^  smirees  of  tho  ^Mississijipi.  the  lliver  AVini- 

;[  .  iii'l  tiie  St,  Louis  of  Lake  Superior.     The  average  breadth  of  this  long 

!  r :  :i  \-  abimt  two  and  half  degrees  of  longitude.     As  its?  rivers,  all  tributary 

:j'' MisMssipiii,  traverse  it  either  obli((nely  or  at  right  angles  to  its  axis, 

p}  an,  uf  course,  siiort.     The  general  aspect  of  the  country  which  they 

lr;i;ii  i'  rolling,  in  .some  places  flat,  in  none,  except  near  the  larger  streams, 

ffiiy    I'rairics  abound  in  all  parts.     In  fact,  this  is  the  great  jn-airie-region 

'!  :■  ■  "N'tcrii  luilf  of  the  Interior  Valley.     The  lower,  or  southern  third-part. 

It?  iv;t!iiii  tlio  Illinois  coal  forniation.  to  which  succeeds,  in  going  north,  the 

N-T'ii  iit'dldcr  Mcks  to  the  primitive  strata  near  the  sources  nf  the  .^Iissis- 

pirw.  As  to  altitude  above  tbc  sea   tho  southern  part  is  lowest,  rising,  in 

:    "1,  from  seven  to  eight  hundred  fe«  (   only,  while,  by  a  gradual  increase 

luiivutinn,  tlie  northorn  extremity  attain     the  bight  of  fil'teeii  or  eighteen 

M'lnl    Tho  southern  half  lies  in  the  f'tate  of  Illiiinis.  the  northern,  in 

■■'  '!i>:n.    Largo  portions  of  this  region  are,  as  yet,  either  thinly  peo[ded 

'f  r^te  unsettled,  and  hence  a  minute  descripthm  would  neither  be  practi- 

^atjl'-'norofmuch  interest  to  tho  medical  etiologist. 


..^ 


I 


'V 


■^■:,5| 

■-    *.■  ■  'i    V    ■  .      * 

• 

320 


Tin;  niiNCirAL  diseases  of  the 


^-   -.il 


■■■  I  . 


■•'  ( 


-:-\-r. 


■    !•- 


••r  ■■:■>•' 


iKHJIi 


si:cTi(\\  II. 

BASTN  OF  THE  KASKASKIA  RIVER. 

Tlie  Kaskaslsia  llivcr  ji'ins  tlu'  Mis.si,-isippi  one  h\:uuictl  miles  aW*.  tv 
niotitli  (if  tlu'  ( Miid.  jJetwci'ii  tlio  Ohio  anil  tlie  Kuskaskia.  inucli  i|  f. 
oiiuiitrv  is  s  niR'wIiat  bnikcn.  and  aliounds  in  Inrcst  inort'  than  iiraiii".  J' 
only  stream  wnrtli  iiotico  is  J>iL'  ^Iiiddy  Ivivor,  wiiieliproscnts  aliuiiit  w  .,j. 
bluft's,  with  uaiTiiWiT  lidttnin-lands  than  ninst  of  the  rivurs  dositibtij in f 
last  cha|)ti'r. 

Tlic  ai'Hcral  fourso  of  Kaskaskia  itiver  is  to  tlic  soutli-wost.    Itsvurc- 
and  nearly  all  its   tributavies.  interLick  with   those  uf  the  AVaWl],  t.M. 
south-cast,  and  the  lllinoi.s  Uivor  to  the  north-west.     Of  tlu;  river*  \v'.: 
belonjr  C'xelusively  to  the  t^tatc  of  Illinois,  this  is  the  longest.    'J'li  i  i 
half  of  it.s  liasin  ahound.s  in  wood-lands  more  than  prairies:  but  in  tlic-a:;.- 
half,  the  proportions  arc  reversed,  and  the  fore.-t  is  chiefly  foinul  in  tho  ri> !.:.• 
bi)rliood  of  the  streams.     The  former  division,  moreover,  is  dryer  aiiil  b': 
hilly,  possesses  a  less  fertile  soil,  and  jtresent.s  more  voek  at  the  surfact  T! 
latter,  like  the  iqiper  parts  of  the  W'aliash  ]>asin.  has  its  rocky  stu-.ta  id. . 
lip  il'  diluvium  from  the  north.      In  this  re^iion  lies  the  < n'Miid  Pniiri. . t' 
larifcst  savanna  oast  of  the  .Mi>.-is-ippi  lUver.     Tho  Kaskaskia  ainl  iis:::- 
butaries  are,  througlumt,  alluvial  streams,  that  is,  have  wide  and  lii\vti:i;l!t:! 
bottom-lands,  subject  to  iiuiiidations,  which  leave  beh',  I  tlnin  ;  nds.  lar-  • 
and  all  other  varii'ties  ot  wet  surface,  overspread  with  the  wrcek  uf  i!,.; 
luxuriant  vcLi'otation.     Such  a  surface,  in  tho  mean  latitude  uf  tliirtyri. 
do^;i;reos,  must  of  nt>cessity  give  rise   to  .-evere  autunnial  fevur*,  wliii!)  a: 
kuowu  to  prevail  throughout  tho  wholo  Kaskaskia  IJasiu. 


4 

* 

. 

■1 

, 

t'""^'   ' 

11       1''"  '  ' 

TOM  t 

im 

,{ .1 

■  '.  '^ 


SECTJOX  III. 

13ASIX  OF  THE  ILLINOIS  RIVER. 
I.  OuTi.iXi:  T)i:scuii'Xi(i.\'.  —  Tiio  head-waters  of  Illinois  Iliver aiipra . 
tho  soutlieru  end  of  J^ake  .Michigan.  On  tho  western  side  of  tuallake.an'i 
within  a  few  miles  of  its  shores,  tho  lUver  JJcs  JHa'oics  (jrigiiiatos.  onufe 
to  the  south,  nearly  parallel  to  tho  same  shores.  This  is  one  of  iVi'w- 
tary  stioams  i.if  tho  Illinois;  the  otlicr  is  the  Kankakee.  The  .■iniirce^ ■ : » 
latter  aro  near  tho  middle  of  tho  no!-them  boundary  of  tho  State  of  hubiu' 
the  cast  of  Lake  Michigan,  whence  it  winds  round  the  end  of  the  lake aiiJE* 
westerly,  until  it  joins  tho  ]>es  I'lainos  to  ibrui  the  Illinois.  That  nviMK 
bears  oil"  to  tho  south-west  and  south,  to  join  tho  ]Mississi[;ii,  twoinM^ 
above  the  mouth  of  the  .Missouri  IJiver.  Not  far  behiw  its  head  tlio 'fe 
receives,  through  its  right  bank,  the  waters  of  Fox  lliver.  a  lirge  tril'ii^ 
which  originates  near  Ijako  Michigan,  almost  as  far  north  as  31ihv;uiJ"H 
the  State  of  "Wisconsin.  IJelow  Fox  lUvcr,  all  the  norihcrn  ami  wc-h^-; 
tributaries  of  tho  lllimds  arc  of  very  limited  extent,  as  its  basin  i;* ii'iii|rt-''.i 
on  those  sides,  lirsfc  by  Hock  Iviver  aud  afterward  by  the  31isjiss!l'l": "' 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


821 


:«»T  I- J 

.      p,f  ^liicli.  the  Illinois  Jipiiriiiiclics  at  ;iii  aoutc  analf,  a  short  distanoc 

,i, v  the  tiiwii  ot'  llciiiio|iiii.     On  its  snuthern  side  tin'  liasiu  of  the  llliiiui.s 

.riiih  liioailer,  and  the  tributary  streams  ni(irc  numerous,  of  which  the  most 

mhurtaiit  i.-i  tlu' Sangamon.     The  \i|i|ii'r  jmrtii'Ms  of  the  Walia.-  ;   and  Kas- 

ptjii  b:isins  nretiirure  to  us  that  \.h'Lii  wo  have  now  entered.     Interniinaido 

Tihtinir  |ii"'ii'ii'>i  'l''^'-  ^^'^'^'  '^'"^  mar.shy.  interspersed  with  proves,  and  ia- 

■'vdi'lliv  .'^i:^■;lnls  whose  wide  and    luw   liottnms  are  overshadnweil  with 

-,  ■.  characterize  every  part  of  the  basin.     The  suuthern  pdrlinns  arr  within 

;    i.ijhiirinatiiiii,  the  norliiern  and  north-eastern  rest  on  extensive  level 

m-opiiisuf  the  J'evoiiian  and  Silurian  rocks,  which  emerge  from  beneath  tiie 

nl    III  ahiiiist  every  part  of  the  liasin  there  are  Jeep  and  extensive  dej)0- 

.;;.  if  ilril't  freni  tlie  nortii.     The  great  depression  (.'f  the  coast  of  Lake 

Mi  iii.'aii,  at  its  .-dUthern  extremity,  has  been  already  pointed  uut.  and  sug- 

:i-t<that.  for  ages  alter  Jjako  I'lrie  eoased  to  send  any  portion  of  its  waters 

■  till.' "hie,  a  groat  river  ctiutiiuied  to  Hnw  from  Jiake  Michigan  through 

;>.■  v;i!lov  of  the  lllinoi.s,  into  the  Mississippi,     iiecently,  a  canal  has  re- 

■:;ii.'ii;htd  a  water  communication  l)etween  the  latter  river  and  that  lake; 

liLiili.  with  the  fertility  and  beautiful  aspects  (if  the   Illinois  J}asin,  mu.st 

,;;iiUv  raise  it  tu  a  distinction  that  will  impart  great  interest  to  its  medical 

I ;  i  ^ai'liy.    With  tlicst;  general  observations,  lot  us  proceed  to  th<!  study 

:  virtiiiilar  localities. 

1    l.iiwKi;  r.vKT  OF  TUK  Illinois  Rivkr.  —  In  the  month  of  September, 

ISt.dMiiit  two  months  after  the  great  flood,  I  a.scended  the  Illinois  l{ivcr 

;;i;y-t'mr  miles,  to  Meredosia.  and  had  an  opportunity  of  observing  that 

juv  ili|o.sits  which  it  left  o;i  tlie  surface  of  the  broad  bottom-lands,  were 

|ir:Lo.'iiu.'',  instead  of  being  sa;idy.  like  those  of  the  Missouri  Hiver,  on  the 

; y?itr  >i(li.'  iif  the  iMi.<,sissippi.     The  gra-^s  and  ainr'al  herl)age,  with  nuich 

It.'.'shrubliorv.  and  many  forest  irees,  had  been  killed  by  the  submersion. 

I'.':  t'jo  trw«,  the  white  hickory  (  ('iriya  poir'nni  )  sntlered  most.       This  was 

ja:i  xtrai'iiliiKiry  Hood ;  bur  the  inunlrivated  state  of  the  liottoms.  generally, 

|iw;i;it('S  that  tlic\  are  liable  to  annual  inundation.    On  one  side  or  the  other 

treiieli  through  which  tlu'  river  flows,  there  is  ;>  bluff  of  sub-carbon- 

n-  us  limestone  or  Devonian  sandstone  rucks;    on  the  oppo«ite.   a  low, 

"hJ  l)(.ttuiu.  abounding  in  extensive  lagoons,  ponds,  and  swamps.      There 

'^  ^''Wfvor,  witiiin  the  treneli,  many  old  and  high  diluvial  tei-races,  that 

|»rt.' i.tv.rnvt;rflnwed. 

"i'i"f  these  terraces  constitutes   the  site  of   Meredosia;  in  trn^-ersing 

i- "11  the  road  to  Jacksonville,  vc  travel  over  a  sandv  surlace,  then  do- 

iiHttle  u|inii  a  fertile  prairie,  and  then  ascend  a  blutf,  Irom  which  the 

'  ^ni  the  valley  contirnis  what  has  ju.st  been  said,  as  it  discloses  great 

'     itii,  with  low  prairies  and  wood-land.s,  abounding  in  pools  and  marshes. 

'  ""i^  .uiii(i.st  supciflnous  tfi  say,  that  the  population  along  such  a  valley 

P'  ii'jirt  to  grave  antumnai  fevers. 

■   •'ACKKi.NviLLK.  —  From  the  river  to  Jacksonville,  twenty  miles  oast 

r   '-Mt'Sia,  tlie  vuad  passes  through  Morgan  County,  one  of  th.,-  most  pop- 

'^"''1  the  state.     The  fertile  surface  is  undulating  and  dry.  and  presents  a 


■t 


:)' 


•  •i'  I 


:    i 


■•Il, 


\:i 


.!. 


r-i 


,)..' 


.t 


322 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[»00K 


continued  ser!'^<i  of  groves  and  prairies.     Tlic  strata  lioncath  arc  conanuv,! 
of  ('arlxJnifi'rouH  limestone,  and  the  water  is  liard.     The  situ  ef  JaeksduviU  j, 
an  elevated  undulating  jirairie,  around  wliieli,  to  tlie  cast  and  iinrtli,  at  t' ■ 
distance  of  a  mile,  a  sluggish  stream,  with  oak-timliered  Ijanks,  winds  itsjvj,. 
to  Mauvaiseterrc  Creek,  a  tributary  of  1  Hindis  Itiver.     The  suttlmtnt  "f 
tills  town  was  Legun  in  the  year  1>2;').    It  is  the  seat  of  the  Illinois  C'lU' 
and  of  the  State  Institution  for  the  education  of  thu  deaf  and  duiiili.    Fr'm 
Doctor  Jones  1  leunu'd,  that  all  the  forms  of  autunuial  fover  occur  at  iLi* 
}dace.    Malignant  intermit  tents  are  rare  —  remittents,  tenihng  to  a  cuminu-l 
type,  rather  frc(juent.     doctor  J'ross(,'r  informed  nu-,  that  the  |jrevaleiiir.i 
these  fevers  is  much  less  than  formerly.     Doctor  Snath  tliouglit  tinm  ;. ; 
more  fre(|nent  and  fatal  than  he  had  seen   tliem  in  the  hasinof  h-il;;;' 
lliver,  Kentucky.      ]>uctor  English  found  them  more  maligiuait  tlian  I,;  J 
seen  them  in  the  lower  valley  of  the  Great  Kcnawha,  in  A'irginiu.    Hi,  • , 
whole,  they  ju-evail   hero  in  a  mitigated  degree,   couqiared  with  the  ■.:• 
rounding  region  generally,  and  thus  conform  to  iis,  apparently.  ^aliilrL:. 
character. 

I\'.  Si'RiNT.FiEM).  —  Tlu!  road  from  Jacksonville  to  SpringiicLl  — t, 
capital  of  the  State  of  llliH<ii>  —  r\uis  directly  east,  through  Morgan  aii 
Sangamon  counties.  The  distance  is  thirty-six  miles.  The  country  L;i-  s; 
elevated  aspect,  is  gently  rolling,  and  presents  groves  and  pmirics  in  aii- 
nation,  with  a  predominance  of  the  latter.  In  some  places,  the  surlaaL- 
wet  as  to  reijuire  tlie  roads  to  be  thrown  up  in  the  middle;  hut  not  a  j  : 
nor  marsh  is  to  be  seen  on  the  whole  route.  Autunuial  fever  prevails,  k 
not  with  such  vitdence  as  to  have  jtrevented  a  very  rapid  settlement .: ;: 
country,  and  its  successful  cultivation. 

Springticld  is  situate  near  the  center  of  the  A'alley  or  liasin  of  !»aiigaii:';'.  j 
River,  the  most  important  tributary  of  the  Illinois,  in  N.  Lat.  39-' 4>', aM 
W.  Lon.  85)''  3;>'.  'J'liis  valley,  formerly  called  the  '  Sanganii  n  Countrr'L' 
to  the  State  of  Illinois,  what  the  valley  of  the  Elkhorn  is  to  the  Stat,  i 
Kentucky.  A  gently  ndling  surface;  inuuerous  itreams,  wliich  cuntiiri.!} 
flow  through  the  sunnner  and  autunui;  a  deep  an!  fertile  aaillacoiib-ii: 
extensive  jirairies,  with  graves  and  copses  of  line  torcst;  no  great  oxteiiHj 
inundated  bottom-lands,  and  but  few  ponds  or  swamps;  constitute  itvi['> 
graidiical  excellencies.  Its  altitude  above  the  sea  is  from  sovontoeiL'i)t:-• 
dred  feet.  Spriuirlield  uei'd  not  detain  us  hmf.'.  The  iiiafii'i  aii'l  ft-'-t 
slope  of  a  jtrairie  constitutes  its  site,  with  a  small  stream,  along  ffl*ii  i't 
open  wood-lands,  meandering  to  its  west  through  a  rocky  channel.  Alti.  -" 
the  conditions  rei|ui.sito  to  the  production  of  autumnal  le\cr  do  nut  *- 
greatly  to  abound  in  tiie  basin  of  the  Sangamon,  yet,  Docior  Todd.  P"fi'f  1 
Henry.  Doctor  .Merrinnin,  and  Docto"  .Tayne,  all  of  Springfield,  a?suri'ilffi 
of  its  prevalence;  and  during  my  sojourn  in  that  cit}'.  they  afforded  w-sl 
opportunity  of  seeing  interraittcnts,  as  malignant  as  those  which  ooi'uri."H 
banks  of  the  Tuscaloosa  or  Pearl  IVver,  t^i^xcn  degrees  of  latitude  lar;-*M 
south. 

V.      Uloojungton.  —  In  advanci  ig  northerly  from  Springfield,  t-''^-^  | 


W^>m 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA.  3"23 

'  K  Mk'1ii2!>".  t'lc  prnportiiMi  <if  |)rairio  to  wond-laiid  increases.     Tlio  latter 
,;,|„i,.stc(mliiit'<l  to  tli(!  streams,  where  it  fxi.sts  in  iiarmw  Uelts.     All  the 
'  .,-,.r  T  ives  liiive  sperific  luiiiies,  as,  in  rcgiuiis  where  the  furost  jiredoini- 
n\.-i  the  prairies  have  received  them.     The  i|iiantity  of  drift  and  huwlder.s 
■ncreast'S,  aiiJ '''*^  rucky  strata  are  iimrc  luiricci  up.      'J'lic  narrow  alluvial 
bittMiusari"  sulijcct  to  imitiduti'iii.      The  sir-face  is  ireiitly  r!jllin<r.  and  siis- 
■fniiUci.f  king  rendered  dry  by  diteiiiitg  and  cultivation;   l»ut  in  the  i;atu- 
nl  ^lati'  iiiiiny  '^f  t'"^  prairies  are  wet  or  marshy.     Such  is  the  general 
I'fsraetcr  of  the  country  fnnn  Springfield  to  IJloonnngton.  a  distance  of  sixty 
ml!.«.    Its  |io]ndritii.u  is  sparse.     Autuuuial  fever  prevails  annually.     One 
I  it?  litizoiis  inforniud  me,  that  he  had  resiiled   wliere  J  found  him  three 
iiar:, bi't'ire  a  meudx:r  of  his  family  was  seized  with  that  ['iisar.     !>U(di  in- 
jtan'vj  are  not  uncommon,  though  dinicult  to  ex])lain. 
hit!  t'limgraphv,  tiie  village  of  Bloomingtou  ])rescnts  nothing  wortliy  of 
jftic'.    IVairics  surround  it,  and   small  head-streams  of  Kicl<apoo  f'reek, 
tt;?h  ultimately  throw  their  watev.s  into  the   Sangamon,  are  found  near  it. 
1  A  ;ii[>|ilv  an  adoipiate  amount  of  wood-land.      Hoctor  Ih'iiry.  now  of  JJur- 
r.'tHii.  ["wa,  wtni   had  resided  in  the  place   ten  years,  regarded  it  as  but 
I  linl'liiti'Stucl  with  autumnal  fever;  and  spoke  of  the  surrounding  country  as 
ntli'iii'' S'C'iurscd  to  anv  jrreat  extent.     He  had  become  convince({  that  an 
j  esWHVi.' plowing  up  of  the  sud  of  the  prairies  for  the  fir.st  time  had  been 
fiiHWiilliy  fever;  esjx-cially  in  those  mIio  residecl  on  the  nortiiern  or  leeward 
iiit  nt  sueii  tracts.     He  hr.d  rarely  seen  malignant  eases.     Tiiese  statements 
ser) fi'iitirtncil  hy  Doctor  colburn,  of  Hloonani:toti, 
VI.  FiaiM  Bloomixcto.n  to  Pkokia.  —  The  distance  between  these  places 
5 all 'Ut  t'nrty  miles  —  th;  course  almost  west.      For  the  first  ten  miles,  the 
[t!li!iL'  prairies  ;ire  interspersed  witli  narrow  bilts  of  wood-land,  along  the 
1  Mil  >trearas  yf  Kickapoo  and  Sugar  ("reeks. —  waters  wliicli  belong  to  the 
pairaninn  Ba.sin.     I)iluvial  or  post-tertiary  depo.'sjts  of  sand,  gravi'l,  and 
lolav,  with  erratic  bowlders,  bury  up  the  i-arbonil'erous  rocks.     The  sparse 
'  wilitiuii  i<  nuidoratcly  affected  with  autunnial  i\'\cr.     Passing  beyond  the 
I Katii-f  Sugar  Creek,  we  come  on  tliedi\iding  lainls  between  it  and  Macki- 
IBaifCr,  k.  a  tributary  of  the  Illinois.     l'"or  many  miles  this  tract  presents  a 
k'ii.  rllinrr,  argillaceous  surface,  with  scattered  oak  trees  and  prairie  hcrb- 
l*if'  t' the  village  of  Mackinaw,  <in  the  western  side  of  which  is  the  creek  of 
'liii-     The  j)liy^ician  of  the  village,  ]>octor  ]?nrns,  who  li.id  iormerly 
jtorjiil  uii  White  Kiver,  in  the  State  of  Indian.-t,  told  me.  tlat  there  was 
ISKiiiuiKil  fever  'here  and  there.'     JJovond  .Mackinaw  Creek  (  which  has  a 
|ii^'\v  i-arront ),  the  suiuu  luspect  of  eijuntry  continues  for  ten  miles,  when 
"'■  r 'ad  descends  into  an  extensive  level   prairie,  on   the  western  side  of 
wicli  i>  the  village  of  V,'.\sui.n(iton.  the  iidialjitants  of  which,  in  the  middle 
'•H'liilior,  wore  the  ajipearanee  of  good  health.     From  WHshington  to 
'-"•^liato  valley  of  Illinois  River,  the  road  lies  ovt-r  r(dling  forest  land, 
■'It  tew  inhabitants,  and  I  had  no  o]tportunity  of  comparing  its  uutuinnal 
'fi'.v with  that  of  the  nrairies. 

ill.  1 

J'eokia.  —  An  expansion  of  the  Illinois   liiver  to   three  or  four 


'f.'i: 


'i  .,•- 


■■-'If:.'       :- 

mi: 


324 


THE  PRLNCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOJ; 


times  its  usual  broadtli,  throufrli  a  length  of  nearly  twenty  nil  ?,  ,;,iiistif  ■ , 
what  is  caUod  Peoria  Jiako.  which  is  almost  without  a  perce)itiHc  tu,r,r 
On  the  west  uank,  near  tlio  lower  or  southern  end  of  this  esjangion  i«  • 
iKuiutirul  site  (  r  the  t  iwn  of  I'eoria,  in  N.  Lat.  4(1^'  40'.     The  plan'  -;, , 
gnulually  'or  a  fjuarterof  a  mile,  then  declines  a  little  fir  the  same  ii;-',;, 
and  is  terminated  by  an  ahrnpt  hlutl",  the  summit  of  Mhicii  is  Jxjiu  oi:;i.t, 
(in(;  hundred  feet  abuve  the  surfaee  of  the  river.     From  this  hlufi'  a  rili  ~ 
prairie  and  wood-land  plain  stretches  off  to  the  west.     ]}otli  the  ufiiitr  ;.• 
the  Inwer  terraces  are  C()m|insed  of  northern  drift  (ir  dihivium,  hiirvin:  ■:! 
tlie  carboniferous  rocks.      IJehiw  the  town  the  bluti's  recedo,  so  a?  im  y;, 
greater  width  of  liottom-land,  which  at   the  same  time  beenmcs  ninre  Ij. 
pressed;  —  but  little  of  it,  however,  suifers  inundation.     On  the  (i|i|»;iti-  : 
eastern  side  of  the  river,  the  bott(jm  is  two  miles  wide,  heavily  timlMnil,  ai,: 
subject  to  overflows  of  the  river;  but  this  tract  is  to  the  suninuT-IiiuariJ 
the  tiiwn. 


The  Anglo- American  town  of  IN'oria  is  of  such  recent  scttlcnic 


nt  tla; 


the  year  18M3,  it  contained  not  UKire  than  twenty-five  families;*  liit  i;  u: 
been  previ(m.sly  inhab.ted  by  the  French,  who  selected  it  as  tlie  jitffr,; 
of  their  earliest  missions  in  the  Great  Tnterier  A'alley.     In  1 TT'.' it ln-i'.ru : 
bo  a  village  of  Indian  trader.s,  voyageur.s,  and  hunters:  but  such  i!;i>v.  : 
persons    wimld    do    little    toward    those    transformations    of   tlii>  -;:*, 
winch  modify  the  public  health,  and  are  of  interest  to  tlie  etidlogist.   iii'iin 
although  so   old  a  settlement,  its  autumnal   diseases  are  sub-tantiall.  • 
same  as  tho.se  of  tlie  recently  settled  jiarts  of  the  region  we  are  dtHi:!;:. 
From  Doctor  Dickinson,  Doctor  House,  and  .Doct<ir  Frye,  T  cellmwltiiai.:. 
and  around  tlie  town,  intermittents  and  remittents  prevnil  evciv  ycfir.oiili 
a  greater  extent  in  the  latter  than  the  former.     31r.  Arnistrniig,  ai.  kni- 
grant  from  Oliio,  who  estal)lished  himself  on   the   liluffs  in  the  mir:':'- 
town,  told  me  tiiat  lu'  and  nearly  all  his  family  were  attacked  widi  ii.t''t-.'- 
tcnts  the  first  year  of  their  residence  there. 

From  Doctor  Frye  I  obtained  the  folhiwing  facts,  which.  hi.wevir,l'tl': 
to  other  localities: 

In  a   part  of  Tazewell  eiunty  on  tl-.e      •;-  -ito  side  of  the  river,  a  mi:">.' 
of  families  from  <  »hio  formed  what  was  caded  the  ^budmry  Setdiiinnt.  U 
two  years,  the  land  tliey  cidtivated  was  at  the  distance  of  a  fuw  iiiik   ::i 
their  habitations.     They  then  ph'Wcd  up  the  prairie  near  their  resiil-*' 
and  in  tlie   following  autiunn,  experienced  a  decided  invasidn  of  rt'ii;!;!?!.- 
fever,  while  the  surrounding  population  remained  healthy.      In  IVvrwi  "• 
ty,  a  number  of  fannlies  had  settled  (as  is  common  )  on  the  marjini  :■!  >  i 
large  prairie,  and  remained  healthy  in  autumn.     At  length,  a  littlf  "'!^.' 
arrived,   and  estaldishing  themselves    near   each    ither,  eiijuved  wo-i-i  [ 
health  the  first  year:  but  the  next  .«!]iring.  they  broke  up  a  large  ex' '' 
prairie,  near  their  dwellings,  ;ind  sufl'ered  severely  in  autuiiia  In"' 
while  tho  country  around  remained  comparatively  healthy.     Dootnr  InitJ' 


nr '.' 


iXTfc; 


*  Peek's  Gfizettccrof  Illinois. 


rem.'iriicil  here,  dia' 

'. T'.l  splits  the  inter 

;. .,:  — ai.-'s  thai  iH 

ir  .tliiTs,  siinie  place 

Vd'I,    Pkku  axi) 

ilii'Vi  iV'iria,  where  t 

Tiifvare  situate  with 

ami  I  ii  the  adjacent  1 

iakttom,  a  mile  in 

T,v  ].riiicij)al  physici 

:  i  Niii  aatunnial  f( 

•■v:i:1.4  chiefly  amoi 

i  ;.':i!ia]. 

;X    Ottawa.  — F 
,  "tiiiiiiii'diate  valley  i 
ImM  hy  rocky  hliij 
H';f>  ri<e  in  ]irecipicef 
t::'i  trees.    Tlio  inter 
:  '•■iimmally  ovcrfl<i« 
TiivtnffM  ef  ()tt;iw;i 
i^iv'T.  iiiiiiiediatcly  heh 
•.:p"i'  Imttniti,  liahle  tf 
!^.t"ffii  is  liiiilt,  (,11  til 
y^iclarc  the  lihitl's.     ( 
■'•''•'■liHs.    On  each 
.■■•rt'iaiitho  hliifl's. 
"  I  l"arned  that  ;ii 
I  aii;:n.iiit  iiitorniittents 
j  '^i'l  MilFcrcd  great Iv. 
'  2  i; .' fwward,  were  the 
1 1'^"' :  hut,  as  tlie  sieki 
ksiiiltii  depend  on  t\ 
!■■«  iHTsmis  living  i„  ,] 
U.Uri..-i.Jo  near  the  wo. 
'tektcv.  as  the  trees; 
'M  Nfn  some  proets,  t 

_^-   Vvm  Ottawa  t 
"'  •'•"  'llincis  trench,  w 

|''»f-.M-erthodividi!,. 
|'!:''oiitli(.  ca<t      'j'l,^,  ■ 

['''■oaDisarefewand.s,,,: 

i|J"S..'iii(I.  of  course,  tli. 

.'■■■'•■iNd  Ottawa  are  I, 

^^^■"■''"•■atthedistan 
'•'^•■•:i"  limestone,  hino- 


|i 


ntt  ■ 


INTfc^RIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  A:^rERICA. 


3-25 


•eDi;irki'il  horo.  diaf  h:i<  heon  noticed  cIsowIuto,  tlmt  in  Iu\v  and  "svct  tim- 
■.,r,.,|«|iiits  tlic  inter''  l^'-.t  f  rni  of  fever  is  more  prevalent  tlian  the  rcniif- 
;i  ;:-  al.-",  tliai  »»  «<'»io  autmuiis  every  kind  of  loeality  i.s  affected,  wliUo, 
ir  .(iier:*,  S'ime  plaeo!^  suffer  and  others  escape. 

Vlil.  Pkku  and  La  Sai.i.k.  —  The.-e  aic  I'.vo  recently  settled  towns, 
jlkiTi  i\'i'ri;i,  wliore  the  canal  from  Lnke  ]\liehiL'an  has  its  final  terininatinn. 
liipv  arc  situate  witliin  a  mile  of  eiieh  other,  on  a  narrow  stri[)  of  hottoni, 
Mil ,ii  the  adjacent  blufl's.  On  the  opposite  or  left  liank  of  the  river,  there 
iji.ttoiii,  a  mile  in  width,  which  is  overfiowed  when  the  river  rises  high. 
Th.  I'lini'iptil  physician.  J)octor  ^Vhitchead,  in  a  residence  of  eight  years, 
;  i  50011  aiituunial  fever,  as  an  epidemic,  in   two  years  only;  and  tiu'U  it 

vvail'il  chiefly  among  immigrants  from  the   north,  and  Irish  laborers  on 

t.k'  anal. 

IX.  Ottawa.  —  From  the  last  towius  to  this,  a  dis.,i!ico  of  sl.xteen  miles, 
;'!!t  iimiitMliiitu  valley  of  the  Illinois  is,  in  general,  about  a  mile  in  width,  and 
i-uiuleil  by  rocky  bluffs  of  sandstone,  schistose  clay,  and  linu'stone.  These 
M>ri>L'iii  preci[iices  about  one  hundred  feet  high,  and  aie  thiidy  covered 
r'riines.  The  intervening  bottom-lands  are  chiefly  prairie,  and  so  low  as 
t  Waiiiuially  overflowed. 

Till' tnwn  of  Ottawa  is  built  on  tlio  right  or  north  side  of  the  Illinois 
Fi'v.r.  iiiiint'ili;itcly  below  the  month  of  I'ox  liiver.  'I'here  is,  first,  a  narrow 
\;ji"i  ii'ittniii,  liable  to  submersion  :  tlien  a  higher  allu\  ial  terrace,  on  which 
'.'■  ?"\Tii  is  liiiilt,  on  the  rear  of  which  runs  the  canal,  and  immediately  ])e- 
vr.laiL'tlie  hlntfs.  On  the  opposite  or  left-haml  side,  the  river  fiows  near 
'.'t'oilifli-.  On  each  side,  it  may  be  seen  that  tlie  rolling  jirairies  rise  still 
i'tiT t'laii  the  bluffs.  From  Doctors  liowhind,  Schernu'rhorn,  and  llurl- 
Wt  I  li'iirned  that  autumnal  fever  i.s  common  in  this  locality,  and  that 
Hiibiaiit  iutormittcnts  arc  not  unknown.  Tiio  Irish  laborers  on  the  canal 
U'l  differed  greatly.  The  two  autumns  in  which  the  cxcnxations  were 
;iu' t'.nvaril,  were  the  sickliest  that  Doctor  llowland  had  known  at  this 
u 'I  liut,  as  the  sickness  prevailed  in  the  adjoining  eountry.it  could  not 
!' -iMtn  (Icpcud  on  the  excavation.  The  same  gi'utleman  had  observed 
!-at  j.itH.iis  living  in  the  open  ])rairie,s,  arc  tiealthier  in  autumn  than  those 
'f."ri'.-iile  near  the  wood-huids;  which  may  1)e  owii  g  to  greater  humidity  in 
ito latter,  as  the  trees  arc  chiefly  in  the  neiiihborliood  of  streams,      'ie  had 

h!>'i .-.I'll  some  proofs,  that  the  first  [dowing  up  of  tlie  piairies  is  followed 

'  by  lev,.)-. 

X.  FnoM  Ottawa  to  Jui.ikt.  —  Tn  leaving  Ottawa,  the  road  ])asses  out 
"'-!"  Illinois  trench,  which  here  lies  east  and  west,  an<l  takes  a  north-east 

^ ':  KN.  nvcr  the  dividing  lands  between  Vox  I'iver  on  the  west,  and  the  llli- 

p:>™t!ioeast      The 'Country  is  elevated,  dry.  and  long-undulating.     Tl;e 

h'-tani,^  are  few  and  small.     The  prairies  here  spread  out  iisto  vast  dimen- 

••  "^.  ;iiia,  ot  course,  the  proportion  of  Avood-land  is  correspondingly  small. 

j'!  :i!iil  Ottawa  are  barely  within  tic  no: (hern  verge   of  the  Illinois  coal 

;=!»:  tor.  at  the  distance  of  twenty  miles  lorth-east  of  the  latter,  the  upper 

■ 'Jiin  limestone,  lying  (geologically  ;  fa.-  benearh  the  coal  measures,  be- 


■  u 


A? 


.u         >v^ 


1  -IS  1   -   i-r  ' 


.  "    V 


82G 


THE  PRINCIPAf.  DISEASES  OF  THE 


JOOK  !. 


•llT  I . 


INTEr 


>  h    i 


\-  ■  ^ 


•  'I    •. 


ooiiics  tilt)  surfaco-rock,  and  t^o  ..ontiinu's  to  tlio  luirtlicrn  souitos  of  tt'f  11'' 
iiois  Kivcr.  From  tlu;  l)cst  int'oniiation  I  could  ohtaiii  in  rctLTincc  1 1 1' . 
tract,  autumnal  i'ovr  is  both  nwv  and  mild;  projinrtioiuitc,  in  t'nrt.t.,  •, 
limitod  L'xti'ut  of  tliosu  to|)ugraj»liical  conditions  on  wliidi  it  is  ,su|iim..,.i1  t 
depend. 

XL     -Ii'i.iKT.  ■'^^ — This,  liko  all  tlic  towns  of  tlie  Illinois  liasiii,is  cirK.;- 
settlement.     It  stands  on  lintli  .^idcs  of  tlic   Dcs  I'ljune.s.  aliTndv  iiii'DtiH:.'' 
a.s  tlie  iiortlicrn  nf  iwn  rivers,  wtiieli,  li_\  their  union,  fnrm  tlie  lIliiKiis.    .\  ;  . 
across  the  Des  IMaims  i'orms  a   pond  for  mill  |iur|toses,  and  to  sniiiilvt'i. 
canal.     The  bed  and  hanks  eonsi.st  of  the  liniestuiii- n.ck,  just  iiu'i.ti  r,i! 
On  the  west  or  ridit  side  <if  tlie  river,  there  is  oidy  terrace  cm.-i.'!!  f:  i 
sinirle  street  ;  on  the  o|i|»i'site  side  there  is  a  liroail  roeky  flat,  rost'iiililin.-ti;. 
site  of  Nashville  nii  the  ('nmherlaiid  Hiver.      Its  surface  is  idmvu  lii:.'Wjt,» 
mark,      lleyond  it  is  annthei-  terrace  risino'  a  little  liiLdicr,  and  conii.' -l  :' 
gravel,  liowlders,  and  other  varieties  of  northern  drift,  which  are  aljuin!;';.: :: 
the  valley  of  the  Pes  Plaiiies.     There  are  n(j  drowned  lands  near  tK'tx 
Fnnn   the  acccnint   iiiven   nic  by  J)octor  S(dioliield  and   I'octnr  Bi.iwin, r';;- 
locality,  the  latitiule  (jf  which  is  about  41^  ')(•'  N..  ami  its  elcvatim  a  H 
below  that  ol'  Lake  ."Vlicliigaii,  is  ainiually  invaded  by  autumnal  fcvw.  th  i;.- 
it  8(ddom   assumes  either  a  wide-s|i!'eadini:  or  fatal  cliaractcr.    Tlio  I.':- 
laborers  on  the  canal,  in  l^^l"^  a  'd  1S;>',I.  as  at  I'eru  and  ( Htawn,  «..r'.- ; 
greatest  siiflerers. 

The  road  from  Juliet  to  Chieacro  runs  a  north-oast  course,  on  tlit'ffi«t-:;i 
of  the  Dcs  I'laiiH'S,  but  not  in  its  inunediate  valley.  The  a.spO't  i.f  i' 
cou!'.try  is  idmost  iilentical  with  that  frnni  Ottawa  to  Juliet.  At  t!:o  t- 
laneo  nf  twenty-seven  or  twenty-eiulit  miles,  it  descends  from  these  ckv:iM 
rolling  limestone  ]iraiiies,  on  whi(di  then'  ire  occasional  dei)0.sitj)  ifiln". 
to  the  Di'S  riaiiies,  which  is  fniiul  flowinir  to  the  south,  thronirli  uktiiv;; 
once  an  arm  or  small  bay  of  Lake  .Michigan,  and  is  mtw  elcvatuil  Imt;!:.' 
feet  above  the  lake  surface.  The  breadth  of  this  jdain,  from  the  rivirt.n 
lal'.o  s]n)ru  at  <'hicago.  is  abnut  tv.-elvr  miles.  Its  descrijitinu  can  be  k't 
given  in  connect iou  with  the  Basin  of  the  Lakes. 

XTl.     K.VN'KAKK':  lliVKit.  —  Tiiis  is  the  larger  of  the  two  stream*,  tei 
by  their  jutiction  above  the  town  of  Ottawa,  form  tlic  Illinois.    1  can -ij 
nothing  of  its  topography  Ironi  personal  >  bservation.     It  traverse' In™ 
and  Illinois  from  east   to  west,  iininediately  in   the  rear  of  the  smul-te  | 
which  siirroi:".d  the  southern   shore   of  Lake   .Michiu'an.     There  !•  amK 
comniunicatioii  between  the  .sources  of  this  river  and  the  St.  .Lsepliv i  '■-I 
from  I'lr  .'iitrani-c  -.f  the  latter,  into  Lake  Michigan.     For  a  great  p'riiM 
its  win  le  lengtl),  inc  Kankakee  ilcws  through  broad  swampy  |irairi'-:  :;•'■■ 
ward  its    (diannol  lie;  nnes  rocky,  ne.d  its  current  more   rapid.t    lid'":' 
reaches  tlie  Pe.<  J'lal,  's,  it  passes  througli  a  more  wooded  country.   .V.\''! 
the  basin  of  tno  Kankakee  is  but  thinly  jienpled,  and  I  caniiut  spciik  "■' I 
fevers. 


1    h  ascending  tli 
■  - 1.  hundred  miles  a 
T,.r  .-"iitlicrii  or  I'lwei 
•  '•  iiiipri'S.sed  into  n: 
:.■  Il!iii'ii.s  till  tile  soi 
.  .."!;.  ii'TiiSS  the  suuti 
'■■.:  .I'r  t'nuiid  iiinnci] 
:.r-  4' latitude.      Si 
:t'.  -f  .^Iil\va^dvie  ;  i 
■..;•'  ;iru  found  near 
:i!!-ive.<terii  Illinois 
.:'-:ii  pru-iicctive  : 
:  '..'A  ill  .small  lakc,- 
;•:.■-.  miu  of  whiidi 
•;.:i'.'''   iiiiles.-^'      AcC' 
•wiiiji,'  and  i|iingmire 
r  :.';i"t-  uf  rii-li.   dry 
'''■■')  are  id>u  cnniinu 
iifi .  til  (laleiia  near  t 
sirkfil  tliat  after  |ia.s,> 
^.>Mvii!r,  wliieli  the  a 
■i."-V'''''  t"  apjicar. 
•■■■I'.v  tliL'  rnad  side^ 
ivl'f  Jril't  (;r  traiisp 
;-.'Hliiut  iif  the  deiisi 
!^'-  prudmiiiiiaiit  tree, 
iM'.'.    In  a  .shnrt  tin 
:'>U-railually  hecanic 
"i"  live-oaks  on  the  .M 
■■- -r  i'riiuitivo  howldi 
.•:';ie  siiinvcd  it  SI 'If  in 
"■flakes  ii„\v  and  tin 
>:r'-;i:ii>  fl:,w,.d  with  li\, 
A:^::.v.ii  (iiu.e  stood,  w 
ti:w  ranre  r..llii,-r,  and 
i[1«uri.J,  yet  tk' trvT^ 
•^'■i-  ff'is  ill  til,,  main  d 
•'j'i.-IS  0.  lilt  ill  III  d  t,.— 
'^    'ill.  I'otis  L.v 
■'-'■■'  iriim  .►!..  t^,  tl: 


'i    -^^ 


*  ]  roperly  Jolii't. 


+  Peck's  (lazetteer. 


'I'liam's  W 


i'<c(iiisin. 


u^ 


4 


■.II  !■: 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


327 


SECTION    IV. 

IIASIN  OF  ROCK  inVHR. 

T  Tu ascciicliiig  tlu'  .Mi>.-i.-siiii)i  WD  cuim,'  to  tin-  iiumtli  nf  I'uick  Piivor, 
■-.rlmiida'tl  miles  a'i"VC!  tlic  junction  of  tiie  Illinois,  in  N.  Lat.  -ll""'  -Vl'. 
J.,  .Miitlieni  <ii' I'lWt-T  part  of  this  basin.  Ivin,!.'  within  the  State  of  Illinois, 
;.  riiiijiivs.^rtl  into  iiaiTow  limits,  liy  thu  .Mississi|i[ii  on  the  imrtli-west,  and 
•ii.'llliiiiiis  uii  the  .siiutli-t'a>;t ;  bnt  tlio  u[i|i('r  or  northern  jiortiun  expands 
•irl'.  acriis.s  the  southern  part  of  \Visronain.  Tiie  extreme  sources  of  this 
riwr  :iro  tnuiiil  iiiniieiliatelv  south  of  Lake  Winin'haifo,  near  the  forty-fourth 
ij.  ■  it'!;ititiule.  Some  of  its  upper  waters  origiiuite  near  liako  >Iiehi^'an, 
r.  rtli 'f  Mihvniikie  ;  othiM-s  in  thi'  ueii.^hl)orhooil  of  Wise(.n.-in  lliver;  while 

;'a;<  lire  I'huihI  near  the  ]Mis>i,«>ippi.  Thus,  the  Ikoek  lliver  Kasin  ciiver.s 
1  ri';i-ivi,<ti.rii  Illiiu'i.s  aiul  most  s.iuthern  Wlse.jusin  —  newly-settled  regions 
f  .wat  pntspective  interest.  The  north-eastern  portimis  of  tliis  Itasin 
ib 'ui:'l  ill  i-iiiall  lakes,  most  of  wlueh  have  outlets.  It  al.-o  ha-  prairie- 
siarsln'S,  one  of  whieh,  called  the  Wiinieliago  marsh,  has  an  area  of  forty 
•  jiiart'  luilo.s.*  According  to  ]*eck,t  this  region  is  overspread  with 
>H!iips  and  i|iinginires,  relieved    hy  ridges  of  .sand  bearing  sihrubby  (tak, 

r  irrts  ut'  rich,  dry.  undulating  land.  Sliaking  prairies  (  Tcrre  frem- 
' '  lire  ;:1m)  (dinmon.  In  traversing  this  basin  from  ."\Iilwaukio  on  the 
.4;.  .tu  (ialena  near  the  Mississippi,  under  the  forty-third  parallel.  I  ra- 
:,.,irki"l  tliat  after  passing  through  the  l)elt  of  lofty  forest,  twelve  or  tourteen 
L>Mviiii',wliieh  the  atmosphere  of  the  lake  has  ([uickened  into  growth,  prai- 
i-ijf.'aii  t(i  apjicar.  on  the  banks  of  I'nx  lliver,  a  branch  of  the  Illinois.  A 
■ .'.;.  Iiy  tlic  mad  side,  was  eighty  feet  deep,  its  whole  de[ith  being  through  a 

'It' drift  ur  trans[Hirted  materials.  Soon  after  crossing  Fox  lliver,  we 
;-.>!iluiit  (if  the  dense  miscellaneous  forest,  of  whi(di  the  sugar-majde  was 
tv  frudiiMiiiiaiit  tree,  ami  entered  open  oak  wnod-lauds,  interspersed  witli 
;.:i;:'.".    In  a  shnrt  time  we  reached  the  Basin  of  Koek  lliver.     The  country 

■  '"i-Tadually  became  more  thinly  tindiered.      3Iany  of  the  <iaks  resembled 

■  i:vi-oak.s  on  the  .Mexican  coasts.  Deposits  of  drift  were  extensive,  ic  '\ 
.".:ii  lirimitive  bowlders  numerous;  but  here  and  there  the  Silurian  linie- 
i! 'iw  showed  itself  in   cliffs:  the  i.rairies  were  jteiierallv  drv  ;   iKHids  and 

'11'  B  .  .  1 

^Mlai^'s  now  and  then  appeared:  the  surface  was  rolling,  and  the  small 
>:r.;:i;ii>  fluwod  with  lively  currents.  T!  .■  ib  <rvnt  to  Koek  lliver.  where  Fort 
AtK;:;.vjn  (lueo  stood,  was  very  gentle:  Ic  .und  that  stream,  the  country  be- 
•'  'ii'Ti' rulliiig,  and  seemed  a  little  more  elevated;  no  diMise  forest  re- 
"I'lftarvd,  yet  the  tn'cs,  for  some  distance,  were  l.irger.  Although  the  sur- 
♦vwasni  tiic  main  dry,  spots  of  wet  prairit>  were  occasionally  seen;   wliieh 

■ "  ■scMMtiiiucd  to  — 

'^  TiiK  Fotit  Lakk.s.— These  littb-  l.ikcs  lie  in  a  cliaiii,  with  a  lively 
^Jruit  trom  o«e  to  tho  other.     Tlic  omlet  from  the  fir-^t.  or  most  southern, 


■J' 


'  U>\\m's  Wisconsin. 


teer  of  Illinois. 


■  k- 


T- 


i. 


328 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISFASES  OK  THE 


j«C0|  ; 


is  called  Catfisli.  Tlio  area  of  this  lak'-,  accurtliiii,'  tn  r'ajit.iin  ('ram.  I ,  - , 
Stat(\s  Tdpd^aapliit'iil  Kii<(iiu'i'r.  is  Hvo  S(|nan'  niili'S.  Tlio  water  is  uv\\\r\ 
Tlio  sliorcs  arc  nilliiitr  aii-.l  uiicvi'ii,  bciii^  brnkeii  l'\  luw  I pjiiffs,  aiiil  !!;<,.. 
sperscd.  (iccasiiiiially,  v. it!i  siiuill  inarslu's.  Tin-  tiiiilicr  isscaiity.  Tlio  «.■.,,. . 
lake,  lyiii^r  imrtli  of  tin;  lirst.  lias  an  area  (if  suvoii  si|iiarc  miles.  On  tlni  ■•; 
and  oast,  tlio  slmro  is  iiiarsliy,  with  a  low  gravelly  Iiaiik  iiitorvcuing  li,|,f,,, 
tlio  marsh  and  tlio  water's  od^'o ;  on  the  snutlierii  and  \ve>t(;ni  ,slii,n«t'' 
land  is  flovatod,  undidatinpr,  and  in  .sunio  placos  cvon  kiiiililiv.  Tlit  t  • 
lak(;  is  iiitennediate  in  size  and  |Misiti(iii,  lietwoon  tin-  socnnd  ami  luiiitli.  \-. 
n^vA  is  six  sijiwiio  miles.  I(^  lianks  are  lii^di  and  undnlatin^',  with  a  siiutir^ 
growth  of  oak  trees.  The  fourth  or  most  nortlioni  lake  covers  an  ar.i  ■ 
iiKiro  than  iiftoon  sipiaro  miles.  'J'lic  land  bordoriii!^  it  is  muliilatiiic, !.;;', 
and,  ill  many  plaoes,  liroken.  lt.»  north  side  is  well  timliered.  In  stinri'.ur. 
overspread  with  white  ;.'ravel.  ,^lany  spriiiL's  ]iour  into  it  their  imre  wiHr". 
and  it  has  ono  small  trihutary  stream,  wliieli  oriiriiiates  Mithiii  a  fuw  inii,.,; 
Wisconsin  IJiver.  The  basis  of  those  lakes  is  a  flinty  Siluri;iii  liini!.t",( 
Tlio  dilloronoo  in  level  between  the  first,  ur  lowest,  and  the  luurtli,  i>  ;,' 
four  feet.  'J'ho  elevation  of  the  fourth  is  estimated,  by  ('iiptidii  Ciaiii.  n;  tj 
hundred  and  ten  foot  over  the  surfaeo  of  Jiako  Miehigan,  or  seven  ImiM; ' 
and  ei^hfy-oi^lit  above  the  .sea.* 

ill.  M.AnisoN,  the  vouiil'  capital  of  the  State  of  AVisidiisjn,  >"■  . 
on  a  nook  of  land  botweeii  the  third  and  fourth  of  tlio  lakes  ju.st  tlif'til-N. 
on  the  west  side  of  tho  .stream  which  connects  them.  It  i'roiifs  on  thctlir! 
lake,  from  which  tho  liTonnd  rises  gradually  to  the  liigi  if  lliirty  fit',  li 
is  free  from  marshes.      Its  Jiat.  is  1:!''  ;")'  N.. —  its  Lon.  -^-.I"  ti'  lln"  AV. 

IV.  Autumnal  Fkvkii.  —  We  have  now  reached  a  latitude,  in  •.; .' . 
climate  may  bo  supposed,  in  some  degree,  to  overrule  top;igia|iliieal  !■  ;.i;. 
tiuns,  in  the  production  of  autumnal  lover;  ami  tho  (lucstinu  eiinie.s  up-L 
its  infliioiico  percejitiblo  in  tho  region  which  lias  just  been  descrihcd';  It  ;■ 
not  easy  to  give  a  delinito  answer  to  this  ini|uiry.  for  the  rcasun,  tliat  t5< 
alleged  s  >uroes  of  that  fover  do  not,  to  any  great  extent,  exist  witiiiii  b 
limits,  i'ot,  from  all  I  e(iuld  learn,  the  prevaloiicc  of  tho  fever  i.s  JiciiWv 
less  than  wo  liiid  it  further  south,  in  localities  having  nearly  the  saini  i  ;• 
grapliy  and  elevation.  At  tho  crossings  of  Jtock  Itivor,  I  wa.s  as.<urt.il  ly 
3Ir.  Foster,  tliat  a  f((W  mild  intermittoiits  make  up  the  sniii  total  nf  ;iii  :i> 
tuninal  invasion;  and  Doctor  Westi'rn.  of  Mailisoii.  gave  a  similar  iH'  "'■ 
of  that  town.  Ho  informed  me,  however,  that  there  liad  been  ''lie  n.\ 
autumn  at  Madison,  vm\  one  on  llock  Jlivor,  twenty  miles  below  tiu'  ir  sw- 
ings, at  Janosville.  which  is  built  on  a  slip  of  bottom-land. 

\.      TiiK  Ulvk  .Molm)  IvEiiiox.  —  lu  going  wcstwardly  fmm  .Mai.-' 
tho  eountrv  gradually  rises  iii'.o  the  w.iter-shod  lietwecn  licek  I'dveraii'i'  ' 
M'iseoiisin,  though  the  road  still  koops  within  the  basin  of  the  fnrmer.    1 
surface  is  broadly  undulating.     No  more  diluvium  (ir  drift  of  any  kiim  ■ 


Lapliam's  Wisconsin. 


t  Owen  &.  Loeke'g  Geological  Re|»ri 


,ir  I 


fNTr:i; 


:  iia,l  upnn  it.  i  lie  .- 
,,jrjt,il  .'^iliinaii  roi 
npiiuiiionts,  rising  ovi 
,^,1,;^...  „t'  wliieh  the  i 
■ire  :i"  1"1i;.'<-T  met  wi 
,'wmI  The  grass  \ 
./,;iMii;i5  bcyi'lid  the 
mm\  K'auty  to  pm 
fi.Ia'.Til  hy  a  small  1 
,lrv.  Tilt  lialiitatjoii 
iii-lkni.  intermittc 

1 1.     DoDllKVII.l.K.- 

,,i>  ju.-t  been  deserii 
i;vti  ulluvial  bottom 
.u-s  and  jiartly  with 
1 1  vcninr  l>n(lge,  who 
i'::niiii:.l  fever  is  nlii 
.'i>  Ulai  k,  an  observ 
rly  tlio  .>anie  kngtl 
ri.'lilHtrliiioJ  is  abi 

I  ii      MiNKKAL   I'o 

;:;;  i.i.avcen  prcseiitiii 
nJj'"*.    The  streams  ; 
M:i]i>antl  ailjoiiiiiig  li: 
r  I'liri'd  in  the  smcltiii 
iiii'tlier  of  the  sanii 
. ;.  I'lio  (if  tile  triliutf 
ir  mill  .Mineral  i'oiiit, 
■' 1"  narrow  belts  of  li 
t:;','U«and.     According 
•twain  lielow  the  town 
i;..!iis  of  the  town  if  so 
ifitiitliat  of  the  people 
'.  !«•  I '  water-courses 
iVdatfiiiica  is  tiie  mos 
•'•■»;>  with  the  head-wa 
■'Ii-^Mlijii.    Aceordinj 
•Lidsli;  but  of  the  i 
-  ii'  I  knnw  niitliing. 
■'Wjti.'.tiuii.s  of  llock 
'  ''■'•'■■■  r,  are  of  no  gre; 


Ill  I 


LNTCRIOR  VALM:Y  OF  NORTH  A.MKIJICA. 


',]'20 


.  ..;„|  mMHi  it.  Tliu  ^^"il  I'l"  U|i|ii'r  .siirl'acc  is  cuiiiipii.-ii'd  lar;:i'l_v  nf  tlu-  disiii- 
,,fffit,il  Silurian  rnchs,  niitleravi'd  jMirtiniis  dl'  wliidi   an;  M't'ii,  liko  Int'ty 

iiuiuiiit",  ri'^iiig  over  tlic  face  of  tlio  (•(niiitry.  Tlicy  liavo  rrccivcil  s|iucilio 
iiiiit\i't'  ttliich  tliu  most  imtoil  arc  tlic  IMiu'  .Mnumls.  I'mnls  and  iiiarslies 
■  K 'III  iMii;.'i'r  iiii't  "'idi ;  tlii'ro  is  iki  (lc'ii>-tj  lurost ;  uud  extensive  prairies 
j'«.;iml.  Tlie  ^'ra.ss  wiueii  eovers  tlieni  is  slmrt  and  thin,  like  that  uf  the 
.jvaimas  IjL'VKiid  the  ,Missi.>siji|ii.  and  tiiu  golden  So/i'/ui/o,  which  gives  au- 
■;ii.ii;;il  licauty  to  prairies  imt  toi)  delit-iont  in  nioistnre  to  nourish  it,  is  hero 
;|,;:wil  liv  a  sinull  blui-ii-purple  aster,  \vhi(di  flearishes  wlieru  thi;  snil  is 
•irv.    Tilt  liahitatidiis   throughmit   this   region  are  sparse:  and,  frmn  all  1 

ihijiani.  iiiteruiitteiit  and  rendttent  levers  are  exceedingly  rare. 

\1.  OoiJUKViM.K.  —  This  load-ndning  village,  situated  in  the  region  which 
^.l5  just  been  dcscrihcd,  presents  in  its  topngniphy  small  streams.  witliDut 
x:''[i  iilluvial  bdttoni,  and  hiiig  gentle  slipe^,  partly  envered  with  jirairio 
.Ti.v.  and  partly  with  open  oak  wond.s,  <ir  cnpscs  dt'  luiz.lu  hushes.  Kruni 
•iviriior  J'lidgc.  who  had  resided  here  about  sixteen  years,  1  learned  thiit 
vjtiiniiKil  fever  is  almost  unkrnwn ;  a  statement  wdiicli  was  ooidirmed  by 
'!:•  D'latk,  an  ob.serving  ami  intelligent  lady,  wlm  hail  lived  on  the  spot  fur 
vjrlv  tlie  same  1(  iigtli  (pf  time.  The  miidng  popuhitioii  of  the  village  and 
Mni.'liliiirliudd  is  ahiiut  live  hundred,  —  ehielly  immigrants  I'njm   Mngland. 

Vll.  MiNKiiAi,  I'oiNT  is  found  ten  miles  situtli  of  Dodgeville ;  the  eoun- 
;:v !j(.'t\v(.'Cii  presenting  prairie,  and  open  woods  covering  long  slo]ies  and 
rii:"s.  Tlio  streams  are  gem-rally  small.  Mineral  i'oitit,  however,  is  on  the 
M:ik>  and  ailjoiiiiiig  hills  of  a  creek.  s)illieiently  large  to  move  the  machinery 

•  .".iail  ill  the  smelting  of  lead  ore;  and  which  is  joined,  lielow  the  village, 
;y aimtlRT  of  the  same  size  —  the  common  trniik  upciung  into  the  IV'ukato- 
:.;.:i  die  nf  the  tributaries  of  l{ock  JUvcr.  There  are  no  ponds  or  marshes 
i:  iiml  Miiiural  I'oiiit,  but  the  stream  along  which  the  town  is  built  presents 
" Hi"  I'.arrow  belts  of  boggy  soil.  Tin;  popidatioii  of  this  town  is  alioiit  one 
toiisaad,  According  to  J)octor  Pulford,  the  people  who  live  near  the 
•IMIU  k'low  the  town  are  subject  to  raitunnial  fever,  from  which  the  inliab- 
ii-iitsot' the  town  itself  are  nut  entirely  exempt.  This  liability,  cnmpared 
Titli  tliat  (if  the  peo])le  of  l)odgeville,  seems  to  result  entirely  from  the  jires- 
'»  I  '  wati'r-courses  in  this  hjeality,  and  their  absence  from  tliat.  The 
IViiatmiiea  is  tlie  most  western  stream  of  the  Hock  lliver  IJasin,  and  inter- 
!''-K>ff;tli  the  bead-waters  of  Fever  lliver,  and  other  sm  ill  tributaries  of  the 

•  i'"i\«i|i|ii.  According  to  Laj)liam,  its  waters  are  turbid  and  its  current 
•^'..i-!i;  but  of  the  influence  of  its  valley  in  the  production  of  antunnial 

1' I  kiKiw  nothing.     Nor  can  1  speak  of  the  medical  topography  of  the 

•  Wh'i'.tious  of  Kock  Kiver  IJasin,  lying  within  the  Htate  of  Illinois,  which, 
''•""■*■■■•■  r,  are  of  no  great  extent. 


,1 


v.^.'    ■••■ 


1 


m 


I 


M»fci 


!|:! 


; 

» 

■>',^ll 

ii-    • 

k ';    . 

ilfl 

"■ 

' 

M 

• 

i', . 

1 

^i 

I 

". 

,      - 

•ff 

'■          .' 

^^^^^^HP  '*' 

.    T   ■ 

. 

^ 

1 

r^-^ 

"'    :-.--i| 

•1  • 

» 

I- 1     r.    ■• 

, , . '.  i    '       _          _   - 

.\m 


I.     I 


I  III',  ii(i.M;ir.\i,  iJif^KAShlH  Of  THE 


nF:.MAi\T)i;i?  of  tiik  SDUTiir.ifN  basix 


IJC 


Ml.       \\  I.'iCONSIN      |U\  K 


tllL'   .> 


nxTii  iiiu  miMil.incs  III    linclv 


.1      4l... 


w:  . 


iiitvi     (fcini     tin         lit 


tlli>    Inft,  .     . 


ii.-.'i.-i,-ijp|ii   iiiiin-     ur.ill     UMI    limiuri'll     IIUIl'S    il 

*!.:... I  .1 !•  }  au.    I    .      I    1     •. 


♦  1...   i: 


1 


lony-ihinl  (l.-;rroc  ot  hitifi 


>*1XIII    (Ic;. 


.'  HIMircOS  ili. 

I    ^>i..,..i..u  ,..I,;..K   II :... 


.1    . 


»•  '  '  t    »ii     »  "iiiiu^^i  I'  ■!  I      \i  1 1  II     .-^i  I  rill II. >    \\  ni'  M     I 

:  ..       i.v  ..    1...     ,1  ■    I        !•  •. 


I :..,.,.„  II 


^  « I «  I\  1. 


t 


•  "1 ' 


"I        I  tt  «  ■- I  Mil  11.^      II.      n  .T       llilli.T,     11       I 

,.„  .1: .1 i         t  2.    .1  •       11 


'   fl'iws  til  till.  t,.iiti,  ..1 


mil  imN>  iimiiiM  :is  (iirciiiy  west.      .\r    tl 
..:.!• -1  111..    '..   1. 


wiriiiii  .1   iiiiic  niitl  II  h:ilf  t,\   Im.x 

wt: •      It      ■      •  1 


1  1 1 II 


iV  1^1 /din:  if   !ii,t,i-...,,f . 


t 


I   J.-^UIIIL-^IM 


•   111'      I    y       41  I  I     I  •   III  I  III     Y        III 

ll'i'il    uilli    i(y  lirniiiltli 


■'ri'CIl     ll:,V 


ii:  .  .:    .:.  .  :  ...„ 


Alt 
1  .. 


'w.ii.l.  •!.:. 


.I.v-  .mi,  .uMiii  u  1,1.11  mu  ii[i|i(r  .Mi.'<.sissi|i|)i  was  a|i|irii!iili('(l  audi 

•  V     I'^ltlior    .M.'inilli'tfc.  iilii>     Iniiiilnul     !iiiil    uov.iiifv-fii-,.    ,•,.■>-:.    


i»y    iMitiior   .^lanjiict 


vury  1 


<rn 


-*-' »»»-ini    III.'       iiiiirii 


ri 


w :   .■mil   iiiiim  111'  MiM-  ii>iii.i<.«.,... 


ini'dicai  rM|Mi<rf!i]iii('r  Ih'Ihw  tluit  ImikI.     .Nurtli  am 

»li.>  1.11.,,..  ,.-. :...! (•   il ...     \i:      ;      !       !     i>      • 


I  1^1 

Ndi'tli  and  wont  nf  WIj 


!>■ 


llie 


UIISITI 


•  iiij;';    ■  Vlililllltlt  I     III      UK-      .<1  l.'>>l>.'<||l|II       I 
ifflnil      l-.m-t.,..  'I'K,.     t;....f     / :.l 1.1 


1...      i.    _. 


, „.„-.!..: 


n"    ' 


I    111-      ill  .^L      1. 1  IIIMIM'I  ill 


,>  ,.: 1 1  .1.  .1  ... 


1 


iiiiuiiiiiu-,  i.s  im;  i,m|i|io\vay,  ot  winch   I  (aiiin 
fl...  ct    n..  :..       T   ..'  Ill,  1    .    . 


* »i.:.... 


jri'  I,'  V 


L.IH.'   .^i.   V.  rui.v  —  J 


C 


3immar(i,  .\.«.><istaiit   i  iiitc 


villi. iHu  I..  .-.|n;iK   Diii'iiy,  1.11  iiic  au' 
'.i!t,.,l  v'l.it..^.'  I ' ....1. .,.:„* 


liovity 


II.     juvi: 


I    .\M» 


111  a  '^rvM  iiiiiniicr  n 


ail 


.  ..J. VI  lur,  ai)nv 


[!    t 


I-  St.  Cunix.  — T 

lakes,  iiiiiiii'diatcl 
■    ■'     '  .♦'  ... 


iiv     11.11    »i,    \i.i:\iim^;;>' 

V  soiitli  (if  till!  west  cml  .f 
.v»i.   i..»;f,..i I  ..A.,  ii 


10 


M 


niu  .T.iiiiii-Mi-.-(t  lur  iiiiii    iiH  rnui sc, 


•  ".._.     .-i.iiii    .u— I  uv;   .11     ii.iiiii     1,11  llUllf,   aiMI,  illl' r 
I'  iinlf  its  iii-iiii'cii    fi.iiKo    .Itit.ii.tl.    .il i:i   :•   :  : 


.».-.-. .-.-ij.|. I,    11  mi  11    II    iiii.itt   II 


'    ,'    >   ""'"    ■ 

«..   «!,.,   *I 1.         »l'l..,  .  1 


*? 


!->    >MII^     It'll    lUIICS    ML'IIIW    IIIO    IllOUtll    01 
1      .i.    .  .         1  .  •  1  .1 


'III 


1         f . .       -Ik. 


1 


"    1 •  .'•■ 


aim  au  Mil  I'lcvauuii  anovo 


»n\.      »      It      4.1L1.I      t^jlil       l.t.l.I^         -T 

' 1 1 1       _.       1       i i.  • 


in:n  ot 


I 


HI.         it»    I  _  11  I  M  '1  I  ii;;       1 1  Ii  I.^       II 


.lit.      ,-:.   <i     .11       .'..liril       llllllliri'.l     illl'l      lllL'l 
I. 111.       1...; :..1.i       1 I 1       .   .      1  •    . 


i.i.'ii^.i  11.^  i.i'i..i    iiiiriy  iiiiii'*, 


i..i;..u      .......  1 1  .-.I      .111. I      ;*l.\ll" 


.>*uri.'U'u  oi   [lie  strc, 


I'll  to  li;iU'  a  niilo    ..v   !i    i.illn   in  wiilf'i 


i.Mi.-iii  iiu>    I  Ml'    laKf,    III 
'•"    ■  M  Silurian  rucks  u 


1^  i:.\[).in.icii    1 II    iijill     a    HI 

.1...     .1 f       1  •   1 


.-II.  iv.^    IM     iiiiivii     III  r.-riii    iii;in\    iiiiwRit 
11*.  m II .c.M  11    Iti.i.i^.li  .Hi.    .....1    1    i...... 


Il 


near  iiiu   i; 


.     ....t^^ii.  .-iiiii     :iiii._-.-i .  11 II,-     ,111 


.lu.n.    11.^  .--uiiiiijc,  ur  It'll  miiiiucii  an 
c .1  1  .   t 


>    .1.^, .-.   .11  III.-  iii:;iiii  111    unci!   iiiiiiMrcu  an 
,,.■  ♦,,,.   1. ■■,.,! I   I   .1...  i-     .      1  .1 


I  fiirty-ii 


1-111.1,11  .\i  Mi.    nil'    (iniy    .sctlUMllOllt     nil    tills    I; 
iiuf,.,.i,  L.;,l :»  .   1 1    .    .  i    •    •  1 


.  «    .- 1,  t  \  1 1 1  1     I  •  V,  I     ,  I  '  11 1 1  i;    1  , 1  .,•   .- 


H  CMl'l  11    M 

stall 


v,  II. ill    ii.-s    iicjiii.  cm 


..i...t 


...  1 1 1 1 . 1 1  -     , .  I  M  .  n  I      1 1  1  I  ■      1 1 1 1 1 1 . 1 1  V.  1 1     I  m . . 
.1 I' i1    .     1  1     ir      ,        ,1 


iiiniicdiatcly  to 
water,  .'iiiil  ill  the  con 


••J      I I     ••III-    II       .^.>r|.,    -.       ii'iiii       (III;       inline      HI      lllC     «i 

(1    fill,     ii.ii.di     il, .,,■.. 1 1.:    1 1 i   


.-   11  1 . . 


.         11.   wt 

mil  iii.'ir.« 


Ootn,  111 


iwovcr.  110  to 


ii'ver,  noetor  Miiini; 
initti'iits  of  a  iiiilil  cliara 
tl  '     •       ■ 


ij^.iiii..^  1 1 1 1'l  -  III  II I  <  iiii>  iiicri' 
.tio  siiniincr-windward  of  tliu  mii;i,i:c.     .»^  i"^ 

....I      1 1      I'..  ,1  I  •     •  n  '.1  1  .1 


If  jiii|iuiin  11)11  i.s  snia 


i...i..i    11.1111    inc    Mil\  Mi'l  in   HI    IIIC  liiauL'.  Ii 

-IT  occur  I'vory  year,  liut  the  prniinitiun  nt 


-.McoiiPt  ;     llyilropraphiP:!! 


It  ;i[iii('ars  tVeiii  \vl 
,;*  .[i  radii-  intprinitti 
T!:.l  the  line  of  \ts  e] 

III.  Si'n;ri:.<  ok  ■; 
Im .'..nsiikTaltli'  triln 
:;,'.. iali'ivo  it."  iiuinth 
■:.■:  .{    tlir   St    i'cte 

•np'St  of  tk-  Snutli 
>t.  Aiitlii'iiy,  wliere  t 
'-'t,  ;ii!il  tli:it  of  the 
.M'xic'i.  Tlii.s  elcvati 
m*  "f  latitmle.  T 
•I' 1 1  the  rxtriMiie  sou 
irel  aii'l  tliirty-two.  ; 
r:i«raiiiil  nscoiit  ind 
.Tat  stvf'll  er  tuhero!- 
rirorlia.'  its  .■«iiarees. 
'.Toi*  of  litiiaitiule. 
Rivir  "f  tlie  niirth: 
rj.'' (if  the  we.xt  end  e 
ar.4  Sctuiolcraft.  but. 
il'pear*,  tliat  the  win 
i:ii;''>.  c'oiiiicctcil  hy  I 
.int!i.  to  be  tniuid  wil 
H'tt!e(],  esceiit  hv  a  f 
!li  •  ln(ii:iii.«.  ( If  th 
oaiiii.jt  speak:  hut  it 
>fitliaii  e(hii'uted  III! 
si'ii  family,  .stationed 
;!io  liaiiks  (if  Sandy 
i-'i"  and  fever  oeel 


I.  ^'1 


•lIT  !•. 


fNTERIOR  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


a3i 


-|,,.  J;^,I..i.  —  Tlio  iitlicr  scttloiiH'iit  on  tlic  St.  Cvn'w  is  at  tlir  t';ills  or 
K  al'Ut  thirty  miles  aliovu  Stillwater,  in  Lat.    \^f"  :!<>'  1(»"  N.     Tlio 


(if  wliifli  Iti'iriii  tn  s1m>\v  tlioiii- 


,i,*.Yiit  "f  till'  river  i"  <>ver  tra|i-r(.ck,s.  raiiirr 
,'vf«tnctilV-t""ii''  iiiil'''^  nlmvt'  tlic  lake.  Ki>r  .several  miles  almve  tlie  lakes 
4  .aiiil^tiMie  liills  a]i|iroaeli  tlicr  river,  hut  heymiil  tlint  jMiiiit  tlie  Ixittimis 
liJ.ii  ami  bccniDe  s\v;mi|iy.  ami  arc  oversliadoweil  witli  cottdii-wudil  and 
aal'le  trees  the  liills  alj(Miiiiliii^  ill  jiino.  Tliere  is  a  jiiiie  saw-mill  at  the 
'ai'j  ami  tlif  iiilie  Iniiiher  traile  is  the  i.lpject  of  this  .settli'nieiit.  the  iimst 
irthern  in  tlie  hasiii  of  the  Mis.si.s.si|i|ii.  Ddctur  Shiimanl  aseovtaiiied  that 
/' wca^ii 'if  interiiiitteiit  fover  hapiieii  here  every  aiitiimii.  The  triliutii- 
'  nf  tlii.<  river  ah'iim'l  in  trout.  The  neck  of  laiiil  lutweeii  the  St.  ('mix 
ivl  til'  .Mi.<'M.ssi|i[ii  jirt'^eiits  a  sueeessiun  of  sin.ill  lak'S  ami  t;iiiiaraek 
.T,!!'«.  v.'itU  iiiter.-pcrsed  tracts  if  dry  l.uid.  rdntlied  with  seruldiy  (i;d<s  and 

;jZ;.'  li!l*lli.-H. 

It  iiiii'C.'irs  frfiiii  what  has  heeii  said,  that  wc  have  nut  yet  readied  the  limit 
.;■  .[.railii- interiiiitteiit  fever,  in  the  soutliorii  hasin  ;  hut  have  passeil  he- 
:!;(!  the  line  nf  its  e|pidemic  prevnlence. 

III.  .'•'oritcK.'i  OK  TiiK  .Mi.-'si.s.sii'i'i.  —  The  ."^t.  Croix,  just  deserihed,  is  the 
i>tiHii>iilir;dile  trihiitary  of  the  east  or  left  side  of  tlio  Mississi|i|ii.  Ten 
::;'.'.« alji'Vi'  its  iinMitli  wo  eniiic,  on  the  op|)nsite  ur  western  side,  tn  the  jiinc- 
ii'nf  till'  St  Peter's,  ahovo  wliiidi  stands  Fort  Sin'llinL'.  tlie  must  iiirtli- 
•n  p  St  iif  tlie  Southern  liusiii.  Nine  or  ten  miles  aiiovc,  are  the  l-'alls  if 
r  AiitliHiiy,  where  the  siirfac(>  of  the  river  is  eiirht  huiidreil  and  fifty-six 
•  •  :i!iil  tlirit  (It'  the  liill-laiid  ;iliout  one  thou.sand  feet,  ahove  the  (luif  of 
M  xio".  This  elevation  of  the  river  has  been  attained  tlirouLdi  sixteen  dc- 
;'•..<  "f  latitmle.  Two  degrees  iind  a  half  further  iinrth  (  17"  •>"'  i,  liring 
b  1 1  tlie  I'Xtreiiie  soureos  of  the  river,  when;  the  water-level  is  fifteen  huu- 
h'l  ami  thirty-two.  and  the  hiirhest  laud  sixteen  hundred  and  eiLdity  feet. 
T'i>  rnjiiil  ascent  indicates  that  almve  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony  tin  re  is  .a 
.rat  "ffi'll  fir  tuberosity,  on  the  gentle  slii|)e.s  and  summit  of  which  the  great 
river lia.s  its  .siiurces.  The  width  of  this  region  is  almiit  twn  and  ;i  half  de- 
i^T*  of  I'Misitudc.  On  the  west,  it  is  limited  liy  the  St.  Peters,  and  Hed 
rjviT  nf  the  north:  mi  the  east  by  the  St.  TiOiiis.  and  other  short  trihnta- 
ri'<  of  tile  west  end  of  liake  Superior.  I-'roin  the  expeditions  of  Pike.  Cass. 
ai:'l Srliddleraft.  hut.  ahnve  all,  from  tin;  hydrographical  map  of  Niculht.  it 
Jjfoars,  that  the  whok-  of  this  region  abounds  in  swamps,  ponds,  and  small 
M's.  connected  by  bayous  into  the  nmst  remarkable  hydnigraphieal  l.iby- 
nnt'i.  to  be  I'lmiid  within  the  limits  of  the  Southern  Hasin.  As  yet  it  is  uii- 
wlt'il,  except  by  a  few  fur-trader.s  and  missiouarie.s,  whoso  business  is  with 
'■  hi'lians.  Of  the  extent  to  whiidi  autumnal  fever  occurs  a"t;ong  them,  I 
cannut  .speak ;  but  it  must  bo  very  limited.  At  IMackinae.  in  |S4'_*.  Tmet 
'T'.!!i  aiu'iliicatcd  Indian  —  John  Jidms-in,  attached  to  the  Methodist  >Iis- 
si'iitamily.  .statimied  near  the  American  Fur  ('oni]ianv's  cstabli'^huient,  on 
t'no hanks  of  Sandy  Lake,  about  Lat.  4(^'  48'  N., — win.  inrniiiieil  me  that 
-I-  ami  ffver  occasionally  occurred  among  them.     The   altitude  of  that 


y::.;u 


' 


':!'■:  :-^ 


I  . 


'.; » 


a-^ 


11 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  {MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


l^|28     ||2.5 
iM    111112.0 


2.2 


1.8 


1-25     1.4   11.6 

■• 6"     

► 

V] 


<^/ 


"WA 


/: 


V 


M 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


fe 
^ 


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■        ,                ■  - .  *                 ^                              4 

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•       *                                              '      i                      '        1 

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m:  [■ 

'^1     i-'*      '    'i             -i 

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^^ 

.ilil«ri3>.'      '     ■ 

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1  .. 


33i2 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


.Dooi : 


lako,  iicf'ording  td  Nicollet,  is  twelve  huiHlred   iiiid  fifty-tliree  fi.e-    i 
the  gnU". 

Tlic  medical  topnfrrniiliy  of  the  Soiitlioni  Basin  is  now  liroiirr)it  (,,„  . 
Altliouirh   it  lias  extended  tlirnugli  more  tlian  ihveo  liundrod  |,a(f(.ji  ,  .  ,^ 
small  jiortion  of  its  lociilities  have  been  described;  yet  ciidu^di  1 1  .,|,|,  i,,,.' 
beiMi  iiitriidnced,  lo  aflord  a  tolerable  representation  of  IJie  wlmlo.    ]{(.f,; 
ning  within   tlie  tropics,  we  have   traveleil  north  through  nonrly  tliirf  ' 
grees  of  latitude,  and  gradually  risen  frem  the  level  of  the  Gulf  (jf  \^  ;,-,• 
to  the  suninut  of  the  great  interior  livtU'dgraphicai  center,  the  avoni'i. ,' 
vation  of  wdiicli  may  bo  taken  at  fifteen  hundred  feet. 

Frnm  this  important  interior  hydrographical  center,  we  are  nw  ti  > 
scend  eastwardly  into  the  Lake,  St.  Lawrence,  or  Eastern  Ea.siu. 


CHAPTER    XII. 


THE   EASTERN,   Oil    ST.   LAWRENCE    IIYDHim, 

PIIICAL   BASIN. 


GENERAL  VIEWS  OF  THE  WHOLE  BASIN:  LAKES  SUPERKii;. 
MICHIGAN,  AND  HURON. 

TiiH  limits  of  this  basin  have  been  already  drawn  (;;.  29),  Ii- ] 
tion  in  relation  to  the  center  of  the  Mexican  or  Southern  Basin,  is  ii' 
east.  Most  of  it  lies  directly  north  of  the  Ohio  Ba.sin.  In  rutLTi.^ 
latitudes,  it  may  be  said,  in  general  terms,  to  bo  comjirehendcd  bctv-tni 
fortieth  and  fiftieth  parallels.  On  many  points  b(!.sidcs  hititudis  it  ili 
from  tlie  basin  which  has  been  topographically  described.  Tlmt  Ui.-i 
without  a  single  largo  lako  —  this  includes  a  chain  of  the  largest  m  th' 
tineiit:  that  has  an  cxten.'^ive  .sw/-coast  —  this  has  a  still  more  rxtr!: 
lak-e-cuiist:  that  is  distinguislied  for  the  vast  length  and  voluiuo  "f 
numerous  rivers  —  this  has  not  one  large  river,  save  the  8t.  Lawivii ' 
the  outlet  of  the  lakes:  that  is  liounded  on  the  west,  through  it.s  ivln'li' 
tent,  by  many  ranges  of  high  mountains  —  tin's  has  a  plain  of  inniieiiH' 
tent  on  the  .<amo  side:  large  portions  of  that  present  an  arid  suif;in. ;. 


iifffrom  it:  aiu 


m    I    This  is  the  lar 

H    ■.-t'.-ni  (if  those  incl 

H  :'i-<  iiitorloek  with  t! 

t  1 

l.l- 

mu  Irv.T:  its  western  w 

^F  il:J-iii  15;iy;  its  eas 

H     T:ir  ;u'L'a  of  Lake 

B   .-.<:'.  most  of  which 

H  ■■•"f  latitude;  its  i 

H  •,'.!ri  according  tot 

K  :'■'',  ariMU'dinir  to  Nic 

H  •  I'li'diuntry  aroun 

H  >.';i  iiundrcd  ahovo  t 

:•:.- 

H  ;:.!!  Like  lies  distinct 

Wk  (Sieiisivo  traj)  fnrniat 

HAH'nftlietudf  of 

\.N 

H  Mffliilo  the  latter 

H  cot  without  coast-niai 

^B  !':eir  entrance  into  t 

H  i!^  mean  snrfacc-tem 

I!; 

H  cnintry  amund  Luke 

a- 

H  kt  there  arc  a  few  S( 

^m     '^^I'lond  report. 

B     -llyarographical  Basi 

INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


i)00 


]c«titiite  of  ti'oos  —  tliis  is  ovorywhcro  liiiinid  itiid  gLMicrally  "ver- 
-:■■  liiffiil  b}'  fiii'csts,  iiiters^pcrscd  with  ;i  few  savannas:  the  soiitlieni  jinpu- 
,':,|„f  the  Great  Interior  Valley  bcliings  to  tluit  —  tlio  nortlieni  pnpula- 


iati'H 


i„  tliis:  in  tliat,  tlie  etiologist  may  study  the  iuilueiiees  (if  a  wet  surface, 
line  in  oriranic  matter,  when  uetcd  n|Hin  1)y  the  heat  of  u  lung  sfuilhcrii 


ill  this,  the  same  influences,  in  a  summer  eom|iaratively  slmrt  and 

fJ    III  making  this  comparison,  huwever,  we  are  prevented,  l)y  want  of 

,i,uIition.  fnaii  going  at  present  heyund  tlie  latitude  of  47'. 

I- ilisci'ibinff  the  Snutlieru  IJ.isin,  we  started  frum  the  (iulf  of  Mexico, 
avTiul^^^'l  fl'C  great  rivers.  ]>y  this  methdd,  the  descri[)ti()n  tenninated 
(riliitliiU  iHirtinii  whieli  Iii.s  contiguous  to  the  extreme  sources  of  the  St. 
Lawri'iii.'i'.  which  —  luulcr  the  name  of  tlic  Jliver  St.  Jiouis  —  thrnws  its 
^.j,,,fj  into  the  western  extremity  of  J^ake  Superior;  —  and  here  wo  ^liall 
i.'i!i  the  nie(lico-tiii)ngra[)liical  descriptidu  of  tlie  J'lastern  JJasiii;  thus  re- 
virMii"  thf  order  pursued  in  the  Southern,  liy  descending  to  the  sea,  instead 
..frisiiif  from  it;  and  at  the  same  time  advancing  with  uidirokcn  cdntinuity. 


:  _:•  T .'   •. 


►-■'  '•' ;  mri^\ . 


.1 


SECTIOX  I. 

BASIN  OF  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

I  Tills  is  the  largest  lake  of  the  continent,  and  the  most  northern  and 
j-t>!vni  of  tbdse  included  in  the  St.  liawreiu'O  Jjasin.  Its  southern  attlu- 
/".iMiitorlock  with  those  of  Lake  MichiTnn,  Greci<  IJay,  and  the  ^Mississippi 
!!'■.  !•;  its  western  with  those  (jf  tliat  river  didy:  its  northern  with  those  of 
u  i-iii  H:iy;  its  eastern  with  streams  which  fall  into  ]jakc  Huron. 

Till' ;nva  of  Lake  Sujierior  is  estimated  at  tliirty-two  thousand  square 
aiik-.niMst  of  which  lies  hctweeu  the  forty-seventh  ami  fortv-eiirhth  iiaral- 
;  :vi>  iif  latitude :  its  mean  depth  is  about  nine  hundred  feet.  Its  level  above 
•I'lC'sia.acciirdingtothe  geologists  of  ^Michigan,*  is  five  hundred  and  ninety-six 
;kt.  according  to  Xicollet,  six  hundred  and  twenty,  t  The  average  altitude 
(ftliocnuntry  around  it,  may  be  taken  at  one  thousand  feet  more,  or  six- 
i'Xn Imiulroil  ahovo  tide-water  in  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  The  basin  of 
i!iisl;ike  lies  distinctly  Avithin  the  primitive  or  oldest  transition  rocks,  witli 
esteiisiTo  trap  formations.  In  contrasting  the  coasts  of  this  inland  sea  with 
thH' of  the  (I  ulf  of  Alexico,  wo  lind  them  loft}-,  bold,  mcky,  and  metallifer- 
I'h:  while  the  latter  are  low,  flat,  and  swampy.  Lake  Superior,  however,  is 
not  without  eoast-niarshes;  and  some  of  its  rivers  overflow  their  banks,  near 
iiieir  entrance  into  the  lake.  In  the  month  of  July,  Mr  Schoolcraft  found 
;:>  moan  surfaco-temporaturo,  on  the  south  side,  Gl*-^  Fahrenheit. t  The 
mm  ariiund  L;ike  Superior  is  a  vast,  rugged,  and  uninhabited  wilderness, 
out  there  arc  a  few  settlements,  to  wdiich  reference  may  be  made. 


'>erond  report. 
■llyiiroirraphical  Basin. 


i  Nar.  Journal  of  Travel.s,  1621. 


■■..->   .  •  . 


:■  t: 


m 


■  \'  '■,■■■ 


•.':■.■<■' 


.    ^ .. 


v. 


■(      ■ 


i  ■  A 

1  i 

■    i 

^  i 
i      ; 

•1 

' .      H  ' 

■";j 


■m.: 


. ,  I 


■■  t : . :  ; ' 


•■     ■  :'    -r     .'■   : 


•'■  ^vi;4- 


-. 

4-  , 

_•;  ;' 

V 

" 

; 

'  *  •■; 

■-**     ■ 

884 


Tin;  linNCir.vL  diseases  of  the 


.  Bfj'iK 


IF.  Jmiht  A\'ii.i,i.\m. —  The  llritisli  Nortli-wost  Cdiiipany  have  ;.,i .; 
talilislmiciit  near  tli»;  nioutli  (<\'  \h>i:  i.r  Kaiiiiiiistiquia  llivor,  in  I/it,  4vo.,| 
X.,  calK'il  I'ort  William.  Af.'f'nidiiig  to  Ldii;^:',-'' a  plain  of  cunsidiTall., ,.,. 
tent  surrounds  tlii.s  villauc,  wliicli  i.s  on  tlio  river  bank,  a  niilo  tVi.m  tlnj;.;,, 
Tliis  was  once  an  inijinrlaiit  depot  for  tlio  i'ur  trade,  and  was  iiiliiiljitiii  ;- 
ei_dity  partners  and  clerks  of  tlie  coni[)any,  many  of  whom  liad  famjlir;.;  \, 
latter  years,  the  ])opnlation  has  heen  le.'-s.  In  con.sultinii:  every  anth'-- 
within  my  reach,  I  iind  no  reference  to  autumnal  fever  at  this  pbo;  ,. : 
l)uctor  I'uwand.  late  of  <^)ueliee,  \\ho  has  several  times  sojourned  tluiv  j.. 
sures  mr  tliat  internuttents  and  remittents  are  uidciinwn. 

III.  I!ivi;k  St.  Louis.  am>  J-'ono  du  lac.  —  This  river  originatosr;,;;, 
hi^h  sunimit-levol  west  of  .Lake  Superior,  and  descends,  ly  a  .sorii;,s  m  ;{', 
and  rajiid.-,  to  the  western  extrendty  of  the  Lake.  It  may  he  rf-''^  ' 
as  the  Itei^iiniin^  of  tlie  St.  Lawrence,  and  is  the  liiu'hway  nf  tin;.,. 
f/v/irs  of  the  iVmerican  h'ur  ('(jmjiany.  On  its  estuary  is  the  ush!!.:.. 
ment  calleil  Fond  du  Lae,  in  Lat.  4()^'  4l''.!'  T  cannot  find  in  aiivl  '; 
of  voyages  or  travels,  a  reference  to  autunnial  fever,  as  oociUTiii;.'  in  t... 
locality. 

IV.  SiiVTiii;i!.\  CoA.sT — C'ni'i'KH  IvKuiox.  —  "Within  the  la>t  f.K V  :• 
the  copper  region  on  the  southern  coast  of  Lakt'  Snperinr,  has  been  tl.  • 
sort  and  suunncr  residence  nf  a  grciit  niunber  of  persons,  wlio  liave  kit!.;:. 
lives  of  great  exposure.  I  have  not  learned  that  autumnal  fever  Las  !•: 
one  of  their  diseas<'s;  on  the  contrary,  Mr.  Charles  Whittle>ey, 'if  o';; 
topographical  surveyor,  writes  to  mo  as  f(dlows:  —  "The  expe.^ure  1  i;;.;:- 
went,  on  th.e  southern  slmrc,  this  fall  (  1>'4")  ),  woult.  have  e.id'.'d  in  a^m ml, 
fever,  or  some  other  bilious  attack,  almost  anywhei'o  south  of  Lake  Eii.;!;; 
here,  my  companidus  and  myself  not  only  escaped  that  disease,  hut  m-:-l 
extraordinary  health.  A\'e  fidlnwed  the  coast  vvcstwardly.  from  ti:-  "■ 
Mary,  in  an  open  boat,  and,  with  the  exception  of  a  friend,  wli"  ^"in! 
with  his  system  overflowing  with  bile,  im  ailment  was  felt  hyany'ivi 
From  the  loth  of  Sc[itcmber  to  the  loth  of  October,  we  wore  in  tlio  w.  :■: 
the  season  was  rainy,  and  we  were  often  wet  for  several  days  togetlior, k:!: 
no  covering  at  night,  except  our  blankets;  yet  we  never  felt  bettor.  Ms:.: 
of  the  laml  we  wandered  over  was  high,  rolling,  and  heavily  tiinliiTilr: 
SUg.'ir  maple;  there  are,  also,  low  lands  and  cedar  swamps,  hut  tlicvsd.r; 
no  miasma,  and  their  waters  served  us  tor  drinking  and  cooking,  a?  vnh:- 
those  of  running  bro(jks.  The  laiter  are  cold  and  rapid,  with  rfukyt.j 
and  it  is  only  necessary  for  me  to  add  that  they  abound  in  spoekleil  triiii:.:: 
show  you  that  they  are  as  pure  as  any  waters  that  flow."'  The  avorai'i' !)::• 
tude  of  the  region  in  v.diieh  these  observations  were  made,  is  4G"  o"  -V 

y.  St.  ZuAry  Stkaits.  —  The  outlet  of  Lake  Superior,  is  at  its  c;i;ter. 
extremity,  and  known  under  the  name  of  St.  Mary  Straits  or  liivur.  li- 
efflux  is  at  the  base  of  r.  rounded,  rocky  promontory,  on  the  BritijliiU'. 


wViu-tive,  ill  a  state 


►Second  Expedition,  Vol.  IL 


+  Nicollet. 


m' 


■\'^>J^ 


nr.-n- 


•  '\'^ 


FlI-I 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


O.J.) 


.  ;n  liv  the  voyagcurs  as  Oron  Cup.  The  j:ciitlo  cun-eiit  *^(  tlic  St.  Mary 
5  sfiiia  sliallow  sand  and  gravt'l  ironeli,  vai\iiiii-  t''iim  halt' a  niilo  to  two 
,;ji,i ill  width,  'ilie  baid<.><,  nearly  uniMhahitud,  aru  hi\v.  In  many  jilact's  Met, 
aij  ;iir"iiL'Iiiiati  ht-'avily  tiinb^'rud  with  pino,  lu'inlnck,  inajilc,  and  nthcr 
;'.,..  At  tliu  liistauL'O  of  .sixteen  miles,  wo  reach  the  i'alls,  nr  S,iitl(  </,■  Sic. 
1/ v.  when!  the  river  descends  eiuiiteen  feet,  down  a  bruad  inclined  jilain, 
fwiiroinl  with  vast  granitic  bowlders,  sulitary  or  in  i.^land-groups,  at  the 
.:.,•, if  which,  on  the  IJi'itish  side,  there  is  a  small  settlement; — on  the 
bTKaii  jiile,  an  inconsiderable  fnr-trading  village,  and  a  military  post, 
Fi;T  BiaiA-,  stands  in  X.  J.at.  4(i^'  ;>!»',  and  ^\^  Lon.  >'4^  4:i'.  -The 
r;;;  laiik  of  tlio  St.  Mary,  whieli  is  here  three-l'onrths  of  a  mile  in  width, 
■v-'.iits  u  L'radiial  .slope  tor  the  distance  of  two  hundred  and  iifty  feet,  gain- 
it:  in  that  .«paee  an  elevation  of  fourteen  feet,  in  the  rear  of  which  the  sur- 
ii.r . it  the  C'liuiitry  approximates  a  level.  For  three  hundred  yards  from 
liiolankuf  tlie  river,  the  soil  is  cleared  of  tindjcr.  and  is,  altlpiugh  not  very 
,  .iutive,  in  a  state  of  eidtivatioii.  Immediately  adjoining  this  cultivated 
."  ;!ii!,  i>  11  marsh,  half  a  mile  wide,  beyond  which  high  laiuls  appear.  This 
Ear-ii  I'xti'uds  live  or  six  miles  down  the  river,  in  a  south-east  directiun,  and 
[  Tv-i  and  suiuh-west  for  lit'leen  or  twenty  miles.  It  is  covered  witli  some 
hri.".' t'Mivst  trees,  and  a  thick  growth  of  under-wood.  ( >n  the  opposite 
'.\i<i  the  river,  the  country  is  undulating  and  niouutaiiious,  and  covered 
i:('.\  a  dense  forest."       "  The  west  and  soulh-east  winds  pass    over  the 

his  iiiideiiialde.  that  all  the  topographical  conditions  necessary  to  the  pro- 

[M'lHifif  viukiit  autumnal  fever,  are  present  in  this  locality;  which  includes, 

[iaaJJitiiin  ti I  the  garrison,  a  village  iiduibited  or  freipiented  by  Americans, 

FMi'ii  vuyaguer,s,  and  Indians,  with  their  intermediate  [irogeiiy.     iMy  visit 

liMiithe  last  week  of  duly,  yet  I  saw  no  autumnal  fever,  and  was  assured 

kjnTsiiiis  Lmg  familiar  with  the  spot,  that  it  does  not  occur,  cxce[it  in  per- 

•  who  have  iii  suiLmer  or  autumn,  visited  places  further  south.     The  re- 

|t;rii<t'rum  the  post,  however,  show  that  the  troops  are  not  entirely  exempt. 

l:j\  through  a  period  of  ten  years,  with  a  nn^an  strength  of  ninety-six 

I  !■. ',  diure  were,  in  all,  thirty-seven  eases  of  intermittent,  and  three  of  rc- 

;a'.;:t!if  or  about  four  per  cent,  'per  annum.     When  we  connect  with  this 

!«'■ 'till,  the  facts,  that  troops  are  seldom  ke[it  long  at  one  pcjst,  and  that 

[MajiH'S  into  intermittent  fever  may  continue  to  occur  for  a  long  time  after 

j".'tir>t  attack,  we  are,  perlnqis,  at  liberty  to  suppose,  that  most  of  those 

Ki|  iriud  from  .'lis  post  were  contracted  in  more  southern  latitudes;  a  cou- 

(liision  which  is  strengthened,  by  the  great  di.sjiarity  between  the  number  of 

I  I'lvnuitti'iits  and  the  lunnber  of  remittents,  and  by  the  occurrence  of  nearly 

■  S'l  tlio  furinor  in  the  spring  of  the  year.     Thus  we  see  that  on  the   St. 

'•%iii  X.  Lat.  40^  o'J',  if  the  climate  do  not  annihilate  the  topographi- 


Hulied  by  the  Voyagcurs—'  The  Soo.' 
-.M.cical  [Statistics  of  U.  S.  A. 


r 


H 


\  ■  • 


a;-- 


W. 


1?-  ■. 


ISMSI'v-t^'H '. 


WJ" 


rth.  ■' 


4>  -'      •.  t- 


i?^M 


i  ''li 


33G 


THE  rilLNCIPAFi  DISEA.^ES  OF  THE 


lE'XH  ' 


fill    iiifliieiiPt's    |)roJueiiiL'    tliusc    disrii.sos.    it   rodiicos   tlioir   clfLit.  . 
iiiiiiiiiiniii. 

.!'"l'nlll  (iriiS  (';i|i  t(i  tllc  Saillt,  tl.c  i:nlirsi'  (if  tin-  St.  M;iry  is  a  litti,,  ,^  ; 
(if  ('.■i>t;  .•il'tci'wiird  it  turns  sti'miti'ly  tn  the  smitli,  anil,  \vi:lc'iiiii:.',  b,.,.,,,,, 
".fnithuilly  a  slialinw  wc^fcni  i.xti(  inity  nr  licd'l  of  Luke  lliirnii,  tiiil,r;i,j,.,, 
several  islands.  Tin;  lianl<s  of  this  ciiiineitiii';-  sti'nit,  liulnw  I'lj^  jj^^j^ 
like  tlin>('  tiltiive,  are'  elutlied  with  dense  fore.-ts  to  the  water's  tMl'v,  aid  1 
nearlv  destitute  nf  inhahitants.  Tn  the  nnrth  is  a  ranire  ef  liij_f|i  s;i'ii!.'.!>, 
hills,  which,  extendin^i:' we.-twardlv,  tnueh  ihe  lake  at  the  eutk't  nf  th.  >■ 
Mavy,  and  constitute  the  |iroMioutory  ealleil  (Iros  ('a|i.  JJi'Vend  iIum'  ■  , 
iu  the  diveetioii  of  Ifudsoii  Day,  the  country  is  a  wihlernos,  ahnimilii,- : 
swamps  and  small  lakes.  Although,  iu  I'ollowini.'  ihe  St.  .^larv,  wo  an^  ■. 
duele<l  to  hake  lluruii,  it  will  liu  most  coiivciiieut  to  descrihe  Luke  .Mi'!.;. 
iran  iir.st. 


SECTIOX  IT. 

BASIN  OF  LAKE  MICHIGAN. 

7.  rifAKiiAf.  |)i:srKii"rio\. — The  ]iosition  of  tbo  luirthoni  extrrmitv  : 
Lake  .Miehiifau  is  directly  south  of  the  eastern  (Mid  of  Jjako  Sujien!, '  • 
tw'een  which  there  is  an  unsettled  peinnsula.  bounded  on  the  cn^t  livti'  ^• 
Marv.  -Miehiitaii  is  a  loni;'  hut  comoarativelv  narrow  lake,  luiviiifr  its  iv 
nearly  iu  the  ei^'hty-seventh  meridian,  and  conseijuently  at  riirht  !iiigk«;:. 
that  of  liako  Superior.  Its  uorthorn  liovder  reaches  the  f<irty-?ixt!: '1.- 
of  latitude,  while  its  southorii —  jirojicrly  its  head,  —  is  found  idmut  41'  • 
N.  Its  area  is  estimated  by  Iliir.ii'ius  at  twenty-two  tlieusaml  >  ';r 
miles. '•■  Green  Bay,  which  opens  into  it  i>n  the  north-west,  is  ((iiiiiit',!  ;  .: 
two  thousand  more,  making  twei.ty-four  thousand,  or  nearly  fivc-Mxil.j  : 
the  area  of  Lake  Superior.  Its  (^levatiou  above  the  sea  is  live  luindn'!  •: 
scvouty-eight  feet.  Its  mean  de]ith  is  stated  at  one  thousiuii!  feut— i  '  : 
Crcen  Bay  at  five  hundred.  Lake  Miehigaii  is  eonnectcil  with  L.ike  liiiM 
by  the  Straits  of  ^Mackinac  (7V.  XIV ),  in  which  there  is  no  prini':. 
current;  yet  all  the  water  whi(di  flows  or  falls  into  the  former  lake,  li '  ■ 
what  is  absorbed  or  evaporated,  finds  its  v.'ay  to  the  oc^'aii  tlirMiiii  :-■'. 
channel.  Jjake  .Michigan  lies,  through  its  whole  extent,  within  tlio  v.yy. 
and  lower,  or  grey  and  blue,  Silurian  linu'stone.  The  country  mnr  it  i- :.  ^ 
rugged,  like  that  -wbieh  eneomj^asses  Lake  Superior;  but  its  banks  an. ::. 
general,  well  devcdoped,  and  the  ascent  from  them  to  the  surreiiii'liiip^'-'' 
sheds  or  sunmiit -levels,  is  grailual.  Its  principal  rivers  are  the  3h'ii'iii 
and  Fox  Kivev,  on  the  north-west,  which  discharge  their  waters  iiiti'  '■'■' 
Bay ;  and  Grand  River,  the  Kalamazoo,  and  St.  J  osejths,  on  the  .soiitb-v3<; 
From  the  head  of  Green  Bay  north-east  to  the  otraits  of  Mackins ■  - 
shores  are  but  little  settled  ;  and  fiu'ther  north  and  north-west,  up  t"  '■ 


*  Geological  Survey  of  the  State  of  Michigan. 


t:*'^; 

4  >>,.'•' 


,*i^: 


M' 


MIT  I . 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


887 


I'<,oiipori'ir  Hasin,  in  wlwit  is  riillcd  tlio  \i[nior  |uMiinsulii  (if  Mic1ii;.'aii,  tliG 

■itrv  i>  an  ii"i"\''^'"rJ  '"'"'^  iioarl}- uiiliriikcii  wiMrnicss.     Snutli  ol'  Circtin 

1' V  in  Wiscmisin  and  llliiidis,  and  nuiiid  tlio  head  of  tlio  lake,  in  Tiidiana, 

t.,  aiLiiiil  ill  Micliigaii,  mi  tlic  oastern   sidu  of  tlic  lake,  cdrrcsitdiiding  with 

tM.  lieailof  tliat  liay,  the  attraitivo  cliaractcr  of  tin-  soil  ,  .is,  witliiii  tlio  last 

tjo'itvvear,*,  k'd  to  an  cxtciisivo  inimigration,  and  tluis  rendered  tlie  soutii- 

ri  halt  "f  t'"-'  Mieliigan  ]?asiii  decidedly  interesting  to  tlic  medical  tojiog- 

ni.luT.    In  some  places  tlio  shores  are  liold,  and  composed  eitJHT  of  rocks 

••,',ni|iMt  tertiary  clay  or  gravel  deposits;  but  there  are  many  extensive 

net"  I'f  ^|^v  L'rinind,  some  of  whicli   arc   sulijeet  to  inundation,  from   the 

:,  vdiii'iit  of  the  waters  under  tiio  influence  of  winds;  while  otliers  have 

i  .n  rak'il  above  tliis  kind  of  inuiulation,  liy  dunes  of  blown  sand  from  the 

]..%<:h.    TliL'se  S|Mits  appear  to  have  licon  estuaries  and  small  bays,  filled  up 

i,  tlio  alluvion  of  streams  and  the  moving  sands  of  the  lake.    Some  of  them 

ir  u't  iiuaL'tiiires,  with  a   cru,-t  of  hardened  earth,  bound  together  by  the 

1 :  '•  f  iirai-s,  and  hearing  a  resembhirice  to  the  new  lands  in  the  Delta  of 

I  ('.■:  Mi-sissippi. 

1:;  !i  returning  voyage  from  Green  T5ay  to    ^Mackinac,  July  2Ptli  and 

;:i'.  b4"J,  I  feiiiid  the  surface-temperature,  between  liat.  45^'  and  4G",  as 


78" 
74° 
70^ 
GS^ 

G:r 
04^ 


Harbor  of  Navnrino,  shallow  water,      -         -         .         . 
fit.'  llav.  (lac  hours'  run,  off  the  .shoals,     -         -         . 
•'     '        0       "  "  

I.akr  Micliigan,  three  hours'  run,     -         .  -         . 

"  seven         i<       "  .... 

twelve       "       "       . 
lourteen    "       "  .... 

sixteen      "       "       - 
"  seventeen  •'       "  .... 

Straits  of  Mackinac,  eighteen  hours'  run,  -  -  - 
Mil  t'liose  observations  it  will  be  seen  that  tlic  shallow  water  is  warmest. 
T'U' liigli  temperature  of  the  harbor  of  Navarino  .'should  be  ascribed  in  part 
t  t'ciiitlueiue  of  Fox  I'ivor,  which  descends  from  the  south. 

II.   (iRKKN  Bay.  —  The  entrance  into  this  bay  presents  some  beautiful 

ii-.v.'lvcuiiipnsed  of  the  upper  Silurian  limestone,  arranged  into  mural  preci- 

l]>\  vliiili  have  been  wiiitcncd  by  the  action  of  the  waves  and  weather, 

i'liir  suiiuiiits  are  crowned  with  green  trees.    The  bay  is  long  and  nar- 

."■.^itli  an  axis  nearly  parallel  to  that  of  Lake  iMichigan.     Fox  Kiver 

t'.'ji  its  iipox,  and  presents,  on  the  left  or  west  bank  of  its  estuary,  the  re- 

I'-'i'l  and  uiigarrisoned  Fort  Howard;   on  its  oast,  the  new  villages  of 

^  ■•  •film  and  Aslor, —  better  known,  however,  under  the  name  of  Green  Bay. 

•  i't  and  villagi's  belong  properly  t)  one  locality,  as  the  estuary  which 

:  -i's  t!im  is  narrow. 

1  ■'■  lianh  uf  Green  V>ay  arc  generally  low  and  densely  wooded,  with  but 
'■'  >-ttkMiients.    As  we  approacli  its  head,  flat,  green  savannas  show  them- 


.  .-•    ) 


[K-^-u 


388 


THK  TRINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOli 


far  !•] 


IN 


VI 


V       *        t 


nvt 


'p 


selves  on  both  si  les.  According  to  Doctor  AVaril,*  tlic  lioad  of  tlic  Iv 
skirtcd  witli  "  ntiislics  a  niilu  in  wiiltli,  cdvcrcd  witli  a  luxuriant  iridntli  t 
grass  and  wild  rice,  wlocli  cndirace  tlic  nioutli  ol'  tluj  rivor,  and  r'l.iitiim. 
witliin  half  a  niilr  ol'  tin'  fort.  The  water  is  from  six  inches  tn  six  iVttil.-. 
on  these  inarshcs.  which,  l)v  the  (i|icratioii  of  a  diurnal  flux  and  ixflux  of-i'! 
waters  of  the  bay,  aro  alternately  flooded  and  drained  fwico  ovyry  twi  • 
fonr  hours.  Twenty  rods  ba(di  of  the  fort,  another  inar.-h  hi"iii.  „i 
.«|ireadin;j:  to  the  ri^ht  and  left,  e.xteinls  a  mile  or  more  in  eiu'li  Jirciti  i-" 
that  is  the  north-east  an<l  south-west:  it  (lifTers  from  the  otlior  in  ',.  ji,. 
partly  covert'd  with  trees  and  shrubs,  though  still  abounding  in  "ra^s,  \\'. 
yoinl  this  is  a  dry  and  thi(d<]y-wooded  plain. 

'J'lie  site  of  the  villagi's  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  cstuarv,  is  (IiT.iti  i 
above  the  swells  <.f  the  bay,  l)ut  abounds,  jr  has  alxmnded,  in  limited  .«il 
or  marshes,  chiefly  dried  up  since  the  settlement  of  tlie  pla'-e:  lcaviii.'(li|» . 
pits  of  organic  matter  in  their  little  basins.     The  plain  rises  sluwK- In  n, ;;, 
river  and  then  declines  to  the  east  (jr  north-east,  ut.til  it  teiniiiiati.<  ;i,  |i  •,; 
nr  Kast  lliver,  a  sti-eani  wliien  approaches  tlie  bay  nearly  paiidluWiili  1' •. 
l{iver.      l^'yoiid   tli'>   fornii  r  the  terrace  is  n.ore  elevated,  and  siimii;;  . 
grove  of  pine.      The  neck  of  land  lutween  these  rivers,  is  eijiii|ii  .-inl  jn;. 
of  (lark  sand,  colored  pcrliajis  by  organic  matter,  and  overspread  witli  l-n! 
ders  of  primitive  rocks. 

I  must  recur  to  the  swells  in  the  bay,  mentioned  by  Durfur  Wapi.  A 
regular  flux  and  reflux,  twice  in  the  twi'Utv-i'our  hoiu's,  woidd  <it"'S'-i  1::.: 
tides;  but  tlu'v  are  not  of  that  kind;  imr,  in  fact,  do  they  apjunr  wit'i ;  • 
retrularitv  wliiidi  his  hm!.'ua2;e  would  suir!J.'est.  The  winds,  hv  i.li;iii:'ii..' ' 
level  of  the  waters  of  the  lake  and  the  liay,  are  the  eflicient  cause  ;  ::; 
BO-called  tides,  along  the  low  shores  of  the  latter.  These  tides  are  oikj-;  :• 
ally  much  greater  than  eonuuoii,  and  depend  e(pially  on  the  «nutli-\vi-:  .. 
the  north-east  winds.  That  currents  of  air,  moving  in  oppcsito  dim;i;> 
can  produce  them,  nni y  be  understood,  by  looking  on  the  hydregi':i[iliii;i!  ;■ ,; 
(  J'l.  I).  A\'heu  the  wind  is  from  the  north-east,  it  heaps  up  t!ie  witi'-  : 
the  bay  at  its  head,  and  when  it  flows  from  the  south-wc^^t.  it  accuiii'j'iW 
the  water,:  of  the  lake  in  its;  northern  extrcmily,  whence  tiny  flnwif: : : 
the  bay,  and  raise  its  level  To  the  j.erpetual  or  frei|uciit  siihuiTgi::'.  : 
tiK'.  marshes  in  this  locality,  Doctor  Forry,  in  his  coinujcntar  'S  en  t.,  rr 
ports  from  Fort  Howard,  ascribes  its  well-known  autunmal  salubrity,  T-:.' 
from  what   I  was  told  in  F'^42,  has  always  been  great. 

Thus,  Doctor  Armstrong,  after  a  residence  of  seven  years  in  Nav;:.;:.. 
declared  to  nu\  thac  intermittimt  and  remittent  fevers  are  almost  unh^ 
among  its  inhalntants;  and  Mr.  Allen  and  Mv.  Horner,  two  intclli;:(.'ii!  .-• 
tlemen,  cimfirmed  his  statement.  3Ir.  Eyan,  a  respectable  IwUrn  tr;ia 
who  had  resided  there  much  longer  than  either,  assured  n.e  that  iiitorni:"- 
fever  was  unknown,  among  both  the  whites  and  the  Indians;  but  tliatat-^ 
remittent  fever  had  prevailed  in  the  year  1828.     The  army  return*  il'' 


*  Medical  Statistics  U.  S.  A. 


Iinffovcr,  ]iresont 
■•tliu  annual  raiii 
knilrt'd  of  ineiui 
l\r.  JJrady ;  yet 
itii.'.'.  luidcr  siniila 

III.  ru.uiivi 

hkv  i"  tip  the  soiit 
(jrcil  and  f^ixty  h 
Bd'K  I''u.v,  iJivcr 
JliviT.  from  the  ne 
ill  lint,  the  cuuntr 
sivi'  laar.dies,  froii 
J'lUtiit'ni  Basin,  t;i 
traiiiv  into  bake  "\' 
fr  III  till.'  mirth,  it  a 
::iru-  Midd(,'nly  to 

.>,!llil-fftSt.       It    Wii 

;t.(i  !ir>t  cntori'd  iVi 
'■^■■<:  hake  .)licdiii.; 
'.•ijit  hundred,  its 
V'i  nvulvc  miles  — 


IV.    FoiiT  Wix> 
inl  \r,  Lull.  S!:^'  ]>> 
j.;-t  mentinntd,  near 
■'  rv.iiich  the  Wis 
::v  itrt,  when  a  ]i 
■  ""■•'■an  by  the  St. 
'list  in  this  locality 
Eardiy  alluvions,  of 
lic'tljicK  vegetalile  n 
C'.'iiif  h,  a  stratum  of 
fc'fl'laci'.*,  however. 
'h'    Tiiose  are  km 
o-Jj  to  eriiss  with  Imr 
'MO  causes  that  Iiav( 
"■^^^T  !■•!  a  .stratum  o. 
''^^'■'fa'mnalenlarorii 
%s!.alWlakesnr 
'■"■•ltd  with  myriads 

'^■•^'lMnually,eacho,i 
"«iu!u- lag,,,,,,  ,,,,,„ 

^"  i'"porfoctly  „.ga,,i, 

' '''•''"!  .Statistics  U. 
■^aiim's  Wisconsin 


'>■( 


.jiTi.]  INTERIOR  VALI.KY  OK  NDRTII  A.M!:UICA.  ;j:}9 

I  IV  uT,  prcsont  Ao  prciit  an  rxciiiiitiipii ;  i'lT,  tlirmi^'Ii  a  jxmiikI  of  ten  years, 
•i:i''  aiiiaial  rn'i'u)  ut  iiiti'i'iiiittoiit.'s  was  Ax,  ami  nf  remit H'lits  three,  jilt  omi 
!;;;i.livJ  of  iiicaii  strfMigtIi ;  "  '■■' — 11  rate  ni'  |jicviileiice  a  little  j^roater  than  at 
P',,r'.  lirailv;  yt  in  n"  •h'Lii'ec  a|i|iri.aihin;,f  the  latius  ot' iiu  ro  suiitheni  lical- 
•;,:•,  iiiitlur  Miuiliir  to|i(i;:r;i|ihieal  eirciimstaiiees. 

III,  Fox  liiVKii  is  the  (iiillet  nf  Lalu'  W  iiuu'Iiair".  Tlie  pusitiim  of  that 
lake i' til  tliu  SDiitli-oast  of  (ireeii  l>ay,  at  tlie  irreater  elevation  (if  one  liun- 
M  aii'l  •'"i-'^fy  t'^-'i^^t,t  or  se\en  hnmh-cd  auil  thiiis -eiuht  alinvc  the  sea. 
li,:  n;  Fu.Y.  Uivor  enters  tlie  lake  iiom  rlie  suntli-west,  it  is  joined  l»y  Wolf 
lli.ir.  triiiu  till'  north,  wlii''li  iia^  made  its  way  tliroii;.di  several  small  lakes; 

,  lait,  lilt;  cuuiitry  ai'onnd  Jiuke  \\  iuiieliat'o  alioumis  in  ponds  and  oxteii- 
.,,!•  iiiiii'sliL's,  from  some  of  v*hieh  Jloek  Iliver.  already  deserilied  in  the 
>  utiii.rii  Ha.siii,  takes  its  ori,L'i:i.  In  ascriiilini;  l''oX  Jiiver,  aliove  its  ou- 
iraii'v  into  hake  Winneliau'o,  \\.-  arrive  at  the  sjiot  where,  liavins.'  desi'euded 
f:  ;:i  ilic  iiiiitli,  it  iijiproaehes  within  a  iiiilo  of  tlie  river  Wiseoiisin  ;  wlion  it 
•.jrii-  .•iiiltli.'iily  to  the  north-east,  and  the  AViseonsiii  as  suddenly  to  the 
« iitii-wtst,  It  was  over  this  portage,  that  the  valley  of  the  Mississijtpi 
r.<  ;ii'>t  tiitcrcil  from  the  llasin  of  the  Lakes  hy  Marqvietto.  Its  elevatioa 
■.:'  v.;  hake  Michigan  is  two  htuidred  and  tweiity-ihree  Ibet  —  aliove  the  sea 
li.'it  liiiinlml.  Its  distanee  from  the  head  of  tlreen  ]>ay  is  one  hundred 
r'l  twelve  miles  —  I'rom  the  western  shore  of  J^ake  Miuhigau,  eighty-one 

IV.  Font  WixNKiur.o.  —  This  military  post  stands  in  N.  Lat.  4D"  31', 
wlW.  Lull.  Ml'"' 2>>',  on  the  north-east  margin  of  the  islhnnis  or  jiortage 
j.;-t  ineiitiniiecl,  near  the  right  hank  of  Fox  Kiver.  1'he  Isthmus  Is  a  marsh, 
vrv.iiicli  the  Wisconsin  in  high  floods  pours  its  waters,  to  the  depth  of 
;..  ikrt,  when  a  portion  of  thcni  flow  into  Fox  liivur,  to  find  their  way  to 
:  •    ;.;m  hy  the  St.  Lawreneo,  instead  of  the  i\lisslssi[ipi.      Other  swam[)S 

::i;t  ill  this  locality.  In  fact,  both  sides  of  eaih  river  are  bordered  with 
ibliy  alluvions,  of  which  Doctor  Foot'''  remarks: — "In  cutting  through 
twtlikK  vegL'tahlc  matter  on  the  surface,  from  two  to  four  I'eet  thick,  you 
Cjiik' tn  a  stratum  of  soft  mud,  generally  a  foot  or  two  in  tlilckncss.  In  a 
lei I'laci'S,  however,  this  stratum  of  mud  and  water  is  from  eight  to  ten  fect 
'l'.':i.  iiicse  are  known  by  the  name  of  'shaking  marshes,'  and  a»x'  danger- 
'.-tocr.iss  with  horses.  They  ajiiiear,  however,  to  bo  filling  up,  from  tho 
.-anie  causes  that  have  made  the  others  more  solid."  Beneath  the  mud  and 
W'^r  IS  a  stratum  of  fine  silicious  saiul,  whieh  is  believed  by  Doctor  Foot  to 
^•'  t  a  amalculiir  origin,  lie  supposes  t  ■  marshes  to  have  been  origin- 
ally s:.;ilW  lakes  or  lagoons,  full  of  atpuitie  plants,  which  were  then,  as  now. 
jV'iwlwith  myriads  <jf  animalcules,  whoso  .shells  were  ])ure  sllex.  As  these 
'•'■  1  Miuuilly,  each  one  deposited  its  particle  of  sllex,  until,  in  tho  process  (jf 
■3iU;io  lagiion  hceame  filled  up,  having  below  a  stratum  of  sand,  and  above 
'^  iiiiporloftly  i;gani/.ed  soil,  formed  by  the  annually  decaying  vegetation. 


'^''■:icalSlatisticsU.  S.  A. 
'  Lajiiiam's  Wisconsin. 


-»;■.  *' 


•.;#. 


t.  Medical  Statistics  U.  S.  A.,  p.  150. 


840 


Tin:  I'lnxcii'Ai.  DisiiAsr.s  or  tiir 


".  < 

1- 
•    ■  h 

v'H: 


^;'.'!i 


V    . 


It-'-J 


[BOoj 


Accnrdlii;.'  to  tlio  nnny  returns  for  ten  yi-ars,  tlio  aiiiiunl  ratio  of  oajc«  ■ 
iiifcrniittciit  fever  at  this  jxist,  is  Imt  live  prr  cent.;  niid  nf  ri'iiiittciit  - 
and  !i  tliinl  per  cent.;  less,  even,  tluin  iit  l''nrt  II(i\v:ird;  iintwitliotiiiiiliii'. 
topii^rapliy  of  tliis  spdt  su  eniinently  favors  tlie  |iriidii(;ti()n  (if  thosi'  l,,,.. 
It  is.  niorcdvcr,  nearly  a  d('Lri'<'e  fnrtln'r  Kmitli ;  luit,  lit  tlic  saiiiu  tiinf  f 
hundred  and  twenty  feet  Iiiiflicr;  wliicli,  in  reference  to  tlie  licat  nf  miiiiii|,.p 
may  jierliajis  ciini|iensato   for  tlie  dillereiice  <jf   latitnde.      It  wmiM  nr,,,,,.. 
from   tlie.s(i   ,«fatistic,-(  tliaf,  at    Kort   WinneI)a;:o,  a,  latifii(l(>  df  fdrtv-tlTn. 
decrees  and  a  lialf,  and  an  elevation  of  ei^lit  luindred  I'eet,  gnailv  ri.tr  ] 
tlic  noxioM.s  autuninal  influence  of  extensive  bogH  and  inar.>*lirs,  alKiuiuli!.';. 
organic  matter. 

V.     ]Mn,\v.\rKi[;.  —  Tlie  .small  bay  of  Mihvankic  is  a  seiui-ciiTiilar  i'  I  ,. 
tatioii  on  the  western  coast  of  Lakii  Mielii^'an,  ahoiit  the  fdrty-t'iinl  il.r 
of  north  latitude.      Its  len<rtli  is  six  miles,  and  its  deptli,  or  jiriijccti.n  i; 
the  land,  three.     The  shores  of  this  portion  of  the  lake  are  eonii)(i.«c(l  i.;  i 
pnst-tcrtiary  chiy  dcp(jsit,  from  twenty  to  one  hniidred  fed   in  lijnlit.    '|" 
bottom  of  the  liay  has  been  filled  up  by  the  alluvion  of  two  siikiII  rivir- ; 
Jlihvaukie  and  Menomonee,  which  unite  as  they  enter  it.     In  their  ivmi.  :. 
valley,  and  on  the  adjacent  ^lojiinj;  tertiary  plain,  to  the  nortli,  st;iml<  i': 
new  and  rapidly  j/rowing  town  of  IMilwaukie.     After  passing  tlirniij:li  1. 1.» 
river  enters  that  jiart  of  the  l)ay  which  has  been  filled  up,  anil  wi;.'!-  '•; 
way,  as  a  deep  and  narrow  canal,  to  the  lake.     The  space  ln'twoin  thct  ■« 
and  the  mouth  of  tlie  river,  is  an  impassable  morass,  bridL'cd  over  nit!,  i 
stnituin  of  indurated  alluvion,  boiuid  together  by  the  roots  of  tlic  '.t—- 
which  it  nourishes.     This  crust   being  penetrated,  the  soft  nnul  li;i~  1  is 
sounded  to  the  depth  of  more  than  forty  leet,  without  finding  buttion."  .1 
part  of  the  bottom  on  which  the  town  is  built,  was  a  wooded  Mvaiii|i,  w'; :. 
has  been  reclaimed.     As  both  the  estuary  and  the  uiarshes  of  the  Lav  lii !: 
the  south  of  the  center  of  the  town,  the  summer  and  autumnal  I'xlialatir.; 
are  wafted  over  it  by  the  winds.     Thus,  Milwaukie,  topograpliieallyi'"!.-;!- 
crcd,  would  be  jirouounced  a  sickly  town;  but  such  is  not  tlic  fact.    Niv:' 
thelcss,  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  ju'cvail  more  at  this  plair  tl.r.  ; 
Green  l>ay,  a  degree  further  north,  but  on  the  same  level;  or  at  F'lt  ^V- 
iicbago,  half  a   degree  further  north,  and  two  hundred  feet  liiglicr.    .''::1 
their  jirevalonce  is  far  less  than  in  some  more  jironiisiiig  localities  in  Iw 
hititudes.      Thu.s,  Doctor  JJean,  who  had  jira<tic(d  medicine  in  tlio  hi'-:.'i 
of  41*^,  on   the  highlands  of  Illinois.  Avcst  of  Peoria,  assured  iiii'.  i';i: 
found  much  less  autumnal  fever  at  liis  present,  than  his  fornior  re-;'!:  ■ 
In  three  years,  he  had  seen  but  five   or  si.K  cases,  all  of  which  w^i'f  ^'■'■■'•'■ 
and  the  number  of  remittents  had  lieon  still  smaller.     This  stateimiif.  1  ^• 
ever,  excludes  some  cases  in  wdiich  tlie  disease  was  coiitraetcMl  cIscwIiTJ. 
Doctor  Ilewett,  -who  had  resided  in  Milwaukie  a  longer  periled  nf  time. .m 
seen  rather  more  of  these  diseases,  especially  in  the  autumns  of  INjI'  ai" 
and  1840;  yet  some  seasons  had  pas.-;ed  away,  without  prc.-ciilir.g  .-car-*.''' 
sintclo  ease. 


*  Lajjliam's  Wisconsin. 


!;!'' 


tin  of  oasioj  ;' 
ri'iiiittfiit,  •  ■ .. 

tll-tailllillL;!'.; 

'  tlidflij  fcvtri, 
iiiiiu  tiiiif.  tvo 
:iit  (if  Miiiiiii-r, 

W'oilM  ;i|,|„... 

"f  fiirty-tljn! 
greatly  fM.trl 
s.  Jiliiiumlii.jiia 

•circular  iii>l  ■[.• 
ty-tliinl  ilc.T.' 

lirnjwiioll  I'.t 

I  l.'uni|in,6|.-il  Ml  J 

in  biglit.  Tu' 
small  rivir- 1,, 

II  their  (■>  am  :. 
nrflt.  st;iiiil<  t'v 
i;  tlirciiigli  't,  I'.e 

p,  and  wiiii!"  it; 
ftwein  t!:i'  vn 

^'(■(1  (iVtT  wi',',  I 

s  of  tlie  '.'n-'" 

t  nnid  liib  I'lia 

ng  boltiiiii."  A 

(1  >\vaiii]i.  V;, :, 

,f  tlioli;iyl>: 

iiuial  I'xliiibti:..- 

ipliiually  i'''i;-:i- 

(.•fact.    N'V.:- 

place  t!.;i':  .; 

.V  at  F.Tt  ^Vi:.- 

liin'luf,    S:;l 

alitics  in  I'wr 

ill  tlio  lMiu.ii 

■il  mc.  t:  a:  : ■ 


inner  rc: 


:,!,.■ 


ieh  wui'c  n.:.;: 
gtatciiiciit.  I.  ^• 

•ted  olsi'^':.-'^' 
i.iddf  tinio.'il 
nisof  b:>;'i 
L'liliiigscarftijs 


,,„,.]  INTKFUOli  VALLEY  OF  NOimi  AMLIUCA.  .•]41 

VI  I'AriNK.  —  FiMiii  ]\Ill\V!nil<it'  to  Uaciiic,  twotity-livc  iiiil(.'s,  n  lult  of 
•lilt  and  I'dty  I'oiv.xt,  iiiinrislird  liy  tlii-  iiitliiciu'cs  of  tlic  l;ikc,  siiruails  to 
|i,  iji'taiiee  "•  two  or  tlircc  miles  into  tli»>  (vmiilry,  boyuntl  \vlii<-li,  tlicrc  nro 
r  li:!.' prairies.  Tlio  site  id"  ruieiiif,  in  N.  liMt.  1-'^  r»(i',  j.s  ii  ji:irt  id'  this 
;f„,li4  iilain,  elevated  IVmii  tliirty  t(j  fifty  feet  alxive  tlii'  lake.  In  rainy 
iv.;i;'iir,  •iiiiall  p'^ds  of  water  fdrni  on  many  parts  id'  it.s  surface.  Tii  (li,L';;inj^ 
n,;iv  ;is  Piictdr  Cary  infdrmcd  ino,  tliey  pas.s  tliroii;:!!  a  lied  id  -andy  Inain, 
wii  tlinin.u'li  a  dcpH.sit  of  pravel,  into  another  id'  Idiie  clay,  with   pi  li- 


aMt .  .    _  _  .  ._ 

ill.,  wlicii  pnrc  hnt  hard  water  is  (ditaiiicd.  At  the  same  level,  springs 
|,;r.t  iiut  fmni  the  hanks  of  Hoot  lliver,  which  enters  tin;  lake,  adjacent  to 
tli-i  iiirtlicrii  side  (d'  the  fi.wn.  The  v;dley  id'  this  river,  fur  two  or  three 
ni:!'<  up.  is  ahont  sixty  rnds  in  width,  and  not  siihiect  to  inmidation. 
P  t-r  Ciirv,  wii'i  had  n  sided  in  the  pl,-ire  leu  years,  tlnit  is,  frmn  the  hegin- 
ij,i:'"l' its  settlement,  informed  me,  that  for  the  first  two  years,  thero  was 
i'av.Tlv  a  case  of  nutnmnal   fever:  in   the  next    two,  a   tiumher  (d'  cases 

iirml:  and  in  the  fdhiwinir  year,  l>-''>It,  it  assumed  a  mild  epidcinie  char- 

,1  ;r.  ]inttiii,cr  iin  an  interinittent  type,  and  provin;,'  fatal  in  a  siiij;l(.'  instance 
i'„lv.  The  fdlldwing  year  it  was  auain  epidemic.  In  Iii.th  thos(!  years,  the 
riiUtli  (if  lli'^it  Itivcr  was  clndied  np  with  sand,  and  its  waters  rendered 
fiai'iiant.  Ill  the  next  three  or  four  years,  the  eases  were  very  few.  Doctor 
lira'.Ts,  who  had  resided  eight  years  in  the  place,  coiifirnied  tho  statement  of 
1'  !  r  Carv,  and  add"'',  that  every  aiitnmn  some  cases  id'  I'eniiltent  I'evcr 
u'.'iiwl.  It  appears  frniii  these  acconnts,  that,  lieluw  the  latitude  of  A'A^', 
lat'ic  .•'hiin's  iif  Lake  .^lil•hiil■an.  n  locality  presenting  hut  few  (d'  the  tupo- 
frapliii'al  ciiiiditidiis  which  prddiice  autumnal  I'evcr,  is  much  iiinre  inl'csted 
tlm  places  further  north,  in  which  those  conditions  exist  in  a  far  greater 
(li'iTic;  as  at  Green  IJay  and  Fort  ^\'innel)ago. 

Ml  Ciiic.UiO,  the  comuiorcial  metropolis  of  Lake  [Michigan,  stands  on 
akv.sind-plain,  ou  tho  western  side  id"  the  li.-ike,  in  N.  Lat.  IT'  ;")!',  and 
W.  bin.  ^7"^  85'.  The  breadth  (d'  this  flat  along  tho  lake  is  ahmit  four 
tcil' *,  whuiice  it  runs  liack  {m  or  twelve  miles  to  the  Fuver  JJrs  J'/ai),cs,  au 
elvDiuntary  branch  of  the  lllimds,  deserihed  in  the  last  chapter.  "When  the 
laki;>!nii(|  at  a  level  only  twenty  feet  higher  than  at  present,  its  waters  over- 
Wailthis  bed  of  alluvion,  and  a  jiortion  (d'  them  flowed  down  the  lllin'ii.s. 
■\t  tills  time  it  is  a  savanna,  ab(uuiding  in  marshes  and  low  sand-ridges; 
Iravfised  by  tlie  river  just  mentioned,  on  the  west,  and  on  the  cast  liy  the 
ri  rt!i  and  .sirntli  .""orks  (d'  Chicago  Kiver  or  (.'reek;  Vthieh,  flowing  nearly  ]»ar- 
aii'.l  with  tlio  lake  shore,  and  at  a  short  distance  from  it,  unite  within  it,  and 
frm  a  shiirt  common  trunk,  which  meanders  throii'di  its  center,  to  the  lake. 
IjMvatcr  111  this  natural  canal  is  twenty  feet  in  depth,  and  rises  and  falls, 
frill  the  fcrce  of  winds  upon  tho  lake,  ahoiit  tw(.  .  t;  a  flucti-'ition  wliicli 
li::ib  to  Parry  away  the  filth  whiidi  would  otherwise  accumnlato  on  its  mar- 
fc!i'>.  tnmi  tlic  houses  on  each  side,  and  fnun  the  vessels  which  se(.k  it,  as  the 
wily  harbor  of  Chicago.  From  the  mmitli  (d"  this  river  there  is  a  gradual 
f!>i' 'jf  the  plain,  to  the  bight  id'  twenty  feet;  wldch  may  be  attained  by  as- 
'  "iig  the  south  fork  of  the  river,  to  a  spot  wdience   streams  sometimes 


'- 


t^-Tl" 


842 


'riii;  I'l'iNdi'M,  Disi'.ASF.s  fir  Tin; 


[tr,(tt 


■    .4 


f 

1 

■ 

* 

1.  ' 

■  t. 


ft 


■f 

y 

1 

n- 


fliiW   fn   till'  (Mst    mid   WV-f.  I'll    V.  llirll    CMIIOCS    ll.'IVr    |l'l'^.-"((l    flN  111    tile  In';,,  ;,, 

till'  Illiiini.s  lUviT.     Tlic  i';iii;il  Ir^iii  Cliiciiju'"  I"   I'rra.  iiii'iitidinMl  in  th,     ,, 

c!l!l|iflT,   ImW   |I!1SS('S  nVt-r  t!i;it   Sllllllllit -Irvcl,   wllii'll   i-   tlic    ]ii\V(>f  liclw,.,.,   .1 
Gulf    llf    St.     LllWri'tlCC    Jllill    til"     dull'    l<\'     Mi'.vicn.    Iicill;/,    ill    rnlIIKl    liiMi,!,,,, 

only  ^'ix  Iniiiilnij  t'ci't.  Nmr  llic  liiKc  .sliurc,  I  lie  winds  ap'  (  'istnnth  \\.<x. 
ili^' a  liiii'  (lirk-cnliurd  s;ii  d  mi  tl.i'  iiiiiri;iii  el'  tlic  |i|.iiii,  wliidi,  >  nfl, ,,.' , 
town,  \A  riiiM'il  iiitn  Inw  rid;:y  dunes.  Tlic  liiwii-|d;it,  fVciii  tlit^  il,'.i;i;,'' 
of  tlir  ruarsc  ,'»iili-ai(natic  V(',L'''f!itinn,  and  tin'  traiiii'iiii;  nt'  linn  aid  ;i:.iii ,'. 
is  cuiistanlly  lM'(Miiiiiiip'  dncr  ;n.d  liriiirr.  IIi  vm.d  tlii'sc  iidliiiiiii'M,  tn!!,.!,  . 
it  liic  liiMs  tn  niarsliii  CSS ;  Init  as  it  is  imt  sid'irit  tu  iiiiiiidatiuii,  i.ikI  \^  };,: 
eiKiUL'li  aliiivc  till'  ('hii-au"i  m  d  l>i's  I'laiiics  IliviTs.  tu  he  diainnl,  Lv  ;i  ■,. 
ciiiii.-i  .s\sti'iii  i<\'  diti'liiii'j',  it  will,  ihi  don'il,  aH  ii'ijiiilatinii  iiuTuiiv...  !, 
entirely  reelaiiiK  d. 

]''oi!T  |)i:.\nii(iiiv,  a  vacaird  military  [Ki.st,  st.'ind-  mi  n  sand-dune,  iiiiiii,,lj. 
ately  SKiifli  111'  till'  eiitraiiec  el'  Cliic'iL'"  Itiver  intu  tlie  lal;e, 

Till'  .sill'  111'  Cldeau'i'  \vas  iiiin|iird  in  early  times  liy  tlie  l''n'iii')i,  Imt  i'  ; 
never  i'e>ided  on  it  in  lai'LH'  nnmliei's.  It  was,  liy  the  Aiiieririm  jr,,v,.n,i,  ■• 
Iliad"  a  military  li'st.  and  a:i  li;diaii  a;;- 'tiey.  In  tlie  year  l^Iil,  t!i'  ;  ;r 
itself  was  e(iiiiiiieiieed  :  aiel  at  tliis  time  (  1^1'*'),  its  |iii|iiil!itin|i  ;.  ,,; 
twenty  tliiMi-.iiid.  Tlie  city  I>  sn|i|ilird  witli  water  IVnin  the  ImIic,  tlr  ■.■; , 
liydraiit-sv.steiii.  A  ^irowtli  wo  ra|iid  indieates  it.s  |ir(isiieetivi' iiii|i.ii':i!;.:' 
andeiititles  i'  to  the  ri".'.'n'il  id'  the  inedieal  topo^'rajilier.  ^^itiiatr  "H  •'' 
eastern  nr  lecv.-ird  inarLiin  of  a  wel  ur  marshy  ]d,iin  of  ;.'i'('at  ixinit,  i: 
WoiiM,  ill  ;i  siiiithern  eliiiKite.  he  e!;issed  with  the  .sichlicst  Ini'alitic'i.  l,.":- 
iiii|nli'e,  then,  iiiln  the  e.xtent  of  the  eoiiiitervailinii' influence  of  its  laliliik 
which  is  ne;iily  that  of   II!", 

Aecordintf  til  the  retnrns  i'roni  l''iirt  |)e:irh{ini,  for  ten  years,  tlif  a':;.':_ 
ratio  (if  its  iiitcniiittcnts  w,is  twenty-three  |ier  cent.. — that  of  its  roniittfi;*. 
four  per  cent,'-  The  aiiiiual  ratiu  at  l'"nrt  AVood.  mi  the  (liilf  nf  .M  x:c", 
hivvintr  Lake  IJiiri^ne  on  one  ,-ide,  and  ii  cypress  swamp  mi  the  "liier. 
was,  through  the  s;ime  perind. — interinittont,s  ,seventy-six, — niiiitteiits  tivir,- 
ty-seveii.  These  posts  are  almut  twelve  deiirees  apart;  and  to  tlii>  fe- 
ciic<'  of  latitude  wo  may  a.-^crilu'  the  difVereiit  deorei's  of  autuiiiniil  tire: 
experienced  liy  tlndr  respective  irnrrismis  thrmi'^h  the  same  pori' il :  ;i  ;:> 
feronce  which  m;iy  lie  e.vpressed  liy  .saying,  that  while  ono  liuiiiIrHl  i:  • 
would  present  hut  tweiity-sevoii  cages  of  lever  at  Fi  rt  DenrlMini,  tl.i  •  "t 
nuinlier  would  present  mie  hundred  and  tliree  cases  at  Fort  Wuoil.  I':;. 
other  hand,  however,  we  find  the  priijHirtiou  at  Fort  Deaihoni  jrriatcr  t'a 
at  Flirt  WiniK'liago  and  Fort  Howard.  Imtl:  lying  further  iim'tli,  a!:'l  :.. 
former  at  an  elevation  two  hundred  feet  higher, 

Fnin  I'rofessor  I'naimird,  of  FiUsh  .Medical  College.  T  received  statonioni.'. 
which,  when  compared  with  those  of  the  medical  gentlemen  «(  'irwii  l'^}' 
!Milwaul<ie,  and  Kacine.  indicate  a  decidedly  greater  prevalence  of  autiiiK:iJ 
fever  ill  (.'hicai^-o  than  in  tin  se  towns;  hut  he  had  not  mot  witli  iiifil':"'"'' 


*  Medical  Statistics  U.  S.  A.,  p.  87. 


,»T  •.: 


INTKIUOIl  VAF.I.r.Y  OT  NORTH  AMTJilCA. 


'Mn 


Till'  ai'C'iuiits  jjivt'ii  iiu!  In  hnctnr  Kiiriht'ily  wore  K'm.s  lavorublo  tlian 
.,    f  I'riilV'^siir   Uriiiiianl.     Ilo  H|»ijki',  partiiHiIiirly,  ol"  tliu  year   l>»!{i), 

11  iIh!  iTuwil  "t"  .straii^rurH  was  ^'ri'at,  whili.'  tin-  tii\vii-|iliit  was  >till  poiMly 
•  iii.ir'!)V,  aiitl  i'  ;.n'at  ileal  of  wet  |iralru!  was  lnoki'ii  up  witli  tlii'  pinw. 
ji,  .citoiiii'iits  of  Uoetiii'.s  l>i  (III,  huviilsnii,  ami  llriiikcrliull',  fully  .-^iistaiiu'il 
.!,  i:ii|in'.«>iini  luatli!  Iiy  tliu  fifliiTs,  ami  I'liiiviiifcd  mc  tliat  the  fnwu  <it' 
I  i  ,_'ii  liUM  lioi'ii  lunrL'  iiifi,'HtLMl  wiili  iiutuiiiiial  IcviT  tliaii  I'mt  JliailMirii 
y liirii:  wliicli  ;:o(.'.s  to  htri'ii^'tlicii  tin.'  pri'valiiit  opininn,  tliat  tliu  lir.l  cx- 
.,  ,iri,' iif  iIkmii'W  M'il  to  tilt'  sun,  rain,  aiul  air,  is  insalulirioiis.  A  part 
.1  tiii.'i  Mii-tiiriiiii;.'  was  Ity  tlie  plow,  aiiniliiT  Ity  tin;  h|iaili.'  in  tlm  cxcavatiuii 
f  t'lC  i.niiil.  Tliis  (ipcratioii  tlcsi-rves  soiiio  luttico.  Tlio  i.'aiial  utrotelirrt 
.  ,:  -wi'tii'lv  fi'tiii  till-'  town  foiiipli'tcly  across  tlic  plain.  One  of  the  coii- 
•  I  •  !<ti'Iil  me,  that,  in  l^.'»>^,  he  liuil  cxi-avatoil  a  mile.  The  avera;,'(!  di;;- 
.;.MV!i«to  the  (hptli  of  four  fict,  throii.li  a  .soft  hlaek  iiiohl,  aho'inilin;^'  in 
■.■;:i;i' matter.  The  (li>faiie(«  to  wh.'.-h  this  silt  was  sprciul  out,  on  eaoh 
.■  i' .  wa,<  such  as  to  cover  a  paralli'loi;iaiii  of  the  avcra;.'!!  width  of  two  hmi- 
.r'laiul  t'i^'lity  foet,  cxposeil   to  sun   ami  rain.      Doetor  IJotJiie  had  ample 

:  itiiiiities  (if  ohsrr\  iii^'  the  elVcct  of  this  proeeedin^f  on  the  health  of  the 
,  ilr.  Nearly  all  who  resided  ahni!,'  the  line  of  excavation,  siekeiied  with 
aitiiinal  ft'Vcr;  and  almost  all  the  laliorers  (  Irish  immiiirants  )  sullered  in 
;..  vim.'  way.     Several  died  with  malignant  or  eoiigeHtive  syniptoiiis. 

V!ll.  MiciiiiiAN'  CiTV.  This  newly-settled  town,  in  tlie  State  of  Indiana. 
i.>  •iriati' near  the  vertex,  or  southern  extremity,  of  tia  hike  whose  name  it 
i'lr*.  Ill  passiii^i,'  round  the  head  of  the  lake  Iroin  (!hiea;:'o.  it  is  seen  that 
:il'lt,  tlirt'O  or  four  uiihs  wide,  consists  of  dunes  or  hillocks  of  lilowii  sand, 
liii.lyeovureil  with  trees.  They  vary  in  hii;Iit  from  twenty  up  to  one  liiiii- 
•k'lltwt,  arc  of  all  forms,  and  ;j:ive  origin  to  no  streams,  liut  inclose  poiul.s 
jfwat'T.  The  sand  is  generally  white  or  gray;  the  soil  is  very  tliiii,  and 
k'iL<  Imt  few  hcrhaeeous  plants."  Jiehind  this  belt,  there  is,  according  to 
1' 'I ''.' I'lilfunl,  I'ormerly  of  ^licliigan  City,  now  of  -Mineral  I'liint.  Wiseun- 
^.:i. a  buad  iirairie-marsii.  and  then,  at  a  little  higlier  level,  a  tract  of  wood- 
lainl  tivc  or  .'■ix  miles  wide.  To  this  succeeds  a  dry  and  rolling  prairie,  from 
ten  t'j  twenty  laili's  in  width  (  eiiihracing  groves  of  timber  ),  which  extends 
a T  >s  the  State  of  Indiana  from  west  to  cast.  Immediately  south  of  tlii.s, 
t:.iTj  i.s  a  licit  iif  wood-luiid,  to  which  succeed.s  the  valley  of  tlie  Kankakee, 
■vit!iits  (k'op  and  sluggish  waters,  liordcred  on  both  sides  with  extensive 
iii3r>lii's,  liaviiig  a  grassy  surface.  Thus,  the  people  who  inhabit  the  prairie 
t' I'll' north  or  leeward,  are  subjected  to  influences  which,  in  the  latitude  of 
il'  •!"'.  and  at  the  elevation  of  six  or  seven  hundred  I'eet,  give  rise  to  a 
;ri;it  Jwil  iif  autumnal  fcvi'r. 

M:"!iii.'an  City  is  situate  within  the  tract  liere  described,  on  the  west  side 

''•■iii'mtli  of  a  small  stream  called  Trail  Creek,  in  N.  Lat.  (  aliout )  41^ 
'■  'II  a  .<aiiily  plain  which  rises  but  a  few  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 
'■'■'»•'■    hi  its  rear  are  sand  hills  and  then  a  marsh.     From  Doctor  Pulford  I 


'!ii 


'*.*' 


ii 


*  From  the  late  William  Harris,  Land  Sarvevor. 


f'''' 


tj;.  ' 


344 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


r- 


A--. 


;t^:l-.:|5.>:.|.:.;-; 


KirJ.     ■ 

■               ^ 

>  ••.  ;a     ,. 


I  Boot  , 


learned,  that  autumnal  fever,  lutli  intermittent  and  remittent,  m-evail'i  lj.«„ 
in  a  deeitled  and  often  dangerous  de<^ree. 

IX.  Lai'ORTk. —  This  town  stands  within  the  district  just  dusrHlH 
ten  miles  soutli  of  ^licliigan  City.  Tlie  lagging  Kankakee,  with  it>  v;,,. 
niarsliy  bottoms,  comes  witliin  ton  miles  of  it  on  the  .suutli  ■.'i,. 
The  country  around  tlie  town  is  level,  and  ei-mposed  of  (liluviiun  ,,r,i,:., 
supporting  i)owlders,  like  the  whole  region  adjaeent  to  the  lake.  lti«i  . 
titioned,  with  some  e(piaHty,  hetwcen  prairies,  barrens,  or  o|i('ii  wowl-,  m  i 
dense  forests.  As  Tiaporte  is  situate  on  the  summit-level  hetwtcn  ikS- 
Lawrence  and  the  Mexican  basins,  it  has  no  streams  larger  tliaii  livr,;  •. 
near  it;  but  there  are  several  small  lakes,  with  sandy  shores,  t-nma  (..iwl'-i 
are  so  shallow,  as  to  abound  in  a(inatic  plants. 

According  to  Doctor  Andrew,  from  whom  I  have  borrowed  tliesc  iacti* 
the  settlement  of  Laporte  was  commenced  in  li^o1,l)nt  no  aiitiiiiiim!  ;;.-,vr 
occurred  until  ISrjS,  when  it  appeared  as  an  epidemic  iuterniittent,  ai.il  n- 
curred,  with  diminished  violence  and  extent  of  invasion,  in  the  twu  folli.wini; 
autumn?'.  Of  the  reasons  why,  f (  r  the  first  seven  years  of  its  s>.ttli.u)«;; 
the  town  sliould  not  have  suifered  from  this  fever,  and  should  thciiliavi'u'ia 
invaded,  T  cannot  speak. 

X.  Eastkun  Coast  of  Lake  j\riC'iiiG.\.y. —  Tlie  c(juntry  c;ist  of  Lke 
INFichigan  constitutes  a  peninsula,  which  is  lioiuidcd  on  the  east  liy  tliu  wi >t  rj 
end  of  Lake  Erie,  Detroit  lliver,  the  lliver  i^t.  Clair,  and  Lake  Ilur:., 
Through  this  peninsula,  from  north  north-east  to  south  south-west,  t 


'leri'  1"; 


a  swell,  which  rises  from  two  to  six  hundreil  feet  ab(jve  the  suvrounJinirw'u'c-; 


c-rj, 


and  suj)iiorts  a  countless  number  of  small  transparent  and  perujaiioiit  iak..-: 
which  gr.e  origin  to  rivers  that  flow  to  the  east  and  west.  Tlmsu  wi;  ii 
take  the  latter  direction  otler  themselves  to  our  notice  in  this  place.  Ta 
first  and  most  southern  is  the  St.  Joseph,  which,  originating  in  tlie  State  f 
Michigan,  bends  through  the  riorth-east  corner  of  Indiana,  retiitcrs  tlio  jt;,to 
in  which  it  began,  and  flows  into  the  lake  at  tlie  town  of  St.  Joseph  s.  Tlit 
next  in  size  aiul  southern  latitude,  is  the  Kalamazoo,  wIul-Ii,  original iiidri 
the  same  water-shed,  makes  its  way  directly  to  the  lake.  Tlietiiinii- 
Grand  lliver,  which,  having  a  similar  origin  t.nd  termination,  lies  a  !ki 
further  north.  The  four..  ,  and  last  that  I  shall  mention,  is  the  .Mu^ki.'::. 
which,  from  a  lacustrine  source  on  the  same  high  lands,  enters  the  lako a 
little  north  of  the  last.  These  rivers  drain  the  south-west  corner  m1  tut 
State  of  Michigan;  which  region  embraces  nniny  interesting  towns  ami. <tt;'v 
ments;  but  not  having  visited  it,  nor  met  with  any  account  of  its  nmx 
topography,  I  am  compelled  to  dismiss  it  with  this  notice. 

North  of  the  river  Mu.skegoii,  up  to  the  vertex  of  the  peninsula  ;it  t: 
straits  of  3lackinac,  between  ^he  forty -third  and  the  forty-.?ixth  paiulli.' 
the  rigors  of  the  climate  have  retarded  the  settlement  of  thi.'  lake  sliui'Os.  .lii' 
its  medical  topography  has  not  been  studied  ;  but  it  is  known  to  al)euiiil  a 
small  lakes. t     On  this  coast  there  arc  two  deep  luxrrow  bays,  called  hv  t..o 


»  Western  Lancet,  Vol.  VII,  No.  3. 


+  Michigan  Geological  Reports, 


ri»i  '■, 


INTEPv 


,  /,/,,(>««  Great  and 
sm  ,iii  the  Indians. 
jj,,  t!iat  the  natives 
tuiatermittent  and 


;     OlTLI.VF.S,  —  L; 

Lakf  Su|)erior  by  the 
I  \i:^  ;.':iii,  by  the  Stra 
I  f,,.t.uiirth-east  of  the 
.iitflanJ  furty-seveiit 
I  t!:;r.i.   Its  area  is  estii 
.kvation  above  the 
Nrfthoiie  thiuisand;  it 
f;:',t'i:'!i  hundred  or  tw 
I  )'ii:itHuliiis,  running  n( 
[r:ti"ii,  ail  interior  or 
kv-,  ("if  which  the  nio,- 
j  t':;it  ^i'le  o'  the  Lake,  ■ 
I  lis  if  the  medical  topn 
;  jast  mentioned,  be 
t;i'.',  ill  Canada  West. 
ti/;  Suite  of  Michigan, 
'jEiilwo  arrive  at  Sagin 
js::'l:iiirth-cast,  the  llu 
I  L.-ri'iii-u  and  Hudson 
I iaii'ij  between  it  and  La 
[kl"  wliieh  traverse  thi 
!:■■  .v'Uth,  Lake  Huron 
hjtvrjtiuwofF  toward  I 
Ii'.;.|i!itlie9th  of  Angus 
:!■  miLximuni,  T  found 
Harbor  uf  Mackiiu 
'I'll  or  twelve  niilci 
Middle  portions  of 


hi  ^ight  of  land,  Ci 

M 

Ton  miles  from  Mic 

Near  the  outlet  of  i 


ir 


tari 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMF:RICA. 


o  1  r. 


..imwmm  Groat  and  Little  Traverse,  on  wliicli  tliero  are  missionary  stations 
!  if  the  Tu'liiiiiH.  Tlieir  latitude  is  about  ■i-')^'  '■]()'.  I  was  told  at  ]\lark- 
;  11  t!uit  the  natives  at  these  cstablislmients  are  sometimes  afTected  with 
I  -a  I'ltermittunt  and  remittent  fever;  but  the  number  of  cases  is  small. 


'.  H 


SECTION   V. 

BASIN  OF  LAKE  HURON. 

I  OiTLiXES.  —  Lake  Huron,  as  we  have  already  seen,  is  connected  with 
Li'sr  Siiin-'riiir  by  the  Straits  or  River  called  the  St.  31ary,  and  v/ith  Lake 
.lli-'i'iii,  by  the  Straits  of  jMuekiiiao.  It  lies  south-east  of  the  firmer,  and 
f,,.t  iinrth-cast  of  the  latter.  Its  Udrthern  border  falls  between  the  forty- 
iistii  and  forty-seventh  parallels,  its  southern  extremity  readies  the  forty- 
I'iri.  Its  area  is  estimated  at  twenty  thousand  fnir  hundred  square  miles; 
ii!  kvatiiiii  above  the  sea  is  five  hundred  and  seventy-eiglit  feet ;  its  mean 
iit'i  line  thdnsand  ;  its  g -catest  de[)th, —  off  the  mouth  of  Saginaw  liaj-, — 
j  fL'iiti.en  hundred  ur  two  thousand  feet.*  A  long  range  of  islands,  called  the 
ymitnulin.s  running  nearly  parallel  to  its  axis,  gives  to  its  ujtper  or  northern 
I  rti'ii,  an  interior  or  insulai  coast.  Beyond  these  islands,  there  are  largo 
iav«.  iif  whii.li  tlic  must  extensive  has  received  the  name  of  Georgian.  On 
[tbt-iiii'O^  the  Lake,  there  are,  as  yet,  no  settlements  deserving  tlie  atten- 
;,  iftho  medical  topographer,  until  we  descend  to  the  country  south  of  the 
;  just  montioned,  between  the  forty-fourth  and  forty-fifth  degrees  of  lati- 
:•■.  ill  Canada  We.-it.  On  the  opposite  or  south-wi  st  side  of  the  lake,  in 
>t:itc  of  Michigan,  the  country  is,  likewise,  in  a  great  degree  unsettled, 
;;1  wi'  arrive  at  Saginaw  Bay,  near  the  forty-fourth  parallel.  To  the  north 
|a::'l;iiiilh-east,  the  Huron  Basin  is  bounded  by  the  water-shed  of  the  St. 
LffMue  and  Hudson  Basins;  to  the  east  and  south-cast,  by  the  dividing 
1^J^ hi'tWL'cn  it  and  Lake  Erie  and  Lake  <_)iitaiio;  to  tliewest,  by  the  liigh- 
Ll<  which  traverse  the  lower  peninsula  of  Michigan,  already  noticed.  In 
f^- south,  Lake  Huron  narrows  to  a  strait,  through  which  its  superabundant 
htjt'.rsflow  iiiF  toward  Lake  Erie.  In  a  voyage  from  Mackinac  to  this  out- 
i  k. -1  the  f'th  of  August,  1^42,  when  the  surface-tem])erature  was  probably 
::-  ni;ixiiiiuin,  I  found  t'  .  following  variations : 
Harbor  of  Mackinac, 


'f  n  or  twelve  miles  out, 
Middle  portions  of  the  lake. 


hi  sight  of  land,  Canada  shore, 

'■        ^Michigan  shore, 
Icn  miles  from  [Michigan  shore. 
Near  the  outlet  of  the  lake, 


01°. 

54"^. 
54'^ 

or. 
or. 

(;.i°. 


*  Michigan  ( leological  Reports. 


A'- 


T'*> 


■.-  t- 


^|:   •  ■  ■ 


■11 '';••;•■■•■'■  :^ 


■•    ',•'■■■■!'■.     >", 


-jV' 


ij-n^i TV; :■■-••.  :\ :■:?!■* ,■;  . 


i    :    •■'-■    ■*■':.]  '..v-'K  4.  ■-■■    ■  i 


!i; 


•  •  • 

." "  . 

'M 

♦ 

■   ■•   -      a 

iii 

•.^;:l-. 

-■.:;.  ■-■  ■■ 

; :  i 

._*;.i .._  •• 

:■  '  '  ' 

■* 

1 

r: 

■  *■ . 

\ ' 

34G 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOK 


Ilore,  as  on  Lake  3Iicliigan;  wo  find  the  surfuce-tcuiperatuic  less  as  tlv. 
(Icptli  of  Avator  is  greater. 

II.     Mackinac.  —  Tins  ia  at  once  tlie  name  of  an  island,  a  strait  a'' 
lage,  and  a  fort;   as  may  be  seen  liy  inspecting  J'L  XIV;  on  wliiili  t) , 
higlit  of   the  ishmd  above  tlic  water  is  marked  correctly,  twu  lnuKlrnl  ;)•  i 
nineteen  feet,  and  the  latitudes  and  longitudes  are,  approximately,  stuttj  at 
45''  rA'  N.,  and  85"  5'  W.     The  island  lies  a  little  east  of  tlie  .4'aits. icj  I 
therefore   belongs  to   Lake   Huron,   rather  than  Lake   ^liiliirraii.    1; . ..,  i 
boldly  out  of  the  water,  it  is  not  fringed  with  the  green  niar.-ilifs,  so  i,ttcj ! 
seen  on  the  lake  margins.     Geologically,  it  is  a  mass  of  suh-carbuiiiuruK. 
Devonian  or  upper  Silurian  limestone,  with  the  external  surfuco  in  a  i-tati. , f  i 
decay.     In  some  places  its  escarpments  are  nearly  perpendicular,  in  dtLirj  1 
they  slope  gently  down  to  the  lake.     On  the  south  side  is  tlie  liarkr,  |,re. 
senting  a  crescent-indentation,  with  a  beach  of  limestone  pebbles,  IjlaniLjj 
by  the  alternate  action  of  the  air  and  water.     The  latter  is  so  tranMiarcB! 
that  the  [)ebbles  may  be  distinctly  seen  at  the  depth  of  many  feet.   Tl.';  ] 
beach   terminates  in  a  low  but  dry  jdain,  on  which  stands  the  village 
Mackinac,  with  the  fort  in  its  rear  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  fcit  ruatJi. I 
The    higher  —  which  are  the   south-eastern  —  portions  of  the  i^laiul  are 
rocky;  but  whatever  soil  has  accumulated  from  the  decay  of  the  liiiK>toi;e 
rocks,  is  fertile.     The  <  ^iposite  end  is  lower,  and  has  a  deeper  envoriiinfl 
soil ;  but  the  surface  is  overspread  with  a  countless  number  of  lar^'o  jriai- 
five  bo'A'lders.     A  portion  of  the  gentle  slopes  of  the  island  is  cultiviiiei 
Much  of  the  original  forest,  composed  largely  of  sugar  maple  and  [aptrl 
birch,  is  still  standing. 

The  temperature  of  the  water  ou  the  lake  shore,  where  shallow,  I  f''ai;i| 
in  the  month  of  August,  to  be  02"  Fahrenheit;  —  where  deep,  [>()".  li'tlia;! 
the  surface  and  two  hundred  feet  below.     A  spring,  which  bursts  out  <n\ 
the  bottom  of  the  bold  eastern  escarpment,  had,  at  the  same  time,  t!ic  I'.e- 
perature  of  44"  Fahrenheit. 

From  this  descrijition  it  appears,  that  the  conditions  winch  arcliilJt'i* 
necessary  to  tlie  generation  of  autumnal  fever,  are  at  their  utiiumuiiunwJil 
island;  and,  when  wo  connect  this   fact  with  its  latitude,  —  nearly 4tj.- 
and  its  altitude  above  the  sea,  —  from  six  to  eight  hundred  feet,  — wtai 
prepared  to  find  it  almost  exempt  from  that  disease;  and  suoh,  from  tin  t;r  I 
timony  of  its  inhabitants,  is  the  fact ;  especially  in  reference  to  the  intern:;'; 
tent  form,  which,  I  was  assured  by  many  respectable  persons,  never  ori^isi- J 
ted  among  the  peoido  of  the  town,  and  would  cease  spontaneously  in  tix.-i I 
who  returned  or  came  with  it  from  other  places.     Doctor  IJankin,  IiuWirf 
v^ho  had  resided  four  years  in  the  village,  had  met,  in  autumn,  with  awl 
remittents,  which  tended  to  a  continued  form.     ]3ut  we  must  not  evtri'v'j 
the  army  returns,  from  the  post  which  has  long  been  maintained '!■ '■-• 
island. 

According  to  those  returns,*  the  ratio  of  remittent  fever  is  one  percciii  i^i  I 


"'''■:IHIInlni,s  h 


IV'':\ 


.;^v 


ill 


i 


'^U 


IV. 


•Medical  Statistics  U.  S.  A.,  p.  74. 


PL.  XIV. 


*>»»"• 


L\V 


.-^ 


Ni" 


K 


V 


'/:>, 

/< 


■'A 


^. 


>^    A«Ao 


1^^ 


>l:]l 


n 


J  i'l 


.>l//'l,  I 


>x^ 


^c 


'/•'' 

/.•' 


'-y// 


'•# 


% 


»' 


o* 

V^ 


J,  ^^  S   N    \      '  >  W\\\{\>'''  [    iff    J^   ^  .P 


b'uci'  .'iUi.  ('..IhiiUei^  I.SC  hUii/r 


;•'!*•;'. -iM*^' 


r:*> --         .,   • 

■'■^^  ■  :    ■    ■  • 


■■■fHZ 


U:.^::: 


'/•^-•^r-c-v 


•.!  '  ...' 


.y  ■> 


•1/ 


■  ■  1 


,.'  '■•' 


i; 


irT 


jti':r  .••Kisi'iis,  relupfic 

a?  greater  than  tlic 

It  -cciiis  to  result, 

:f  I'll' cases  at  Fort 

iri'tho  numlior  of  ( 

K<>3.  |inilialiility  tlia 

;::.  ^'f  the  remote  ca 

Frry. tlie  editor  of  tli 

wiiv  t!ie  sefoiul  ([uart 

tL'r-l:  Imt  what  lias  1 

llo  garrison  returns  v 

I  ani'jiig  the  endemic  di; 

III.     .'^UM.MER   A'OY 

j  !>MC,  iviK  Invalids.  - 
iii->  Ihu'iin.  3Iicliiff 

C 

liviJr-frraphicalcentoV' 

I  wti  iin'il  an  oseapc  fr 

I  asJ  f'ffii'ious  medieatio 

'  many  swanip.s,  to 

IfrniBaifalo,  Clovelan 

ifaiikie,  on  Lake  Mieli: 

m>'h  of  sea-sickm 

I  JWinaf.  an  agroeahl 

iiy  feeling  is  hidite 

» of  having  retreat 


t  ^'^ 

|i,    :|;;:.V 

|^|!i^j(i      '      ,j 

ral  ||^'> 

■■,' 

Mi 

Blfcftf  Irr'  ■' 

h'    > 

11 

INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


347 


fllT.  '  J 

iCInfnrmittciitH,  cii'lit.  Tlic  latter  ratio  seems  to  invalidate  tlio  as- 
'.  [|,,,t  iiiti'i'mitteiit  fever  is  nearly  unknown  liere,  anil  reijiiires  to  bo 
■[ml  Pilling  the  period  oniliraeed  in  tlie  returns,  tlierc  were  sixty-five 
,  ripiirted,  of  which  seven  were  in  the  first  ((uarter  of  (he  ealen(hir  year, 
,''f.i,nc  in  tlic  second,  thirteen  in  the  third,  and  fourteen  in  the  fourth. 
V  IT  in  tlie  eliinate  of  that  [lost,  no  new  ease  can  lie  generated  within  the 
M  aiiJ  sceoiiil  quarters,  and  eonse(|uently,  of  the  sixty-live  eases,  thirty- 
ilitnm.'t  be  rejrarded  as  relapses,  or  as  vernal  intciuiittents,  depending  on 
jii-riiil  impression  made  on  the  system  the  ])reeeding  autumn.  Still  fnr- 
tter  (if  tlie  fuurteen  cases  in  the  fourth  (piarter,  we  may  suppose  a  jiropor- 
m  I'Miial  til  that  of  the  first  (juarter,  to  be  of  the  same  kind;  for  the  cause 
ft  t'-c  iliicaso  cuuld  not  Ije  in  existence  in  the  months  of  November  and 
litvenik'r;  we  may,  then,  subtract  five  from  the  returns  for  that  (juarter, 
a'l'l  iil:iio  tlioia  with  those  for  winter  and  spring,  raising  that  column  to 
frtv-lliw.  ami,  conse(|Uently.  leaving  but  twenty-tM'o  cases  of  suuniier  iu- 
tritti'iit,  fur  tlio  whole  period.  It  cannot  be  said  tiiat  the  vernal  intermit- 
ur.tjvarc  of  these  who  had  contracted  the  disease  on  the  island  in  tlie  ])re- 
fc'l:::' summers  and  autumns,  for  a  jiart  only  of  those  who  suffer  in  the 
htur spasens,  relapse  in  the  spring;  but  here  the  number  of  vernal  cases 
Mj  :;ruat<'r  than  the  whole  number  of  autumnal. 

ItscfUis  to  result,  then,  from  what  has  been  said,  that  at  least  two-thirds 
tl  t!u' cases  at  Fort  Mackinac  must  have  been  contracted  elsewhere:  redu- 
3  !«:' t!iO  numhor  of  (possibly)  original  cases,  to  less  than  three  7>er  cent., 
witiia  ]inilialiilitv  that  even  these  might  have  resulted  from  the  previous  ac- 
t;:! if  the  remote  cause  at  some  more  southern  and  sickly  ])ost.  Doctor 
Frrv.  tlio  editor  of  the  Army  Medical  Statistics,  thinks  it  ditlicnlt  ti;  cx[)lain 
w'riv the  second  ([uartcr  of  the  year  presented  twice  as  many  cases  as  the 
Itbl;  liut  what  has  been  said,  perhaps  accounts  for  it;  while  it  reconciles 
ttogarrisnn  returns  with  the  [lopular  opinion,  that  intermittent  fever  is  not 
ni'-'L' the  endemic  diseases  of  the  island. 

III.   ^^niMER  A'oyAGES  ON  T^pi'KR  Lakes.  with  a  REsinD.N'CK  AT  Mack- 
!Nac,  iviu  Invalids.  —  The  three  great  reservoirs  of  clear  and  cf)]d  water  — 
L:i!vs  lliirrin,  Michigan,  and  Superior,  with  the  Island  of  ^lackinac  in  their 
tvilrOTphieal  ceutc"  —  offer  a  delightful  hot-weatlier  asylum  to  all  invalids, 
I  Jli'i  iiiril  aiu'srape  from  crowded  cities,  paludal  exhalations,  sultry  climates, 
iir/l'liiious  medication.     Lake  Erie  lies  too  far  south,  and  is  bordered  with. 
too  many  swamps,  to  be  included  in  the  salutiferous  group.     The  voyago 
feni  Ruffaln,  Cleveland,  or  Sandusky,  (ju  that  lake,  or  from  Chieag<i  .ir  Mil- 
ral<ii\  oil  Lake  Michigan,  may  afford,  should  the  water  be  agitated,  all  the 
leni'fits  of  sea-sickness,  without  its  tedious  prolongation.     On    reaching 
piaikinac,  an  agreeable  change  of  climate  is  at  oiu'c  experienced-    xnd  the 
kliiv feeling  is  hightcned,  bythe  emotions  which  the  evidence  and  conscious- 
ness of  having  retreated  upon  an  islaiul,  raise  in  the  mind  of  one  who  has 
pet  lief„re  enjoyed  the  novelty  of  an  insular  life.     To  his  jaded  sensibilities, 
pll arouiulhim  is  fresh  and  refreshing;  a  feeling  of  security  comes  over  him, 
pud  when,  from  the  rocky  battlements  of  lAjrt  Mackinac,  he  looks  down  upon 


.1 
i 


■y-.'f-' 


,   *      1 


■»» 


••v.h:. 


u  A    ,- .  ■ 


■fe    ■:•■■■■ 


[  ■* 


■■■■;:■' ■:;'!; 


:i*"-v-'''--'u:^»:-  ■ 


.. •,,■,■ .  ■  »j'<-\'/ 


,' 


■>.   ; 


.    'I:--'    •.     •'■' 


I'^*- 


:v 


•  4 


f-'^f-;#V'''f-^': 


m.  h 


"1      t-; 


348 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[mi ;, 


the  siirrdniiding  -waters,  they  seem  a  moat  of  defense  against  the  lio.t  'S  ■ 
ii()_v;iii('('H  from  wliich  lie  liad  so-jglit  a  refuge.     T!>us  a  curath^  ,«t'iti' 
mind  begins  to  act  on  'lis  litidy,  from  the  moment  of  his  lamlinif;  ail  • ". 
he  a  person  of  intelligence  and  taste,  this  salutary  mental  excitement  will  i^  i 
soon  die  away;  for  tiie  histoiic  as'.oeiations,  not  loss  than  the  sceiierv  nftr, 
island,  are  well  fitted  to  maintain  it. 

The  first  white  men  wlm  dwelt  on  Mackinac,  and  the  surrounding' h.vj 
were  tin,  French  eeelesiasties  and  fur-trader.-i.  In  17G:],  the  wlii,|(.  r,,,.,,.,] 
with  (,'anada,  to  the  jnrisdii'tion  of  Great  ]}ritain  ;  by  wlioiii,  in  iTJii'i,  it  q; 
Eurreiidered  to  the  I'liited  States,  In  1S12,  it  was  coiKjucrtMl  bytli;it  i.  »..r 
and  restored  at  tlie  elise  of  the  war.  Frum  the  summit  nf  the  island, ti.  eve 
rests  ii|)iin  a  numlier  of  spots  consecrated  to  military  liisuiry,  Ihit  tlcMt'j. 
ral  scenery  is  still  better  fitted  to  make  thj  invalid  fdrget  liis  •dwv 
Several  agreeable  and  exciting  boat  voyages  maybe  mad'  to  the  neidil  rir/ 
coasts,  from  each  of  which  a  now  aspect  may  be  had;  and  the  i>laiiil :•-.;' 
although  })ut  nine  miles  in  circuit,  affords  opportunities  for  a  great  vari'-,  f 
rambling  on  foot.  In  these  excursions  he  may  ascend  to  the  apex  of  dt 
island,  once  the  site  of  a  fort.  From  this  summit,  elevated  far  almve  ii'.!!;,: 
surrounds  it,  the  panorama  is  such  as  would  justify  the  enitliut  tii)laeki],a  - 
Queen  of  the  Tsles.  To  the  west,  arc  the  indented  sliovos  of  the  «|i|iiri.> 
insvda  of  jMichigan;  to  the  south,  those  of  the  lower,  presenting,  in  i!ii  i;. 
rior,  a  distant  and  smok}'  line  of  elevated  tal)le-land;  up  the  .strait>,  r  -. 
islets  may  be  seen  ]iceping  above  the  waters;  directly  in  front  nf  tin  !;::'  r. 
Round  Island  +'ori!is  a  beautiful  foreground;  while  the  larger 7jw'.v yfc, \ri:i 
its  light-house,  stretclies  off  to  the  east;  and  to  the  north  are  other  ijldi. 
at  varying  distances,  which  complete  the  archipelago. 

When  the  observer  directs  his  eye  upon  the  waters  more  than  tin:  li;  1 
and  the  day  is  fair,  with  moderate  wind,  he  finds  the  surface  as  vari;ir.":3 
its  tints,  as  if  clothed  in  a  robe  of  changeable  silk.     Greei!  and  hhie  ari' ;';? 
governing  hues,  but  they  flow  into  each  other  with  such  facihtyaiul  fretimj, 
that  wliile  still  conteniplating  a  particular  spot,  it  seouis,  as  if  by  li-^". 
transformed  into  another;  but  these  mid-day  beauties  vanish  hcforo  tl;  ■':-; 
the  setting  sun,  when  the  boundless  horizon  of  lake  and  land  soia- ::" 
around  with  a  fiery  zone  of  clouds,  and  the  brilliant  drapery  of  th''  ■■::.• 
paints  itself  upon  the  surface  of  the  waters.     Brief  as  they  are  lua;;:;:- 
these  evening  glories,  like  spirits  of  the  air.  (piickly  pass  away;  and  l! l  .w 
mantle  of  night  warns  the  beholder  to  depart  for  the  village,  while  i.i':J' 
yet  make  his  way  along  a  narrow  and  rocky  path,  beset  with  tufts  ot  |'i:i.y 
juniper.     Having  refreshed  himself  for  a.,  hour,  he  may  stroll  out  ii|"i:!;- 
beach,  and  li.sten  to  tlie  serenade  of  the  waters.     Wave  after  wave  will' 'i^ 
at  his  feet,  over  the  white  pebldes,  and  return  as  limpid  as  it  came.    If'-M 
straits,  he  will  see  the  evenin2;  star  dancins;  on  the  ruffled  surtaee,  au'l'M 
loose  sails  of  the  lagging  schooner  flapping  in  the  fitful  land-breeze;  iT.iii;| 
the  Milky  Way  —  Pk.vtu's  Path  of  the  red  man  — will  dimly  appear  i:^ 
waters  befoic  him.     Behind,  in  the  street,  a  lively  group  of  Canadian  nt' 
of  every  shade   of  color  between  white  and  red,  will  gossip  and  slirU;''  - 


'ilTl. 


INTER 


.  ■jlk-r-;  'in  one  sid 

I  [ako  .Mi''lii,irai:,  ''i-'  <"' 
■;  .Jniiiken  Chippewa s 

|nrkliii:"fin'ghtened 

jj„n.  >itting  in  silent  i 

I  r:>  Titliii!  the  tent,  sj 

v.l^'iiL's  fcr  the  iii; 

Ji>i,  andasniuny  half 

hjnlv.  a  new  phenoniei 
Ik-vIiicS  ni'ire  vi,'<i)de 
:ii(,lffit!i  an  aurora  hi 
|i;i,;ci'eiitrie  light,  tli 
hi;  wandered  far  from 

Isstli.' 

Wcthe  valetudina 
hfickiiiac  his  hnnie,  he 
jtviiiii'',  he  can  desce 
|itrj;t«if  Maekinac,  vi^ 
|;i3-tfif  Lake  Michigan 
St.  Mary  to  the  .S 
jiLcPCi'  he  may  proceed 
jiti!:oetlin.ic  of  the  rive; 
li'W  to  embark  on  tlia 

,r:ir  it'  smithern  shore ; 
jTjtiiig:  while  the  iiove 
liiwee  on  liis  iniagina 
li!">e  who  arc  prime 
JJT;  from  the  Innnidity 
Itivj,  tUoroties,  and  all  v 
I'tv.jr,  it  must,  however, 
IV,  DniMMOMj's  Is 
|Li!;.j  Huron,  on  its  norl 

;•■■!  in  Canada,  West.     [ 
\wc,h  Island,  is  the  m 

folycast  of  the  niotit 
my:  had  a  fort  upon  it 
jsiitiitL  ,al  fever  was  aim 
Penew.vguisiiine 
|tai;t>,  fhiefly  French  an< 

hiliiary  estahlishnient.t 
[if'-V  hat,  about  44*"  •: 


*  Ti.o  Xortheni  Lakes  a 

rTiiilocirsShtistical  R( 
•'"'illi's  Canadian  Gaz. 


,.  ,..,^..^ 


MIT! 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMF.RICA. 


840 


i'ftiuilcr?;  fin  ^^^  ^''^^''  sIkhiIJ  tlio  Tiidiaiis,  wlui  stiil  iiiliiibit  tlic  .xlidrcs  of 

I lo MHiiiTii'!.  1'^'  '^■i  ^  ^'''^'^'  *'^  *''"'  '■■'''"i''>  1"-'  \^ill  liL'iir  t'lc  'iproar  of  a  Indgt! 

■f  lirniikeii  I'liipiicw"''' ^^'i''''    ^'"^  scvcains  of  woiueii  ami  fliiKlrt'ii,  and  tlio 

].i|.ijiift,i(Tliteiiecl  liens;  on  the  other,  will  jsi'u  the  suitor  and  listless  Ot- 

\iM  iittiii"  ill  silent  vaeaiicy  of  thou;.'lit,  on  his  njiturned  hirch  eaiioc.  his 

vivitliin  the  tent.  Sjireadiiif^  cypress  bark  and  liag  nnits  npon  the  gravel, 

,;'  l'iii"s  fur  the  nij^ht;  while  half  a  dozen  children  loll  or  play  ahont  thu 

I  r  aii'l 'IS  njauy  half-starved  dogs  cnrl  up  among  them,     f^iirrmunlnl  liy 

I  .T'b  51'cncs,  the  traveler  begins  to  realize  that  he  is  a  stranger;  when,  sud- 

|w,v  a  new  plu'iionienon  appears,  and  fixes  the  c(invictiiiii.     Kvevy  nlject 

K.  uii'5  111' ire  visible ;  and,  raising  his  eyes,  he  beholds  the  heavens  ilhimi- 

.j;i  livitli  an  aurora  borcalis,  where  he  reads  in  fantastic  characters  of  strange 

d  ..■'•(.■ciitrii;  light,  that  ho  is,  indeed,  a  sojourner  in  a  strange  land,  and 

«a<  wiimlereJ  far  frum  his  friends  and  homo,  in  tlio  sunny  regions  of  the 

ImiIi.' 

riiile  the  valetudinarian,  during  the  summer  months,  makes  the  island  of 

hhckicM  his  hume,  he  may  enjoy  several  interesting  steanil)oat  voyages.     At 

Itvtiii"',  he  can  descend  to  Detroit  and  Niagara;  or,  passing  through  the 

litriitJi'f  M;ickiiiae,  visit   Chicago,  Kacine,  and  Milwaukie,  on  tho  wotern 

•anf'f  Lake  Michigan.     Opportunities  will  likewise  be  presented,  to  ascend 

jt'icSt.  .Mary  to  the  Saiilt,  where  he  will  find  much  to  interest  him;  and 

[f'liepcclit  may  proceed,  in  a  fur-trading  skiff,  or  a  bark  canoe,  to  (iros  (,'ap, 

lit  tho  efflux  of  the  river  from  ]jako  Superior.     ]''inally,  he  may  liave  it  in  his 

! ?  wer  to  cmhark  on  that  lake,  and  visit  the  copper  hills  of  the  mineral  region 

';iiri!«siiuthcrii  shore;  tho  climate  of  which  is  represented  as  highly  invig- 

miiig:  while  the  novelty  and  wildness  of  tho  scenery  ^Yill  act  with  salutary 

liiJiitnee  oil  hi.s  imagination  and  feelings. 

Ib'je  who  are  prone  to  consumption,  might,  perhaps,  exjierienco  some  in- 

li:n' from  the  liuiuidity  of  this  lacustrine  region;  to  hypdciiundriacs,  dxspep- 

ItkfMiiroties,  ami  all  who  have  their  constitutions  broken  down  by  autunmal 

jfevor,  it  must,  however,  prove  eminently  restorative. 

IV.    Dklmmond's  Island. — In  leaving  Mackinac,  wo  shall  proceed  down 

jLit'.IIurnii,  on  its  northern  and  eastern  shore,  which,  it  will  bo  recollected, 

jl;:> ill Ciiiiada  West.     The  large  island  with  wliich  we  begin,  called  J)rum- 

Ini'inil s  Island,  is  the  most  western  of  the  Manitouliii  Chain,  and  lies  iiiimo- 

Ifehcnst  of  the  mouth  of  St.  .Mary's  Rivor,  in  latitude  40".     The  l^ritish 

jSGei'  had  a  fort  upon  it,  near  which  tliero  were  extensive  niar.-hy  shores,  but 

haturi. .alfuver  was  almost,  if  not  entirel}-,  unknown,  t 

\  PKXEnxGUisiiiXK. — This  village,  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  inhabi- 

|to>,  chiefly  French  and  Indian  half-breeds,  is  the  seat  of  a  small  naval  and 

jditarycstaWishnient.l     It  stands  on  tho  southern  shore  of  Georgian  IJay, 

Ik.V.  Lat.  about  44*^  45',  at  the  base  of  a  long  sandy  ridge  two  or  three 


' Tie  Xorthern  Lakes  a  Suminor  Res;.;i  ;ice  for  Invalids  of  tlio  Eolith.     By  Diuiicl 
|P-5^,M,D.:  1842. 
:liiilocirs  Statistical  Reports  of  the  Britisli  Army. 
;sniilli's  Canadian  Gazetteer. 


'i-^:-'^^ 


.'1 


M 


)^-^r 


v  ■;''---^-  : 


ir :  ^  ■  '■''■ 


-)y 


M:ua 


•  ■  1, 


ll:": 


y.-i:^n' 


*     .  . '    ,     t 

'      ■ '         ■  ■ »     I 


;,,-*•.■:. 


ti    ,^1 


[;>{'■,.■■' 


Up 


3       '    J  *  * 


if,  «■    •  1  i)  ,    .     ' 


r>.JO 


Tin:  rillNClPAL  DISHASHS  OF  THE 


Ma 


liuiidroil  feet  lii^li,  wliii-li  jwtijocts  into  tlie  bay.     At  tlic  liead  of  tlic !«      i 
fur  ricvcrnl  luiU'S  ssniiili-in'it,  tliorc  iiro  luw  f'Waiiijty  grounds,  oetweunffilfli  I 
ami  tlu;  liarraclis,  Imwcvur,  a  liill  iiitcrvciio.i.     'llio  .surniMidin,,  ^.,,,,1    ■  I 
uiidiiliiiiiig  or  liilly,  ami  gLuierally  cdveri'd  with  wocds.     In  liMi^-,  lii^  jr," 
vvuix'  traiislorrcd  tn  tliis  [idtit  tniin  I)ruinuiuiKr,s  Island.     It  lias  iiri.vidi,,} 
as  froi-  IVdUi   autumnal   lever  as  tliat  island.     That  t'cvur,  in  iaut  Im, -i-i 
nnkuduu." 

\M.  t'ou.NTJiv  Aiiou.M)  (i  i;uiii;iA.N  J5av. — On  thu  north  and  nor  li-ij.t  I 
Georgian  IJay,  to  tho  watur-shcd  between  the  St.  Lawrence  ami  I|!;il,,5 
Uasius,  the  enuntry  is  wild  and  dreary,  abounds  in  small  lakes,  aiid  Muajij 
unsetth'd.  The  region  aniund  tho  bottom  or  southern  extremity  ot  tin  U: 
in  tlio  rear  of  I'enetanguishine,  extending  to  witliin  tm'ty  luiles  of  tl^.  [J] 
of  Lake  Ontario,  iuelude;'  the  largo  and  beautiful  Jiake  Siniooe;  \vliiil;,l,vi 
dcsecnt  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  foet,  and  a  circuitous  route  tu  lI'iKr.'; 
diseharges  its  superfluous  Maters  into  (jcorgian  ]5ay,  thmu^ili  tin;  .^mrj 
liA'er.  The  region  to  the  south-weyt  of  tliis  river,  liotwecu  tlio  lavaji 
lake,  as  well  as  that  drained  by  all  tho  rivers  whicli  fall  into  hotli,  i.«  onirrf 
with  exeelle'.it  soil,  ami  has  a  considerable;  though  si.'attered,  j)n|d;iti  n.- 
Tho  suifuee  is  generally  wet  and  in  many  places  marshy,  hat  in  tliu latbiii 
of  44'^  or  4")''^,  such  a  condition  ))roduces  but  little  autumnal  fevor.  lul 
niedi(-al  history,  however,  has  not  been  written. 

\il.  JiOWEU  KasteivN  ,Sju)ki:  of  Lakk  Huuox. — Most  of  l'hu  Wjclfr 
twcer.  (jionrgian  Bay  and  Lake  Huron,  is  unsi'ttled  Indian  coujitry;  aiiJitj 
is  not  until  we  descend  l)clow  the  latitude  of  dd"-',  that  we  come  intoartpjaj 
of  intei'(.'st  to  the  uiedical  etlologist.  There,  we  reach  tlie  Huron  llKriclij 
whicli  extends  nearly  to  the  southern  extremity  of  the  lake,  and  li;is  a  (■:«■ 
siderable  pdpulati^iu,  composed  alnio.st  entirely  of  innuigrants  froiiiKurR. 
The  district  includes  a  swamp  of  vist  extent.  The  principal  towmf usj 
district  is  iwJcrich,  on  the  sliore  of  Lake  Huron,  at  the  niuutli  of  MaijElj 
Eiver,  about  X.  Lat.  do"  45'.  It  stands  on  a  dry  surface,  oiio  S' 
dred  feet  above  the  lake. I  According  to  Doctor  Stratton,]]  autumiwl  tetj 
is  rarely  seen  at  this  place.  ('"  the  medical  topography  of  the  district  a 
crally,  and  tlie  prevalence  of  fever  in  autumn,  I  can  say  ni.tliiiig  fnrtlicr. 

VIII.     AVe^tk Rx  Shoke  01'  Lakk  Huuox,  auouxd  axd  soiiii  or  >.irj 
IXAW  Bay. — This  bay  projects  to  the  south-west,  from  the  western  or 3b 
igan  side  of  the  lake.     Its  extreme  point,  in  Sagi'iaw  county,  reciivuMJi 
waters  of  Saginaw  Eiver,  which  originates  witliin  tho  coal  basin  wliM:'  'i-j 
pics  the  center  of  the  lower  or  southern  peninsula  of  the  State  ot  -Mi'J-'s: 
This  is  the  uiost  considerable  tributary  of  the  western  side  of  L:i1;l  ! 
Tliere  are  considerable  scLtlcni.'.its  within  this  basin,  but  iiotliiiig !  "■ 
published  on  its  medical  toprgrapliy.     There  was  a  military  post  at  tlitis 
of  the  estuary  of  Saginaw  Ilivcr,  at  which,  as  Doctor  ritclier,  now  (t  Ifj 
troit,  has  informed  uie,  autumnal  fever  prevailed,  and  souictiiiies  av- ii:i> 
malignant  cbaracter.     The  latitude  of  tlie  post  was  about  43*"'  20'  >■  1-  ^i 

*Tiillocli.  t^mitli's  Canadir  I  Gazetteer. 

X  Smith's  Canadian  Gazetteer.      |1  Edinburgh  Medical  and  Surgical  Journal,  N^'-'^l 


Imtin  tliclatinil 
;uimiul  fi'Vir   I:;| 


filTi- 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMP.RICA. 


851 


,  , „,,f  Jlarqws,  iiiiiiu'U'nti'ly  l)flciw  Siipiiiaw  JJ;iy,  dciuti  to  tliu  tt'i'iiiina- 
-atremity  »(  tlic  lake,  tliu  coast  is  nearly  stini^rlit,  with  Imt  few  iiuloii- 
I  Mr  i!«  and  prcsoiits  low  elilVs  of  sanilstoiio,  oiiiortiiiig  I'roin  uimIit  tlic  coiil 
Uijipif  the  iiitorior  of  Miclii^'nii ,  wliilo  the;  coast  aliovc  tlic  bay  slinws  din's 
i' miii'T  Silurian  liiiicstone,  wliicli  liavc  risen  i'mm  lieiieatli  tiio  SMiKlstoiic. 
ry. IwiT  cnast,  ami  tlie  eouiitry  in  its  rear,  are  l»iU  :-]iin>ely  |ieo|)U'ti,  uud  I 
hw  n  itliin^  of  its  special  medical  topography  '  r  autuimial  diseases. 


SECTION    VI. 

l.iTKAlT-!  nETWF-ENLAKE  IH'RON  AND  LAKE  ERIE:  LAKE  ST.  CLAIR. 
I,  TiiK  f»TU.viTS. — These  straits  have  received  two  names.  The  jjurtiou 
|wbi.hcxto!ul.s  IVom  Huron  to  the  little  Lake  St.  Clair,  is  called  St.  Clair 
lEiv.T:  that  which  extends  from  the  sonthern  side  of  that  small  body  of 
Int'T.  to  tho  west  tr.\  of  Jiake  l']rie,  is  the  well-known  Detroit  lliver.  The 
Ifillin the  twc  is  fom'tcen  feet.  IJntli  the  upper  ami  lower  portions  arc 
IkriW  by  hii'ks  of  post-tertiary  or  diluvial  clay,  supporting  heavy  fnrests, 
liiicri'Vir  i*i.ttl('iiiciita  have  not  been  made.  The  current  of  this  broad  and 
lixii  natural  canal,  except  where  the  water  issues  from  Jiake  Huron,  is  gentle ; 
li;- with  is  from  one  to  two  miles.  St.  Clair  Kiver  is  aliout  forty  miles 
|i':i:~ Detroit  Kiver,  twenty-tliree  or  twenty-foin'.  The  banks  of  the  upper 
Ifartif  St.  (,'lair  llivir  are  well-developed ;  but  as  it  approaehes  liake  St. 
|r,a:r  they  .-ink,  and  its  sh'ircs  liecumo  more  or  less  marshy.  The  n])pcr  part 
I;  JiitrMit  lliver  has  banks  suflicit  iitly  high;  but  as  we  descend,  wet  or 
liraipy  grass  flats  appear  on  cacli  side  (if  the  river. 

The  L.vke. —  This  little  intermediate    sheet   of  water  has  a  mean 

ps:,;t  1  ;iuil  lireaJtli  of  twenty  and  eighteen   miles;  an  area  of  tln'ce  hundred 

irii?ixty S'(uarc  mil'.s;  a  moan  depth  of  twenty  feet;  and  an  elevatitm  of 

|Teliiin(lrcJ  and  seventy  feet  above  the  sea, — being  in  that  respect  interme- 

piato  bi'twcen  Lakes  Erie  and  Huron.     The  silt  thrown  into  St.  Clair  lliver 

r  »>  tributaries,  is  deposited  at  the  head  of  Lake  St.  Clair,  where  alluvial 

-\;.r. H  arc  coutiiiiwlly  forming.     St.  Clair  lliver,  in  fact,  has  a  delta,  that 

St  .nlarly  advancing  into  the  lake,'''  which,  from  this  source  and  the  rivers 

^iikii  upon  into  it  laterally,  will  ultimately  be  converted  into  a  marsh,  with 

I  r- or  running  through  it.     ]\fuch  of  the  land  around  it  is  low  and  swampy; 

W tliiTO  are,  als     large  savannas,  so  dry  as  to  form  natural  grazing  lands, 

Kven  to  admit  of  cultivation,  which  are  inundated  by  the  periodical  v\;es 

) fiiich  the  lakes  are  subject.f     In  the  month  of  August,  I  found  tlic  ^ii.r- 

pce-teniporaturo  of  this  shallow  lake,  to  bo  from  GG'^  to  71°,  accor.ling    i 

P'l'pth.    In  winter  it  is  entirely  bridged  over  with  thick  and  fir».i  ice, 

p!i  has  become  an  article  of  exportation  to  Cincinnati. 

ni.   Head  OF  the  Sthaits:  Fort  Gratiot:  Port  Hvron:  Port  Sar- 

^i  -The  efflux  of  St.  Clair  Strait  or  River  from  Lake  Huron,  is  in  a  loca- 


'  Michigan  Geological  Reports. 


t  Smith's  Canadian  Gazetteer. 


?.'■ 
»»■ 


•,f.     . 


: .{ 


WA: 


.■•       1 


:ir)2 


Tin;  iMMNCii'M-  dis':asi;s  of  tug 


[iwii. 


rJTi.; 


INTF 


;    |\''    , 

■  ■• .  , 

ifc-     '■ 

■  .  ,  . 

•    '  ■ '    -  •  ■ 

i         I 

» 

'     ■  k 

■    ■ 

1 


lify  of  flntiio  iiitcrost  tit  tlio  niotliral  liinhiriaii.  Its  liititiulo  U  to'  \  . 
loii^rituilc  S2"  10'  W.  Tla-  lii;.'lif  <>\'  tlic  liimks  \nn\  lio  tiikoii  at  six  liuiJrJ 
feet  al)ovi' tli(!  sea.  Witliiii  this  lncalify,  tliiTi!  is  tin'  <iiili(,iicliiiir  uf  y.  \. 
Kivcr,  with  Kurt  (iratint  ami  tho  tdwi)  nf  I'drt  Ifiiron,  mi  the  Micliipn ^,,1, 
•Mill  till!  tiiwii  (if  I'lii't  Snriiia,  with  an   Imliaii  villa<;t',  (in  (lie  Canada  .;,i„' 

irt  (Iraliot  stamis  mi  a  Haiid-duiic,  very  near  tho  jinint  rifcxit  nf  tlicvai,,- 

('  lake,  ami  Port  lliirnM  mi  tho  saiin'  (liiiic,  a  mllo  ln'lnw,  ut  tlie  h).,..!, 

ot  i.iatU  lliver. 

Tho  soiirct'M  of  this  river  arc  in  taiiiarnck  ,swniii]if),  iint  fjir  frdm  tlii'Tfv.  I 
(Til  shoro  III'  Lako   FFiirmi,  nearly  parallel  tu  wliiili  .slmro  it  flows  on  mul 
within  a  few  miles  west  of  I'ort  Ilnron,  when  it  tnriis  to  the  enstwarilariii 
joins  St.  Clair  lliver  at  thattuwn.      Its  water,  like  that  of  iiiaiivotliorstrKiuj 
having  a  similar  origin,  has  the  color  of  ink  lilierally  diluted,  ^vllil•l|  sooiiut) 
bo  produced,  either  l»y  soiiu;  oxclnslvoly  vcgetahlo    coloriiifr-niattir  nf  tie 
swamps,  or  by  tho  tanno-gallato  of  iron,  formed  by  the  unii'ii  of  the  atir,. 
priate  aeid  (  supplied   by  the  tamarack   pine)  with  the  nntal,  in  wliiih  lU 
soil  of  that  part  of  Michi^jan  almuiids.     IJIaek  lliver,  as  it  !i|i|innilirsth(:>!, 
Clair,  lies  inunediately  to  the  west  or  windward  of  Korl  (iraliot  anil  I'n I 
Huron,  at  a  distauco  varying  from  a  fow  hundred  yards  to  a  iiiile.  without  a::;  | 
intervening  hills,  while  its  bottoms  are  broad  and  swan)py,  iind  itsnwim;:. 
rent  cheeked  by  a  niill-dau»  near  its  mmith.      IJetween  tlic  two  rivers, i*i':e I 
sand-dunu  of  which  I  have   spoken,  with  its  little  pnols,  or  wot  Lwivij 
wliicli  the  recrements  of  plants  have  been  decomposed  into  soil.    The  wistin 
or  right  bank  of  the  river  is  liighor,  and  consists  of  eoiii]iuf't  imst-tortiarvj 
clay,  with  pebbles.     Opposite  the  fort  and  village,  tho  St.  Clair  i.<  fri: 
with  a  narrow  belt  of  low  alluvial   bottom,  on  which  riiin-watcr  !•t3!.i^ 
littlo  ponds,  or  forms  smalls  marshes,  and  over  which  the  river  Howj  iiiiiJ 
periodical  ri.ses  of  the  lake. 

Four  CiiiATiOT.  —  Tho  returns  from  Fort  Gratiot*  show  a  ilccided  prou- 
lonce  of  intermittent  fevers  ;  tho  annual  ratio  being  ,';ovciity-t\vu  |i(,r  t.;.t;j 
that  of  remittent  fever  i.s,  however,  only  tlireo  ])er  cent.  When  wu  cfiiijarej 
the  relative  prevalence  of  these  two  forms  of  fever  at  this  just,  witli  t: 
prevalence  at  Fort  Crawford,  in  tho  san'o  latitude,  on  the  hanks  dt'ili)!:;-! 
eis3i[(pi,  we  find  that,  while  intermittent  fever  is  more  prevalent  l.on'.  r.n.: 
tent  fever  is  more  prevalent  there.  Here,  the  latter  makes  hut  tlirwr:.: 
per  cent,  of  all  tho  cases  of  autumnal  lever;  there,  it  iiuikes  t'uurti'iGWJ 
cent.,  and  is,  therefore,  four  times  a.s  ju'cvalent,  compared  with  tlio  iiit'r: 
tent  form.  When  we  bring  Fort  Snelling,  on  the  31ississippi,  in  N.  bi"! 
r)3',  into  this  comjiarison,  the  conclusiim  is  strengthened;  for,  at  t!iat[;!j 
remittents  make  thirty-three  per  cent,  of  the  whole.  These  faets  are  ii.::- 
tive.  A  long  river-beach  low-water  marsh  lies  to  the  wiiuhvard  uf  F:.ij 
Crawford,  and  tho  swampy  mouth  of  the  St.  Peter's  in  the  ?aini'  ilir'  ' 
from  Fort  Snelling;  but  the  amount  of  watery  surface  around  thcso  >iO-.-j 
autumn,  is  small,  comiiared  with  that  around  Fort  Gratiot,  wliicli  Ui'--<\ 


^jt'  .n  ifs  north,  tin 

[,:,.;  "11  its  south  III 

,-.j  b.  tliorefrri',  vd 

Frt  ''mlliiiL'.  and  ti 

;.  .T.'ili'r  |)ro|Mirtiii 

Frrv.thiMiii.'1'iiiiiii-^  ' 

ll,'!:;ii:i'',  mid  iiS'Ti 

.-. .     It  nsults.  Ii 

•rit  M:ii-I<i!iac;  ii.' 

irivi.ll'ort  Wiimcl 

rl'.'i'li  (opo/rapliii 

;fvi's,    The  forty-tl 

t';'"i?.i,  is,  in  fui't,  ve 

IM  i'1'tffanlly  to  h- 

frni,    rii'voml  that 

Iwrlv  iinkiiowii  ns  ar 

•:  ■■  i!i':ir.'  will,  of  cm 

/'"•/  ll'iriin,  —  To 

[-jl'if  the  vill;i'_'i'  • 

|i  ■iT.Vnlile,  and  fn 

:  riiiiniiial  f(!vor  as 


tj 


'■<K  the  tiiwii, 
'.■1 


;  //  S'lriiiii.  —  Tlii 
I'vr.  '.piiMsite  I'urt 
I r'w  the  outlet  of  the 
\>n\.  anil  cstahlishci^ 
piiiil'W  water,  ahouinl 
fill 'liily  elevated  tc 
lii'-i'Ml  ill  eliaiMcter  ) 


mM 


N  Dversprea 


|l-v-'lllagf,  tllrre  i<  ;i 

['ii'iitits  of  Saniia,  a 
■^-  "'iif  more  or  less  s^ 

^'      AlUiilMXd    I'A 

'.'!"-r  Canada,  in  wLii 

'■^'ft'i-d-f  Ln!ve  Hi 

l^'<'l:iirPuvcr.  Lake; 

j'wi'kiteoii.stitiites  f 

I"- V  traversing  it  fm 

I"  *■  is  Hear  Creek., 

p!!it.ca>t,  which  dm 

'-'•'■  "!iiti'<l  waters  iiiti 

T..,  Thanios,  which 

r'    ^illpj  llui-nndistl 


»  Medical  Statistics  of  United  States  Army. 


'  from  W.  Jo 


nps, 


-:■:!; 


-  I 


r>lt  I.J 


INTKUIim  VALMIY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


353 


a.  in  it*  north,  flio  St,  Clair  mi  its  cnst,  fiT"!  1'ImcI:  l{lvcr,  wifli  n  •Iniii  niul 
,,i,i  .III  its  Mimtti  Mini  west.  Tlic  nfiiii.«|ilit'ri''  Imiiiiilify  ot'  tliis  liltlr  |. .'11111- 
j ':, ii, tlii'refrrt',  vfry  ^'rcat,  ci  iii|iarcil  witli  the  ,<!((•■<  nf  Vnv\  Crawl'uril  and 
fit  *n< Hill'.'.  Hii'l  ♦"  *'''**  i"''tO'H'"l"^'i<'al  fiinditiiiii,  we  imi'.it  1  tliiulc,  iisiTJIin 
I'i  T.'ili'r  iir"|i"i'tiiiii  I'l'  iiitiTiiiit ti'iit-i  cnmiiarcil  with  ri'iiiitfciils.  |)nctiir 
r„.  t!i,iiinroiiiiiiis  t-'ditcr  (ifdiir  army  >tatistii'<.,  lia.s  ciiiniiarcd  tids  pn^^t  with 
i|i  ';:;i",  mill  MSiTihi'd  the  ditl'cii'tiri;  ill  aiitimiiial  fcviT  to  tii|iii!.'i'a|ihiral 
,^.....  It  n.-iilts,  hiiWi'Vt'r.  ill  imit  from  tlic  hi;:licr  latiludc  and  I'li.yatiou 
ffrt  Mackiuai';  ns  the  (•('iii|rirativ('  ah.^ciici'  of  tliat  IVvcr  at  I'ort  IIow- 
,•!  ;ii,l  l''iirt  WimK'haL'o,  [ilai'cH  south  of  Maidxiiiai-,  hut   noitli  of  (Jiatiof, 

■  [■\\  t '|vi.'ra|iliii'al  i-oiiditioris   simihir   to  tlioso   of  the   hiNt,  siilVirit'iitly 

\  ■?■;<■*    The  ftiitv-tliird  |iarall<d,  with  ati  I'lcvatioii  of  >ix  hundred  I'rit  aliovo 

I'.^e;!,  is,  ill  t'ai't.  vi'vy  nciir  the  liiirh'-'.«t  latitndo,  at  which,  fiN.m  tlii'  Mi>sis- 

lii'd  castw.iplh  to  St.  Chiir   llivr,  antnmiial   fever  a|i|ieiirs  in  an  ijiii/niiic 

r>i'Viiiiil  that  deirrc'O,  it  rapidly  diminishes,  and  in  tlio  forty-,'<ixtli  is 

I  Mrlv  uiikiiuwii  as  an  eriL'inal  disease.      At  a  lower  lev(d,  the  line  of  cpidfinie 

•r  viWo  will,  of  coin'M',  he  foniid  I'artlier  north, 

I'.filkmi.  —  To  return   to  oiir   pre-eiit    loe.ility,  \  may  state,  that  the 

;.ll'if  tliu  villaL'e  of  I'urt  Unroll,  as  I  learned  from  the  resident  |ihy.'<ieian, 

III  !r  N"li!(',  and  from  Ooi'tor  Soiitlmate,  the  post  surgeon,  are  as  snhjeet 

niiiiirial  fever  as  tho  troops;  and  the  si'ttlers  on  the  haiilis  of  the  .St, 
h"jir, l»l'iw  tin.'  town, likewise  sufVer  from  the  same  disease, 

I  .■'  Suriiid.  —  Yliis  Ciinailian  villiL'e  stands  on  the  east  hank  of  St.  Clair 

iR'v.r.  i.]i[Misite  I'ort   Ifiiron,      AIiovo  it.  the  low  eape.  Point  Kdwards,  iiar- 

.Mvi rill,  nutlet  of  till!  lake  to  half  the  width  of  the  river,  in  front  of  I'ort 

>)r'i:i.  aiiil  csfalilislios,  opposite  and  almvc  that  villa^'e,  a  miiiiature  hay  of 

Uiw  water,  aliMundinu;  in  aipiatie  grasses,      ^.     ;   site   of   the   town,  is   ii 

liiiS  i''i:t!y  eli'vafi'd  terrace   of  po>t-tertiary  (da_\    and   gravel,   or   hard    pan, 

|ii-:.!i.';il  ill  cliaraeter  with  that  immediately  helow  tlie  moiitli  of  Uhnk  lliver. 

|T!i*  plain  is  ovorspread  with  lofty  furot  tree.«,     On  the  river  hank-,  south  of 

Itfevilla^rfi,  tlicre  is  a  permanent  set  (lenient  of  Chippewa  Indians,      The  iii- 

J!ir:':iiits  iif  S;inii;i,  and  its  vii-inity,   are  sulijc-t  to  autumnal  fever;-''  hut 

I'.'tiiL'niiuro  iir  less  so  than  these  of  i'ort  lliiron,  1  cannot  say, 

M.    Ap,iiiiNiX(i   i'.\i;ts  ok   Caxada.  —  The  western   henk  or  ])eniiisnla  of 

l;!»i('aiiaila.  ill  whicli  port   Sariiia  lies,  is  hounded  on  the  iii.rth  h_\  t!io 

I' '  r  ii,(l  iif  Lnko  Huron,  on  the   south  hy  fi.aku  Erie,  and  on  the  wt.-t  by 

[-•''InirRivor.  Lake  St.  Clair,  and  Ih^imit  P.iver.      In  the  eivil  divisions  of 

'a!;dn.  it  constitutes  the  V,  e.^terii  district.    Its  principal  river  is  the  Thames, 

* : 't  travorsiiirr  it  from  east  to  west,  opens  into  Lake  St.  Clair,      The  next 

|i''-'iM>  Hear  Creek  or  Svdenham  Piver,  c.iiimosed  of  two  forks,  the  north 

jj''i'n' ca^t.  whicli  drain  the  country,  in  the  rear  of  Port  Sarnia,  and  throw 

pnimted  waters  into  the  Delta  of  St.  Clair  lliver. 
T'     'I'l 
1  ■''  l.;anies,  which  is  one  hundred  and  fil'ty  miles  in  length,  originates  in 

I''.  Kaiiil  Huron  districts,  where,  hy  its  S(uithern  branch,  it  interlocks  with 


rom  W.  Jones,  Esq.,  Assial.uit  .■^iiiu'riatcnileiit  Iiuliau  Depurtniciit. 


w 


>    !• 


•  • 


1 

.1 


I  -      T ' 


I  tt 


Mi 


m 


m 


■    • 


'  ,    »  ,  ■  ■       "■ 


/• 


«^;.,v,5,. 


354 


TIFK  I'lnNCIPAr,  nit^RASES  OP  THE 


iMOl; 


triliiitarics  of  (irnml  llivcr,  wIioho  wiitors  fall  into  tlio  oastiriuinl  i,i' I 
Erie.      From    tlicso   ori;.'iiiH,   tlio  Tliaincs  travcrsL's  Lontlnj  JL^trirt  a- 1 
lastly,  tlio  Western  (li«tri(jt,  in  wliit^li  it  jdins  F-ako  St.  Clair.    Tlio  town  f\ 
LiiMtlon  is  sifiiato  at  tliii   jiiiictiiiu  ot"  it.s  twn  |iriiiii|ial  Iifaiicln  s,    Tliel.i.^ii 
of  tlio  Tliaincs  and  tliu  SyiK'iiliain,  I'onijtri'lii'iid  tliu  l)i'.>)t  p'Ttiuns  df  (^'ma 
West.     In  the  interior,  tlio  Kurfaco  i.s  rnllin;r,  in  .some  |ilm'(s  JiiHy;— l-i  i 
thero  arc  ul&o  tracts  of  .s\vaiii[),  and  tlio  Htrcani.s  have  alluvial  luttniDg, ni^, 
of  wliicli  aro  snlijcct  to  iiniiidatiini.     Advaii(iii<,'  toward  I,!il<u  St.  Clair, ti'J 
eoinitry  licconics  iiioro  hivd,  tlio  wet  savannas  niiilti|ily,  iiinl  tlic  liw  rivpr- 
bottoms  acnuii'o  j^rcatcr  l)rcadtli.     TIic  nioiitli  of  the  TIkiuk'h  u  in  X  [_,. 
42"  20',  —  its  nortliern  sonrcos  in  4:J'^  20'.      Kvcry  jiart  nf  tliort;!!ij 
drained  l»y  this  rivor,  and  aLso  of  that  drained  liy  tho  Sydviiliam,  i.'lia'ktJ 
autiiniiial   fever;  but  tho  lower  or  western,  much   iiioro  than  tlic  iiiurir.i 
which  is  dryer  and  a  little  farther  north.     Tho  insalubrity  of  uiaiiy  kaliiie} 
in  tho  Wostoni  district  has  retarded  their  Hettlcnieiit.    1  caiiiitit  siv  w!n.iii(r| 
the  old  sottlemoiit.s  of  Ciiiiadian  I'Vciich,  on  tho  banks  of  fho  Tllllllle^,  ..bJcpI 
as  much  as  tho  recent  imnii;,n'aiits  from  Kurop(!  and  the  I'nitcd  .'^tatcs." 

\'ll.      S.AMtMint.  —  This   \illa,iro   stands  on   tho  east  hank  nf  Iiitr:;! 
liiver,  nine  miles  bidow   iiako  St.  Clair,  and  three  below  tho  city  of  Ditriij 
It  i.')  Olio  of  tho  oldest  French  settlements  in  Canada  West,  and  many  if  iii 
inhabitants  are  still  of  that  raec.     It  lias,  at  times,  liceii  the  seat  li  a  no- 
tary post.     It  is  built  on  a  slo|)iii;^  •rravelly  bank;  but  thevo  areniarAij 
around  it,  over  tho  siirl'aro  of  ■which  Doctor  Stratton  has  often  >ccii,  in  ir- 
morning  and  evening,  a  thin  stratum  of  dark-colored  air,  porcciN iiii.',  at  tit 
same  time,  an  offensivo  smell,  and  experiencing,  at  tho  latter  lumr,  a  ]i'.'.i;ar| 
sensation  of  heat;  an  <d>.servation  made  by  others  beside  hinuulf,    TL' ;> 
habitants  aro  subject  to  autumnal  fe\er;  and  during  the  time  tliat  fwiM  i-l 
j>anies  of  troop.-i  wore  in  barracks  thero,  half  of  tliem  wore  often  ill,  atii.i 
•with  that  disoa.so. 

Wiiu/tioi;  a  ?fmall  village,  two  miles  nortli  of  Saiidwicli.  i.s  situate  cd  ij 
hiiib  bank  of  Detroit  l^ivcr,  and  eiiiov,?  an  oxemntinii  fnun  crak;  dl 
marshes.  A  body  of  colonial  militia  stationed  there,  remained  lioal!livii)| 
summer  and  autumn,  i' 

VIII.  AMiii:n,STi!Uiu}  and  ^Iai.dkv.  —  The  extreme  south-west  p'int  til 
Canada  West,  is  the  township  of  ]\Ialdon,  at  the  junction  of  Petruit  KivefJ 
with  Lake  ICrio.  It  oomprelionds  the  town  of  Amh(M'stbur2,  ami  api 
manent  military  post  called  Fort  IMalden.  It  Mas  settled  Liiig  sw  fjl 
Canadian  French,  but  contains  many  FiUglLsli,  Scotch,  Iri.sh,  and  AincniMJ 
immigrants,  with  a  largo  negro  population,  from  the  United  States  Ii:  ^' 
is  extremely  fovtilc.t 

Amhcrstbiny  rests  on  Detroit  llivcr,  about  a  mile  from  tlio  lake,  and  / ''! 


|ni!is  frniu  Detn^it,  tli 


^  i$-       '■   ^,  .*   ; 

\h'%.  (■.•'•■'                   ■    ■    "     '.  '■  '  -' 

ijlijA'' "  ^.  ..■•';•;;  ■ 

,  .'■■•? 

til''''  -  •  '" '   '' '  '  ■'  '•' 

,■ '  ""^ 

ffiiii-.  i  ■  ^  V  "    ''■ 

■' 

vr,  '.  L' ,-.  ■.  .1  ■f  -.1  •  i  ' --^ 


•  Smith's  Canadian  Gazetteer.  — Doctor  Stratton,  in  Ed.  Med.  and  Surg.JourW" 
Martiii'3  IILstory  of  tlic  Britisii  Colonies. 

+  Str;itton,  Ed.  Mi-dical  and  .'^urgical  Journal,  No.  147. 
X  Smith'3  Canadian  Gazetteer. 


■jt  !■; 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NOIITII  A.MKIIICA. 


30a 


If  ,1,  vtinils  liaH'  1  "I'll!  nlxivi"  tlio  tnwn,  in  N.  Lnt.  1*2°  ild',  ami  \\.  Lon 

!.i  v,      Vliuut  liiilt'  tilt'  .siirn)Uinliii^'  iMiuutrv  i.s  in  wimkIs.     The  viiiiiity  of 

m  liffii  is  tliit.  !"»!  tl'tTu  iiri'  .Hi'vi'iiil  »'Ati'iisivL'  iiuir.slu'.s ;  tlicii'  i.-,  alsd,  a 

ftek  hanl  liv,  tlio  Imnks  i»f  wliifh  an;  overflowoil  liy  fVcslit'ts   in    Detrcdt 

R(vr  and  niuuli  of  till' Wiitcr  left  tu  cvajiorutc.     Ai'diukI  tlio  t'lit   tlicro  ih 

j,r;,ii  iiiiituiiiiii,!,'  stii^fii.iiit  Wiitir.     'I'liu  tnMi|i,s  in   Kurt   MaMcii  liavo  al- 

IfuJirn  ;itHii'tf(l  with  aiiliiiiiiial   t'cvir,  Imlli    iiiteriiiilti'iit  and  ru.iittciit ; 

,  I, tJ,rn;i:l)Hiit  tlic  Hiiiiiimr  ami  aiitiiiiiii,  iiKi.-^t  lainilics  i>l'  tlu!  vill.igo  liavc, 

L,^,f.jiv,.lv,  a  iii(.'iiil)i'r  tlowii  wiili  it.      in   tlio  winter  of  l-^II!)  uiid    11^40, 

1 1'  tuf  Strattiiii  saw  a  few  cases  (  i/inn',  rela|)j'i'.sV  )  liofurr  tlio  ITlli  nl"  Kob- 

rarv, wlnii  tlifro  caiiio  a  tliaw,  wliifli  filiated  ulV  tlio  ico  that,  had  Iniricd  up 

tii'mmlK  l'iiiil<!<  "f  i)etrnit  ISiver,  and  "tho  next  niiirniii;^  several  iier.sunH. 


i;,; 


Ti:'  111  li' 


iiiM'S  aliin''  the  liank,  wore  attaeked  with  ajj^iio."* 


IX  linU'iiT.  —  There  is  no  oiMisideruli'e  tnwii  nr  river  between  I'ort 
H;:!iaii4  tlio  (.-ity  of  Dotmif,  staiidinp  on  the  ri^Lrht  nr  Miehigan  side  (if  tho 
hnitv  Mii'li  of  the  lianlv  anmnd  and  below  l/il<e  St.  Clair,  has  Imitr  been 
UnloJ  Ijv  CuiiaJian  Freiieh,  and,  in  its  elevalidii  abdVt;  the  snrl'aci;  of  the 
hiter. as  Well  as  tlio  stylo  of  duniestie  and  agrieultural  imia-uvcniont,  it  ro- 
iKffil'li"^  the  'CWsy'  ill  lidiiisiana. 

lidr  it  is  built  in  N.  Jiat.  4'J"  liO',  and  W.  Lou.  «'2^  AS',  alxnit  six  niilcR 
IW  (f  Lake  St.  ("lair,  on  a  post-tertiary  clay  |ilaiii,  wliirli  stretehes  iiiaiiy 
ImiljintM  till?  interior.  Its  elevatimi  is  from  twenty  to  thirty  feet  abdve  the 
hirfaic  lit' tlio  river.  To  its  iinrth-east,  at  the  distaneo  of  a  niilo.  a  fniall 
Rreani,  iiamcJ  IJloody  llun,  and  then  another,  called  Connor".s  'Jroek,  enter 
|Dtir.'it  Itiver;  above  wbieh,  at  tho  exit  nf  the  river  from  Lake  St.  Clair, 
|li«rei.saii  exti'Ksivo  marsh.  At  the  distaneo  of  three  miles  below  the  city, 
|cp[i"*ite  Sandwich,  the  blulf  banks  recede,  and  f;r<'en  marshes  are  developed 
Ifflbntli  sides  of  the  river.  Through  these  marshes,  at  the  distance  of  live 
jnilij  fri'iii  Ik'triiit,  the  small  river  liougo,  a  foul  and  slngirisb  stream,  with 
Imniiiy  alluvinn.s,  makes  its  way  from  the  west  to  J)etroit  Jtiver.  The  level 
|((«rv  li;u  k  uf  the  city  abounds  in  marshes,  swab'S,  and  peat  bo^'s  ;  but  tho 
Iralarbs  nri' not  infested.  The  ground  uu  which  the  city  stand.-,  however,  is 
|t"jliVC'l  tn  jicrniit  good  drainage,  and  too  clayoy  to  I'avor  |iercolation  ;  it  is 
jLvrftiire.  in  sjiring  and  autuiiiii,  so  wet  that  board  pavements  are  proferredto 
jink,  ^li'll-water  can  bo  obtained  by  digging  into  the  argillaceous  jilain, 
jw.i,  at  the  depth  of  a  hundred  feet  or  more,  rests  on  the  iipjicr  Silurian 
lliiiiijtiiiic.  The  city,  however,  is  supplied  with  river-water  by  a  steam  cn- 
Ifino  and  imnip. 

Tiiecimditimi  of  the  opposite  bank,  on  wliicb  frauds  the  hamlet  of  Wind- 
In.  lias  Wen  already  mentioned.  From  this  sketch  it  appears,  that  the  an- 
'  m^^^trfipolis  of  the  upper  lakes,  is  neither  greatly  exposed  to,  nor  exempt 
pn!,thii>e  topographical  circuuLstances,  which  give  rise  to  autmnnal  fever; 
|tM' [irevalonce  of  which  barmonizes  with  the  topigraphy.     Of  the  degree  in 

' Eli.  Mi'dical  and  Surgical  Journal,  No.  147.— Tulloch's  Statistics  of  tho  British 

|.w.y._Sii,itifs  Canadian  Gazetteer. 


■i  • 


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a5G 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOJ  I. 


wlii^;li  tliat,  foviT  jivevailcd  aiiuin^f  the  Frcncli,  vho,  in  ITiJl,  licfan  'j.e  <,t 
tleiiiL'iit  ot'  Dotniit.  iiiidor  the  iiaiiio  of  Fort  INjiitclijiitriun,  wo  ii^y,, 
record.  At  this  time,  the  site  of  tlie  city  and  its  environs  iiiu.-t  be  jv-ar ,  ■ 
as  a  surface  hjii^-'  broken  up  and  exposed  to  tiie  action  of  the  )-im  iiuiliav;. 
which,  it  is  well  known,  at  last  destroys  some  of  the  top(joTa]iliital  kiun.  •' 
autumnal  fever,  ."^till,  as  I.  learned  from  Doctor  Pitcher  and  Doitur  P  ;■  ■ 
intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  occur  every  autunui,  Lutli  iu  tlio  ciivaii 
its  suburbs,  ami  occasionally  assume  a  maliunant  type. 

X.      IJ.VStNS   Of   XIIK   IvOUliK   ANU    1!     lloX    lilVKUS. TllCSe  Slllilll  liver-,  •' 

•whieli  the  latter  is  the  larger,  drain  the  country  in  the  n-ar  of  Jl(.ir ;; 
The  Rouge,  as  we  have  already  seen,  jidns  the  straits  live  iiiilr>  ;.,;  j 
the  city;  the  Huron  pours  its  waters  into  the  nortli-we.^t  cuviiir  ^f  I, 
Erie,  a  few  miles  below  Amherstburg,  on  the  opposite  side  of  tlie  c.-tuar  : 
Detroit  Tiivcr.  The  general  course  of  both  the  Ivouge  and  IlurMi  is  ti..;  •■ 
south-east,  and  thus  their  middle  and  ujiper  waters  lie  to  the  wiit  tita 
city  of  Detroit.  Their  sources  arc  in  several  small  lake.-,  at  an  cli'vatifiii  v! 
about  ouo  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the  J)etroit  plain,  fn.m  whiclitl;- 
dcscond  with  a  rapid  current,  to  traverse  the  broad  and  flat  surfnocilWi'v 
county,  ■\vhich  exten.ds  from  Lake  St.  Clair  to  Lake  Erie.  AVitliiii  t'.iis  tra.t, 
their  currents,  and  those  of  all  the  smaller  streams,  are  sluggisli.  A':; 
one-third  of  Wayue  county  is  composed  ;.'f  undulating  oak  [ilaiii>.  H:-!'  : 
loss  sandy,  and  interspersed  with  wet  grassy  prairies;  while  two-tlin!- 1 ::• 
sist  of  flat  heavily  tindiercd  lands,  abounding  in  Uiarshes.  From  Li' \ 
Clair  down  to  Huron  Fiiver,  at  the  distance  of  a  few  miles  back  frnii:  |i,t-  i; 
lliver,  there  extends  a  slip,  three  or  four  miles  wide,  which  is  tk'^iv.-MJl^:. 
low  the  general  level,  and  is  either  wet  or  swampy.  i^ou'..i  i>f  tiii'  ll.i;.e. 
between  it  and  the  Huron,  this  belt  presents  extensive  wet  pViiiri'S.  !:■. 
rivers  and  smaller  streams  which  traverse  it,  having  but  little  ciirntt.'V.r- 
spread  it  in  tle^r  freshets  to  a  "arge  extent.  Thi>  tract  if  L  v.  ;:i'a- '..■::• 
face,  iu  fact  widens  toward  the  mouths  of  those  rivers.  Tlie  rcgii'iiKti:' 
now  describing,  is  ••'ompc  sed  of  a  dee[)  upper  stratum  of  p(ist-tfiliaiyi:a', 
covered  with  rich  soil,  and  resting  on  Silurian  limestone;  wlicli  rMl;,;ijK 
advance  into  the  interior,  shows  itself,- hero  and  there,  thruugli  its  ;u;:;Laa- 
ous  covering.* 

ToirufiJdp  of  riipiiDuth. — Doctor  Pprague  f  lias  written  a  paper  fn  ;:ie 
topography  and  diseases  of  the  north-west  township  of  Wayne  hkij, 
watered  by  the  upper  streams  of  the  west  branch  of  the  river  liniiie.  i-: 
north  half  of  the  township  is  hilly,  and  covered  with  forest;  tlieitbriu 
level,  and  partly  tindjered.  Mill-ponds  alMiuml,  and  one  of  tkiii. ''.:  ': 
vicinity,  is  thus  described:  '-The  ])ond  is  located  in  a  valley,  wliieli  is' •-•' 
by  the  risiu;£  of  two  banks  to  the  hight  of  fifty  or  sixty  ieet.  Tlie  gr  :.s! 
distance  between  them  is  forty  or  fifty  r(;ds,  most  of  whicli  i.s  ciC(ii]!'ii'J 
the  poiul,   which  contains  a  great  deal  of  decaying  vegctahk' iiiatii.- - 


t     J 


•  Michifran  Gcolooipnl  R'^porls.— Gazetteer  of  the  State  of  Michigan, 
t  Western  Lancet,  Vol.  IV,  No.  ''. 


Ui  *"''   'I 


MSI''. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


357 


,  „,„.iii!  and  liL'rliaC'-'"'-!^-  I'l'""'  tlic  wcsti  rii  bank,  aiidflior  trTiTH'o,  densely 
vr.T'il  with  trocs,  arises."  IJetweiMi  tlio  first  l);iiil\'  (Ui  tliiit  side  and  the 
,•,[,1  np"'i  ^  S'""'' '""'■''''  ^ '""'"'- ^'"'^    **"'"   '^'*'^    aliiivc   the  latter,  tlierc  resided 

..  1  i'liiiilii'.^  into  one  ut'  wliieli,  in  tlie  montli  of  August,  1S4:>,  I)(ietor 
nri'ic  was  called  to  treat  a  case  cf  simple  intermittent,  and  for  the  next 
4e  wii'kN  fptiernlly  liad  from  eif.dit  to  twelve  jiatients  in  tliis  little  eom- 
Kiiiv,  Mc'unwliilc  the  health  of  the  surroundinu'  country  was  good,  save  a 
%5i'!v!icn;iiHl  there,  residing  near  some  other  pond.  Tu  the  ensuing  sum- 
f.rtk'ih.sentorv  prevailed  in  many  parts  of  the  township :  hut,  with  the 
fsei'tiiin  iif '1  single  case,  passed  hy  the  pond  settlement ;  whieh,  however, 
;..r„re,l  ii^rnin  from  autumnal  fever.  As  a  general  faet.  Doctor  Sj)raguo 
rfG!arki''t.  th;it  intermittent  and  remittent  fevei's  [)revail,  for  (ive  or  six 
J-  '.  tvirv  vcar,  in  and  around  the  pond.s  and  marshes  of  tliis  part  of 
}l:;:.'aii.    The  latitude  of  tliis  region   is  4-2o   3U'  N. 

\',\i\  Uiiirhorin'iUf,  where  tlie  river  liouge  receives  the  waters  of  its  west 
iffiili.diiwii  to  Detroit  liiver,  its  current  lags,  and  its  liaid<s  are  low  and 
k;,  h  \Ta.s  oriirinally  settled  hy  Canadian  French,  who  have,  as  the  late 
tiHiiiic  and  indefatigahle  Doctor  Houghton  informed  me,  at  all  times 
nftri'd  fcvorely  from  autumnal  fever.  As  this  shallow  valley  lies  from 
ire  til  ten  miles  to  the  windward  of  Detroit,  without  any  intervening  hill 
or  extcibive  forest,  it  may  be  one  source  of  tlie  fevei'.s  wliicli  oecur  in 
iati'it}. 

In  milking  a  railroad  trip  from  Detroit  to  Ann  Arbor,  I  observed  that 
iks'irtln'C  uf  the  eomitry.  out  to  the  I'ouge  near  Dearbornville  —  a  distance 
'!"to!i mill's  —  was  flat,  and  in  many  ]daces  marshy,  with  hetivy  forests.  The 
Il;i:.^Mvlii're  tlic  road  crosses,  was  sluggish,  witli  a  fml  aspect.. 

.[ml  Afhor  is  Imilt  on  Huron  Itiver.  forty  mile.s  west  of  iX>troit.  The 
!ir:'fr  and  better  ]iart  of  the  town  is  on  tiie  western  bank,  whieh  presents 
i!V' tirraoos.  a  lower  and  a  higher.  On  each  side  of  the  stream,  there  is  a 
MTiw  «li[»  I rf  alluvial  l)ottoni,  liable  to  inundation  when  the  riv(  r  is  high. 
Ik  Uiiivorsitv  of  IMichiiian  stands  half  a  mile  west  of  the  river,  on  the 
lifer tirriico.  From  Doctor  Denton,  who  had  resided  seventeen  years  at 
ti.iqI;Kr.  1  learned  that  its  inhabitants  had  suffered  from  autunuial  fever,  in 
';:nwiii  witli  those  near  the  river,  above  and  below  the  town.  The  same 
Mitloniim  had  also  observed  that  the  people  who  reside  on  the  left-hand  or 
iWard  hank  of  the  river,  suffer  more  than  those  of  the  opposite  or  south- 
^i?tsiilo,  By  his  narrative  of  sym]itoms,  T  discovered  that  cases  as  nialig- 
saatori'nngostive  as  any  in  the  south,  occasionally  occur. 

Fti'^i  rioii'liu/s. — Doctor  Denton,  and  Doctor  Houghton,  the  naturalist  of 
tk  1  niTel•^lity,  assured  me,  that  tliey  had  seen  many  examples  of  tlie  influ- 
onwf'f  the  fii,-t  plowing  up  of  new  lands,  both  prairie  and  forest,  in  the  pro- 
fetiiii.if  autuiuiial  fever.  Even  the  breaking  up  of  dry  gravelly  soils  had 
'.'MB  fulluwed  by  feve'-. 


t''':-  vT** 


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pits".    1 


358 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOI  I. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE    EASTERN    OR    ST.    LAWRENCE    BASI.N 

CONTINUED. 


BASIN   OF   LAKE    ERIE. 

Erie,  tlio  last  and  most  soutluTn  of  the  Upper  Lakes,  receives,  tlirciii:!:  ^ 
Detroit  River,  the  overflowings  of  Jjakes  Superior,  ^lic-liiiiuu,  and  Iluroc, 
wliicli  enter  its  western  extremity,  uiid  arc  iliscliarged,  with  its  own  su])'.r- 
abundant  waters,  from  its  eastern,  by  tlic  Niagara  River.  Tlieir  Iiilti."  ;; 
just  above  tlie  forty-second  parallel  —  tlieir  egress,  a  little  below  tic  kv- 
third;  the  distance  between  those  points  being  about  four  degrees  i if  kiii:i- 
tude,  that  is,  from  the  scventy-nintli  to  the  eighty-third.  Lake  Erie, liiv 
Lake  ]Miehigan,  is  a  long  narr(nv  body  of  water,  with  an  axis  running  iioark 
east  north-east  and  west  south-west.  Its  form  is  that  of  a  Cdniprtfiud  cd, 
indented  on  tlie  north  side,  and  elongated  to  a  beak  a*  its  eastern  ixtreD.::j 
Its  mea;«i  length  is  two  hundred  and  forty  miles;  its  mean  hreadtli,  forty ct 
fifty  miles;  its  mean  depth,  eighty  to  ninety  feet ;  and  its  clevatiuu  aWetie 
sea  five  hundred  and  sixty-four  or  sixty -five  feet.*  The  slialluwncisoft'jj 
lake,  compared  with  those  above  it,  constitutes,  perliaps,  its  greatest  puii.t  if  I 
difi'erenco  from  them  ;  and  is  such,  that  strong  winds  agitate  it  to  the  Ixttoa 
and  render  its  waters  more  or  less  turbid,  according  to  their  depth.  (Jn:'i 
north  or  Canadian  side,  the  basin  of  Lake  Va-'iv.  is  of  such  limited  c.\ti;ut,t!.at 
all  the  tributaries  it  supplies,  except  Grand  River,  which  enters  nwr !:; 
eastern  extremity  of  the  lake,  are  of  insignificant  size.  Tiii.s  rcsuHs  fwutle 
manner  in  which  it  is  overlapped  at  each  end,  respectively,  by  Lake  IIuH 
and  Lake  Ontario,  in  their  approximation  to  each  other.  On  the  sut.ir: 
side,  tlio  1)asin  is  much  wider,  and  watered  by  a  far  greater  nundiir  ot ':• 
siderablo  rivers;  of  which  the  Raisin,  Maumec,  Sandusky,  Ilurnii. liliJ. 
Cuyalioga,  and  Grand,  ccjunting  from  west  to  east,  arc  the  most  iiiipyrtai.! 
In  beginning  with  tlie  River  Riiisin,  avo  shall  preserve  the  continnity.t  .J- 
scription  from  the  rogidu  west  of  Detroit  River,  till  we  complete  the  souther. 
portions  of  the  Erie  liasin. 

*  Ohio  Geological  Report. 


hpt-: 


INTE 


[,   The  mouth  of 

Erir,  about  fifteen  ni 

:,r,   The  western  ] 

,;•;:;  a  ri'llin,irsurf;ie 

.,;,..  ivini  which  tlie 

..,",  tlie  plain,  hut 

<:,:■' I  it;  waters  are 

il;:  I!  V)  the  Raisin, 

'T./W sand-dunes,  w 

I  Tir'loJ  as  irrcelainia 

I  i:;:r  having  emerged 

iiMiing  to  the  iiortl 

I  Jli'ygan. 

Tiie  sources  of  the 

I  &  Kalamazoo,  wliieh 

!';r|i.'ntine.  uiid  its  cur 

II.   .MnXROE  Stand 

I  i'r>.'0  miles,  in  a  strn 

•tr;;iiii,  as  it  meanders 

Iflikh  the  waters  of 

■griund  swell.'    The 

I  iiSfJiiigly  shoal  watei 

J  list,  covered  with  a.([ 

pionroe,  which  stands 

Irspiis  that  begin  aboi 

I  Uir  di'seending  over 

liieheatiMf  the  broad  ( 

|tii3ttliise.-tuary  and  i 

ilni':-«t  daily  ciFusions  ( 

Boeturs  Landon,  Conai 

I  iW  affirm  that  the  pe 

|lit'.  are  Imt  little  affei 

iii;s  iaimediately  al)Oi 

|me  the  tributaries  ol 

Js  abound.     In  t 

"■'"'■rvation.  tlioro  is  a 

j!iJ3t  cases,  kiiDwn  anio 

hi  Doctor  Conant  ass 

|iif"'f  new  soils  in  that 

•^'"iirne  stand.s  near 

lurlvas  the  year  177(i 

I »lt!i,na.« 'French  T 

(sw.- of  the  River  Ruis 


'f-    V' 


mTI'J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


359 


ill 


SECTION    I. 

BASIN  OF  THE  RIVER  RAISIN. 

Tlio  mouth  of  tliis  river  is  near  the  iiiiddlo  of  the  western  end  of  Lake 
;i!j,:Ut  fifteen  miles  soutli  of  Huron  Eiver,  described  in  the  last  Chap- 
The  western  portion  of  the  district  lying  between  these  rivers,  pre- 
;  a  rulliiig  surface,  with  an  clevatidn  of  a  hundred  feet  or  more  above  the 
like,  tV'jni  ffliieli  tlic  streams  descend  with  a  ra[(id  current ;  but  when  they 
I  ria  ii  the  plain,  but  little  raised  above  tlie  lake,  they  form  estuaries,  into 
o-h  its  waters  are  driven  by  the  winds.  This  belt,  extending  from  the 
il;:  n  til  the  Raisin,  and  including  both,  abounds  in  green  marshes,  relieved 
tiviiWS'.inJ-(luncs,  which,  at  the  jiresent  elevation  of  the  lake,  may  be  re- 
*iri;il  as  irreelainiablo.  The  subjacent  rock' is  Silurian  limestone,  ■which, 
I'M  li;iving  emerged  from  under  the  coal  basins  of  the  south,  is  fnuiid  here 
biiin?  to  the  north,  to  pass  under  the  coal  measures  of  the  State  of 
}1: '.i.'an. 

liie  sources  of  the  River  Raisin  interlock  with  tliosc  of  Grand  River  and 

;':.K;il3iiiazoo,  which  empty  into  Lake  Michigan.     Its  course  is  extremely 

•■ri'iitine,  iiul  its  current  at  the  same  time  swift,  until  it  approaclios  tlie  lake. 

II.    M'lXROE  stands  chiefly  on  the  right  or  southern  bank  of  this  river, 

I  iko  miles,  in  a  straight  line,  from  the  lake,  but  six  miles,  following  tlio 

■train,  as  it  meanders  among  the  low  alluvial  islands  of  its  little  delta;  on 

fiieh  tlie  waters  of  the  lake  are  driven,  by  every  east  wind,  and  every 

■pjuiid  swell.'     The  approach  to  the  mouth  of  this  river  by  the  lake,  is  over 

IdSiiIiiigly  shoal  water,  and  the  road  from  the  dock  passes,  for  a  mile,  through 

mat.  covered  with  aquatic  grasses.     It  then  traverses  low  sand  ridges,  to 

piarne,  which  stands  on  a  dry  and  level  sand-dune.     The  river  hero  has 

'ipiJ>,  that  begin  above  and  continue  to  a  point  just  below  the  town  ;  the 

UiKT  Jiscending  over  Silurian  limestone  rocks.     The  foot  of  those  rapids  is 

tk  tiead  of  the  broad  estuary  of  the  river.     It  is  doubtless  well  for  ]\Ionroe, 

limthisc.'tuary  and  its  marshy  borders  lie  to  the  east  or  leeward;  but  the 

iiKtduily  effusions  of  the  lake  are  regarded  liy  the  physicians  of  the  town, 

iKtjrs  Lautlon,  Conant,  and  Southworth,  as  limiting  its  insalubrity.     Thus, 

Jtsejairm  that  the  people  of  IMonroe,  and  tliose  living  between  it  and  the 

IL:!;;'.  are  but  little  affected  with  autumnal  fever,  compared  with  tlie  inhabi- 

jta5:>  immediately  above  the  falls,  ami  westward  of  them,  in  tin.'  interior; 

p:.'r(' the  tributaries  of  the  Raisin  are  generally  sluggish,  and  marshes  more 

jtrkss  abound.    In  that  region,  as  those  gentlemen  stated  from  personal 

|'w>er7ation,  there  is  a  great  deal  of  autumnal  fever,  including  many  malig- 

Iw  case.?,  known  among  the  people  as  'chill-fevers.'     Both  Ductor  Landon 

larni  DiicMr  Conant  assured  mo,  that  they  had  repeatedly  seen  the  break'   g 

|iip"f  new  .soils  in  that  ipiarter  occasion  fever. 

M"iiMe  stands  near  the  site  of  an  (dd  Canadian-French  village,  settled  as 

'wh  as  the  year  ITTt),  and  known  first  as  the  'River  Raisin  settlement,' 

Jwlthi-naf  'Fron(di  Town' — the  spot  where  the  sad  and  memorable  '  mas- 

pw^-of  the  River  Raisin'  took  place.     Doctor  Conant,  who  came  to  it  in  the 


,   '**     "  '   •  • 


»»  ■   -   - 


m: 


;^^v 


i\. 


V-'. 


!f . 


^'■\ 


'!  ■     '      '■',,,'. 

'it                 ■.     ■ 

' '    '         '    '   . 

v|;iv: 

3G0 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BWKi.i 


•i,  ii^  , 

''•1 

tf' 

'"i^    1 

•  if  ? 

,,j,„|i. 

r  ■ 

.. 

,    I 


1'  i 

^ '     1 

^ 

■..■'■  "^       ^  ■ 

:^ 

! 

1 

, 

M 


year  1820,  found  it  as  licaltliy  tlioii  as  at  tlio  liiiif  of  m\  vi>it,  in  i^^^.  j,,.. 
the  surriiiiiHliiiir  cnuntry  was  iUi.ro  iui'cstc'd,  at  thai  time,  wuh  nutuii"  ili/.^,., I 
than  ill  liittcr  ytar.s. 

It  has  bet'ii  saith  lliat  ]ii'ii|ilu  wlm  live  iiuar  the  fulls  ami  laiiiils  „t' ,,i,| 
rivors  arc  [icciiliaily  liahle  tu  iiutimiiial  fuVLi' ;  1)iit  this  is  cerlainlv  iii-ij 
case  at  ^louroo. 

III.  Thu  lako  sliore,  south  of  the  Itiver  l»;iisiii.  for  tlie  distaiioe  if  t\-.Mvl 
niih.'s,  roseiiiI)les  that  already  deseri'ted,  consisting.'  evcrvwhcri.'  ..f  i,r 
watery  savannas.  'J'hc  mad  to  the  ^|'Uth  runs  at  the  distance  (,l' tLr..  ,pj 
four  miles  from  llio  hike,  through  a  forest  growing  on  a  iMSt-tuitiiirvii,?! 
}dain,  with  occasional  Hat  ridges  uf  bhiwii  sand. 


r 


SECTION  II. 

LASIX  or  THE  AIAL'.MEE   lilVEIl  AM)  BAY. 

I.  Till-;  lliviiK.  —  The  Mauiuee  ruvcr,  formerly  called  the  Mi;'iiii'i' 
Lake,  is  one  of  the  largest  trilmlaries  of  Jiuke  Erie;  wliicli  it  idtw-ivl 
Maumce  IJay,  about  twenty  miles  siuith  of  the  river  I'uiisiii,  in  ],;,!.  41  iiJ 
N.  The  ^lamiiee  is  i'ormed  liy  two  rivers:  —  the  St.  Joseph,  wliiuli  in;  i:i| 
origin  in  the  State  of  31ichigaii,  v/hcrc  it  interlocks  with  tlio  licial-waurv 
tlio  St.  Joseph  of  Lake  ]Miihigiin,  and  whence  it  runs  nearly  Simtii-W'?!,| 
until  it  jniiis  the  St.  Mary,  the  sources  of  whiidi  interlock  widi  tho'i'd  tlij 
Great  Miami  and  AV  abash  —  tributaries  of  the  Ohio  llivcr.  Tlii>  spr,  ijl 
Lat.  about  40'^  20'  X.,  is  the  most  southern  extensinii  of  the  St.  LnTriKiil 
or  Eastern  Ua.siii.  Uniting  in  the  State  of  Indiana,  these  rivcr.s  iiiaiMiwj 
Mauinee,  wdiich  descends  to  Lake  Erie  in  a  direction  nearly  iKii'tli-ra^t.  hjI 
its  way,  the  Auglaize,  eijual  in  size  to  either  of  its  eleintntniT  lirar.dv!, 
joins  it  on  the  right  or  south -cast  side.  The  Wabash  and  Krie  ca!;:i'. : 
eends  tlic  valley  of  the  iMaumee.  At  old  Fort  Defiance,  at  the  nioiitlM'tiiej 
Auglaize  lviv(>r,  it  gives  off  a  liraneh  to  Cincinnati,  wliile  anotlicn'oiit::.: 
iu  the  same  di-ection,  to  the  Wabiisli  Iliver,  in  tlie  State  of  Lnli;iiui. 

The  surface  of  the  3rauuiee  ]>a.-in  is  not  hilly;  but,  as  we  ailvanoe  ii:!)| 
the  interior  from  the  lake,  it  gradually  rises,  until  it  attains  the  avciiii:e5.;i- 
tudc  of  eight  hundred  and  (ilty  ieet  above  the  level  of  the  son.    Tlop-t- 
tertiary  clay  deposit,  so  often  mentioned,  buries  up  the  Silurian  liim-:*;, 
which  constitutes  the  subjacent  rock;  over  the  out-cropping  eilgc^  of  ivu.J I 
tlie  river  descends,  by  a  series  of   rajiids,  eighteen  or  twenty  uiilosK. I 
■which  terminate  at  the  head  of  the  estuary.     The  lianks  of  tlii.«  nvcr  ari:3j 
general  well-developed;  its  inundated  bottoms  of  limited  extent.    (iiii]if!J 
and  lofty  forests,  for  some  distance  from  it,  spread  out  on  hutli  tfiik's.liiitiMJ 
U))per  portions  of  the  basin  abound  in  prairies,  both  wet  ami  iliy;  m^^i(\ 
alluvial  lands  of  many  of  its  tributaries   are  subject  to  inumlatimis;  ;i;:'i^| 
tbc   flat  summit-level  between   the  St.    Mary  and  Loraniie  Cn.'i'l<.  a  t'-'J 
tary  of  the  (Ireat  ^lianii,  there  is  au  extensive  artificial  poiid,  Jt-sigmiiiij 
supply  the  canal  with  water. 


1  m 


•'  ^r'-i-i 


(j: 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


3G1 


•  I'liur  Waynk.  —  "W'licro  tin:  tnwn  of  Fort  ^V;l_vllO  imw  stands,  tluTO 
Ici. !'riii-il\' ii '"'''''^'T  I'"'^t  111'  (lie  .same  iiaiiu,'.  and  an  Indian  aironcy.  The 
l,,,;i;iiicit-tertiarv  plain,  at  the  jiinctidii  ami  on  tlic  ri<.dit  '■!■  eastern  side 
ly;,  two  rivers  wliieli  I'orni  the  ."^launieo.  Tiiis  jda'.n  rises  aliove  liigli- 
Lj.,,  luaik;  but  is  overspread  with  basin -like   depressions,  in  whi'h   loul 

tr!^ai:tl  rain-water  aeeiiniulate,  to  be  aeted  upon  by  the  sninnier  sun. 

(;; .  .li|itli  lit'  twenty  <ir  tliirty-l'eet,  liai'd  well-water,  of  an  exeellent  (pial- 
jii  ■;.  uljiiiinod.  Between  the  town  and  the  rivrr  there  is  a  slip  of  low 
L'Ji'i.  wliii'li,  altliouixh  snbjeet  to  inundatinn  in  sprinir,  formerly  beeanio 
IjrvbMimiia'r,  hut  is  now  kept  wet  by  the  leakage  of  the  Wabash  and  I'lrie 
Ifi'ai. wliitli  traverses  it.      ( >n  the  opposite  side  of  tin'  St.  ]Mary,  and  of  tlio 

]i:\i:ifi'  llivrr.  there  are   rieli  alluvial   u'rounds,  inider  eultivation.     About 

!i  :i,ii.>  fft'st  of  the  town,  a  ^"rassy  uiarsh  or  wet  ]irairie  begins,  and 
iKMiiits  I'll,  indi'iiiiitely,  to  the  south-west.  Its  width  is  from  a  few  huu- 
iviirils  tu  a  mile  and  a  half.  It  appears  to  l»e  an  obsolete  bed  of  the  St. 
V,  wliiiii,  in  fnrmer  times,  might  have  flowed,  in  whole  or  in  part,  into 
IlkVi'aliajli:  a  liraneh  of  whieli,  called  Little  Eiver,  originating  near  Fort 
IHViif.  iiuw  traverses  that  ]ialudal  traet.  The  St.  !Mary,  as  it  eonics  from 
Id- ut'i-wist.  flows  tlirough  the  ea.>tern  edge  of  this  swamp.  ])eyond  the 
ji:wirHi!s  which  have  been  mentioned,  there  is  on  every  side  a  po>t-ti'rtiary 

i:i;:i;  \diifh,  at  the  distance  of  a  few  uiih'S  to  tlie  east  of  Fort  \\'ayne,  be- 
|(i;!&>  a  floiiiled  pwamp  —  tlie  westom  edg"  of  the  '  J>lack  Swamp,'  to  be 
Ikrxtvr  described,  but  known  here  unihr  the  name  of  '  Manmee  Swamp.' 
[D'.t.r  Charles  E.  Stnrgis,  in  a  cfimmunication  from  wlncli  this  description 
|bli:«i  made  out,  says  —  '•  I  could  name  several  instances  where  families 
li&l  ill  the  uidiniken  woods,  and  clearing  a  very  small  s|iaee  only,  enjoyed 
|Ei::ti.rni[ittd  autunmal  health  for  three  or  four  years:  when  other  innni- 
IfTjiit*  arrived,  and  extensive   (dearings  were   made,   with   the   eonseijuent 

ifcikiii;' up  of  a  groat  deal  of  new  soil,  and  inlermittenls  appeared  among 
jlie'iviiile.''  As  to  Fort  ^\'ayne,  from  the  time  it  was  settled  as  a  military 
ll  •'.  il-wn  tu  the  present  day,  it  has  lieen  infested  with  intermittents  and 
iKviituiit^;  which,  aeeording  to  ])octor  Stnrgis,  still  occasionally  pi'esiMit  a 
linali.'iiaiit  character.  Of  the  prevalence  of  these  fevers  a  judgment  can  be 
I!'*:!],  from  the  fact,  stated  l)y  Doctor  Stnrgis.  that  about  four  liuudred 
|o«i!ix<  (if  ,i.ul|,li;ite  of  (juinine  are  annually  eonsnnied  by  the  pi'oph;  of  Fort 
|"a}'iC' iiiid  the  smTounding  country.  This,  if  we  allow  a  (h'aidim  to  each 
jpil.'i;t.  Would  give  three  thousand  two  hundred;  a  largo  nundier,  ciiusider- 
hiiha  the  latitude  of  the  town  is  40"  N.,  tiiat  the  average  elevation  of  the 
pv.'iii  !s  srviMi  liundrcd  and  hfty-three  feet  above  the  sea,*  and  that  the 
|M''htiiin  is  sparse,  ciunpared  with  regions  of  Indiana  and  Ohio  which  have 

'■-a'ttlcd  fur  a  longer  perii'd. 

111.  .M.UMKK  Bay  and  Estuauv.— ?»laumee  I5av,  in  X.  Lat.  41°  40', 
I's '"'' south-westorn  extremity  or  angle  of  Lake  JCrie,  almost  separated  from 
I    '}  t«o  long,  low,  and  tapering  capes,  which  apiproach  each  other  from  the 


r  .■■»    .  ■ 


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*Williama:  Engineer's  Reports,  Indiana. 


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302 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[booj  ' 


north-west  and  soutli-oast.  The  fornior  is  called  North  Point  — tlio  lat-c 
Cedar  I'dint.  On  tlio  Huiitheni  side  (if  the  Imy  there  are  ^rras sv  fiat' .if 
depressed  tliat  the  waters  of  the  hihe,  when  driven  hy  winds,  lldw  dvir  \\j.^ 
On  the  northern  side  there  are  similar  traets,  a  contiiuiatiuu  of  tlio  « (i 
margin  whieh  extends  round  the  head  of  the  lake,  from  the  mouth  of  Ik'nt 
Eiver. 

Ahoiit  two  miles  north  of  the  ^launico  ostiuuy,  there  is  anotliiT  ami  nj;. 
rower, — the    mouth  of   Ottawa  1\jvj:k,  which  enters  an  arm  of  tln'  !ar 
This  little  river  has  its  oriLrin,  thirty  miles  in  the  .nteriur,  on  citlior  sidtif  I 
the  boundary  between  Oliio  and   Miehi^iran;  and,  fur  the  lower  L'JL'lit  i.r  t,.ii 
miles,  runs  nearly  ])arallel  to  the  Maumee  estuary,  at  the  distimeu  i.if  tlfit 
miles  from  it.     I'lie  Ottawa  trough  is  about  a  (juarter  of  a  iiiilu  Ijivad:  tV 
waters  of  the  lake,  wlicn  driven  by  the  winds,  flow  up  it  for  several luilj 
and  are   overshadowed  Avith   pond-lilies,  rushes,   and  other  uquatie  pla;,!!. 
Some  of  its  narrow  alluvions   arc  alternately  wet  and  dry,  or  covered  ana  i 
uncovered,  according  to  the  direction  of  the  winds  u])on  the  lakis,    A«i;j 
flows  through  a  post-tertiary  argillaceous  plain,  its  banks  are  well- devilitU 
being  from  twenty  to  thirty  feet  high  near  the  bay,  and  attaining'  a  i;ria;tr  I 
elevation  as  wo  advance  up  the  stream. 

The  isthmus  between  the  Ottawa  and  3Iaunieo  estuaries,  consists  if  tte  | 
same  [)lain,  heavily  timbered,  and  more  or  less  infested  with  patik 
wet-wcatluT  swamp.  A  narrow  slip,  two  or  three  miles  long,  of  the  somkra  j 
part  of  this  isthmus,  is  cut  off  by  the  obsolete  bed  or  estuary  nf  .'«wa: 
Creek,  which  n(jw  enters  the  ^launiee  estuary  three  miles  from  thelav.  :;t 
formerly  traversed  the  (dd  bed.  Tlie  breadth  of  this  ravine  is  tVimi  nv;' 
three  hundred  feet,  and  its  wet  bottom  is  overgrown  with  suh-aijr.atie  p'a;i!«; 
its  mouth,  which  is  near  that  of  the  ^Faumec,  is  so  obstructed,  tliat  i:«  | 
waters  of  the  lake  do  not  flow  int(j  it  except  in  high  wind  tide.s,  crgriicJ- 
swells.  Swan  Creek,  above  its  present  mouth,  is  a  small  luill-fitreaui,  i'^r- 
ing  with  a  lazy  and  obstructed  current  through  a  winding  trough,  ;a»iei| 
out  of  the  tertiary  clay. 

The  narrow  peninsula  between  the  jMauraee  estuary  and  the  ol '  1 1 
Swan  Creek,  is  the  site  of  no  less  than  three  attempted  towns.    Tlio  Srst, 
beginning  at  the  lake,  is  ]Mami.vttan,  situated  near  the  point  of  tli-pti 
sula;  the  second,  Toledo;  and  the   third.  Port  Lawhexce,  which  I.-lj] 
municipally  united  with  Toledo. 

The  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal  leaves  the  bay  at  Manhattan,  and  pa?-« ap  I 
the  northern  side  of  the  peninsula,  in  the  obsolete  bed  of  Swan  Crei'k;ra! 
a  side-cut  brings  it  to  the  ]\raumee,  at  the  mouth  of  that  creek,  wiki:;' i' 
ascends    upon  the  gradually  rising  post-tertiary  plain,  to  the  head  '^1 ''-■ 
estuary. 

Inunediately  above  the  mouth  of  Swan  Creek,  an  extensive  gra?>ylH:- 
projects  into  the  estuary  from  the  high  northern  bank.  The  waterw:.;! 
covers  it  is  shallow,  but  never,  I  believe,  entirely  drained  off. 

We  are  now  j)re[)ared  to  ascend  the  estuary  to  its  head.  The  va'-f- 
of  no  great  depth,  and  varies  in  that  particular  as  the  wind  on  the  lai.  ••■ 


riff  I-, 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


3G3 


ath-wcstornnrtli-oast;  tlic  furincr  sinking  antl  tlie  laltor  rai>int:  it,  tliroiTgh 

jv'alefroii  'ie  to  five  fcot.     AVlion  tlio  river  is  swollen,  nnirtMiver,  a  rise 

ikr  I'lapo  ill  the  t'Stuary,  with  a  percept  ililo  current  into  tlie  lake.     TIic 

),ttoaiiif  the  estiiar''  'h  conipiis<Hl  of  Siluriiin  limestone,  a  part  of  the  same 

frni'iti'iii  vh'\f\\  is  s-  ••    at  tlie  falls  alxive.      its  wooded  bhitf  liaiiks  arc  liigli, 

LjcMnipiiseJ  I'f  tertiary  elay  and  gravel.  As  we  advance  upward  it  getsnar- 

LiWiT,  Imt  at  its  termination  expands,  so  as  to  einhraeo  several  i.-laiids, — of 

(iii.li  the  largest  are  llollister's  and  Ewing's, — all  lialile  to  inundation,  uu- 

[■r  Iniii;  cimtiimcd  north-east  wi'ids  on  the  lake,  or  high  Hoods  of  the  Man- 

I nee  Ifivor.  when  the  estuar)-  and  hay  are  ohstnu-ted  with  ice.     The  banks 

vn eatli  silk' are  ahout  si.Kty  feet  high,  and  composed  of  the  same  material 

LialmVi.'.    Here,  again,   there  are  three  new  towns,  of  which  two  on  the 

le;'!  nr  iinrthern  hank,  called  Pout  JMiami,  and  ^lAUMiiK  Cixv,  have  liecomo 

|Ed'ii:illv  one,  nnilor  the  latter  name.     On  the  oppo.sitc  or  southern  bank 

Ijtaii.J!  the  third,  called  rKiuivsitCKG. 

At  the  distance  of  a  mile  aljove  .Maumeo  City,  the  river,  as  it  descends  in 

Inriii'fiVCT  the  limestone  rocks,  presents  on  its  northern  side  a  consi<lerablo 

Mtiif  cultivated  Ixittmn,  in  connection  with  which  there  is  an  ancient  l)ed 

Itlierivo.',  inclosing  a  portion  of  the  jiost-tertiary   plain,    called  J'rcsr/iic- 

l/'k  1111(1  iiugmentiiig  the  wefc  or  semi-paludal  surface  to  the  windward  of 

te  city. 

A«  it  passes  over  the  plain,  in  its  progress  to  the  south-west,  the  ATabash 
IjalKrie  (^inal  sends  portions  of  its  waters  into  the  IMauinec  estuary,  by  a 
|serk>  ut'lucks,  through  both  ^laumee  city  and  I'ort  Miami. 

PtKRVSBi'RG,  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  stands  immediately  Viclow  the 
lieni'Mcd  Fort  3Ieigs,  on  a  plain  of  the  same  elevation  with  tliat  which 
Isnfports  Maiimcc  City.  To  the  eye,  this  plain  appears  level.  It  stretches 
itothe  south-east,  and  bevond  the  limits  of  the  town  shows  a  wet  or 
|iiiar>hv  surface,  overshadowed  with  tall  trees,  coni}iactly  arrangt'd.  Tiiis  ia 
[t'!;ei\o<tern  edge  of  the  notorious  'Ulack  Swamp,'  to  be  hereafter  described. 
Tik' Maumeo  Basin,  down  to  a  late  period,  was  inhabited  by  Indians,  and 
Is  tiitrefure,  a  newly  settled  region;  yet  the  connections  of  its  bay  and  estu- 
liry  with  the  interior,  arc  such  as  give  them  great  prospective  imi»nrtance; 
phlf  their  topography,  in  itself,  is  of  decided  interest  to  the  medical  etiolo- 
If-t:  and  hence  I  have  dwelt  upon  it  with  some  fullness.  It  remains  to  say, 
jttat  the  varions  forms  of  intermittent  and  remittent  fever  are  in  accordance 
jwhthe  state  of  the  surface.  From  Doctors  Smith  and  Perkins,  of  T(dedo, 
\h:'m  Conant,  White,  St.  Clair,  Matthews,  Van  lOvery,  and  Dwight,  of 
riHinoo  City,  Doctor  Peck,  of  Perrysburg,  and  Professor  Ackly,  now  of 
|(.i™aiid.  but  formerly  of  Toledo,  I  learned  that,  from  the  commencement 
|c;-ettkmont  down  to  the  time  of  my  visit,  in  1S42,  the  whtde  locality  had 
jKcn iiitusted  witli  tho.se  fevers;  cases  of  which  sometimes  assumed  a  malig- 
jiant  and  fatal  eliaraeter.  Once,  during  that  jierlod,  they  had  made  their 
hMual invasion  as  a  wide-spreading  and  mortal  epidemic,  which  deserves  a 
Y'M\[\  ndtico. 

'^'-   EriDraic  OF  1838  \yr>  1839.  — The  summer  and  autumn  of  1838 


TT..^ 


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3(54 


THE  riMXCIPAL  DISEASES  OE  THE 


[«00K  1, 


woro  siLHiiilizod  l)y  u  drou^lit,  nf  lonLfor  (lurutiiin  and  jrrcatpr  corKTai,! ',.  i 
oxtciit,  llinii  liiul  l)('oii  (■.N]icri('iic('(l  t'l'din  tlio  iirst  M'ttlcincnt  uf  tlicC,,,, , , 
It  oxtoiidcil  frniu  tliuHivt-r  llai.siii,  or  .^nino  \m\\\\{  I'lirtlicr  iicitli. nmiiil  f,,,,'  ■ 
bond  (if  Iluroii  I'ivor,  (in  tlu;  .sniilli  sid(.'  (if  the  lake,  if  nut  .slilhiinln.r ,,. ,. 
Tlic  ('(Minlry,  i|uit(!  np  td  the  sniirct's  of  idl  tlic  I'ivcrs  Ivin"  liofwccn  tie  p.; 
sin  and  (hu  Ilurdn,  siitfcrLMl  in  ntnirly  an  ('(jiud  dcgroi;  uinlci'  its  v.jtl,-;.,  I 
inf'iionce.    ^()n  tlu!  li;iy  and  estuary  (if  tlie  Maunicc,  accurdiiifr  to  iVufi..,  i 
A(d<]y,  no  rain  ftdl  fmni   tlic  ;Jd  day  (if  .Inly,  nntil  tlio  lotli  of  UitJ*. I 
Doctors  Sniitli  and  Perkins  roekonod  its  dnration  at  foiu- iiiniitlis.    In-'J 
ii|i|ii'r  valley  of  Handnsky  Kiver,  ;is  dudi^o  Cary  infornied  iiii',  tliu  lii.t  r,'n| 
was  (jii  tlio  ITtli  of  .^^ay,  after  wliicli  none  oe(;nrred  nntil  Oetdlur.    AtT'fF"! 
I(nver  diwn   tlic  same  river   tlie  wells  went  dry  before  tlie  niiilillr  (if.Ir,! 
All  the  smaller  streams,  tiiroiiu'liont  the  whole  region,  wero  cxliaibtnl  irJI 
their  lieds  became  dusty.     The  wild  aiiimal<,  of  every  kind  fnuiul  in  \\^A 
region,  eolleeted  u\\  the  banks  of  the  larLTer  rivers,  and  even  imiirnnclnilnJ 
towns.     T)eer  and  raecoons  were  numerons  between  ToIimIh  and  M;iiiiiri| 
City;   (jiiails  |iasse(l  over  the  tnwn-nlat ;  and   the  frogs  of  tlie  sliiillnw  ;vi| 
sediry  w.aters  of  the  old  bed  of  Swan  Creek,  now  dried  up,  uiiLTutcil  j ;  .•,,:;;,;.) 
less  nnndiers,  throni:-li  the  streets  of  Toledo,  to  the  estnary  of  t!io  .ManuH;. 
The  wet  praii'ies  of  the  interior  were   dried,  and  the  trrass  of  tin,'  ilrv  .Ki| 
•withered;   the  marshes  and  poi'ls  of  the  post-tertiary  uplands,  cvwi  tliiv;(,(| 
the  'Black  Swamp,'  from  the  .Maumec  to  the  Sandusky  river,  mTo  cvai 
rated;  their  liottoms  cracked  open  from  shrinkimr;  the  leaves  of  iii;irvi:.f| 
the  tn  I's  oTowinii'  in  them  pi'rished  ;   and,  in  some  instances,  tlie  tr(v>  tii 
Bclves  were!  killed.     T'nder  this   ureat  drying  proeess  it  was,  tliat  tl;i"i 
nary antnnmal  feverwas  raksed  into  su(di  an  epidemic  as  had  niitbeeii  V\<'>n\ 
before.     JJnt  its  sway  was  not  e(inal  over  every  ]iart  of  the  r(';;in!!  in  W!::'!i| 
the   dronu'ht   prevailed.     All   tlu^  accounts  eoneiir  in  reprcsiaitiii::',  tlril  ibl 
localities  which  were  ordinarily  the  wettest,  suffered  most.  c(  ri"e  nrn.   T'tel 
excavation  of  the  canal  was  at  that  tinu?  o-oing  on,  from  the  iiiniitli  nf  tiicl 
Mauniee  estnar}',  at  ^Fanhattan,  up  to  its  head,   at  3Ianiiioe  City.    T!;e| 
laborers,  four  or  five  hundi'ed  in  nund)er,  were  ehieHy  Trisli,  wlm  irmnilyl 
lodged  in  temporary  shanties,  while  some  occupied  bowers  fnvnicil  Mif'ftiiej 
green  lind)s  of  trees.     It  does  not  appear,  that  a  greater  pmperti  'ii  nt't'i;?] 
operatives  suffered,  than  of  the  resident  jiopulation;  but  a  fur  pvatii  ir -I 
portion   of  those  attacked,  died.     I'rofessor  Ackly  gave  nio  a  fmt.  w'lKiij 
deserves  to  be  recorded.     One  contractor  kept  a  liquor  store,  ami  >'il;Ui>^j| 
to  all  whom  he  employed,  which  was  drunk  freely  by  theinselvis  aii'l  t'>.itj 
families.     The  mortality  among  them  Avas  verv  great.     Aintlicr liWli'l 
operatives  on  straw  beds,  in  the  ujiper  rooms  of  a  large  franic'  li'iiso. iwj 
them  retire  early,  kept  them  from  the  use  of  whisky,  and  nearly  all  ojia!*!! 
the  disease. 

The  occurrence  of  rain  about  the  middle  of  October,  with  a  snli-iijB'iitj 
frost.  ]iut  an  innnediate  end  to  the  epidemic;  but  it  returned  the  ti'l'"!-;'! 
sunnner  and  autumn,  with  eipud  or  greater  violence;  though  atkdiiu. f^'l 
paratively,  but  a  small  number  of  persons.     It  is  worthy  of  remark,  b.*- 


Idfiiiv  .sulitiules,*     V 


■'^m 


INTKIIIOR  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


\)0 


Vaiiii'  li'iiso.iii;™ 
in.;irlv;i!le5i-ai'e'i| 


,-.ir  tliiit  ill  t'le '^"''f'^''"  P''^'"''  •^^'  ^^'^^  votridu  in  .  liich  tlu!  (lriiu;.'lit  jirovnilod, 

.1  ,.|,,ir  ISW  was  less  sit-kly  than  tin;  two  t'ulliwiiiL'  yi'ars.      Fruni  l!iat  pc- 

^iIiImWD  to  (lie  |irosL'iit  time  (  l^-ls  ),  the  .Mauuico  ]{a.>iii  has  not.  I  hc- 

jjjvi.,  liH'ii  vi>itril  hy  a  scrimis  (.pidciiiic 
V    TiiK  IJi.AC'K  SwAMi'. —  nL'twciMi  till'  ]\Iantiico  ami  Sai:(lnslcy  Itivcrs, 

i.at'i  "1  i'h' wt'storn  oxtroinity  of  L.ikc  I'lric  lies  the  nvoat  i'dn  .-^t,  whii  Ii 
lijipnivi'il  tilt!  nininons  niinio  of  llhick  S\vani|).  'I'lic  rocl:  lieiicalh  tin- 
Ljjj,.,, ,,,||si«t  (if  the  uiijicr  (ir  o'rey  Silniian  limestone,  cxecu  ili.ivly  .-irena- 

,vj.,diiili  luTO  and  tlieru  swells  up  into  i!;i'iille  niiilnlatjiMis  iv  tnluT'  cities, 

1,  a- t'l  iiivsciit  itself  at  the  surlaee  ;  hnt,  on  tlie  main,  is  hnrii'd  np  hcneath 
I  (Wit  iif  pest-tertiary  elay,  with  gravel  and  pehMrs.  IJy  this  de|iiisit, 
I  lie  i:i'."i(iiiliti'-'>' "f  the  roeky  snrftiec  arc  made  to  disappear,  and.  df  conrso, 

ji  i;  nf  vmiius  deptiis,  fnin   a    i'vw  inches   lo   oin!   hundiTd  and    (illy  feet. 

Tl-e  liW'.i'  iiiid  tliieker  bed  is  liluc  day;  the  upper,  yelluw,  ■-•■ivcred  with  a 
Itiii.kLner  uf  hlack  vegetable  mold.      Tn  the  eye  the  ISlaek  Swam[i  a|. pears 

Itvil.aiid  ill  traversing  it  in  a  direelinn  pa.alKd  to  the  lake  slnire.  si;eh  is  no 

W't  the  case ;  hut  tlio  whole  region  has  a  very  slight  iiieliiiatiun  tnwarJ 
l;r.';Lko:  a-;  appears  from  tlie  aecnnnihitinii  of  water  on  ihe  si.nth  side  of  a 

Jtaii' rtiail,  rtliidi  passes  through  it  from  cast  to  west,  while  on  the  iinvth  or 
|jb.?i'lo.  no  Kueli  aecnmulation  takes  place,  to  the  same  (h'ptli.  Tlie  level- 
iKi-i't' this  tract,  taken  in  connection  with  the  argillaceous  hottem,  explains 
ItliMialuihil  nr  swampy  character  of  its  surfe.co.  k'n-m  this  snrlace  there 
Is:;- -a  iiiijcollaiieous  forest,  (if  greater  density  and  Icftiness  than  is  to  be 

; mill  I'lM.'where,  perhaps,  in  the  interiin-  \'alley  of  North  Aun'rica. 
Withi'Ut  passing  through,  I  entered  it  a  short  distance  on  the  western  and 
liM'iii  si  ii.'S,  and  am  prepared  to  concur  in  all  that  has  been  said  of  its 
Idj'iiiv  siilitiides,*  A\'liile  tin;  roots  of  these  gigantic  trees,  standing  side 
Ik  >iJc'  ill  the  C(an[)actest  intereolnnniiati(m,  retard  the  escape  oi  the 
JDel;i;iL' siinws  and  the  copious  rains  of  spring,  their  uvershadowing  foliage 
j.Mniiilik't'jly  .shuts  out  the  sun  of  summer  and  autumn,  as  greatly  to  linut 
hv;i|,rr;iti.iii,  The  dejitli  of  water  varies  in  dillercnt  parts,  according  to  their 
jfJaiivc  elevation.  Doctor  llawsoii,  of  I'jiper  Sandnsl<y,  infornn  d  me  that 
jk!;;.l  sofii  large  tracts,  in  wdiich  the  water  was  frem  two  to  three  ieet  deep, 
r'Ai'ii  (ithers  it  was  only  a  few  inches.  Two  gnudl  river.s,  Toiis-aint  aud 
|f'rta;v,  uitlior  originate  in  or  traverse  the  swauip.  Their  troughs  are  broad 
jaM  >!ialliiw,  and.  tVom  tlie  .sluggishness  of  tlieir  current-,  their  Ixittom- 
j™>,  within  the  limits  of  tl;e  swamp,  are  liable  to  inumlarKni.  South  of 
t'iro.it.  ti)ward  the  summit-level  betweeir  Lake  Erie  and  the  Ohio  ]{iver, 
jpnirii'SalMiuuJ;  while  to  the  north  there  are  extensive  grassy  liats,  skirt- 
|i2;M1iu  lake  between  Maumee  and  Sandusky  Bays. 

T'lo cliief  settlements  in  the  swamp  are  along  Portage  Iliver;  where,  as 
jl'niirPofk  informed  me,  autumnal  fever  prevails.  The  detached  families 
r:j|.li,  here  and  there,  have  placed  thems(dves  in  its  midst,  without  sulxlu- 
113?  much  of  the  furcst,  enjoy  better  health.     The  shade,  in  fact,  is  so  deinse, 


5V 


■h. 


3^^ 


f-: 


4- 


*  Geological  Reports  of  Ohio. 


ii 

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ot)0 


THE  PRINCIPAT,  DIHEASES  OF  TIIR 


(«00ll 


that  tlic  sMii  fiiii  cxort  but  little  tlircet  iR'timi  nn  tlid  Mirfiioe.  Tin  dcin ,, 
tiiiii  (if  tlu!  loi'i'st,  iiml  tlio  lir.st  lirotikliig  up  of  tliu  surface,  will  ui.duuhi j: 
1)0  iittL'iuK'il  willi  11  great  |)rovulciifo  of  autumnal  fever. 


si:cTio\  III. 

THE  SANDUSKY  DASIN. 

T.  TIio  area  of  tlii.s  basin  is  of  very  moderate  (liinpiisimn,  yet  it  ™. 
braces  several  luealities  of  interest,  'Die  river  originates  en  the  watcr-.-Uj 
botwcen  tlie  Ohio  liiver  and  Lake  Erie,  in  connection  witli  tliesmimsnft'ii 
Scioto  lliver,  wlioneo  it  descends  to  tlie  nortli,  and  flows  iuti)  t!ii;  IumI  ,; 
Sandusky  J»a_v.  The  lenuth  of  this  bay  is  about  twenty  miles;  its  Ij^aJili  j 
four  or  fiv(;;  its  axis,  lyiny:  nearly  east  nortli-east  and  west  snutli-west,  i. ij 
the  same  j'lain  with  that  of  l^ake  J'lrie,  -with  which  it  is  ciiinieetiil  Ijvanaf. 
row  strait,  fornied  by  a  head-land  from  the  Portage  isthiiuis  on  llioivist.ad 
another,  called  Cedar  Point,  on  the  east. 

Tl.  S.wnrsKY  City  stands  on  the  southern  bank  of  this  b;iv,  in-ari:; 
junction  with  the  lake,  and  is  st'parated  from  Cedar  Point  by  a  iiaiT(iW(TOi 
or  inlet,  which  opens  into  the  strait;  while  its  apex  receives  the  waur. ..;' 
Pipe  Creek,  a  small  stream,  which,  flowing  from  the  south-wc,«t,  |iii>N>wit!.i: 
two  nules  of  the  city,  on  the  south,  f^iluriaii  limestone  rocks  here  euii.«!it'i!5 
the  shore  of  the  bay,  which  is  elevated,  at  the  water's  ed^e,  fmir  nr  fiv.lk 
above  it,  and  continues  to  rise  for  a  short  distance  back,  when  it  f'n!.-i 
]dain,  which  was  once  a  prairie.  To  tiiis  succeeds  a  lower,  wnod-laiid  f.r.. 
through  w'liich  l'i[»e  Creek  meanders.  The  rocky  plain  gives  tn  the  inJell 
which  receives  the  waters  id'  Pi[ie  Creek,  a  firm  and  elevated  Imiik:  liiitai 
the  distance  of  a  couple  of  miles  to  tlie  south-east  of  the  city,  t!ie  k:i! 
arc  depressed,  and  a  tract  of  Liw  grassy  lake-swamp  conmieiices,  ami  i.'--;- 
iuix  the  base  of  Cedar  Point,  stretclu'S  off  to  the  east,  aluiiir  t!ie  lake  ,>i;  re, 
for  many  miles,  to  the  mouth  of  Huron  lliver.  At  the  edge  uf  th'' >. 
plat,  to  the  west,  there  puts  into  the  ba  ■  a  snniU  stream,  with  ii:irr"«" ;C> 
vial  grounds,  over  which  the  daily  fluctuations  of  the  hay  carry  it>w:!t:! 
To  the  west  and  south-west  of  the  city,  there  are  heavily  tiuihered  liak  fa 
for  three  miles,  which  gradually  rise  into  a  series  or  group  if  I)rulu'n  kv- 
stone  terraces.  Such  is  the  topography  of  Sandusky  Ci.y,  whieh,  «/''"• 
is  as  salubrious  as  that  of  any  other  town  on  the  coasts  of  Lake  Erii':  s-i 
experience  ])roves  that  it  is,  in  fact,  one  of  the  healthiest.  This  cnmTavil 
is  sustained  by  information  received  from  Doctors  Tilden,  Cochran,  Aii.-:- 
Lane,  Morton,  and  Townsend.  ^Malignant  cases  are  almost  uukiioffii.-'iH 
majority  of  the  mild  are  contracted  in  the  country. 

IIT.     Temi'okauy  liKSiDENCE  I'ou  Invauds. — No  canal  rcpchcsthehb 
at  the  City  of  Sanduskj',  but  hero  is  the  northern  terminus  of  t!io  rail'-'I 
from  Cincinnati,  so  largely  traveled  in  summer  and  early  autumn.  whe:i  !- 
Ohio  Pviver  above  that  city  is  toe  ^)W  for  speedy  navigation;  at  ff.H'' :  ■'•'' 
sous  of  the  year  what  arc  called  the  lake-fevers  prevail.    Truveling  i:ii3-" 


fiiTi; 


INTFRIOIl  VALLF.Y  OF  NORTH  AMMRICA. 


;](;7 


,.^l„fjii,,  tlinsc  moiitlis,  iiii^'lit  (li'sirc  to  snjinirn  fur  ii  wliilo  on  tlw  shores 

,  •    ].|i-(,  ;^'i,iil(l  he  as  siit'i'  at  lliis  piiiiit  ns  at  any  ntlicr  wliidi  finilil  lie 

Utcil:  ffliilo  sovcral  oltjorts  and  iacilitios  ('(inspire  tu  render  it  ;ittraitivo 

uner-'ih  iit'tasto   ami  infelliirenee.      Flist,  a  yawl-voyago  aerofs  tlic  Iiar- 

)    1,1  Ciiimiir'lianrs  Islaml.     Simt/f/,  an  ex(!nrsi(in  l>y  water  tu  flie  tryiisum 

^  ^  III  1  *^         I 

■;CTi..ir,n  tliu  ii"i'tli-west<'rn  cuast  nf  tiio  iiay,  wlieru  tliey  may  see  nature 
„  ill' vi'i'V  aot  of  nianulacturiiia;  Mil|ilnit{i  of  linio  out  of  earbonato  of 
'a,,  niinta'minij  siiliilmi",  and  carry  away  illustrativo  .s[teeimenH,  contaiiniig 
•  ,j,jl\il  enstals  of  sulpliato  of  Ktmntian.      Third,  a  more  distant   voy- 

f  tlili'fv  iiiik's,  np  the   liay  and  river,  the   scenery  nf  which,  although 

Jit  ai:il  taiiu',  is  full  of  interest.     After  passing;  the   jrypsnni    ([narries,  the 

,i,,|iff;itir  hccerncs  inueli  narrower,  and  tlio  color  appears,  first,  of  a  dirty 

I vtlJMwi^li  L'rcon,  and  at  last  of  a  hrownish  hue.     On  each  side  of  the  ehan- 

iifl ilicri-' are  extoiisivo  shallows,  from  which  trrasses,  pond-lilies,  and  other 

MUti'!  iilaiits  ri^o  into  <rreen  savannas,  aninnited  with  white  cranes  wadini^ 

in tbi;  sliullnff  water,  and  flocks  of  the  purple  praklo  (  ^//y/'v/A/  (jnlsr/i/a) 

yiniTuntho  seeds  of  grasses;  as  in  the  winter  they  are  seen,  .suhsisting 

j in «iniilar fnod  in  the  salt   inarsh"S  of   the  (Julf  of  Me.xieo  at  the   iJalizo. 

I.V.  kiL'tli  !i  iiiiiiit  \A  reaeheil,  wher(^   the  shallows   stretch  off  to  the  north, 

lj3'lo'a!r'^''C  with  those  of  i'ortaL'e  lliver  and  JJay,  which  have   heen  men- 

|li*;''l;  then  the  channel  divides,  ami  r'no  l>oconu'S   the  month  of  Muddy 

ICMk.  tti"  iitlior  of  Sandusky  Kiver;  hut  no  haidcs  are  yet  (li'velo|icd,  and 

llfct'  li'.at  moiuiders   thronirh    fields    of    aipiatic    hei'haue.       'J'lntiary    (day 

M<  filially  appear,  ami  the   traveler  finds   himself   at  last  in  the  town 

Iff  L'lWCT  Saiiiliisk-y,  which   is   properly   the  head   of   the  estnaiy.      Here 

L'.  t!iO  >ito  and  remains  of  the  gallantly  defended  Fort  Stejihenson;  and 

Ifrm  tli.-i  iilaeo  a   trip  may  he  nntde,  on   an   excellent  road,  into  tlu^  ad- 

jjiEiiii.'  S'litadi-'S  of  the    Black   Swamp.     Fourth.     IJetnrning    to   the  city, 

Itky  will  find  other  suhjects   of  interest.     A   visit,  hy  land,  to    VaMulla,  a 

|f«Ti„ilis  south  of  the  city,  wdicre  they  may  riueneh  their  thirst  in  the  waters 

loi'C'W  Sprim/,^  —  a  ptdlucid   fountain,    eo[iious    enough    to   turn    nuU- 

iBachinory, —  which  boils  up  through  a  deep  rent  in  the  Silurian  limestone. 

"''''    -V  voyage  of  a  few  hours  to  Maumee  Bay  and  estuary,  already  des- 

jtrJ'nl.  lit  the  head  of  which,  near  Mauniee  City,  th(\y  may  waiuler  over  the 

jlatik'-ground  of  Wayne,    in    ITI'd,  tin;  site    of  Fort  Meigs,    and   other 

icalitics  (if  deep    military    interest,       Sirtli.      A    voyage    of    somewhat 

Wer  k'ngtli,  to  the  Kiver  llaisin,  and  a  view  of  its   Moody  battle-field. 

0!''t""//(.    An  at'tcrrioon's  voyage  to  l)etruit,  with  which  there  ar>  so  many 

UttTKtin:'  historical  associations. 

^-  ^  KxicE  is  a  hamlet  on  the  southern  shore  of  Sandusky  Bay,  four 
;i'"ni  the  city,  at  the  spot  where  Cold-spring  Creek  discharges  its  wa- 
kMiitu  the  hay.  From  the  city  to  this  point  the  bank  is  so  high  as  not  to 
Wrfl.iwod;  hut  iumiediately  aliove  the  handet,  one  of  those  broad  shoals, 
"oommon  around  Lake  Erie,  begins  and  extends  up  the  bay  for  several 
"?^'  The  depth  of  overspreading  waters  varies  according  to  the  direction 
tae  wind  upon  the  lake,  but  the  surface  is  never  dry.     It  is  destitute  of 


» 


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JS 


^■:-:^-.'>:t 


* .  •••  it: 


I 


T' 


:j(;s 


Till",  riMNcir.M,  nrsKAsns  of  tiir 


M4 


r¥        • 

■;'  i  '■  ■ 

'■'1 

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.^:'^>l 


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iMnil 


l.irili, 


trci's.  lint  (I'lisoly  ffivcri'd  with  ;i'|ii!ifin  frrns,a('H,  nml  dtluT  1h  rlincomw , 
At  nil  tiiin'^,  tlic  |ic.,|i|t!  iif  tlic   liMiiilrt.  stiiiidiiiir,  as  it  ilncs,  tMtlii'l,,.. 
nl'  this    |i<i'iii!inciitiv  iiMllhwi'il    ui'nmiil,  hnvi'    liccii   siihjcct   (,,  iiit(.f|||:|,  , 
I'cvi'i',   whii-h    has  .soiiH'tiiiicM,  csiii'iiully  in  t'liriiifr  Vfiirs,  asfiiniinl  .,  i, 
mint  tviic. 

Of  tlic  ;iiifiiiii!Kil  hi'.'ill!)  nf  the   |i('n|,li.  li\iii(j  ivMiiiil  ihi'  h;iv  aliiivf  WiVp 
T ''Miihl  lint  i'lit:iiii  a    I'fliahh'  iiccdiiiit ;   Imt,   was   tuhl  that  it  is  in'itir  t!  m 
that  111'  till. SI!  whii  iiihaliit  tlic  hanks  of  thi'  riviTS  which  flow  into  it;  ^{,;^,x\ 
was  asrrilinl  tu  tho  ilcjitii  ami  ilaily  ayitiitimi  ol'  thu  waters  In, m  tlic  t!:;fiu. 
alinii.--  nl'  till!  lako. 

\'.      howcii  Samiiskv, —  Lil<i3  Miiiiruo.  mi  the  I'iviT  l{iii>iii,  !niini,iin:,-J 
City  aii'l  I'l'iTvshiirir,  mi  tlu'  Maiiiiii'i'  llivcr,  this  lnwii  staiiiU  iit  tin- lii;i.i„f 
what  ('orri'S|ii)ii(ls  fn  tltk'-wali'r  i»f'  tho  (ici-aii  ;  that  is,  at  tlio  lii'.'lic-t  \»<ni,i\ 
laki'  iiitliii'iH'c:  liki!  tlu'in,  .ilsu.  it  lies  at  the  f'mit  ut"  hniL'  raiiiiU,  t'iTtlii<'(,(j 
the  Samliisky  llivcr  tcnninatc  at  lliis  place.      The  town,  huilt  on  tlu'wi'.!!'! 
lel't  hank,  cuvcrs  n  narrow  <  Trace  near  the  river,  and  asceiiils  uimiu  a  !;i.'!i  r, [ 
wliicli  is,  III  fait,  tho  eastern   ed^'o   nl'  the    Hlack  Swamp,     (hi  tlic  ii|'..itii 
fide,  is  tho  newer  and  Miialler  town   of  ('roj'hansville.     Tho  rivcr-lmii ,n;H 
al'iive  aiidlieluw  the  town,  are  narmw:  and  the  t'oriiier  esjiocinllv  socm.fMii 
tlic  rapid  descent  lit'  the  river,  Imt    little   siiliject   tn   iimmhiticn.    Tli>- -ir- 
roundiiiii  ii[iper  plain  h.as.  t'reni  cleariiiLr  and  cultivation,  lest  its  niar-lii'.tn,! 
and  shows  what  tho  wlmlo  tif  tho   Hlack  Swamp  iiiitrlit  lie  iiiado,  uinlrtyj 
same  tre;itiiieiit.     Thus,  Lower  SandiL^ky  presents  hut  few  puiiilitinii.  fuvfl 
ing  the  production  ol'  autuniiial  i'ov<r.     Nevortliole.^s,  that  fovir  is  liirnirej 
prevalent  h.ere  than  in  Sandusky  City.      Dnctor  Aiuh'rsnii,  whu  liml  rr-iW] 
lunirest  here,  had,  from  the  time  ui'  his  arrival,  encountered  that  diM:i>-.  la 
fornicr  yc.irs,  his  practice  extended  for  many  miles  down  the  estuarv, ::i,i  ;pj 
tlio  river  ahuig  tho  rapids;  durinii'  which  he  oliserved  that  the  piMijilc  ii!» 
enjoyed   lictter  aiituninal   health    than    those    aliove.      hnrt'ir   lla\v<'ii.raj 
liad   also   been   many  years  in  tho  same  place,  testilied  to  tin'  I'rc.ii  vt| 
of  that  form  of  I'evcr;  t1io   other  physicians,  in  a  very  hriel'vi'siil:  ■■.  il 
mot  with  it;  and   Doctor  Williams,  of  ('ro!i'hansville,  Imre  tostiiii"!!;  :•  ;ej 
same  fact.     It  is  |ii'olialile,  th;it  tho  mar'j:iiis  of  the  IMack  Swamp,  hi;!:' tJ 
the  viiidward  of  tho  tiiwn,  are  one  source,  at  least,  of  this  (lisea.so,  w! Mill 
18!)!^  and  ls:]l)  ^vas  as  provalont  and  violent  here  as  at  Tolodn.  I 

YI.  Tiii'iN.— Tho  road,  on  the  we.st  hank  of  the  river,  up  to  Tillkrasj 
over  tho  cultivated  mar<.dii  of  tlie  lihiek  Swamp:  t lie  marshes  and  ;«■''" "i 
Avhiidi  are  either  drained  or  dided  by  tho  hand  of  eultiviitinii.  '1  !'!■  ri'tfj 
abounds  ill  rapids,  formed  by  the  out-crop  of  tlio  Silurian  liiiiostinr.  I'4 
bank,  for  the  wliolo  distance,  twenty  miles,  appears  to  be  at  tlic  siii;'M:'i-j 
tiuu  above  tho  river,  .showing  a  gradual  inclination  of  the  plain  tn  t!!i!!-3.l 

The  town  of  Tiffin  stands  immediately  above  tlie  junetiim  of  ll"t!;y ' '-'j 
with  tho  Sandu!<ky  river.  The  latter  lioutids  it  from  tho  smith- w^t  rniiriitC 
the  north,  where  tin;  two  stream.s  unite;  when  Rocky  Creek  C'>nsfitiit'>;w 
boundary  from  that  point  to  the  simth-east.  Ju.st  above  its  nvntlit  'f-'' 
a  mill-dam,  which  creates  a  pond;  and  below,  there  is  a  dam  across  t.ii.^-1 


'!t 


I'rliarcoHijljtiiii, 

».    to  till-  W'\tt,\ 

til  iiit''nii>',;,t 
isf umtil  a  iiiaii.'. 

my  aliiivf  Voriicii, 
it  is  lict!'rt!;iti 
•i\v  info  it;  v>':.ih 
S  friilll  tlif  ti  ;''ln. 

li»ll1,  Jlllll  ^liW.H'  i 
kU  ilt  till'  1,1  ill  „( 

IK!  lii'.'liot  |'";',ti.f| 
•niii(l«,  tVr  tliK 
milt  1)11  tliMvi.'  r| 
ikIh  U|iiim  a  hi^ii't, 
Oil  till'  i']ii«.>iw| 
I'lio  rivcr-liMti^n,* 
]>ei'iiil!y  si'i'ii'.fr  jI 
idiitii'ii.    Tip'  -'It- 
.(St  its  iiKir-li'v",! 
lie  imulo,  ui;'l'r;:.i| 
w  eniulitinih  :';:••:• 
it  Il'VI'V  is  briivKl 
111.  will)  liMil  r-'.'!-ill 
•d  tl'iit  (Hh:!-.  IjI 

[the  I'StUiirv,  ::':■!  "pl 

t    till!    lli'n|.!.'lv>| 

,ctMV  Hinv«'ii,ra| 
to  till'  l'r(",ivv»| 
lii'ii't'ri'siili';'''.ii| 
'c  toi'tiiii"!iy  '''''■' 
■1;  Swamp.  l\i:i:'  "I 
is  (lisfaso,  wli'"'!! 

"nloilo, 
r,uptoTilkr:"i| 

rshcs  ami  ^ff::l  • 


Ivatinii. 


V.'y  r::!A 


[111  lilllOSti  IH'. 


Hi 


lit  the  saiii'Mlv'i-j 
plain  ti'tbH'.ril 

|iimofK"f!<y'''^1 
Isontli-wi'^t  r^'^i'^ 

[ook  i'"ii-'i""'  -^ 

itis  mi"itl'' '■'■■'■' 

tliiin  across  tk'  *" 


INTERIOR  VALLF.Y  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


:|ll!t 


I  l-  Ilivor, wliii'l'  ^'i^'"'"  ^  I'""*'  *"  '^'"'  '""■<li-\\t'.*t  iiiiil  wi'st.  iJnrtnr  hrc-j- 
,  UHsuliscrvcil.  tliiit  iiiiicli  nl"  tlio  imtuiuiiiil   f'tnor  of  Tilliii  wiim  in   tlif 

■  i|„.rhi'U(l  rif  theso  iiuikIh.     Sovoral  timi'S  tlicy  liavc  Ihcm  <lr;iiiinl  in  .Ful). 

[[In' tcver  Hoon  aftcrwnnl  brnkc  (uit.     'I'lio  ray'uU  nf  tin-  Siiiulnsky  i.rf 

4ill .,iMi  at  tliis  tiliK'K.     Tilt:  liiittoiti  laiiils  iin-  iimimpw.     TIic  |inMf.f(>i'(iary 

J  ill  iiri'inallv  wi't,  i^  liocDiuiiiL'  dry  uiidcr  ciiltiviitiuii.      I'Vuiii   tlic  stato- 

liiitiofi'iittor  |)ri',sl)ncli,  ciiiiliriiKMl  by  Doctnr  iMfl''iirlnii(l,  aiittmiiinl  fVvcr 
..i:i..  »i »   K. »e I..,l...       1..... 


SF.CTIOX   IV. 

])A.-i\  OF  inntoN  KivKi;. 

Tl;o  luuiuli  of  tliis  little  river  (  wliii-li  li'  s  cliiufly  within  llurnii  cmiii- 
liy.Oiiiu)  is  ten  or  twelve  inilos  ca.sf  of  Sandusky  (^ity;  its  sonrees  aliout 
jtjinyniik'S  in  the  interior.  In  eoniin<r  into  tins  liasiii  i'mni  the  Sandusky 
li.ivvr,  we  leave  tile  Silurian  limestone,  for  the  sujieriiicuinbeiit  Devonian  or 
IMack  .«l'itc  and  sandstone,  of  the  Appalachian  coal  formation.  Many  of  the 
Isffiak  streams  have  foul  and  tortunus  heds.  ""iie  estuary  of  tlii'  river  ex- 
p'ls  to  .Milan,  seven  miles  from  the  lake.  Ik'tween  the  two  there  are  flats 
N  swiiiniis,  which  likewise  stretch  westwardly  along  the  lake,  to  San- 

fe  City. 

11.  A  town,  called  Huiiox,  has  irrcjwn  up  at  the  entrance  of  the  river  in- 
ptiiHake,  notwithstiindinij;  the  locality  secuis,  at  all  time.s,  to  have  been 
pfeiltliy.  A  Canadian-French  trader,  who  established  himself  there  as 
Kv  as  179.3.  told  Judge  Lane,  of  Sandusky  City,  that  it  was  at  first 
I  ttltliy.  hut  with  the  progress  of  immigration,  fevers  .appeared.  Fi'om  Mr 
24 


11 


»■ 


.1 


-"i  -■'ra: 


'I ■•*:;!;:;  I  ; 


7..   ! 


-]-^ , 


Mi 


U  -•..:;■■:■■■'    -l:  ■'■:'' 


:\:m: 


' 

'  ■* 

■1  ,  i 

ij* 

>    » 

"  .'■  H 

.!■-.*> 

:;1 

■  f* 

^> 

■■'  i''\ 


^J'    I    .-V 


■;ii 


.%. 


370 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOK  ;. 


Bolt,  of  Norwiilk,  twelve  inilos  in  tlic  intcridr,  I  rcr-eived  the  folldw-'ic  iVti 
lie  was  one  of  a  family  (if  cloven  persons,  who,  in  the  iiiontli  of  Aii  'ii.t 
IH'22,  hunkd  whvre  tlie  town  of  JIuinhi  now  stands.  One  of  tlio  iiartvii 
himself  remained  on  tlie  spot  for  an  hour  only ;  Init  the  otlicr  nine  Ln]  .,,1 
there  through  the  iiij;ht,  and  then  proceeded  into  the  eonntry.  Wjtlii, 
fortnight  the  whole  nine  Mere  taken  down  witli  fever,  hut  lie  and  Li^  •. .„. 
paniou  escaped,  ."^imio  time  afterward,  not  in  tlic  same  year,  lie  witt  is 
autumn,  from  tlie  liealtliy  partof  the  country,  where  they  resided,  to  tliu  u>iu. 
ary  of  the  river,  and  s[ient  three  days  and  nights  upon  its  Ijtuiks  :il,,a- 
three  miles  iVdUi  the  lake;  at  the  end  ..f  which  time  lie  was  seized  ^itli  i'. 
termittent  fever.  Twenty  years  after  that  time,  as  I  was  assured  Ijv  h  .[  r 
Baker,  of  Nitrwalk,  this  locality  was  still  infested  with  the  same  fcvoi',  ti  i 
much  greater  degree  of  malignity  tlian  the  country  aruund,  or  even  tlmtrws 
of  Milan,  at  tlic  head  of  the  estuary. 

Hi.  NoRW'ALK.  —  This  beautiful  town  stands  five  miles  south  of  Mi'iic. 
at  a  higher  level,  on  one  of  the  sand-dunes  or  terraces  whicli  lie  paralkl  ;■. 
Lake  j^rie.  The  covering  of  sand  is  but  a  few  feet  in  depth,  and  rests  iii.r. 
the  wide-spread  jiost-tertiary  clay  deposit,  so  often  mentiimcd.  Tliiswi-,:; 
makes  the  bottoms  of  the  wells  in  Norwalk;  which  are,  therefore,  onh- five  r 
sis  feet  deep.  The  fine  sand  of  this  terrace,  when  dry,  is  constanth- n,:-.; 
into  tlio  atmosphere  by  the  wind,  and  carried  through  every  opening,  intiiL! 
the  houses  of  the  town.  A  reference  to  tliis  condition  will  lieieatiir  1 
made,  iu  connection  with  other  forms  of  disease  than  the  one  wbicli  now  ri • 
ceivcs  attention. 

This  bicality  might  be  expected  to  escape  autumnal  fever;  but  aoi-ipi: : 
io  Doctors  JJakcr,  Kittcridge,  and  Tift,  it  does  not.  Doubtless,  t!ie  iiniu- 
diato  cause  of  the  fever  is  not  developed  (ui  the  sand  ridge,  but  at  tin/  'i;- 
tauce  of  two  miles  to  the  west,  wiiere  the  ridge  terminates,  ami  a  foul  trik- 
tary  of  Ilureu  IJiver,  with  a  dam  and  pond,  exists. 

])oetor  Tilden,  now  of  Sandusky  City,  M'as  one  of  the  earliest  p!u;ii;«L; 
of  Norwalk,  and  from  lilni  I  learned  that,  in  tlie  beginning  of  its  suttk'H';.:. 
intermittents.  sometimes  of  a  malignant  and  soporose  character,  iiievaiki 
He  alsi!  gave  me  t!'.'->  following  fact. 

J.V.     An  Ei'iDKMic  Fevek.  —  Early  in  the  summer  of  1  SI 0,  there  v:i> ii 
unusual  drought,  when,  on  the  last  ^Vednesday  of  dune,  a  groat  rain  fi;;!  i. 
a  tract  five  or  six  miles  wide,  extenduig  from  south-west  to  north-east. a' ^.>^ 
Huron  eountv,  near  Norwalk.     In  the  sitacc  of  a  f(,rtni!j;lit  afterward,  v it':::  i 
those  linuts,  eight  horses  died  from  fever,  as  their  thirst  ami  iniTeaM'd  li- 
c^  skin  clearly  evinced.     Sixty  families  inhabited  the  district,  of  wlmli,  > ' 5 
after  the  fall  of  rain,  fil'ty  presented  cases  of  autumnal  fever,  ranging  !!■  a  I 
sinijde  intermittents  to  remittents,  which  even  simulated  yellow  iever.  l!>-' 
had  been  much  clearing  of  new  lands,  and  tlie  virain  soil  had  hiein' 
sively  broken  up. 

\'.  ]\IoNUOEVii,LK  is  a  smaller  town  than  Norwalk,  situate  mi  the » ■• 
bank  of  Huron  liiver,  without  anytliing  peculiar  in  its  topography,  i'  -• 
Cole  conducted  me  to  a  small  stream  iu  its  vicinity,  where  there  was  a  ^'- 


t;.U:,]  Iiret'lllillClltl 


.1  '^' 


■■■/''''m 


•iSl 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


371 


ii;r.,  ff'iH'ii 


liail  rroatcd  an  oxcpciliiigly  foul  jioiid,  liaviiiL'  cimm'cted  swales, 
;  ,,,n  ,,,1,,  .lirilliiws.  in  wliicli  the  trunks  and  limbs  of  trees  were  nudergo- 
;.  m!oi;iv.  ^car  the  mill  there  was  a  liandct,  which,  he  assured  me,  suf- 
•..r,(l  iirci'miiuMitlv  from  autumnal  fever,  Cdmpared  with   the  surrounding 

J.  the  wost  of  Monrocville  there  are  many  Lroad  prairies,  which,  under  a 
•nil  s'ttlciiiciit  of  the  country,  were  I'xtensively  plowed  up,  in  a  short 
.;,',  Tlio  oxen  were  turned  out  ui  the  evening  upon  the  unplowed  prairies, 
inihvire  tlie  next  morning  driven  in,  by  iradhiif  after  them  through  the  tall 
r:%'<.  liemlinir  with  dew.  The  persons  who  performed  this  duty  were  gener- 
illv  attacked  with  intermittent  fever. 

In  reference  to  Huron  county  generally,  Doctor  Eaker  assured  me,  that 
tn"!?  in  which  the  clay  deposit  came  to  the  surfiice,  were  more  exempt  from 
'.■vr  titan  the  prairies,  whicli  had  a  deep  covering  of  soil,  or  oven  the 
>a:.il  riilgcs. 


f' 


SECTION    V. 

BASIN  OF  BLACK  RIVER. 

I.  The  Riveu.  —  This  little  basin,  of  the  same  class  with  the  last,  lies 
;  I  its  east,  The  sources  of  Black  Eiver,  like  those  of  the  Huron,  although 
ivitliin  forty  miles  of  the  lake,  interlock  with  the  head-waters  of  the  3Ius- 
Kii.'iim.  on  a  suiuniit-level  of  nine  hundred  and  seventy-eight  feet  al)0ve 
!'.!•  >oa.  In  its  geological  structure,  the  ]>lack  Kiver  Basin  is  composed 
f  till' Devonian  slate  and  sandstone,  supjxirting  conglomerate,  the  wdiolo  of 
w! ;flnli|i  to  the  south-e.'ist,  beneath  the  Ap[iulaehian  coal  deposits.     iVfuch 

;' the  surface  between  Huron  ami  ]}la(dc  Tiivers,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
!:il;t\ -wins  to  be  composed  of  disintegrated  slate,  forming  an  argillaceous 
W,  gently  inclining  toward  the  lake,  and  abounding  in  sand  ridges,  drifted 
!iv!!ic  wiiiilv  (ir  waves,  when  the  surface  of  the  lake  was  at  a  higher  level 
;ii;iiiat  present. 

II.  Ei.viiiA,  tlio  chief  town  of  this  basin,  stands  six  miles  from  the  lake, 
imwliately  above  the  junctions  of  the  two  principal  l.anehes  of  Black 
ii^vir.  Bolow  the  town  there  are  cascades  in  both;  and  then  comes  the  es- 
tuirynf  the  common  trunk,  with  its  flats  and  lake  marshes,  Each  branch 
'!  lllaek  River,  has  a  dam  above  their  junction,  by  which  the  town  is  sub- 
f't.4tn  the  influence  of  a  pond,  both  to  the  east  and  west.  From  Doctor 
Mi'tiT,  and  Doctor  Howanl  (now  a  professor  in  tlie  Starling  ^Medical  Col- 
'-"M.  1  leavncil,  that  the  Black  Biver  Basin,  generally,  is  subject  to  au- 
iniimal  fevers ;  whicli  the  former  gentleman  had  observed  to  be  decideiUy 
tn  n.'  tr('((uent  and  dangc^'ous  along  the  estuary  of  the  river,  than  about 
'".na  ur  elsewhere. 


p' 


i-if , 


lA     : 


if!f': 


■m^- 


It  '  ,1- 


If: 


'■  i? 


ii  '•■I  ■ . 


r  .5 

ji  ■■    *'',.■■ 

* 

"i! 

li:-:^^.    \:."' ■"■ 

'■.■\     V 

L;!lj 

M'.,-,: 

V 

372 


THE  nilNCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


IBOOK  ; 


a  ■■■<  ffi. 


SECTION  VI. 

THE    CUYAHOGA    BASIN. 

I.  Gkxeual  ])£;iClui'Xio\. —  This  basin,  wliieli,  in  area,  will  bear  i 
parison  witli  the  Paiidusk}',  lies  oust  of  the  one  just  di'scriliotl.  Tlio  iiimtinr 
of  the  Cuyahoga  lliver  with  Jjuke  Erie,  is  at  '.lie  well-kiKiwii  city  ut'Clovt^. 
laud,  iu  N.  Lat.  41^  ol',  and  W.  Long.  SL^'  40'.  Although  the  river i,>ni.ri- 
than  sixty  miles  in  length,  its  extreme  sources  are  within  ton  miles  of  il ,. 
lake,  cast  of  Cleveland,  whence  the  river  flows  to  the  south-west  for  more  tlian 
half  its  length,  when  it  turns  toward  the  lake,  and  unites  with  it,  by  flnwinT 
directly  north.  In  the  course  of  tliis  great  ddoiir,  it  descends  Dy  falls  and 
rapids  two  hundred  and  forty  feet.  The  head-waters  of  tliis  river  are .  i 
table-land,  tlie  general  clevati(jn  of  which  is  about  eleven  hundred  ft.v;' 
above  the  sea,  or  more  tlum  five  hundrt'd  feet  above  Lake  Erie.  I:- 
connections  on  this  elevated  level  are,  chiefly,  with  the  3I;iboniii!,'  braii,-:: 
of  15eaver  lliver,  which  joins  the  Ohio  thirty  miles  below  l'itt.sLur:'j. 
At  the  junction  nf  the  Cuyahoga  with  the  lake,  tlio  black  .■.jatc  ;; 
the  lowest  formation ;  iu  advancing  from  the  shore,  sandstone  appears  at  a 
higher  level;  and  iu  ascending  upon  the  table-land  of  the  upper  part  -f  i 
basin,  we  reach  the  conglomerate,  on  which  rest  coal  bods  that  are  w ili-i 
AVe  have,  in  fact,  here  re-entered  the  great  Appalacliian  coal  basin.  Ij  it; 
northern  border.  At  first  view  this  would  not  be  perceived,  fur  the  asi«t 
of  this  tract  is  different  from  that  presented  by  the  rim  of  that  basin  iIm.- 
where.  From  Alabama  to  Pennsylvania,  wherever  we  have  appreaelinl  it. 
the  out-crop  of  conglomer.'te  which  supports  the  coal,  has  prosonteil crui^ 
of  high  hills,  connected  by  rocky  sjtines,  or  rising,  when  distinct,  intukiy 
cones,  while  deep  and  narrow  gorges  have  taken  the  place  of  broad  alluvial  val- 
leys, and  swam[)S  and  ponds  have  been  replaced  by  mountain  torrents.  IL.rt;. 
however,  tlie  peaks  and  sununits  have  been  removed  nearly  down  tutln'ii-vd 
of  the  ravines;  a  sterile  hill-cnuntry  has  thus  be""  transfurniod  iiitu  an ia- 
vated  and  fruitful  plateau,  incumbered  witli  masses  of  its  own  r^ek.  i  i  r- 
mingled  with  huge  granitic  bowlders,  brouglit  from  some  distant  regiun  of  tk 
north,  perhaps,  by  the  currents  v.'hich  eflVcted  the  destruction  of  the  iiilk 
On  this  ancient  geological  ciiange,  depends  its  present  medical  top(igra|ik 
Tlie  general  levelness  of  the  basin  gives  to  the  streams  a  sluggish  ciindit. 
witli  wide  alluvial  grounds,  subject  to  inundation,  ponds  are  numerous, aiiJ 
extensive  swamps  not  uneonnnon  —  the  river  itself  rising  in  cue  of  them. 

Kverv  part  of  this  upper  Cuyahoga  Basin  is  annually  more  or  less  iiift.>ii.'il 
with  autumnal  fever,  althougli  elevated  eleven  hundred  feet  above  the  mJ. 
and  in  the  mean  latitude  of  41"  oU'  N. ;  but  the  banks  of  the  ponds  aiiJ 
marshes  arc  most  infected.  Thus,  I  was  told  by  3Ir.  Coles,  of  Chardt  i.tliai 
when  a  dam  was  built  aemss  the  Cuyahoga,  at  Burton,  the  people  wt  v.  m 
the  two  next  years,  generally  attacked  by  autumnal  i'ever ;  and  DoitirllaDi- 
ilton.  of  the  same  town,  informed  me,  that  in  the  neiyiliborhoud  of  Bmt'H.  ;i 


*  OIlio  Geologicul  Reports. 


tnt'T<  the  cliasni  th 


'l!T  I . 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


373 


/'-rrasdemfili'liefl  in  summer  or  nutiimn,  nnd  nearly  nil  tlio  laborors  on- 
..'."li'.i  the  work  siclvt'iiod  with  fover.     Fmm  I^octor  Bennett,  of  Slialers- 

."  1  rot'civod  tlic  follnwiiig  I'acts.  Tlio  Cuyahoga  flows  near  the  Avcstcrn 
. ;  iftliat  villaL''e,  from  north-oast  to  south-west.  To  ohtaiii  water  for  the 
Va'i.flin"  Canal,  a  dam  was  tlirown  across  the  river,  whicli  gave  rise  to  many 
;;).(>  of  fever.  Two  years  afterward,  a  higher  dam  was  ereetod,  lower  down 
•  i  rircr,  wliii'h  raised  the  water  to  the  level  of  the  first:  involved  the  ruin 
/  ,']S  mill ;  produeed  stagnant  water  in  the  nnmths  of  many  small  streams ; 
rriilati'il  some  forest  land;  and  so  intercepted  the  volume  of  wat*""  flowing 
■•;  the  river,  that  when  it  heeame  reduced,  in  autunni,  the  whole  was  trans- 
ukrcJ  through  the  canal-feeder;  leaving  1»ut  a  series  of  pools,  in  the  partially 
BM-uii  river-hod  lielmv.  During  the  first  autunni  after  this  signal  change 
ni''i'?C'i!i(litiiin  of  the  river,  no  injury  to  health  was  experienced;  but  in  the 
ii'Xt.  lioarly  all  the  inhabitants,  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  above  and  below 
;Ii.'  \m  (lam,  were  attacked  with  antunnial  fever.  'I'he  nundjcr  of  cases  was 
idiiiatcd  nt  one  hundred  and  fifty.  They  wlio  lived  near  the  river,  had  in- 
•r;iiit:onts;  thns(>  wlio  resided  further  off"  and  on  higher  ground,  sufi'ered 
::.  :•■  fri'in  remittents. 

n  liAVKN.VA  staiuls  on  a  .slight  eminence,  from  wliiih  the  rains  flow  off 
;^.  ill  itirections.  At  tlie  distance  of  a  mile,  a  tributary  of  the  Cuyahoga 
rii'ls  riiiiiid  tlie  town-site,  from  east  south-east  to  west  north-west.  On 
lii- stream,  two  miles  soutli-west  of  the  town,  a  mill-dam  was  erected  in  the 
tirly  |imi)(l  of  settlement,  and  for  five  or  six  years,  as  Doctor  Swift  in- 
frui-ilme,  the  people  of  the  village  and  neighborhood  were  subject  to  inter- 
aiitent  fever.  In  1819,  tlie  dam  wa  <  demor~>hed,  and  tlio  bottom  of  the 
; ''allaiil  liaro,  wlien  nearly  all  the  inhabitants  sickened  with  a  malignant 
:'.v.T.  In  l^•i^  there  was  much  less,  and  for  tlie  next  fifteen  years  scarcely 
uasi',  except  those  contracted  elsewhere.     The  [Malmning  canal  was  thou 

A  rcted,  in  tlie  valley  of  the  same  stream,  since  whicli  cases  cif  fever  have 
K'lkijilierl. 

III.  Ci'Y.uiOG.v  Falls.  —  The  town  which,  because  of  its  hicaiity,  boars 
!:.:>  name,  is  situate  on  the  right  or  north-west  bank  of  the  river,  where  it 
t?.!i'r- the  eliasiu  through  wliich  it  descends  to  its  lower  level.  'J'he  inliabi- 
twisiif  the  western  jiart  of  the  town,  near  the  tails,  as  I  was  assured  by 
I' 't-r  Riw  and  Mr.  Sill,  are  almost  entirely  exempt  from  autumnal  fever; 
■•"itWHrthy  of  being  noted,  as  bearing  on  the  ojiinion  tliat  the  vicinity  of  a 
'i'tr-fall  is  insahilu'ious.  Further  up  the  river,  there  is  a  dam,  causing  a 
Hi'l  opposite  and  beyond  the  eastern  part  of  the  town,  and  three  miles 
3"Vi'.  at  Mmiriie.  there  is  another.  The  gentlemen  just  named  informed 
■E'.  tl.at  nearly  all  the  autumnal  fever  of  their  locality,  occurs  to  the  north 

•  tlie Ifiu-er  pond;  and  Doctor  Wright,  of  Talniadge,  had,  along  that  see- 
5i"iii'f  the  river,  no  less  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  cases;  while  not  a  case 
"'"rroilin  liis  own  village,  which  lies  beyond  the  iiiflneiice  of  the  stream. 

'*■  llunsox,  —  Doctor  Town,  of  this  place,  who  bail  jiracticed  in  it,  and 
'"''i;-'li"Ut  the  great  bend  of  the  Cuyahoga,  for  seventeen  years,  informed 

■'■  ''  ^  C'im|,rLheiisive  manner,  that  autunaial  fever  had  prevailed  in  all  its 


r-  4 


I 


*illi;f't. 


■•     «^ 


.  '       .  .  . 

•        '.      ■      .     ■  • 


I;'}-} 


Pi 


/ft 


Ol 


4 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


.BOOS  J, 


localities,  but  tu  tliu  greatest  extent  by  far  along  its  water-eouvscs.  iiiduilMir. 
the  Cuyahoga.      The  least  j)revalenee  was  in  the  town.     Intermiit(jiit.>  ^<\„. 
cialjy,  oceurreil  on  tlicir  l»anl<s;  remittents  in  remoter  ami  dryer  plaeu'    I 
latter  years,  they  arc  less  t're(iuent  tlum  formerly. 

Y.     yvKiioN  stands  a  few  miles  south  of  Cuyalioira  Falls,  on  butli  ,4',, . 
but  chiefly  the  eastern,  of  tiie  series  of  twelve  or  fourteen  locks,  1jyw;iJ,.1i['.,. 
Ohio  and  Erie  canal  descends  from  a  summit-level   of  three  luindru!!  ;r,i 
niiiety-fivo  feet  above  Lake  Erie,  and  nine  hundred  and  lifty-nine  aluvu  f 
sea.     The  descent  is  down  the  steep  valley  of  a  rniall  stream.    The  excav> 
tions  for  tiie  loeks,  were  made  throu^li  a  deep  deposit  of  traii.>i[iortt'(l  m  tir- 
tiary  materials.     On  the   summit-level,   the   ]Mahoiiiui;'  canal  tnivcrsi-.- 1> 
eastern  part  of  tlie  town,  to  join  that  I'rom  the  Uhi(j  llivcr.     Thcfliitd-' 
the  fornu'r  is  but  slowly  drawn  oil',  and,  therefore,  stagnates.     That  uf  i:. 
Other,  from  the  constant  ascent  and  descent  of  l)oats,  is  kept  flowing    N.^r 
the  junction  of  tlie  canals  tlu're  are  two  jxjnds  and  a  maisli,  ami,  at ;!. 
di.^tancti  of  two  miles,  there  is  an  extensive  swamp;  all  lying  to  tlie  Suull.  i. : 
tlie  town.      Xear  the  loeks,  on  tlic  east,  ihere  is  a  mar.-li  of  twelve  or  liltw. 
acres,  and,  ailj( lining  them,  to  the  west,  a  series  of  little  ]iuol.s  and  swaiii]; 
spots,  created  and  kept  u])  by  the  leakage  of  the  locks.     Thus,  on  tliiMvli];, 
marsh-exhalations,  from  the  surface  of  the  ground,  ami  from  the  watir«  ,• 
the   canal  in  tlieir  deseent  thr(jugh  the  loeks,  tngethcr  with  iKjucoUs  va|; 
must  abound  in  this  loeality,  as  much  as  any  other  in  the  wlinle  onur.trv 
At  a  lower  level,  in  a  lower  latitude,  the  fevers  of  autmnn  wouM,  douijik-. 
be  more  violent  than  in  this  ])lace;  but,  according  to  tlie  eviilenLT  of  Di'it,:; 
Cole,  ^\"allaco,  and  Angel,  intevmittents  and  remittents  prevail  every  suniuhr 
ami   autumn,  to  a  decided  degree,  both  as  to  the  number  of  casus,  ami  tL;: 
occasional  vi(dence.      Compared  witii   the  towns  of  Kavenua  and  Ciualio 
Fall.s.  tlio  topographical  conditions   of  which  are,  ^ir'nna  /uric,  mere  sa!:;::;- 
ous,  Akron  must  lie  regarded  as  sickly. 

\'l.      Tin;  C.WAi,  ir.o.M  Akkon  to  Clevklanu.  —  Doctor  Culo  wa:: ;: 

* 

Akron  in  the  sunnner  of  i^li-"),  when  the  excavation  (jf  the  canal  iii  :: 
direction  of  Cleveland  was  connnenced.  The  laborers  suffered  ('.\triiii-:y 
from  fever;  at  least  eighty  of  them  were  his  patients;  but.  as  tlicy  W'ttt- 
in  the  valley  of  the  Cuyahoga,  they  might  have  suil'crcd,  it'  tlioy  W  iiv! 
been  engaged  in  exposing  the  fresh  earth  to  the  action  of  the  atninjpiHix', 
sun,  and  rains.  In  l^lid,  nuiny  persons  came  from  the  surrounding  C'lir:- 
try  to  work  on  tlie  canal,  and  dispersed  in  June  ;  but  Doctor  Cule  attcnvari 
learned,  that  as  large  a  |)roportion  of  those  who  went  away  as  of  tliuji-'K!. 
renmined  behind,  were  seized  with  the  fever.  In  ISiiT  ami  iS28,  tliu  -ffit 
kind  of  fever  returned,  in  the  former  year  the  water  was  let  mtu  theeaui 
In  iJ^-iO  and  1^:10,  but  few  eases  occurred.  In  excavating  the  canal  aiiaw 
])its  for  two  locks,  witliin  the  limits  of  the  city  of  (Cleveland,  in  l^-i."f 
laburers  threw  up  a  great  deal  of  vegetable  mold,  and  both  they  aiiJ  !>■ 
people  of  tiu'  town  suifered  .severely  from  fevers;  some  ca.scs  of  which  iu!:'J. 
by  tlieir  .symptoms,  have  been  ranked  witii  yellow  fever.     Doetor  Li'ii:'.i. 


4 


,'ik: 


INTIIRIOR  VALLEY  OP^  NORTH  AINIERICA. 


375 


,  ,,■  'rill.  n'lnoinliL'i's,  that  nearly  the  same  results  I'lilknved  on  the  exuuva- 
;;,i;j  all  the  way  U>  Aknni. 

Tic  result  (if  my  ii<(nirie.s  at  tliis  place,  concerning  the  healtli  of  the  canal 

,  a'l;.' II.  was.  that  altlmuyh  the  ])(jats  arc  run  throughout  every  night,  and 
-'.  tlirniidi  the  hottest  part  of  the  day,  the  men  are  less  suliject  to  autunnial 
tviT.  tliau  the  jicple  of  the  country  thi'ongli  which  t'     canal  passes. 

VI!,  LowKii  \'Ai.i.r.v  01'"  tiik  Cm  auooa.  —  The  rucr  below  the  falls  .and 
tie  Akrnii  locks,  flows  through  a  kind  of  gorge  in  the  black  slate,  and  in 
•  mt  iilaees  [jrcseiits  rapids.  ]>efore  reaching  the  lake,  its  valley  widens,  the 
.:Min  i»eeoiius  more  tortuon.s,  and  its  current  slackens:  in  consc(|ucn(c  of 
r;,i«!i,  ail  iiiiuieiise  ([uantity  of  dril't-wood  is  lodged  upon  its  margins.  ![Many 
ifii<  bottuius  are  liable  to  inundation,  and  the  whole  are  overspread  with 
nr.kl;urliaeeous  vegetation.  As  the  river  iiears  the  lake,  the  sluggishness 
f t'l..' larrent  increases,  and  oppnsing  winds  drive  the  v.'atei's  of  the  lake 
iiWfnr  les.s  into  its  estuary,  which  Is  live  (jr  six  miles  long.  The  efl'ect  of 
;;icii  v.iinU  funncrly  v/as,  to  ^•••\  the  sands  of  the  lake  beach  Into  tlie  mouth 
of  till' river  and  duke  it  tip;  th  ;  oli.-tructioii  being  made  greater,  liy  the 
(ilt ilupnsited  from  the  stream,  when  its  (current  was  arrested.  In  times  jiast. 
•'.river,  tlui.s  turned  aside,  prolialdy  entered  the  lake  at  various  point.^.  On 
i.c  ?rlil,'iiieiit  of  Clev'hxnd,  as  Doctnr  Ijong  informed  me,  tlie  mouth  was 
S'.Tentv  or  eighiy  rods  west  of  where  it  now  is;  and  tliere  vcmains  to  this 
ikv, a  set'tiiiii  of  the  river-bed,  filled  with  water  ten  or  fo'teen  feet  deep, 
tL;!i  exactly  resembles  one  of  the  crescent  lakes  in  tiie  trough  of  the 
Mi-ivipiii. 

Mil  each  side  of  this  linear  jiond  there  are  marshes,  whicli  extend  up  in 
ilie Cuyahoga.  On  the  outer  edge  of  the  marsh,  next  the  lake,  tliere  stands 
JtiiliiToity,  SI  veral  feet  high,  which,  from  its  cumpositlon.  is  a  remnaiit  of 
ikuTtiary  plain,  which  forms  the  bank  of  the  lake,  cast  and  west  of  the  mouth 
rftlio  river.  Inuuediatcly  south  of  this  marsli  the  rive-  flows  at  the  foot  of  a 
t  !biilirablo  hluff,  and  has  a  low  and  wet  bottom  on  the  opposite  or  eastern 
i'l-:  i'urtlicr  u|i.  the  buttom  is  found  on  the  western  .-ide,  and  then  again  on 
tU- ii<t',rn,  Tiiese  bottoms  were  once  covei'ed  vtllli  fMrest.  Their  cleva- 
f.jn  i:i  tr'im  throe  to  four  feet  above  ordinary  liigli  water.  Formerly,  when 
tJO river  was  obstructed  at  its  moutli.  these  bottoms  were  occasliaudiy  inun- 
toi'l.  At  that  time  a  ponl  was  created  in  the  estuary,  wliicli,  in  summer 
ffllammiin,  when  the  river  was  h.w,  liecame  foul,  and  cmitti  d  an  (  fieiisivc 
fiiull,  (|iiiti'  perceptible  along  its  banks.  The  erection  of  two  piers,  jin'jcct- 
iD?a  ciiiisidorahlc  distance  into  the  hi\e,  by  arresting  the  movement  of  sand. 
a:J  CMiiipressing  the  river  into  narrow  limits,  has  enabled  it,  when  in  flood. 
t« wash  away  the  liar,  and  thus  jireserve  the  purity  of  its  estuary,  l^eyond 
'leniarshos  and  bottoms  whicli  have  been  designated,  on  both  sid--..^  (.f  the 
nvtr,  there  are  t..  "-y  clay  and  sand  plains,  about  eighty  or  ninety  fei  t 
alwo  dio  surface  of  the  lake.  West  tjf  the  mouth,  the  broad  marshy  beach 
prevents  the  action  of  the  waves  upon  the  bank,  but  to  the  east  the  erosion 
'•'their  foundations  is  so  great,  that  extensive  slides  have  taken  jdaee. 

^Ilh    Cleveland.  —  The  beautiful  city  of  Cleveland,  the  settlement  of 


4'.  •.•■!, •■*#:. 


>.■-:.  i,..,: 


it 


ff:;   r 


i '   ; 


■X  ■■.■'.(. 


t' 

■  . 

!'  . 

n'^ 


■dm 


^  >  •  V    -r 


THE  riiixcirAii  diseases  of  the 


[book  !. 


wliloli  was  Ix'gim  Ly  itnmi;.'raiits  from  Now  England,  in  170G,  stands  t!i;,.fl.. 
oil  a  dry  |i(ist-tcrtiary  [ilain,  iiiiniudiatcly  cast  (tf  tlic  juuutiuii  of  the  rv' 
with  tiiL'  lak(',  iroiitiiiiT  nii  S,  and  exti-ndint^  duwn  tu  the  river's  nlrf. 
Eoiiii!;  to  tlio  looward  ol'  tho  river,  with  il.s  L(jttoni-hnul,<,  ami  uf  tliudliil  .,i 
of  the  stream  on  tho  lake  heaeh,  with  its  marches,  it  is  L'X]insocl  t)  wliaiiy,., 
insaluhrioiiH  exhalations  mav  a''!  ;o  from  tliuiii.  At  an  earlv  stin'i' ,  i' :. 
sottlomont,  accordlni^  to  Dc  ^ov  Jji  ng,  these  exhalations  were  vurypuriiiciii;. 
us  intermittent  and  renii' tent  evers,  iVciijuently  assuniiiiir  a  iiiali^'iiant  ivi«i 
werceonnnon;  hut  in  lati.r  yea  s  tlioy  are  i;reatly  mitigated.  Tin.' -an t 
testimony  as  tu  tlieir  jn-eseiit  mild  less  and  rarity,  hasheen  given  me  livj'r.i- 
te.ssor  Aekly  and  Doctor  Mcndenl  all.  In  the  course  (if  his  long  uxi.irienc.; 
at  this  ]ilace,  Ooctor  Jjonp^  observed,  in  some  years,  a  great  iiredomiiiaiici; of 
tho  intermittent  type,  in  others  of  the  remittent  The  sea.sons  wliieli  fir.i^roii 
tho  fm-nu'r  were  wet  and  cool  —  those  in  which  tho  latter  prevailed  witu  iui; 
and  ilry.  ."Malignant  cases  did  not  sliow  themselvos  until  about  1>27,  nujv 
years  after  tin;  settlement  of  th('  place  began. 

IX.  Ohio  CiTV  is  but  an  extension  of  Cleveland,  upon  the  liliiff  i,f  ik 
■western  side  of  the  river.  In  reference  to  autumnal  health,  it  has  iln'  inj. 
portaiit  advantage  over  tho  older  and  larger  town,  of  being  to  the  winJwirl 
of  all  the  low,  wet.  and  foul  gi'ounds  which  liavo  been  mentioned;  liut.in 
tho  other  hand,  there  is  a  con.'^idcrable  terrace-swamp,  in  Jlrocklyii  tuwii-iin. 
at  tin-  dislance  of  tvio  or  three  miles  to  its  south-west  or  windward.  1I(i;m 
Mendi'nhall  lias  given  me  two  observations  unide  on  the  site  cf  (jhiu  fitv 
which  deservo  to  be  recorded:  J'^imf  —  hiborers  and  watermen  have  boon 
ocea-ioually  boarded  ami  ludged  on  the  edge  of  the  swamp,  near  tiif  wi-; 
bank  of  the  river,  and  they  were  exceedingly  liable  to  iutermittent  t'Vcr. 
Stcuiiil  —  in  the  .southern  part  of  the  terrace  on  which  tho  town  .-"tumij.a 
deep  excavation  was  nuule,  in  the  bluti'  bank,  tu  lorm  a  road  nf  ca.sy  .iHtiit. 
and  tile  Iiluisli  clay  thrown  out,  was  used  to  till  up  <>.  street  buluw,  the  dlitt 
of  which  was,  to  caiLso  a  local  [U'cvaleiico  of  autunuial  fever. 


V         J 


'  .  "^ 


*■ .  , 

• 

M: 

i         V       .;'' 

»  •               ,     " 

.■ '  •' 

b| 

fc"- ; 

»    ■■  1 

H 

ill*  ■  /i. 

- .  :*    ■  *  '• 

P 

r  ■  '  !  ■■■■        ■-;" 

•■ . 

fe'wi'f'i-  .' 

<*  - 

M 

m^::\ 

,*  • 

SECTION  vir. 

BASIN    OF   T  H  E    CHAGRIN. 

CiiAoiiiN  (more  [iroperly  C/iai//<!n)  lUvor  enters  tho  lake  eighteen  nnit.- 
oast  of  Cleveland  ;  between  which  and  it  tliere  are  broad  and  clevatea  Like- 
terraces,  generally  free  from  swamps,  well-cultivated,  and  partially  delenltJ 
from  the  winds  and  vapor  cd'  the  lake,  by  a  belt  of  woods.  When  I  tiXiW 
on  this  terrace,  in  tlio  month  of  September,  1S42,  the  inhahit.ints  appim'd 
to  bo  gouorally  free  from  fever. 

Tho  sources  of  tho  little  lliver  Chagrin  are  on  the  northern  edge  if  lie 
conjiloucrato  idateau.  near  those  of  the  Cuvahoa'a,  at  a.,  elevation  ot  ;i..s; 
twelve  hundred  feet  above  the  ocean,  and  near  six  hundred  and  thirty  alvo 
tho  lake.     Like  tho  Cuyahoga,  this  river  runs,  for  a  short  distance,  to  ui 


•iITl-: 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  /''ERICA. 


377 


5-.rli-ircst,  to  fiiifl  :i  ik']ircssion  through  mIiicIi  it  may  dcsccml  to  tlio  hike. 
I  ,,11111111  ffitli  !'ll  the  rivoi'S  of  this  i-cirimi,  it  has  its  cataracts;  from  wliich 
:,  •  ,^,|,ilw  liy  a  ra|ml  current,  whieli  is  not  cheeliod  until  it  arrives  within 
smili'  "t  hako  Erie.  Its  alhivial  borders  are  narrow,  and  not  sidijcct  to 
|,iti„„;  the  ii|i[ior  ]iart  of  its  bed  is  eoniposed  of  conglomerate,  the  niid- 
;;,-.  i.f  Devonian  saiulstono,  and  tlie  lowest,  of  black  shite:  finally,  its  cold 
,  iPiiiiiiil  uiiin'r  waters  abound  in  speckled  trout  (  Sd/inojot/fhin/is),  the 

1 1,  iiijinr  >ii.'ii  tliat  ague  and  fever  need  not  be  aji|ireheiided.*  On  this  jmint 
.'an  "iilv  sav,  that  ])octor  Card,  of  Painsvillc,  who  formerly  resided  in  the 

I  f'liV  ' '^^'i''''''^''""^'  *''^"  '"'^^'"^  l'r(iiu  the  nmnth  of  the  Chagrin,  infoinied 
-,  tiiiit  tlic  country  i'urther  up  the  river,  was  l)ut  litth*  infested  with  autuni- 

I  ui Ii'ver?.  It  is  otherwise,  however,  around  the  short  estuary  near  the  lake. 
Tv niar?lii'S,  it  is  true,  are  of  very  limited  extent ;  but  tiio  iiKJUth  of  the 
rvtr  is  L'ciierally  choked  with  sand,  and  the  free  exit  of  its  w.aters  prevented, 
lailii' rail V  stages  of  the  settlement  of  the  country,  this  limited  locality  was 

Icl'jiel  with  fevers  of  a  dangerous  character.  In  the  autumn  of  lSli;>  or 
b:i4. ncailv  all  the  settlors  were  ill ;  and  it  was  observed  that  of  the  citizens 
ctiu'villairo  of  Willeiighl)y,  only  two  miles  up  the  river,  who  went  to  their 

Iruitf.iicady  all  sickened,  while  tliose  who  remained  at  homo,  eontimieil  in 

|i.tii;li.  Willmiglihy  itself  is  not,  however,  exempt  from  autumnal  fevers; 
hi, as  Jiulge  Allen  and  ])octor  Card  informed  me,  they  arc  less  jirevaleiit 

|l'jiiit"riiiei'lj. 


'i 


SECTION   YIII. 

BASIN    OF    GRAND    RIVER. 

TW  mouth  of  Ciraiid  River,  is  found  twelves  miles  cast  of  the  cue  just 
:!iiil.    Its  .simrcts  interlock  with  those  of  the  Cnvahoiia  and  the  .^lalio- 

»'  K.J 

;.t  aiiiuan  altitude  of  eleven  hundred  feet  above  the  sea.  Tn  doseond 
::.i«  elevated  plateau,  it  takes  a  dii  jetiou  snmewhat  east  of  north,  and 
Irvrriaihing  the  lake  terraces,  flows  nearly  west,  through  a  channel  which 
|»:  ;.!;:'t'i  hecomes  remarkably  tortuous,  and  with  a  sluggish  current,  which 
|i'-:r-tril  throe  miles  before  it  reaches  the  open  lake.  Mhcii  high,  its  water 
|t;>:';;il,  at  other  stages  brownish,  but  transparent. 

"ii  t'acb  side  of  the  mouth  of  this  river  there  is  a  marsh,  the  two 
pnii;:  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  ;  but  beyond  the  western,  there 
I'.'  tliir swamps  of  great  extent,  separated  from  the  lake  by  a  narrow  slip  of 
ter  land ;  beyond  which,  one  of  them,  containing  fifteen  hundred  acres, 
Ipi out  to  the  lake.  On  account  of  the  long  piers,  at  the  mouth  of  this 
PW.  till' fluctuations  of  the  lake  arc  not  much  perceived  in  the  estuary.  The 
pttiiiliiig  p]3i,|^  gffj,  ^.|j,  gixty  feet  above  tlie  lake,  is  composed  of  trans- 
►"•-'Iftr  piist-tcrtiary  materials,  resting  on  the  black  slate.  Much  of  the 
Pi^r ilitained  by  sinking  wells  into  the  plain,  is  of  an  inferior  (luality.     The 


,:i:.:i: 


*  Oliio  Geological  Report. 


X'i':^^'' 


Oi  o 


Tin:  PRINCIPAL  DISEASKS  OF  THE 


,BO'-iK  ; 


I 


m 


h- 


m 


f-i&-: 


'■i 

i 


.1 


;l 


villaiTO  of  r.\ii!i'oi!T  stands  on  a  )a'niiisular  |Kii'tinii  nf  tin- |il;un,  iniiuiiiiyi. 
east  nf  tin;  nidiilh  of  the  rivur;  tliat  of  IIiciimond,  a  mile  fruiii  tlic  I;,];,.  ,r 
tlio  western  si<le,  lioing  linilt  nn  two  terrace.-!.     'J'lie  iiri'Viilciicf  iiml  i,,,;.. 
nity  ofautiniinal  lever  in  tliese  towns,  have  <.^eiierall_y  lieen  ijuito  us  "T';;\ii\ 
tliu  etiulun-ist  wunld  autieipate,  from  tlie  nnfavoralile  eli;,ractcr  nt'  the  li'i-''. 
Ijoring  tip[)iigra[)liy.     Iniorniation  afTonled  mo  by  Decturs  Mattliow..  (>] 
llosa,  and  ]iivingsti»n,  indieated   that  they  were  faniihar  with  :ill  ili,.  fry  i 
(up  to  tlio  most  malignant)  of  intermittent  and  remittent  tVvers,  r;".! 
infest  similar  localities  in   the  sonth  :  but  all  eoncnrrc(l  in  R.|irci;eiitiii.'tl.ej 
prevalence  of  thos(.'  diseases  as  decidedly  less  than  in  the  lir.-t  year- 
settlement  of  the  country. 

lir.      Painksvillio.  —  The  sito  of  this  town,  on  tin'  left  dv  \vo-t  haiikvfl 
Grand  Kiver,  is  eight  or  nine  miles  from  the  lake,  full  iwiiic  tlio  lUfainlir!  ■(I 
the  stream,  but  oi\ly  three  miles,  in  a  direct  lino.     The  slaty  Iiaiik<  'i\[q 
river  are  well-defiiu'd,  and  above  its  highest  freshets.     IMuch  of  tln'  tiwi:- 
is  a  deep  ami  movable  bed  of  sand.     Jiik(!  Norwalk,  in  fait,  tln'  tiiwu  .;ai,li| 
on   one   of  the  sand  ridges  which  run  parallel  to  the  lake,     bi  a  rA  k 
])oet;ir  IJosa,  to  the  south,  in  the  direction  of  the  higlilamls,  I  oWtvi.!  !'! 
wo  traversed  several  of  these  low  ridges,  between  which,  the  inorearallaci'a 
surface  wa.-;  swaly.     Tin;  swamps,  however,  which  are  near  eiiouLrli  tn  ]'.mA 
ville  to  exert  on  it  a  mischievous  influence,  are  those  whicli  have  Lxui-i- 
scribed;  all  of  which  lie  either  to  its  north  or  north-west,  and  hotwiv;; :',vii 
and  the  town  there  is  a  dense  forest.     According  to  tlie  niodical  jenti.i.s 
whom  I  have  ([uoted,  the  prevalence  of  autunnial  fever  in  I'aiuo.svil 
Compared  with  Fairpovt  and  lliehmond. 


10 1-  in 


'A^^:.. 


SECTION    IX. 

LAKE   SHORE,   FRO.M   PAINESVILLE   TO   RUFFALO. 

I.     Fnmi  Palnesville,  <  )hio,  to  Krie,  Pennsylvania,  the  distance  is  >over.iTl 
throe  miles.     Between  them  there  is  no  considerable  river.  iKiranytomi^ 
interest.     The  sunnnit-lcvol,  between  the  Ohio  river  and  the  lab,  tw  ;'4 
the  whole  di.staneo,  lies  near  the  lake,  and  thus  all  the  streams  ruiiiiiii: : 
the  latter  arc  short.     At  Erie,  its  distance  from  the  lake  duc-^  iint  ovn'. 
miles.     This   part   of  the  coast  is,  in  fact,  that  to  which  the  wati'ij'l  !ij 
Jlississippi  make  the  nearest  approach. 

ir.     Town  of  Euik.  —  The  site  of  Eric  is  a  post-tertinry  or  Jilnv 
race,  forty  or  fifty  feet  above  the  level  of  the  lake  ;  from  which  it  i>  iiiii^'l 
by  a  long  peninsula,  the  Pn's<f-i.sle  of  the  Canadian  French,  wiio  oiioc:3i! 
settlement  at  this  ]daeo.     Between  this  ]ieninsula  and  the  town  istlKiSi 
lent  harbor,  which  is  entered  from  the  cast,  and  opposite  which  eiiti';i!'M-l 
is  a  margin  of  lake  swamp  lying  north-cast  of  the  towri.    A  suiall  .'I'tiT 
traverses  the  eastern  part  of  the  town-plat,  to  join  the  lake  iieartlii'iij" 
est  part  of  the  passage  into  the  harbor.     The  bed  and  hanks  ot  m^'-' 


iff 


INTF, 

I  aSCcI  of  blai 
DJiCpLs  ffliLTO  the 
tfri.ty  feet  ia  depth. 
Iitq.laiiiisniorc  urg 
sJo  "f  t!ie  lake.     T( 
|( r,r."tO(l  with  the  n; 
Ifaii.nl.    The  peiiiii.- 
liavin:' liere  and  thcrt 
jiL-;aucc  of  two  miles 
Ji,  t!^i'  hh  shore ;  i: 
\m>  'i'ld  rains ;  th 
tat'Wn.    The  UeaV' 
ji:.  Ikjmi  this  there 
|i»?>  "f  *ffanip. 

It  ;i|i|'ear.s  fr.nn  thi; 

Mamc  to  autunnial 

IPv!  rJoIin.-;,  who  set 

lf.M:ili.'iit  in  the  subur 

|tif["Mi!!.>ii]a.  where  n 

viiiiiy 'if  the  saniekii 

lpirt-»ftlio  town;  hut 

JEiu'.:!!  •iriiriiiate  there 

jfid  ( /.  2^2  )  was  bi 

mi":;i'eiiiont  up  to 

' :.'  tile  people  of  t 

|i  :::.'■  canal :  and,  oi 

I'  f'lr  Voshurir,  f 

: -"'diout  the  \\h 

":;>.•  canal.    Perhaps 

P-'viiiloek  swamp,  ma 

Y'mi  Wire  generally 

HI.  L.\KE  Siiouj:  II 

I'toitvof  Buffahs  nin 

palt'tLe  distance,  th 

prv:i'!iiii;f  sources  of 

p.i:,  &■/./),  have  t 
H-ivitliin  eight  to  tw 

''''•■' -^fwicaaJJasin,  tl 
I--''  iit  six  hundred 

Nii^  wliieh  traverse  t 
jt-:in:cnrrespundiiio']y 
F'--- '"  "ftcn  referre 
f-y'^fuiuidiu  tliisbi 
P''  i-  loss;  and  for 

Nil  slate,  without  al 
f--'!iuf  the  shore  CO  1 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA.  U7<) 

iiii;,scJof  lliicic  slato,  wliicli  lias  siu'li  a  tliiii  covoriiig  of  traiisiMirtctl 

Prhb  wliero  tlio  tnwn  is  built,  that  many  of  tlie  wolls,  not  innri'  than 
(»,'•;  fcL't  ill  ilopth,  afford  water  of  an  aluminous  (quality.  The  surfaci'  of 
I'viiiiii  is  moro  urjiillaccous  than  that  of  many  other  looalities  on  tlio  south 
-, ,  (■  (1,^,  lake.  Til  the  snuth-wost  of  the  tnwn,  wlioru  tho  jioniiisula  is 
(,iirii''tcJ  with  the  main  land,  there  was  a  swaiu|(,  which  has  liccn  [lartially 
Inv.ci  Tlie  iiL'iiiiisula,  gcrn'rally,  is  but  a  bank  .f  sand,  Ijearing  trees,  and 
'«avi;r' here  uiid  tluTO  a  small  Kwamp  uv  pond.  South  of  the  tuwn,  at  tho 
i-'iiice  iif  two  iiiiK'S,  there  is  a  second  and  higher  terrace,  running  i)urallol 
1, t!,i>  !;ikc  shore;  in  front  of  which  there  lies  a  hemlock  swamp,  fed  by 
j^nv- a:ul  raiiKS ;  tlie  larger  part  of  which  is  to  tho  snnimer-windwavd  of 
t^Mt  wii.  The  IJeaver  and  Erie  Canal,  by  traversing,  has  partially  drained 
i;,  ]|i.viiii(l  this  there  are  other  terraces,  bearing  tindjer,  and  having  more  or 
1;...  - 1'  <wamp. 

It  aiiiiears  from  this  description,  that  tho  medii-al  tnpography  of  Erie,  in 

[..Ttw  tn  fiutnninal  fever,  is  not   of  tho  most  favorable  kind.     The  late 

|p.>t  r  ■Win.s,  who  settled  there  in  1X'2'2,  tuund  intennittent  fever  especially 

Itftvakiit  ill  the  suburbs  of  the  village  to  the  south-west,  near  the  stem  of 

|ti?!'!ii!i.*iiia,  whore  marshes  abounded;  and  also  to  the  north-east  in  tho 

tiiiitv  "f  the  fame  kind  of  surface,      lieniitteiit  fever  occurred  in  the  central 

Ipart- if  tho  town;  but  for  tho  first  fifteen  years  he  never  saw  a  case  of  intcr- 

fdiit  urigiiiatu  there.     In  l^oU,  tho  excavation  of  the  Erie  and  I'eaver 

|Cri(;'.  i'f^'2)  was  begun  ;  and  continued  till  the  close  of  1^41.     From  its 

Mn'cmcnt  up  to  li^-lli,  when  I  was  there,  intermittents  had  ajipearcd 

.•the  people  of  tho  town,  especially  those  living  in  its  western  parts, 

•...canal:  and,  on  a  second  visit,  in  lS-17,  I  learned  from  Doctor  Wal- 

I'  .tor  ^'osburg,  and  3Ir.  Sill,  that  intermittents  continued  to  be  preva- 

.i-'diout  the  whole,  and  that,  by  cniiimon  consent,  they  were  ascribed 

'■-A'.al.    Perhaps  a  partial  draining  and  disturbance  of  tho  surface  of 

iljik  swaiiij),  may  have  contributed  to  this  insalubrity.     Tho  intor- 

t>'..i;  Wire  generally  df  a  mild  character. 

III.   L.\KE  Siioiu:  i-uo.M  Eitij;  TO  Buffalo.  —  From  the  town  of  Erie  to 

:'.itjof  Euffahi,  niiiet}-  miles,  the  lake  coast  runs  ni'arly  north-east,  and 

plali' tlie  distance,  that  is,  to  Dlnkikk.  the  high  table-land  on  which  tho 

pH.:i-!iiiii,'  som'ccs  of  the  Alleghany  Faver,  including  Chautauijue  Lake 

{'■'■X:  Sect.  I),  have  their  origin,  ajiproach  and  terminate  in  rocky  escarp- 

:'.t.'witliin  eight  to  twelve  miles  of  the  lake  shores.     As  that  river  belongs 

ivMixican  Basin,  tho  Lake  Basin  hero  presents  but  a  narrow  belt;  which 

pil'iiitsix  hundred  feet  lielow  the  neighboring  suniniit-level.     All  tho 

IfWiijffliiuh  traverse  tliis  belt  aro  but  mountain  rivulets,  and  their  estua- 

te arnurrospoiidingly  limited,  as  aro  the  marshes  of  the  lake  slmre.     Tho 

■«!.  so  often  referred  to,  risino;  above  each  other,  as  we  advance  fnan  tho 

F^- »■  fuuiitl  in  this  belt;  but  tho  amount  of  diluvium  or  transported  ma- 

¥''■'  1;  less;  and  for  many  long  reaches,  the  road  jiasses  over  the  black 

rt'^^'iJii  slate,  without  any  intervening  deposit.     East  of  Dunkirk  the  same 

p:i:jii  uf  the  shore  continues,  but  the  belt  widens ;  the  coast  and  tho  high- 


I 


t" 


f. 


.">so 


THE  nirNCIPAL  DISHASFIS  OF  TIIR 


[mt  < 


lamls  (livcr^o  tVuni  ciicli  dtlicr;  I'lul  tin;  little  riviT  Ciittaraiifni!!  ( 't     '■ 
uppiT  waters  iilMiuiidiiiL'  i"  spiM'kK'il  tnnit  ),  liy  ;i  lciii:tli  nf  jiftv  miU    ,| 
(losoont  of  ()i;.'lit  ImiMlrt'd  foot,  flidws  tliat  tlu' Idi'ty  jiliitciiii  on  wliii'h  j.,,,  ,i 
waters  niiiijrlo  with  tlio  simrcos  nf  the  Allc^xliaiiy  and  tlic  (luiiosi'e  ItJviN  • 
coiiiiiiiriitivcly  distant.     TIk!   lii,j:lilaiid.s  puntimtc  in  i^i.L'lit.  lidwevor  tii*''K  ' 


com 
arrive  \vi 


arrive  wiiniii  twi'lve  or  fit'teeii  iiiiU-s  of  15iifl'cdii.  Of  tin-  .stato  of  unti.p  i 
liealtli,  aloiiir  tlio  coast,  from  Mrie  to  tlie  IjuIVmIo  flats,  wlijch  ^e  eii'hiiivr 
liofore  rcacliiii,!^  tlio  city,  I  cMiiiint  s|ieak  tVom  iiifnniiMtiiin,  Init.  jmlnjurhy;,, 
surfai'i",  M'ould  regard  it  as  lictter  than  that  wot  of  the  tuwii  uf  Krj,'. 


1  . 


\Mm: 


MM, 


m 


11 


SMCTIOX    X. 

CITY    OF    ]UU'FAI,0. 

I.  We  liavc  now  rcaclnMl  tin;  lower  or  eastern  extri'iiiifv  if  I„;r.  r- 
wlicro  wo  find  an  extensive  |ilain.  wliidi  rises  luit  a  few  feif  alii.\v  t'  .■; 
face  of  the  lake.  ^Ve  have  deseende(l  from  the  hiiih  tenaic.  mi  w',  ! -d 
traveled  round  the  sontliern  side  of  the  lake.  The  ceast  licro  nii - 
north  and  routh.  The  city  Iie^ins  on  its  very  marLNn.  iic'ir  tlie  ri.' •  ' 
of  NiaL'ara  River.  To  the  sonth  and  sniith-east.  the  jilnin.  ovit  an  ::■:■' 
many  si|U;ire  miles,  is  sn  low  and  level,  as  tn  liave  received  the  ii;iii'  ■ 
J/a/s.  Their  iiosaion,  in  relation  to  the  city,  may  he  seen  in  7'/.  ,Vi' 
not  their  limits  to  tlie  snutli-cast  for  thoy  extend  lieyoiid  the  buuii'i;;::> 
tlie  map. 

Those  flats,  <iiice  covered  by  the  lake,  were,  at  the  he^iiiniiiirof  <it!' ::. 
overshadowed  by  a  heavy  irrowtli  of  timhiM'.  miieh  of  wliirli  .-till  r;.. 
They  omhraee  many  ponds  and  swamiis,  and  all  parts  are  teo  wi't  ;i  i  i  . 
for  cultivation,  until  they  are  ditched.  Tlu'  water  which  drains  tnii.  : 
is  of  a  dark-brown  cohir.  Their  western  marnin.  for  a  cniisideralili.' il--' 
is  separated  from  the  lake  by  a  narrnw  belt  of  hi:,:her  ti'rri'\-,  wl.:'!i  .r:i 
ally  widens  in  goinp"  westwardly  u]»  the  lake. 

]>uflalo  Creek,  the  sources  of  wliiidi  inlerhnlv,  at  a  hiuli  (.'li'Viiii  '  " 
tliose  of  Cattaraugus  Crock,  and  certain  branches  of  the  (ioiie-iv  11;: 
presents  toward  its  sources,  lively  currents  of  pure  cold  water,  al'iini::! 
speckled  trout.  The  creek  descends  to  the  north-west,  ahd  uu  ciitii! 
flats,  its  velocity  slackens,  and  it  liecomcs  discoloicd.  ly  the  or-zii:." 
niar.sh.  Before  it  reaches  the  lake,  it  is  reinforced  liy  the  waters'!  L:'JJ 
Buffalo  Creek,  entering  it  from  the  iiortli-cast.  The  appmaoli  r4 
Creek  to  the  lake  is  at  an  acute  aiiide,  the  course  of  the  stream  boir  t'll 
north.  The  junction  takes  place  near  the  middle  of  the  western  li:"' 'i 
city,  as  maybe  scon  ui)iiii  the  map.  The  deep  and  narrow  e.stuarv'::;i 
stream  constitutes  the  liarbor  of  ])uffalo.  For  a  couple  of  niilos  :»"u! ! ' 
junction,  the  neck  of  land  between  it  and  tlie  lake,  is  a  low  sand-dini' 
wliieh  the  water,  when  inqielled  by  westerly  winds,  soinctimes  bnah-' 
the  creek. 


ttarnupis  (it.  .-yl 
•if  iifty  mill  V  III  J 
I  on  \vliirln<,i„,jii, 

•  <!t'iii'sceliiv.rvii 

it.  Imwevor.  Mii'iliTfl 
e  stnto  of  ant  ■: 
wliii'h  we  on.'Miiit«rj 
ii.lnit.  juiljin.'livit*! 
town  of  Kii;, 


trpiiiity  i;f  L;:b  F.n;,l 
I-  feet  aliiiW  t'    •'■:• 

torracc.  mi  \v'',''l.  t(| 
litst  luTO  nil- 
.  iicnr  tlic  ri:'''  '  ;ij| 
jilaiii.  oviT  ail  ;;:■' 
'ivcil  tlic  liaii'"  '■ !::! 

socii  in  /'/.  .Vr.'':^ 
ond  tlic  Loumlar:'.' 

i'^-iiiiii',i'_' of  *it!  ■:;.':: 
f  wliicli  f'til'i  Pi...::i| 

;iH'  tnn  Wl't  ai:'l  ' 


I'll  drains  Ir- 
rniisidfralik' 


liigli  elevati- 
tlio  Gcnc>c'' 
[iter,  ab'Ui!' 


<l  w 


It,  and  on  ciitii!: 

liV  tlic  Of'Zili: 


I'.V 


tlio  waters 


le  apin'oacli  I'l 
llie  stream  I'ti' 
western  li 


stua: 


,t  B 


lie 


liiarrtiw  e 

tlo  of  niilei^  .-a;': 
I  Inw  saiiil-'t'i" 
„metimes  hrC"^ 


Ml 


»■ 


T-mm 


fur 


I.NTI 


*li- 


m 


Yt 


[ijlng  a  remark 

tie  i\4Ves  wi'i'o  diiv 

itv  .rnerally,  to  tl 

^•A  the  ffotcrii 

liMlilii'oii  till'  |il 

I,  |iiaiii  (III  wliiu 

m'A  till'  iiiH'  jii)« 

M  i;irtt<  lit'  it  film 

IJk:    Tu  tliu  imrili-i 

|i(<; ; '  cant,  tliu  siii-li 

■u<'  .  that  iitri'ct,  i 

«,  Mi|i(rlici!il  lit; 

•;i|ii'rthious  watt 

'   illljuilitUllls    111 

■,  a;i(l  exiTCiliii 
■  iiilurnn.'d  iiH',  (I 
i  Krie  canal  en 
Ji  it,  near  tliu  la 
;.ii.'  estuary  of  li 
'■i  liulFalu  kut'i 
'■  -'.i;  eruwdi'il  \\ 
»!l  inaiiiier  i>(  i 
...t  water.  Till' \ 
i"lrivc  that  n\'  tU 
i';  aiij  till'  L'u.stci'l^ 
:  ■;«.  iiiucli  (,f  til,. 
■rMtiimoriJiifl'i 
■■■  'I  lit'  must  oC  itf 
Its  settlement  eoi 
I  f:- liHie.vs  ami  wliai 
I'J-.  Its  growth  wa 
[f''  .:  Wi.niiiieiii'eil  tl 
■'■''•  its  ii'ijmlati 
P"'"  -may  boestiiiial 
.  !^vliieli,  until  i> 
'^'  "Xtensive  paludi 
■'"?etber\vitli  tl 
'■■A  are  liydroMta} 
'  ''iitumnal  fever. 
I'"Cti.r  Trowliritll 
^1".  and  has  coiiti 
■'"M  some  of  which 
■  ■■•-*"ns  the  higher 
I  ■  •^'-  fevers  oecurri'i 
P-  ;:i'^  jTogres.s  of  j 
-■^«J;  until,  at  the 


TTTTryT; 


>x  ••. 


INTKIUOII  VALI.HY  OF  NOll'III   A.MKUICA. 


:M 


[i  A;"  a  rcinnrkiiltlo  stnnii,  nij  tin;  iii.ulit  nf  tliu  iMli  ul'  Odolicr,  l."-!!, 
„  .„^v  ^tt'io  tliivfii,  ill  II  ilflii;.'!',  iiitii  lliis  part  nf  tlie  cnrk,  ami  iijm.ii  tlio 
J  J.  ,t,,ierally,  to  tin-  ili'iitli  nf  hIx,  t'i>rli(.  and  fvcii  ten  iVet.  Tlii-y  also  iii- 
5j,u'  1  till!  w-'"''^'''"  "'"'  '^'ii'll'i^''"  I'lii'tH  <it  lilt'  (it\,  as  may  lio  .sucii  liy  tliu 
i,,i:,,ilin.'"iitlic  I'liito. 

I/iiiaiii  oil  whicli  till.' city  .stands  lisos  in  a  very  giadiial  niaiiiuT,  and, 
/  ,1  till'  line  jiiJ^t  incntiiimMl,  is  ali<iv(!  tlio  lii;,di(st  kimwii  lak'-'-lludds ; 
Ml  1  ;irt.>  <it"  it  lliially  rcadiiii;;  tlio  osliiiiatcd  olcvatinii  nf  sixty  tu  fi;;lity 
L  Id  till!  iJMrtli-Wf.st  tit'  Main  stroi't,  wliiidi  nearly  liisccts  tlio  >\  i.tiu 
,,;ht, tilt'  surl'aru  aliniinds  in  luw  ^and-diiiics.  nr  rid^a's;  ir  ''"  -  iiili- 
;liat  jtrci't.  it  presents  a  iikh-o  argillaeeons  eliaraeter,  nnr  iiu  hides 
.uiitrliciiil  luarslies,  and  even  consideraldo  punds,  wliieli  diseliargo 
i|i(Ttliiiius  waters  iiiti)  lattlc  nuflaln  Creek. 
laliitaiits  are  supplied  with  well-\\at(;r,  dhtained  at  very  uiieiiiial 


iiilia 


,,;iil  fxi'fi'iliii^ly  variuus  in  ipiality;  .suiiie  ul'  it  being,  as  Di/ctor 

ii.luriUL'd  iiie,  (ifluiisivo  tu  tho  sonsi'S. 

1    Erie  canal  eiiter.s  the  IVdiit  ol'  tho  city  iVnin  tin    luirtli,  and  j(Ui»sc'S 

.'lit. noar  tliu  kike,  to  terminate  on  tin;  southern  ."^ide;  being  connected 

.1  L.-tuary  uf  Diiiruh)  Creek  by  several  lateral  cuts.      The  vast  com- 

:' IJiilFalo  keeps  tiio  natural  and  artilieial  canals  of  its  western  or 

•  I,  crowdi-'d  with  srhooners,  propellers,   steamers,  and   boats,   from 
..'1  iiiuiaiur  of  impurities  must,  of  coui'se,  make  their  way  into  (ho 

,  t  water.    The  water,  however,  is  not  really  s(.i;:iiaut,  for  tho  wi'stcrly 

■  irivo  that  nf  the  lake  up  the  creek,  and  through  several  slips  into  the 

;  ;iiiJ  tin  t-astorly  draw  it  out,  by  re[)elling  tho  lake  from  tho  shero; 

,i;.'i.<.  much  of  the  filth  is  car<ied  away. 

.  Y'm>n  (if  IJufValo  is  in  .N .  Lat.  42"  5(1',  and  W.  Lon.  70''  'j:r.     Tho 

:.  'Mjf  most  of  its  plat  is  about  five  huudri'd  and  eighty  feet  above  tho 

it^  si.ttk'iiiciit  conimeiu'ed  in  iMIl,  when  the  surriMUuling  country  was 

t:, iiniLSj,  and  what  is  now  tho  south-western  |iart  of  tho   city  was  a 

v>.   Its  grofftliwas  slow ;  and  being  burnt,  during  tho  war  with    Kiig- 

rooi.miiii'iii'etl  tho  year  1S14,  with  only  four  houses.     Thirty  years 

I^:  .rl.  its  iinpulaiion  auiounted   tu  thirty   thousaiul.  and  at  this  timo 

Mv,  may  bu  estimated  at  forty  thousand.     Thus  it  is  a  now  city,  built 

i'i't  which,  until  recently,  was  covered  with  forest. 

1    'Xtensivo  paludal  and  boggy  tract  which  lies  immediately  south  of 

1"  ■  tMacthcr  with  the  impure  waters  of  tho  canals  and  the  estuary  of 

K.  arc  liydrograi»]iical  eunditions  eminently  favorable  to  t!io  produc- 

:  wtumnal  fever.     Let  us  soo  in  what  degree  they  are  really  ijcrni- 

''»■    P'Ctur  Truwliridge  began  tho  practice  of  medicine  at  Buffalo  in  tho 

T""  I'l".  and  has  cuntiuued  on  the  spot  ever  since.     Tutermittents  and  ro- 

''"'•(  some  of  wliieh  were  malignant  )  prevailed  from  tho  beginning.    In 

i^ :'i;tson3  the  higher  parts  of  the  village  were  most  infected;  but  genor- 

■'!:ea>  fevers  occurred  chiefly  in  the  vicinity  of  the  two  Buffalo  Creeks. 

•  ''i'-  progress  of  rural  and  civic  improvement,   they  have  regularly 
■■-M\  until,  at  the  present  time,  remittent  fever  is  rare,  and  intermit- 


,1 


.     k 


•••.';  ^c 


'-  •i:i: 


■  :..■  }■ 


•1-' 


:■.  ■} 


t- 


■     »!. 


•«    '■ 


■■r\'T 


r.s2 


Tiir;  riiiNcirAL  disea?i;.s  of  tiif, 


.'1'>K  I.I 


tout  iiliiMst  unkmiwii.  ('Xcr|it  in  tlic  8iilmrl)s  of  t1io  citv.     Fruin  ]'-,  ^ 
Whit",  J''liiit,  ami  llaiuiltiui.  1  li'uriKMl,  tilsn.  tliat  Init  little  autiinuial  jVvtr; 
enr-duiituit'd  at  the  pi'L'sriit  tiiii"  :  and  tliiit.  chiully  (ni  ur  near  the  fljij. 

'I'liu  iViliMwing  I'act,  (ili.sci'vcil  by  |)(ict,ur  'I'i''jv,))ri(ljri',  ileservos  to  Ik.  r? 
corded.  Ill  tho  iit'iL;hliiirh()(;il  (if  IJiiffalu,  i'nv  three  (  liiit  not  ?t!f"Kiiv,. 
autiiinns,  a  L  cal  cnidiMui''  fever  (u-eurri'd  aiiiniig  almut  tweiitv  familii-  ^s^ 
drank  and  otherwise  used  water  from  tin;  same  spriiifr.  It  luirst 'nt  1,1 
a  ledLi'e  of  liniestnue,  about  twe'iity-five  feet  below  the  smniiiit,  bevdinlw 
at  the  distauee  of  a  mile,  there  was  a  pieeo  of  wood-kind  with  a  iniii],  mj.jpI 
Doctor  Trowbridii'O  supposed  to  bo  the  smirce  of  tlie  spring;  f'^r,  att'T rai' 
its  witer  became  turliid.  'i'lie  autumns  in  wliirh  tiie  fever  |:iX'vailol  ^ 
unusually  dry.  Jii  its  symptoms  ami  violeneo,  tho  disease  might  liaveiu'v 
for  yellow  fever.  Nine  or  ten  persons  died.  'I'lie  surrouiuliiif.'iiciL'l.li  r'..- 
rcmuiiied  healthy.  The  sprini;'  was  at  length  abandoned,  and  thu  tl'wr 
not  return.  Tliis  srons  to  show  that  th((  material  cause  of  aiituiuiial  fevi 
may  bo  absorbed  by  water,  and  then  produce  its  characteristic  cffectv 

111  comparing  tho  prevalence   and  nKU'tality  of  iiutuiiiiial  fovorw; 
to^)ogr  iphical  conditions  of  this  locality,  wo  must,  I  think,  admit  the  n  -!r:;i] 
ing  intlucueo  of  climate;  for,  oidy  a  few  degrees  further  south,  such  a  -a 
of  surtaco  would  inevitably  give  rise  to  nnu-li  more  serious  vii«itatiuii5  ^ 
than  have  gouorally  l)ocn  experienced  at  JJufl'alo. 


SECTION  XI. 

NORTHERN   SIDE  OF   THE   ERIE  BASI.N. 

T.  ITaving  surveyed  the  southern  slojie  of  tliis  ba.'-iii.  fnDi  t!;-'  iT;: 
Detroit  lliver,  to  the  etllux  of  Xiagira  lliver,  at  Biiflaln,  it  rannin- 1  :. 
an  examination  of  the  northern  .«lope.  To  bmTow  from  aiiatninv  ;i  ;av: 
illustration,  we  have  traveled  round  the  greater  curvature  ef  the  txiii.; 
of  a  long  natural  canal,  from  the  cardiac  to  tlio  pyloric  orifii'O,  ami  i:r;-' 'i 
survey  the  lesser  curvature. 

Wlien  treating  in  tlic  last  chapter  of  tlie  river  Thames  we  snwtliat.  rii 
natiiig  far  to  tlie  east  of  Lake  St.  Clair,  it  seeks  that  rfservnir  hy:  ■ 
nearly  parallel  to  the  northern  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  fmiiMvliich  t'l.  ti 
springs  of  many  of  its  lateral  tributaries  are  liut  a  few  miles  di'taiit,  Fj 
tho  miuth  of  Detroit  I'iver,  then,  to  a  point  nearly  two-tliinls  of  tlw'jvj 
the  Niagara  outlet,  the  northern  lake-slope  is  so  narmw,  that  tlic  !::.J 
topographer  is.  in  a  manner,  limited  to  the  coast.  Cunet'rniiistli:: 
lacustrine  belt,  wliiidi  is  more  than  one  hundred  and  iifty  milw  ii:  '■■■■^ 
can  say  but  little.  It  appears  to  bo,  like  the  opposite  or  siutlnrip' 
flat  or  terrace-like  tract,  oversjiread  with  a  jiost •  tertiary  <iV  diluviaM' 
licro  and  there  cut  through  by  creeks  and  rivulets.  ;is  tliov  ile'Ctii' ' 
lake.  The  lacustrine  banks  arc  generally  bold,  and,  friiii  t!ie  la>':  - 
waves  against  their  base,  often  fall  or  slide  into  the  water:  whi'.'.!»!M 


;^^H .,,'..       ami  nui 

;^D|;;:i  :'a<'tl'in  than 

^H|  :  ■  ;!i'iorl}'  than  n 

.^^9  .  ;1>;m'u<'  we  are  e 

^^|;;r'.'>tinMe  tho.su  dl 

j^^H:rttrater.^aiKl  swc 

I^^Hs::r<waai|i.s.     Aln 

^^■s:::k'eiiiiiitry  is  h 

^^M  Ti:>  licit  at  longt 

^^■i'::::fiirt!ier  frcni  t 

^^■F:r.t<ir  Fore-laiiil ; 

^^■riT':-,  Kijivcrtoil  int 

^^■bnk'ih'i'al  tojingnip 

^HaMi-.T  helt,  i'lirtlie 

j^Hn'vi.'    — 

^H  II  The  B.vsi.v  0 

^Hi:!!isi<le<>fLake  E 

^Hi;.<  la>!n  may  bo  com 

^Hoftli"  lake.    I'ressin 

^B.'ri'.'i  lliver  enters  L 

^^■t:  L':'l  uii  this  river 

^Hi'i:v'i]aiici>us  fores 

^■t:''.Kne.    The  iiiidd 

^B':":"!  imrtions  of  C 

■p,':.;  I4p'-_aswel 

Kfl>'  .■i'uhure, );e  pro'^i 

^mv..  tii..  I.psi.,     jiiii; 

^Bi  rj-.  wild  reii'oved  tl 

^V  '.^rv  war.    Lower 

)■:•' 


us  visitatiiiiis  "i!''a 


•ilT. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF   NORTH  AMERICA. 


1    „,  ioft  ami  miuMy.     The  iiDrtluTn  aro  nljviuiisly  iiuiro  exposed  to  this 

■•:»,], ifaitioii  than  tho  soutliorn  baiikn,  tm  accniint  of  the  greater  i)revalenoc 

•  oui'ierly  than  northerly  winds.     Ol'  the  ciindition  of  tho  sliort  e.-tnaries 

-;;i.  .jilc  we  aru  oxaiuiiiiiig,  I  am  iiniiii'i  rititd  ;  l)uc  tliey  inay  lie  |iresuiiicd 

•■.r.>iiiii'J'- tlia«o  (if  the  suiuller  sticnms  or  tho  Rnuth.ern  shore,  in  their  stng- 

|.;t\rattr>  and  swamiiy  hi'rders.     Away  I'roiii  the  lake,  there  are  orcasior.al 

|y;:r-waiiips.    Along  this  portion  of  the  coast  there  is  no  consideralih.'  town, 

hrjriieciiiiiitry  is  hut  sparsely  inhahifcd.* 

T!;i>  licit  at  length  widens,  jiartly  from  tho  n[ipcr  part  of  the  river  Thames 
IK/furtlicr  from  the  lake,  and  in  part  iV^m  a  deep  indoMtatidti  at  T/niig 
|p;';tiirFuro-la!id  ;  formerly  a  pciiiiisnla,  but  latterly,  frnm  the  aetion  <  f  the 
Inv'.-. '■"iivertcil  into  an  island.  Of  this  jiart  of  tlie  lu'lt,  1  kno-.v  hut  little. 
|!::3;i.ili'al  topngraphy  may  ho  said,  in  general  terms,  tn  he  like  that  of  tlie 
|:;"'Vrr licit,  further  west.     8oou  after  passing  T.oiig  I'oiut  to  the  east,  we 

i";V.'  at  — 

i!  TitK  B.vsiN  OF  Grand  riivKti.  —  T' is  is  tho  only  stream,  on  the 
|[:;''.«iilt.' I  if  Lake  Erie,  Avhich  deserves  t<(  be  ealled  a  river.  The  area  of 
|i;« l'2>!n  may  be  compared  with  that  of  tho  Cuyahoga,  on  the  ojipu.^ite  side 
ftli"  lake.  Pressing  hard  on  the  head  or  western  end  of  Lake  Ontario, 
lijriid  River  enters  Lake  Erie,  not  far  from  its  eastern  extremity.  Most  of 
p:  Ij'.'l  I'll  this  river  is  rolling.  The  soil,  generally  rieh  enough  to  sup[iort 
Ij  i';; "  llaiieims  forest,  is  also  jioor  enough,  in  some  places,  to  be  eovered 
"'M'iiie.  The  midille  and  upper  parts  of  (irand  l^iver  IJasin  are  the  best 
1  portions  of  Canada  West;  and  may,  from  their  latitude  —  between 
•;i:.il4t"'  —  as  well  as  from  their  rolling  surface  and  the  Ihmrishinir  state 
.Tiiulture, ho  pn^umed  to  suffer  but  little  from  anfunnial  fever.  J''iirther 
It.:, 'lie  hnei',  is  inhabited  chiefly  by  Indians  of  the  Iroi^Udis  or  Six  Xa- 
1*.  vrlifi  removed  thither  from  the  State  of  New  York,  after  the  revclu- 
iiary  war.    Lower  still,  iMid   not  more  than  five  miles  from   the   lake, 


1 

»      ■    ■ 

• 

'.rc».;; 
.1- 1  •.  1  »> 


''^<^'^' 


1.  Tim:  Vii.T,.\Gi:  OK  Dunnvilli:.  —  Aecording  to  Poetur  Strattoii.f 
'iiitry  around  this  vilhige  is  heavily  wooded,  flat,  and  marshy.     The 

Kf-r.  ti!h  yards  in  width,  has  its  banks  so  depressed,  that  in  numy  jihices 
!■;;  an;  iii.t  a  fiMit  above  its  high-water  surl'ace.  A  dam  has  been  thrown 
■jji;.  1 1  make  a  feeder  i'or  the  W(dlaiid  ("anal,  between  Lakes  I'lrie  and 

parii;  vfhieli  has  caused  much  overiluw  Imtli  abdve  and  belnw  it,  by  jire- 
::^ti;i:  tlie  desecnt  of  tho  water,  in  freshets,  and   arresting  the  ascent  of 

p:  :r"iii  the  lake,  when  impidled  into  the  estuary  nf  the  river  by  tlie  wind. 

P'.' ri'-iijoiits  in  the  ncighlmrhdod,"  ai'cordingto  the  i^eiitleman  just  named, 

hre  viry  subject  tn  marsh   fever,   everv  fainilv   having  several  ill  in   the 


tlie  sea,*;!)!!. 


["it::  tills  Licality  we  lini.^h  the  medical  tfipograpby  of  tho  I'asin  of  Lake 
f'". ami loiiijiloto  that  of  the  group  or  series  of  upper  and  interior  lakes; 


'  m 


I's  i^tatisticiil  Reports  of  British  Army  —  Smith's  Caiuui.  (ia/uttccr. 


H.;abur-li Journal,  No.  111. 


ft 


i,! 


m--\- 


i.m 


■1 


^■■^i' 


,i--  ■' 


mu 


384 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


.f'O'iK  ;, 


but  before  iirococdiiig  to  tlmso  wliioli  lie  more  tliaii  tliroe  hundred  fntl.^vp 
and  also  mueli  ncaivr  the  sea,  it  may  be  well  to  take  a  few  general  viiv.\ 


SECTION  XII. 

REMARKS  ON  THE  BASIN  OF  THE  UPPER  LAKKS. 

I.        FiXCTUATIONS  AND  ClIANdK  OF  LKVEL  01-'  THE  LaKE-SURFACK. 

1.  7'/Wr.v.  —  It  lias  been  .settled,  by  the  observations  of  Goveniur  Gi.v.aJ 
the  lieail  of  Green  Bay,'*"  and  of  Mr.  Geo.  C  Pavics,  at  Cleveluiid,t  tliut tkre I 
are  nn  lunar  tides  in  the  upper  lakes.  This  concdusiun  is  in  aceirlaKtl 
■R'itli  pdpular  opinion. 

2.  JJiiihj  firtiuitions.  —  The  surface  of  the  lakes,  however,  is  tiai:ij;;i.;3i 
the  calmest  weather  oidy;  and  whenever  or  wherever  tlieir  shores  ar<i  vL-b.iJ 
the  water  is  seen  to  be  in  a  state  of  fluctuation,  proportionate  to  tlievikcTi 
of  the  wind.     As  this  is  much  greater,  generally,  through  tlie  day  tLan  s\ 
night,  especially  in  the  warmer  seasons  of  the  year,  it  follows  that  tlictit*j 
ing-u[>  of  tlio  waters  against  the  shore,  will  often  be  higher  in  one  part  ■  t  tiej 
day  than  another;  which  seems  to  have  given  rise  to  the  mistake. (.i)ct.vii,.-.| 
what  prevalent,  that  there  were  regular  tides.    "When  the  wind  ll'W.vvrail;! 
for  a  eertaiu  time  in  one  direction,  tiie  surface-waters  are  iinjiLlki]  liau  ;:i| 
windward  sliore,  and   thrown  upon  the  leeward :  leaving  tl:e  Mvaii,]-  ::| 
beaches  comparatively  dry   on  one  side,  while  they  are  suhniei'M i'ih. : 
deeply  than  common  on  the  other.     AVhen  the  water  recedes,  tlieikviit" 
sable  organic  matter  of  the  estuaries  and  lacustrine  niarslies  niibt.  nfiiHti^ 
sity.  be  in  part  floated  away;  and  a  greater  abs(n-])tion  of  dek'tiri' u>  :a^ 
may,  likewise,  be  supposed  to  take  jdace,  than  if  the  same  water  m.i\m 
in  them.     A  swamp  thus  acted  on  will,  of  course,  prove  le.s.s  iiiiuryuitl 
liealtli,  than  one  remott;  frnm  tlie  lake  sliore.  where  the  water  ci.iitiiii.i'juii 
changed.     Some    inland    niarslies,    however,    are    fed   hy  copimis  >)iriE.i| 
and  send  out  streams,  wliereby  their  noxious  influence  may.  perb: 
diminished. 

3.  (riviinil-sm'Us. —  Wlien  a  strong  and  unrelaxing  wiml.  nit  (lirntti 
to  or  from  the  outlet  of  a  lalce,  has,  by  blowing  several  diiy.s  ami  «i:::iJJ 
driven  the  water  from  one  side  to  the  other,  as  from  the  wc'^teni  !■ 
eastern  coast  of  Miehigan,  or  from  the  southern  to  the  nortlum  O' a-t '^ 
Erie,  the  surface  of  the  lake  l)ecomes  an  inclined  plain,  and  wlicii  tl;t'« 
ceases,  it  will  return  to  its  horizontal  state.     This  chhing  is  geiieniiVi 
gentle  as  not  to  be  jierceived;  but  occa.sionally  the  reflux  is  in  tlK'l"ro' 
lon<r  and  hi^h  wave,  wliieh  in  its  aiinroacli  to  the  shore,  has  been  cm 
in  appearance,  to  the  fall  of  water  over  a  mill-dam,  when  seen  trniii  W 
and  is  called  a  Gnmnd-swell,  or  Long-.swell,  by  the  peojii    who  livo  (.''iii^ 


»  Historical  Scientific  Skotciics  of  Michigan,  p.  191. 
tOliio  Geological  Reports. 


.BOOK  1. 


ndreil  feet  lower, 
leneral  v'uvo. 


■AKES. 

;rface. 

Goveriior  Cass. « I 

uliuuV'f  tl'.at  litre  I 

is  iu  atC' T'la;,'.!;  ] 

ever,  is  tvaii'|ui',:iij 

■  shorts  an.!  \i>i!tii  i 

lute  t(i  tlio  V.  !•  cr j 

:li  tlio  (laytliamJ 

[(iws  tbat  tlic  kip-l 

r  ill  one  prt'ft'it 

mistake',  mice  i"^:-\ 

wind  l)l"ivf  sieatoi 

i  iiH^ielleil  fruiui 

ig  tlic  >\vAh\'^  2; 

[■e  sxibiiievp 'i  11. 

:L'iles.  tlieiloMiK 

les  iiiui-t,  i'i'ii'.-'-':S'j 

,f  cli'k'teri'  u>  'M 

liuu'  waU'V  n'ii..i;!.^ 

|ve  loss  iiiiuriius M 

l^vnter  C'uiitiiii'.''5i2l 

ly  copimi.'^  >i'ra-l 

e  may,  J^vihf 

■ffilld:  II"''  ^'"^"''^ 

111  days  anil  \t^ 
the  Avesteni  t"  I'sj 
niirthevii  v';i-t 
;,„d  when  tl:i'« 
I  ling  is  geiR'ni"}'^ 
L  is'iiitliel'W."' 
(has  been  c"iii 
111  seen  frii" 
who  livo  on  iJI 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH   AMERICA.  385 

Two  or  throe  of  those  uiuluhitiuns  Kuimtinies  follnw  each  dtlier  in 
•  .niviK^ion.     jMi"'  BiitltM-,  who  kociis  the  liiihilmuse  in  Fuirpurt,  at  tlic 
,"•11  of  Grand  K Ivor,  ill  Ohm,  iiiluniicd   111c   that   lie  had  seen  this  .swell 
-h  iir  ten  times.     In  the  autuniu  of  lS"iU,  three  rajiidly  siu  eeeded  each 
*  .  j,i,i  Jehi^'ed  the  lower  ]iart  of   the   villa^-'e,   five   or   hx   feet   deep. 
fr  rMVii"  no  wind,  and  the  surface  of  the  lake  was  siiiooth,  iniiucdiatcly 
«•  ^     At  Loukwodd,  eight  iiiile.s  further  down   the  lake,   one  of   these 
fjv  i  caused  an  inundation  eleven  feet   dcc)i.     They  .sniiu  times  hajnieii  in 
lie ffintrr,  when  the  ice  near  the  .shore  will  be  raised  u|i,  and  fractured,  the 
J -.r  i"  1112  driven  throMjrh  the  fissures.     The  genhigists  of  the   State  of 
W-  -all  have  observed  these  swells  in  the  hays  of  Lake  Suiieri(U'. 
4    Animil  rise  ami  Jail  of  the  Lakrs.  —  The  lakes  may  be  regarded  as 
fjEititutiii'^  a  river,  with  expansions.     Superior,  Ilur.m.  St.  Clair,  and  Erie, 
-;:r.  t!ie  intervening  strait.s,  rej>rescnt  the  main   trunk  —  >Ii(diigan,   and 
OMi  Bav,  are  tributaries.     JJelow  a  horizuiital  plane,  touching  the  bot- 
i;. if  tlic  straits,  the  water,  of  course,  is  not  changed,  except  so  far  as  it 
v|.(reulate  into  tlie  earth,  and  its  place  be  supplied  by  rains.     Jt  is,  then, 
It  •  iriace-water  only  that  flows  ami  constitutes  the  river.       It  folluws,  that 
;;.  uke-beds  do  not  leak,  tlie  water  wliicli  flows  through  the  straits  must 
ut  viiiioh  falls  witliin  their  basins,  in  the  form  (jf  rain  (jr  snow,  la'inus 
:(•  ijiu'.itity  rai.'^ed  by  cva[»oration,  and  hist   through  absorption  into  the 
Evaporation,  of  C(Mirso,  goes  on  from  both  tiie  land  and  water,  but 
tLiT.iare  nut  the  same  on  the  two  kinds  of  surface.     From  the  land-sur- 
•: i;  take?  ]ilace,  but  to  a  very  limited  degree,  in  winter,  when  the  ground 
'tMi.amlin  autumn  when  it  is  dry;  though  in  summer,  when  the  surface 
net. from  tbe  spring  rains,  it  must  be  active,  as  the  sun's  rays,  by  im- 
i&l  i.in  solid  matters,  develop  a  great  deal  of  luat.      Ilcnce,  terrestrial 
!;■  :atii 111  lias  two  mhnma  and  two  max'mni  in  everv  year.     The  f(U'mer  are 
'.  1:.  iit'i!!- of  August  and   Se]iteinber,    the  jieriod  of    drought,    and    the 
latyyf  Peoenibor,  January,   Feltruary,  and   Mar.li,  the  perioil   of  frost : 
il"iration  being  then  reduced  to  its  lowest  dcLiree.      The  )iui.v'niiii,  or 
iij;  .if  greatest  evaporation,  are  October,  after  the  rains  of  autumn  have 
'■'  :i  tlie  earth,  warmed  through  the  preceding   sumnier.  and  May,  June, 
'I'l.iv, when  the  solstitial  sun  acts  upon  a  surface  watered  by  the  copious 

>|.ring. 
li^e  «treraos  of  variation  in  the  rise  of  v;i]i(  r  fruin  the  lake-surface  arc 
3  !■  js.  and  do  not  correspond,  in  time,  with  those  of  the  land.  Thus, 
f"  is  n<i  lack  of  watc  throughout  tlie  year,  except  over  the  margins 
:^  winie  proti'cted  by  ii'o  in  winter:  and  the  difference  between  the 
srraiul  winter  temperature  of  the  water,  beyond  these  icy  lielts,  is  not 
!^■■:|^.■  rm  land.  Hence,  there  is  one  innxhitKiii  of'  evtiporation  in  July, 
■K  ami  Seiitcnilier,  and  one  miu  )Hum  in  January,  February,  and 
^■•■.  With  dcjiending  on  temperature. 

''^ater  which  falls  upon,  (ir  flows  into,  the  lakes,  has  no  progressive  or 

■•■'I'ront,  and  merely  serves  to  swell  their  volume,  ami  raise  them  to  a 

'*•'';  but,  from  their  great  extent,  this  cannot  take  jdace  suddenly. 


V.  •''■ 


4  , 


'.'  ■ 


.,] 


....    1^ 


J'?.:'^- 


.'.   i-.'.i 


ft-i 


if:.:-' 


■;i- 


;-.,r 


■  M!"'?-W.''d 


380 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[lOOl;.  ] 


ums 


Lying  far  in  tlie  north  nincli  of  tlic  rain  wliicli  falls  on  tlio  carfli  in  v 
is  convertod  into  ifo,  and  kt'i)t  from  reaohinif  the  lake-licds  imfil  sr,.;.  ,■ 
all  the  fiiKiw  w'liich  fall.s  on  the  ^^ronnd,  fr(  ni  the  (ii>t  of  Decdiil,,).  ,  .1  I 
first  of  April,  a  jicriod  of  four  months,  remains  undissulvcil.  'pi,,,  ^^  ,;  I 
being  thus  withheld,  and  evaporation  still  remaining  active,  frnm  t 
retained  heat  of  the  laki'-water,  tlie  lacustrine  surface  siiilis  tn  a  »„;„;, 
whici),  li_v  the  month  of  Fehruar}-,  is  sneh  that  the  ice  foriiiud  near  ti' 
in  Decemher.  is  f  luml  to  snlisidi',  from  fo 


"".I 


ollownig  tlie  water  (in  wliielnt  rKtJ 
as  the  surface  lowers.  Apiil  and  May  hring  their  eopious  rain?;  ticJI 
dissolves  the  accumulated  ice  and  snow  of  the  liighcr  latitudus,  vu  'J 
swollen  rivers  pour  their  torrents  into  the  lakes,  wliich  unw  licfjii  ti  n.' 
and  hy  June  or  July,  a  iu(/.r/ini/iu  is  reached.  Tin's  ranire  of  t'lcvati;:,  .U 
pending,  as  it  does,  on  atmospheric  eau.ses,  is,  of  cour.sc,  iKjt  uiiifiim, iJ 
varies  from  one  ti     wo  and  a  half  feet.* 

It  is  worthy  <'    ■'emark,  that  the  great  lacustrine  river,  having;  u^  ,jj 
trome  sources  in  the  same  region  with  the  Mississippi,  ]i;is  its  anniuii  r;^ 
the  same  season  of  the  year;  showing  their  dependence  on  a  ciiiiiu  1,  . 
The  eifects  of  their  redundance  of  Avater,  are,  however,  very  (HIIht:;; 
while  the  floods  of  the  Mississippi  overflow  its  bank.s,  ami  suliiiitrii- : 
districts  of  alluvial  bottom,  making  fresh  deposi.s  of  organic  matter;: 
them,  the  lake-floods  are  limited  to  narrow  and  interrupted  tract.- of  l.if| 
and  to  the  low  lands  about  the  mouths  of  rivers;   and  when  tlie  fit-i..;. 
b,)th  subside,  those  of  the  Mississippi  leave  extensive  bul  snrl'accs.  t^lraail 
on  by  the  sun  ;  while  those  of  the  lakes  leav(!  only  margin.«,  uf  iiicnii<ii 
ble  extent;  which,  moreover,  are  exposed  in  a  very  gradual  manmr.  Jij 
further,  the  31ississippi  falls  to  its  luiithiiuv),  with  a  conso(niciit  c.\|":;u'j 
the  greatest  extent  of  drying  surface,  in  the  months  of  August,  S]''ii,i 
and  October,  while  the  power  of  the  sun  is  still  groat  in  the  i^wlw 
the  m'ni'iimiii  of  lake  depres.sion  is  not  reached  until  Fchni.'vy. 

f).     Prolonr/ed  hd-e  rises.  —  Colonel  Henry  Whitiiig.t  frian  vari"".-"i 
tional  and  unwritten  accounts,  an<l  also  from  ol)servalio!i.  has  ciniii';i;  1 : 
the  lakes  rise  gradually,  and  reacli  a  maximum  in  seven  years.  li'iiT; 
they  decline;   and,  at  the  end  of  a  second  septeiniial  periled,  an^ 
tbeir  lowest  lev(d ;  whence  they  rise  again,  to  their  fornur  clcvati'i 
close  of  ihe  thii'd  seiitennial  ejioch.      Thu.<,  in  \>W,  there  wa.s  LL' 
but  iKithing  is  known  of  1S()7  or  1S(I8.     Tlie  years  1M4  and  1^ 
sented  high  v.ater.  l.'^'JO  low,  and   18"JS  high.     Tt  ajtitear.s  hinvcvcv, "  ;!J 
18'J!>,  after   falling  two   feet,  the   water   began   to  rise,  and,  in  I" 
attained   the   elevation   of  ].'^:2S;   by  l^;lii    it  had   advanced  tweiitv  :',cl 
higher;  in  lSo7,  it  rose  seven  imdies  umre,  and   in   l^)!'*^.  twdvo  i  •  ■ij 
greater  elevation  were  attained;   innncdiately  after  which  it  liciMn 
By  these  data  a  gradmd  rise  through  a  period  of  seven  years,  suoiii;  I'j 
obscurely  indicated;  but  not  a  subsidence  through  the  same  tiriii.  ti| 


l'-v| 


'.val 


»  Mioliifran  iiii;l  Oliio  Ocolopirnl  Ro[)orl  !. 

f  Historical  aud  Sciunlilic  fSkclclies  of  Michigan  :  1834, 


Hi 


i  ' 


jut: 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


.'}»7 


ivor,  liavin;:  h  ij^ 
as  its  aiimi;i!  r»\ 
on  a  ciiimiii'ii  '% 
,  very  ditlVrt;:,!;  ::i 
1111(1  sulmii--r:;o 
nvL'miie  ii:atti;riwi 
ili'd  tr;iut.- lit  i'ifll 
wlioii  tlie  fr  ■:.;■( 
il  surfaces.  t"li' sail 
Viiins.  of  iuriiii>i'i"i 
[uluul  mamu'r.  jtj 

igiist,  S'l 
t  111  tliC  S"U'.!;;  i^ 
jviiiiry. 
r  fiMiu  vari" 
)n.l:as  ciiiiii.iiii'njl 
vuii  Yiav?.  fr  :ii ''^ij 

j,(..vii,il.  are  l'"''i| 
iiior  ik'ViilM'Jyl 
luTC  wa,<  liiLi'i  wtl 

■1^14  ,,,1,1  Hi 
,u;\vs,  linwevi-r.  i  ■5i| 
fc,  ami,  ill  l''''' 
ivaiuH'il  twoiitv ;, 

>;;'<,  tffi-'lvc  i    ■ 

liicli  it  liu.-a-i  ■■ 
]■  voars.  >w;f'-  '■ 

10  imv  tivM.  t« 


),,V8t  (lata  extant,  tiilsing  the  doprcssion  of  1*^20  as  one  cxtromo,  ami  the 

i  .fi'iiiof  li*3'*>  !is  the  other,  the  niiige  is  six  feet.*     The  researches  of 

M-  WMttlosoyt  hiivo  lirmight  out   nearly  the   same  result.     The  liinliest 

I,  ^,,  n.e  was  that  <if  l>^->>^,  which,  ahjng  the  St.  Clair  and  Detroit  Rivers, 

]      j^^d  iilJ  (ircliards,  and  killed  forest  trees,  the  annual  coiicentri<!  circles 

/  ulicli  exceeded  one  hundred  in  nuniher.j.     Of  course,  an  erjual  ris?  had 

I   t ici iirreil  ill  a  cciitiiry  before.     The  |ir(iloiiged  jiericdical  rises  and  falls, 

i « Hiilv 'jc  a-seribcd  to  long  periods  of  wet  and  dry  weather,  in  alternation; 

L"li''iiii  accurate  account  of  the  ((uantity  of  rain  and  snow,  falling  annu- 

|."v  ill  various  parts  of  the  lake-basin,  had  been  kept  since  1^()(\  the  mete- 

■  li'i.al  and  hydrfdogical  conditions  W(juld,  doubtless,  appear  at  once,  in 

ijj.f^ljtiiiii  of  cause  and  effe<'t.     All  who  reside  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio 

K'.  aware  that,  from  atniosplierle  causes,  the  river  has  periods  of  two  or 

vt;ir>,  ill  which  its  mean  elevation  diflers  from  that  of  otiier  jieriods. 

I  lit  I  til  Wst,  ill  the  atmospheric  conditions  whieli  give  rise  to  these  fluctua- 

I I  u  will  si-o  modifying  causes  of  the  fevers  of  autumn. 

II    TEMi'iiRATUuK  ot"  THE  Lakks,  AND  ITS  IN FLUKNCES.  —  The  iiican  an- 

Ipl  Kat  <tf  the  surfaces  of  the  different  lakes  must,  of  course,  vary  with 

',;,:inuli'.  and  is  doubtless  the  same  with    that  of  the   surface  of  the 

irMilumler  corresponding  parallels.     The  extremes  of  the  water-teinpera- 

|lii'';!mist.  Imwovcr,  be  much  less  than  those  of  the   surrounding  land;  for 

lufliaitaati'iis  of  the  movable  surface  of  tlie  water,  in  summer,  mix  the 

lurnwr  with  the  cooler  waters ;  and,  furthermore,  the  contiiined  cva[)oration 

di<i'ff  calmic  in  a  latent  state,  and  tends  to  prevent  a  high  surface-beat. 

iwiiiter,  on  the  other  hand,  when  a  film  of  ice  is  formed  at  the  sui'face,  the 

|rj'.:;''8udiiatiijns  carry  it  into  warmer  water  beneath,  where  it  is  immediately 

fed:  a  [jfiicess  that  must  continue  until  tl;e  whole  stratum  of  agitation 

kiwiciies  the  freezing  point,  and  has  no  mere  calorie  to  inipnrt.     ]}nt   the 

,  ■ '  !U' liku-cliiiiates  is  not  great  enough  to  reduce  the  upper  .■;tratuni  to 

'inrzin;:  lioint,  wlicrc  the  water  is  deep,  and  beiK.'e  the  minimum  of  an- 

Itil  Liki'-teiiipcrature  is  less    tlian   that  of  the   land  —  cannot,  indeeil,  be 

Untilj^^'  Falironheit.     The  depth  to  which  tlio  sun's  rays  can   penetrate 

Mwin  t!i(;  pure,  transparent  water,  must   be   very  great.      They  do  not 

jSjoi'il  their  calefacieiit  power  on  the  surface,  as  they  W(U!ld,  if  the  water 

ptiir'niil  from  solid  matters  suspended  in   it.      1'lic  observations  already 

p.'ih:ile.-cnbing  the  middle  lakes  —  Michigan  and  Ilurcii  —  show  tlnit,  in 

Ityiiieliititiule,  the  summer  temperature  is  inversdy  as  the  depth;  ai;d,  of 

|ii:>',t:!t.' winter  heat  must  be  directly  as  th(>  de|)th.      (ireat  bodies  of  iii- 

*a;er,  which  fir  half  the  year  are  colder  and  for  tlic  other  half  warmer 

p'ii:i.' SI. il,  cannot  fail  to  exen^ise  an  influence  on  the  clininte  of  the  sur- 

•'",'  >iiuntry,  wliich  the  etiologist  cannot  overlook.      That  subject  will 

•■»>atteiuiiiii  in  the  ineteoridngicnl  jiortiiUi  of  this  work. 

hi.  Lakk  Teuracks  A.\n  tukir  i-Fiaoci's.  —  Reference  has  been  repeatedly 


.•nv::^:>^" 


". 

^r-\-   '• 

'i;1. 

■          .'-.       i-;     •                  ,; 

.,( 

,♦►-•'.  i»' 

1 

v;l 


vM^^an  Geologicul  RpporCs. 
P':«;oKical  Reports  uf  Ohio. 


\  Mic!ii;iuii  Geological  Reports. 


F'  ^m 


38S 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


,  I. 


h 


•  ;...i' 


J  ■     .    ■.  '   ■ 

■     t 

. 

.'.,    J  -r.t ..  ■-'  .■ 


S7  .  .  • 

'V,  ,v 


ji-iiV.i/i.r 


I'OOI  I 


made  to  thcr.o.  torracos.  especially  as  tliey  arc  fdiiiid  on  the  south  side  of  I  ■  I-  1 
Erie.     To  what  extent  they  exist  around  tlie  lakes  generally  I  cannot  s-t 
but  they  arc  nowhere  so  distinctly  develojied,  I  think,  as  in  the  vi  iir;vif  1 
that  lake.     They  are  reirarded  by  the  (feolo^'ists  as  coiielusivc  evi'li'iico  t'"l 
Erie,  and,  conscf(ucntly.  all  the  other  lakes,  in  past  times,  cxistod  :it  u  re 
than  one  level  above  tlie  present  surface.     These  terraces  coiisi-t 'f ! 
flat  ridges  of  s..nd,  which  prevent  the  rain-water  from  flowing  off;  r,nrli 
are  thus  one  of  the  immediate  causes  of  swales,  swamjis,  and  soint tx .  i 
ponds;  while  the  ridges,  where  the  forest  is  cut  down,  fill  the  luwor  p.: 
of  the  atmosphere  with  sand,  whenever  thi'  wind  bhiws.     Supcrfiein!  d:' 
through  the  swiimps  aud  wet  grounds,  running  parallel  to  the  tcrr;i^  •, 
deeper  cuts  at  right  angles  to  them,  and,  consecpiontl}-,  leading  to  tl> 
would  redeem  all  the  terraces  from  their  paludal  condition, .and  srreatlvi: 
ish  the  prevalence  of  autumnal  fever. 

rV.  Mauoinal  Lakk  FoiiKSTS.  —  As  a  general  fact,  tlic  marL'in?  ^ 
the  lakes  bear  heavy  forests,  even  when  prairies  arc  found  hut  a  fownE^j 
from  theiii.  These  belts  of  wood-land  are  valuable  to  nil  who  liw 
southern  coasts,  as  they  resist  and  break  the  force  of  the  n(irt!im:^::',j 
which  in  winter  sweep  with  such  velocity  over  tlie  watery  surfafo.  T  -:| 
are,  in  that  respect,  like  the  groves  of  the  prairies  of  Illiiidis.  ami  'ii:'-,-,)| 
be  preserved.  AMierc  they  surround  a  permanent  lake-swamp,  tlicri' i- vilj 
another  reason  for  their  preservation. 

\.     1  shall  finish  the  me<lical  topography  and  hydrngra|iliy  if  tk ••;:r^i 
lakes,  with  a  reference  to  the  observations  of  Volney.*     In  ITl'O,  t!;;:; 
tinauished  French  traveler  made  a  vi.sit  into  the  basin  of  Lake  Eri". 
cerning  the  fevers  of  which  he  says: — "In  a  journey  of  twn  huiiilrtl 
fifty  miles,  tVom  Cincinnati  to  Detroit,  begun  on  the  8th  of  Se|itemW  i 
company  of  twenty-five  ])er.-ons,  we  did  not  encamp  one  night,  ^\ltlii'at  a 
at  least,  of  the  j)arty  being  seized  with  a  periodical  fever.    At  Cirn's.; 
[on  the  upper  waters  of  the  Great  iMiami],  the  head- quarters  of  lii' ::r3i 
that  had  just  conquered  the  country,  three  hundred  persi.ii?,  fr.m  aniji 
three  hundred  and  seventy,  were  sick  of  fevers.     On  arriving  at  Pitri 
only  three  of  our  party  were  in  health,  and  on  the  ensuing  (lay.  fiir' 
mander.  Major  Swan,  and  myself  were  both  seized  with  a  maligna!.'  'M 
This  fever  annually  visits  the  garrison;  at  Miami  Fort  [  now  Jlaunue  Cnjj 
where  it  has  more  than  once  assui:    J  the  form  of  yellow  fever. 
These  iieriodical  fcv^'rs  arc  not  immedi.-.tely  fatal,  but  they  .«onfii)ly  ir,:it!il 
the  constitution,  and  shorten  life.     If  they  seize  their  victim  at  thef-iij 
October,  they  are  likely  to  continue  all  winter,  and  reduce  him  to  a  Jtatej 
wretched  langu-ir  and  debility.     Canada,  and  the  adjacent  cold  cvr" 
are  little  subject  to  them." 

In   the  close  of  his  article,  after  comparing  various  localities,  no  'm 
"In  the  western  country  T  would  prefer  to  live,  a  liundrcJ  years  Ltn 


tCfr. 


*Viuw  of  the  Soil  and  Climate  of  the  United  States:  1804. 


TlIK   EAST] 


r.iT  I-. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


389 


,       »i„  of  Lakk  EuiK,  for  then  it  will  not  as  now   ho  infested  with 

;    .'■    Halt'  tlie  time  de.<ignutecl,  lias  ah'eudy  elapsed,  and  the  diniinutiou 

luuiiiiial  fever  is  such  as  tu  justify  the  expeetution  that  his  projihesy 

,akl'ullili»-'^l' 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

THE   EASTEllN    OK    PT.    LAWRENCE     BASIN, 
CONTINUED. 


BASIN   OF    LAKE   ONTARIO. 


*,\' 


"»i^:'':U 


SECTION  I. 

IIYDROGRAPIIICAL  OUTLINEy. 

i    TiiK  Basin,  —  The  Lake  Erie  Basin  terminates  at  Bnffalo,  where  the 

l.'i'j.riiriivcrhiisits  cfllux  ;  for  all  the  water  ponred  into  that  river  liy  tribu- 

■tf' mi?,  is  carried   into  Lake  Ontario.  In  traoinp:  the  oiitlliies  of  tlie 

t'te  1  Biisiii,  after  jiassing  a  short  distance  to  the  east  from  Bnfl'nlo.  \vc  turn 

|i' t'' viuth.  and  ascend  upon  the  Appahtehian  3Iiiuntains,  to  the   inter- 

lii::;;f'urcos  (if  the  Genesee  and  AUegliany  I'ivers.  in  latitude  4"J'' :  then 

JB-arik  eastwardly,  to  the  sources   of  the  Susipiehainia :  then  turn  iiorth- 

p'wlly.  to  the  Adirondack  Mountains  in  Northern  New  York  ;  then  north- 

j»'-;w;ir(llviiito  Canada  West,  until  we  approach  the  latitude  of  45"  ;  and  then 

kw-  Miiul,  hy  the  south-west,  to  the  place  of  departure  at  the  Niagara 

'•'':.   Tlui.-i,  the  extreme  latitudes  of  this  Lasin.  are  from  a  little  lielow 

[-Mfi  near  45" :  it,<  longitudes  arc  from  75"^  to  80".     As  the  whole  basin  is 

p:':M\and  the  best  portions  of  the  State  of  New  York  and  of  Canada 

^'JUre  iiichulod  in  =t.  no  portion  of  the  Eastern  Basin  is  of  deejier  interest 

|H!:"cti..lo(:ist, 

-liii-;  Lakk,  —  The  form  of  Lake  Ontario,  is  that  of  an  irregularly 
'"r't'fod  oval,  with  iiointod  extremities.     Its  length  is  about  one  hundred 
f-  "i^litv  miles :   its  mean  breadth,  thirty-five;    its   average  depth,  five 
■i-'ilteot,*    Its  longest  axis  runs  nearly  east  and  west.     The  elevation 


.     ^''■■^ 

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t    .' 

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t 


•  Michigan  Geological  Reports. 


}:{,■..:■■ 

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890 


THE  PRINCIPAI,  DISI:ASF,S  OK  TIIF. 


loot 


of  its  Hurface  is  two  liiiiidrcd  and  tliirty-two  toot  almvo  tidL'-watcr  in  . 
St.  Lawroncc,  and  tliroo  liundrcd  and  tliirty-two  lu'low  tlic  li'vcl  of  !.'■. 
J]rio.  Tts  moan  latitude  is  al)out  4I5'''  550',  or  ik^""!"!)' a  dcj^Tt'O  anda  i-'f 
mirth  ol'  tliat  I,ak(!.  Tlio  geological  position  <if  t)ntaii(i  is  in  the  ('iW 
ISiluriini  rnck.s;  ))iit  tlic  coiiiitr}'  uniund  it  alxriuids  in  tcrraiTs  aiid  ',..- 
parallel  ridges,  of  loose  or  diil'ted  materials,  wliidi  liury  U|miiui'1i  ..f  t'? 
rocky  .strata,  and  airord  abundant  eviilonee  tliat  the  surface  nf  tliolak'MViii 
onee  mueh  higher  than  at  present.  Tlio  outlet  <it'  the  lake,  at  its  i'a<t'ri 
extremit}-,  is  the  St.  Tiuwrenee;  on  tlio  north  side,  near  that  cxtnuatv -i 
the  estuary  of  the  lliver  Treat,  the  only  large  tributary  ef  tluit  Aiv.  u-^ 
the  south,  and  nearly  ojjpnsito,  is  (lu;  mouth  of  I'Liek  lliver;  fartlirr w.;: 
the  Oswego,  and  then  the  (Jenesee;  hut  the  great  sujiply  of  wutur,  i.>  lU 
whieh  must  make  the  suhjeet  of  the  next  section. 


W'^.:i 


SECTION  II. 

HASIN  OF  THE  NIAGARA  RIVER. 

I.  The  eastern  extremity  of  Lake  Erie  and  the  western  of  Lake  Ontari, 
overlap  each  other  for  the  distance  of  about  sixty  miles.  Tlu'  istinnj  | 
between  them  has  a  width  of  thirty  or  forty  miles.  It  consi.'^t.s  nf  twi.  1 
one  of  the  same  elevation  with  the  banks  of  Lake  Erie — aiidtkr  uiw | 
narrower,  and  rising  but  little  over  the  surface  of  Oiiiariu.  Tlie  di >.>;.: 
from  the  upper  to  tlio  lower  is  abrupt,  and  as  we  advance  along  the  pmiii-; 
from  ea.st  to  west,  it  a])proaches  Lake  Ontario,  so  as  greatly  tn  narrnn  tiJ 
lower  belt  at  the  head  of  that  lake.  The  eastern  end  uf  tlii.s  istliiiiu<is| 
traversed  by  the  Niagara  lliver,  through  which  all  the  supeiHuinis  vaUr.-f 
the  f'pper  Lakes  make  their  way  into  the  Lower,  by  a  cour^u  iieaih  ::  i::,, 
and  through  a  distance  of  thiity-five  miles. 

The  tributaries  of  Niagara  lliver  are  (tf  inconsiderable  size,  and  liitt'') 
in  number.     That  on  the  western  side  is — 

T/ic   C7iij)j;cir<i  or  Wdluinl  Jiiiwr,  which  drains  the  upper  terrace i '!!.'« I 
isthmus,  and  enters   the   Niagara  lliver,  half-way   between  tliu  twn  bki 
'iiie  tract  drained  by  this  little  river,  consists  chiefly  of  slightly  roHiiip'U.- 
land,  with  a  substratum  of  old  or  Silurian  lime  and  .sand  stniie.'    1 
surface,  on  the  whole,  appears  to  be  dry.      The  Welland  Canal, '.vliicii 'i-""' 
by  two  heads,  one  in  Lake  Hrie,  and  the  other  in  (Jrand  lliver,  a  few  ii.iitj 
from  the  lake,  traverses  this  district  nearly  at  right  angles  to  tlie  Clii||i'Ti| 
I  have  not  learned  that  those  who  reside  near  the  hanks,  of  the  Cliipi'"'! 
or  of  the  Canal,  are  subject  to  autumnal  fever.     On  the  eastern  or  ui'p.::i«j 
side  of  Niagara  lliver,  the  chief  tributary  is — 

The   Tunawunda,  which  enters  the  Niagara  a  short  distance  aliovo  r.i 
Chi]ipcwa.     A  dam,  near  its  mouth,  constitutes  it  a  part  of  the  Enr  lasaJ 
for  fourteen  milo.s,  and,  at  the  same  time,  interferes  with  the  draining 'jI  ''^i 


*  Smith's  Canadian  Gazetteer. 


>a'  i'j 


INTKRIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


391 


e  size,  aiiu 


t.ifivo  swamps,   wliicli  lio  witliiii   its   ba.^iii,  net  fur  from   tlie  towns  of 
Iv'i'rt  ami  IJataviii.'"      Aiitiiimuil  tt'Vi  r  aliniinds   in  tlio  iii'ii;lil)iirli(iii(l  of 
tiiK  .■iviiiiips,  wliicli  lie  in  the  hititiulo  of  4'A^'  N.,  iind  at  an  elevation  uf 
fii  iiuwlri'il  t'ci't  aliovo  tin;  sea. 
[I    NiAiiAKA  liiVKU  ANW  Till;  l'\\i.i.s.  —  The  liaiiks  (if  this  river,  whnro 
j trr'i'S  t'roin  Lake  I'lrir,  are  low,  its  current  slow,  aiul  its  surface  always 
!'tiv  siiiiu  elevation;    c.\Cv'|it   wlien  that  of  tlie   lake   is   changed,  l>y  the 
I'j,!!  lit' the  wiiuls,  or  Ity  the  iicrinilii'al  rises  and   falls.      Nine  miles  from 
liili,  tlio  river  divides  into  two  channels,   which,  li\  their  reunion,  f(]rm 
t  i;ra!;^l  I>laiiil.     At  the  di.>taiiee  of  eiiihteen  miles   fn  m  the  s;nue  city,  the 
i;riiii!n'"iiis  to  descend  a  rocky  inclined  |ilain,  and,  l>y  the  dcjiression  of  its 
kii.'lier  hanks  are  develo|ied.      Here  are  the   Ikapids,  in  the  course  of 
..l;i.> tjiiat  I.-l;nid,  a  wooded  tract,  composed  of  drift  or  diluvial  materials, 
,!  .«uaiii|is.     The  larger  body  of  water  passes  (Ui  the  westi'rn  side  <4'  the 
:.;,    Buth  the  ai,dtated  and  foaming  torrents  reach  the  precipice,  imme- 
■  /,  IhIhw  the  island,  and  plunge  over  it  into  the  same  abyss.      The  larger 
V  r  limiJred  and  li!'ty-eight  feet — the  smaller,  one  h\indi-ed  ami  sixty- 
..    From  this  pool,  the  depth  of  which  is  uid<nown,  the  water  fluws  off 
hiiao'iiiparatively  ((uiet  manner,  with   mural   piceipices  en  oaeli  side,  which 
ffit  tiv.)  Iiuiulred  and  lifty  feet  above  its  snrlace;  luit,  at  the  distance  ol  u 
sik', iho  llapiils  are  reproduced;   and  to  them  siiccceds,  from  a  bend  in  the 
nriiii,  tlie  Wliiilpodl ;    whence  the  stream   fli  ws,  in   a  dark   ai;d   irightful 
:i',  till  between  Quoenstnwn  ami  Jjcwistowu  it  emeri;es  upon  the  lower 
jt*Ii;  ami  traversing  it  with  a  rapid  current  f  )r  seven  nules,  reaches  Lake 
I 'feari  1.  Iiaviiii:  descended,  in  the  whole,  three  hnmlred  and  thirty-two  feet. 
.\ii  tk'  gcelogists,  who  have   visited    the   Niagara,   have   arrived  at   (me 
I  Milusinii  concerning  its  cataract,  and  the  chasm  through  which  it  flows. 
Ik  M.'ks  around  and  liencatli  the  eastern  end  of  I^ake  Erie  (consisting  of 
I  Hat  liiiicstuno  which,  every  where  in  the  Interiir  \'alley,  underlies  the  black 
D;v  :n;iii  slate),  crop  out  to  the  north,  and  constitute,  at  their  ternnnation. 
::  L;:lits  of   Queenstuwn  and  liewistown,   seven  miles  from  the    present 
wg;:!  I'f  Lake  Ontario.      In  ancient  times  (Inse  higlits  nnule  the   imme- 
liiati 'uiik  of  the  lake,  and  then  the  Niagara  llivcr  fluwed  through  its  whole 
;?2.'!'i  ill  a  shallow  trench,  like   that  Inlween   IJniiahi  and   Grand    Island. 
j-^Ir.  Ila'.l  and  Mr.  Lycll  have  traced  out  the  pebbly  banks  of  this  ancient 
nviT,  triiiii  tlio  Falls  to  the  Ilights  of  Queenstow'u,!  and  every  visiter  may 
) til'.' >;imc.     At  the  geologictil  ejxicli  referred  to,  the  strait  between  the 
*ihkw,  was  like  that  between  Lake  Ilurmi  and  Lake  ]']rie  at  the  present 
I*-.   As  tlio  waters  of  Ontario  subsided,  the  cataract  was  formed.      The 
«;«>  tlieii  began  to  fall  from  the  bights  upon  the  new  lake-beach.      Uy 
•"'5 -III,  tlicy  broke    up    the  lower   strata,   washed  awiiy   their  frar:ments, 
Usd t:w  higlier,  losing  their  support,  were  lu'oken  (ff  by  the  si'periiicrmbent 
'■i-'lit, ;iiid  tlius  the  chasm  was  commenced.     If  the  whele  had  been  of  equal 
iRjity. a  regular  inclined  plain  would  have  been  formed;    but  being  of 


'•'  «•  York  Geological  Reports. 


t  Travels  in  North  America. 


If 


«.:* 


•l-    • 


i  r 


'3  ) 


\  ' 


392 


TflE  PRINCIPAL  niSRARES  OF  TIIK 


[«<v«i 


unequal  lianlncsH,  tlic  riviT  iieeessarily  •Icscciidcd  Ity  sto|)9.  One  „•' !',„j^ 
Btops  h  tlio  prcsi'iit  ciitMract.  As  tlio  mck  dvcr  wliich  tli^  Ntrcnm  iiMiv'illt 
from  its  risinj^  tn  tlic  imrtli.  (icciipird,  sfvcral  iiiili's  lii'lnw,  a  liigluT kv  1  :!if  i 
dosi'ciit  must  tlirru  liavc  lici'ii  tlirniiirli  a  uTcatcr  spai'o  than  at  the  ki-.m 
spot;  u"i!  Hio  limger  tlio  recossioii  cdutiiuics,  tlic  slmrtiT  will  lie  the  iL> ,;. 
Thus,  tl'      al)liuuty  of  tlio  rails  is  lossoiiiii;r  with  the  lapso  of  timt.. 

As  tiio  .itlractivciicss  of  tlif  s|H'ctacl('  tlicy  jH'Cheiit  is  tult  and  luk"  », 
IcdiTod   by  the  world,   the  iiu'dicid  histuriaii   is   !-aved  the  fciirt'ul  t;i-'-  'I 
attcinptliiu''  to  ]ir('S('iit  it,  as  an  iiidiu'i'inciit  to  smiiiiicr  travpliiii:  liv  iiiva'li- 
and    may  limit    himscU'   to   the    liund)li'r   duty   of   auswcrin^'  tlic  ij:'"':  c  • 
whether  those  who  visit  this  locality  iu  August  and  S('|itemhor,  arc  in  li;  •rl 
of  contractiuL'  antunnial  fryer'.''     The  iuiniense  volumes  of  snniv  wlii  i  ;•,. 
forever  aseendin;.',  must  m^i-essarily  render  the  local  atiiiosiiliore  luimiil:  '■• 
that  condition  does  not  seem  to  ireuerato  either  interniittuiits  or  riii. '!•■■•. 
In  the  innuediato  neij^hhorhood  of  the  cataract  there  are  no  swaiii'.;  •.; 
they  are  not  very  remote  :   for  directly  cast,  the  country  is  Icvul.  aipj  w':5 
three  or  four  miles,  there  are  swales  and  limited  marshes.     Five  mili.' 
to  the  south-east,  (^ayu^'a   Creek  joins  the   XiaL'ara.     This  cnok  m::l -ii 
eonsiderahle  tract  of  country,  which  is  very  flat  and  wet  —  kiinwii  ui.iir:;.?] 
name  of  the  Tonawanda  Swamp.     Tiu'  shores  of  the  river  hetween  tli'^  r:ili«.| 
and  this  creek,  ]iresent  sonu-  mnrshes,  a  ijuarter  of  a  mile  in  width.   ??l 
lower  end  of  (J rami  Island,  four  iinles  a})ove  the   Falls,  is  flat  and  W't:  ar.ij 
Buckhovn  Island,  lyin'i'  near  it,  has  a  surface  of  the  same  diaractir. 

Autumnal  fevers,  lioth  intermittent  ami  remittent,  prevail  in  the  ii'i.'": 
hood  of  these  islands;  also  near  the  UKutth  of  Cayuea  Creek,  and  nl"!!.': 
hanks,  from  the  beginning  of  Au^xust  to  the  end  of  Scpt.'mbci':  !  ;• 
villaL'e  of  Xi.\o.\R.\  F.M.i.s  is  almost  entirely  e.xempt  from  hutli,  thnii.'!  i:: 
to  the  leeward  of  the  paludal  tracts.'''      The  Camida  side  is  oiiiially  l.i  i!:' 

In  contiiiuinir  the  medical  topography  of  the  Ontario  Basin,  Iprr;  • 
proceed  castwardly  from  tlio  muuth  of  Niagara  Itiver. 


ik 


''  p 


'r;r  ;•:■•: 


m. 


SECTION    III. 

THE  LAKE  SHORE,  FRO.M  NIAGARA  RIVER  TO  GENESEE  HIVEu 

T.  Fort  Niacaka.  —  This  military  post  is  situated  on  a  point  i't'i.rl  itl 
the  junction  of  Niagara  River  with  the  lake.  Its  site,  in  N.  Lat.  4o  1  :!| 
elevated  several  feet  above  the  highest  waves;  and  the  ciuiiitrv  ;;'  :. 
although  remarkably  level,  is  free  from  swamps  or  ponds.  The  ret'ir  ■  'I 
six  years,  give  a  ratio  for  intermittents  of  tweaty-four  per  cent,  peruijw: 
for  remittents,  eleven  per  eent.+  In  the  third  and  fourth  rpiartprsef  th-J^'fl 
1838,  a  detaehment  of  troops  froiu  Florida  furnished  nearly  all  tlii'-i--  'I 
fever;   which,  consequently,  .should  not  bo  charged  upon  this  post    l-*j 


•Letter  of  Doctor  G.  Conger. 


tMedicalStat.  U.  S.  A. 


M 


.•Oil  I. 


•iir ' 


INTEIUOll  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA 


80S 


tops.    OiR.  of'Kw 
ho  stream  ii-iv  vil!..  j 
W  a  liijilicr  luv. !,  liii.  j 

ttiaii  at  till'  ]irivrit| 

will  be  the  il...  .,.- 
pso  (if  tinio. 
is  fult  and  I'fk:;  ». 
till'  fcnrful  ta4-  fl 
ravelin;.'  liy  iiiTiiiil!; 
viTJiig  the  YK'-'vc' 
cinlior,  arc  in  il:ii;;ir| 
i  cif  spray  wlii  'i  i> 
osphore  liuiiiiil;  !.■;!, 
littuiits  or  rumiit'!;!*. 
arc  iKi  swaiiii*;  ;>-;j 
y  is  level,  an(lff:":5J 
<.     Five  uiilis  i 

This  eri'C'k  il:;.!  -i| 
■t  — kniiffii  iv.A: 
■(•r  lietwccn  til':'  i  :iL<.| 

mile  in  wiiltli 
,  is  flat  and  W'  t ; 
iiu'  character. 
|evail  ill  the  n';ii;'!i'"r-| 

Creek,  and  nl";:;:'! 
'ptonibor:  l':;' '.:.'. 
Iiiith,  th'nd'  l;;;.' 
is  oi|iially  \m\lb.\ 
:j  IJasin,  I  I'l'i; 


Whr  returns  do  iKit  atriinl  cxiict  data  fur  correct Iiiq;  tlio  orrnr  frniii  tliis 
ifrf'  liut  if  it  W(M'('  diiiK',  the  nitins  (if  iiitiTinittoiits  and  rciiiittciits  wmild 
1..  "I, itlv reduced.     Tlii'so  niitl)rcnks  of  iiitLTiiiitteiit  and  reiuittciit  fevor,  mi 
iiiiiin.' iiite  a  cidd  (diiiinti',  di'servc  to  bo  roconlod. 

K    Anaiiid  the  wlndo  suiitliorii  coast  of  Lakc!  Ontario,  there  is  a  hank  or 

1  ■^p,y,  similar  to  those  on  the  south  side  of  Lake  Eric,  briefly  descrilu'd  in 

•[»  l;i.t  I iianter.     Its  d('V('lo|iiiiL'iit  is  most  striking;  from  tlio  head  of  the 

Ui", wi'-tof  Niairara  Hiver,  round  to  Sodus  liny,  east  of  (!i'nes(.'e  Kivcr;* 

ift.r wliiili,  its  elevation  and  distinetnoss  of  outline  diiniiiish.     In  several 

jb'T*,  iibtead  of  ii  siiip;l('  riilu'e,  the  platform  widens  and  is  crowned  with 

i^u'ral  liwriiL'i'S  or  spines.     Its  distance  from  the  lake  vari<'S  from  three  to 

t:v' iiiik'^;  its  elevation  also  varies  in  dill'erent  phiees,  but  may  be  taken  at 

in  avira^'e  nf  oiu!  hundred  and  ninety  foet.      In  composition  it  consists  of 

3ii,  .mvii  siiul.  bowlders  shells,  and  fragments   of   wood  t     Alonir   the 

B.riM'f  the  lake,  between  the  ritl,ir<'  and  the  water,  there  are  many  ponds 

iiwiiiiirslie-'.  fiii'infMl  by  the  obstaeles  which  the  shiiiiile,  or  temporary  raised 

Min'suftho  lake,  ]irescnt,  to  the  tlisidiarji'e  of  the  waters  from  the  northern 

I  ieilivitv  of  the  ancient  terrace.     As  new  (d)structions  are  forniin/^  by  the 

Ivi':  "f  the  waves,  while  the  same  actinn,  or  the  hand  of  art,  is  removing 

] 'Jit' "!'lor.  it  follows  tiiat  the  paludal  character  of  this   coast  cannot  be  suc- 

j  *;>;';;!ly  uljviated.     To  the  south,  or  rear  of  the  ridge,  and  between  the  low 

IvTs:-,  where  it  divides  intu  two  or  more,  there  are  swales,  morasses,  and 

li'EOtiniis  ponds,  which  render  the  terrace  unhealthy  in  autumn.     In  very 

li't  vasnns,  Dr.  Elwood,  of  Rochester,  ha.s  seen  the  inhabitants  more  iin- 

Ifohiiv  than  those  on  the   lake  shore,  althouirb  there  were  Tio  swamps  iietir 

liwii.   Tlie  paludal  tracts  on  or  behind  the  terrace,  may  be  abated  by  ditch- 

l;;:iiiu'h  easier  than  those  adjacent  to  the  lake;  into  many  of  wliieh  the 

|ii''>  are  driven  by  the  winds,  by   ti-round-swells.  or  by  jieriodieal   rises; 

lid' "thifs,  as  already  stated,  have  their  outlets   obstructed  with  materials 

|t:''!a:aiiist  them  by  tht>  waves. 

HI  .\t  tlio  month  of  tlie  (iei.esee  Kiver  there  are  tolerably  extensive 
Si:-  n  wiiich  tlie  waters  (»f  the  lake  either  stand  permanently,  or  which 
liirtnccaiiiiinally  overflow.  These  flats  were  orioinully  covered  with  trees, 
Id  I  j.irtjy  eut  down,  and  abound  in  aquatic  plants.  The  estuary  of  the 
Irivtr  ]ia.<suH  through  them.  On  the  left-hand  bank  of  thi.s  stream,  stands 
llteo'i'iiijiarativcly)  old  and  decaying  village  of  Cuaui-ottk.  In  furmer 
ItiiE-,  Diictur  Backus  and  Doctor  Elwood,  of  Rochester,  saw  in  this  village 
jicrnt  jircvalence  of  autumnal  fever,  which  often  assumed  a  malignant 
luntiT  When  I  visited  it,  in  1!^47,  Doctor  doiips,  its  only  physician,  was 
|fi-  L'np|iliiig  with  the  same  disease ;  its  type  being  generally  intermittent, 
|«M>'.U.iradano:orous. 


HNESEE  RIVE?,. 

on  a  point  ef  i.i'  1 5t| 
in  N.  Lat,  4o-  I'.  J 
the  country  ar  .til 
The  n'fir:-fi| 
cr  cent,  iioraii:.. 

I  (|uartersoft!''':''^| 

learly  all  the  > ''•■•  '^J  '■'>->^-  York  Geological  Reports. 
ni.U   this  pest'    '"'I 


.1 


+  Ibid 


.S.  A. 


1   ' 


804 


run  PRINCIPAL  DISF.ASnfl  OF  THE 


[•001  I 


!■ : ' 


..   I 


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-■J    :    , 

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: 

i 

m 


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tHi'ifi 


'^r- 


siKrrioN  IV. 

n\S|.\  OF  (SHNESKi;  i!ivi;ii. 

r.  A  r;i[)iil  survoy  nf  a  jiart  ul'llu-  lako  coast,  in  the  last  soptinri,  Iiajil,]-,,,,,!, 
us  to  tlic  III  iiitli  (if  the  (ii'iit'SiH'  IlivLT,  wliii'li  \V(>  are  now  to  iisi.inl  j ,  ., 
BKUi'i'is  ill  (lie  iiiimiitaiiis.  'J'lii!  c.Htitary  nt'  tiiis  rivur  cxti'iiils  livu  inili.  v^ 
tlio  lal\(^  tlirmi^li  a  tlet'|»  p»r;.^o  '>!'  »'X(;avatioM.  'I'lii'  iiavi;j;ati(iii  is  urPM.  1  '\ 
falls,  down  wliicli,  by  tlireu  Hiicccs.sivo  Icap.s,  tlu;  river  ili'siuinis  two  luin]  j 
and  scvi'iity  livi!  t'cot.  'I'Imh  di'sciMit  is  over  tlii!  tcnninal  oiit-crMiM]!  r  '», 
wliicili,  lik(!  tlioso  (if  Niagara,  ciikt^'o  from  tlio  soulli.  'I'lic  I;iiie  riiL'r  i, ..,, 
from  two  to  tliroo  miles  imrtli  of  Iloirlicstcr,  at  a  luvcl  of  ubuut  out' liui,ii:.j| 
feet  Ir'Iiiw  it,  and  is  iiitorHci'tt  d  liy  the  ^oi-irc. 

II.  lloriiKSTKU,  tliu  lar^rt'ht  town  of  Wcsti-rii  Ni!w  Ymk,  oxcciit  1! 
is  of  siuli  recent  ficttlcineiit,  that  it  was  not  rei^ardcd  uvi-'ii  as  a  \i,.,i.el 
of  tlie  woods,  until  1^17.  Its  latitnde  id  \'-l'''  S'  N.;  its  tlistuiici  l'riir,.e 
month  of  the  (Jencsec  llivcr,  seven  miles;  its  elevation  aliovc  the  Like, m 
liiindred  and  seventy-live, — aliovc  the  ocean,  Ii\e  liuiidivd  ami  .«i.\  li  i:_ 
wliieli  is  the  avera;r<'  altitude  of  ('inciiiiiati ; — and  lii'iiii;  just  i'mir  ii..;i,  .  ■ 
latitude  apart,  thijy  aru  convenient  .stations  for  estiinatiii^  the  iiitli;r,.v  : 
latittide  on  climate,  aud  ou  tho  diseases  which,  directly  or  iiulinitlv.  rt 
produced  by  it. 

The  site  of  liochcster  approaelies  nearly  to  leveliioss,  and  cmisist' 'l  jj 
moderately  deep  bed  of  loam,  overspreadiiie-  the  same  kiinl  of  .'"ilnmii  iii;,.'. 
stone  that  is  found  at  Niairara  I'alls.      Ori^riiially  the  surface  was  >«;i!i ■,,!,[ j 
at  this  time  there  are  no  paludal  or  pondy  tracts.      The  (ieiiesco  liivcr  |a-,v<l 
tliroujih  the  town  from  smith  to  north,  and  has  a  rocky  bed  iiml  laiiks.   L 
obtain  water  for  the  Krii.'  Canal,  which  here  crrs.ses  tiie  river.  ai:il  Jilrl'-rj 
millinj;  purposes,  a  dam  was  erected  across  the  river,  prodiiciiii.' a  p  I'l  :'r| 
several  miles  above,  v/hidi  >vas  said  to  f;cnerate  a  jrreat  di'al  uf  iiiii;ii;i:.il 
fever.      Several  years  ai'terward,  a  second  dam,  which  rai.-od  the  \v:i!  mj 
feet  liiglier  than  the  first,  was  constructed,  and  produced  .sucli  an  iiii i.,i>'  fP 
autumnal  fever,  along  the  banks  of  the  river,  that  after  five  years  it  \v,„. ;  ml 
down.  ■'   A  mile  south  of  luehestcr,  there  are  hiu'h  deposits  of  dril't.ffliiiliii.iiej 
part  of  a  lontr  range  running  parallel  to  tho  lake.      1'hey  aro  nut  di-ji'v  liaj 
terraces   but  tuberosities,  some  of  which  are  so  elevated  that  the  laki  itjjj 
bo  scon  from  their  suimnits. 

Doctir  Backus  and  Doctor  I'Mwood  came  to  Rochester  in  the  \<;ir-l'!BJ 
and  l!^17,  when  it  had  not  m  re  than  three  or  four  luuidred  iiihahita!!t-.3:.']j 
tlie  iinniediate  vicinity  ol'  the  village  was  a  dense?  wood.  At  that  tiiii-. raj 
for  nuuiy  year.s  afterward,  intennitteiit  aud  remittent  fever?,  freijiieMi}  :«| 
nialiguant  character,  were  exceedingly  prevalent.  With  the  extra"rui:srrl 
growth  of  this  beautiful  city  they  have  greatly  dimini.shed:  novcitluu?- : 
have  not  disappeared;  for,  as  Doctor  Kly  informed  mc,  spuraJie  case.-Hi  i^l 
occur  every  year,  even  in  the  depths  of  tho  city. 


*  Doctor  Ely,  of  Rochester. 


.1 


«r  '■: 


INTKUIOU  VALI.F.Y  OF  NOIITII  AMI'IMCA. 


•M) 


III    The  riKNK.'^KK  Fr.ATf».  —  At  flio  distniico  of  twcKo  or  fmirfocn  iiiilcH 

;,-!  !!  I'lii'.'tiT,  up  tlio   ri\t'P,  tliu  crk'lmifi  il   (JiMicsrc  I''l!its  ci  uiiiu'iicr,  luiJ 

.   i  iM  l)iiii:»villi'  al  tlio  iiiKiitli  (if  tin;  ('!iii!isL'riii:ii  (^rcck,  w  ili.«taii<c  ol'  iil'ty 

,,    The  <"i'ii<''*''i-'  I'iviT  <l('Si'i!ii(Is  into  tlicHC  fl:it.s  dii   (lie  wcsd-rn  side, 

KV.'it.cii  niili'8  Ik'I'iw  wIktc  tliat  iTcck  ciiti  is  tlifiii.     'I'lu-  two  .striiiins  iiiiite, 

kjt.vn  w!m'!1  tlnis  jiM'iiiiciitcil,  tin,'  ( iciii'.-^cc   IliviT  Ik  iiis  iiu  atJsiL'iialilc   |in>- 

^rt-;,.!!  to  till;  lirt'iultli  nf  tin"  flats  tlir(ini;li  \\liirli  it  nicMinlrrs  willi  a  slii^';:i«h 

TPiit.    Tlii'V  are,  in  I'acI,  tlio  Imttom  iind  lnii   nf  a  iliaiiii'd  lake,  of  tlio 

pj,.  i!;i«<,  ill  f'linii  and  tlif  iliicitimi  of  its  axis,  as  flio  cxihtiiij;  small  lakes, 

ri'i  lie  t"  tli«  fast,  and  (lisdiaruc  tlicir  waters  into  Oswet'it  Ifiver.     'I'lio 

,:|.;|,,f  tlii'so  flats  is  rrniii   two  di  I'diir  inilrs.     On   earli   side,  the  .!:niiiii(l 

r. ,  !iv  terracos  nr  iiiidiilatiinis,  to  a  iimderate  liiiilit  in  tlic   iiurlli,  and  u 

lii  .  :;ri';itfr  lii'.'lit  at  the   snilli,  and  is  d('i'|ily  overspread  witli  dilnvial  nr 

f.'-trtiary  dopi  sits,    bearing  nr   iniliedding  inniinieralile  huwlders.      ]iy 

tiiii'iti  111,  tlic  surlace  nt'tliis  npl.ind  lias  liecdUif  dry,  with  hero  and  there,  a 

«t;'i;iii  I'r  poiul.     As  til   the   flats   theinselvts,  they  Were  uri^iiially  euvered 

ivipl'iisi.'  furest,  with  frai-ts  lA'  prairie,*  nnnrished  hy  a  soil  alioiiiMlint,'  in 

C.'ii' iiiiiltcr;  wliirli.  frnin  the  Icvidiu'ss  nf  the  surface,  was  badly  drained, 

i/i -II  whii.'li  tlio  iiiuiidatioDs  of  tho   river  left  |i(iiids  and  marshes.     Tin! 

>!'.r:.ii  of  this  lake-lu'd   is  six   hiindred  feet  iilmve  the  neeaii  —  its  nieiiii 

j:;,l.Mi  little  h  ss  than  -l-'i".      Its  settlement  heiran  in  the  year   17^!^,  hut 

;;i  ■  ||  it  until  after  the  e<ininii'iiceinent  o\'  this  century,  tliat   ininiii.'raiit3 

3  i'l  to  it,  ami  the  wurk  (if  surface-trausturmation  was  undertaken  in  pxid 

ar>«t.    Then  it  was  that  autumnal  diseases  l)e<ran,  and  enntinued  tu  jirc- 

tii'aiiiiiiii;  tlif  settlers  sn  universally,  that  the  e.xprcssidii,  '(Jenesee  Fever,' 

t-aiii;  ;i  familiar  appellatidu.      Doetdr  JJa(dius  and  I)()ct(ir  KUvi  (id,  who,  us 

ILiv  siiil,  arrived  at  the   i:ifant  villa i:'e  of  llnehester  in    l>lti;nid    I^IT, 

I'f  uill-iurornieil  ef  the  extranrdiiiary  prmaloiu-o  (if  autumnal  fever  in  the 

k<  Jnvo  tlioiii;  and   Doctor  IJissell  and   Doctor  Metealf,  who,  three  years 

»:Vr«:iril.  settled  in  (leneseo,  thirty  miles  above  llochester,  had  personally 

r!v,i".'(l  the  animal  reciu'rcnee  of  the  disease,  eiinnn  neiii;;  in  the  spring, 

rutrthenrdiiiary  f  inn  of  vernal  intennittents,  and  cmitinuinu'  until  arrested 

IV!;' t'nist.s  of  aiitnimi.     Aecordiiii:'  to   those   iicntlemon,  the  tertian  type 

p>v.ii'.i.il  iiver  all  others.     .Maliirnant  intermitteiits  do  not  s(M'ni  to  have  been 

jfr'ni'it. Imt  tho  remittent  form  was  often  unmana,ireable  and  fatal.      Doctor 

|Hi:.:.\vliu  came  ill  iSii")  (o  ;\[ount  .Morris,  where  the  (ieiiesee  Jliver  enters 

jl"':  «vi<torn  side  of  the  flats,  informs  uie.  that   the  people  who  lived   on  or 

|t'::i't!i(m.  iiipludiii;f  those  of  the  village,  were  i;reat  sufferers  from  intermit- 

ji'  ;:':ver,  which  ho  learned  had  prevailed  from  the  commencement  of  settlo- 

P'-  ■    It  was  seldom  fatal,  and  most  of  the  deaths  were  from  the  remittent 

Itvf.    Duetor  Sal,sl)ury.  of  Avon,  on  the  eastern  bank,  below  (ientseo,  had 

|K'ti-l  there  in  1S;;(),  \vl,en  he  eolleeted  traditionary  aeouunts  of  the  same 

*' •ikiiio.    DocUn'  Lauderdale,  who  had  come  t(j  Geuesoo  in  1HW,  had. 


,1 


•  New  Yorlt  Medical  Reports,  Vol.  II. 


r 

~ 

t  ■' 


39G 


THE  PRIN'CIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I 


'^r' 


liS-v 


•<*■■; 


'■\,    -•    .  I-  • 


■^ .  <  V'.' 
'i ,  ^:-  ■  -^  ,  : 


from  ovcry  source,  rci^oivcd  tlic  same  impression.     Such  was  the  effect  ff 
disturbiuir  tliis  alliivial  surface,  so  rich  in  organic  matter. 

With  tiie  iiroa-rcss  of  settlement  and  cultivation,  altliuUL'h  iiiar«lips  r  .i ,.,• 
and  occasional  floods  occur,  a  signal  amelioration  in  tlic  state  of  aiuium,! 
health  has  taken  jdace.  All  the  gentlemen  T  have  named  testificu  ti,  tij, 
as  a  fact;  and  althougli  hotli  intermittents  and  remittents  conti-iio  t- 
return  annually,  the  inunber  of  cases,  compared  with  the  present  populaii  ,n 
is  so  small,  that  a  residence  in  or  around  this  beautiful  and  attractive l"ia''rv 
is  no  longer  dreaded. 

Ill  1887  and  1S38,  the  rrencsoo  Canal,  from  llocju'stcr,  was  exravau] 
through  the  flats,  to  its  snuthern  termination  at  Dansville.  The  W'lk  s> 
usual,  was  cliiefly  performed  hy  unacclimatcd  Irisluuen,  who,  as  lloctur  Sa- 
bury  informed  me.  suffered  much  from  fever,  especially  while  cam  in ' ':.. 
excavation  through  a  swamp,  on  the  op[)ositc  side  of  tiic  river  fmm  Av.  n, 

IV.     B.vsi.v  OF  Tui'   Gknkseio,   aijovk  tui';    Fi,.\'rs. —  The  wlmle  nf ;  ■, 
region  is  Cumposed  of  hills  and   valhivs,  with  a  gradual  risf  nf  the  e  ;!:;rv 
from   six   hundred  feet,  the  level  of  the  flats,  to  mure  than  tifteeu  huii'iri, 
where  the  sources  of  the  river  interlock  W'ith  those  of  the  Allc<rhanv,  Suvri... 
hainni  and  Cataraugus.     The   summit-level  between  Black  Creek  ol  h 
Genesee,  and  Oil  Creek  of  the  Alleghany — composed  of  an  extensive  nu.iKitaiii 
swamp — is  fourteen   hundred   and  eighty-six  feet  almve  the  neean.  wli 
otlu'r  points  are  still  higlier;  as,  for  example,  Jiime  J^ako,  a  small  l  I'l 
water,  wliich  lies  on  a  portion  of  the  summit-level,  between  the  tributarii?!' I 
the  (roncsee,  Cataraugus  and  Alleghany,  at  an  altitnd(!  of  sixteen  Iwvlyl 
and  twenty-three  feet  above  the  sea,"''     (Jeologically,  the  region  we  liav'  i  j 
entered  is  compo.scd  of  Devonian  slate,  surnujunted  with  saiiilstnnc,  anJ 'ij- ; 
ped  on  its  highest  ])oints  with  the  conglomerate  which  emerges  from  hi'iifi!;  i 
the  ciial  basin  of  Pennsvlvania.     As  the  Genesee  makes  its  way  dnwii  r.;; 
hilly  declivity,  it  presents  seme  striking  cascades  and  deep  ravine^,    hi  '".r 
places,  it  has  bottom-lands  of  considerable  wiiltli,  which  arc  also  fouml  a!  u' j 
some  of  its  tributaries.     Most  of  the  hills  have  long  gentle  slujies.  a:.'!,  ia 
some  places,  are  flatted  into  tracts  of  tabl<>-land.      Swamps,  chiefly  nver.T tj  I 
with  hendock,  are  fre(juent,  ami  not  limited  to  the  valleys.    In  the  iii'i tr  | 
part  of  the  basin,  the  head  streams  of  the  Genesee,  Cataraugus,  AlWai 
and  Susquehanna,  constitute  a  sort  of  hyih'ographical  labyrinth,  from  wii!:  I 
the  Avaters   make   their   way   into  Lake    Ontario,  Lake   Erie,  the  'iv  ' 
Mexico,  and  the  Chesapeake  liay. 

In  ascending  this  mountain  slope,  although  wc  go  directly  south,  ^^'-i 
that  the  fevers  wliicli  prevail  on  the  flats  below,  and  dnwa  tn  the  .sh'irfvi!  I 
Lake  Ontario,  get  less  and  less.  Tliey  prevail  more  along  the  t!eii';?«| 
River,  and  for  a  short  distance  up  i's  trii)utaries,  than  elsewhere;  I'lii  sU 
length  are  almost  unknown  in  every  kind  of  locality,  even  the  nio.^t  paln-k  | 
At  the  village  of  Pike,  on  the  luiuks  of  the  transparent  Westdvy.  ? 
eight  miles  from  the  Genesee  Uiver,  and  at  an  elevation  ( !■   ostir.iatf   : j 


(l 

•b 

t       ~\ 

la '. 

^'^" 

- .  ,' 

. 

'  ,'^ 

• 

•    .    ■  ■■ 

j^ 

■    ■ 
.J 

*  New  York  Geological  Reports. 


I.tl' 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


397 


.  Ive  liundred  feet  altovc  tlio  sea,  Doctdi-  ('ii|inm.  wlio  liad  resided  tlion; 
■c.!tv-ci"lit  yeari^.  asstired  mo  they  were  uiikiinwii:  addiiii:-.  that  the  stream 
i.jii,]j,(j  in /roi//,  a  certain  siL'ii  of  oxeiiiptiou  i'miii  tliat  disease.  Cases  of 
rm'tiont  fever,  liowcvcr,  now  and  tliuii  occur.  J)iictiir  .Nlinard,  of  tlio 
•"■.•  villasro.  coiifirined  llicsc  stateiiieuts ;  l)iit  informed  itie  tliat 'lotli  iuter- 
wt'iiit^  ami  leinittents  occur,  to  somu  extent,  near  the  junctidU  of  the 
flVit-Knv  with  the  Genesee,  and,  also,  on  tlio  corresponding  portion  of  a 
Mijiili^'fing  trihutary,  Cold  Cr  'ck. 

Tlic  >.unimit-level  on  wliich  the  rionescc,  in  cominnu  witli  the  Alleghany 
Piivif.  orii'iiiates,  lies  lietween  42''  and  4'Jl"  oO'  N.  latitude,  and  has  an  ele- 
Ti!i"U  varying  from  thirteen  hundred  to  sixteen  hundred  feet.  It  is  about 
';■  (li'LToe  farther  south,  and  twelve  hundred  feci  higher  than  the  shores  of 
Li'm'  Ontario,  between  the  mouths  of  the  Niagara  and  the  (Jenesee  Kivors. 
Vn-  an  autunmul  fever,  especially  the  intermittent  variety,  is  the  principal 
ej'wiii'' of  those  .sliores.  but  almost  unknown  on  this  platform;  and  the 
&r  ino  must  be  ascribed  to  altitude,  as  swamps,  streams,  and  organic 
nan  r  aljo.ind  in  this  region. 
V  Vi.i'iNK  SiMMKK  Hksibexce  FOR  INVALIDS. —  Wlicu  describiiiff  the 
ssrctj  i.if  the  Alleghany  IJiver,*  including  ('hantaui|ue  Lpke,  wo  were 
b'dit,  by  a  suutbern  route,  up(jn  tlio  water-slied  which  wo  have  now 
a.v'ffl'ji(l  frem  the  north.  It  may  be  regarded  as  the  great  salient  terrace, 
(T  iK'jecting  table-land,  of  the  Appalachian  ^Inuntains  —  tliat  portion 
rill  iulvances  farthest  to  the  north-we>.t,  fmrn  the  central  axis  of  tho 
daii  — that  wliicli  appr...ielies  nearest  to  the  great  lakes.  Its  tabular  yet 
ziditinir  or  billy  surl'ace,  results  from  its  resting  on  a  broad  out-crop  of 
Pfvwiian  .shale  and  sandstone,  in  which  the  former  greatly  predominates. 
!t-ri.:a'd  and  rocky  eminences  depend  on  remnants  of  superincundient  con- 
C;drate,  the  body  of  which  lies  further  snntli,  and  at  a  bjwer  level 
L>e -inots  have  a  sterile  soil,  with  the  tree  and  shrub  vegetati(jn  which 
y<i:' to  stony  localities,  at  such  an  elevation.  Tiiey  make,  however,  l)ut 
jliiuitid  portion  (if  tho  wlude  district,  and  the  extent  of  fertih^  land  is 
iiie!!.  that  flourishing  towns  and  villages,  jirodnctive  farms,  good  sunmior 
rails,  and  cheap  and  easy  means  of  conveyanee,  are  found  in  every  part. 
Hrc.  tiicn,  arc  all  the  recpiisites  for  a  conifurtalih!  and  curative  x/anmcr 
rfWfw.  I  will  uicntion  a  few  clas.'^cs  of  patients,  toulmm  it  would  bo 
tev  to  prove  beneneial.  Fhsf.  Those  wlio  are  inclined  to  tubercular 
'•Hiiptiuii,  or  ill  whom  the  disease,  although  fatally  establisiied,  is  not  so 
tir navanccd.  as  to  contine  them  to  the  house.  To  which  may  bo  added, 
ttiiiirvn  affuetcd  with  scrofula  in  tho  ext-n-nal  lymphatic  ganglia,  the  skin, 
iE]:,iM  i.yeg.     Secoud.     Those  who  have  had   their  livers  and   spleens  de- 

j  fi'iM.  in  structure  or  function,  or  their  constitutions  othcrwi.so  shattered, 
bvnp'iitol  attacks  of  autumnal  fever,  in  biw  and  hot  situations.  T/iirJ.. 
'^'>l"|iic,s,  troni  any  and  all  '■•luses;  hypochondriacs,  and  those   subject  to 

^tirniiie  liysteria,  or  any  other  form  of  morbid  sensibility. 


f  J 
il  i] 


■•.     ■-■■■  »!•      • 


»  Ante,  pp.  277,  S78,  279. 


•if  ,. 


.^. 


;f '  • 


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1     1  ■  ' 

.\  '  '  ■■'''■  +1  ■ 

■'.,. 

■ 

.i,vP-:' 


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;<»>. 


1!     •    •- 


898 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


lE')OK  1. 


3  111 


I-'-vory  ]tr;ii'tical  pliysiciaii  is  iiwiiro  of  the  fro(|iiciit  failure  nf  ;ill];i,,i. 
nicdiciifii)!!  iii  tli( c  cuscs,  iiiul  (if  the  ii-roat  value  of  cimiI  and  frod  ,• 
fuiiuiK^r,  iiiiittiJ  with  ui;tivo  oxoruiso,  siiiiplo  diet,  new  scoiiory,  and  tic  ii\i 
uso  of  iiu'dic-iiics,  or  tlieir  iiso  under  tlicso  favonilde  circumstances'  a"  '' 
wliicli  may  be  l:cre  enjoyed. 

From  Mayvillo,  at  the  west  end  of  C!ia\ifaii(iuo  l.akc.  to  I'mtti  \\\\\\ 
niira,  on  (lie  C!u  iiiuiii;-  liivor,  r.  Iirancli  of  the  S«si|Uoliauna,  tlie  di<tv,..;. 
more  than  one  jiundred  miles:  from  I'ortam',  on  the  (icncseo,  tn  Wirm 
on  t'le  Alle^uhaiiy,  more  than  iii*  ; ;  and  between  the.sc  places  tlitre  ariii,-- 
other  interesting  villages,  which  wonld  alFoid  ample  0])riii!tuiiitiL's  firt''  'fi- 
and  ehanire.  In  sonu;  of  these  towns  there  are  respeetahle,  in  tlie  niin'p. 
der,  plain  bnt  cleanly  and  comfortable,  taverns;  the  general  .stvlc  nf  I',., 
is  adapted,  by  its  simplicity,  to  the  constitutions  of  the  inlirni ;  aij  ti,j 
milk  of  certain  portiinis  of  the  distriet,  us  arontid  ('hautau(|U(;  Lalo,  fr.ni 
the  (|ualities  of  the  grass,  is  the  l)est  within  the  limits  of  our  ValVv, 
Ciiurehes  of  different  protcstant  denominations  are  to  he  found  in  .-..rv 
village;  which  has  likewise  a  nucleus  of  cultivated  society;  and  unc  i r i;: re 
int(dligent  |ihysiciar.s,  to  be  consulted  in  case  of  need. 

The  summer  climate  of  this  region  may  be  inferred  from  a  fow  fint-  ] 
passed  through  it  in  the  last  week  of  July  an(l  lirst  week  of  August,  ami ;  'iri 
fires,  at  night,  acceptable.  Frost  occurs  regularly  in  June  and  Aii^ni.-;, arj 
not  luifreiiuently  In  July.  I  .saw  many  fields  of  Indian  corn  that  Lai!  iirs 
frost-bitten  on  the  night  of  the  third  of  August.  J'eacht's  arc  .starrdvHJ. 
tivated.  I'lie  wheat,  and  even  hay  harvest,  d.jcs  in  t  take  place  until  Aura 
In  passing  m)rth  to  ]iake  Ontario,  1  met  the  scythemen,  wlut  had  cmm  t.jl 
the  harvest  in  the  country  bel.tw,  advancing  soutli,  and  niiiuntlii;:  .i.  i;.e| 
liiLdier  level,  to  continue  their  labors. 

It  may  be  said  that  the  Virginia  Springs  arc  more  clovaiid,  art!,  i.Te 
fore,  better  fitted   for  summer  sojuririi.     lint  their  greater  ekvatii'i:  :  iiv 
hundred  feet,  would,  in  t!;e  reduetion  of  tempirature,  only  cijual  a  ilcj  > ' 
latitudi',  while  this  region  is  four  digrees  further  north.     .Xnr  caa  ."•ai.,;  .ij 
be    eompared   in    its    summer    clinuite   with   this    miiUiitain   ])lat;'.ni.:  :r,l 
although  a  degree  further  north,  it  lies  twelve  liundred  feet  neanr  t!.;  livdj 
of  the  sea.     The   celebrated   S[)ri;'gs  of  N'iiginia  and   New  York  an-,  n,  .•t- 1 
over,  places  of  amv.-jement  for  tiie  healthv,  not  rural  retreats  I'nr  fl.c  iiic;! 
to  some  of  whom,  it  is  trtie,  the  mhi-rnd  wu/crs  might  prove  hciictifiah  l":' 
other  circumstances  would  eombiin'  to  counteract  their  salntary  ii;i!u("'v. 

The  eidightened  physician,  who  conscientiously  desin'.s  to  \\\\o\i\  H 
patient,  for  three  months  of  tin;  year,  n -ni  t!io  ileleteriniis  a:.'Oiic\  in  iifjlj 
and  malaria,  or  to  countervail  the  d(;bilitatiug  effects  i  f  a  pr^itracttil  j;;.:s;-/j 
on  othcM's,  in  whose  Inngs  the  fatal  work  of  tubercular  cxcavati  iM  i?  -"I'n 
on,  will,  1  trust,  not  regard  the  business-like  details  which  I  have  been  ,i:n::.l| 
■with  disfavor;  but  jjatiently  read  on,  until  he  ((ualilies  hinibull' fi  r  I'ViHi'iii:  ?l 
the  S(;ruples  of  such  valetudinarians,  as  may  fear  or  fancy  that,  in  l'  i:i.M| 
the  m  )nntain  terrace  for  the  stunmer,  thev  woidd  langnisli  for  want  I'f  >e*' 
and    objects   of    interest.     These   arc  quite  as  numerous,  uiversiM.  ^'  \ 


fjlf  '■] 


INTRRIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


39f» 


lili',  in  tlie  Pii.ab. 


liniis  ii;.'Oiicy  I'.  Ill'* 


i-ii^ii,^  as  in  almost  any  otlicr  jxirtion  uf  tlio  Tiitcrior  A'lillcy ;  and  I  will 
f,.v;1v  eimniorate  tlie  most  iriiportaiit. 

I';,'.,/ _ This  region  coniprohends  tlio  great  Pine  Fcrt'st  of  flio  Allc^liiiny 

M"iit;iiiia-    ^Vliito  jiitic.  yellow  iiinc,  and  lio'.d'ick,  are  the  ))revailii';;'  lorest 

,.,,w  in  the  barren   soil;^,   minified  eliiefiy   with   oaks,   cliostniits,  chiniiue- 

r  .  iiiiil  wliiirtlelierrics;  —  in   the  I'ertile,  t^tandirp-  side  l)y   ?ide.  i;i  .-tningu 

juic'atioii,  with  the  sugar-tre",  elm,  lieeeh,  walnut,  and  liin'i.      Vvm  thi.s 

,!■.;';. t  it  i.s,  tliat  pino  boards  make  their  way  tn  t!ie  lakes,  the  (.■hesaiuakc 

B;iv.  ami  oven  the   CI  nit"  of    Mexico.      Kvcry   Miter-tall    has   its   .«;iw-niill, 

prv  stream  its  raft,  and  the  ax.  ol'  the  stnrdy  laliurer  enlive;:.s  the  (jnietest 

ilitii'li'S.    SmnuL  —  A  residence  in    .^layville,  at  the  we.-t  end,  or  .lanics- 

t  n.  ;it  tlic  east  end  of  Chautanijue  l.ake,  would  afford  tu  the  invalid  many 

i^i.'litfiil  drives  on  the  serpentine   lianlcs  of  that  lieautifnl  sheet  of  water, 

i<-vAd  seven  hundred  and  twenty-five  feet  aliove  the  levid  of  Lake   I]rie; 

8:'l;i  vi«it  to  Lime  L.vkk,   in   the  adjoining  eounty  of  Cataraugn.s,  would 

i'v^rliim  a  .smallm'  basin,  at  the  altitude  of  ten  hundred  and  si.\ty  feet  above 

Uo  Krie.  or  fifty  feet  above  Ita.sea   liake,  in  whi(di  the  ^Nlississippi  has  its 

::.:;i.    Third.  —  Li  the  same  county,  near   Tlreat   Valley   Creek,   he   may 

...  :daliill,  and  on  its  sumnnt,  about  two  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of 

;';;i.<'a.i'.\pliire  a  tract  of  more  than  one  hundred  acres,  which  preseiits  huge 

!i.iv-t<'if  oungluniorate,  so  separated  and  arranged,  as  to  justify  the  fancirul 

5i'"ilatiiin  which  it    has    received,   of   KocK-Crrv.       Fonrlh.  —  A  visit  to 

l'na;:t;  would  alTnrd  him  a  view  uf  the   I'pper   Falls  of  (ienesee  lliver; 

r:  li.  i:i  the  course  of  two   udles,   by  three  successive   pitches,  and  sumo 

irjuai'diato  rapid.s, sinks  four  hundred  feet;  each  cascade  di.splayin;_  a  pecu- 

brl  aiityand  grandeur;  nn  which,  however,  the  btlmldcr  I'au  scarcely  fix 

k-a'-Kiition,  because  of  the  enintions  of  awe  and  wondi'r,  inspired  at  finding 

b-lf  nil  iiorpondicular  banks,  which  ri.se  from  three  to  four  hundred  feet 

i' vv  the  surface  of  the   river,*  as   it  winds  its  way  through   the  g'.rge. 

//■'  —Man;,-  of  the  brooks  which  flow  towards  the  north,  aboui'.d  in  sj)cckled 

I  ir  :.  w!  ilc  the  little  lakes  and  rivers   ;ifl'.,rd   oppnrtiiuitics  lor   si;ccessful 

|i!.iii:,  and  many  wild  and  rugg<'d  tracts  invite  to  hunting.     S'l.itli.  —  Si'ch 

|i:';!'.'.'!?  a,s  nuL^Jit,  from  taste  or  the  hope  of  benefit,  desire  to  visit  a  mineral 

![r;: :, (■'luld.  in  a  single  day,  or  more,  accordii.g  to  their  jX'sition,  dcs<  ci;d  to 

t.iAv,-,n  Springs  in  the  Flats  of  the  Oenesee.  twenty  miles  abuve  !><.(  hesti.r, 

»;'r;!  tlu'V  \vi>ul(l  find   excellent  aecomnnidatioiis,   anipl"   opportunities  for 

'j":  :.  and  a  cipiuis  supply  of  water,   contaiiiing.   according   f  »    Doctor 

hiJiiry,  carluinate  and  muriate  of  lime,  and  the  snlphale  of  lime,  smhi  and 

p«i.:ii-i,i.  with  carlionic  acid,   nitro':en,  and   su'jiliuietcd    hydrogen    gases. 

■'>lin:igs  have  been  foiunl  ]iecnliarly  lisefnl  in  disorders  of  i\w  dig<  stive 

|t':';sclir.ju!c  Wieuntatism,  and  diseases  of  the  skin.     Sc"n>//i.  —  In  a  single 

'lay. 'T  in  two  days,  the  valetudinurian   might  descend   to  ]}iif!;do  ;iiid  the 

rjiisi'fXiagara.  whence,  if  he  chose,  he  could  nud<e  a  yova^o  toMaekinau  or 

M-iwc,  and  then  return  to  his  mountain  retreat. 


■•  ;.  -.f'. 


.( 


New  York  Geological  Reports. 


U:     'f--^: 


1;:^  '■■ 


■'|i..  .  .  V 


I 


(/■■? 


liiiiK"    '' 

I'  ^ptHsHSn' 


('■■ 


•^t 


4U() 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOK  1 


It  reniiiliis  to  indicate  to  tlu;  invalid  of  tlio  Wcist  and  Suutli,  tbo  route-  i- 
■\vliicli  tills  placi'  may  lu;  rcaclied.      That  by  way  of  l'ittslnir<.'li,  tlirfnii'li  tl 
Vuik'V  of  the  Allt'iihiinv  llivor,  is  wild  and   iiicturusiinc,  Imt  nurrrf.ili  !• 
provided,  and  wearisome.     From  Ilocliester,  the  trip  up  the  (icinsec  V^l 
is  direct  and  pleasant.     From  Mnflahi,  the  a.scont  to  ('haiituu(|Uf;  Lake  .■•" 
be  made  in  a  .single  day.     ]>nt  of  all  the  routes,  that  from  iHnikirk  to)!  ■. 
ville,  at  the  western  extrenuty  of  ('hautan(|ue  Jiake,  is  to  he  iirft'cmj    tL 
invalid,  once  on  Jjake  Erie,  may  be  landed  at  the  port  ju.xt  luinjoi].  aiid  !•■  a 
single  hour  will  find  hini.self  on  the  western  promontory  of  the  iiluttMii  ai 
least  eight  hundred  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  water. 


SECTION   V. 

BASIN  OF  OSWEGO  RIVER,  WITH  ITS  LAKES. 

I.     This  is  the  region  of  small  lakes.     It  lies  adjoining  the  (iciU'tcc  lla^i:. 
and  extends  castwardly  to  the  sources  of  the  Mohawk  I'livcr,  wliieli  flow-  im, 
the  Hudson.     It  rest.s,  to  the  north,  on  Lake  Ontario,  extending  cvfiit.it; 
eastern   boundary.      To   the   south,   it   is   subtended  by  the  ea^t  and  wist  j 
branches  of   the   Sus(|uehanna  —  penetrating  deeply  between  tliem.    Tlie  j 
Aiiptdachian  Mountains  are  here  so  de[iri'ssed,  that  the  watcr-.shod  ktwt-tt ; 
Seneca  and   Crooked   Lakes,  ami  the  West   JJranch  of  the  Susnutliaima, 
where  tlie  Chemung  Canal  crosses  it,  is  only  eight  hundred  and  ninetv ftet  i 
above  the  level  of  the  sea.     AH  the  streams  of  this  region,  wliich  talii'tki' 
rise  in  the  mountain  declivities,  terminate  in  the  lakes  of  the  Oswcgi Iia>ia, 
and  are,  therefore,  small  and  .short.     The  outlets  of  the  lakes  have  tkir) 
confluence  in  a  common   trunk,  —  the  Oswego  Uiver;  wliich  naclies  Liki  j 
Ontario,  near  its  eastern  extremity.     The  larger  of  tliese  lakes,  from  fft?t ti' 
east,  are   the   Canandaigua,   Crooked,   Seneca,   Cayuga,  and  Oneida.    T:* 
smaller  ones  are  eipially  nuinei..ns.      The  wlude  are  long,  narruw  5!!i;n>i>f| 
water,  lying  nearly  parallel  to  eacdi  other,  with  their  axes  iinvtli  aiidyjiitlj 
Their  elevation  above  the  sea  varies  from  three  hundred  and  eiglity-seviii ic | 
seven  hundred  and  eiglitccn  feet.     A  deduction  of  two  hundred  and  tbrv- 
one  from  these  numbers,  will  give  their  altitude  over  Lake  Ontario.  In 
depth  they  vary:  —  Crooked  Lake  averages  two  hundred  fei't;  the gri-iAit 
depth  of  Seneca  Ijtike,  is  live  hundred  and  thirty  feet;   of  Cayuga  Lii.. 
three  humlred  and  ninety  feet.*     These  numbers  cxphun  why  they  weroc.t 
drained,  when  thelienesee  I'lnts  were  laid  bare.     Their  hods,  in  faet.  an  j 
excavations  in  the  Devonian  and  Silurian  rocks,  which  appear »' S'lV.  "'t-'- 
opposite   sides  of  each.     Tlieir  immediate  banks  rise  from  ten  to  .«ixtyif[ 
eighty  feet  above  their  surfaces,  timl  the  country  between  tlieni,  attamj.  K 
terraces  or  gentle  acclivities,  an  elevation  of  several  luuuh'ed  feet  in  fif 
south,  but  less  in  the  north,  where  it  assumes  a  more  level  aspect.   At  tee 


*  New  York  Geological  Reports. 


'l'*  I'i 


INTRRIOR  VALLRY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


401 


'^^r 

'i'!.* 


Ul>fCavu!r!i  hVki  tlioro  is  an  cxtcnsivn  swanij);  Imt,  in  ircncral,  its  mar- 
.ir; ;ir.; ilrv,  till  we  aiipriKu-li  its  (uUlcts.  when  we  nach  tlio  nioi^t  extensive 
fjiolal  rcL'ini  wliic'i  exists  on  tlio  Sdutlicrn  side  of  Lake  ()ntari<i.  The 
!i!i'MifC;iiiini(l;ii;.'na  Lake  is  into  a  stream  called  Mud  Creek,  which  flows 
fiiiMpllv.  Fi'ii'  t'l"'  I'l'iiif  of  junction,  the  river  takes  the  name  of  Clyde, 
1  •HiitiniU'S  (';i>t\vaid  a.^  far  as  Montezuma,  where  it  receives,  through  the 
.fi,r3(iutlct.  the  waters  of  Crooked,  Seneca,  and  Ca3-uga  Lakes,  ai.d  then, 
r»!i;iiii!i2  m*'^'  tlinniirh  Cayuga  county  into  Onoiulaga  county,  unites  with 
1  !'■!  iitlits  I't'  (InniKlaga  and  Onoida  Lakes,  with  which  it  forms  the  Oswego 
'  ]]\-  lliis  chaimcl,  the  course  of  which  is  nearly  north-west,  all  the 
|fj.,r!ii"\i?  water?  of  fifteen  lakes  are  dis-harged  into  Jjake  Ontario. 

I.  ('.ui'iiA.  MoNTKZL'MA,  Axo  OTUKii  MAUsiiKS.  —  Arouiid  tlio  lower  cud, 

I  i:ial  Ml.' tilt' outlet  of  each  lake,  there  are  hroad  marshes,  or  tracts  of  low 

|il!dvi.iii,ffliieli  siifler  inundation  when  the  lakes  are  swollen  by  rains,  or  their 

t.'N  iriven  to  the  north  l)y  southerly  winds.      The  Cayuga  outh't,  which 

r;,'.>\viili  the  Seneca,  hefore  they  unitedly  join  the  Clyde,  at   ■\lontezunia, 

':a< ';;- wlmle  em\r.«e  through  a.  tract  of  marsh,  which  even  begins  in  the  lake 

i;«!'    lYni  .^hiutezunia  to  the  Onondaga  outlet,  twelve  or  fourteen  miles, 

|t!;;?iiiirifli  (•iiiitiiiuos,  |ireser\i..g  a  width  of  two  or  three  miles,  and  aji]iearing, 

IbvaaiiiiT.  like  an  extensive  meadow.      There  are,  moreover,  many  detached 

Istiri'.ai'.d  tracts  of  low,  wet  ground;  so  that  the  whole  country,  from  the 

l»r  ("Ills  of  the  lakes  to  the  shores  of  Ontario,  between  Great  and  Little 

iS-K-Bays.  may  ho  considered  as  jiartit'ijmling  largely  in  a  paludal  oharac- 

llr"  will' the  actual  marsh  is  estimated  at  sixty  thousand  acres. t     At  the 

Ip-'t  tiiiii',  after  fnrty  year.<  of  settlement,  the  extent  of  swampy  surface 

|r  11  tl'i;  O.^wegii  l>asiM   is  greatly  dinuMished  ;   atid   many  beautiful   and 

"r-iii','     was,  as  Canandaigna,  (leneva,  Auburn,  and  Syracuse,   Lave 

;".Mi|i,  tu  iittest  ;he  salutary  influence  of  cultivation. 

f  ■'••■iitiT  (it  this  district  is  in  latitude  4"-)*^;  the  elevation  of  the  niarshea 

■■I'lCiioa  ahmit  three  hundred  and  fifty  feet;   that  of  nuich  of  the  sur- 

'.n:  Limitry  from  oiiehiuidred  to  one  lu'.ndred  and  fifty  feet  more.     Let 

Hiro  iit'i  the  past  and  present  state  of  antunnial  health  among  its  in- 

■  ■■'.    bi  17!i"_*,  j:  l)iii-tor  Coventry  settled  on  the  eastern  baidc  of  Seneca 

•^'  :.|'ar  it-i  duth't.  and  o])posite  the  new  village  of  Oeneva.     TIk'  autumns 

i. ''a'Ml  17'.14  were   productive  of  a  great  ;imount  of  fever,  which,  how- 

"  '^M'^  Hit  often  fatal.     In  the  village  of  Ceneva,  there  was,  in  the  autumn 

'0 '!  tlii' early  years  of  its  settlennmt,  but  a  single  person  not  down  with 

"  III  1"!'')  no  rain  fell  either  in  June  or  July  —  the  waters  of  the  lakes 

'  ■  "•  ill  TO  than  a  focit  —  everv  little  inlet  became  a  seat  of  putrefaction  — 

•3v>;iis  seemed  (iM  fire,  the  earth   scorched,  atid  the  air  saturated  with 

•''  "■— liiv's  were  found  deail  in  the  woods,  and  thi'  flies  swidlcd,  turned 

■■'  ^''ll:iM  ill  liandfuls  on  the  floors  of  the  rooin;<.''>5     Tn  .\uiriist.  !)octor 

-ryvbiti'il  !i  family  nii  the  cast  bank  of  Cavucra  Lake,  where  Aurora 


A 


•1 


f.    . 


■    1 1 

•  4 


'  ■"■  Y.rk  G,, 


oginl  Rc|iort. 
^^kdclies  of  Roclicstor,  1838. 


t  IbiJ. 
^  Ibid. 


Ir 


1    4'- 


;    ■    t    ' 

tw« 


il'lf*! 


■]■' 


•  ■-,  :i- 


.♦  ..-if    t' 


402 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


1>001 1. 


tie  I 


now  stands.     In  one  nxim  lie  found  tlie  motlier  a  corpse,  and  in  anrtUr 
I'atlier  and  two  cliildren  were  down  with  the  fever  of  which  slio  kiUsi ;,' 
tiie  symptoms  of  whicli,  as  (h'scribed  to  him,  rcseniltled  thusu  of  yellnw  t.vr'! 

Accdrding  to  J)o(;tor  Jjiidhiw,'''  tliis  re^don  was  chitfly  sutth  J  friim  lyii.  L 
ls(l4.     From  l>^tiO  up  to  l^l-')   or  1^14,  intermittents  and  rcmittvi.t,  >- 
vailod  every  autumn,  in  all  parts  nf  the  country ;  liut  after  that  time,  t  •  J 
date  of  his  publieatinn,  in  iJ^lio,  they  were  le,«s  con.staiit  in  tlicir  animal  r, 
demii^  recurrence.     Uf  the  year  ISO  I,  he  says  :  "  The  diseases  ot'siiriii'  ,  i 
sunimei  montlis  were,  principally,  intermittent  fevers,  which  inuvaikdiir  ,  *. 
out  the  cuuntry;  they  were  of  the  tertian  type.     None  were  cxiiniit  •• 
them,  except  those  who  liad  undergone  many  previous  attacks,  withuui  i.  i-.i 
taken  any  measures  to  interrupt  their  course.     In  September  aud  Uct  ^rj 
remittents  of  a  iinld  form  ajipeared." 

Jn  1SU4,  as  Mr.  IJrownt  wrote,  tlie  "Lake  Fever"'  was  of  an  iiiterD:;f- 
type,  and  exceedingly  ])revaleiit,  around  the  marshes  of  Oneida  Lake.  I  ; 
same  year,  President  Dwight,  on  a  tour  through  this  region,  sa\s.  in  n:: :. 
to  its  health  :  "  The  diseases  which  ]»riiicipally  jirevail  here  arc  tliu  ;i;ii  i 
fever,  intermitteiits  without  ague,  and  bilious  remittents.  Fever  ani  ,: 
may  bo  considered  as  nearly  universal;  almost  all  the  iiili;ilitaiii>  '..; 
sooner  or  later  seized  by  it,  within  a  few  years  after  their  cinij.'iatiu!i. ' 

t)f  the  lake  country  generally,  Doctor  Keid,  of  Fvochester,  remark,-,  tia; 
in  its  early  settlement,  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  prevailed  tnji:.] 
extent,  that  it  was  regarded  as  a  'valley  of  boue.s,'  a  prciualure  1  u:;.:.) 
placet 

When  at  Auburn,  Doctor  Pitney,  who  had  .settled  on  Cajiiga  Li'.:. 
early  as  l^US.  informed  me,  that  there  was  then  a  great  prevalence,  ivi: 
whole  of  that  country,  of  iutermitteiits,  (piotidiaiis,  tcrti;iiis.  and  (luar;;.:- 
cases  of  wliiuli  now  and  tlien  assumed  a  malignant  character.  H'.!:,::: 
prevailed,  also,  but  to  a  limited  degree;  they  continued  to  return  a:,:,;-, 
Ijowever.  in  an  undiminished  ratio,  after  intermitteiits  had  greatl}  alaiti 

It  a[ipears  from  these  testimonies,  that  marshes  from  three  tu  l'iur:a 
dred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  ocean,  in  latitude  do"',  can  geiieratoa: 
annual  prevalence  of  autumnal  fever,  often  assuming  a  fatal  diaractu' 
have  seen,  however,  that  the  swamps  of  the  Chautauijue  suniaiit,  at  tLt 
of  fourteen  hundred  feet,  althougli  a  degree  farther  .sunth,  are  inmi.i 
Such  is  the  elfect  of  elevation.     When  speaking  of  Fort  Winiiekigr'.T:^tj 
Lake  Michigan,  it  was  stated,  on  the  authority  of  our  army  surgr :.:, iif 
autumnal  fever  is  almost  unknown  at  that  pott,  though  extensive  niarsot- 1 
contiguous.     The  latitude  of  that  post  is  43"  oV,  its  altitude  eight  h';^- 
feet.     Shall  we  ascribe  the  difference,  in  autumnal  fever,  lietneon  i-'  1 
localities,  to  lialf  a  degree  of  latitude  and  four  or  live  liumlrcJ  feit'i'..| 
tioir.'     There  is  no  other  obvious  cause,  as  both  were  ncwly-scttlod  riy 


*  Inaup.  Disc.  1823  ;  cnihodyiiifr  tho  experience  of  Doctors  McNab,  Carter, u-  y 
ccrbiirg,  of  (ieneva,  and  Doctor  Hays,  of  Cunamlaigim. 

t  Med.  and  Phil.  Register,  Vol.  IV.  t  O'Reilly's  Sketches. 


!ievcarls40.  ai 


1  ',! 


'     li  v., ■•■*"" 


i  \'i 


It 


•IZ'  !■] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


40C 


J  T«;t  t!ic  influence  of  altitude  caiinnt  l)o  greater  on  tlio  cliinato.  tlian  tliat 
(K'L'roo  of  latitiiilo ;  wlioiicc  wo  may  rimcluilo  tliat  tlie  .Aloiitcziniia 
1  jir;;i...i!a' near  tlic  imrtlioni  limits  of  autuiiinal  t'cvcr,  at  tlio  ok'vatinii  of 

lj;f,,.  T  four  liumlri'd  foot,  and  that  if,  at  tlio  ,^amc  level,  tliev  liad  liiid  a 
Ll"..'  and  a  half  fartiier  nnrtli,  tiiat  is,  on  the  (i|i]m^itc  declivity  "f  liakc 

li3:iri".  in  latitude  44"  ;>••',  they  would  have  been  fduiid  eunijiaratively 

Lvt  lis  turn  to  the  influence  of  settlement,  cultivation,  and  town-building, 
biin'a'ituinnaniealth  of  the  region  under  review.  All  accounts  eoiieur  in 
lrf!r'-'.iitiM2  it  as  of  the  nmst  favorable  kind,  lioth  internnttents  and  re- 
liiiicui'.  it  i'' true,  still  occur,  but  with  izrcatly  diminished  fre(|Uency.  in  the 
|r;ti!i?:iluliriiius  localities ;  while  they  have  nearly  disa]i])cared  from  many 
Ifii..- where  they  formerly  prevailed  every  autumn.  From  (J enoral  Swift 
Li Pp'tt'ssur  Webster,  who  came  in  1^-7  to  Geneva,  on  the  hi_Ldi  and  dry 
|i«,i!i  hank  of  Seneca  Lake  (  where  Doctor  Coventry  once  saw  all  the 
lislalhtuit?,  except  a  sinirle  jierson,  ill  at  the  same  time  with  fever  ).  T  learned, 
Ith'ivtiiii  they  arrived,  intermittents  still  jirevailod  to  some  extent,  but  hav(- 
Ijb'-t  entirely  disappeared ;  a  gtatemont  wliich  was  conlirnird  by  Ooctor 
r  .:■',  junior,  of  the  same  city,  as  far  a.s  it  rtdates  to  the  rarity  of  tlieir 
I'TiTiiice  at  this  time.  At  Auburn,  7)(.ctor  IMtney  assured  nie.  that  within 
lii  n'ce  of  his  practice,  internuttents  are  incomparably  fewer,  than  in 
pmor  times;  remittents  have  also  dinnnislied  in  inimber,  but  not  in  the 
ijnti'i.  From  Doctor  Dritrgs,  of  the  same  city,  whose  observations  had 
■iitimied  through  a  pciiod  of  sixteen  years,  1  learned  that,  for  ten 
Ki:;  alter  his  arrival,  in  ls;}l,  ho  did  not  see  a  case  of  intermittent;  but 
livetiie  yearii^40,  a  re-a[ipearauce,  tu  some  extent,  had  taken  ]ilace.  Sjto- 
iiermittcnts  have  occurred  every  autumn.  The  vicinity  of  the  INIonte- 
!;wamps,  as  in  early  times,  is  still  most  infested.  At  ^lanlius,  noctor 
[i!L>!->urcil  mo,  that  the  neighl)orhood  of  tlie  marslies  is  much  less  scourged 
!::riiierly,  while  the  disi'ase  is  almost  unknown  in  more  favored  localities, 
¥.K^-.*.  i\K2  existed.  V>\  Doctor  Iloyt,  of  Syracuse,  tlu'  site  of  whicli,  near 
.'1  if  Oiiomlaga  Lake,  was  originally  a  portion  of  its  lied,  converted 
It  swV.te  cedar  swamp,  I  learned  that,  when  he  arrived,  in  l^ol*,  there 
!»;''•"  little  intermittent  fever,  but  latterly  it  secuu'd  to  ])o  increasing.  A'- 
C:.:  r.vii  miles  down  tlie  lake  from  Syracus(\  1  was  told  by  Doctor  Daniels. 
■■:il  resided  there  thirty-two  years,  that,  in  former  times,  autumnal  fever 
|J-' ;  Mn|i;irably  mure  pn.'v.ilent  tlian  in  latter  years.  These  testimonict 
^  V'garded  as  sufficient  to  show  the  amelioratii  ii  produced  Iiy  the  hand 
i":  'ut  the  perfect  transformation  of  this  region,  althondi  an  easier  task 
6".::  it  lay  farther  south,  will  not  be  efl'ected  for  a  long  time  to  come  — 
^!i3;- never. 

I'i' proper  testate,  that  the  Erie  Canal  traverses  the  swamps,  and  the 

l''t'thnf  the  district  which  has  been  described.     Of  the  effects  of  this 

p'lti  .n  on  the  health  of  the  laborers,  after  the  lapse  of  nearly  thirty  years, 

V^;:''!e  information  can  be  ol)tained;  nor  am  I  able  to  say,  wheth.er  the 

p'itijuor  the  filling  of  the  canal  witli  water,  in  other  and  more  salubrious 


• 


,1 


1  *■■'■'  'i^ 

'{■■ 

hi'  f- 


1 

■   ;. 

'1*~  p' 

,,'  Ih 

?:,' 

r  .a- 


ijff'-'l  ■r-'' 


■■  ) 


If 


ys 


I  '  i 


404 


TIL.  nUNCll'AL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


i«ooi 


localities,  was  iiijuriciis  to  tliu  iiiliabitants  ulimg  its  banks.  From  D.ctf>t 
Trowbridge,  of  Syraciui",  I  loariioJ,  however,  that,  in  tlio  suiiimur  aiM  ai. 
tuiiiii  of  iS-Ki,  iiiternruteiits  prevailed  geiieri.ily  u/oti;/  the  canal,  in  itMiiidale 
and  we.stern  |)ortions.  Altliough  most  of  llu;  wijrks  of  art,  Ijy  wliich  tho 
wilderness  is  transformed  into  a  settled  and  enltivatcd  country, C(iiitiil,utf.in 
tho  end,  toits  iintumnal  salubrity,  it  seems  probable  that  canals  do ii„t. 

I  have  treated  tlit!  lacustrine  portion  of  the  Oswego  Basin  as  a  wliulc, Ut 
must  say  something  of  a  few  localities. 

111.     SvKAiu.-K  ANn  Salina.  —  Tiio  philii  on  which  Syracusfc  is  built,  as 
the  surrounding  higlicr  lands  clearly  indicate,  was  (piice  covered  by  (inuu. 
dai'a  Jiake.     It.s  elevation  above  tiie   sea   is  four  hundred  ami  t\viiit\.|ive 
feet.      When  settlement.s  were  comniencetl,  it  was  still  a  .'^\vinii|i,  nvergr  ita 
with  wliite  cedars.     It  is  now  transfornu;d  into  dry  land;  hut  the  part  uLiiL 
lies  nearest  the  liead  of  tlie  lake  is  still  marshy,  and  the  waters  of  lliut  |i;iiM'  j 
(he  lake  are  shallow.     The  jdain  lies  to  the  south-east  of  tlu)  bead  of  tie  I 
lake.     Ononilaga  Creek  enters  it  from  the  same  direction,  and  pa.NScs  tliioii2ti 
the  town,  where  a  dam  converts  it  into  a  po(d.     The  Kric  Canal  trav.r-ij 
the  center  of  the  town,  where  it  is  joined  by  a  canal  from  the  tuwu  hi  iij. 
we"-o;  both  of  which  are  expanded  into  basins,  in  which  a  vast  miinlrrr .!] 
boats  are  always  to  be  found.     Hyraeuso  is  a  great  salt  factory.    TIi.mvh;.: j 
is  evaporated  by  s(dar  heat,  from  wooden  pan.s,  on  a  vast  scale,  in  thewi-'.ra 
and  southern  ed::*;  of  tiie  town,  while  to  its  iiorth-wost,  beginning  am  i.-iijl 
houses,  an  innuciise  ([uaniity  is  boiled  down  by  wood  iires. 

Sai.ina  is  situated  on  tho  northern  side  of  the  lake,  two  miles  nortli-wiij 
of  (Syracuse,  on  higher  ground,  but  has  the  marshy  borders  of  a  cietK  1 1 itjl 
nortI)-wcsi.  Here,  also,  immense  (Quantities  of  salt  arc  nianufacturt!  ;] 
culinary  heat. 

Tiie  etiological  interest  connected  with  these  phtccs  (  as  far  as  autimill 
fever  is  coiu:erned  )  may  be  stated  in  tlu'  <(ue,>tlon,  whether  tbe  iiiai,u;;i'-tar«l 
of  salt  countcr.iets  the  influence  of  topogra[ildcal  conditions,  in  prndiuiM'ii* 
form  of  fever'.'     Tlie  eflect.s  of  tlie  manufacture  on  llie  atnn  spbere  arHW'>| 
fold;  Jir.st,  by  the  liberatioii  of  a  vast  amount  of  calorie,  and  tbe fremTati.! 
of  immense  volumes  ol'  wood-smoke;  sccund,  tlie  annual  escape  into  tlic  aiii-H 
sphere  of  aonut  two  millions  and  a  ijuarter  of  ho-sl  loads  of  watoriiitlirl  "j'I 
vapor,  carrying  with  it  a  minute  (juantity  (d"  salt.     From  all  the  i!if"ruiat:(i)| 
I  cnuld  collect,  autumiial  fever  has  not  diminished  morn  in  tbis  leeaiitytJ 
over  the  region  generally,  to  which  it  belongs.     Yet  the  tcstimeiiy  ot  l'  tifl 
Daniels  and  L.tvcjoy,  and  of  .Mr.  W'oodrnif,  salt  inspector,  the  laM  ^i  ' 
had  resided  in  Salina  forty-Uvc  years,  was,  that  those  who  tcndtlicfuiTia-a 
boilers,  where  they  are  immersed  in  a  hot  and  humid  saline  :itnio^jilK'ii'..-';.';'j 
less  from  intcrmiiteiit  fever  than  thos,'  wlio,  by  their  oeeupatMHS.  >ui 
come  into  the  heated  atmosphere.     In  visiting  the  pans  for  S(d:ir  eva]!  r;.:. 
on  the  wesiern  Iiank  of  Oiinnilaga  Creek,  where  tlie  families  of  tW  t-.^f 
reside,  I  was  t;dd  that  their  (diief  disease  was  intermittent  fever,    i'" 
elusion  from  these  facts  must  be,  tliat  saline  vapor  does  not  cnuiiteni"™ 
cause  of  intermittent  fever,  but  that  culinary  fire  — a  heated  atmespi^'i; 


Wnlii'alitv,  in  sii 


•V-.  V    '  *  ■ 


'■■■♦n 


laT'  '•: 


INTERIOR  VALLP^Y  OF   NORTH  AMERICA. 


405 


Uii'li  it  niav  l»o  liiniiiil,  «li>os  oxcrt  n  onTTcf-tiiiir  iiiflMciic(>.     Tliis,  ju-iliMps, 

..  ,,. |.,..)Siin  ffliv  tluit  (lisciisc  (lis!ij)|u'iirs  IVdiii  tlic  <(Mitr;iI  |inrtM  of  iill  (Hir 

^^,i,  .|,iil  eitk'S,  iiikI  suggests  a  iirfveiitivc  iiit.'a,suro  tn  tlmsc  wlin  livu  in 

nar-liy  |iIaocs. 

IV    (l<HK(!0. — This  tdwii,  flic  liirirost  Oil  till)  snutliorncdnst  of  TiakoOntiirio, 

itiiil»i'ii  l)iilti^i<lt'S  of  tlio  iiioiifli  of  ( >s\vci;u  Ikivcr,  wliirti  ii|i|  roaclics  the  lake 

r;;!i;ilii|ili'r current  tliaii  most  of  its  trilmturics.      The  estuary  is  Ixmlered  on 

[m'i  -i'los  1)V  liiu'li  Silurian  saiulstouc  lianks,  overs|)r('iul  witli    tlril't.     The 

toffiiitM'ir is  built  on  two  r.    ky  sloiies.  wliifli  rise,  on  litlier  side,  tr(  ui  the 

ntorMHli'e  to  the  hiirlit  of  one  hundred  and  fii'ty  to  two  hundred  feet.      To 

sieiirtli-cast,  beyond  the  limits  of  town-settlement,  there  is  a   d"|iri'.<>ion, 

ittii'i  apiiL'avs  nnee  to  Inivo  been  ;i  s\vam|i.      (tn  the  shores  of  the  hike  tlirrc 

Siiiiii;irsli.     Fiii't  0///.'/vo  .stands  on  a  hold  |iroiiionti;ry  iniincdiiitely  below 

[ie  i'liH'tiiill  ef  the    river  with    tlie    hike.      .^l;n■sh-e.\h;l!.•ltion.  ;it   this   jihiee, 

I  Kflintnbe  at  a  niiiiimiim :  hut  the  a(|noous  viipor  ahoniids,  for  there  is  a 

nd.  wliiuli  .<u]iiilios  a  vast  nunilter  of  mills  with  WJitei'.  t.'iken  from  the  river 

^'^(V.■:  iim!  their  !i:.'it;itioii  of  it   ]iromotes  ev.'ipdr.'itioii :   wlih-  the  eeiisdess 

fciii  I'lii'tlio  waves  of  till'  hike,  ji'^aiiist  the  rod-"  n;itural  and  artilici.-il  Imt- 

tre>«i'' "t  till!  liarlior,  eontrilmtes  to  the  .lani.''  r     nit       If  it    he  a   I'.'iet.  that 

Bjl'jlil  "ticaiiis  absorb  [toisonous  L'ases.  ami  uive  the      out  under  meihaiiieal 

ijit;ui'iii,  no  spot  eoidd  be  found  where  that  liii,  ration  would  nn  re  certainly 

!ll(  |i|;ii'e:  for  this  is   the  onhourliinr  of  tho  riv<'r  which   drains   all    the 

mars'iisiif  the  retail  11  we  have  been  survcyinir:  am^  tin  se  pi  rtious  of  its  waters 

liiiicsrapc  nLHtatioii  by  the  wheel.s  of  its    lumerous  milks,  arc  sul>jeettd  to 

iiJ-tiioy  enter  th»^  lake.      The  latitude  of  <      a\<ro  is  abmt  d:')"-'  L'.V  N.;  the 

hmii'iinf  the  snrfaeo  of  t!io  river,  and  that  of  the  lake,  two  hundred   and 

liiirty-ftiie  feet  aliove  the  sea  ;  that  of  the  town  rani^'cs  from  the  water's  edge 

Itft'itlireo  liumlred  feet   above.      A  tradini:--h(nisc  was  (stablishcd  hero,  as 

jfarbck  as  17'J'i;  and.  five  years  afterwards,   a   military  pist.      Thus,  the 

I  ."tiinifiits  here  are  of  a  much  older  date  than  those  in  the  basin  of  dswego 

Eivcr,  ami  tlio  soil  has  been  exposed  and  stirred  for  a  nnudi  loiiircr  period. 

Walii'ality,  in  such  a  latitude,  iniu-ht  lie  expected   to   be  alinost   exempt 

pwii aiitiimiial  fever ;  but   that   is   not   the  case:   yet  its  pre\alcncc.  (ni   the 

pl'I''.  i.<  k\«s  than  in  the  paludal  reuioii  above — less,  ior  example,  than  at 

LV'iv'.    The  years  l^-JS  and  l^^'Jil  are  remembered  by  Di ctm-  Hart  and 

I fct-r  Hard  as  tlioso  of  its   irreatest  ]M'evalenee.      Tlie  whole  country  was 

tlii-n a!!f.'t(.(l.     I'or  the  uext  iilteen  years.it   was  only  sporadic :   but   !'r(iin 

lM}tul*47^  it  liceaiiio  more  prevahuit.      The  sailors  ol'  the   pi-it  are  more 

hdf  tt.i  tile  iiiterniittent  form  —  the  people  of  the  ti.wn  to  the  remittent. 


>• 


A 


'  •] 


si:cTio.\  VI. 

BASIN    O  F    ]]  L  A  C  K    R  I  \  E  R . 

1    The  coast  of  l^ake  Ontario,  fn  m  Oswcu'o  Uiver  round  to  the  St.  Law- 
'''^'"' '^' ''liny,  and  sullieiontly  elevated  to  escape  inundation  from  changes 


«.••.   't 


l^.    -^ '     ]  _ 

|:  ■,; 

llll  .^.,\ 

|f,''.-; 

^ 

iim' 


h 


■        '  *     . 


M;- 


40G 


TIIK  rRINCIPAL  ni.SKASES  OF  TIFF; 


f  61)01  I 


of  level  ill  t1iO   like.      Tlio   only  streiilii  nf  ediiNiileiiilile  length  nr  V.liimo' 
]}l;iek    liiver,  wllirjl    elitiTS    tllC    Hlllilll    liiiy  nil  wllirli    it    Culifcrs  its  li.iiii,. 

Siiekett's  lliirlmr.  The  sniirces  (if  tliis  liver  iiiterlmk  with  those  nf-triaiiij 
wliieli  flow  iiitd  Oiieiilu  iiiike.  ;iiiil  iiitii  tile  Mnluiuk  iiiid  lluilsi n  l;;v,rj 
TIio  Ailirdinkiek  tnoiiiitiiiiis  limit  tlie  liu,-<ii)  of  this  river  to  thoeiiht:  tl.tr. 
butaries  »if  tlie  St.  Lawreiiee  tn  the  me. tli.  Tiie  iitiiinst  sources  i.|  Ulyt 
lliver  are  in  a  |iriiiiitive  fnrmatinir.  imt  hiwer  mie,'<  are  t'oiind  in  .,v;i|,j,, 
which  iiii]iart  tn  its  waters  the  hue  that  has  suL'j.'essteil  its  iiiiiin.  n;  . 
sourees  still,  are  in  small  lakes,  luiij:  nii  tho  iiiaiii  which  strctclie.- li  mtjje 
hnse  of  the  Ailirnmhu'k  .Mountains  to  jjako  <  )iitario  and  the  St.  h;uir.;:ct 
IJiver.  The  river  desceinls  tn  the  lake  liy  a  series  ut'  levels  and  iirc::!  i* 
Its  alluvial  ^q-oiiml.-,  alter  leiiviii<r  the  niiMintains.  are  hrnad.     Its  imnn  htj. 

tudo  is  iihout  4:>'-'  4.">'.      This   part   of  the  Ontario  IJasiii  is  tlihilv  i \U. 

and  so  little  known  that  1  can  sav  iiothinir  nf  its  autumnal  fevers 

11.     SACKirrr's   II.mmkiii.  a.nu  M.muson   I5.\1!I!.\cks  — 15ntli  tlie  t'Wi  a::; 
barracks  staml  on  a   thir.ly  covered  heil  of  old  Sihnian  liiiiotniu',  uiiii 
appeared  to  im;  nearly  identii  al  with  that  of  Cincinnati,      liluck  llivifntfrr  j 
the  liay  a  short  distance  to  their  north.     There  are  no  mar.shesiii  tlii'\i'iiii;T 
of  eitlier.     The  ^n-onnds  around  the  garrison  are  so  h'Vel,  that  tlie;.  laniK! 
bo  perfectly  draiiird.     The  soil    is  dark,  with   much   clay,  ami  rists  .ii  i 
stratum  of  limestone,  wldi-h   is   t'roin  one   to   three  feet   hehiw  tlie  ■  '•ji.t 
The  nature  of  the  soil,  and  this  supertieial  calcareous  stratum.  kc'i'|i  tli<  im- 
mediati'  vicinity  of  the  post,  even  after  ordinary  rains.  hoL'gv.  m.d  t;r.  r:t:| 
tcrraijueous  exhalation.      The  jihysieal  aspect  id' tin-  surruumliii}:  eiiiiiinLij 
waviiiu:  and  undulating      The  soil  is  £reiiorally  ricdi.'" 

Tlie  returns  from  the  post,  for  four  years,  show  a  prevalence  efinteiniirMtl 
fever  to  the  amount  of  twenty  per  eeiit.  per  annniii,  of  reiiiittetit.  three  jurn.at.l 
The  last  year  of  these  returns  was  1>:)S.  The  in'xt  year.  I^li!'.  jireMdj 
more  autumnal  fever  than  had  lieeii  known  previoii.-Iy  ;  and  the  pecpk' 'ftiel 
villatre  suffered  more  than  for  tweiitv  years  before.  The  fever  oeemTid.al;,! 
ill  the  surrounding  country. 

Thirf  is  all  that  1  <-an  say  of  Saekett's  llarlior :  and  with  it  vu  il-'.'«j 
survey  id"  the  southern  side  of  tlu'  basin  id"  Lake  Ontario,  eomiirisiiii' vv-^ij 
New  York.  Tn  jimceodiiig  with  the  northern  half  we  shall  return  t  ;;!l 
mouth  of  the  Niagara  lliver.  and  travcd  round  the  lake  to  the  nutlet  I't  iiMj 
Lawrence,  near  which  stands  the  town  and  barracks  which  have  ju?t  htl| 
noticed. 


SECTION  VJI. 

COAST    OF    LAIvE    ONTARFO,    I'lJOM    NFACAFtA    RI\ER  TO  BlKLiK-] 

TON    ii.\Y. 

I.      Tho  3Ionntaiii  ridge  through  which  the  Niagara  has  cut  it.- 'i  ■ 
narrow  trough,  from  the  Falls  tu  Queeiistowii,  is  distant  from  tlio  W"' 


»  MedicaF  Statistics  U.  S.  Army. 


tcYcr  occiirri'iUiJiJ 


P.WI'. 


INTERIOR  VALLRY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


407 


i/,nniili's:  l>"t  fifty  inili's  to  tlio  west.  :it  tlic  lioad  of  IJiirliiifrton  Hay  (  tlic 
,,..i,;rii  oxtvt'iiiity  nt'  tlio  lako  )  it  a|i|in>a('lic>  iinicli  iiciiror.  r'roiii  tliis  lii;rh- 
liiil  raii2i'  nianv  short  streams  iIpsclimI,  and,  travorsiiiir  tlio  lower  belt  between 
iMiiltlit^  lake,  imiir  tlielr  torrents  into  that  receptarle  by  estuaries,  in  which 
^t, !  itated  waters  flow  and  ebb.  and  aloHi;-  wbii-li  there  are  s\vain|>y  regions. 
I-  vwral  tornis  it  may  lie  said,  however,  that  this  portiitn  ot' the  lake  coast. 
-;' we roiuti  Ibirlinu'ton  Hay,  is  h'ss  infested  with  swam|is  than  some  other 
wrt;  Its  latitude  is  about  4."i^'  ir)'N'.;  its  elevatii  n  above  the  sea,  tVoni 
(w  'iiimlri'd  and  thirty-one  to  three  hundred  and  lil'ty  feet.  In  addition  to 
lifcrvks  wliii'h  Imve  been  mentioned,  if  is  traversed  by  the  Wtdland  Canal, 
f':jy'i  reaclu's  the  lake  at  I'ort  l>a!housie. 

II.  NiAiiArt.\  AM)  l"'i)itT  MississAuA.  —  The  Canadian  town  of  Niajrarfi 
.'1' I- iii'ar  the  jiuiction  of  the  XiaL'ara  IJiver  with  Jiake  (»iit;irio.  oji]io.site 
;':  .Vimrican  Kort  Niagara.  The  town  laees  on  the  river,  but  the  fort  is 
I.  fi'  iiiinu'diately  eonneeted  witli  the  lake,  over  which  the  bank  is  so  ele- 
Tjtnl.  a.s  net  t(i  he  inundated  by  the  highest  swells  of  the  lake  ;  but  the  soil 
li ,u:'illai-jmis,  retentive  of  nmisture.  ;ind,  to  th(!  west  of  the  town  and  fort, 
&'■  i>  a  cnnsiderable  extent  of  swain])y  grouinl.  |iarticularly  ahmg  Tour 
)I:l"('r(.rl<,*  The  army  returns  do  not  instruct  us  as  to  the  |»revaleMee  of 
vitnninal  ft'ver  iii  this  locality ;  but,  a^'  Niagara  has  been  recommended  as 
ap'iP'Mif  suininer  resort,  we  may  conclude  that  it  is  but  little  inl'ested  with 
;i: i!  iliseaso :  and  this  conclusion  is  su|i|iorted  liy  Doctor  Melville,  who  in- 
frui- me,  that,  after  residing  there  a  year,  he  had  seen  nunc  of  that  fever, 
n  1  was  asriured  by  the  iidiabitants,  th:it  both  the  village  and  its  neighbor- 
!:<  1  liavc  been,  at  all  times,  remarkably  exemiit.  Niagara  has  been  set- 
llelal'itig  time;  and  to  thi-s  wc  may,  pfrhajis,  in  part,  ascribe  its  alleged 
rjimiiial  nialuhrity. 

III.  S't,  Catiiarink's.  —  This  town,  the  population  of  which  is  three 
t::, rand  five  liundreil,  stands  twidve  miles  west  of  Niagara,  on  the  AVelland 
Col.T  It  helmigs  to  the  lower  belt  or  lev(d.  but  is  distant  several  miles 
;:::;  tiic  hike  shore,  an<l  has  tiie  mountain  ridge  in  its  rear.  From  Uoetor 
.*!  1>.  wild  has  resided  live  years  in  this  place,  I  learn  that  aiitumnal  fever 
L< iii  ro  iircvalont  in  tlie  township  uf  (irai.thani,  of  whi(di  St.  ('atharine's  i- 
tk [riiiciiiiil  town,  than  in  Niagara.  '•  .^ly  experience  at  this  place,"  says 
K. '  ixteiid.-;  through  five  years,  during  which,  every  autunui  has  been  pro- 
fc.tive,  ill  |ialudal  spots,  of  a  greater  or  less  iiuinber  of  sporadic  eases  of 
i-'fiii:ttuiit  and  remittent  fever,  having  a  typhoid  ty^ie.  Once  only.  1S4<), 
3i!ii!ilromittont  was  epidemic.  ]>etween  St.  Catharine's  and  Niagara  there 
i-aluigflat,  on  and  near  which  there  is  generally  a  great  deal  uf  autumnal 
i!.l  Vernal  fever.  The  settlements  abmg  the  immediate  shores  of  the  lake 
•'-  rc'very  year  with  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  and  neuralgias.     The 

™!M  Canal,  by  its  leakage,  supplies  moisture  to  favor  the  decomposition 
r^'amc  mutter.     J n  one  place  it  passes  through  a  tamarack  swamp,  and 


'  TullochS  Stulistirs  of  the  British  Army. 
■  'aiith'j  Canadian  Gazetteer. 


i 


■i 


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•♦:  i^^- 


fi'O- 


;  I    ' 


■•-vli 


408 


THE  rUINCIPAF,  DISKAHKS  OF  TIIR 


[•'Wll. 


tliero  tlio  wreti  'i  -d  luborcrti,  iihd  ittlu-r  inlialiidiiits,  I'xliliit  ii  iiallid  bmj  ., 
huo  of  ••iiuiitfiiuhti;;  tlio  rt'iimlcH  uru  goiii'iall)  uiiiinic;  ami  ll.t- luiiir  in' ,f 
H».'|»tt'iiiltt'r  uiiil  Itc^'iiiiiinj^  nf  OttuhiT,  alwu}«  |tuiss  til  wiih  |friiit  ii„|i 
IVuiii    t_V|ilii)i(l   aM't'ctiiiiiH.      Tliin  lius  liccii  tlio  case,  ovi'ii  when  ullicr  ii,ir),  ,i' 
tlio  CKiiiitr}  wui'c   i|iiitL'   Iifaltli)'.      .*>niiitliincH  a   viiK-iit   tU^'ulcry  i,!,,  ;. 
aiiiuii;f  tliu  |)cii|ilc  liviii;^  (III  iliu  iiKMiiilaiii  v'nl^ii,  wliilu'  iiitcriuitttnti)  uinl 

UlittciltS  |)rovail  ill  llif  lake  In  It   lu'li.W." 

I\'.  Ill  KJ.iMiroN  Uav:  Uamii.t  i.N  :  I)i'.m>as.  —  Acodrdin^  i,  [j,,^ 
]ii;.'sl)y, '•  l)inTni;^toii  15av,  I'Mii.-litiiliii^:  tlii'  wotcrii  lu'nk  \>i'  Jiiiku  Oiju,|. 
itself  a  Hiuall  l.iiic,  r()imiMiiii<'atiiis4  witli  Outarii)  liy  u  rreik  luiiiiinu  iliMi-k 
a  lii^-li  Miiid  wvW  A  canal  lia.s  lu'cii  dug  lliri.ii;;li  ll,i>  l,;ii-.  Ari.iini  tn- 
cxtrciiii!  tiTihliiutiiiii  of  till-  Lav,  thcif  i.i  an  (■Mi'ii>i\c  iiiai,-li,  t In nutli  «,,'.. 
till'  |)i'>Jai'dins  Caiiid,  (ivo  iniK.s  in  Iciigtli,  txli'nd>  np  tn  the  t^wii  ni  j^v. 
l>\.<;  wliicli  stands  in  a  cuvi',  or  n'trcating  nn^^li- of  the  niniiiitiiiii  lii),.,..  |,. 
lar;:i.'r  lown  nf  Hamilton,  wliii'li  \va>  cniiiincni  t  d  in  ilic  \(jir  I^IM,  ji,, |,,j 
mill's  from  I'nnd.is,  on  ilic  si  ulli  .side  of  tlir  \r,i\.  (In  aniiini  nt  a>\i;,iin 
niai'uin,  tlic  |irin<-i|ial  |iart  of  the  tuwn  t^tands  a  mile  liMn  the  l>;iv.  ini;..  > 
priinnd.  idoM'lj>  I'lnliavcd  liy  tin:  inoiinlaiii  ridni-.  wlddi  iit'ic  raiips  .it  ii,e 
tdi'Vatinn  of  onu  linndicd  and  liitv  Ift.l  alinsi'  tin-  tnwii.v  'J'n  its  iiii>ti!ir5 
ai'L'  a  fi'W  marshy  inlets.  \>\,  l>n<t''r  ('rai;;ie,  ol'  llamihoii.  I  iim  iiun.ii 
that  Diindas,  standiiiL^  to  the  windward  ol  the  niaish,  is  In  ahliir  in  v  un.r 
and  autumn  than  ilamiltmi,  the  sicklie.-t  |iiirtiiiM  of  wliieli  is  tlic  uoiini. 
whiidi  is  must  exposed  to  the  swain|t.  J>y  his  im'ti'iirolnj^iral  ili.MTv;ili>i.,ii 
a))[H'ars  that  the  westerly  winds  whieh  wa.t  the  [lali.dal  exLiilatii  i>  lu 
Pandas,  and  earry  them  i)\er  ilamilt<  n,  |irevail  ah'Uit  tl.ne  Inn  ihol  i;n« 
every  year.  The  type  ol'  fescr  is  iioth  interndlieiit  ami  leinittint.  'iliiuii. 
tude  of  this  Ineality  is  ah  )ut  l'5  lll'X.;  il,-^  elevation  ah  ve  haki' Uiaari.i, 
fnnn  two  huinlred  and  tliirty-ma',  up  tn  Iwn  liunlred  an<l  lity  li'it.  \\.i\- 
vaneing  westwardly  fn.m  the  hay,  we  soon  reach  the  Dusiii  of  Gnii,illli\Ef, 
deserilied  in  the  last  ehapter. 


'    , 

'. 

« 

M 


•  ■ ,    ,  »> 
41     J  -. . 


■  ''.  ■'.  ■■ 

V 

.  i 

^ 

■  ■•■-• . ,  ■  ''  ■ 

\ 

t    ' .  ■  . 

1 ,' 

I, 

t 

; 

» 

I; 


SITTION  VIII. 

COAST  AND  DASIX  OF  ].\KK  ()N|-Ai;it),  Fl{o:\I  IM'KLINGTOiN' B.^V  TO 

Tin;  \Ai,LFy  of  ■j'iji;  'I'kfnt. 

I.  The  nionntaiii  ridu't-  whieh  presses  so  <  lose  .in  IJnilini^ton  liay  t'lit 
leaves  the  lake,  and,  stretehini;'  elf  to  the  imrlli,  reaet.es  the  Inwcr  exlnii.^ 
of  (ieoruian  Uay,  nf  Lake  llunni.  West  of  this  riil:.'e  is  the  vall'V  n' 
Grand  Itiver  nf  [iuke  Krie,  already  ilesi-rilieil.  Tn  the  last,  as  lar  'f 
Villey  of  the  Trent,  nmre  than  half  the  lennf  h  of  l^ake  Ontario,  the  v  "^ 
basin  of  that  lake  is  reduced  to  a  width  of  thirty  or  ferty  miles:  amllli'!- 
tie  streams  which  traverse  it  to  the  lake,  interlock  in  their  origins  ffiti.  i'« ' 


»    'l'0])(lJTr;i|)liy  aixi  r'uMlliiL')    "f  F..lkc  OutUrlo. 

t  ymitli's  Cana..i,tii  {jiizftlicr. 


ni'  >■] 


INTKKIDR  VALI.KY  (Jl*  NOIITII   A.MKKICA. 


401) 


.INCHON  13.\V  TO 


,j,,fj  fit'  Lake  Smui'ix',  anil  tlio  Montli-wcstcrii   frlltut.'irlo'i  of  tlio   Tn-iit. 

..      f,,l  (jjtli  it>  ciiiiiitfi'iiart,  nil  tilt'  Miiiitli  >iil(!  nl'  tlic  l.aki',  wliirli  is  llio 

kujpii' (it'iK'.'ii.'t' llivi'i",  this  distrirt  litis   Imt  little  lirciultli.      its  smlacc- 

•lii'vis  very  rciiiarkalilf.     Staitiii^  Irtmi  tlic  Ial<i'  KJiurc,  aiitl  cxiilirliij.'  it 

lift,'tl\  iinrtli,  tlio  obs^L'i'ver  jtasst's  uver  ii  Miii's  i>f  iii'st-tcrtiary  sfcpjus  t.r 

j(;ni '•',  risiiiu' J'l"JVt' caclMdlier,  lit  iiii((|iial  lii^flit^,  iiiid  cxIiiMtiiiir  vaiiuUM 

jtiiiiiioit'Mirt'aiT.     Ill  all,  tliiTc  aro  I'luvcii  riilms  nf  this  kind,  and  tl:e  last 

»] ji.'iii'St  is  six  liiiiidrrd  and  ci^lit)  I't'i't  almve  Lake  ( Mitarin ;  t'iinsi'i|ii('ntlyi 

Ci'ii'ii'Jf''^  ""^ '''''^^'"  "'"'^'^  tl'o  8ca.     ]{t'_y(iiid  tlio  suniinit-IcM'i,  an  ol)- 

Larci'rraiinjf  of  tlu'  saniu  kind  leads  down  to  liiiko  SiuKMje,  tlic  su|nrflnonH 

ijif  'fwliiili  rcacli  Lake  Huron  tiiron^di  tlio  Severn,  Iiy  a  descent  if  one 

linir  1  ami  si'Vuiity  I'eet.  and   e(Jiise(|iiiiit!y  that   lake   lia>  an   altitude   of 

|r  ,  iiiii'lrt'il  ami  lorty-uiirlit  feut  aliove  tlio  .«ea.     Tlio  reniarkulile  ain|ilii- 

|li(4;  r  I'l  natural  lii.'iiches  which  has  lu'eii  indicated,  is  composed  of  chiy, 

|»r.il. a'.tl  jfravel,  sii|)|Mirtinji  granitic  howlders  from  the  north.     On  miiny  of 

Itvt'rnn'o.*  tliiTo  are  swamps,  Imt  lar^^c  portions  present  a  sandy  snil,  over- 

Ijiuiwii  with  [lines,  whicli,  moreover,  are  sparsely  scattered  over  every  part. 

jsfviril  little  rivers,  or  long  crooks,  ent  throujudi  these  terraces,  and  make 

iBuuav  t'l  the  lake,  of  wliicli   1   may  nieiitidii  the  ('icilil,  Ilullaiid,  llniii;e, 

|Hj3:l"r, anil  Pmi.     Tlie  rapid  desciMit  necessary  tn  l>riii;f  tiieiii  from  sn  hi^di 

|lr.rl,  i;i  SM  slicrt  a  distance,  appears  to  have  prevented  tho  formation  of 

liiii'.rJl'jw  liDttoiiis.    Tho  latitude  of  tliis  district  oxtonds  from  -i;{"  15' 

Itoii"  N."    Kxcliuliiig,  fortlic  present,  the  lake  sliore,  it  may  lie  statnl  that 

lliifr  ji'invhieh  lias  lieeii  so  briefly  sketched  out,  does  not  siifl\r  mndi  I'min 

|Kn:;i:;al  di.x(';isi's.     Its  lieiiig  among  the  best  settled  purtioiis  of  Caiuida 

i«,  111'  itself,  an  evideiieo  in  its  favor,  wliile  its  latitude,  elevation,  ami 

Ii! .■:! Trace,  piny  aspect,  wouM  suggest   the   same  coueliisioii.      It  is  not, 

T,  ffhuily  exempt  from  both  intermittents  and  remittents,  whii  li,  as 

rl'iLis.  uf  Toronto,  informed  me,  occur  more  or  less  every  year,  up  to 

iiiiit-level  of  tlie  district,  in  latitude  44",  and  at  an  elevation  of  nine 

I  t'lL't  aliiive  tlie  sen. 

Tlie  C'last,  from  l>urlington  IJay  to  Toronto,  a  distance  of  forty  miles, 
f^t^.llt^  111 ithiiig  very  peculiar.  rortion.s  of  the  terrace  arc  sandy,  down  to 
;vot..rs edge,  and  hear  pines;  but,  as  Doctor  Nicol,  of  Toronto,  infm-ms 
'■>tiiai'ies  of  Credit  liiver,  tlio  Ifumher,  and  several  smaller  streams, 
lired  with  swamps,  which,  in  summer  and  autumn,  give  origin  to 
kteruttuiit  and  remittent  fevers,  which  sometimes  beeomo  epidemic.  The 
pa  iatitude  „f  this  coast  is  about  4;J^  20'  N. 
Ill  CiTV  OF  TouoxTo.  —  Tho  most  jiopuh.us  and  important  city  (ii  tho 
(''"■'•m,  or.  indeed,  either  coast  of  Lake  Ontario,  is  Touonto,  in  N.  J-at.  4;]'' 
■4.amlW.  boil.  7!r  '2\'  5".  Commencing  near  tlio  level  of  the  lake, 
'"'i.'vation  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-ono  foot,  the  ]»hiin  on  whicli  tho 
''.^ '-  I'liilt  rises  gradually  to  the  hight  of  ono  hundred  and  eight  feet.     Tho 


1^ ">.■>•.;:  Topojrrnphy  and  rJeoIoiry  of  Lake  Onturio.— I.ypll :    'I'mvcls  in  Nortli 
'•-Murray;  Canadian  Geological  Reports. — Smitli :  Caiiiul.  (Juz. 


.■■  I 


If-  ^■' 


"  i''. 


I  i:"fc 


k 


.  •::s^ 


l^- 


;.t  ■•;*-:.■,. 


ii-    ■ 


410 


Tin;  IMMXCIPAL  DISEASF,^  OF  THE 


•P% ..  i 


greater  i«irtiiin  nf  tlie  |in]iiil;itii!n  reside  at  !iii  elevatimi  "f  almut  two  I-;.  ,jj 
and  iil'fy  t'eef  nl)iivi'   the  :"a.      Aluive  tlie  tdwii,  to  tlie  Wfst,  the  imi.!.  i^jt  I 
biiiik  is  liiirlier,  ami  also  rises  more  rajiiilly  from  tlio  \vatcr.     On  t!  i.  i  ,v,,J 
the  terrai  e,  to  tlie  soiitli-wes!-  of  the  center  of  the  city,  and  near tl;c  !i'k,.  5»| 
the  fort  ami  har   I'-ks.      A   few  miles  farther,  in  the  ?nnio  directii'ii  t 
sinnnicr  ami  autumnal-wiiiilward,  is  tlic  estuary  of  Ktoliicoke,  a  sn:;.'; 
To  the  north,  a  sucoml  terrace,  twenty  or  thirty  feet  lii,L'li(.'r  tlian  tlv  ji'stj 
sueceeils.  ami  may  he  reiiaidcd  as  the  second  of  the  series  nf  terra'-'-,, 
dcscrilied.     Adjacent  to  the  city,  to  the  north-ca.-t,  arc  the  low  and  >u.;;;,i| 
bottoms  of  the  Itiver  |)on:   winch,  however,  are  of  no  great  extent.    1 
diat(dy  to  the  east,  i  'yond  the  month  of  tliat  little  river,  a  sand-lmr  r 
from  the  shore,  to  the  .south,  and,  eurvinji'  roiiml  hy  ;he  south  -  wi'.«t.  i-tq^ 
nates  in   (iihraltar  J'oint.  helow  tin;  town,  thus  formiiiir  the  liarb  r 
surface  of  this  liar  rises  hut   little  aliovo  that   of  the  lake,  bear,*  «nii:. 
and  scatterin::'  trees,  and  has  a  nundier  of  small  swamps  and  ponds. v.: 
to  the  south  of  the  city.      Several  docks  jiroject  Into  the  liarhia'.  fpi; 
four  hundred  feet,  and  present  the  usual  as[ie'-t  <if  liltli  anddeca'i:. 
These  accumulations  a/e  thi'  creator,  liecansc  the  har  to  the  fast  jiiw., 
movement  of  the  watei-s  in  that  direction  hy  tlu' we- terly  winds,    hi  rx.'ijJ 
ing  ]ioi'tion.s  of  tlie    town-phit,  tVom  wliich   the   trees  had  heen  rc-n 
down,  r  f"uml  the  irround  wet  aej  lioiiu'y.     S\udi  is  tlu'  medical  ti|";i\i>a 
of  Toron  '  .      T^-  .-citlement  he','an   under  the  name  of  Little  Yurk.  m 
clou;  of  tlu;  last  eeiitury  :    I»ut   its   preseut  estimated  ]iojinlation.  t'.vi;.' -i- 
thousand,  is  the  result  of  a  r.apid  i^rowth  within  thi'  last  few  years:  -  ■ 
in  fact,  it  is  still  a  new  town,  and  the  soil  of  its  enviro.'s  Imt  int!."r 
of  transformation.      Tonnito  seems  at  all  times  to  have  hcen  .sulijort  • 
tumnal   fever,  especially  in   the  internutteut  form.     .Alore  than  thin.  ■ 
ago,  tlie  population  hcina'  ahout   si.K  hinidred,  when  the  ponds  and -" 
the  pl-iin  on  which   the  town  was  hnilt  wei'e   l)ut   p.'irtially  dried  11)1.  ••  ■ 
vicinity  was  still  in   a  state  of  nature,  doctor  John  Douglas,  of  li<.i'  i 
arm^-.  foind   internuttent  tcver  prt'valent.*      1  >oetor  Taylnr.  surj:i"i.  : 
81st  lligldaud  reiiinu'ut.  whi  m    I   saw  in  (Jueliee,  was  stationed  !r    ■ 
years  at  this  place,  .and  dnrin:^'  that  time,  a  reciment  arri\cd  fMi:  \.  . 
of  whiidi  a  larire  proportion  s\dl'crcd  from  inteiinittcnt  fever:  whiii'"';.: 
whirh  came  from  the  West    Indies,  m-arly  all  escaped  that  diseasi:-  ' 
that  deserves  to  he  reinemhered.      As  to  autunuud  fever,  at  the  prts'  " 
I  learned  from  Doctor  I'u'es,  that  hotli  intermittents  and  rcniitteiits ;. 
mon.  especially  on.  or  contiguous  to,  the  low  grounds  in  the  vicniin 
city,  near  the  small  rivers  whi(di   have   heen   mentioned.     ByDi^tir.V 
Lave  heen  informed,  "that   hotli  intermittent  ami  remittent  fevers  ii; 
prevalent  in  Toronto,  and   along  the  neighhoring  coast,  e.speci.ilh  i: 
nKuiths  of  the  Don.  the   Kt(d>icid«>.   the    llumher.  and  the  Cri'l:t  1 
where  there  .Tre  extensive  n.ar>hes.      In  spring  and  antninn.  no:ii'h 
the  eases   of  disease  relieved  at  the   Dis[ien>ary,  arc  intcrimttoi:-- 


I  '    .i* 


Ed'iilnirirli  .Alcd.  and  Sin  jf.  Jouniiil,  Vol.  XV  I. 


nv 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


411 


_,:,.■:,.«  ^fautniunal  fcvor  ocour  ever}  year,  Ijiit  are  niueli  more  iirtvjilcMit  in 

^ ,^v,r^  tlian  otliers.     Tliey   assuiiio,  at   times,  an  epidemic  cliaraeter. 

Iiioraittents  generally  prevail  mure  tliaii  r( mitteiits.  Simple  aiiiie  is  most 
miiiHiJvniet  witli  —  nialiirnant  iiitermitteiit.s  ari;  rare.  Tlie  ads  namic,  or 
Bili'r.aiit  t'lirm  of  remittent,  is  oipinninu  near  tlie  nunitlis  of  tlie  llnmlier  and 
■wrp.iit  Kivurs  —  in  a  )e.si,'  defrree  near  tliat  nf  the  Don.     It  is  callrd  by 

jIjj  I ,1^.  the  Lake-fever,  and  is  nl'ten  eonl'imnded  with  typluis.      It  is  the 

r/ettlaii;:c'rous  fnrni  of  autnnmal  Irver.  (In  tlic  stejipes  nr  terrace,'^  north 
f'f  r  :^t'i.  inflaiiiiiiatniy  iiitermitteiits  have  prevailed  to  a  con.sideraMe  e.xtent 
•ijU'. wliLTO.  f'^riuerly,  ii.ti.'rmitte'its  in  any  furm  were  by  no  means  very  eom- 
m,  ill  iiiiiiiy  eases,  the  inflammutury  e.xeiteinent  of  some  organs  masks  the 
true  c'.iaractor  of  the  disease."' 

IV     TlIK  (V.\ST,  KllO.M  TOIIOXTO  TO  THK  KMIiOL'ClICUK  OF  TIIK  PilVKI!  TlIKXT. 

-A;  ■ . '  ili^t'iiicc  of  si."  or  ei^iiht  miles  east  fnun  Toronto,  there  ctinnncnecs 
sD.t-niiirlilainls,  which  rise  i'mni  two  Iniudrt'd  and  fifty  to  three  hundred 
;:; ;i;.vi' tlie  lake.  They  are  C()m[)ii8ed  of  drift,  <ir  pnst-teitiary  materials, 
:■ -aiiic  kind  with  tlu'  terraces  nurth  nf  Toronto.  Their  summits,  and 
•^^r"ii:n'v  ill  tlieir  rear,  support  ]iiiies.  At  their  base,  near  tl:e  lake,  there 
ift  tsti  hive  marshes,  which  extend  i;p  every  little  stream.  These  high 
H;f- at  itiigth  decline  into  a  bank  of  ll."  -anie  composition,  from  .>-i.\ty  to 
(ii'ctvtVi't  ill  bight,  which  c(nitiiines  eastwardly.  and  emliays  the  new  towns 
cfF  :t  Hope  and  Cohuri;-.  in  the  vicinities  of  which,  as  along  the  coast  -'ene- 
r»I; .  iliero  are  marshes.*  The  latitude  of  this  eoast  is  a  little  below  44". 
Irv.Tit  tliut  I  cannot  state  the  extent  to  which  it  is  infested  with  autunnial 


V- 


SECTION    IX. 

BAS.N  OF  THE    TRENT,  AM)   'I'lIE    TIAY   OF   QTMXTE. 

^\eliavc  seen  that  tlie  middle  p(..-. ion  of  the  Southern  IJasin  of  Lake 
IferiiisoscMitiidly  laeustriiH —  no  less  th;in  ehiven  small  lakes  di.-'-hai'giiig 
It.tir  «!ii  I  rtiiiiius  waters  throngli  the  Oswego  Miver.  It  is  s<.niewliat  remirk- 
lau.  :i],it  the  corresponding  locality  on  the  opposite  or  northern  side  of 
I'J'ijr;  .  I'ljU'illy  ahiiunds  in  small  lakes,  which,  by  their  coiiflueiice,  form  a 
|l"r,  ;':i'  TiiKNT,  which,  like  the  ( )swego,  takes  an  eastern  ilirectioii.  rnlike 
|l--t;.vrr.  !ii,\vi  vcr,  it  docs  riot  ]ierforate  tlie  side  of  ():itario,  but  pours  its 
1^51 '■  iitu  tile  head  of  a  long,  zigzag,  appendage  of  the  lake,  called  the  Hay 
r-'["'!t'.  ffliioh  bears  a  relation  to  this  lake,  very  ;'!;e  that  of  (Ireen  Uayto 
|Liv  Mi'Iiigan.  or  Georgian  l{ay  to  Lake  Huron.  The  axis  of  this  bay  and 
it.  L;vir  Trent  is  the  same,  and,  continued  to  the  south-east,  termiiiates 
li-.U.diita-.in,  not  far  from  the  efllux  of  the  Kiver  St.  Lawrem-e.  The 
r  ■>■>  I  Vi  longed  to  the  north-west,  ends  in  the  head  or  SMiithern  extrc- 
It-.'Mlc'iirjian  Bay;  showing  that   the  tin,"  was,  when  the  latter  might 

»  Rigsl.y. 


ff' 
u 


1    r^ 


,  .  , 


412 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[fOOIl 


4  7 


m. 


k| 


* 


J'   A 


have  oxtomlcil,  cir  pent  n  river  into  Lake  Ontarin,  near  its  Idwrr  ■  i 
ThriniLiliiiiit  its  wIkiIo  extent  t!ie  IJasin  oi"  tlie  Trent  is  euniiai'UMl 
Situtli,  with  sliurt  s^treanis,  whieli  fluw  directly  to  liiike  Ontario;  en  tl.c  •  - 
with  tl;o  triliiitaries  of  Ottawa  Iliver,  wliieh  juins  tlie  St.  Iia\vrii:iv  i,  ,■ 
Muiitroal.  The  larger  (if  tlio  lakes  within  the  Trent  nr  C^iintr  iJavJi,  .., 
SkugDir.  Halsaiii,  SturL^'iin,  I'i'ienii,  ami  IJice.  The  p'oloifical  lasis  (,;' tl' 
basin  is  Silurian  limestone,  and  other  rocks  of  that  era;  hut  thu  .-nrfii't;  ■ 
dct|)l;v-  o\ers|ii'ea(l  with  drift,  or  |iost-tertiar_v  depo.sits;  which,  in  suiiie  jIjk; 
arc  arranired  into  steppes  ur  terraces,  but  nut  so  distinctly  as  in  tbe  i.  -  • 
north  Of'  Tornntn. 

Acc.rdiuL!-  to  Hocior  T^iL'.sby.*  the  Iliver  Trent  flow.s  ra  nidlv  over  a  >.'.,''  ; 
and  rocky  bottom,  between  ]\\'.'\i  hank's,  throuiili  a  beautil'nl  cnuiitrv  !•;.,• 
bills  aiid  luxuriant  valleys;  and,  around  the  IJay  of  (^)uintc  flicrc  ari'ivu: 
bills  and  cliffs;  yet.  as  the  same  observer  states,  there  are  nicra.-MS.  Si;;. 
parts  of  the  bay  coast  are  marshy  ;  but  it  does  not  appear  that  tlich"rl(T- 
of  the  river  and  its  triluitaries,  are  particularly  liaiile  to  iinuiilatiun.  '.' 
of  the  s'lii  is  sandy,  and  supports  an  inferminu'k'd  growth  of  pine  ami  t.;if;- 
Till'  whi  h'  basin  is  includeil  hetweeii  the  forty-fourth  and  fcrtv-fifth  |.,'ii;!l.': 
of  latitude  —  its  mean  elevation  may  be  taken  at  four  hundred  feut  awvi 
the  sea. 

II.  Xoi'th  of  this  basin  there  are  low  innuntaius,  with  primitive nlv aw 
the  country,  u|)  to  Hudson's  IJay,  is  in  a  great  degree  uiiinliahited.  t'ltK; 
prcvalen''e  of  autumnal  fever  within  the  basin,  I  can  say  but  little,  fur  w:,|i; 
of  inforniatiou.  Its  hydrography  suggests,  that  the  topogra  iliieal  eniiilni';. 
requisite  to  the  producli m  of  that  fever  in  a  lower  latitud"  arc  imt  w;i:,'i:::: 
and  the  only  specilic  acci.uut  I  have  <ditaiued,  shows  tliitt  the  fcviT  i-  j.: 
abs(.nt  iVi.ni  the  lower  aiul  southern  part  of  the  basin.  Doeti^r  V:i'  irk, 
now  of  Oswego.  New  York,  who  resided  ten  year.N  in  the  town.-hips  nf  K-  .-• 
town  and  Thurlow,  west  of  Kingston,  and  north  of  tiio  IJas  "f  Quiiiti',  iiivt 
with  th.-tt  fevcrevery  year ;  and  in  1  S-JS  it  a.-suineil  something  ef  an  f[ii'l« 
and  even  nriligmnit  character;  I'or  he  saw  several  cases  of  algid  and  sije 
rose  interm  ttent.  His  latitude  was  4-1"  10' — elevation  above  the  sea  al^s: 
two  huinlred  and  fifty  feet.  (!niupared  with  Fort  IIoAvard.  at  the  linvbi 
Green  Hay,  wiicre  the  topograpliy  is  highly  favorable  to  the  ger.ira!;  ti  :; 
autuniiia!  fever,  and  yet  it  is  almost  aiiseiit,  we  are  led  to  seek  fur  tli'M;:;:."' 
of  the  iliffereuce  between  that  locality  and  this.  They  appear  t'l  ho  nv  — 
a  differeoce  of  l;alf  a  <legree  in  latitude,  that  lieing  in  14"  W ;  and  -! »';« 
hundred  ami  fifty  feet;  of  altitude,  that  being  five  hundred  and  iiiuctjiefl 
above  the  sea. 


»  PLil.  .Ma^r.  auii  Ann.  of  Phil.,  Vol.  V.        f  Cuiuul.  Guz. 


V'4 


fllll-; 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


413 


liillyw'ra  -'.I'rjt 
111  (;ii\intry  ■<\yU('rj 
iti'  tlnTP  an.'  n:,i:.v 
c  iiiiiraw);.  >•  •« 
;ir  tliat  t!ie  l^rltn 
imiii'latinii.  )!;■': 
of  jiiiic  ami  .'r:' 
ti.vty-til'tl'  i.;ii::!M: 

lllinll'cil  Ik't  :iiVf 


SKCTIOX 


K  I  N  <;  S  T  ()  N 


Tb'iU  FreiH-li  t'lTt,  Fmiilciinr,  iinw  (iic  (uwii  I'l'  Kivsston, 


'■■rh'  I"" 


Imiulrcil  vc.-irs  ;i,L.'n. 


It     (ifilCll-^     III 


N.   I,;,t.   U 


\v;is  ( 


Mill 


•>t:iMi>!i.<d 
1  W.  L.a-.. 


nil  the  iinrtli.  or  k-lt  li;iiik  of  tin;  oiitlft  <\  L;iki'  Otitari-;,  ;iiiil,  tliorc- 
t!ie  liciid  of  tilt"  St.  liaw-ciico  llivor,  o;i  n  !«lii|)o  \vl,i;ii  risis  t:;;iilii:illy 


i  31  tde  water  s  ••( 


La'  to  tilc  lliir'lt    of  S('Vci;fv  U-\'{. 


oi    iliri'c   IniiiMii  il   Miiovc 


The  liasiK  of  tliis  sl"|i('  i; 


o|(l  >ilni;iii  liiiicstoiii',  w  f  I'll 


tu  be 


&^'  i' 


«r',t'-:;ini.'  Hi 


leiitical  witli  tlitit  wliicli  fonns  tin;  sito  of  Niishvillc,  'I'l'iim  >.<<•(•.  Wo 
mi  the  iiortlicni  iiKiriiiii  of  the  transition  formations:  for  iimiu'iliatcly 
Kiii"ston,  [iriiiiitivo  roclcs,  i,i  fn'/zi,  inako  tlicir  Miipcaraiico :  and, 
a  ZKiie  from  the  north  sidi'  nf  Liike  Ontario  acr<  ss  the  St.  Law- 


if>ii,(v  t'Hriii  liio  TmnsAM)  I.-i,am>s.  ami  tt'rniiiiati'  in  tlio  Liraiiitir  .\iliroi:(la''k 

,;ii.  I'f  Xew  York,  wo!*t  of  Lake  (Miainj.iain.      TniinL-diati'Iy  oast  of  tlie 

iij  the  ,«iiia!l  Catiirairni  IJay,  in  wiiidi   a  little  river  of  the  s.iiiie  iijiiiic, 

0  lli(h'aii  Canal,  fr.iii   Ottawa   Kiver.  terininate.      'I'lie  water  of  this 

tiirhiii.     Ill  one   o(   its  eurvs  or  inilentatinns,  on  the  iiortii-eastern 


i  K'^ll 


C"l 


tl.et. 


iWII, 


I  f> 


anil  it  skirteii  with  low, 


loiii.  alluvial   Li'roiinu 


in  the 


ri'.TtiH.'R'  w 


•re  several  deraviiisj  doeks :  and  lietweun.  or  near  them,  rafta 


t;ii:!;ir, uii  wliieli  weeils  were  ffrowin;,'. 


ho  water  around  uas  e\  ideii 


\\t  TH't' 


'taele  of  a  irreat  deal  ot  street,  kiteliea.  and  eellar  tilth,  sent  (.nt  from 


ill 


(1> 


II 


it liimieri'US  .small  anil  old  houses,  iiiliaiiitru  ehuily  oy  jioi.r  lii;-li  laniiiics, 
D'iin:;  up  the  mass  of  tiio  iiopulation  in  that  <|Uarter  of  the  town.  Tliis 
i,v:  .•  Lilly  siiuree  of  insaluln-ious  e.vhalation  whieli  1  y.iw,  in  connection 
rivi  the  plat  of  the  town;  wliicli  has  liut  a  -liirlit  covevinj.' of  soil,  jinil  a  do- 


vitrof  its  roeky  surface,  favoial 
ii  little  liav  t! 


lie  to   cleaiilliic! 


li-re  IS  a  roiKv  hroiiiontorv,  om 


(  hi  the  ea.-let  n  .'■ide  of 
hundreil  and  li  t\   lei  t  liii.'!i 
iktlic  lake,  on  the  oxtremily  of  wliiidi  — once  the  ,>-itc  of  idil  I'oit  I'roii- 
to'—imw  stands   Furf  Ilcinii.      A   mile  to  the   we.st  of  the  town,  a    jonj^ 
«pi'tiiiiiiul;i,  (.-idled  Point  I'Vedeili-k,  stretilie.-,  into  the  lake:  tl  e  -Kimd 

allow,  sta;:i  ant. 


Ji" 


iiit'"vii:inityof  wliich  i.s  swanqiy.  and  llie  water  ar-iimd  it 
JLi:;::iii'ly.  with  ih'jio.sit.s  of  deeaying  veLretation.^*- 

::i'i'niiitteiit  and  remittent  i'cvi  i.-.  hut  es|ieeial]y  the  former.  |'Vevail 
i-s.-yat  Kiiigst,..!.     This  is  manifest  Iroin  tin-  returns  of  tlie  l>riti.-li  army  ; 
ases  |irevail  less  aniong  the  iroi,|s  stationed  in  I'ort  lieiiry .  than 
juartered  in  the  town,  ou  tlio  hank  of  tlie  liith'  l^ay  which 
I  a   vi-it  to  his  hos|iiial,  on  the  ^ih  of  Se|iti'mlier.  I*"-!?, 
wdio  had  charee  of  one  luiiidred  and  tw('nt\  aitillo- 


.'  (\m\ 


'■II  are  i 


•^thciii.      Il 
I'-i.f  .Meliit. 


tl 


le  iiatieiits  had  intermittent  fe\er. 


iiitracted  in  the  t 


own  :  an 


Midntosli  seemed  familiar  with  tlie  di^'ase,  as  one  annuallv  oi 


eiininj 


-'I  II      Doctors  f^; 


inijison  ,'iiiil  III  l.iiis"n.  a 


Iso,  ie>tilied  to  the  fre(|iient 


:ia:  ijt  hiitli  forms  of  antumnal  It'Vcr   amon;:'  the  citizens  ol"  the  |daee. 


*  Tuiiock'H  Stat.  &ep.  pi  lliu  Drititih  Army. 


414 


THE  rillNCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  TUG 


iiooii 


Kliigst'in,  when  comiitrcMl  witli  .I;iiiicst(j\V):,  near  Cliautauijuo  Lake  a*T,  1 

an  iustriK-tivo  illustratinn  of  I'lo  iiiflncnce  nf  aliitiul"  iv.  limitiinf  imt, „,  i 

.'vor.     Tlic  topfigiMj/Iiical  conditions,  in  roteri'iico  to  Mio  ;rof1ufiiuii  (f  t' 

ivcr,  aru  nijt  niatcLiIIy  ''I'Tci'o  r.   iu\i\  Janu'stown  i>  r-v.j  dt-urccs  fm'. 


fovor. 


sontli;  yet,  from  its  grc;itLr  vlc^atiun  of  eleven  Hundred  feet,  it  is  ab- 
entirely  exempt 


y   •. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

THE  EASTEIIN,   Oil    ST.  LAWRENCE   BAj^IN, 

CONCLUDED. 


.-..*■*. 


SECTION  I. 


THE  RIVER  ST.  LAWREx\Cl'.,  PROM  LAKE  ONTARIO  TU  THE  INLAND! 

Ml    MONTREAL. 

I.     Tin;  great  natural  canal,  by  wliieli  tlie  superfluous  water  li  all  del 
lakes,  wit''  their  confluent  streams,  over  whieh  we   have  pns>ed,  flowscf  tjj 
the  Gulf  of    8t.   Lawrence.   Iia.s  its  broad    beginning  in  the  iiurtlaa«tinij 
corner  of  Lake  Ontario,  ijuc  •;  sluprt  distance  behiw  Kingstun.    Fur  tLc  i" 
taucc  of  about  sixty  miles  its   currt.nt  is  .so  gentle  that  it  almost  sijejI 
a  mere  arm  of  the  lake.     Tlic  '■Th<insuiid  MiDids'''  arc  found  in  tlii?  icter-l 
mediate  .section  between  the  Uii:e  and  the  river  proper,     Tluy  :.re  cuiiip'.-:'l: 
of  gnuiite  and  other  primitive  rocks.     At  length,  the  water:;  arc  ci'lktclj 
iiuo  i.  single  channel,  and,  moving  with  increased  velocity,  present  tlioasiicetj 
tT  It  '.rue river;  which  differs  from  most  others  in  the  Interior  Yalliy.kt'MJ 
uniform  ilevation  of  its  surface  and  the  eijually  constant  iraiisparciiov  <  f 
waters.     Its  banks,  consisthig  largely  of  drift  or  post-tertiary  liqi'^it?.  irel 
sulTiciently  developed,  and  so  firm  as  to  bo  but  little  acted  upun  bjitjj«-r 
tie  current.     \\\  many  places  the  stream  divides  and  incloses  purtiui;?'!  uj 
bank,  in  the  form  of  i.slands,  wl:ich  of  course  are  not  svihjeet  to  imiiiiJa::.:.j 
The  lower  half  of   the  distance  to  :Montr('al   T.^land,  nffords  many  li^MKil 
impetuous  rapids;  and  above  the  island  there  are  expan.^ioiis  (if  tlle^tM^, 
which  have  received  the  names  of  Lake  St.  Fraiu-is  and  Lake  St  L"Ui?:  '-«| 
shores  of  which,  in  some  places,  are  low,  alluvial,  and  marshy;  w'/ilo:;. 
the  river,  generally,  wherever  a  tributary  enters,  there  is  more  or  le??  I't  swd.^ 
The  aflliient  streams,  however,  are  not  numerous,  and  the  wbulo  arc  tuia- 


■■japytf 


^i.#^: 


'.     .,.    ^y. 


?.JT 


INTERIOri  VALLCY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


413 


CE    BASIN, 


0  TO  THE  ISLAND 


;r     Xol'OiiKAl'UV 


01'     Tin;     ('OINTUV     OV     Till.     SoUTTlKIlX    t^lDV.     01'     THIS 


:£"' 


\ -.T  r:iE  i;T.  LA^\  iiKNCK. — Thu  liasiii  m-  viillcy  (il'ilii;  St.  Lnwri'iirc,  on 
;.' .  t'lom  riJ<^i  1'''"'  '^"  g'"^"'''  l)ro.-KUli,  ami  is  teniiiiiatod  hy  tlic  Adirduclaek 
'..  ..,.j,i,i<,if  >'iirtlierii  Now  York,  wliicli  may  bo  .s'uii.  as  liliio  iii(ii!iiil.s  i'm  th'- 
j,,:  II.  iiiJosL'oiuliiigtlio  river.  '1"'h',>.i'  ui  lintaiiis  i'  n>(itutc  tlioouliiili.iti? ;,' 
j[i.,.ftlic  f-trcaiiis  '.vliidi  flow  into  tlio  St.  .lia\s-r(  il'o,  on  tlio  north;  into 
L.vi'hiUUiiIaiM,  on  lliu  oast;  into  tlu;  Hudson  ami  .Mohawk,  on  the  south; 
-i  it,.  Lake  Ontario,  on  tho  wt'st.  The  same  mountains  have  nunioruns 
i-  '  lake?,  iit  the  hiirht  of  fifteen  or  eiLrhtceu  hundred  feet.*  The  strear-is 
O' i lieicciul  from  them  to  the  8t.  Lawreiiee  are  eold,  transparent,  and  inha- 
l-tti  liv  trout.  The  principal  are  the  0.swegatehie,  Indian.  Kaekot,  G  rass,  Et. 
K.:-.;in  J  Salmon.  Even  these,  however,  are  of  moderate  length  and  volume; 
trVr  belt  of  country  which  they  traverse  is  narrow,  comptired  with  its  length, 
liov  abiiuml  in  falls  and  rapids,  iconic  of  them  originate  in  swamps,  which 
ill  i:t  tu  tlicir  wa'.>  I's  a  darkish  hue.  The  lower  and  Hatter  portions  of  tlii.s 
^ii;;trelesslu.ustrino  than  the  higher,  liulian  llivor  expands  into  ]3Iaek 
Li'.inar<>ilenshui'g.  and  then  joins  the  Oswegatehio.  Near  the  St.  Law- 
f(;n  tliC  "ciiL'ral  aspect  of  this  region  is  level,  or  terrace-like,  and  rolling,  with 
irictM'f  wuudluss  plain.  It  then  becomes  hilly,  and  at  last  mountainous.  Its 
l.w.'r  iwrthurn  extremity,  constituting  a  sort  of  jteninsula  l)etween  the 
ji. Liwnnce  and  Lake  Champlaiii,  is  chiefiy  a  dead  level,  and  but  little 
ilcTittd  above  the  water.  The  underlying  rock  of  this  tract,  in  its 
*..;;:,•  rn  I'Urt,  is  granite, — near  the  rivi  r.  old  (|uartzoze  sandstone,  ami  other 
j-a:-;;iin  rutks.  The  surface  abounds  in  drilt,  (U-  jiost-tertiary  de;  otits, 
nii  rtiiiL' granitic  bowlders,  which  lie  at  the  base  of  those  mountains;  from 
iiL;.\.  in  the  o]iiiiion  of  .Air.  Ilall,t  the  erratic  block.-  of  primitive  rock, 
'.:;.;  in  tlie  south-west,  down  to  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  v>-ere  transported. 

Ill  OiiDK.v.MiURu. — This  is  tlu)  most  important  town  of  the  region  we  are 
.^rvviiifr.  Its  rxisition  is  innnediatelv  lielow  or  f'a.st  of  the  mouth  of  the 
ik  :;iti'liii' Eivcr,  on  a  high  bank  of  the  St.  Jjawrence,  overspread  with,  or 
rtffijN !(.■(!  of,  drift,  resting  on  the  oldest  Silurian  rocks,  from  wliich,  near 
lb;  wn,  till' water  falls,  in  reaching  the  St.  Eawrenco.  On  the  ..  josite 
criri-tcrn  .side  uf  this  little  river,  the  liank,  by  two  terracc.«,  attain,  i,u  a 
TrtM  t'lovatiun  than  the  plain  on  which  the  town  is  built,  and  ■,  the 
fc  :'iin!|iositii)n.  Near  the  junction  of  the  two  rivers  arc  severa.  ..o-os  of 
Jil:vi:il griiuiul,  part  of  which  is  perpetually  covered  with  water,  wis  le  the 
»;'.'Mj!ialile  to  iinnidatiim  from  flnods  in  the  Oswegatehio.  A  short  ui- ~ 
UrA-  fri'tti  its  mouth,  there  is  a  dam,  ereatiiiu  a  po(d,  in  which  a  vast 
Ml'  '-nf  '.saw-logs,'  floated  from  the  interior,  are  constantly  accMnmlated. 
F:  lathis  pond,  mill-races  pass  through  the  alluvial  ground. 

I'  taSlierinau  came  to  Ogdensburg  in  iSiif).  wlien  it  was  still  a  newly- 
s'.i.il kality,  and  found  autumnal  fever  prevailing.  In  the  foUowing  year 
itwatuniTtrsal,  extending  to  IkjiIi  sides  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  up  and  down 


'  "■«  York  Geologlrji!  Reports. 
^'■"Itgical  Report  of  tlio  State  of  New  York;  Second  and  Fourtli. 


L 

m 

1 

.  ■"  • 

'    ,,    w       '  ■  , 

■■  ;■  :^ 

,  ,    ,-  • 

i.p.. 


/■i 

< 

1        V. 

■  \ 
:,    1 

41(3 


Tin:  ruiNcii'M,  diskask?  or  tiih 


I'O'Ji  r. 


tlic  live:-;   :ils  1,  aritiiiiil    I'lack    liiilcc,  wliiili   lios   ji   few  miles  frniii  t',.  ; 

Jiiiwrcii'i',  iiml  .•iliiii:.'' all  (Ik-  small  stroaiiis, — invading,  in  a  uiiticati'il  i],  ■ , 

evoii  (lie  lii„'!icst  and  dni'st    ridges    and  torracus.     In   {^•j,~  anil  !>•..' 

r(!i'unt.'tl,  (Hit  willi  Ifss  vi  iloncci  and  then  ccasccl  until  Is:;.",  ...  ly. 

a  slight  invasii'n  was   cxiH'iit'nri  d.      Again  it  disa|.]i(  artd  ui.iil  b,.'.    i 

oas's  (Mv-nrn-d,  fidlowid.  in   tlic  twi   ntxt   \i'ars,   hv  ftliirs.     Its  t  , 

■  I "  '''■" 
]>nt]\  intrrndtli'iit  a!nl  ii-ndtti'iit  —  in  t'lie  vccent  inva^idiis  the  n-iiiitt.' ,t  \'ir 

{iri'diiMiinatiir^.     TIic   tustinMjnv  of  pnttnr  Laiiglilin.  ■who  ariivid  in  Is", 

fdrnliirati's,  a.s  f:ir  as  it  gios  hack,  that   of  |)ncti,v  Shoriniui.    In  l-ji;  i, 

saw  it  (/cMirriiig  in   snrnninding  I'lcalitics.  where  it   was  siiid  Mi,t  t..  l  ,;„ 

aii|iea;'il  hel'^n-       lie  had  furiHerlv   lived  t\veiit\-  miles   SdUtli  tjot  ■  1  t  .  »t 

Lawrene,  in  a  lpr(d<en  ei)\inlr\-,  where  the  lever  did  iK^t  necur. 

In  cimiiiaring  tiiis  hiealitv  with  (Ireen  I>a\-,  the  latitude  nf  Imh!;  1„;;„ 
4  J"  411'  N.,  we  iind  the  tdiidgraphieal  ediiditinn  <>['  the  latter  dicidni)-,  ii„rj 
litted  t'l  J  ridnce  autuunial  i'ever  than  that  ( T  the  I'drnier;  and  vet  tliiMJivisj 
has  jnc\ailed  t>  a  far  greater  extent  here  than  tl;ere;  a  diUm'iiw  wii.li 
may  he  referred,  |ierlia|is,  tn  the  dillerenee  (if  three  hui;dre(l  and  tit'tv  IViijii 
their  altitude.  It' we  extend  the  e(im|iarisMii  to  Firt  AVii.iiel  agn,  ont  o.ni 
and  ten  nnnutes  smith  df  Ogdenshurg,  hut  li\e  hundred  am!  sivcniv-livj 
feet  higher.  l!ie  evidence  is  still  nnire  enneliisive:  i'dr.  while  the  tn|iM.'r;i|.',ii.i| 
cireiinistaiu-es  at  that  jio.st  are  iimro  favdralde  to  the  uriuinatinn  ef  lii  :ivir, 
its  jn-evaleiiee  is  less.  Again.  wdu'M  we  eomjiare  Fort  duelling,  at  tlir  imt. 
tinii  of  the  St.  I'etor's  and  the  Mississippi,  we  have  evideme  nf  iji,.  sanu 
kind.  That  pi'st  i<  eidv  t'drteen  minutes  north  of  ( i.den.>il)urg,  Imt  Svj 
hundred  and  twenty  I'eel  ludfe  t'h'valeil,  and  autninnal  lever  eccnrs  i'l  ['■,6 
niost  liniiti^'d  de^j^ree  oidy,  iidtwithstanding  tie  tdjidgrajiliy  iiiiglit  la\^r;u 
production. 

■».'  dtlier   Idealities  within   tlie   region,   the   outlines  of  which  Livi- !. 


sketelii'd,  I  eann't  speak,  for  want  of  informatidu 

\V.  Tm;  XditTiiMiiN  hank  ok  tiik  St.  li.vwuK.vci:,  from  run  I.ak';  wj 
Mo.NTiiK.vi.. — TIlis  is  a  hnig  and  very  narrow  helt,  travci.-cd  li\- >-!i  rt  ;:'ii| 
iueoiisiderahie  streams.  Narrow  as  it  is,  howt  ver,  II  einhrains  a  nuiiilur  (I 
Binall  lakes.  'J'he  iinniediate  hank  (d"  the  iipjier  jiart  of  t!ii.>  sei-ii' n '!  ;■.«] 
river  is  high  and  dry.  and  docs  not.  like  the  liaiiks  ol'  the  Olii  ■,  dnli  ■  :r  a! 
its  margin,  !mt  hee<ime.s,  in  many  places  at  lea.-t,  still  higher,  as  \\v  ,  ikj 
from  the  river.  Its  geological  coustitutiou  is  tl  e  same  as  that  nf  tin  r- 
just  descriiied. 

\.      I'cKsr.iTr. — The  towu  of  Prescott  stands  oppi^site  ( >g(leii.-huri.'.  inN 
T>at.  ahdut   U'   I'l'.      Tt  is  Imilt  on  a  liuiestoiu'  slnru.its  site  iiicliiiiii.' t'tsf 
river,  and  well-draimd.      A  mile  in  its  rear  then'   is  a  >\vani[i  nw";:ir:.'^ 
cultivated.      J)d,  tor  Scott,  who  had  retiided  nian\  _\rars  in  the  !■  wi  .H'Mir'l 
to  ine.  tiiat  intermittent  fever  had  not  originated  e'ther  in  the  t'  wn  i.r;!riiiiii 
tlie  swauqi.      According  to    Pdctdi'  Sliermni    of  ( )gdenshiin:.  hciwuvtr.  ensol 
occurred   luuv   in    iN'J't.   when   the  distNasi;  assiMBt'd  an  epideiuit'  cliiu. 
at  Ogdenshurg.      Uemittent  fever,  Doctor  Scott  informed  me,  now  ai.J  lh« 
presents  itself. 


»;  t' 


•iP  !■, 


IXTERIOR  VAI.I.EY  OV  NORTH  AMF.RICA. 


411 


|i|„  jifwt  rapiila  of  tlio  St.  Lawrence  occur  four  or  five  miles  lidnw  Pros- 
.■!t aii'l  (igJunsburg. 


liy  niij:lit  'ii^'r  '''Jl 


,t'  which  l:i\\'  ^"Ctl 


si:cTio\  II. 

BASIN    OF   o'J'TAWA    l{  I  V  K  R  . 

I   Ottawa  lliver,  the  largest  trilmtary  iil'tlic  St   Lawreitco,  lias  its  jivincipal 

I ir  v! aliout  X.  Ijat.  4s"   ;]()',  and  W.  lion.  7l>  '.  wliuro  tlicy  iiitcrlncic  with 

•>Mft!ieIakeaml  river  AI)l)itilil)(.',  iif  lliulspii  i>ay.     At  first,  it  runs  west 

K't-.'ith  for  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  when  it  enters  !iako  Temiscamiiig; 

L,  (, it sffociis  to  the  siiuth-east,  thri'Ui:h  a  regiitn  nf  lakes,  jionds.  s\vani])S. 

Iti;  ;ist.'>;  expanding,  cnntraeting,  (lividiiig,  re-uniting,  ninving  quietly  on 

|;::!'.vclj.  and  descending  in  cataracts  or  rajiids.  until  it  joins  the  St.  l^aw- 

I*:.  ;,t  Montreal  Island,  after  running  a  cnurse  of  Ix^twccn  six  and  seven 

Ir::;:.!  mile.^.    It  receives  the  waters  of  many  triltut.irics.  Iioth  from  the 

l;:r';  .".'l  tlio  south,  and  nniy  be  said,  in  general  terms,  to  drain  all  tlio  iiortli- 

|ci::'iiiiiJ'lIe  purtions  of  the  ri'giou  between  ^I<iufreal  and  Lake  Sujiericr. 

:; ;  :.;i' waters  of   Hudson  ]]ay.     Its  basin   cuniin-eliends  about  eiglity 

|ti::wr.J si|unre  miles.*     Above  Lake  Temlscaming,  situate  on  an  expan- 

|e;M  t'.io  river  called  Tirand  liac,  tb.e  Ilmlson  II;iy  Conijiany  have  a  ))ost : 

tlur  on  that  lake  in  N.  Lat.  47-  n'.  and  W.  Lou.  TD"  ol',  at  the 

foi'."f  six  hundreil  and  tliirty  feet  above  the  sea. 

I:  •  Ottawa  is  to  the  St.  Lawrence,  in  oii(>  nsjcct.  wbat  the  Alleghany  is 
',ii.    It  passes  through  jiine  forest.",  and  most  of  the  jioojde  who 
V  laljiir  on  its  baid<s,  are  engaged  in  the  lum1)er  trade.      I'l.r  about 
rl"ftlu'  distance  from  its  muith  to  it-  >ource — that  is,  as  far  U[)  as 
■'i  nf  its  largest  tributary,  the  ]\l:ida\v;iska.   whiidi  fhiw-  from  the 
•>t  — it  passes  througb  a  cnuntry  tolerabl;,  well  settled:  beyond  that 
-ttkmeiits  are  tliin,  and,  ;it  length,  cease  altogetlier.      In  general. 
;iio  Inw,  broad,  alluvial,  and  .subject  to  inundation. r 
'Ivrowx,  the  only  i!n|>ortant  town  within  the  Ottawa  IJasin.  -t.nnds 
.:  t  lank  nf  the  river,  at  the  distance  of  ovt'  hundred  and  five  miles 
•  iii  'itli.    Adjoining  ihe  town  there  is  a  garrisoned  fort.     The  eleva- 
■    river,  below  the  falls,  Mhich  are  noar  tlie  town,  is  one  hundred  and 
■  I'kove  the  sea.     There  are  here,  in  fact,  two  towns  —  the  older,  on 
land  tlic  newer,  a  mile  farther  up  the  riv(>r.  on  a  liigbor  terrace. 
-taiiils  between  tht'Ui,   and  a  canal  to    L.-tke  (  hitario  starts  from 
■ii'-'Ui.    The  population  of  IJytown  is  seven  thousand.     About  loie- 
■ '!:"  I'cople  of  the  lower  town  arc  Canadian  ^'I'ciicli,  the  remainder 
'  ^-i    As  this  hieality  is  near  the  latitude  of  4;")-  'Jtl'  N..  I  regret 
-iiUo  to  state  in  what  degree  it  is  affected  by  autumnal  fever;  nor 


^n  Gooloij.  Piirvey. 
■^  lirit.  Col. 


*  Pmitli's  Cuiiad.  Gaz. 


us 


Tin;  riMNCiPAL  diseases  of  the 


[•oori. 


r 


:''    I 


h 


m 


}   '■   ■ 


am  I  iiirirninl  ti»  wliat  extent  tliat  t'evor  prevails  alnnir  tlio  rlveraWcA 
town. 

III.  TiiK   l!ii>i:\i-   CvNAi,.  —  This  raiial.   wliieli   (•(iiiiiei'ts   Uytowii  witd 
Kiiiirstmi,  is  lMr''t'lv  n  slack-w.iter  iiiiiirnviiiK'nt  nt'  llidinu  i!iviT  .•,. ; 
tliroULfli  tho  lako  of  tliat  name  aiul  snmo  (jtlicrs.     '"  Tli(iH,>aiii|.'i  of  a  u.  ,f 
land  have  lu-oii  flurdod  liv  tin-  daiiiinini^  (if  the  river  to  tuna  tliu  caniil  a] 
imiiK'usc  (jiiaiitities  of  timhor  have  heon   ciinseijuoiitly  (lu.-tnjvtil.     iir,at 
iiunilu  rs  (if  trees  are  still  .-tandiiT^f,  dead,  and  siirniinuk'd  by  wutor,  ai.d  "ivf. 
llidse  jmrti'ins  "f  the  Laidis  of  the  canal  a  decayed,  descrtod,  mLsorahlc  a  . 
pearanee."  ■■      From  Doctor  N'ieliol,  of  I'ertli,  I  loarn  that  tlie  rc'Imi  inurt',? 
middle  portion  of  thin  canal  ahounds  in  swamps  and  small  lakes,  wit^iuir... 
vailin:^' sterility  of  surfaeo.     Its  latitudo  is  ahout  do",     liiti.nuiti.jht  idrl 
occurs  every  summer,  and  has  heen     pidemit;  twice,  in  the  \cais  I'^ii  ai,.] 
li^'lT.     Jn  the  I'nrmer,  tho  healthy  were  not  in  sullicicnt  iiuiuber  tn  ], , ',; ;. 
the  sick  :  in  the  latter,  Nvhich  occurred  ir.  harvest  time,  the  prevakuri. ,;  •;J 
ffver  was  such  as  to  interfere  with  the  lahurs  of  the  season,     TLis  1-  ilrii;,;} 
locality,  in  the  latitude  of  4.V,  in  which  wo  have  mot  with  sucli  o|ii'!Mi.;..J 
Its  elevation  almve  tin;  sea  is  pridtaidy  uliout  three  hundicd  fit.     Huui;;.:;! 
fever  is  exceedingly  rare,  especially  in  its  malignant  or  con;.a'5tivu  tMini. 

IV.  TiiK  Ottawa  lIivKit,  i;i;i,o\v  Uvtown. — Doctor  McCulina;:!!...!  31  ■. 
trcal,  who  resided  ten  years  on  tho  banks  of  this  piirtion  of  tliu  Uttuivin:. 
snrcd  me  that  intermittents  and  remittents  wei'o   unknown  along  tlie  t;v.r,| 
for  a  distaiice  of  more  than  thirty  miles,  over  which  his  observations  ixtii.ill 
Nevertheless,  Doctor  Caldor,  who  resides  at  liachine,  Montreal  l.-lai.l.  ;,• 
formed  me  tl       he  had  seen  cases  of  intermittents  from  that  river,  l)Ut  t  ill 
not  say  in  what  part  of  its  basin  tlioy  wero  contracted. 


SECTION    III. 

ISLAND  AND  CITY  OF  .MONTREAL. 

I.     TiiK  Tsi.ANi).  — The  map  of  the  Island  of  Montreal  (  /V.  JIV  • 
rondor  an  exteiuled  description  un  '.ocos.*ary.     >Iucli  of  its  surface  pi-- 
low  iilatf' rm  of  pelibles.  and  otlier  tr.iisported  materials,  rotiir.' 'H ':.:■ 
tion  limestone,  and  covered  with  productive  si  il.  irreatly  iiicuiiiljeml  i.u 
parts,  with  erratic  bbicks  of  prinntivo  rock.      There  are.  liowovtM'.  r.ij- 
rotcdii.v,  comi)osed  of  tran.-^ported  materials,  which  ri«o  to  the  \'vM  '! 
hundred  i'eet,  or  ni>  re,  above  the  general  level  of  (lie   i>];ii:J.    A  ]h\':n 
this  kind  traverses  the  southern  part  of  the  isl;ind,  running  S('Utl:-wiv.' 
north-east-,  from  near  Lachine  to  tho  center  of  tlii'  city  of  Moiitrc:)!-   i' 
part  which  peneti'at(!S  the  city,  is,  however,  but  a  kiiul  of  istlinms.  i  r 
cape;  for  an  excavation  lia.s  been  made  by  aueient  currents.  soa?t'  l--ij 
hollow  or  valley  through  the  nortli-wcst  part  of  the  city.     In  tli.-  '-'v'-''-^ 


*  Smith's  Caimiiiau  Ouz. 


PL.   XVI 


Av/.  /V/vv'/ 


.V 


s 


*^ 


^:' 


■V    Hi  III  I'll  >V 


^'/„ 


V 


C((ii(fliiici»ujffn: 


\y 


n^pkt 


■jC. 


yf 


k  I  ■    'f;  ■':::':;:i'.:;ii 


>.y 


ffe:|r.-:,Wm    ■        .       ^  ^'  Ilia -^ XV -^ 


hi 


\''%\    -WS    fJ  ■.■•'  l\  U*     '.I  Vv  >     'J  \) 

■■    sTr'       'v/,     ^^     '\V         vu;''ii'iy  ;  • 


j: 


^ 


■^^\ 


»-lfe.    .  t-    -Is 


IT' '  V  ^     -f  \        VI. 


\^%.,.^^l 


--Cm    ^ 


'"*i'T; 


^y'j'jVi^l*''  ^'C 


tiin/n   /,■     /    in , ill 


'■■/•■■■i'i'<iiii,,!.i 


7 


/iii'i/)  iJil. 


C  .  I.  h'lill.r  /:.V(A,„/r 


:  M'-i 


A- 


I 


.;i 


i 


iir  I., 

•  ;.'..ii.>Mi'niM 
•ri.     In  I'H.li 

•      III!  Ill    I  lie 

:  rpirf"  nf'tli 

'  '•  ivi>.«f('rn  (•> 

■•"n  l'iv(>r 

'   ■  'Sf,  |,„ 

■;;  .litv,  Maui 

'r'h''It»  C'lpt;! 

•'' "  :iiii|  sovi'ii  I 

I'  - 1  ill 
:rit  iii;is<i  of  pre 
!•  !i'ii|.'i|  iiitu  tw 
bfi'M  is  an  .. 

f    -■■  t'liTc  is  fill 

•  •  ;i's  .<tni(;i,  fl 
'■'  ;  iriiiliii'Ml,  II 
"  '-'  "f  tlie  niiiui 
L!'.'ri'noc. 

!'  :;!'  X..  nnd  I, 
1-1' )-:  aiKlciiiii 
•T."\-..,!iy  vpars 

-  t'li'iisaiii], —  c. 
':'  1  fi'«-  from  ( ; 


11 


'1  -trcal  is  Imi 
'■'•I-  if>  111'11','iii 
■    ;     I'lie  iiiim 
■'::ii:sr('ar  the 
"'"  ni'iiiallv  >l;i|. 
'"■■  ''if'  niiiuii 

'  ■  '.''I  til"  tdirii 

-  ■'  "H  this  spot. 
'^  -'.':i'I  IK  It  yi' 
'■ '1 1'liMic   fiv: 
1:'"  -i'lliaMtaiits 
r^^''''l!,;,v,.si„ 
■'•«"'' the  citv,  w 
r-"'^'-'fliiohatth: 
I  !;■•;■'- '1"^  fi'verw 
":i  'lie  1st  of 


■■'*  Travels 


ift 


:.lTi: 


INTERIOIf  VAI.M'.Y  oF  NollTIJ  AMKKICA. 


n!> 


iwill  ffct-ffoaflior  strfaiu  "till  flnwH,  niul  in  finiior  times  tlioro  \vn>j,  aldticj 
,.  ■ii'on!'iili'i">''l'' ''^''■"^  "*"  ''^^■''"•M'y  -riiiiiiil,  rciiili-rcil  fnul  liy  lildi  tVniii  tin; 
<K'i  III  linkiiiL' trdiii  tills  (frracc  ln'twccn  Mnnlrt'iii  and  liacliiiic,  tn  the 
kiiihupfiu  till' I'UviT  |iliitt"i. rill  tlivftii'/li  wliirli  a  canal  passes,  several  spnts 
„,f-art" '"' ''waly.      Ili^'li  tlilnvial  ti'rra<M's  nf  flu-   same  kind  are  fniiinl  un 

•  r lurt"  of  tlie  island,  l'n(  it«  emists  u'i'iierally  are  lu\v  and  flat,  a?id  tlmse 

•  It"  wcMiTii  extremity,  almve  riaidiine.  are  sumetinn's  nverflnweil  liy  flmids 
-  i"iiv;\  llivir,  <iv  I'roni  the  f'uree  nf  westerly  witnN  aetintr  nn  tlie  waters  (if 
■    I,  ':,' St.  Lnni"',  an  ex|innsinn  nf  tlie  ,'^t.  liawretMC.      Lastly,  in  titc  rear 

•  itv,  staiiiis  tlic  noted  innimtain  nf  .^|llntreal.  tlio  liiL'lit  (if  wliidi  ae- 
;(ii  Captain    IJayfield '•'    is   ,<even    linmlred   and   .sixty  feet    almve  tlio 

•  '  ;iiiil  itvi'ii  Injndn.'il  and  sevrnty-eiylit  almve  the  sea.  This  nmnntairi 
;,  mhuiM.  in  its  l"Wor  parts,  i»f  old  Silnri.an  limestone,  thrnnirli  whii-h  n 
.-T' it  iiiiis"  of  irrei'n  stone  has  Ipcimi  projected,  and  forms  its  nppn-  p;irt.  whii  h 
u  'vH.'il  into  tun  snmmits,t 

/'./,<■  is  an  'lid  French  villaire,  furnnTly  the  empuriinn  of  the  fnr-trader.s 
vl  ■■'ii'iiriirs.  It  'Stands  on  ;i  low  rocky  simre.  nine  miles  west  of  tlie  (ity; 
T  -  t'liTc  is  an  extensive  liasiu  to  snpplv  the  canal,  tlio  liottom  of  wiii'-b 
IK  strata,  clianircd  from  a  hori/.ontal  to  n  in'arly  vertical  position-  ;;n 
.■:  t  irndiii'cil,  no  donht,  l>y  the  same  foi-ce  wliich  tlircw  np  tin'  ^'iciMi- 
MO  "f  t!u;  niiiUMtain.  Opposite  the  island,  are  the  last  rapids  of  the  ,^t. 
Lr.Tcncc. 
I!  ^Inxrr.KAi,  —  The  eity  stands  on  the  sontli  .side  of  the  island,  in  Lat. 
f  M'.N',,  and  Lon  7:5^'  '.>i'  W.  It  was  settled  hvthe  Frcndi  u:i  fir  liaek 
•i>l'l'J:  and  caMie  into  the  possession  of  (Ireat  Uritain  <nHi  hundred  and 
>''y-i!i(,'  years  atterward.  Its  popwlation  may  he  estimated  at  tliirty- 
j> t'lpuisaiid, —  ciiuiposed  of  Canadian- French.  Irish,  l']n<rlisli,  ;ind  Scf)teli. 
r:';  1  ii'w  t'roai  (Icrniany  ami  the  Tnitetl  States. 

'I  trnal  is  huilt  on  two  terraces.     The  lower,  lyina  next  the  river,  prc- 

■  ■•  iMt>  mu'.'iii  the  liMcst  permanent  wharves,  of  any  eity  in  the  Interior 

'  >\    The  >i[i|)i'r,  which  is  not  many  feet  liifrhor,  has  hut  little  brcadtli, 

Kill  i!»  rear  there  is  a  depression  or   Imllow.  in  whi(di  a  sluL'uish   In-ook 

1^1'  ri^inally  skirted  with  narrow  swamps.       lmmediat(dy   lieyond  it  is  the 

"t  t!ie  nimnitain.     The  canal   from   Lachine  enters  the   St.  Lawrence 

|t.Ti':lithi'  edge  of  the  city,  to  it.s  south.      l"'or  a  long  time  after  the  setfle- 

j I  t 'ffl  this  .<!|)ot,  much  of  the  island, —  even  places  withiii  the  limits  of  the 

"^i— had  nut  yot  been  suhjei-ted  to  those  transformations  which  enltiva- 

::vi;i(l  Iridic  liygionic  labors   ell'cet.       Thus,   within    the  mennn-y  of  the 

n'-t  inhabitants,  as  Professors  Holmes  and  Hall  infornn-d  me,  the  Indlow, 

I'^wMih  I  liave  sp'dien,  then  in  the  rear  of  the  town,  bnt  now  almost  in  the 

-'3""t  the  city,  wa,s  in  i  condition  which  occasioned  intermittent  fever:  a 

'-!?'M\iiieh  at  the  present  time  is  nearly  unknown  on  the  island.      In  tra- 

F'"-':'-' till'  fever  wards  of  the   Afou/mil   (nueidl   l/on/jifn/.    with    Professor 

■I  the  1st  of  September,  1H47,  I  met,  among  the  cases  of  continued 


4 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14S80 

(716)  872-4503 


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■iflli," 


4i»0 


THE  PRINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  ;, 


yiiip..-  ,  M 


frii 


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fover,  one  which  hooiiilhI  tn  havo  nii  iiitcnuitteiit  tyjie,  hut  fuumlliy  in,  ■ 
that  the  patient  had  lately  sojoiiriied  at  (Jswego,  in  the  State  of  ^■c\v  y, ,;. 
In  oxamining  tlie  .smnnier  and  auluniniil  rt>|ii)rts  ut'  this  Ilosiiital  m  ui\, 
lislied  in  the  Jlri/!i,h  Ameficnn  ,lo(tnail,  I  find  the  siinie  iih^eiice  of  tliis  f, rh 
oi*  disease:  one  ur  two  cases  "f  inteninttent  —  sixty,  eighty,  or  njnetv  .f 
ct)ntinued  fevev.  At  Jjachinc,  some  df  tlie  old  inhabitants  ussurt'd  iiiMli't 
they  never  had  intermittent  I'eviT,  except  wlien  it  was  contracted  uii  tl;e  St 
Lawrence.  J)octor  Cahler,  in  three  _> ears,  had  seen  no  case  orii'iuatiiiMn 
that  village.  On  the  whnle,  we  find  that  a  jududal  traut,  su(;h  as  lias  I'l'^i, 
described,  mny,  in  the  latitude  of  d.")'*'  )'A)\  when  near  tlio  level  of  tlio  Ma 
give  origin  to  intern)ittent  fever.  The  transibrnuition  of  that  trait  ia- 
nearly  annilulated  that  ty[»e  of  autunnial  disease;  but  reiuittents,  teiniiii r 
strongly  to  a  continued  i'onn,  still  occasionally  appear. 


SECTION   IV. 

REGlOxV    SOUTH    AND   NOm'H   OF    Tlfi:   ST.    LAWRENCE,  BETUi; 

MONTREAL  AND  (iUEHEC. 

I.  Basin  ov  Lakk  Chami>latn. —  The  long,  deep,  and  narrow  trcu.'Ii 
Lake    (Ihanqihiin,   lies  nearly  north   and    south,  between    the  Ailiniiiibth- 1 
Mountains  of  New  York,  on   tlic  west,  and  the  (Ireen  Mountains,  uf  Wr. 
luont.  on  the  east.     Its  head,  or  southern  extremity,  is  found  aliuut  laiitmiej 
4;>^'  oil'  N., —  its  lower  or  nortiiern  end,  a  little  above  45*^,  vvliere  it  toriui- 
nates  in  the  liichelieu  or  Sorelle  l\iver.     1'he  course  of  this  river  is,  al-r.  IjI 
the  nortli ;  which  causes  it  to  approach  the  St.  Lawrence  very  ohlii|iic!v- 1 
the    direction  of  that  river,  below  as    al)ove   3lontreal,  being  uonlKa;!. 
Their  junction  is  at  Fort  Henry,  Ijclow  ^Montreal,  a  little  above  tliu  latinii 
of  4lP  .     The  elevation  of  the  surface  of  tliis  lake,  the  hiwest  of  any  cvA-\ 
orable  size  in  the  eastern  or  St.  Lawrence  basin,  is  ninety-three  fwt  .fej 
the  ocean,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  l)elow  Lake  Ontario.     .*>«! 
portions  of  the  chasm  which  constitutes  its  lied,  are  live  hundred  fcot  beiieiitiij 
the  level  of  tbe  sea.     Lake  George,  having  an  axis  nearly  parallel  tutlutufj 
Champlain,  is  connected  with  its  southern  portion,  and  exteiuLs  the  Cii* 
plait:  basin  down  to  the  latitude  of  4."]^  '25',*  which  is  the  spot  ffliiie tiel 
Great  Interior  Valley  approaidies  nearest  to  the  tide-water  of  tiio  AiliiiJWJ 
Ocean,  and  where  we   tind  the  greatest  depression  of  the  wator-slad  wiiei 
divides    them   from  each   other.       Throughout  the  southern  half  nf  Lisel 
Champlain,  on  its  western  side,  the  Adirondacks  j)ress  so  close  upoiiii.3JJ 
greatly  to  liuut  its  l)asin.     The  first  considcralde  river  originating  I'H  i!^*! 
northern  slopes  of  tlu)se  mountains,  is  the  Au  Sable;  the  next  is  the  .""aniaaf.j 
which  enters  the  lake  at  Plattsburg.       On  the  eastern  side,  l)oginiii:ii.' -'^^ I 
the  head  of  the  lake,  and  traveling  down,  we  meet  with  roultiioy.  I'tterJ 


*  New  York  Geol  igical  Reports. 


m 


i 


[BOOK  ;, 

■t  found  liy  ini|uirv 
■^tiito  of  New  Y'  :k 

llllSl>Uul,   ll5  JihI- 

iLhcnce  of  tliis  I'otw 
glity,  or  ninety,  .,f 
its  assured  imi  thai 
lutracled  \\\\  tl.t  St 
J  ciisi;  uvigiuutiii.-  k: 
i;t,  siicli  as  lias  Uv:t 
the  level  of  llr  > .,. 
11  of  tliat  trait  i.a- 
;  reuiittent>,  tt;!:iii:.' 


•M  i] 


INTERIOR  VAF-LHY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


421 


l^RENCE,  BETWEEN 

md  narrow  tro\i  ji  'n 
(Oen   the  AdivHU'latk  j 
Ml  Mouutaliii-,  I  if  ^^■:■\ 
IS  found  aliout  latitude  | 
45'^.  Vvhero  it  toniii- 
f  this  river  is  al-i-,  u  I 
•enco  very  ohliiiiicly- 
al,  hcinii'  nortli-ta-l. 
t;  above  the  latitU'lvj 
lowest  of  any  cv'-i^'M 
inovy-three  fwt  aWnl 
,akc  Ontario.    >Mi\ 
nimlred  feet  k'.xaiil 
^avlyparulk'ltutliat'ij 
id  extends  the  Ciiaiil-f 
is  the  spot  wk'reiki 
water  of  the  Atlaiiiiol 
the  water-shell  «!i!'| 
inuthcrn  half  .-f  b«| 
;s  so  ehise  n\m\\.ii^ 
■or  originating  u" ' 
l,cnextistheSara.JC,| 

rn  side,  hegi»"i''r''*| 
with  roultney,  m\ 


inini,  and  Mississi(iuc\  wliieli  liuvo  tlicir  cxtrenio  sources  on  t1ii'  flanks  or 
iii,v!i»tlie  sumiiiits  of  the  (Jrcun   Mnuiitaiiis  of  V'eniioiit,  wlicrc  tlioy  iiitor- 
,1;  with  trihntarii'S  of  tho  Coiiiiccticiit    Itivcr.      I'lio  (;haiii|i]aiii  basin  is 
jafiiiriilrr 'in  ''''^  '^i''''  •''■'"  the  otlior.      'I'he  throe  |iriiiei|iiil  towns  on  liiike 
haniiilaiii  are  Whitehall  ami    riattsl)iirL;'h.  in  the  State   of  New  York,  and 
Rirlia'ti'iii.  ill  Vt.'iiioiit.      (If   their   lialiility  to   antiuiinal    tevev,    or   of   its 
ort'deiK'C  I'll  tht;  iiilerveninii;  lake  shores.  1  am  iiiiinfnrmed 
n.   Vallkv  ok  TiiK  .lti('iii:i.ii:i:. —  'I'Im'  ontlet   nf  Lake  Chaiiiplain.  onm- 
;_•  ill  latitude  ■+')'■',  tcrmiiiales   in    tlm    St.    LawreniM,   fdrly-tive  miles 
ryi'iw .Huntreal,  near  hititmle   llr';   thus  traversiiifij  a  (leL;Te(!  i<['  latitude,  by 
if -arse  eiL'litv  miles   in  lenii'th,  and   v.aryiiiL''  a    little  east   of  north.      'J'lio 
am'W  neck  of  land  between   l!i(d:elieu  and  the  river  into  whiidi    il  jiours 
•>.. .ii|iurthiiius  waters   of  Lake   Chaniiihiiii.  is  mostly  a  dead  levid,  with  a 
icar  risins;  hut  a  few  feet  above  the  St.   Jjawreiice.       On  the  ojiposite  or 
1 -lit  ni  Mill',  the  as|ieet  is  niueli  tin;  same.      The  euuntry  on  eacdi  side  is  fer- 
i. an'l  lias  h'Ui;  been  settled   and  enltivated.      Sniiie'thimj,'  might  be  said, 
;;I  hul  ailcqiiate  materials,  ol'  a  few  jmints:   The    Isle   aiix  Noix,  tw(dve 
f:>'<t'ri:im the  lake, —  the  town  of  St.  dnliiis,  tmi  niih.'S  further  down, —  that 
•I'.aiiililv  a  few  miles  lielow,   and  that  of  Smadle,  at   the  jnnetion  of  this 
[riMwitii  tlio  St.  Lawrence. 
y." mix  XoLi: — This  islet  is  a  ijuarter  nf  a  mile  wide,  and  three  (|uarter.s 
'.t:.   Its  surfaoo,  coniposcd  of  veii-etable  nudd  ami  alluvion,  rises  (nily  four 
rEvc'foct  abiivo  the  ordinary  surface  of  the  river,  and  iiiucli  of  it,  there- 
lb'.  isliaWe  to  inundation,  in  the  sjiriuix  and  in  wet  seasons.      jMiicli  of  the 
•riiiinlinfr  ciiuntry  to  some  distance  from   (he  river  is  low,  s-iNanipy.  and 
wmI  with  cedar,  hendoidc,  and  [due.     Tiiis  island  is  tho  site  of  a   IJritish 
Ih.'   The  Army  Statistics  do  not  tell  iis  whether  iiitermitteiit  fever   ])re- 
I nil- in  this  locality;    but    T   am  inftriiuMl   by    l>iietor    (!.    \V.    l>ouo-las, 
laraiitiiie  Physician,  at  (iros   1<le,  and    I'miessir  ITall,  of  ^lontreal,  that 

IllliiC?. 

Cl'iiiJJii, —  [eaniiot  cive  the  medical  toiino-r;i]ihy  ot' this  spi'd.  Init  Doctor 
IKiniliiT,  after  a  residence  of  twenty-seven  years,  informs  me,  that  cases  of 
iKtiniiial  fever  are  extremely  rare  ;  and  that  when  iutermitteiits  do  occur, 
Itteyaro  in  persons  who  contracted  them  oil  tho  liaiiks  of  l^ake  Chaniplain. 
'MS  never  seen  an  intermittent  that  was  o-cnerated  in  Chamldy,  or  its 
teii!"irhoiHl.  Keniitteiits  are  met  with,  now  and  then,  lint  are  almost  lim- 
N  tu individuals  affected  with  sub-ai-ute  g'astritis,  or  some  other  chroidc 
ptoit.nrlinve  been  poorly  fed  and  lodged. 

The  ' KAs'riiUN  TovvNSiiii'S.'  —  The  region  directly  east  of  the 
pAu  lias  received  this  apjiellation.  It  is  watered  liy  several  rivers,  all 
"Ml,  like  that  just  mentioned,  flow  ne.irly  from  south  to  north, —  liavinn; 
Nr S'Urces  at  the  ba.se,  or  on  the  mirthern  escarpments  of  the  Green  and 
''^.Miiuntaiiis  of  Vermont,  New  llaiiipshire,  and  aMaine.  'J'he  most  im- 
?••"'■(  I't  these  .streams,  beginning  with  that  eontiLfuous  to  the  Kichelieu, 


'^'K-:' 


^^/■  'JS-f  ■ 


•  TuUoch's  Statistical  Report.s  of  tlie  Hritish  Army. 


.v.V»'»-, 


■I.'     „•    :    >- 


'■■■I-  i 


■■■:■:■■  M.:.;i;-^,    ■.<..- 

■I    ■■»■        V  .    ■  -  ■■    'J  ■       ..,•,-■•■..«  ,.  ■■  . 


4         * 


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<  '         J  1 


422 


THE  rRINClPAI.  DISriAFKR  OF  THE 


["OfiJ  1, 


arc  tlio  Vamaska,  wliirli  enters  llie  Laki,'  St.   ]*etei',  an  e.\].;iii>ii)ii  of  t!„.  v- 
Lawroiiee;  tlio  St.  I''i'aiici.>i,  wliieh  (iri^inates   largely  in   Jiuke  .Miihi-Ium. 
g'o.r,  and  jdin.s  the  St.  J'eter  lielmv  the  la.st;  tlio  ^sieullet,  which  oiitu- •,. 
same  lake,  t'urtlier  dewn;  the  IJeeaneDiir,  Avhieli  juin.s  the  St.  LawrLi;iv -•"' 
further  dciwu;   lastly,  the  Ohaudlere,  v.liirh  thr(]\vs  lis  waters  to  tliu  kvi.1  fj 
tliat  river  l»y  a  renuirkable  catarait.  in  the  neiiihliirrhnod  nf  ( jiit.!i,.|>.     }[  .. 
oi'  this  region  lies   between  tiie  latitudes  of  4.")^'   and  -10''  '-W 'S,  ai'i'i.. 
longitudes  of  T"'''  and  7-i^'  W.      Thi!  .surfaee  of  tliis  region,  geiiomllv,  i:'v,i 
exelude  the  nioinitaiiis  whieli  bound  it  to  tlie  sout'i,  is  (■(iiii]iii«,e(l  of  ;i  iv|;j 
mold,  resting  on  loam,  with  a  sul:-stratuui  of  gravel,  below  wliicli  aiv  f  iiiu. 
tions  of  jiriniilive  and  transition   roeks.       In   its  soutliern  [lait  tlnic  j.  ^ 
number  of  small   lakes,  and  along  many  of  tlie  streains  there  :irj  tn.ri?  (l 
alluvial  bottom,   s"me   of  wlaeli  are   [irairies.       ]u   their  d<s(Ti;t  I'm, 
mountain  esearimients,  the   rivers  abound   in  falls  and   rajiids,  but  u; 
advaiiec;  to  the  St.  Lawrenee  their  eurrents  beeoiiu'  slug'ii.-li,  fruni  tk 
vailing  flatness  of  the  eonntry,  whieh,  however,   is  relieved  by  .-.  ii..;  ; 
latetl  mountains. 

The  whole  region  was  originally  e(Aered  with  various kiiiiLs  of  f.ire.-; :: 
but  as  a  belt  near  tlie  St.  liawnniee   was  settled  by  the  kreiuk.  la^iuk  ••.>)| 
hundred  years  sinee,  it  now  exliibits  the  aspec't  of  an  old  eouiitry:  ii|i  j  k| 
of  tlie  rivers,  tliese  settlements  also  e.'vtund  for  some  distance,  Init  tiiC'::.;i:>;t 
part  of  the  eastern  townsliips  were  settled  by  emigrants  IVoiu  (J iviit  llriuia 
at  a  mueli  later  date;  and  large  portions  are  still  eovered  witli  fdn-t.'' 

IV.  IIatlI'A'. —  I  eaii  say  but  liltie  of  the  speiial  medical  ti'])iii;T:ii'; 
this  region,  having  only  seen  it  from  the  St.  Jiawrenee.  Tlie  tnwii  c'li, 
ley,  high  up  the  St.  Francis  lliver,  near  J..ake  ^lemphrenuigng,  is  sitca;.  J 
Lat.  4")'-'  12'  N.  From  JJoetor  (Jilbert,  one  of  its  physicians,  I  kinrtbl 
'■  Autumnal  fevers  both  intermittent  and  remittent  are  unknown  wit:::::;;:: 
miles  of  the  place,  except  in  persons  arriving  from  the  wc>t.''  1  Imv";' 
regret  that  no  notice  of  the  topograjdiy  of  the  region  is  incliukil iu  i: 
eommunieation. 

V.  SiiouKS  01-'  Lake  St.  PKTKit.  —  lam  indebted  to  Puctor  V  :  b 
land,  HOW  of  Beanport,  near  Quebec,  for  the   following  facts:    Ali-ita 
miles  below  the  mouth  of  tlie  river  rdehelieu,  on  the  south  .^iilo  of  l.:i 
Peter,  there  is  a  large  tract  of  low  marshy  ground,  fre([uciitly  cuvr!\l  i; 
inundations  from  the  St.   Lawrence,  as  well  as  by  floods  from  liiavv  n;:: 
There  is  in  the  soil  abuudauce  of  or<>'aio'e  matters.      About  tlio  ciii!"!  ii 
gust,  almost  every  year,  frijui  1828  to  lS:Ji),  when  he  resided  tboiv.  niti 
tent  fever  made  its  a[ipearance,   prevailing  more  or  les.s,  aocnnliiig  t' 
cliaraeter  of  the  preceding  spring  and  summer.      When  the  spring  wav 
and  the  summer  hot,  so  as  to  evaporate  the  waters  of  the  ditcbesamlnii!' 
to  dryness,  the  fever  became  epidemic,  and  eiuitinued  until  tlie  ci']iihiij!- 
of  autumn  re-filled  those  receptacles.     Nearly  all  the  cases  wbic'iba|l'' 
after  frost  occurred,  took  on  the  Ibrm  of  interniittonts. 

»  Martin  :  Ili.story  of  the  British  Colonies.     Vol.  Ilk 


-H 


''1^ 


cxiiauMoii  (if  til"  .'^' 
L:ike  M mil )',iv> !].;,. 
Hot,  wliii'h  ciitu'.-  ;':..; 
he  j^t.  Lu\Yi\-;.>v  >•!.; 
kvati  rs)  t)  ll,f  i,\,;  f 

■1G°  :itl'  N.  :i!.;i  li, 
giiiii,  goiiorully.  i:'v,o| 

<  collljMihL'il  Cii'  ;i   r,''ii 
I'luW  wllicll  lll'i'  '.■  .ii.i- 

huni  jiiirt  tliiji'  -.:  . 
iiis  llicrt;  art;  tiv.i-  : 
loir  ilihffLT.t  I'nii;  ;;.e| 
(1  iMiiids.  Ijut  ;i!  u,vvi 
luiTiri^li,  I'l'i'iii  ^!i'^  I'tv- 
■fluivi'd  Ij}-  .V  u.i;  i:  •-• 

islsimU  off^n^tir'.:; 
,!ie'  i'l'L'iuii,  uwvl;  rj)| 
(lUl  fouiitvy;  irp  mI 
istance,  l)ut  tiiu  's:.nm 
iit.s  I'riiui  Gixat  lin;;!'.!!! 
Vfved  \vitli  fnrr.< 
1  lueJu-al  tiii)iit;T:i;  ; 
leo.  Tlio  tiiwii  i''H' 
liVL'iiuiu''ig',  i*'  ^'''^'■^''^  -1 
|,liv.-iciaiis,  I  ksin.thtj 
ro  uiil;iiii\vii  wit:::::  :::!j| 

thu  ^Vt■^t/'      I  ll^iV'.'^^ 

rriuu  is  inclmlcil  i::  :.!^ 

kl  ti>  Puctor  V 

[iiig  facts:    Ali^";;^ 

s(n\tii  siiloof  Itit'''] 

freiiiK'iitlycuYiTi'l 

,„cls  from  kavy  nasi 

lAliouttlio  oiiil '.'i  ''11 

|c  resi'lcil  tliori'.  ivi..il 

k'SS,  according  ' '  '^ 

icntlioEpviiigv-i^'l^ 

In.  clitclicsaiidiii:"'- 

until  tlioct'pi"«^f''^ 

lo  ctises  wbie'i  liaij"-''* 


Vol.  Ill- 


hV  I.J 


INTERIOll  VALI.HY  OF  NOU'l'II  AMERICA. 


423 


\!i:int  five  miles  irnin  tliis  locality,  to  its  soiitli-wcst,  tliorc  is  a  stream 
."..J'JIiinl  IJivcr,  wliieli  was  cIioIvimI  tip  witli  dccayiii^u'  ln^'s  ami  lirusli,  .so 
'lut  ill  t'lvslicts  it  ovLTspiM.'ail  tlit3  udjaci'iit  level  lands,  and  g'ciioi'ated  niarslies. 
d , ,,j  the  vcav  l^--*,  live  or  >-ix  I'aiiiilies  .'it'ttled  in  lo:;  cabins  near  tlie  river 
,.t',.«Miit  and  IieuMii  cleariiiu'  t!u!  forest.  In  tlie  lir,-t  autumn  ever\  meni- 
(„.p,f  ;,li  till'  faiitilies  sickened  with  internnttent  fever;  but  after  the  lajisc 
(f  tiu'ce  veai':-,  when  tlio  noce.ssary  transfornnitl'-ns  were  eifected,  tlio  disease 
(.(.jstihu  entirely  that  Doctor  A'(  n  lil'.ai;d  tlii.hsno  case  has  "ccurrrd  since 
\yii  Tlic  latittnle  (d'  this  S[H)t  is  40"  X. —  its  altitude  but  a  few  feet 
jKtc  the  level  of  the  sea. 

VI,  TiiK  ToWNSMii'.s  tii;xi;i!Ai,i.v. —  l)r,otor  Doui^las.  of  Cros  Isle,  writes 
■  aicii^  t'i'n'i\vs:  —  '■  1  have  1.:;en  informed  by  the  old  settlers  in  the  eastern 

I  t'W:ii|iJ.  t'i'it  thirty  years  sinci'  ( l!-4S)   intermittent  fever  was  a  eonnuon 
uiiisst' iu  tlio  nciiihborhood  of   lakes  ar.d   low   i:'rounds,  thon;.di   now  it  is 

iir.iiii"Wii." 

Ikivc  given  all  the  facts  I  have  been  able  to  eolh'ct,  relative  to  autumnal 
ijiT,  I'll  the  .seutli-east  side  of  that  portion  of  tlie  St.  Lawrence,  wdiirh  ex- 
te:.'b  iVi'in  Muiitreal  to  (Quebec,  and  from  the  I'rty-hi'th  to  near  the  fort}'- 
itveiitl,  |i;indlel  of  lati'ude,  at  an  elevation  fnit  littl"  above  (he  tiilo-water 
I  it  till' river.  The  conclusion  from  the  wdiole  seems  to  be,  that  in  the  [)ro- 
.?r.;i;of  a'ttlemeiit,  clearing,  and  first  cullivatioi;,  b.  th  intermitteiits  and 
raittfiits  prevailed,  but  have  ceased;  altliou;.di  topograidiical  causes  remain 
J '■'.  w -nlil  senerate  tlieni.  even  to  an  epidemic  de'j,ree,  in  a  mere  S'.nlhern 
'■xiiti'.    We  mast  now  pass  to  the  north  side  id'  tlie  river. 

VII.  NnnTii  SIDE  OF  Till-',  St.  L.uviiKXci;. —  The  imnu  uiate  bank  of  the 
nvtr 1 11  its  left-hand  side,  from  ^lontreal  until  we  coiue  within  twelve  or 
Keon  miles  of  Quebec,  like  that  of  the  right-hand  side,  is  so  depressed  as 

k hut  a  few  feet  aliove  the  suri'aco  of  the  river.       The  low  and  level  re- 

hi-'ii on  this  side  i.s,  however,  much  nmrr    bmiti  d   than  "U  the  othei'.     By 

:;rnee-like  rises  it  beeonns  elevated   into  mountains,   at  the  distance  of 

;:.;rty  T  forty  miles.      Of   this   region,   Doctor   (lilmour,    (d'  the  +own  of 

Thcr  Rivers,  remarks. —  ''This  part  of  Lower  Canada  is  generally  sandy; 

f'jie  ili'trii'ts  are  wtdl  w;itered   by  beautifid  I'ivers  ;  the  inhabitants  very 

p:T.  hilt  healthy  and  long-lived.      Intermittent  and  remittent  fevers  are 

I  sarcdv  known ;  I  have  r.evcr  seen  any  but  imported  cases,  or   such  as  had 

I  suff'.Ti'il  frmn  previous  attacks  contracted  out  of  the  lower  provineo."      The 

I tt^iijii within  which   tlicse  observations  \v..'e  made   strct(dics   (blifjutdy  from 

hie  tVrty-sixtli  to  the  forty-seventh    parallel,  and,   near  the    St.    Lawrence. 

jKcshnt  a  few  feet  above  tlie  level  of  the  sea. 

TIk'  largc.«t  river  which  traverses  this  region   is  the  St.  ^laurici",  whi>sc 

ffiW/('(/'f  is  formed  into  a  delta,  by  two  small   islands  v,diich  divide  it  into 

jtW  channels,  immediately   above  which   is    the  (.hi   hh'cnch   town    7V(-/,v 

fe(*.  new  the  '  Three  Bircrs''  just  mentior.ed      Its  latitude  is  ab(  ut  46" 

I  I'V  V         .  .   . 

'•■  -V  — Its  ]trisitinn  cipti-distant  between  ^bnitreal  and  Quebec. 

*'li.    Tin:  RivKi!  fi;(jm  Montiu'.ai,    to    ()fi:in:i'. —  The    succession    of 
"['I'h  whieli  begins  near  Drcscott  and  OgdcnsburLi.;.  terminates  at  or  a  little 


,i- 


'\ 


;•  ■■■ 


'  '     l 

.■ 

'k::r 


4 


424 


TllK  I'JiLNCll'AL  DISEASES  t)F  THE 


,0005  1,1 


ircel 


Ijt'luw  Miiiitr(';il.      T'lN.iii   tli;it  city  to    tlic    Iicad    df  tiilu-watcr.  ;it  iIk 
liivers  —  luiuitli  ut'  the  St.  .Miiuricf  —  tlic  tall  i.s  milv  (i;:]!!!!!:']!  itft  in,  ,.i   < 
which  i.s  in  the  i'.\|iiriiiL''  lajiiils  licldw  tlio  city.      Then  t'(41(j\v,s  au'i 


thuii  (Mio  huiKlr('<l  and  liltv  niih's  hmji,  with  Laiik.s  vi.siii^'  Imt  littlr  uli  .\  •  •'  1 
surf'acu  (if  the  wutiT.       1'his  flat   uxtciuls  ofi'  I'rdiii   hiiii  (^idcs  of  tl,(  rv-.  .1 
but,  as  wo  have  s^eoii.much  fiirtlifr  on  thu  smithrni  than  (ui  thi' iinnlirr      ;,! 
this  ^-tiH.'tcli  iif  tlie  riviT  wo  have  the  ex|iai].si()ii  —  ten  miles  wide  ai;il  f,v.  •» 
Miiles  IiJii;,f  —  called   Lake   St.   Peter.     As  we   a|iiiri.acli   (iueliw,  tLr  iv  ...i 
lands  cunie  in  upon  the  river,  wliieli   narmws,  and  no  longer  e.\liibit>  i',;nvial 
shores.      Such  are  some  of  the  I'acts  which  have  sujL'.ire.sted  the  (iiiiuinn  lU^. 
the   reiidon  between  the  two   cities  was  once  a  lake,  and  tliat  tlic  l•xi^ti•lfri 
Lake  St.  Peter  is  all  that  remains  of  it.     The  low  baidvs  of  this  si'tii.n .J 
the  St.  Lawren(^o  seem  to  have  been  at  all  times  the  favorite  aljodu  i.f  tU 
French,  who  still  enustitnte  the  mass  of  their  pn|)ulalion. 


m 


'  ^  '^ 


v:- 


,.w. 


■^ 


^ 


■it 

';   •!■ 
],. 

% 


Si:CTI()N  V. 

QL'EHEC. 

I.   The  a|»|iroac]i  tii  tliis  celebrated  city  {  PI.  X  VII ),  tlie  oldest  in  the  lutt. 
ri(  r   \'alley  of  Xm-th  America,  is  siii'nali/.ed  b\  rock}-  and  riisiiig  li;iii!;<.  ..f I 
which  that  on  tl'.e  left  or  nortliern  side  becumes  almost  perpendicular. iii.iitj 
lenu'th,  terminates  in  a  bold  jn'oniontory  (d'  (dd  Silurian  or  traibitiin  I'A'kJ 
risin::'  from  three  liundnd  and   thirty  to   thrue   hundred  and  lorty-ii\r  itttj 
above  the  tide-water,  wliicli  ebbs  and  Hows  at  its  base.     TliLs  tcnniinnnj 
it  eU'ected  by  th(!  Junction  with  the  St.   J^awrenci!  (d'tlie  lUvcr  ."-^t.  ClianL;;! 
which  bears  a  relation  to  the  northern  side  of  the  head-land  nut  uiiliki' tbtj 
of  the  greater  river  tu  its  southern.       The  hidi  extremity  which  (iVLiluisj 
the  St.  Jjawrenco  is  called  Cape   Dianniml,  and  srip[)orts  the  citaJi;!  nf  tkl 
fortrc>s, —  for  (^ueb'^'c  is  a  fortilied  city.      Frijm  these  hi  Jits,  there  is  a  p:ii' 
tie  escarpment,  up  tne  prnniniitory,  to  tlui  plains  of  Abraham,  and  aciv-iitl 
to  the  estuary  of  the  St.  Charles:  the  final  descent  into  which,  b(jflu\cr.  i^iyl 
a  rocky  precipice,  to  whiih  the  ramparts  id"  the   fortification  cunl'nnii.    Lei 
plateau  stretches  westwardly  between  the  two  rivers,  to  the  distance  it'dgiilj 
or  nine  miles,  wlien  it  is  interi'upled  by  a   det'p  ami  broad  dopres.-i'iii, i-csl 
end  of  wliieh  terndmites  in  the  trnuiih  (d'  the  St.  Jjawrenee  —  the  utlicr, iDj 
that  rd"  the  St.  Charles.      In   ancient  times  there  was,  no  doulit,  a  ii-ivof 
water  through  this  depression,  from  one  river  to  the  other,  makin;.'  an  ijLiMJ 
of  wliat  i,s  now  a  prinnoutory. 

For  four  or  five  miles  up  tlio  St.  Lawrence  from  Cape  Diamond,  tliorivcrj 
approaches  so  near  the  Inise  (d'  the  jirecipice,  that  there  is  unly  ruiin  ti'rij 
sinu'le  narrow  street  or  road,  which,  for  a  portion  (jf  the  di.>tanio.  imbi-j 
pactly  built  along  —  in  some  parts  cm  one,  in  others  on  both  side-,  ln'-^j 
rear  of  these  crowded  habitations,  are  the  Cliffs,  from  two  to  three  \mki\ 


P'r:-;. 


PL. XVII 


IE 


1 1001 1.; 


-water,  at  tlif  Tlirtej 
'i;:l:t(!eii  I'ttt.  iinicli  ijfl 

tolliiws  a  levd.  miTej 
^  Imt  littlu  aljMVe  thoj 
li  sides  of  t!,L  rivir; 

on  the  nortliiri.  iaj 
ity| 


liles  wide  ai'M  twu 


li  ^Hiek'C,  tl;c  l;i.- 
iiger  exliiliit-  i'.l'.uji; 
stcd  the  (i|iIiiiMii,  tl,atj 
lud  that  tlic  i'xi>ti!;!»j 
uks  of  tliis  seiniuD  nfl 
favorite  ahodu  i.f  tLui 
111. 


,  the  oldest  ill  tli'liiU'.j 
\-  and  I'i.^iiii;  liaiii;s.  «f| 
;  ^lerjici'.dieuliir.  ai.u.  at! 
Ill  or  tl■all;^itil';l  i'.i.i>,| 


^d 


II 


and  liirty-li\''  Ml 
Tlii.s  ti-Tiiiiinnn! 
JUver  f^t.  Ciiarii!;! 

and  iKit  uiilikt  tb$j 
lity  wliieli  iivrilijl 

s  ihe  eitadul  lit' tiicl 
iii'hts,  tliero  i;ai.'tii- 

ihani,  and  aer'j:itl 
wliich,  h(,i\vf\iT,  :.-'yj 

tidu  euiifnriii.   I.el 

the  distance  I  if  oigliM 
rnad  depressi"!!.  I  Del 

VL'llCe  —  till'  itlii.T.illJ 

uu  duiilit,  a  fi  ff  ^ 
cr,  niakinj;  an  islaC'll 


e  Piamdiul.  t'.i.'  river  I 

.■re  is  only  riiinf-!'*! 

the  di,staiieo,  isi^i 

l)„thsidf>.   h\'4 

two  to  tliroo  liani-'^'l] 


;  £^  u  f:  fi 


?;  ct 


■  It.  'i/i'  ',^  ':>o'ii:i..;(r.U>:hr 
I Ciiiiihi  iUmiIiiui  :n.i  II 

?  1/  tiffl\  M iitnmn  iif 
.1  11,11.,;,/  //„.,,,,/„/ 


■V  i;l    l„ii„,l, 


C  .1    h'lill,,'    r.S.C    I:,,,/,: 


■I 


":K.-"^- 


-,  •.^f'-l'r-      [■,■:  V 


jr    ■Vit.*.;-!.^ 


.♦v.'.  5' 


■* 


I 


,1 


% 


II;** 


■il 


;>'. 


f.(IT  I.J 

feet  lii.'li,  iiiiiiiC' 
.a:tsiit'  timlicr, 
As  tiii>  slip  <'^ 
ii!tn:'r!i,  admits 
tiio  jiini'liim  of 
iur.  iire  vcrv  sii 
.irri;i.'i'>  tujia.-'s 
ijil  ri';ility  uf  a 
fiWi  i!ie  most 
fsii'Ii  i»  e:ht  iiit 
JcjiMiiiid,  and  ci 
IB  alli:vi:il  Ijutt 
iirifts.  a  k'tti.T  f 

Til'.'  I'l'I'KF!  Til 

I  i''iil"rv.  |);ii'tly  ■ 

P'.ni 'lis  of  it  ha 

ill  t!ii;  older  pa 

liirl-'S  is  an  alli 

vMi'v:  |iiii'tiong 

Kvi.'iiil  i(.  there  a 

'a:;k  nf  tiic  St.  Lj 

iji'-.'y  iiduff  tho 

I  iwii.  wiiicli  const, 

j:r;i'-'i-.  and  on  \vl 

l^'f  Miie  liiiiidro( 

I  ric'.ivHl  !iut  fe^v  ii 

U-:\a:\<h  of  Grr: 

|fe"li;l  Iiytliat  fn 

f'l-r  >iii';r.    A  cou 

Jf'v.ai.'l  a  lariro  iii 

|ii"ii"i'  iliu  city  aiii 

jfaatvnf  (^luebec, 

•Natives  of 


■'■'■'  taliic  does  III 

'■"■" '-imliiT  of  Cai 

''•  '^"fli  is  the  ni. 


••t!  If' 


■>^"ll-tittedtofro, 


HIT  !•  I 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  01'^  NORTH  AMERICA. 


4-25 


. ,( lii_,]ijiiiiiiuili;it(.'ly  ill  tVuut  nf  wliidi,  the  river  coves  uru  overHiireail  with 
i.jf,5i,f  timljer,  the  protit  eomniorciul  st!i)ile  >if  (^)iiol)ee. 

^.(Iii^slinof  liabitaltlo  slioro  passes  rinind  Ciipe  IManiond.  it  wiiU'ii-':  ,iiul. 
j'ltn"t!i.  iiilmits  of  aiiotlier  street,  to  wlii  'i  n  tiiird  is  added,  Ijciore  it  reaches 
tie  iiin''ti""  nf  the  tSt.  Charles  witii  tin;  St.  Jiawreiico.  1'ho  sfpiare.-.  tiow- 
rM  iireviTV  .small;  and  the  streets  in  <.'eiieral  liarely  wide  cnouah  t(^  )(rinit 
irria 'I'S  tu pa.s.s  each  other.  This  is  the  liOWDn  Thwn,  which  has  the  ii>pecf 
laiiva'itv  uf  a  cln^o  and  eTiitesi(Uu  huddle  nf  Imsiiiess  and  family  hniises, 
fiiiii  the  must  searching'  winds  nntst  fail  tn  purify,  and  ticj  liUh  from 
nah  is  east  into  the  livor  anmng  the  adjciniiiir  wharves.  On  tiiriiiiiL'  the 
!!>aJ-laml,  and  entering  the  valley  of  tiie  St.  Charle-s,  the  belt  widens  into 
in  aliiviiil  liiittdni,  in  which  (iicre  arc  many  snndl  sipuires,  with  wider 
.;rirt>. ;i  liL'ttcr  stylo  ot  architecture,  and  less  density  of  populatinu. 

Till  I'l'i'KU  Town  stands  on  the  northern  or  St.  Charles  siope  of  the  pro- 
i.iitury,  partly  within  and  partly  without  the  walls  of  the  fortiiicatioii. 
P rii '.!>  of  it  have  suflicient  width  of  street,  and  houses  in  modi  rn  taste; 
sattlw  illt-T  ]iai'ts  are  amorphous,  compact,  and  strangulated.  Th(>  St. 
(h:\<:>  is  an  alluvial  river,  tortuous  );ear  the  city,  and  exjianding  into  an 
niuarv;  inTtious  of  wlucli  arc  (hiily  laid  hare  hy  the  ehhing  of  the  tide. 
B(.V"i:il  it.  there  arc  cultivated  diluvial  terraces.  The  opposite,  or  southern 
lank  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  pr^fsents  hills  of  considerahle  elevation.  Inune- 
'iiaiily  lifluw  tlie  junctijn  of  the  St.  Cliarles,  the  river  expands  into  a 
Ifcin.whiih  constitutes  the  harbor,  into  the  south  side  of  -whicli  jioint  l^evy 
M'jodN  aii'l  on  which  there  is  a  town. 

r  r  i!ii.' Iiundred  and  sixty  years  after  its  settlement  hy  France,  <  Quebec 
rtaiviil  liut  few  iiiniiigrants  from  any  other  nation.  In  IJii-'J  it  passed  into 
;s  IkhkLs  of  Groat  ]5ritain.  The  enngratiou  Irom  Fraiu-o  was  then  suc- 
(wlil  hy  tli'"'t  from  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland,  which  has  continued 
fWMiia'.  A  coushlerable  nulitary  force  lias  always  been  quartered  in  the 
d:;, ;v. d  a  large  nuiuber  of  seamen  are  geiu'rally  in  its  jiort.  The  ]iMpula- 
ti'ii'i  th(.' city  and  its  suburbs  amounted  in  11*44  to  ;]-,^V0  —  th.it  (jf  the 

cnaiynf  (,>uc'bcc,  to  45,(373,  composed  of  the  following  classes: 


Natives  of  England, 
Ireland, 
"  Scotland, 


Canada,  of  French  origin, 
"  of  liritish  origin. 

Continent  of  Europe,  or  otherwise, 
United  States, 


1,5!)S 

7,207 

D81 

27,<iOS 

7,7;54 

l-2'2 


-45,076  * 


iii'.!  tahie  (loos  not,  liowever,  give  the  ju-oportions  in  the  city,  for  the  re- 
IMV'  iinmhcr  of  Canadian  Freucli  in  the  country  is  greater  than  in  town. 
I  ''■  >i(h  is  the  medical  topogra]»hy  of  Quel>ec ;  and  it  presents  two  locali- 
p if'/ll-titted  to  generate  autunmal  fever;  —  the  coves  of  the  St.  Lawrence, 


*  Cowan's  Quebec  Guide. 


}i\ 


.1 


■i  . 


ii: 


f;'    ■ 

■  • 

;•■. 

Ir 

.'   ■    , 

» 

• 

.• 

•ri:!- 

M 

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TIIL;  riJINClPAL  DISKASLS  of  Tlll'I 


l«OCili 


with  t; clr  inaoonitiiiL'  lop';.-',  niiil  tlio  estuary  of  tlio  St.  fllinrlos.  Tliit  I'.v  r 
liowt'vcr,  siM'iiis  til  1)0  liiTc  iiiihiHiwii,  as  jiii  tiri-iiniil  disease.  1)|',  i'.,,.,.,. 
Olio  "f  t!it>  (il<l,'.-it  and  iimst  obsiii'viii^'  oi'  tlic  ImimicIi  liliysiriaiis,  il^Mlrll|  i,,! 
tliat  III'  liad  .seen  no  oasc-  not  cunfractctl  up  tlie  St.  l-awiuiifc.  Dr,  .\Ii,;-rjn 
iil'tcr  nil  cxiM'iiiMirc  nl'  marly  tliiit;- }ear.>J,  aiiiriiicd  tliat  aiituiniiiil  lc\tr,a<ui[ 
iiuligOMini.^  (li.si'aHo,  was  alis'liiti'ly  iiiikiiowii ;  and  adilcd,  timl  fliosi' '.vln, 
Cairo  with  int(  rmittL'nt  i'ovcr  from  the  country  almvc,  nut  well  is|iiiiitiiu.hi;>lY 
Tim  lat"  Dr.  15a' y,  from  a  .^imrtc'r  conrHc  of  ohservation,  ti  >titiiil  in  die 
sanu;  terms  |)r.  J.  Dou^das  eoin'iuTcd  in  these  statonients,  aniliidiliMJ,  tli;i;l;f. 
liad  ri']i";it('dly  .'^••cu  jilm'shus  attai'lccd  with  iutormittont  luvcr,  scvcml  iiihiitljj 
and  ovi  11  a  year  ul'ter  they  had  visited  localities  in  tho  .south-west,  wli.rijt 
was  pvcvailinff.  I'Mnally,  tin;  hospital  reports,  for  ll^'Jli  and  'il7,  as  imlli-Le.] 
in  TcS'icr's  •'  Qitchvc  Jfidicol  Juainal,'''  coniirm  tho  stati'Uieiit.s  of  tliivM."'ia. 

tlcmeii. 

In   roiiirrin;^  to  the  causes  of  this  exemption,  wc  nm.«t  not  fni-.'it tliat 
Quebec  was  settled  in  fi'tKI  or  "-!,  and  that  autinnnal  fever  is,  t.'S[ii.i:illv, a  I 
di,seas(' of  newly  jieopled   eoiintiies.     ^Vhen  it  disappears,  Imwevcr,  it :«!'? 
cause  tho  topu^-i'apliieal  conditioii.s  on  Avhich  it  depends  arc  reiii.vi  1    Hi 
althoiiH'li  imieli  of  the  ciuntry  suirmindiny  (iuehei;  has  Imf:  bi'Cii  fultivat.J 
an  entire  abatement  of  those  ciniditions  lias  not  taken  place;  for  tlicui  vi-^f : 
tho  St.  Lawrence  could  never  lia\n  been  in  a  worse  eonditioa  than  at  iiro- 
sent  ;  and  tho  estnary  of  the  St.  Charles  is  still  in  a  state  to  iavirtK'  jiri» 
dueti'iii  of  thiit  fever.     "Wo  may  cor.dude,  then,  that  tlie  ah.sciici>  I'imii  l|iie. 
bee  of  t!ic  fever,  is,  in  part,  attribntalile  to  its  latitude,  MV  47'  ')""  i;  riD.  I 
Tlie  sanie.  however,  cannot  be  said  of  remittent  fever,  oases  of  wliidi  now | 
and  tlien  occur,  but  invarialdy  tend  to  a  continued  type. 


Si:CT10N  VI. 

ESTUARY  OF  THE  ST   LAWRENCE. 


I.  Tawing-  tho  head   of    tiile-water  as  tho  beginning  of  tlic  estr. 


:t!T,;;| 
Uivers,  at  tlio   mouth  of  tlie  i^t.  ^laniwl 

An:: 

Thij 


starts  from  tlic  town  of   'I'hree 

eiu:htv-fi)ur  miles  above  (>uebec.  rrom  that  noint  to  the  island  "f 
costi.  wliere  the  river  St.  Lawrence  o])ens  by  two  broad  moutlis  into  tl 
of  St.  liawrenco,  the  distance  is  al»out  four  hundred  and  lil'ty  iiiiW. 
island  lies  in  the  northern  part  of  tho  Gulf.  Tho  latitude  of  itswc.-t' 
is  40"  .Vi'  -r.)"  N.,  its  longitude  01^'  Of.'  54"  W.*  Thus  its  latitmlo  i> 
the  same  with  the  sources  of  the  ^lissouri  river,  wdiieh  lie  in  luniiitii'li 
W.,  making  tho  breadth  of  the  valley  forty-eight  degrees  uf  lui: 
or  about  two  tliousaml  two  hundred  miles  on  a  straight  line. 

It  d.'serves  to  bo  noted,  as  illustrating  the  natural  mechanism  uf  ti- 
iutorm  jnlaiie  valley,  that  an  air-lino  from  tlio  island  of  Anticosti  ovor  t 


;,i;;i:;r| 
O'l'l 

11.  r 

ini,| 


*  Martin's  Hist.  Brit.  Col. 


,      ,^ 


i.jr  '•! 


INTKRIDIJ   VALMIY  or  NOi;'I'II  AMKHICA. 


127 


;  itriiic,  Lalv''  Oiitui'in,  [iiitl  Lal<o  Mric.  >(iik('s  tlio  >!issi.si|i]il  iif  tlic  !ti"iitli 
/.  .•Mis'iiiiri  river,  withniit  iitta'i'ini:  n  iivraler  land-i'li.'valii.ii  tliaii  m'Vch 
.,:  t  liuiidrcil  leet ;  iiiiil,  0(.ii.-r.|iiciitl_v.  it  t'ulliiws,  tliat  mu'  IniMlnd  ii.ilc.< 
,1, ,,  I'd't  Lciivrii\\i'i't)i.  tlic!  Mi^siiiiri  river  lias  siiUleii'iit  (■Icvatiuii  tu  )inur 
;..„.,,;,is  iiiti)  tlie  (iiilf  1)1'  St.  liawri  nee,  iiistcail  of  tlio  (lull'  dl'  J\U'xlci.), 
•>iilfL'ivcs  fui'tlior  smitli.      lUit  \vu  niii>t  retuni  to  tlio  c-tuary. 

iii.ii'iliaU'lv  IhIi'W  <^>iu]m'c  the  river  diviiles.  aiiit,  l)y  ro-uiiitiii;r,  lunus  the 
Kiitilulaiitl  lon^'-eiiltivated  Islaml  ot'  Oilcans;  the  iinrthern  side  ui'  uliieli 
■i; luar.-liv  sliures,  Imt  they  are  net  aiiuish.  IJelow  this  island,  ll'c  i  iver 
;eT.r''"ntracts  tu  its  f'eriiier  limits,  hut  ^radtially  widens  to  the  i;nll'.  At 
r,: « I?i''.  t'l*-'  (luaninlini'  station  lur  the  purt  nt'  (^ueliee,  thirt_\-t\\u  miles 
;,;,•/,■  t!ie  ritv,  the  wati  r  has  a  lirai  kish  taste,  which,  i.i"  e(iui>e,  increases  as 
■;  i! -vml;  aiul  luiites  willi   the   inereasiii'/  width    ami   de)ith,  in   j:ivin^'  to 

r-iMMi'V  the  character  of  a  hay,  or  deeply  lenetrafiiiL;'  arm  of  the  sea. 
,  111  |(ul;ir  helief  that  the  A|)|ialachian  Mnuiitains  teiiniiiate  when  they 
I  ';  I'y  ."'t.  liUwreiiee  hehiw  (Jueliee.  is  errntienus.  They  are  (iidv  ii;tcr- 
n 'i.'l,  ami  n'-iiji|)ear  on  its  northern  side,  'riiiis  the  estuaiy  of  tic  liver 
t>i;;a  hrnail  chasm  of  the  nnuntain  chain,  tl;e  huttoiii  cf  which,  lii.e  that 
i  tlic  ^'I'cat  lakes,  i.s  I'ar  lielnw  the  level  of  the  sea;  and,  frum  the  interinr 
ijfU'Statc  of  Alahania,  to  the  inhosiiitahle  re^iioiis  of  lialiradnr,  thrnugh 
•.I ::!v ik'grcps of  latitude,  this  is  the  only  ^'up  in  the  nioinitain  chain,  which 
;•:'.;•  tithe  surface  of  the  Atlantic  Oet'an. 

][.  Oil  the  siiutli  side  of  the  estuary,  tlie  hi^di  lands  a[)])r<iacli  mere  or 
k-d'.-i.lytu  the  river,  as  far  down  as  Capo  (ja.>ji(',  at  the  (iulf  of  St.  Ijaw- 
K?i'.  where  tliey  terminate.  Ojiposite  (^)ueljee.  they  reach  the  river,  Imt 
LtMiinuntaiiis;  further  (hiwn  they  recede,  and  leave  a  licit  of  settled  and 
nllivatcJ  interval-land,  in  the  county  of  li'lslet;  to  which  several  othicr 
ki'v  L'l'iMTally  narrower,  .succeed;  but  the  jirojiortion  ol'  inhahitants,  who 
J!  I'hiiliy  French,  gets  less  and  less  as  wc;  descend.  From  the  (di  sc  prox- 
1.1  .!;■  "f  tlie  mountains,  the  rivers  on  this  side  of  the  St.  Lawrence  are  all 
iii'Tt,  iiniie  eriualiiig  the  (Jliaudiore  and  other  tiibutaries  of  the  ;:reat  river, 
Witr'i  l^'uehec  and  ^lontreal. 

['■am  from  Dr.  ^larmette,  who  has  resided  nine  years  in  tlie   e(  nnty  of 

M,  Tlimuas,  thirty-three   miles   I  clow   Quebec,   and  practiced   liis  jirofes- 

M!i!<:ihi  the  jiarishes  of   ]>erthia   and   St.  Tierre,  that    the    icngth  of 

[tx  wit!i  wliich  ho  is  familiar,  is  about  eighteen  or  twenty  miles,  with  n 

Iteitli  of  from  one  to  eight.      Near  the  river,  in  many  places,  the  surface 

h"-it.  hutit  rises  in  the  manner  of  an  amphitheater,  to  the  high   hills  or 

I  iii,ii;.t;aiis,  \v]u(.l,  jn'o  at  the  distance  of  a  i'ew  miles,  and  at  wliicli  the  settlc- 

■^  tcTininate.  The  elevation  is  from  tweiity-iive  to  two  hundred  feet 
|it«vo  the  level  of  the  tide-water  of  the  St.  liawreuce;  but  there  are  in  the 
wtaiiuiiiber  of  hills,  either  wooded  or  cultivated.  Two  small  rivers,  liav- 
n':i:'i!iiiri)us  tributaries,  water  the  belt,  whicli  embraces  liut  few  marshes, 
p-'t.:iv  are  iif  limited  extent.  Several  considerable  tracts,  however,  are 
h'l ' '•!  tonnnidation  in  the  umntli  of  April;  but  tlie  water  is  always  pure, 

•'•"■■V'ljfF  before  the  onset  of  summer,  leaving  a   cultivable  surface,  some 


,.'■■  '•>,.■  • 


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4'28 


Tin;  I'lMNCII'.M-  DlSllASr.S  ()!••  'IIFK 


[•"M  I. 


|mr(-i  fiT  wliicli,  cfiiivi'idil  iii'n   iiiciidnwH,  Iiiim'   Ikcii  ditclicd.     The  ih"  i 
of  this  ilifitilct  Jii'o  cliiflly  ciiiiilnviil  in  ii^'riciiltiin*,  ami  in  ,i:<'ttiii(f  out  tin!,, 
0.11(1  ."tniic   I'lir   tx|Mirt!iliMii.      I>r.    Mfirnii'ttc  liiis  never  m'oh  n  ciiho  i,t' in,,, 
niitfciit  fever  tlijit  (iri,L'i  I  lilted  in  tlio  <li>triet,  and  (loi',>j  nut  liLJievc  tiiat  it ;. 
ever  |iriM|iicei|  heluw  (^hn-hec. 

Di'.  Mieliaui!.  wlio  lia.s  loii^'  resided  lurllier  dnwn  tlio  cfinst,  nt  St.  |,(,iiMl(. 
KaMii!iira>ka.  aluiiit,  latitude  •17"'  •>!'  imrtli.  inrnrnis  nie  timt  witliin  the  I,,.;, 
and  iieartlie  Itanksof  tin-  liltle  river  Onelle.  wliicli  traverses  tlic  licit  lii'f«v,i 
tlie  nmuiitaiiis  iitid  (lie  estuary  I't'  tlie  St.  Lawrence,  there  is  a  wit  snvimr; 
(ir  niar-^li.  aimiit  live  miles  imi;;'  .iiid  tliree  lirnad,  wliidi  alidiinds  in  vi"(i;ii,ie 
nnitters  in  a.  state  (d'  deeyy.  Tlio  itelt  [presents  many  diluvial  tiMTm^.  Jl;,. 
|Kiindatinii  is  cldefly  a'^'ricnlliiral.  <  >t'  t'onrteen  tlKMisund  and  .H.\tv.,rvrt 
eases  id'  disease,  treated  by  iiim,  liiit  three  were;  inturinittent  fcvcr.  'IV. 
(if  tlie.>i!  |iatients  had  eontraeted  the  disease  at  a  jireviniis  |Hri(,il  in  t'v 
United  ,*^tates.  and  the  third  had  s^jdiirneil  in  a  |,alndal  situntion  in  t'c 
States,  ten  yeai's  liel'iiro  lie  was  scix.eil  with  the  disease  in  K;iiii(juni.>i!;;i.  In 
tlie  enii(diisi(iii  id'  his  letter.  |)r.  3liehaud  makes  the  fellnwinLr  st;itiii;ii;t, 
wlii(di  he  lidieves  to  lie  tnu! :  "  Neither  intermittent  lair  ri'iiiitti  i.t  I' vr 
has  ever  uriL'inated  in  the  vicinity  (d'  maishes  sitiiatid  lietwccii  'lie  l"nv- 
seventh  and  forty-ninth  deirrecs  id"  latitude,  that  is.  frnm  (Jueboc  t..  tLe 
Gulf  (d"  St.  Jijuvreiice." 

It  would  seem,  I'n.iu  tlu;  united  testin.ony  (d'  tlie  two  lionllciaoii  wlinkive 
boon  ((Huted.  tliat  we  liavo  here,  at  the  level  of  the  sea,  pssud  k'VDiiJ  tL' 
geoL'ni|diical  limits  (d'  antunnial  fever. 

III.  The  valley-land  on  the  other  or  northern  side  of  the  estunrv  i- -til! 
uarrowei',  and  tlu;  cnltivatinii  iimre  limited. 

1'he  lir.'^t  river  lielow  (..hiehec,  is  the  J/d/i/iiinrciirl,  of  no  rrrcat  Iihl!;': 
volume,  hut  remarkaldo  fur  its  falls,  eiixht  miles  lielnw  the  city.  Tli' i.es: 
and  liy  far  the  largest  which  enters  the  estuary  is  the 

Sof/'iciK/t/. — It  jidnstho  St.  Lawrence,  one  Imndred  and  ferty  iiiilo  Wwl 
Quebei;,  and  at  its  mouth   iias  Ikhmi   souuded   to  the  dcjith  of  two  th.  ii-:':! 
feet,  without  lindinL'  ludtom;  two  miles  u]i,  its  de]dh  is  ciiilit  liumlnii '•vt, 
and   at  thi'  distauc(,'  of  nearly  tifty   miles,  the  sounding  lead  dcseiniist-ta' 
depth  (u  three  hundred  feet. 

The  ro(  ky  hills  rise  with  exceedinir  steepness,  on  both  sides  of  tiii>i;vtr. 
to  the  hiulit  of  twelve  or  lifteen  hundred  feet.     At  leiiL'th  we  reach  t\w  y.m 
where   this  river  desceiuls  into  this  deep  rocky  chasm,  by  a  series  '■\  ra- 
pids from  Lake  St.  Julm,  thouu'li   its  true  and  miu'c  distant  sources  art  ;a 
water-shed  between  tlio  St.  Jjawreneo  and  Hudson  ]^ay.*    liu^ged  :i'^  a« 
the   shores  of  the  Sau'ueuay,  they  are   imt   without  inhabitants,  wli"  i"-'"'! 
present  to  the  medical  iinjuirer,  opportunities  for  ascertaining  the  eLaiv-f' I 
of  autumnal  diseases,  in  the  latitude  of  48'-',  at  the  level  of  the  sea,  t;.  -'-f 
remote  frdui  its  shores;    but  1  have  not  been  able  to  ac(piirc  the  U';  >■" 
information. 


*  Rep.  of  Com.  for  exploring  the  Sagiieniiy,  1629. 


■»*■ 


;lio  estuarv  i- 


.,;  INTKinoi:  VMA.DY  oF  Noirill  A.MI'.IJICA.  iOO 

liriHtt'tiii'  SiiiriiL'iiay  tlun;  .-ire  i  ilicr  l)iit  Kw-i  r  rivi'is,  iii'Sir  iKc  liimitl.s  ol" 
I  iiii.  ami  iiroiiml  iiiiiiiy  MiiJiU  lt!i_\H  <  1'  tin-  c-tiinry,  then' . 'ire  fciMc  fi  Itlo- 
.,  ;., cuiicoriiiiig  wliK'li  imtliiiig  ran  iit  prc-fiiL  lie  Miid,  nl'  iuli  r* -i   tu   tin' 

IV.  TiiK  ^^I'^'  '•'■'  >^'''-   I'AW  iti:\(  i:  must  rc'civi-  u  |iiissiii;;  iinticc  to  (Tin- 

5;,;k Mjir .survey  ".'"  tliis  I'nsin.     As  liiit   diio  jircat  river  I'lifors  llii;  (liilf  ot' 

il,ii",  80  but  oiiu  ciitcrH  (III-  (luir  of  St,.  l,;iwr(Mici.';  and  tlicsi' great  rivors 

Btt' ik'ir  waters  iiiterlnckccl,  tVom  tlin  sourrcs  ul'  tlio  AllcL'Iiaii\  ami  (Jciui- 

jft.pmid  to  tliiiHi!  tit'  till!  Mis>is>i|iiii,  :iiiil  St.    Lmii.s  of  l.iiki'   Su|ii'ri(ir,  a 

I  bM '.' ul"  •1"^'"'-  tliaiMiiio  tlinusaml   iiiili'H.      'i'.i  the  .>iinitIi-('Mst,  (lie  (Jiilf  of 

>i,L,iwri,'n(.'L' "ipt'iis  iiitii  tlio  Atlantic  Ocean,  liy  .-i  Iiroad  strait;  to  tliu  nortli- 

n,t,  iiit')  I>avis  Strait,  Iiy  u   nurr^iwer,  ealled   liilK'  l,-l.'.      Lalnaili-i' lies  to 

I; :;  rtli,  New  Uriniswiek   and   Nnva  Scotia  tn   its    sontli-west  mid  simtli, 

hi:.'  ;i  I>l;in(l  to  its  suulti-east,  and  the  ^'reat.  Island  <<['  Xeu-lnnndlaiid  to  it.s 

L.;    Arnuml  this  islaml,  in  iVnnt  ol'  the  (J nil',  lie  the  lanions  suh- marine 

L  jl-iif  Nowt'ouiidhind,  a  ninment'a  relererieo  to  wliieli,  T  liii|ie  ni;iy  lie  jtar- 

\'m'i    It  the  readi'r  will  tnrn   to   the  liMlrograiihical  niap  [  / /.    /  ],  ho 

lullvr.  tliut  tli(.'ciuir;se  of  the  l/akeH  and  the  St.  Lawrence,  fri^m  ihe  sonnies 

,;t!c  rivers  which  enter  the  western  end  of  Lake  J'lrie.  is  nearly  north-east. 

li' :.' will  tliL'ii  carry  his  cyo  on  the  !-aine  iiieridiaii,  to  Cape   Florida  and  the 

Hjv:i:::i.  he  will  peri'eivo  the  ori.i^in    of  tlie  (Jnlf  Stream,  and  tiaring  It   l)v 

iiTows,  will  iiiid  that  its  general  eoursi'   is  to  the   haidcs  of  ^'(iwfoiind- 

Ikl  ;i!)il  tint  the  marine  and  eontiiieiital  rivers  Ih  w  nearly  |!arall(l,  yet 
•!:  ;a  couvcrgL'd,  heing  sejiarated  l)y  tlie  A|i|iahirhian  nu.iintaiiis,  and  the 
I  to;;"  I'oiiiiectcd  with  them.  Still  further,  it  has  been  shown,  when  treating 
:■  liiilt'  (if  3Ie.\ico,  that  a  ]»arl  of  tlie  waters  of  the  -Mississippi  are  ear- 
In- .  ■...r'iij;li  the  straits  of  Florida,  and  make  a  portion  of  the  (Jnlf  Stream. 
I Iu>  iitl'eivnt  parts  of  a  .shower,  falling  near  the  center  of  the  continent, 
lv:v:;;i..tamliiig  they  take  nearly  opposite  directions,  at  last  mingle  over  the 
rji;:.-- "i  Newfoundland,  carrying  with  them  more  or  less  of  the  surlhco, 
hi&r  ill  solution  or  suspension.  Finally,  if  the  reader  will  glance  his  cyo 
hf-  havij  Strait  he  will  perceive  by  the  course  of  the  arrow.s,  that 
|i&.!it,  wiiii'li  brings  down  icebergs  from  IJalRn's  JJay,  sets,  also,  uj)on  tlio 
Ifei'  of  Newloumllaiid,  and  must  transport  thither  more  or  les.s  of  the 
Iter  ujf  the  arctic  regions  of  the  continent.  Thus,  one  terrestrial  and  two 
|te;t  currcnt.s  meet  over  tlioso  sub-marine  beds,  and  contribute  to  build 
|te  ip  t'rum  the  depths  of  the  ocean  ;  while  the  organic  matter,  thus  trans- 
frt' I.  attracts  such  shoals  of  tislics,  as  to  render  this  spot  the  fishery  of 
i>'f  dJ,  Such  is  the  magnificent  system  of  hydrology,  in  which  our  great 
iMiri  r  Valky  plays  an  important  part. 


.1 


-r 


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TriF,  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


in  .01  1 


SECTION  \\\ 

\\\\\\\AA\L  ni:T\VEi;\  tiif,  .Mississippi  and  st.  lawrfntt  n-- 

T.   The    Mississiiini  lliiws  iioarly  tVum  nnrtii  to  !S(iutli :  tlic  St    T„„,. 
orij'Jiiiiting  in  tliosaiiu'ro^'inii,  fln^vs  to  tlu;  sntith-oast,  and  tlion  tri  tlinurf! ' 
oa-t.    ])vA\\<f^    tvinii'(l    liy   the    flaiilcs  of    tli(>   Ajipala  ■'iau  ^Innp.tuin*     Tl, 
mmrw-^  x\ni\  emiiouclinrc  ^\\'  tho  f'onin.T  arc  i)!  tlie  naim,'  iiioridians— ,t .:. 
latter  in  tlio  saino  parallels:  Oik;  is  a  river  of  latitudes,  the  otlai-df  i  ,„• 
tude.s.     It  results  tVom  these  dissiuiilitude.s  —  Fird.  That  (lie  haiik^  ,,t -i. 
Mississijipi  will  forever  |ii'eseiit  diver'nties  of  orpniie  life,  lidth  vc^'ftii!'..  •,:,)] 
uuiuial,  far  cxecodin:^  the  varieties  offered  by  those  of   the  St.  Lnwr,  ,f 
Scmnd,  That  the  diversities  of  disease  along  the  former  will  alwavs  In  Hii,, 
.  mueroii^  and  striking,  than  along  the  latter. 

II.   \Vhil(!t!ie  multiplied  sources,  primary  and  collateral,  of  the  twirvrsj 
arc  found  at  nearly  the  same  elevation  above  the    sea,  tlmso  of  the  M'-^is 
sipjii  reach  it  by  miu-h   longer  routes  than  those  of  the  St.  Lawroiicc;  ;,!. 
desi-euding  by  regularly  inclined  planes,  present,  in  their  cnnrsp.  Imt  tiv  Ja 
custrine  pools  and  cascades.       On  the  other  hand,  the  St.  Luwrciife  i- iiiar-l 
actei'ized,  almost  tlirougli  its  wlnde  length,  by  rcservoiis  or  lalios,  kw,\. 
catar.'.'ts.  exceeding  in  number,  beauty  and  sublimity,  tlio,<e  of  ai.v  •tivfl 
river  of  the  continent. 

11  r.  The  quantity  of  water  discharged,  annually,  by  the  Missis-in'.  is] 
much  less,  in  pr(ujortion  to  the  area  of  its  basin,  than  that  diseliar;_'i'!l  i.',  :;;J 
St.  iiawrence;  which  results  inim  the  following  causes:  /Vw^  ]^u  !i;t!e| 
rain,  comparatively,  falls  on  tl.e  v.estcrn  portions  of  the  3lissipsi]ijiil ;;v::i;| 
Second,  The  deeper  deposits  of  loose,  diluvial  matei'ials,  wliicli  Imrv ;  •,  ;:jj 
rocky  strata,  permit  more  to  sink  into  the  earth;  Third,  GroattT  i|U:ii;;; 
escape  u[)on  the  low  and  broad  alluvial  plains  which  border  its  ri\vr>,  tiiii 
upon  those  of  t'le  St.  Lawrence,  mutdi  of  which  does  not  flow  hnck. !«;! 
either  eva|)orated  or  absorbed;  loxrl/i.  The  higher  heat  of  tlio  ci';!!?.!!! 
through  which  the  3Iississi|)pi  flows,  for  half  its  entire  couri-o.  faMiis  Liviteq 
evuiJ.iration  than  can  take  place  from  the  St  I  wrencc.  This  cvaiii:; 
on  the  lower  ^Mississippi  and  the  southern  tributaries,  cnntiiiues  in  aitxtj] 
tluMughout  the  year,  but  in  the  liasin  of  the  8t.  Lawrence,  it  is  almi>t  sss^ 
^^uided  for  oue-third  of  that  jieriod. 

1\'.  The  amount  of  drift-wood  and  softer  vegetable  matter,  hurin'il-'iH 
the  sea,  or  lodged  along  its  banks,  by  the  ^[ississi])pi,  is  iiicoiiijiaralilv;.; 
than  that  of  the  St.  Lawrence;  wdiich  results  from  the  looser  alliivial  Ml 
tonis,  higher  freshets,  and  more  regular  descent  of  that  river  and  its  v:M 
taries;  aid  hence  it  follows,  that  while  the  fornu'r  is  thus  iiiakiiig  il'i  ■:! 
in  the  Kea,  to  bo  converted  into  coal,  for  the  beneKt  of  future  aL,'cs.  tiic  :i!i!f 
■will  bo  found  unfruitful  in  siu'li  lienefactions. 

V.  A  still  greater  dilferenee  exists  between  tlieso  rivers,  in  *'"' 'i'''' 
of  earthy  matter  which  they  transport  to  the  sea.     ]Many  of  the  liir.'iMnl 
butaries  of  the   ^li.sslssippi,  and  that  river  itself,  tor  its  lower  fourti'Hi  'M 


[bxh 


LAWREXCCRIVLRS, 

li :  till'  St.  L!\\vr..rci. 
and  tlioii  t'ltlu^iiirtli. 
liiin  Miiiintuiiiv    The, 
i\<j  iiiovidimi?  —  1  r'  t';(i  j 
U'S,  till'  otliin.f  l.y.i. 
Tliat  (lioli:niksi.f;!i(>j 
life.  l)ntli  vcL'cti'Jv'iivil 
of  the  St.  La\vr,-(.p; 
iior  \i\\\  always  Vimrej 

iitcval.  of  tlio  t\Yiii:v(rsl 
a,  tliiisc  of  tlie  ^I'vh- 
:lio  St.  Lawrouci/;  util 
;licir  Cduvso.  Imt  I'vla-j 
n)  St.  Liiwroncc  i-  I'lar-j 
oils  or  lakes,  n]ii4-;i[dj 
lily,  tlio.se  of  any  ■  t'ivrl 

•,  liy  tlio  Mi>«i.<-iM'.  is| 
n  that  discliarirciU''  "r;!! 
uses :  Fh^l.  Hu-  !::;Iej 
t'  tl'.e  ,Missi?Mi.[iil:'C,;j 
'rials,  which  bury  I'p  itsj 
/,/';•(/,  flrcutcr  i|V::i! •  ;;es^ 
1  liiivder  its  vivcr«. !  iw 
cs  iKjt  flow  lack.  1'".'  ifl 
lier  heat  of  the  I'i'nuta 
re  emirs-e.  fa\iir<  L!i;:t»^ 

MieO.      This  CVaiiM'::iM 

cs.  eontimies  in  ii'^'"tjj 
liwreuee,  it  is  alm-t  •^".H 

iiie  matter, hnriK'tlvTH 
|i.is  iiunniipavalily '.:'"*' 

theloeser  alluvial-'.' 
Ithatrivevaiul  it- n:!* 

IS  thus  making  'l''  -••! 
lot'  t'utm-e  ages,  tiii'  ^i"' 

^e  rivers,  in  tho  H''"' 
Many  of  the  lawrm 
itH  l"o\Yer  founcui  IM 


riii  I'l 


IN'IERIOR   VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


431 


.ymilos,  arc  always  turliid;  but  tlio  St.  Lawrence,  on  the  other  hai.d,  is 
tri'i  transparent;  and  ino.st  of  it.s  nillnent.s,  even  when  swdllun,  have 
;;  !ii;i(kiiacss  than  tlioso  of  tlio  jMissis.'^ipjii.  Thi.s  dopends  i.n  two 
njie!— one  ofeological,  the  other  nioehanical :  First,  The  pmpi.rtion  of 
i-miv  aiul  ai'gillaeious  drift  or  diliivinin,  overs])reading'  tiiu  basin  of  tl  e  Mis- 
iJ'\nM  2r"'itL'r  than  that  of  the  St.  Lawreaeo  basin  ;  and  it  emhra'es  cx- 
..■;;iv  friublo  deposits,  tertiary  and  cretaceous;  Sc.  \  It  abuninh-  i;i  soft 
•ralfj  aiul  marls.  On  the  othei'  hand:  7'V/,>,7,  The  basin  of  tlie  St.  ].aw- 
lenci' presents  a  great  prcdominanco  of  liard  primitive  ami  transitio!!,  or  old 
Jihrian rocks,  which  undergo  disintegration  very  slowly;  Scroiu/,  Tlie  lakes 
iti  wliicli  the  streams  (d'  th.at  basin  first  p'ur  their  muddy  wati  r,s,  become 
lie ik'pMsitories  of  their  .silt,  ami  decant  clarified  waters  into  the  St.  Law- 
rcDCi".  It  has  resulted  from  thi.s,  that  while  the  .Mis.sissi[ipi  has  lilh  d  up 
lie Inv,  or  arm  of  tlie  gulf,  which  once  projected  far  into  the  continent,  and 
jjiMV  cnnstriieting  a  cape  in  the  (Julf  of  Mexico,  the  St.  Lawrence  has 
milk  Imt  little  jirogress  in  that  labor,  and  is  still  met  by  the  tides  nearly  five 
imnlnd  iniles  frnin  its  gulf. 

VI.  In  regard  to  the  transportation  of  ice  to  t!ic  so;-,  tlie  two  rivers  differ 
«iiil  mure  wiilely.  The  Mississippi  carries  none  wdiatever,  and  is  never  fro- 
leii'Ver,  thningh  the  lower  eight  hundred  iniles  of  its  course:  the  St.  Law- 
Mco, buwevcr,  freezes  every  winter,  and,  below  Lake  Ontario,  is  obstructed 
fitli  ice  for  one-third  of  the  year.  This  ice  destroys  the  et[uability  of  ( liinato 
duL'tlic  Pt.  Lawnnco.  The  breaking  up  begins  in  Lake  Kiie  and  the  Xi- 
j:;ira  river,  then  in  iiakc  Ontario,  and,  [irogrcssively,  in  the  river  below. 
Bftiie rapid  current  in  the  Niagara  and  the  St.  Lawrence,  the  ice  is  carried 
iiRtiithe  estuary,  where  it  htdges,  to  a  late  jieriod  in  sjiring,  giving  to  its 
tekat  and  beyond  Quebec,  a  uiucli  tardier  opening  of  vegetation,  compared 
w!i  that  of  the  Island  of  Montreal,  than  would  result  from  the  ditferenoo 
(ifiatitmle.  On  the  lower  part  of  the  3Ii,ssissi])pi,  wdiere  this  disturbing  in- 
|fece  does  not  exist,  the  iuercment  and  decrement  of  heat  are  lelt  to  the 
juiwiiiflueuce  of  latitude  and  elevation.  The  annual  range  of  the  tempera- 
liirc't  the  two  rivers,  in  their  lower  set  tions,  is  not  tlic  same.  In  summer 
1!:'] autumn,  tlie  Mississipipi  and  its  tributaries),  greatly  redia-fil  in  viduuic, 
tiv.'ilio boat  of  their  waters  very  much  raised;  but  the  tjuantity  of  water 
I  in t'li' St.  Lawrence  varies  but  little,  and  is  nearly  all  derived  from  deep 
ii-i's;  liimcc  its  summer,  compared  with  its  winter  heat,  is  much  h  ss  than 
tat»i  tlie  Mississippi ;  thus  rever>ing,  as  we  shall  hereafter  see,  ihe  law  of 
K.i'i  atmospberie  winter  and  summer  ti'niperatnre. 

'd-    In  their  srenery,  the  lower  portions  of  these  great  rivers  diiler  as 

I'^i'lyas  in  other  characteristics.       On  the  ^Mississippi,  from  3Ieniidiis  to 

I  l>-!"ii  Rouge,  the  voyager  sees  bluffs  to  his   left  hand,  wddcli  gradually  got 

I'W  ami  li.wer,  until  they  di.sappear;  and  he  finds  himself  in   the  midst  of 

hiwaiiipy  plain,  which  all   along  had  met  bis  eye,  to  the  right.       For  two 

TOlri'd  ami  fil'ty  miles  he  looks  down  upon  this  new  creation  of  the  waters, 

pUliidithe  highest  ridges  are  the  dykes  which  confine  the  river  to  its 

PKp'rbed.     They  at  length  cease,  and  before  his  boat  floats  on  the  gulf, 


^^Tli 


,  .ii. 


.•         ■,    .  ...    .   ,-'*! 


n  ' 


1.1  ',- 


/hij!-\;H^!^^'i:- 


'.'  '..1  I 


I  )    ■..:^.'.   ■    .. 


-■f'Ve^i.;  4 


i »,,  i'-'A:  ;-  f'  :^     .  r  •  •    ' *>     >  ■■■■  ■ 


l;rl-:i 


■  ■  ■?■  '     .  ■  •    ■ ..'.' 


■■■  :r."'.".:-v  , 


432 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASfZS  OF  THE 


tBOOK! 


lio  !-ccH  tlu!  agitation  wliicli   it  niises,  drive  tlio  turbid  waters  of  tlie  liv' 
over  its  low  and  sedgy  banks,  to  mingle  with   tlio  gvoun  tides  of  the « 
On  the  St.  Lawrence,  from  Montreal  to  (^nel)ee,  there  arc  also  low  bank- 
but  liiiilier  lands  in  their  rear,  and  blue  mountain  masses  in  tlie  (.liBtawe' 
which,  as  the  voyager  advances,  approach  tlie  river,  and  cmbr:. -o  it  hkJ 
or  less  closely,  to  tlie  (JIulf  of  St.   Lawrence.      The  birches,  niaiili's,  and 
larclu'-;,  here  represent  tlie  cotton-tree,  liquid-amber,  live  oak,  and  evnre«s 
with  its  dark  silvery  tresses  of  long  moss;  orchards  of  jilunis  and  aiiiiloj 
arc  substituted  for  the  peach,  lig,  and  orange  tree;  and  acids  of  wheat  oat^ 
peas,  timothy,  and   potatoes,    take   the   place    of  cotton,   suKar,  iind  rice 
idantatious. 

VI II.  ]Jy  a  single  aspect,  only,  is  the  traveler  on  the  Lower  8t,  Law. 
rencc,  reminded  of  the  Lower  ^lississippi.  'J'he  depressed  Ixink?  Ijchvm 
Montreal  and  (,)uebec,  like  those  through  the  ancient  Delta  of  the  Missis- 
si])pi,  al)ovc  and  below  New  Orleans,  are  the  favorite  abodes  of  the  Fronch. 
The  ' lid'jitxuit''  and  tlie  'ciri/h\'  under  the  same  national  instinct,  liave 
placed  their  cottages  in  village-ranks,  on  tlie  banks  of  their  ros-pective 
rivers,  aiul  cultivate  long  mirrow  parallelograms  in  their  roar;  hut  the 
verandahs,  idimbing  roses,  Camillas,  and  pomegranates,  which  decorate tkse 
humble  dwcdliiigs  in  the  south,  are  wanting  on  tl'.i  rigorous  shores  of  the 
north;  aiid  hy  tltclr  absence,  cidefly,  is  the  voyager  preserved  from  t lie de. 
lusioii,  that  he  is  not  within  the  .'•elta  of  the  ^Mississippi,  when  lii.s  hoatis 
rapidly  moving  on  this  portion  of  tiie  St.  Lawrence. 

IX.  If  these  two  rivers,  with  tlieir  respective  gordogical  accompaniments. 
had  been  placed  respectively,  in  each  other's  geographical  jjositiun,  tkir 
medical  histories  woidd  have  liccn  widcdy  different  from  what  tlicv  iinw  ore. 
The  alluvial  deposits  of  the  .Mississippi  would,  it  is  true.  Iiave  carriid  rai- 
tumnal  fever,  somewhat  further  north  than  we  now  find  it;  but  the  greatest 
diflferenco  from  the  present  state  of  health,  would  have  been  found  in  t!io 
south,  where  a  mountain  range,  and  the  almost  total  absence  of  deiHfit'f  'f 
silt  and  organic  matter,  would  have  nearly  precluded  those  fever.«,  wltichtb 
burning  sun  of  summer  and  autunni  now  quicken  into  annual  prevaleiioo. 


Sl'.CTION   VIII. 

OF    TIIE    ST.    LAWREXCE,  AS    A    PLACE    OF    SUMMER   RESORT  FOS 

INVALIDS. 

When  the  invalid,  in  ([uest  nf  a  cocder  and  purer  summer  air.  in  eniimo- 1 
tion  with  exercise  and  recreation,  arrives  on  the  southern  shores  i it  Lske 
Erie,  he  may  turn  either  t<i  the   north-west  or  north-east.     In  the  tiTiEcr  ] 
case,  he  will  make  the  voyage  upon  the  Upper  Lakes,  which  has  lucii  al- 
ready described;  in  the  latter,  he  will  visit  the  Niagara  and  St,  Lawenee. 
with  the  lower  lakes,  Ontario  and  Chamjilain. 

As  the  Falls  of  Niagara  fill  every  inmginatiou,  it  is  unnecessary  tiLspeat 
of    their    scdenin,   monotonous,   and  une({ualled  sublimity,  which  due?  c- 


Im 


'iJTI' 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  a:\IERICA. 


433 


I  nd sustain  the  deep  emotion  wliir-li  tlioy  at  first  insi)ii-(!.      Tt  will  bo  more 

r,rrfital'io  t'j  piiint  "ut   to  tlic  ill(^ui^ill^■  and  L'ontoiiijilatlvo  invalid  certain 

h>pn  the  esamiuution  of  wbiidi  cannot  fail  to  interest  and  excite  liim. 

f:f<t  Bv  a  careful  inspection  of  tlie  rocks,  he  will  discover  the  ninde  in 

rv.  tlit-'varc  cut  through,  and  the  recession  of  the  Fulls  has  been  effected. 

yrv'/.  IJv  tracing  the  gravel  banks  which  are  tuund  on  both  sides  of  the 

K'j  ravine,  lio  will  jn'rceive,  that  a  broad  surface-stream  (such  as  tlie  river 

;3iisbnvothc  rapids)  onco  flowed  where  the  chasm  has  since  been  exca- 

ntiJ    Tliinl,    He   should  visit  the  whirl[iool  mi    the  Canada  side,   and 

n'otliocliannol,  now  filled  with  drift  and  rubbish,  by  which  the  river,  or  u 

'.n  it' it,  formerly  reached   liake  Ontario,  near  St.   David's,  several  miles 

Kit  if  tlie  present  outlet.*     Fmirtli,  He  should  then  ascend  the  bights  of 

kteii-tiin,  which,  though  less  amazing  to  his  senses,  will  be  found  more 

.aj.'tjiive  to  hi.s  mhid,  than  the  Falls  themselves.      By  his  side,  the  lower 

I  tsi iif  tlie  (lark  and  winding  chasm,  with  the  leaden-green  waters,  in  deep 

iiatiilditiigitation,  as  they  escape  from  their  rocky  imprisonment ;  liefiire  him. 

I tral  slupiiiir  terrace,  down  which  they  are  quickly  gliding  to  the  liosom  of 

Lk ' I iiit.ino ;  (111  every  side,  the   signs  tliat   the   waves   cf  the  ];ike   once 

ii'ieihiainst  the  cliffs,  from  which  lie  now  sees  them,  at  the  distance  of 

hajv mik'"-,  and  that  the  NiagtM-a,  at  seme  reunite  period,  threw  down  its 

I'mm  the  very  summit  on  which   he  is  meditating.     Thus  planted. 

|i!i;wi.i'o,  at  the  beginning,  in  l)oth  time  ami  place,  of  two  mighty  events  — 

liiertMt  of  the  Lake  and  the  recession  of  the  Falls  —  he  will  soon  feol  that 

ntpbwos  of  sense  are   sujierficial  and  fleeting,  compared  with   the  deej) 

luiikwiMcrincr  emotions,  which  arise   from   a  contemplation  of  the  powers 

I iiraoli  changes  so  mighty  have  been  lirought  lorlh.     IJut  a  sojourn  of  an 

|i'!ir will  not  raise  these  discursive  and  lofty  meditations.     Tie  should  linger 

;.:  1  ii;iv,  cross  the  river,  look  u[)  the  black  gorge  from  which  it  is  issuing, 

|s?:i:::it!ic  hijrhts  of  Lewiston,  and  then  descend,  and  wander  among  the  vast 

|to!i;>  (if  fallen  rock,  which  in  ages  long  passed,  were  jiolished  b)-  the 

liisi:  ivators  (jf  the  ijake.     Thus  will  his  mind  be  roused  in.to  action,  and 

FM;;;lijngth  to  apprehend  the  magnitude  of  the  prublenis  which  nature 

|fc|woi!tsfor  solution. 

"uv'i  the  invalid  has  embarked  on  Lake  Ontario,  be   should  descend  by 

I'll  cnast,  and  spend  a  day,  or  mor(>,  at   ILunilton,   Toronto,  and 

J^ -■-'  i:  where,  ill  the  alisenco  of  natural  sivniery  of  a  striking  character, 

«wi!iail  novekios  in  art  and  society,  which  will  stimulate  his  senses  and 

''n  diflfeveiit  way  from  the  wild  grand'iu-  of  Xiagara;  and  thus,  by  a 

f"S:i''iey,  extend  the  s;ilutary  inii>ressioii  there  made. 

i  i;  Kniirstou  he  will  rei'-mliark  for  the  St.  Lawrence,  ami  his  first  stopping- 

"'fsamild  he  Oadenslnu'ff,  on  the  American  side.     The  voyau'o  will  be 

pn  the  Thousand  Islands.     The  eh'inents    if  this  landscape  are  a  lirnad 

pi5-  v,-r?pread  with  water,  sending  u[(  through   its  surface   masses  and 

*' ' t  L'raiiite,  and  other  primitive  rocks,  bare  and  weathered  (^n  their 


•'•i5> 


-(*. 
\ 


*   Hall   and  Lyell. 


i^.'i^'.:'       \ 


I' 

.  I 

i 


■i; 


:/'  vi- 


0Mi^^:. 


, .  •  f  ■■•<■ 


liil::  5 


I'- 


■■:;)'.•(■ 


v.  . 


>i^ 


4:14 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASEIS  OF  THE 


[hook  :. 


low  siiiiiiuits,  or  li^i'litly  covered  whh  suil,  sii|i|iiirtiiig  stunted  ]iiiio«,  i,ak,!  a' I 
uia))Ie.s.       lie  li:ts  now  exetiaiigcd  tlio  siililimities  ef  .Niiigiira  tor  tiif  Uau 
ties  of  tlio  St.  liawrenee,  ;uu\  a  correspeiidiiig  eliange  will  t;ike  iiliin.  ;,,  t,jj , 
eiiiotldiis.      Aiiiniiu' the  Islands,  and  I)el<i\v,  in  <\i:densl)ur^',  tliu  (■urruiitif  tiJ 
river  is   slow  and   uiirullled.       A   lew  miles  l'urtlii!r   udwii,  the  fir.-t  laiiij 
begin,  and    thence  to  the    Island  of  Montreal    the  mingled  grii:iilpnr  ui"l 
beauty  of  the  voyage  raise  it  above  any  other  of  etjual  lengtli,  in  ti.i;  tr 
eled  portions  of  tlio  continent.       Kvery where  the  banks  have  ;ni  aMurt  ,(> 
stability,  and  govern  the  river,  not  existing  at  its  mercy  like  tho.-i' df  tl,J 
^lississippi.      Now  they  approach,  and  now  they  are  widely  scpanitid  i,v;,,i[ 
island;  here  is  a  str>.tc!i  of  gentle  current,  ami  there  ;i   iVightt'iil  ca-ia,',,.  [A 
which  tl:e  light-green  and  limpid  waters  are  dashed  into  wliitc  Irani,  :;>  lU" 
riLsli   furiously  down    the  roeky  slope,  to   repose  in  some  broad  laMn.  i\itlij 
gras.sy  margins,  and  prepare  themselves,  as  it  were,  for  a  new  dosccnt.    I'j. 
nally,  the  Idue  sununits  of  the   mountains  wddch   over.^haduw  J.aku  ('i,;,ii:. 
plain,  and   afterward  those  of  Canada  East,  begin   to  peer  ahiivi,'  tiiu  i.-ri- 
zoii,  and  by  the  solemn  (juietness  of  their  aspect,  mingle  a  new  iiiiniiinKiiaj 
those  which  the  river  had  awakened. 

A  day  on  the  Island  of  3lontreal,  is  the  fashionable  allotmciit;  L'it  ij 
week  will  not  exhaust  the  sources  of  interest  to  an  intpiiriiig  invalid;  wiioj 
can  there  command  every  comfort,  while  be  substitutes  the  nnvcltir-  ;  ;;jj 
social  condition  for  those  of  natural  scenery,  in  a  higher  latitude  tl:a:i  Liaaj 
reach  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi. 

The  voyage  to  (.,>uebec  will   bring  only  repose  id'  feeling.     I le  is  iimu-  iii 
tide-water;  the  rapids  arc  at  an  end,  the  river  widens,  and  at  lonatIu'.\ii;i;.ijl 
into  the  beautiful  Lake  St.  I'eter,   then  contracts:  its  course  is  strain' !.::sj 
banks  sr>  low.  as  barely  to  rise  above  the  bigb  tides,  and  su  tliiikh  vi 
spread  with  the  cottages  of  the  '  lluliitdiits,^  and   the  more  ambitiiais  divi 
ings  of  the   ^SV^V/^f^nv,  that,  but   for   the   perfect  transparency  of  tlio  ivauri 
they  iiudose,  he  might  taney  himself  on  the   Lower  .Missi.s.sippi. 

A  week  at  Quebec  will  not  exhaust  the  curiosities  of  nature  and  art: 
which  it  abounds,  nor  bring  into  oxisti'uce  all  tin;  histuvital  ri'cilli''!: r.« 
wliiidi  it  (ran  awaken.       Cape  niamoud  and  its  citadel  —  sirt'ets  widi  i.vii 
inss  on  one  side,  and  batteries  bristlini:;  with  cannon  on  the  etlur— '::. 
zures  and  windows  in  juxta-positioii  —  long  ranges  of  steps  fVim  t!,t  i.  > 
to  the  Tpper  town  —  gates  guarded  by  sentinels  —  soldiers,  sailurs,  ai/i  ■.it'j 
izens,  mingled  on  the   same   narrow  pavement  —  dugs  as  well  as  |h  :;i 
harness,  and  drawing  their  little  wagens  throuah  the  streets  —  I'lH: 
Enirlisli  si'i'iKs  in  alternation,  on  the  doors,  and  tlie  dialects  of  tlio  mv( 
tions,   blended  within.       Thus    the  foreign  invalid,  or  liy[)Oidi(Hidii;i'. Hj 
absorb  something  thnuigh  every  pore,  to  change  the  condition  ot  in-  i:i' 
system.     But,  escaping  from  the  city,  he  may  drive  over  the  iduvuti-a  \--'-'A 
of  Abraham;  then,  at  the  distance  of  nine  miles,  visit  Lorette,  and  •  i 
remnant  of  the  oldest  civilized  Indians  of  the  continent;  thuii.  at  a:i ": 
distance,  devtte  a  day  to  the  celebrated  Falls  of  3IuutmorunLi ;  Ji.J  "< 


1-  ■  ■  ■       ,  ' 


fail'! 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


435 


j-.thor.  feast  liis  eyes  on  those  of  the  river  Chti'uliorc.  with  its  wild,  ronian- 

iic  <i.riiory. 
Uiohec  is  the  ultima   tludc  of  those  wlio  Tiiakc  liasty  viiyjip'cs,  for  idio 
i^a-iiii'iit.  or  from  mere  restlessiioss;  l)nt  as  T  am  writiiic  fur  the  heiiefit 
M;V,ili4>.  '.vhii  need  the  iiivigoratiiiL''  influence  of  a  eool  smnnier  climate,  in 
,  ,,;eeti  iinvith  exercise  and  new   scenes  and  objects,  1    sliall  a(hl,  that  the 
T  ,:i 'i\  wIk'II  iiracticahU',  shonhl  he  continued  beyond  (Quebec,  to  the  R'nnere 
'/,,"/!,  at  the  distance  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  or   even  to  the 
<.i.;m.  tliirtv  miles  further  down.       The  great  lireadth  (if  tlie  estuary, 
•  Tlieiiome  a  bay,  the  mnuntain  scenery  on  both  sides,  and  the  coolness  of 
&■  jiiiiatc.  ill  a  hiirher  latitude  than  tlie  utmost  sources  of  the  3lississiii[)i, 
f.-W  :'rontlv  add  to    the   l)enetits   which  a   southern    valetudinary  might 
(Miiiv.'  Iiiiiisfll'  from  travels  in  the  north. 
R'.tiiniinc  to  Montreal,  ho  shuuld  not  ascend  the  St.  Lawrence  any  higher, 
kt  iMSs  liv  rail-niad  to   Lake   (Miamjdain,   whose  grand  ami   ])ictures(jUO 
yvn'TV  mav  still  interest  him,  if  he  have  not  become  cloyed  l)y  tlie  natural 
it'.ks of  tlu;  Niagara  and  St.  Lawrence.     At  the  end  of  this  voyage,  ho 
sivrtftat  ^-aratoga,  and,  then,  either  descend  the  Atlantic  plain,  and  visit 
!v cities  of  the  sea-board ;   or,  turning  to" the  west,  make  his  lirst  stii]i|iiiig- 
iili'Mt  Svracuso,  where  the  extensive  salines  will   iiresent  a  new  object  of 
i'.:»r':'<t.    Froin  that  town  he  may  make  a  sliort  cai.;d   voyage  through  the' 
K''jtit'ul  Oswego  Yallo J',  which  jiresents   several  objects  of  interest,  to  the 
!'W!iiif  tliat  name,  and  there   embark   for  Rochester;  or  he  may  contiiiuo 
iMracuse,  by  land,  and  visit  the  beautiful  sor|)entinc  lakes  of  western 
.WViirk,  rcacliiiig  the  city  of  Ildchestor  by  rai'-road.      Having  gratified 
'liMiiriiisity,  li_v  the  various  views  whicli  may  be  l;ad  of  the  Falls  by  wliich 
b'lionoscc  I'ivcr  di'scends  nearly  three  hundred  feet  in  three  iiiib'S.  he  may 
tiir proceed  to  HufPalo,  by  Niagara,    it  ascend  tlie   (ienesee   lliver,  mid 
rxiii: its  u|i[ier  and  still  grander  cascades,  traverse  the  mountain  plain  to 
i;;r;t;!U'iue  Lake,  and  thence  descend  to  Ibiukirk,  on  the  southern  shore  of 
Lb.'  Erie. 
''■iii'htsion. —  The  topography  of  the   St.   Lawrence  or  Ivistern  basin  is 
jwcIhm'iI,  liiit  not  completed.       If  in   its  progress  and   at  its  end,  some 
pi.''diave  been  devoted  to  places  of  hot-weather  residence,  or  routes  of 
SMiaiir  travel,  for  tlie  victims   of  our  southern  (dimates,  or  the  invalids  (.f 
Kmanicriius  cities,  my  brethren,  on  reflection,  will,  I  trust,  approve  ratlu  r 
fc:i i.niidcmn  the  object.     Nearly  all  the  settled  pijrtioiis  of  the  southern  or 
's:;in  basia  are  comparatively  Hat   and  unit'orm.  without  lakes  or  innun- 
■  >  ;iiiil  deficient  in  running  streams  and  water-falls.     The  basin  of  the 
I.jwroiKo  is  its  vorf//.  and  opens   to   its  invalids,  in  hot  weather,  a  re- 
! 'wavliich  thoy  cannot  have  in  any  other  direction;  for  the  southern  pur- 
- ''t  the  Appalachian   Mountains  arc  too   inaccessible,  and  the   Itmky 
>'i!wiistiw  remote.       It  is  not  sufficient  fur  the  physhian  to  ailvise  his 
i^>M,  laboring  mider  a  chronic   infirmitv.    to  leave  off  medicine  ami    (h;- 
'"II  travel.    When  he  prescribes  the  former,  he  directs  where  it  can 
■""tamed;  and,  in  like   manner,  when  he   recommends    the    latter,    he 


:trr 


M. 


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WWmW 


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r  •; 


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V  ■'    I.  :■}■  i  ;i.     I.  .,,  .  -.■„  ^  :    :,.       . 

'■  ■I.I'**..  .»     '  ... 


1  .    t    .   ■*. 


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:'^i-'t'. 


«:kv 


1  •',•.>■  :;^V.     •■ 


^lliJUir^M 


43G 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[500K  I 


•iliould  bo  able  to  lay  doAvu  tlio  apiiropriute  and  jiracticiUc  routo;  in  J,,;.,, 


which,  he  sliould  draw  his  iiiformatioii  from  the  books  of 


'Jl^  l»rijlt:vsi(ju, 


and  convince  Iiis  patient  that  ho  is  familiar  witli  what  he  reeouimuJs 
but    little  confidence  will  be  reposed  in  his  ativiee. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

THE  HUDSON  AND  AllCTIO  IIYDllOGKAPIIICAL  BASI\> 


INTRODUCTION. 

The  Mexican  and  St.  Lawrence  Ilydrofrrapliieal  Basins,  ineluilL' noarlv  ill 
the  white  or  Cancasian  pojiidation  of  tlie  Interior  Valley  of  North  Aiiii'rka; 
but  its  medical  topograpliy  would  be  Incomplete,  and  iiiiporfect.  C'veiiiii  rii-j 
erence  to  the  diseases  of  tlioso  basins,  if  s. me  general  ifeographieal  aiiJlii. 
drographieal  views  were  not  taken  of  the  more  desolate  aud  uiipeiijik'l  ri- 
gions  which  lie  to  their  north,  and  are  quite  equal  In  area  to  those  wliicli  lia«  I 
been  describee^.     The  Hudson  Basin,  moreover,  at  one  ])oiiit  of  its  simtiieni I 
border  —  the  sources  of  Bed  Bivor  —  dips  into  the  3Iexiean  as  low  as  tlie  lati- 
tude of  45'"' 30' ;    thus  l)ringing  a  part  of  the  nortliorn  basins  witliin  tie  I 
limits  of  prospective  settlement  and  cultivation.     The  value  of  a  stadv' 
tlie  pliysical  geogra])hy  and  meteorology  of  tlie  uoj  thorn  regions  may  be  0*1 
eisely  presented  under  the  following  lieads  : 

I.  It  is  an  admitted  fact,  that  if  tlie  Bocky  3Iountains,  and  otliiT  .\Ijaej 
ranges,  which  lie  to  the  west  of  tlie  Mexican  and  St.  Lawrence  Ba>i!i>.  liilj 
not  exist,  but  the  great  plain  which  they  now  subtend  strctclied  out  tu  \bt 
Pacific  (.)cean.  our  climates  would  be  entirely  different  from  vliat  t!nv  !!:if I 
are ;  and  hence  it  follows,  tliat  he  wlio  would  understand  the  latter.  imi-:iJi 
aware  of  the  existence  of  tlie  former.  If  this  bo  trie, —  and  it  uaiin -i  <| 
denied —  it  is  obvious  tliat  the  meteorologist  sliould  know  whether  tlio  i.'.ra-j 
ern  regions  arc  a  flat,  or  overspread  with  mountain  chains. 

IT.  In  tracing  out  the  combined  and  separate  influence  of  soil  and  a:n:<\ 
on  our  diseases,  it  is  necessary  to  examine  them  to  the  very  limits  n 
continent,  in  the  north,  or  until  they  cease  from  climatic  changes. 

III.  The  Northern  Basins  embrace  many  tribes  of  Indians,  whoso  pliraj 
ology  and  diseases  arc  tu  become  subjects  of  study,  in  the  closing  p.irt "-I 
our  work. 


%: 


[SOOS  I 

lie  rou's;  indi-ht' 
of  uis  prot\;ssi(ju, 
10  rcconimv.aik,  1. : 


'ilT 


,  1 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH   AMERICA. 


437 


'"  jii  the  extreme  north  tlicro  are  ponnanciit  sottlcmonts  of  Esqui- 
,,  Jitrorent  ncc  from  the  Tndiaiis.  tlio  .^tudy  nf  wli(is(>  omistitutioii'^ 
iJniiilailit'S  unclcr  the  rcmiivkaLlo  oir  •uuistaiices  in  whlcli  they  live,  caiiiKit 
v  mtliHut  interest. 

V  litli  till'  Iliul.son  nnd  Arctic  Basins  have  hocn  explored  hy  so  many 
;'"riii''ans  and  Aniorli-ans,  that  many  valualde  oliservations  have  heen 
ir4'  on  tlic  cfVi'Cts  of  lonir-conliniu'd,  intense  colli,  on  tlie  constitutions  of 
•",  Onii!i«i:in  races,  thus  rejiresented  in  .'lose  fVi,uid  and  dreary  regions;  all 
Mvij-h  stand  in  curious  and  striking  'contrast  witli  tlie  effects  of  the  hiirh 
,i;il iinlmiircd  heat  of  the  tropical  reii'ioiis  around  the  (lidf  of  Mexico. 

\;  iv'.fnphy  of  the  i.orth  is  imt  necessary,  however,  to  the  develojmients 
Tt  i!n!irati(l ;  and  I  shall  limit  myself  to  such  comprehensive  ireograjiliical 
ttl  livilruirraphii'al  views,  as  maybe  condensed  into  a  sin_Lde  chajtter,  be- 
iii.niw  witii  the  Hudson  Basin,  whicli  lies  innncdiately  north  of  the  two 
Kill  have  been  described.* 


IICAL  BASI.\> 


ins,  incluih'  in'sny ;,.. 
;y  of  N'lrth  AiiiiTiii; 
inperi'eet.  even  ui  v:- 


geograi: 


ihieal  uniih- 


te  and  unpeniili-'l  \c 
a  to  those  wliicli  lia«  I 

point  uf  it?simtM| 
i(;anaslowastlicla:;- 
im  basins  witbin  the  j 

c  value  of  a  stuJv' 
lie  C'jS"! 


m  regions  may 


[ins,  and  other  WM 

1  Lawrence  Ba^i!l^.*l| 

stretched  out  tu  M 

from  ^\-hat  tlioy  p.v^I 

[nd  the  latter,  imi^tt*! 

Ve^_;,nd  itcaiiii"tl«| 

ow  whether  the  in-'ria' 

liins. 

Lcof  soilandcliMt 

Tthe  very  li"'it^'  "t  ^'A 
tic  changes.  , 

Indians.  wli^SL' r*'; 

iu  the  closing  r-f^'- 


Si:CTION  I. 
Tin:  HUDSON  itYDUuGurmcAL  ua.sin. 

i  The  1).\v.  —  A  large  portion  of  this  basin  is  overspread  with  the  in- 

,.l>e;i.  iihsurdly  called   Hudson's  Jmh/,  which  lies  a  little  to  the  north-east 

:  ii.<  leiiter.    In  fiiruro  it  rec  ':ibles  the  transverse  vertical  section  of  a 

"ja'uiiu.    Its  base  lies  nearly  in  the  seventy-ninili  meridian,  while  its  apex 

aits  tu  the  lunety-fifth.     The  sixtieth  paralkd  of  north  latitude  passes 

iku^li  its  center.     Its  southern  extremity,  called  James'  Bay,  sinks  to  the 

|::tT-ar-t  degree  of  latitude,  and  tiie   opposite  rises  to  the  arctic  circle.     Its 

iaij nearly  the  same  with  that  of  the  Gulf  of  ^Mexico,  from  which,  how- 

I  ta  Diiist  be  deducted  the  large  Island  of  Houthamjiton,  lying  in  its  north- 

tKjwt,  ill  mean  latitude  (i^J'^,  opposite  the  entrance  of  Hudson's  Straits. 

h:::'i  tumiect  the  bay  with  Davis'  Straits  and  llie  Atlantic  Ocean.     The 

hsiaiviif  this  bay  is  so  obstructed  with  ice,  as  to  render  its  navigation  im- 

I [!ieikil)le  eight  months  out  of  every  twelve,     l-lveii  in  July  and  August, 

Pirry  and  Franklhi  found  the  straits  which  lead  to  it  embarrassed  M'ith  ice- 

■.:l'-;  and  hi  its  northern  regions,  great   iields  of  Heating  ice  i'rctjuently 


'For  the  principal  facts  of  this  cliaptcM',  I  am  iiiilobtfd  to  tlio  following  works,  to 
h-;;a  1  (■hull  sfldoia  rcfiT  spcciuUy  in  the  text,  after  liaving  cited  them  here  ; — 
|Huil\e's  Ovcrkiiid  Jourui'y  to  the  Polar  Sea,  17G9— 1772.  Macke.n/ie's  Voyage 
|wr.Mi:Kniizie's  RiviT  to  the  same  sea,  17S9.  I'arrv's  First  Voyi'gi^  through  llallhi's 
Biv,  MO-l-oo.  His  Second,  1^2:}— l^a;}.  His  Third,  1820—182.").  l'iiANKi,i.\'s 
jf-^iOviTl;md  Journey  from  Hudson's  Bay  to  the  Polar  Sea,  1820—182:).  His  Second 
I'^ai  Lake  .-Superior  to  the  f^tiine,  sea,   1822 — 182."}.     Riciiaiu),so\"s    Narrative  of  his 

•'>•!  with  I'raiililin,  and  several  of  his  jiupers  on  the  geology,  zoology,  botany,  cli- 

■•■u:  iiili;il)itaiil.s  of  tliu  arctic  regions  of  America.  Lono's  Second  F,.xpcUition,  to 
|^»' V,i,i,i,[,,g,  ij2:1.    Ross's    S.-cond  Voyage    through    Ikiffin's  Bay,    1829-1833. 

-'ts'i  Arctic  Land  E.xpedition,  1833—1835. 


^^: 


W 


•;."■.■*•  ''^.- 


...•;  li.rH^' 


'B 


h 


-    I 


,«' 


; 

^  \ 

■  ]■ 

■  1 

- 

- 

' 

f    i 

■ 

■   •;! 


,t  -■•••• 


■  '■  *•' * 


^'      4. 


J  * 


■  •  ■  I  ■• 
■1 


1 
I 

'  I 


•K* 


•  r 


1 

•   >      s 


488 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I  BOOK 


inclosed  tlio  sliips  nf  tlic  f'nnii'.'r,  :i>^  tlii'y  I'.iul  ]irivi(iii,>-lv  ilmic  tlinso  nf  itl, 
iiiivigiitdrs.  DuiiuL'  Avintcr,  tliis  ice  is  even wlicrc  .'iccuiiniltitdl  i.n  iNiil,,,, 
pitalilo  shores,  wliicl'  I'vcii  on  its  siaillicni  side,  rcnuiin  In  zi^n  ti.  nn  kv  lin-ij. 
iioss*,  >.liri)i;^li(iut  tlic  Idn^vst  sininiici's,  :it  tlu'  (li'|itl:  of  tliivi' ur  tnur  liii  |.. 
low  tilt'  surl'at'i!.  In  sonit'  jiavts  tlu;  cuiists  arc  bijil  and  mckv:  in  iil,.. 
low  and  .swanijiy,  like  tliosi!  of  (lie  (lulf  of  Mcxieo;  —  and  this,  niinnl- , 
to  Doctor  irKdiardsiin,  is  especially  (ri;e  of  tin  se  wliieli  lie  fa^tll(^t  M.iitl, 

Altlnm^li  llndsnirs  IJtiy  was  discuwred  liy  the  intrepid  Imt  aiifhrtmiate 
l"]n:;li.sli  naviuatiii'  wlmse  name  it  liears,  as  early  as  Kilo,  its  desuhiic  >!i  ;, . 
liave  bnt  l'e\v  eivili/.ed  inliahitants,  e.\ce|it  tlie  <dyieers,  vii\ao'eiir.«,  iiikI  tr.ii. 
]iors  of  tin;  I'niied  lind^uirs  IJay  ami  Neilli  ^Vest  l'"nr  ('(inmanii'.>i.  T!,. 
reside  kv  eoniiTcgate  at  a  tew  faetdries,  cldclly  near  tlie  innutlis  ef  rivii-.,  ii 
tlie  southern  coast,  from  the  nmuth  of  Nelson".-;  lliverto  the  iicad  nf  .fi,  .' 
JJay,  where  tlu'Ve  are'  some  lindted  settlements  of  a  more  |ieniiaiitiit  1,'  : 
This  failure  in  the  eoloni/.alion  of  the  shi  res  of  a  sea,  which  fdrrcsii'iiii  V 
latitude  with  those  of  the  Hallie,  Avliere  we  find  the  laroe  cities  nf  St-.',- 
holm.  (\i[)enhai.fen,  and  St.  I'etershiiri;',  will  eeasi' to  excite  >(uriirisi'.  wi,  ■, 
we  reHei;t  on  tlu;  jihysieai  condition  which  has  been  descrihud:  ami  ;i«  tliis 
conditio, 1  is  pevnninent,  the  colonization  of  these  coasts  must  furcvc' wiKii!! 
extremely  liinited. 

11.     (jK.Niui.M.  ITvniuKiu.M'iiv  OK  THK  l).\six. —  A    siniilc  glance  lu  :' 
map  (  /v.  /  ),  will  disclose  the  hydrtdogy  of  this  hasiii.      Small  lakes  aliuHiJ 
everywhere,  excepit  in  the  south-west.     To  the  east,  in  the  dirceu(jii  nf  hi- 
vis'  Straits,  and   to   the  south-east  and  south,  toward  the  St.  LawniUTa:  i 
its  ]iarent  lakes,  tin-  coiuitry  is,   in  tact,  osseiiti.dly  lacustrine.      Fivm  :, 
north-west  side  (d'- Lake  Superior,  a  (diaiii  id"  small  lakes,  connected  iiv  V,'!-  | 
nipeir  Uiver.  extends  north-westwardly  to  Lake  Winnipcu',  tlio  l;M":c>t  hj 
within  the  Lasin.       Beyoiul   it.   in   the  sumo   direction,  the  lacnsiriiit  ,: 
continues,    until    the    hasin    is    traversed   from    soutli-east   tn  neitlv^- 
South-west  (d'  tins  chain    the  nundjer  lessens;  hut  to  its  nertli-ea-i  ;: 
abound,  (julte  to  the  shores  of  tjie  o'reat   hay.      All   these  hd(c.s  aroci;;' 
the  sources,  expansions,  or   receptacdes  of  rivers,  whiidi  finally  niiii,i:!t.'  t' ■ 
fresli  waters  witli  tlie  hriny  tides  of  the  bay.       Of  these  rivers,  hcgin::!::: 
the  east,   the  principal   are,  I'hist   3Iain,   Hui)ert,   Abbitihhe,  aad  AUNi::; 
which,  originating  in   tin;  water-shed  that   separates  the   St.  Lawrei:if:i;;'iJ 
the  Great  Lakes  (d'  that  basin  from  the  Hudson,  discharo'c  thcinsclvt.-ii.'ij 
James'  ]>av.      Then   toUow,  in  advancinn-  westwardlv,  the  Soverii.  11;^' 
Nel-xin,  !iud  Cluuvdnll  liivcrs,  whi(di  pour  their  more  copiou.s  torrents.  i!i'.'> I 
ding  the  overflows   id'  Lake  Winnipeg,  into   the   southern  side  of  t!a'  Ij 
Further   Jiorth,   is  an   extensive  group  id'  small  lakes,  lir.ang  their  <'Ui..!j 
through  a  short  river,   into  the  head  of  Chesterfield  iiikt,  a  U^.  n;i''f';i 
arm  of  the  bay,  lying  nearly  in  latitude  (U^'.     Of  the  region  in  tlieiiri:i.| 
between  the  bay  and  th(>  polar  seas,  but  little  is  acciuTttdy  knoflii,  •' 'i'l 
that  thev  abound   in  ice,  and  are    friditfully  desolate.      From  tins  nv 
hydrographical  survey,  we  perceive,  that  the  Hudson  Basin,  with  tln'i^d' 
tion  of  its  extreme  south-west,  presents  a  vast  extent  ot  watery  ;-i:'''''''i 


:^ 


•.IT  !•] 


IN'IEiaor,  V.M.LKV  OF  NOirilf  AMFJMCA. 


1:59 


tliMii  liiilt'  till'  ycMv  is  liridL'c'l  lU'fr  wiili  ii'c  siini('tiim.'s  ten  (.v 


-;'if-rninro 
■  ;v"t''-t  tli'  'K'. 

Ill       r.iV.-irAI,    (i  i:Oi!l! AI'IIV    i>V    TIIK     1)AS1\,      M)i;Tll-I   VST    HI'    Tlir.    CHAIN 
-  I,liJ>   UlUCIf    INCM'I'KS     liAKM     W  I\M  I'IKi. 'rili>,     Avllii'll      is    the     iarirff 

,, .jiM.i  lit' tilt' Itiisiii.  iiK-ludos  the  l);iy.  Its  nicK-.s  arc  (.•liictiy.  it' iint  entirely, 
.'.itive.  The  coveriiiL' ;  1'  oil  is  thin  itiid  iiiferlilc.  'I'lie  aiiini;il  vei_'eta- 
iXni'S'iiiit^'.  ^'"''  ii'lviiiKH's  ni|iiilly  iliiriiiij:  tlie  slmrt  suimiiers.  'I'lie  jiateiies 
if  thill  t'lrest  a  re  e(iiii|ins(Mi  largely  df  tereliiiitliinate  trees,  \vitli  daks,  iiia- 
,1,5. iiiiiilars,  Iiii't'lics.  and  willitws,  ncnerally  (if  stunted  size.       It    |HMlialily 

,;;ii  iii'iiiitiiiii.s  which  rise  tn  the  altitude  i  if  two  thi.usaiid  I'eet,  exee|)t 
•■vvi'iiM  liu  "!'  't^  eastern  niaruln  near  the  Ijaluadov  enast.  Its  nnrth- 
I'.t  aii'l  iinrth  iiieltides  a  |iai't(it'the  '■  Harreii  (!ruui:d."  nf  whie!;  seinetldng 
£llii.' -:ii'l  ill  th(Mie.\t  seetinn.      The  variety  (if  its   resident  i|iKidrn]iei|s  is 

•.;-:it;  till'  hisoii  is  Hot  foiiud  within  si.x  hundred  miles  nf  the  hay,  and 
;.t:;;,j,.  ilocs  nut  iuluiliit  thi.s  portinii  of  -  •  hasiii:  moose  and  reindeer 
j'liiii'l;  L'i'alliii  and  iri'i'iiiiiiiv'r'iiis  hirds  miirrafe  in  winter;  iii  summer, 
!'>Miiinl>  lit  the  south,  esjieeially  thi;  v,ater-towl.  ai'i'ive  in  i:''-eat  nundiers,  to 

■ ';  ;iiil  rear  their  youiiL'.* 

T;/!!'ii'thi'ni  shores  of  Hudson's  Hay  arc  tliiidy  iilialiited  liy  Ms'inimaux. 
.V  ;;iriiiL' ii!'rde.s  of  Indians  inhahit  the  ro;:'ions  smith  arid  south-east  of 
t'wbav.  Tho  fur  conr|)aiiies  h.ave  estiihlishnuMits  at  the  umutli  of  Churehill 
Fiiv.r.  Ihivcs'  liivor,  Albany  Kiver.  .Modse  Itiver.  and    l!u|iert's    I'liver,  I'lso 

:;';i,' "iitlet  iif  Lake  ^\  iniii|iei:-,  and  a  few  other  ]daee,s;  hut  there  is  no 
EiPff'-i.;  t.ildiiy.      It  need  seareidy  he  sttited  that  autumnal  i'ever  (hes  not 

K'lraiivwliore  iu  this  half  of  the  hasiii  we  are  iiow  e.xiilorinj:'. 

IV.  ]{Kf;ioxs  souTir  and  avkst  ok  liAKh:  Winmi-ki;. —  It  is  aL'reeahlo 
litiini  fri'iii  a  re,2:ion  so  desolate,  to  one  which  di^iilays  a  very  dillerent 
tifflctcr.  It.s  limits,  to  the  iu)rth,  are  tho  water-shed  which  divides  the 
Ji>kat''!i:iwnn.  of  Lake  Wiiiuipeir,  from  tin  Athaliasca.  of  the  .\rctic  hasin; 
totlie  west,  the  llocky  Mountains ;  to  the  s.iuth.  tlu'  sources  of  tlu'  .^lis- 
i'jri.  Mississippi,  and  St.  Lawrence.  Its  area  is  eijual  to  five  or  six  of  tin.' 
lar^r  Mate- of  the  "\'alley  of  tlid  Mississipiu.  Its  chief  rivers  are  the  Sas- 
satflawaii.  wiiieh  flows  fiN'iu  theslojies  of  t!u,'  Hd(-ky  .^lountains,  eastwanlly 
i'blo.' Wiiniipcir;  lied  Uiver,  which  flows  to  the  uortli,  from  the  water- 
ed v,!iii'li  separates  it  from  the  ]\Iississi|)|ii:  and  tin;  Assinilidiii,  Avhich 
fciii;  tlie  cnuntry  between  them,  and  joins  IJimI  Iliver.  just  Iiel'  re  the  latter 
["inrs  its  waters  into  the  lake.  Tho  re,L!;iou  we  are  now  in.  1ia:i  evervvrhero 
ij'i'i-stratum  of  socoudary  rocks,  and  its  surface  is  smoothed  down  into 
fMi«. '.vliieli  are,  iu  fact,  a  continuation,  to  the  m.rth,  of  those  traversed  by 
't:c  M:-<inm  River.  Tlie  trees  are  chiefly  found  alonir  tlie  streams;  the 
^'Mt  jiTass  supports  hulfalo  and  other  ijiuidrupcds ;  the  streams  are  fre- 
iMfnl  by  the  fur-atiiiuals ;  and  tlw  trilios  of  Lidians  are  moro  popuhnis 
!':inmtiio  other  portion.s  of  the  Hudson  ]>asiii.       After  thesis  general  uo- 

-A  It  will  Ijo  proper  to  give  a  minuter  account  of  sonic  portions. 


*  Richardson. 


A' 


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|m|||1;'';s 

l:^^v  :-;•■.,' 

1 

U 

MS.:'  - 

•no 


Tin;  nn.\(.ir.\!.  dishasks  of  tiik 


l«00|  1 


\'.     N'.M.i.i  i'  OK  lli:ii  IlivKu. —  Tlio  licHt  toj)(ijrni|(liu-;il  iiciMmut  ,,f  d.i, 

valley,  in  timt  ;:iv('ii  \>y  Ciiluiii'l  ljiiii;f,''''  who  (IoitHius  tlio  rivorus  (iri^iimtii- 

ill  part,  (III  tlu;  siimf  |ilatiiHi  with  tlio  .Missi»i|i|)i.  in  jiart  mi  tlie  l;i  h  i,la:, 

m»rtli  111' till!  Cotditi  (Irs  I'ni'ir'ns,  iiiiil,  [iiiitly,  in  tlie  iuteTvi'iiiiiir  iliiir, v.i,,|, 

wIhto  it  iiifi'i'lnclcs  with  til'-  >^t.  IV'Icr's.     its  lcii<.'th  is  iihuut  livo  liiaitlrtd 
...:i..,.    i...i.  a1...  .  I  .:..     It  a ,  : rt.i     :.  .v..  .  i  ^     .i  ,     . 


'  '■        -• -   — f-"  ■•■""••'"I'  utc  umwrii 

luih.'.s,  liiit  tho  jilaiii  nvcr  \.  it  flows  is  so  littl.'  iiK^linctl  td  the  iinit',,,  thui 

its  ciirrciit  is  nciitlc.  and  '\\;  oxceoiliiijiiy  toriuuus.       It  iuis  iin  li!!.-. n;] 

its  jiincti"!!  witli  \m\^  ^\';llllilll■g  is  by  a  hruud,  inarshy  I'stiiury,  ii\.r>|,ria(l 
with  a([nati(!  trras.sos.  Thriiii;.':Innit  its  wholo  coiirso,  the  hanks  arc  Li\v.;ii,il 
uiisu|i|i(irli'il  in  the  roar  liy  liil'-;;  its  hfd  is,  in  lad,  a  iiicrc  trcu-li,  il;,- 
tliroii;^h  the  |iraii'ii'S.  The;  niavt;iiis  are  overshadowed  with  I'urisl  iiv... 
whieh  increase  in  size  and  iimnhL-r  as  we  deseeiid  the  river. 

Colonid  iioiiif's  party  rmaniped,  hy  ni^•ht,  on  tlie  prairies  near  tln' rivir: 
in  relfii'iici'  to  wliieh  I'loiVssur  Keating,  the  histoiiographor  of  tlu  txidi. 
tion,  ohserves : — 

"These  iii^'hts  made  a  more  livel}' impression  on  several  of  the  piirtv.tlaii 
nny  of  those  that  had  preceded  them.  Tlie  lieanlil'nl  and  houiidk'ss  irqumsc 
of  the  jirairie.^,  as  ^(  en  hythe  Inii.dit  niionlight  whieli  wceiijii\oJ  ihuiii;:  tlat 
jicriod,  tlie  iVeshness  of  tl'.e  night  air.  the  stillnes.s  of  the  scenery.  iiitfirm.ii'I 
onlyhy  the  liowlings  of  tlic  Vi'oll'  and  tln^  lowing  of  the  hufi'ale,  tin.-  ivivl. 
lections  of  the  dangers  fioin  Indians  whieh  had  lately  thivateiRil  u<.  aiii] 
against  the  recurrence  nf  ;vhiidi  we  were  then  watching;  all  tlic.se  were  lit,]; 
to  suggest  to  tlie  mind  nielancholy  yet  not  unpleasant  relleetiiiii,s."" 

Anmng  the  trilmtaries  of  lied  Itiver.  the  ino,^t  ini[iiirtant  is  tlie  A.via- 
boiii,  which  makes  its  way  rroiii  the  we.st.  In  length  and  veluiiie, it  i.«uijUal 
to  the  river,  with  whicli,  about  in  latitude  AO^',  its  waters  iiiiii;j:le.  'WkW 
pographieal  cliaractei- of  tlio  basin  of  this  tributary,  is  jiruhuhl}  ;iii!iI'lh! 
to  that  of  ]led  Iviver. 

Set/kniei/ls. —  .\hout  tlu-  year  1'<V2,  Lord  Selkirk  atteiiipted  tn  |il;mta 
European  eohniy,  ei/iisisting  of  JOnglish,  Scoteh,  and  Swiss,  on  the  lank.'-if 
Jled  lliver.  Two  settlements  were  efl'eeted.  of  whieh  the  upper  or  s  ratiiiTi; 
was  near  latitude  4!>",  at  tlie  mouth  of  the  small  river  I'ciiihiiiii,  wliiiii  liuve 
its  name  to  tlie  village;  the  lov.cr,  at  the  mouth  of  the  As,sinihoiii,  a  Jwrre 
further  north.  It  was  called  after  that  river,  and  constitutes  one  uf  tsc 
most  nnrtheni  settlements  (fur-trading  hon.ses  excepted)  in  the  Great  Into- 
rinr  Valley.  In  tlie  year  iS;];],  the  ]io[iulation  of  the  colony  amnuittilio 
three  thousand  and  seventy,  and  may  now  auHumt  to  five  t]ii'i'-;r."i •■ 
This,  I  believe,  is  the  only  Cuim/i/  within  the  IFud.sou  Ihisiii.  ami  tin 
most  northern  permanent  agiieultural  settleiuent  in  the  Iiiterinr  \:ii»}> 
Colonel  Long,  who  visited  this  colony,  in  the  month  of  Anjiust,  1^> 
found  the  peoph^  in  health,  and  says  nothing  in  his  journal  of  auiuin- 
nal  fever.  1  am,  however,  informed  by  him,  that  not  a  siniili'  t^^:'-'-' ^'' 
that  disease  was  seen   in   tlio    colonv;  and  ])octor  Howard,  aittr  u>>^'i-- 


*  Second  E.\poi]ition,  Volnine  II. 

t  History  of  tlie  British  Culonics,  by  U.  M.  Martin,  Vol.  Ill,  p-  531. 


■iir  !•] 


INTHRIOIl  VALLKY  OF  NOllTlI  AMERICA. 


(11 


•wi'in'W  rci-'ciitly,  lins  assured  iiic,  tlwit  Imtli  intvi'inltteiits  ainl  n'liiitteiitf* 
ifiMiiikii  wii ;  yt't  llio  tii|iii_ifr!ijiliic;il  (•(iikIIiIihi.s  arc  r.ivuralilu  to  tluir  |)rn- 
j5,iHi.  If  we  luiiy  ri'ly  <tii  tlio.sc  oliHorvatiniis,  tin;  latitiKk'  of  11'"  N.  ia 
V,.iiilt!ii' liiiii'i*  "'  tlii'so  fiiniis  ol'  I'l'vcr.     JJiit   ilmlitlcss,  tlicy  ciasc  sliort 

■;;it  [.anllfl,  tliiiMixli.  rrniii  the  alisLMKH!  Ill'  M  ttlcincMts,  tliL'  latitiidc  caimot 
X' iivi.'iicil-  '-'"  ^''^'  ^^-  l^iiwrciKH',  \vt'  liave  riHimi  thfiii  ncciirrinif  luar  the 
; nr-!fVi'iitli  tlc^TCO,  but  at  tlu;  Icvl-I  i.f  tide-water;  in  this  liasiii,  at  an 
',(Va;i  111  lit' seven  or  oiglit  liundred  fuot,  liny  may  Iio  expected  to  ceaM'  I'ur- 
ijirsiiutli.  Ciiloiicd  liDiii:' says  that  liis  party  could  licar  oC  iimic  hcymid  tlio 
I  iiriv-fiftli  ileirrce;  luit  I  have  already  lueMtfniud  (  uii  dmiljll'iil  authority) 
I  titiriicfiinvin'c  at  Saiuly  Lake,  in  the  latitiido  o\' MP  -iS'.'-''- 

VI.   \'ai.i,i;v  OF  Tin:  Saskatciiawax.  —  AciMirdini.'  to  Ductor   Jlicdiard- 

ii:.>t,' •miliary  liiiicstuiie  is  the  siili-stratuni  nt'this  ;:rcat  valley,  aiiil  |iriilj- 

liHvMl'tiic  wlmlo  roiriim  irmii  Iti'd  Jiiver  aiid  litd^e  \\  iiiin|iCL'.  to  the  liasc  of 

;'kFi  I>\  Miiuntains.     Ariiillaccmis  de|iiifrits  are  cnniiHiiii  aluuii  the  lower 

wrt  if  till' river;  hut,  further  west,  the  suri'ace  liecuuie;?  sandy  or  i:ravell_v, 

I  uJ  till;  limestone  formations  are  hurled  up.        The  fonncr  roiiion  pre.-enta 

:m  tiu's  111!  tlic  hanks  of  the  river;  hut    the  latter  is  destitute  of  that 

[B't;l!:-!iim'iit.  and  produces   oidy  short  grass.     <tn   the  north  fork  of  the 

jhiiatiliuwaii  there  are  beds  of  coal.      Xo  colony  has   yet  been    planted   oii 

;iitrl;iiil;si.if  that  river;   hut  the   fur-tradiiiu-   t'stablishments  are  numerous. 

litU'b  nut  appear  that  any  of  them  are  infested  with  antunnial  fevi'i' :  Ijut 

;;;r';;iiiiJ cretinism  are  endemic  in  sinne  localities, —  of  which  more  will  be 

1 4:1  Ld'tiiftor. 

H;:!  iif  tlie  p'cat  region   west  of  Jjake  Wiindpeg  and  Ived  river,  secuis 

l:;!t.4i"r  .H'ltlcnient,  but  its  remoteness,  and  the  nmtive  of  keeping  it  as  a 

Eiatiiii  ;iih1  trapjiing  ground,  will,  perliaps,  long  prevent  its  coLmi/.atiun. 

fcak'i.'iual  and  fur-ti'ading  populations  are  more   numerous  than  those  o» 

li'-j"t!ar  piirtiiiu  of  this  basin,  in  whicli  respect  it  is  not  without    interest 

I mLc medial  lii.storian. 

Ml  Lmalitv  of  TiiK  j'OLi-;  (IF  Maomtic  T.\ti:.\sitv. —  The  inteii.-ity  of 
|;?rrHn,il  magnoti.sm  is  measured  by  the  number  and  strength  of  the  oseil- 
hiHiiui  tlio  needle  in  a  given  time.  Observations  have  dischised  that,  in 
l'-icii:,i.iiii>|iliere,  there  are  two  pides  ar  fori  of  magnetic  intensity,  neither 
I'j: "iiiili  is  euiacideiit  with  a  pole  of  dip  and  direction.  One  is  within  the 
jWin  wc  an.'  nuw  exploring,  in  lat.  r)-J"  I'.i'  N.  and  Ion.  91^'  ;")!)'  ^\.  (  Sec 
Y'D-  The  isodynamic  lines,  or  lines  of  ei|ual  intensity,  are  "  closed  and 
|K'.rii;ir curves "  which  have  their  connuon  center  at  'he  spot  which  has 
piui.:UeJ.:j:  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  rrotesso:  Forbes,  of  Kdin- 
jw?.  hs  shown  that  the  magnetic  force  diminishes  as  we  ascend  from  the 
'■^'tl  'li  the  Sea. 


I 


h 


X 


.t 


'•^'"•'.p  331. 

•rfankiurs  First  Joiirni'y  to  the  Polar  Sea,  \>.  4.')2. 

•■I'crSubiiie:  Tranwictions  of  the   Royul  i^ocioty  for  1846— Proceedings   of  the 

I  •■''**''  Association.    Ibid. 


L'i  ■.;■••;.  ■ 


I' 


. i  _  ^  i 


"  t 


.'  '■      ll  'H 


,■    t 

1 

^.'           '■  1... 

l.  t 


m 


■l\ 


\\-2.  'riii:  i'i;i\('ii'\r.  dfskasks  ok  'nii; 

Tills  (•(i||||>r('lirlisivc  nilllliii'    (,r   llic  \\iilcl_v   r\tl'mlc(|    I|i|lSl>\    \\^i\\ 

that  iiiir  |i|;iii  rc(|iiiris.      We  imi.«*t  imw  Icavi'  if  I'nr  llic  rmiiili  ami  i,,,  | 
of  wliic  li   ;i  iiiiticc  ((intilly  loiici.-^c  will  lie  siilViriciit, 


'loot  ; 


•■\'\t 


SIICTIOX   IF. 

'Illi;   Al.'C'I'ir   IIVDKOCI;  AI'IIKAI,  liASIN. 
I.    LiMii-^. —  This  Ip.'isiii  iii'linlcs  till'   rciiiaimlcr  <il  tin'  Inti  nir  V;,]],,  ,fj 


N.Mtii  A 


iiicrna   ( 


I'l.  I  )■      111  llif  M'ltli,  it    i>  i'\cr\ ulicrc  li'iiiiiiiiiti'illi 


r  >f;i,  wliii 


ll    IioiiimIs    il      IVnlli     (lie    citlllt  S -iil>t     In    I 


VII. 


n^'  liiihilrnl  :ii,|j 


111''  t!ii'  iiir.ial 


tliirl  \-si\lli  or  lliiit  v-si'Vt'iilli  iiii'iiiliiin.      Tlic  rani;'!'  ui   (•(.!!>-(  I 
lalituilc  dI'T"^'  N.      The  ca'^tcrii  pait  dl"  tlic  liasiii,  wliidi  lies  lictwiiii  Jln 
sioi  s  II;i\  ami  llic  I'dlai'  Sea,  is  ciiiiiiiaralivcly  naiTow.     Tlic  luiiitituijc  i,i'i!;ij 
|iiirtiiiii   u.  li.'twccii  ^h'  iiinl  !••">".      Al'trr  tra\cliiiL;'  \vcsl\var(lh  iVmn  ||,,  |i;,.. 
thrniiLili  ten  ili'L'it'i's  lit'  l(iiiiMtii(l(',  w'  liiiil  t III-  Ari'lii-  hasin  (li|iiiiii;:ili,\vii  t ,t!i> 

-cjinralidii  liclwccii  i(  and  tlii'  lliitl>Mii  |;,i. 


sill 


nllu'li  ten   ili'L'Tt'l 

ifli.  anil,  rull(i\vin,'.r  tlir   line 


sin.  to  the  Itoi-ky  .Mniintains.  we  sri'  it   as  low  as   tlii'  lirtv-t'nii,i|i  i.aralW' 
IVmii  tliat  |iiiiiit,   |Mirsiiiiiu'  its  wrsti m   iMninilaiT  —  IIh'  lliii'k\  .Miiimtiiiiis. 
to  till'  I'olar  Si'M,   \vi'  pass   llimni'li   ^Ixtcrii   tlcLTccs  dl'  liilitinli'. 


II.    Lakks. —  This  liasin,   liUi-  tlir  llinlsnn  liasiti.  is  traviTscil 


in'iiii.  IruJ 


soutli-tM>t  tu  iiortli-wcst  li_v  !i  I'liain  dt'  lalirs,  whii-li  is  a  ciiiitiiiiiiitiniM,!  i'',ad 
ri'lVni'il  tu  in  tlic  last  srctimi  (  Sic  I'l.  /  ).  The  |ii'iiici|iiil  ck'nuMii- ^!  t'ijj 
lanistriiic  axis,  (■(Hintiiiv'  iVi'iii  the  smitli.  an-  Lake  AtlialiMscii.  (inat  -\:i\A 
Lake   ;riil  <Irr;it   Hear  l>aki',  with  imiiii'i'oiis  a|)|M'iiilii';('s  ami  .stniitv    A  !i  el 


(Ivawii  tiiriiiii;li  tliciii  a 


ml    ni'iijiiiini'ii 


t..  t 


10  SI  111 


th-cast,  winiM  I'lit 


iii|H<ir,  l.aKi'  ^ii|n'riiir.  liaki- 
liiiiliit 


inniii,  ;im 


1  Lake  Krie.     The  i 


iit'aiilatiliiiii.ja,'!! 


lutcs  111   t hi'si^  laKrs  arc  ni'ii 


Iv  as  I'lilldws  :  — 


Ath 

(iirat  Slavi 

(lirat  1 


l.akc,  N.  k 


t.   ;)!lf 


W 


idii. 


>i'ar 


H.'t 


wc(Mi.  anil  td  the  iidvi 


li-casl  d 


ti 


1 09°. 


1-Jit°. 


icsc   \{w<'('  laki's.  HI  the  iliivii 


II 


uusdn  .-.    bay    am 


1    the    I'dlar    Si-a.    llirro    is  a  nmiit] 


(  SS    llllllllifl'  '■!   HIJ, 


lakes  ami   pdmls.  sduie  df  whirh  are  cdnnrcted  with  thi'  lavirer,  litln'rs  i:.vii 
latoil.     Td  the  Sduth-wcst  tlioy  arc  less  nninerdus. 

111.     Uivi:i!s. —  A  cliaiii   of  small  lakes  stretches  iinrtkwnnlly.  iMii 
eastern   cml  df  (Jrcat  Skive    L.akc.  ami  liives   oriiiiii  tu  the  Thhir-"-!'^\ 


Gi'rdf   Fixh.   iir    I'xich's  h 


\n'cr\   (US'-dVercii  anil   lu'st  (li'scciu 


led  kv  tl.ci^ 


prising  travidcr  wlinso  name  it  bears.      This  river,  tlic  iimst  castrri!,  :i;,«| 
known  dl  tke  Pclar  IJasin.  fluws  ky  a  rapid  descent,  iicaily  nnrtli-ci^'t, !' 
sea,  in  Lat.  07°  11'  x\.,  and  J-dn."^!'!'"  ;Jn'  W. 

Cojijiir  Jfi)f  liircr,  first  descended  ky  llcarnc,  in  1771,  ami  ali.r 
by  Fraiikli:i.  in  ISiiO,  Ims  its  driu-iu  ;;nd  terminatinii  near  the  imrtlirt'iii 
of  C 


reat   Slave  Lake.      I'cirimiinir,  like  the  last,  in  a  chain  ofsiiia 


doscoiids  to  the  Arctic  Ocean,  in  l.at.  07°  4S'  N..  and  Lou,  llo^''"'^^'  '1 
banks  arc  inoro  or  less  wooded.     On  the  opposite  or  south-west  side  it  tlJ 


/* 


,^.>'*. 


',1*1 


INTKIMdl!   \AI,I,I,V  or  Nuli'l'll  AMI'I.'KA. 


ii:; 


li|l!:il!l 

1 :  /■.  i'l 


„..,?,  Slave,  iiii'l  l!i!ir  LiiKcs,  tlir  iiiiihIji  r  nf  |ii>ii(ls  iiml  mii:iII  l;il;f.M.  ha 
.|;ili'il,  is  niiirli  li'.-s  :  Iml  tlic  risers  ;irc  ul'  LTejifer  |en;:tli  ami  vnlniiie, 
5,ir'.ilp|.lii<l  li\  till'  l!"el,y  Mniiiidiiiis.  AllliciiiL'li  l'eiei\  in;.'  (lillci-eiil  i, nines, 
jji,,  liiijillv unite  lull"  "IK!  trunk,  lii'st  ilisiemled  l.v  Mnekenzie,  in  IT'*'!',  iimi 
r;.r'htillv  liy  l''r:iiikliii,  in  \^~''>.  It  liii>  reccive.l  tlie  niinn-  of  its  lii.-t, 
'jr'MiO'.  :MmI  (|esiive.s   ,'i    inure  estemleil   noliee   tliiin    liie    |ireri  ijin-j-. 

\li liiii-Ji's  lilnr  is  nf  l!nel<_v  .^^H^ll:lin  tiriiiin.  I'li'lcr  llie  iinine  cf 
\;  I  iv'ii.  it  ciiiinneMees   in    tliiise   iiKinnliins,    iilmiit    in    hlitinle    Ti'J  '    nnil 

•  ,!,  ||ti  ,  mill  lliiwin;^  tu  tlie  inii'tii-eiist,  |Miiirs  it.s  uater.s  inli>  llie  lakn 
I',-!;  In ;,r.<  it.s  name.  A  lew  do/rees  t'nrtlier  innili  iiinl  wi'st,  tlie  same 
!:ii!i> 'I'liil  iliiwn  anollier.  (lie  /  'i/JIf/u/i,  iiv  I'aicf  /I'iri-r ;  wliiili,  fluwin;^ 
till'  sanie  illreelliin,  passes  eluse  In  I  he  western  exlieuiit y  nl' ,\lli- 
il.jv  1  l.iiki'.  witli  wi.ieli  it  is  ennneeled  liy  straits  m'  liaymis,  llii'iai'ili 
li;  .  wlitii  swollen,  a  |iail  dl"  its  w.aters  enter  that  lake,  to  lie  reliiineil 
ti.'i  ':  siilisiile.s.  llaviiiL'  estaMi.-lied  this  emnieetinn.  it  turns  hi  the  ninth, 
ultilii'i',' tlio  iiaiiie  ol'  ,'^l:ive  I'iver,  imnrs  its  aecnninlated  w.alei'S  inlnthe 
i  •'  -'l'' lit' tin;  I  in 'at  ,'^lave  Lake,  .""till  rnitliir  nmlli  lh;in  llie  smirees  i>\' 
&.U'i;iIiiisi'ii,  the  Knekv  .^Innntains  throw  dnwn  annlhi'r  river,  the  'I'lnii- 
WKo!  liitnl.i,  wliii'li  lirst  ilrnvs  tn  the  cast,  and  thiai  In  the  imrll'.  In  jniii 
•>  Htlet  lit' llreat  Skive  liiike,  and  I'liriii  the  M;ieken/,ie,  which,  |iressin;^ 
!j'ihii'":i  till'  li;ise  oi'  the  ltiirk\  .^^^lllltaills,  seeks  the  (leean  li_y  a  north- 
i.-t I  iiw'.  Oil  its  way,  the  \iilimie  nf  its  walei  is  aii;jineiiteil  hy  tlio  elllu- 
«;  ifi'iitli't  ot'tii'eat  Hear  liaki;.  Its  jiinetii)ii  with  the  .\retie  Sea.  iiiark- 
*|li':i  liriiijestiiary,  aliouiidiiiL'  in  islands,  is  in  mean  iiat.  till"  \.,  ami 
[■.A-y<  W.  Thus  it  drains  tim  iiurtli-west  ennier  nl'  the  (ileal  Interior 
Vil/'..  n.i!  tiikcs  the  same  rtink  aiiiiiiiir  tlie  rivers  ol'  the  Arctic  Itasiii.  with 
y  •'■  I'iver  ill  the  lliid>iiii,  the  St.  jjawreiice  in  the  liasin  of  th.at  name, 
J...;  ■  .Mi.->is.si|p|ii,  in  the  Mexiciui  liasin. 

IV,  l'iiv,<u'.\i,  (li:oiii!.\i'iiv  oK  Tin;  iiKnio.v  wi:st  oi,'  'iiii;  FiArrsTiiiNK 
.Ul\  — Tlio  rc^inii  lyiiiL;'  lutween  Atkaliasea,  Skive,  and  Itcar  jjakes,  on 
tltni'liiiiiil,  anil  the  Itocky  .Moiiiit.aiiis  iii  (he  olher.  tijiversed.  as  we  liavo 
JM>'i!.  liy  the  rivers  wliieli  eomiioso  the  main  trunk  ol'  the  JMackenzie,  is, 
frv'TJv.  a  ciiiitiiinutiini  of  the  great  inclined  ]ilain,  which  descends  east- 
T-rli ■  ironi  tlio  base  of  tho  li'M-ky  IMountaiiis,  ami  has  been  already  do- 
ffl'' !  ;l^  niakiiiLf  a  part  of  the  Hudson  and  .Nliwican  UasiiKs;  Imt  in  these 
tasalutitink's  it  beci lines  imicli  narrower,  i'l.xteiiding,  with  some  niddilica- 
li'i'v fiMii  tlic  immtli  of  tlio  Ivio  (Irande.  of  the  (Julf  of  .Mexico,  to  (ho 
'f. '•■hi)ife  (,f  the  Maek(>nzie,  in  the  Arctic  Sea,  it  ranges  through  for(y-l'our 
i.Tu.Mif  latitude,  a'ld  i.s  doubtless  tho  lonirest  tract  of  the  kind,  which  the 
'srtiiiiiywhero  iiroseiit.s.  From  ,soutli  to  north,  it  has  certain  ehnrai  (ers  in 
'■''■"'"":  i'"u'iit,  It  is  most  elevated  near  tho  Itocky  .Mountains,  which  ovi;- 
'.fkro  liound  it  to  the  west.  ScrumI,  The  Keeondary  formations  which 
wwituto  its  surface,  are  more  or  loss  Imriod  up  with  (ho  rAA/v'.v  of  the  rocks 
id  t;:iti,f  the  mountains.  TliinJ,  It  is  deficient  in  springs,  liocauso  the 
"•s>  w.iieli  fiill  updii  it  are  imbibed  by  this  dehrls,  i\\A  not  afterward  col- 
'•■!'ii  iiitii  subterranean  streams.     Fourth,  its  scanty  forests  are   chiefly 


I 


I 


*  -  ■ 


■r- .  ■  ■ 
t  ■  ■  ' 


■  A       '  *- ,• 


^i.h^ 


■s.  ■ 


D'^^^-r-V- 


'I', Mm  MM'  ■  i    .      K  "•  .'  .- 


f,    4 


1^ 


,   1    •! 


•i^  '^ 


■     ,•'••«  : 


», 

**       ' 

' 

* 

"        ,          ' 

•'..     ^ 

4> 

-  It 

•* 

»   s 

.    ...          , 

- 

444 


tiil:  ruLxciPAL  diseases  of  the 


[booh 


fi.iund  (111  tlio  Iniiiiid  lianks  of  tlic  livers.  I'^/'/h,  Tlio  iiitervoniii"  iJ'i', 
(lirairii's)  aro  cuvitlmI  witli  grass.  Sl.r///,  It  is  tlio  great  |iasturo.fi(.]il  nf  m 
bison,  wliieli,  ('X(;o|it  in  tlio  valley  of  tlio  ( Hiio,  lia,s  not  liucii  fduiul  in  i  ■,,., 
bers,  oast  of  its  limits;  but  ranges  ndrtli  upon  it,  up  to  tho  fiftv-soromi  ,],.,■,„ 
of  latitude.*  Scrciith,  ft  is  inlialiited  tliroiiglidiit  by  Tiulians,  \\\\u  vian- 
der  over  it.  like  tlio  wild  herds  on  wliieli  ttioy  subsist.  EhihO,^  J.il;,,  ji,,, 
part  ol'  tliu  Hudson  JJasin  wliieli  lies  tn  tlio  soutli,  it  is  a  fur-eountn  v.iii 
tho  lliidsiii"s  Bay,  and  North  Wost  Cinnpanios,  havo  fautorios  iuv;ir,f; 
parts  (if  biith. 

If  autuimial  fever  d'les  imt  exist  in  tlio  jirairies  (if  tlio  Iludsdii  Un-iii  at 
tho  latitudo  of  4'.)"  N.,  wo  slmuld  nut  oxpcet  to  read  of  its  oociirrfiiiX' in  tk' 
same  latitudo  in  tho  rogimi  west  uf  tho  la(:ustriiio  axis,  and  wc  have  ].  :, . 
counts  of  its  existence  there. 

V.  I'livsicAL  (i  i;o>ii;  Ai'iiv  Ol'  Till-:  iikoion  east  (iv  Tin;  LAiiv:;:vr 
Axis.  —  Tho  topography  of  this  jKirtioii  of  tho  Arctic  IJasiii,  prc.^oiitsa  -iri- 
king  ciintvast  with  that  just  described.  ^Vhilc  tho  latter  eiijiiys  a  iul.-:r;i- 
turn  of  sociiiidarv  rixks  —  argillaceous,  calcareous,  and  carhoniforoM-— t:,t 
disintcu'ratiiiii  (if  which,  with  the  (fcftris  of  the  niduiitains,  lirdiigl't  di  nn  liy 
many  lai-ge  rivers,  gives  a  s^il  capable  (if  suppdrting  a  tree  and  lici-1 -i  .. ,;i 
voitetation,  up  to  the  latifiui'3  of  (jy  or  (>!*'''  thus  renderiiia  it  li;i'.i-  '.  ■ 
the  fdriiicr  is  conip(ise(",  alinnst  entirely  of  jiriniitive  rocdcs.  of  wliiuli  ;;•!''-.;.; 
the  priiici[;al,  with  extreme  deficiency  of  soil,  and  excess  of  water,  k  ir.<.' 
tho  strata,  below  are  impervinus,  while  tho  prevailing  flatne.««  (if  ,«"r::  , 
loads  to  its  acoumulatidii  into  swamjis.  jhhiIs,  and  small  lakes.  -.vhiLli  I'"/-- 
verity  of  its  winters  fdiiverts  largely  into  ice,  that  is  not  entirely  iinltviliii 
summer.  For  a  certain  distaiieo.  east  and  north-east  of  (!roat  S!;iV';rl 
Athabasca  Lakes,  tho  sterility  is  less,  and  open  forests  of  dwarf  piiii'.  ]i  \- 
lar,  bircji,  .-ind  willnw,  ari-  imt  entirely  wanting;  lint  heydinl  a  lini'.  ilrawii 
from  the  middle  of  threat  l>ear  Lake,  in  latitude  <i.)"'.  tn  rudsmis  l!:!y. L 
latitudo  (iO^',  the  Arctic,  like  t!io  adjacent  pdrtiun  of  the  lludsuii  bii-iii i- 
utterly  uiiiiihabita!ilo  by  civilized  races.  The  i-egidu  tn  the  iiiirtli-C':i>t'  I  ;hi 
lino  constitutes,  in  laci,  tho  '■  Ikinrn  (iro/ii/ir'  (if  the  Indians  and  t'l' liri- 
tish  traders  and  traveku's.  Of  tho  last,  it  has  been  traverstid  liy  11. :";>:■. 
Franklin,  liichardsdii,  and  liaidc ;  while  Kdss  was  impri.sdiicd  IW  tlavi ■;.' .rf 
on  its  icv  Cdast,  in  the  (iidf  (if  IJodthia,  not  far  frdin  the  imnitli  uf 'i:!''- 
ee-cluiii.  or  Back's  Kivcr.  All  the  accounts  of  these  hardy  and  C(Hii;i:ivii« 
travelers.  Odiicur  in  representing  this  great  reginit.  with  the  excqiti''" '' '"■' 
banks  df  Copper  Mine  llivcr,  which  are  the  best,  as  diie  df  the  most  vcyM'^i 
and  iininhaliitablo  on  the  ghibo ;  and  yet  it  is  iiKire  or  less  travolod  i^irliv 
Lidiaiis  in  summer;  and  its  northern  Imrders  are  the  perniaiient  i'csiili;:ii''t 
tribes  of  Fsipiiniaux,  wlidse  sulisisteiiee,  however,  is  drawn  cliitfly  iv  i"  t" 
sea.  thrdugh  apertures  made  in  the  ice. 

Vr.  Tin;  Arctic  Ocean.  — Xo  purtidii  of  tho  univcr.«al  ocean  i! !«-' 
known,  tliun  that  which  throws  its  eternal  ices  on  the  nortliorn  coatt.« '  i  tu 


^  l^-:  ,;■■!■ 


*  Richardsou. 


a 


pr"'" 


'^if^Si 


[BOOI! 

iiitorvonin,!.'  Yhm 
l.iastdro-fiold,:!  5;,,. 

I)0(.'U  rnuild    in  l;'M;i. 

3  lifty-SL'i'Diirl .!.  ;;oe 
Imlians,  vli..  v. a:;. 
f:':/!'/!',  Lik-  tiiat 

•<    a  t'\U'-C'UUl!trv.  :,;ri 

luL-turk'S  ill  vii:  ifii 
e  Hmlsfin  B;i-iii.  ;u 

its  dUl-lllTflliX'  ill  the 

and  wo  liave  11.1  ai- 

iF  Till",  T,.\'-iv';:v!' 
Jasiii.  piX'SOiitsa  -iri- 
■r  oiijiiYS  a  iiili-sn- 
cavboiiifcnub— t',- 
iiH,  lir(m!.'l't  il'  v;>;  !v 
tree  and  licrl'::-!  ■■■< 
Klorinfr  it  liiilii!;,':-!.': 
!cs.  (if  whieli  j;i  I '--;.; 
OSS  of  water,  1-- 1& 
!i'  flatnoss  (if  -"rV 

|l  lakes,  "ivlarli  t' • 

it  entirely  iiichvi'l  i;. 
if  (ireat  !^!;i\vanl 
if  dwarf  jiiii".  1  :■ 
n'oiid  a  line.  iii;iv.'L 
rndsnns  l!:!v. i:. 
lliulsou  lili-ill.  i- 
le  niirt!i-eii>t'l  ;i;at 
luliaiis  and  tie  liri- 
ravcrsed  l)v  lli':'n;': 
,iiL'tl  fur  tlirer  yr;ir< 
('  mouth  of  'i:!'''- 
irdv  and  enun.viiJ 
the  oxeeiitU'ii  -:  tlv 
if  tlie  most  re|i:;l.-ive 
;  traveleil  imtU 
rnianont  roMilcin'i'of  ] 
iwn  oliioHy  lr'.mtl.« 

v'orsal  oeean  is  ^'■- 
irtlieni  coa.-tf  '>'.  tU 


.'j«' 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF   NORTH  A.AI ERICA. 


44." 


•  [,ri..r  Valley  fif  dur  cimtiiiciit.  lAir  mon;  than  two  liuiulrod  and  seventy 
^-.  all  the  attempts  to  cmssit,  to  tlio  wost,  i'nnn  JJaiiin's  J>ay,  liavooi  dodin 
^ijlfiiintnieats,  L"(ualod  only  liy  the  iiiton.-o  snll'oriiii.'s  (d'  those  who  iiavc 
.-•a'rW  tlio  glory  of  discovering  a  "  North- west  I'assago  "  I'roni  the  Atlantic 
■  '■X  I'aeifie  Ocean,  as  paramount  to  all  e.\posure.s,  hardshijis,  and  perils. 
V'lViua  coasting  voya,i;'t',  in  the  latitude  of  seventy  degrees,  from  the  jie- 
-  ;iia  lalleJ  IJoothia  Felix,  to  l?ehring"s  Straits,  has  yet  been  performed. 
laa  iutituJe  four  degrees  further  north,  .AJelville  Island,  in  longitude  110^', 
;t:e!iirtliest  land  which  has  been  explored  in  the  western  voyage.  Whether 
;:v.\;'tic  Sea  extends  to  the  mu'th  pole  is  ([uito  uuIsuoavu;  but  since  the 

:,;;iiiiit.s  of  both  the  old  and  the  new  world  terminate  near  the  same  lati- 
;ji,  tiiO  presumption  is  in  favor  of  the  existence  of  a  true  polar  sea.     The 

•  ;•  .Tiriii  Baffin's  Bay  to  .Melvil'e  Island,  is  through  Lancaster  Sound  and 
Bar  w s  fftraits.  On  the  south  lies  Cockburn  J.sland,  unexplored  —  un  the 
i::;;t!ie  land  is  pr(d)ably  insular.  From  the  straits.  Prince  Kegcnt's  Inlet 
;;i>. Iwn  to  the  south,  witli  the  island  just  nanu'd  on  it.s  east,  and  the  pe- 

■daoi  Boothia  Felix  on  its  west.      The   ternunation  of  this  inlet  is  in  an 

!';i>iiMi  called  the  (,lulf  of  Boothia.     These  lands  arc  buried  up  in  snow 

iiii'tln'uu'.'h  most  of  the  year,  and  arc  destitute  of  trees.     Mueli  of  tliem 

r>.-Uta  few  hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  ami  not  a  simile  eleva- 

•. .  iv-rrving  the  name  of  mountain  has  been  met  with.     To  the  west  of 

:,v::Jij  an  impenetrable  icy  ocean. 

Vlt,  Locality  ov  the   1*olk  of  Cou).  —  Thermometrical   observations 

•  •  inlar regions,  have  enabled  the  mathematical  meteorologist  to  deter- 

;:■  . ; 'at  thco  is  not  one  polo  of   cold   for  the  northern  hemisphere,  and 

;bt.ciiinci(loiit  with  the  terrestrial  pole,  as  ndght  have  been  expected  —  but 

^f  wliieh  one  is  in  the  continent  of  Asia,  the  other  of  America,  nearly 

;''  'iij'reos  apart.     Tlu'se  regions  of  lowest    terrestrial  temperature,  are 

:«:.  ill  the  same  latitmle.     Tliat   of  America  (  J'/.  I)  covers  the  souml, 

-::;.:•.  iiik't,  peninsida,  and  island  mentioned  imder  the  preceding  head,  which 

li- ir. tho  mean  longitude  of  !)U^'  W.,  and  tlie  mean  latitude  of    T-V  N.'" 

I:;-,  tin;  Valley  of  the  3[ississi|ipi,  the  Upper  Lakes,  and  Hudson's  Bay, 

i't  fetly  south  of  the  pole  of  cold  for  this  continent. 

"oiiave  .seen  in  tho  preceding  section,  that  the  polo  of  magnetic  inten- 

■vi-Kumd  between  Lake  Superior  and  Hudson's  Bay,  in  tho  ninety-second 

i^iian,  and  consequently  it  coincides,  in  longitude,  with  the  pole  of  cold. 

^ni.   LOC.VUTY  OP   THE    jNLUiNKTIC     PoLE    OK     PlJtECTION     AND    Dll>. — 

" 'kra  researches  in  terrestrial  magnetism  have  demonstrated  that,  instead 
)i  two  polos  of  magnetic  dip  and  direction,  corresjionding  to  the  poles  of 
j  w  eartb.  there  are  two  in  each  homisphero,  all  of  which  arc  found  at  some 
teiw  from  the  terrestrial  poles.  In  tho  northern  hcmispbore,  one  exists 
I  ^ntk' continent  of  Asia,  the  other  on  that  of  America.  By  calculation 
j  ft'iii mimeroiis  data,  their  places  were  assigned,  o  priori,  with  such  precision, 
I  ™t  an  ohserver  was  enabled  to  reach  that  of  this  continent,  ami,  by  expori- 


• 


■.  ■  *•••■■■,;{ 


i^V' .».' 


\4 


'  •  .0  ■  . 


i-:1^-    ' 


r' 


'mt.i._\'' 


•  Kaemptz'g  Course  of  Meteorology,  London  Ed.,  by  C.  V.  Walker. 


a. .  ^ 


dun    't  i 


-.*   >-. 


i.^ 


440 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES,  ETC. 


riK 


irit,  coiifiriti  tlie  results  of  unit1ioiii;itif;il  di'ductiou.     In  tl 


w  sunjiDc 


'DC^ 


of  the  todioiis  3cars,  (luritiir  wliicli  the  Hritisli  ship  Vietory,  cummin |i,, i  k 
(':i[)f:iiii,  now  Hir  .Jnhu  Ross.  11.  X.,  was  lyinif,  iLM-buuiid,  in  Vittdrvllaiii-- 
the  v,-estcrii  side  of  the  (riilf  of  IJoothia,  Cuininaiider,  since  Cantuji!  ,)•• 
C.   Ross,  aware  of  their  proxiunty  to  the   spnt  which   had  cxcit'    -   -     i, 
ciiriosltv  ill  tlio   scieutitio   worhl,   made  a  i(juriiey  of  thirty  iiiilr      Ir-.'- 
gO'itli-wetsteru  coast  of  the  iieiiinsula  called   l>oothia  Felix,  and,  1,1  tip  (;-<» 
of  Jmio,  1S;.)J,  found   himself  on  the   31agm:tic  Polr.     The  ir'ciI;,.  h,,),,,,. 
ger  Iiad  a;iy  horizuiital  niutinii,  and  its  di[)  was  b^'J'''  .Vj'  80'',  witimi  l,..^  (i,.,, 
a  quarter  of  a  minute  of  bein^^  vertical.     The   latitude  of  the  iilaiv  u'l^-e 
this  ohservalimi  was  uuide,  proved  to  be  70"  5'   17"  N.,   its  Liii^'itii,!,.  'M'fl 
45'  4^"  \V.     A   cairn  of  sca-sidc   pebbles  was  erected,  and  the  15riii,li  fl;,, 
loft  waviuii'  over  it.* 

It  will  be  oliserved  that  the  inagnotic  pole  of  dip  and  directinn  i»  \'-  41) 
N.,  and  4^  4l)'  W.  of  the  p(de  of  magnetic  intensity;  and  that  it  falls '.vitLj 
the   (imperfectly   defined)  limits  of  the  pole  of  C(dd.     In  refcreiKx'  tuiiMij 
southern  parts  of  the  Interior  V^dley  of  the  c(nitineni,  the  asti'nihiiiii-;i!  m*; 
ridian  of  U()"'  45'  4S",  ])asses  nearly  over  the  center  of  the  great  jilaiii-i.e' 
tween  the  [Mississippi  lliver  ami  the  llocky  Mountains. 


'^n-'i; 


(    r.i' 


n- 


TOPOGRAPIIY  CONCLL^DED. 

"With  tlieso  notices  of  the  Arctic  JJasin,  our  :reo2raiihieal.  toinOTii iid 
and    hydrographical    survey  of   the    Interior  \'alley  iif   North  AiiiJiia:' 
brought  to  a  close  ;  except  wlien  the   study  of   particular  forms  nl'  nnwn 
may  recall  us  to  the  work  of  descri])tion.      Of  the  four  liydrdgraiiliica!  k 
sins,  the  two  southern  are  not  eipud  in  area  to  the  two  niirthcrii:  yt  hi 
must  forever  contain  nearly  all  the  civilized  inhabitants  of  the  Viilltv.  IV': 
thedulf  of  3Iexico  to   the  I'tdar  Sea,  tlie  distance  is  equal  to  furty  il.'rtei 
of  latitude;    and   if  tins  l)e   divided   liy  the  iiltieth  parallel,  that  poi;  no 
the  valley  which  lies  beyond  it,  will  reuuiin   nearly  destitute  of  iiiliaMtaaH 
while  niucii  the  larger  part  of  the  other  will  admit  of  settlenieiit,  tli"iii;!!i 
very  uiieipial  degrees.      The   iidiospitable  character  of  the  nurtliurn  l;;-:il 
does  nut  result,  however,  from  the  nature  of  their  surface  alone,  Imt  Irui 
that   and  their  cliuuite  ccmibined,  of  which   we  shall  see  conclusive]'!" 
the  investigations  on  which  we  are  now  prepared  to  enter.     If  tliu  liiliiriil 
basins  were  separated  fmm  each  other  by  p;irallels  of  latitude,  tlie  ihm 
of  each  might,  like  its  topography,  be  studied  by  itself:  hut  m;iiiy  ]>'ii:ij 
of  the  two  ca.stern  lie  in  the  same  latitudes  with  the  two  western,  ami."! 
quently  possess  the  same  climates;  it  will  ])e  necessary,  thcrcfure, to .^iiJj 
the  meteorology  of  the  whole    in    connection,  beginning  in  the  fi'iit"  ^"1 
proceeding  to  the  north. 


Ross's  Second  Voyage,  Am.  Ed.  p.  331,  Trans.  Roy.  Soc,  lb3G,  Pari  l,p.  ■'• 


uiiil  the  Briiisli  flajl 


CHAPTER    I. 

KaTURE,  DYNAMICS,  ANM)  ELE^IENTS  OF  CLIMATE. 


1 1. 


.  r 


PA IIT   SIX  ONJ). 

CLIMATIC     ETIOLOGY 


■'"'■.  -"'k 


i\ 


c,,lS3C,rurtl,l'-'- 


SECTIOX  I. 

GENERAL    VIEWS. 

i   ri.iMATE  OCCASIONS  Di.SKA.SES. —  As  no  tact  ill   otiulogy  ir4  more  uiii- 

htr*allv  lulinittod,  than  tlio  iiiHiuMico  of  cliiiuite  in  tliu  production  ot"  disease, 

liws  that  lie  who  would  understand  the  origin  and  modifications  of  the 

Ifeiscsot'a  country,  must  study  its  meteorology.     The  efiects  of  climate 

L':'  th  jiredisposiiig  and  exciting.     Thus,  the  long-continued  actimi  of  a 

Ti'.ukir  kind  or  condition  of  climate,  may  bring  about  such  changes  in  our 

jtjiiol :^';:  as  to  incline  us  to  some  particular  fnrm  of  disease;  while  sudden 

iacM  i.iften  act  as  exciting  causes  to  other  diseases,  to  which  we  may  be 

kbtifrom  agencies  not  comiected  with  climate.     Again,  the  intiueiices 

I  if  cliiime  arc  both  direct  and  indirect.     The  former  result  from  the  inime- 

liie aitiuii  of  the  atmosjihere  on  our  systems  —  the  latter  from  its  action 

ffltk' matters  ,vhich  are  accumulated  on  the  surface   of  the  earth,  which 

liretluuMuulo  to  send  forth  agents  of  an  insalubrious  character.     1'hus,  the 

|ai.'>taic  of  the  earth's  sui'face  which  in  one  climate  may  prove  highly  per- 

jii:**.  in  another  may  be  altogether  harmless. 

II   CuMATK  cuuKS  Disi:ases. —  But  climate  must  not  be  studied  with  a 

jfeew  tu  otiohigy  only ;  for  it  can  cure  as  well  as  occasion  disease.     It 

JKlifa  the  efiects  of  blood-letting,  medicines,  and  regimen;  and  although 

1^ maintains  some  diseases  against  the  united  power,;  of  the  most  active  find 

hpf^prntc  articles  of  the  materia  niedica,  it  cures  others  in  the  absence  of 

m\Mv.    Considered  as  a  therapeutic  agent,  it  is,  when  skillfully  ordered, 

(Jiititd  ti)  great  conlidence.     Its  action  is  not  often  .speedy,  but  the  certainty 

j"  Its  salutary  effects,  in  general,  compcn.sates  for  their  slow  development. 

"1    I'kfin'itioxs  op  Climatk. —  In  physical  geography,   the   word  cli- 

-    fspresses  a  zone  of  the  earth,  running  parallel  to  the  oc^uator,  of  such 

jwli  that  the  longest  day  at  its  northern  limit  is  half  an  hour  longer  than 


t?'*'. 


^: 


■.^■;r^:v|- 


.■■  t  • 


'■•( 


«'>. 


^•r. 


■  '  i     '    I    .' 

■•'■,.  V      . 


.vn. 


448 


'I'lir,  rULNXIPAL   DISEASES  OF  TJIE 


BfiOK 


;.M 


tliiit  'if  its  sontlicni   limit,  snpi)i)sing  wo  arc  in  the  nditlicrn  liomiMil 
Imt  ill  ctidld'ry  ami  lliei-ipcutics,  tlio  tonn  is  ii.'-''-(l  in  a  (litrcvcnt  g^.u^,. 
simjilv  oxpri'ssos  states  ul'  the  atiiKisphero.     Thoso  states  iiivulve,  or  con.' 
in,  vaniiiti'  quantities  (ir  (|nalltie's  of  certain  elements  of  tlio  iiir  itsrlt'__:. 
ealorie.  lii^-hl.  ami  eleetricitv  ;   its  a((uenns  vapor,  fogs,  mists,  aiidclnud.'  '. 
(lows,  rain,  hail,  frost,  and  snow;  its  weight  and  density;  its  inoYt'iiicut. 
winds;   its  faetilious  gases,  r.ad  meehanical  impurities;  all  nf  wliivli  n 
very  di'leront  in  diU'ereut  times  or  jilaecs  of  tiio  same  geu^raiiliic;:!  oj;,   ■ 
and  lUMi'ly  the  sanH>  in  dill'erent  zones. 

I\'.  Clim.\tio  01''  A  (jIlohi';  ok  unipuum  surface. —  If  the  oartli,  witliK 
present  form  and  relations  to  the  sun,  had  a  snmoth,  uniform,  ti'mstiial  ."••. 
faee,  of  the  same  miiu'ral  eomposition,  and  were  destitute  of  butli  nir  •■ 
water,  tlie  temperature  of  its  crust  in  eve''y  latitutlo  would  hear  a  li\ii|r.'.. 
tion  to  the  solar  influence.  If,  then,  an  atmosphere  were  adiKd,  wiml.Mv  '^ 
be  created,  and  blow  with  a  uidform  velocity  and  direction,  as  the  siiiiii'  - > 
sons  returned.  JJnt  if  mountains  were  anywhere  upheaved,  m-  tlii'  atiin- 
phero  should  be  impregnated  with  aqueous  va[ior  and  electvicitv,  this  v,,;- 
formitv  "-o'-.M  be  disturbed;  wliich  prepares  us  for  considering  dm  iiroiirr 
oleuiencs  of  climate. 

V.       i']l,i;.Mi:.\TS   OV   CuAfAXR   ON    TIIR    Gl.OnE   AS   IT   EXISTS. —  Tlio  cnijt   : 

the  earth  is  not  rxnifonn  in  chemical  composition  or  surface;  it  aboiiinl-.  ]•: 
luountain.s,  ]dains,  and  valle\-s,  distrilmted  in  a  very  irregular  ui;uiiier:  inr- 
tions  of  it    are   densely  oversheihiwed,  while  others  are  destitute  i.f  frnv.-:: 
the  larger  [)art  is  (iovered  witli  oceans,  lakes,  rivers,  and  swamps;  an  ilas;:: 
atnios[)hero  rests  upon  the  wliole;  and  every  part  —  solid,  fluid,  and  ami'im 
—  is  pernuMted  by  electricity.      Were  the  earth,  witli  this  surfaci',  i'enio\x«l 
from  the  influence  of  the  sun,  the  phciumiemi  of  (dimatc  wmild  be  aniiiuila- 
ted ;  in  that  luminary,  then,  reside  the  dynanucs  on  wliicli  tliev  depend;  an 
the  rays  of  light  ami  heat,  are  the  eHicient  agents  by  which  its  i|uicki:.iii!: 
iniluenco  is  exerted  on  the  earth.     ^Vhen  they  rcjich  its  surface,  tlicir  (.ffe.t- 
arc,  substantiall}',  accm'ding  to  the  angle  of  incidence;  but  fulling  un  mate- 
rial elements  so  diversilied,  a  vast  variety  of  movements  arc  generated,  and 
results    or    phenomena    the    most    complicated,    are  incessantly  develoid, 
Thus.  une(|ual  degre  's  of  heat  are  accumulated  in  portions  of  a  contino:.! 
having  the  same  latitude,  but  dilferent  elevations;  or,  as  tliey  arc  fivonJ 
with  forests  or  destitute  of  shaile;  the  lie;itbig  and  cooling  of  the  land  an! 
water  do  not  proceed  according  to  tlie   same  laws:  a(pieous  vapor  i^  raised 
into  the  air  from  tlio  oceans  and  transported  over  the  continc  its,  by  wiau;. 
generated  by  the  luieijual  heating  of  the  atmosphere,  to  he  condensed  and 
prccijdtated,  on  regiinis   remote  from  those  in  which  the  cvaporati'Hi  iKi 
place;  in  the  condensation  of  the  vapor,  caloric  is  liberated. —  by  theevaj  • 
ration  of  the  fallen  water  it  is  absorbed;  the  clouds  intercept  the  rav>  ^t 
the  sun  and  limit  their  effects  upon  the  .surface,  but,  at  the  same  tinn  am't 
and  throw  back  nuich  of  the  caloi'ic  which  radiates  from  the  surface:  uea.1 
calms  and  hurricanes  raj)idly  succeed  each  other ;  electrical  pbciioiiieii!i  'irf 
generated;  the  luminous  jiolar  rays  are  decomposed  by  the  clouds,  wliich 


'  •;    -£ 


.'    ■    ■! 


MI  II-j 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


449 


,„..  .in(;o  wiib  various  colors;  finally,  difroront  gaseous  exlialations, 
jom  iluci'iuposabli'  matters  lodged  on  the  surface  of  tlie  earth,  ascend  into 
!i;e  atniosplii-'rc. 

VI,  The  Klkments  of  Climate  not  the  same  in  diffeiiknt  pap.ts  of 
ikEaRTU'  — It  results  from  what  lias  been  said,  that  the  elements  of  cli- 
cite are  not  precisely  the  same  in  any  two  regions  of  the  irhibe;  and, 
ixrofore.  tluit  tlic  clinnite  of  every  region,  even  in  the  same  latitude,  must 
foaesssome  peculiarities;  the  causes  of  which  are  to  bo  sought  in  the  pliy- 
jifaU'eoTapliy  and  hydrography  of  th(!  region  itself,  and  of  tlioso  1)y  which 
it  is  immediately   surrounded.     I'or  thi.-^  aid  to  tlie  study  of  th(!  Climate 

I'tiie  hiterior  A'alley  of  North  Auiorioa,  the  necessary  facts  have  been 
jitt-nin  Part  1:  hut  as  they  arc  scattered  through  several  hundred  pages, 
;;ffillbeii?et'ul  t-)  coUect  and  condense  them  into  one  section. 


isiJering  iliu  iivi.jier 


SECTION  II. 


.\U?ES WHICH  MODIFY  THE  CLIMATE  OF  THE  1NTV]RI0R  VALLEY. 

I,  As  the  a.xis  of  the  Valley  lies  nearly  in  the  meridian,  and  reaches 
ia  the  turriJ  to  the  frigid  zone,  it  presents  in  its  climate  all  tlie  modifi- 
iitkns  wliicli  can  rosult  from  the  different  effects  of  the  sun's  rays,  in  the 
iifcKnt  lutituclos. 

II.  Tliij  elevation  of  its  surface  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  in  a  broad 
:;s. running  nearly  through  its  cetiter  from  soutli  to  north,  is  remarkably 
:3rin;  yet  the  southern  half  of  the  Valley  inclines  a  little  toward  that 
imiaary,  and  the  northern  declines  at  an  cc^ual  angle  from  it.  As  the  for- 
2;:ragiucnth,  and  the  latter  diminishes,  the  califacient  power  of  the  solar 
rij!  the  ilimatulogist  ought,  perhaps,  to  regard  the  sum  of  the  two,  as  an 
-.tMct  of  the  peculiarities  of  our  climate,  but  its  value  cannot  be  esti- 

HI.  The  proportion  of  watery  surface  varies  widely  in  different  parts  of 

■te Valley.    la  tlie  Southern  IJasin,  the  neighborhood  of  the  Gulf,  and  the 

Mand  trough  of  the  Missis.sippi,  present  nearly  all  the  surface  that  is, 

K'lier  coubtantly  or  occasionally,  covered  with  water.     To  the  east  of  that 

,w,  the  whole  country  is  without  lakes  or  extensive  morasses,  and  the 

puns,  trom  tlie  ridgy  character  of  the  surface,  are  collected  into  running 

i  -reams.   Tm  the  west,  the  vast  regions,  quite  up  to  the  Rocky  Mountains, 

mkm  ail  inclined  plane,  with  but  few  rivers,  and  scarcely  a  single  lake 

■tswDip,  (if  sufficient  area  to  deserve  consideration.     The  soil  is  bibulous, 

p^therahis  are  absorbed.     Thus  the  greatest  part  of  the  surface  of  this 

j  '«fi'Jn  is  not  fitted  to  aflbrd  a  large  quantity  of  vapor.     The  Eastern  IJasin 

essentially  lacust.rlne;    having,   in  addition  to  the  great    lakes   from 


'<■>'*>■ 


t  dK'  f,     A-"   ' 


!'.  f  .'■■    . 


'i.    M 


1  mMi'i 


■  r 


■^^^•4if-•-  ■'^^-- 


•<-•  ■ 


'Si'.,'!' 


,-if"; 


m:'.- 


*'     .     ■    ■ 


'..^^■'-■^ 


^'1:;, 


i-'t 


^'l..--;.. 


t^ 


450 


THE  rRINCirAI.  DISEASES  OF  THE 


•BOOK 


Ontario  to  Superior,  !i  countless  number  of  snifillcr  ones,  often  hfjrderoil  l- 
extensive  swamps;  it  nuist,  tlierctore,  supply  a  vast  amount  of  vhk,' 
The  Nortlieru  IJasins,  with  tlio  exeeptiim  of  the  plains  which  liu  in  .,  .; 
western  portion,  abound  in  watery  surfaces,  to  an  extent  still  froiitcr  t' ■ 
the  Eastern;  ami  although  lying  far  in  the  north,  most  of  that  rofriuD  ,„,. . 
necessarily  exhale  an  immense  (juautity  of  vajior  during  the  warm  sea«(o'  if 
the  waters  of  the  Eastern  and  Northern  IJasins  were  transferred  1 1  ti . 
Southern,  it  cannot  be  <loubted  that  a  remarkable  change  of  climate  wi.ii'l 
be  the  conscipieuce  in  both. 

IV.  In  the  Southern  IJasiii,  a  zone  around  the  fiulf  of  Mexico  is  mwd 
with  trees;  and  all  the  regions  east  of  the  Mississippi,  up  to,  and  incluJi;;.. 
most  of  the  Ohio  IJasin,  quite  up  to  the  summits  of  the  AppaliiLliiaa 
Mountains,  were  originally  overspread  witli  compact  and  lufty  f„ivj;.' 
From  the  Ohio  IJasin,  west,  to  the  ^lississippi  Uiver,  the  prairies  divide  t::e 
surface  with  the  wood-land.s.  and  in  many  parts  of  Illinois  and  8oiitLeiinVi<. 
cousin  they  predominate.  West  of  the  3Iississipiii,  the  zone  of  wumI-I,,;,! 
country,  below  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri,  is  from  one  to  tlirec  liuiii>J 
miles  broad;  but  the  prairies  pre^s  much  more  closely  on  the  upper  sloiI' n  .f^ 
the  river.  In  all  parts  of  the  prairie  region,  oven  to  the  I\otky  Mnurit:i:r.s, 
the  trees  arc  almost  confined  to  the  banks  of  the  rivers,  Tin;  hrvaJ  iiiUr- 
vening  plains  are  sandy ;  but  fertile  enough  to  be  clothed  with  sliort  ('!:••, 
There  are  no  herbless  deserts.  The  East<M'n  Basin  is  generally  ffnjiij.! 
In  the  two  Northern  IJasins,  the  extent  of  forest  is  greatly  dimhiiiliod; 
larger  part  of  what  exists,  except  in  its  southern  portion,  is  coinpiiSLtl  fl 
small  trees  with  a  limited  amount  of  fcdiagc.  To  the  north-west  auJ  n.:;!i 
of  Hudson  ]>ay,  the  '•  Barren  Gnnuid."  of  vast  extent,  is  almost  dfstitut 
trees.  The  western  portions  of  these  hyperborean  Basins,  are  as  deli':! i:;  :i 
forest,  as  the  western  half  of  the  Southern  Basin.  TliUh  the  wo'id-I;iii'l: 
the  great  Valley,  are  chiefly  found  toward  its  eastern  side,  from  tLe  (•;:!;  fi 
Mexico  to  Hudson  Bay.  These  forests  retard  the  heating  of  the  eai'tli"sf.;r' 
face  in  summer,  by  iutercopting  the  rays  of  the  sun;  and  at  night  tlnj ci 
nish  the  I'adiation  of  heat  from  the  same  surface ;  and  the  radiatiui  taki  ql. 
from  the  canopy  of  leaves.  In  both  sunmier  and  winter,  they  diiiiiiib ' ; 
velocity  of  the  winds.  On  the  treeless  plains,  the  power  of  tlie  ni:: 
greater,  the  nocturnal  radiation  from  the  ground  greater,  and  atall  tiim-t 
velocity  of  the  wiiuls  (the  forces  which  generate  them  being  the  ;:iaj 
is  more  rapid.  A  necessary  etVeet  of  settlement  and  cultivation,  is  t!:e  Ji 
struction  of  the  forest;  and  thus  every  year,  the  wooded  is  making aii !l 
proach  in  area  to  the  woodless  part  of  the  Valley. 

V.  The  forest  lands  have  a  much  denser  population  than  tlie  pnin^sj 
and  all  the  modifying  influences  of  heated  air.  smoke,  gases,  and  a'i'ii  i 
vapor,  liberated  and  sent  abroad  in  the  atmosphere,  exist  in  a  mucli  I:y 
degree  to  the  east  than  to  the  west  of  the  Mississipjii  Eiver, 

VI.  The  mountains  which  bound  the  Valley  on  either  side,  deserve  grei 
considoratioa.  To  the  cast,  or  rather  south-east,  the  Appalaeliiai'S  ft't" 
in  many  parallel  or  coalos^'ing  ridge;:;  from  Alabama  to  the  region  mu 


am 


Mil  !!■, 


INTERIOR  VALLFA'  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


4:)1 


ilf  of  Mexico  is  covered 
li,  up  to,  ami  iurlu'i;;,:. 
s  of  tlio  AiipaLieliiiia  i 
lact  autl  lofty  Uvi\<. 
,  tlie  prairies  diviilt  ti;ej 
iiiois  and  f^outlovii  ^Vis- 
,  tlic  zone  of  wiiijil-liiril 

one  to  tlircft  liuii^ivll 
you  tlie  upper  SL't.iiii-fj 
to  tb.o  l\ocky  MijUi:t;i;!,J 
vev.-;.  Tlio  Ijrvad  ii;ttr-i 
lutlicd  ^vitll  sliort  |;va>!, 
sin  is  generally  wi"jitil.| 

iireatly  dlminiilied;  VM 
I  portion,  is  coinp' H'j  vf 


■  li,,];' of  St.  LawvoiU'O,  rising;- from  two  to  five  tlioiiFand  foot  al»ove  the 
Tlioy  no  doubt  coiitriliuto  to  some  cxtoat,  to  <rivc  diroction  to  certain 
j,)J«,    When  an  easterly  wind  prevails,  tlicy  deprive  it,  by  ec.ndciistiti(  u,  of 
sKtionof  the  moisture  with  wbicli  the  war      Atlantic  Ocean  bad  ipil  lu'd 
;,'jijj jfJuee  its  temperature;  and  hence,  oi.  t  .e  banhs  of  the  Ohio,  ;ir.d  in 
•Vt  central  portions  of  the  Valley,  a  soutli-east  wind  never  raises  the  ther- 
ujjtcras  liighas  a  south-west.     Tlicso  mountains,  in  the  valley  of  the  ^ln- 
;j^].(Lat.4IJ''N.),  are  depressed  to  tlie  I  w  level  of  fcnir()rlive  hundred  loet 
_t!i' ;ixis  of  tlio  depressifin  being  east  and  west.     In   the  valley  of  Lake 
('!iani| lain  tliore  is  a  depression,  to  within  one  bundred   feet  of  the  level  nf 
••.j5,.:i,  in  a  direotiou  from   south   to  innlli.     Tlic  Iuiil^  estuary  of  the  Ft. 
Liwoiiec  presents  a  depression    to  the    level  of  tide-water,  runninrr  nearly 
vrtli-east  and  south-west.     Tliese  depressions  afford  avenues  fur  the  winds 
riieliLluW  in  tlic  direction  of  their  axes. 
But  tlic  mountains  of  tb.e  western  side  of  the  Valley,  exert  on  its  eliniate 
ifarL'i'cater  iiifliience  tlian  those  of  the  east.     The  Andes  may  be  too  re- 
-tit'or  effect  upon  it ;  but  the  Iniig  and  low  depression  which  lies  betvv'ceu 
tKinandthc  Corddlcras  of  3Icsico,  constituting  tlie  Isthmus  of  I'anania,  m; 
tii.-'iith  and  ?outh-west  sides  of  the  Carribcan  Sea,  opens  a  passage  fr  the 
rai^  Ilf  tlic  Pacilic    Ocean   into  the    Gidf  of  Mexico.     Further  north.  thi> 
I'rlilleras,  the  llocky  3Iountains,  the  Californian  !^^aritinle  Alps,  or  Sierra 
y  •Ilia,  and  the  enormously  elevated,  littoral  mountains  of  the  British  and 
l--'x\  Poniini'ins.    constitute,    from    the    e(juatovial    to    the    polar   Seas, 
'.isr  ailaiid  elevated  mountain  barrier,  with  but  two  depressions,  the  South 
h\  which  is  eiirht  thousand    feet  above   the  ocean,  and  the  valb  v  of 
iV- fiila.  ten  dcsrees  further  south,  which   is  four  thousand  ieet.     Tlius. 
fegli  its  whole  length,  the  intluenees  of  the  I'acilic  Ocean  are  nearly  .-hut 
ifrm  the  great  Valley.     The  difference  of  level  between  these  niou'itains 
I'jl till' inclined  plane  which  constit-ites  the  western  side  of  the  Valley,  no 
■i'ltt, often  causes  the  descent  of    their  C(dd  air,  in  the  form  of  temjiorary 
w;...!s;  and  when  the  atmo.sphcrc  of  the  Pacific   surmounts  them,  it  eonies 
fan  upon  u>^.  deprived,  to  a  great  extent,  of  both  its  calorie  and  its  vnpor. 
Is  this  respect,  the  modifying  influence  of  the  lujcky  Mountains  fin  our  cli- 
mte.  is  much  greater  than   chat  of  the  Appalachians.     Let  us  now  turn  ic 
"vKMs,  oiuvhieli  the  Valley  opens  to  the  south  and  north. 
HI,    The  Gulf  of  ^lexico  subtends  the  Valley  to  the  south.  Thesouth.ern 
i'leiif  tliat  Sea  coalesces,  by  a  broad  strait,  with  tlie  Carribcan  Sea.  the  soutli- 
fneijastsof  which  are  low.  and  a:  loiif'  the  hottest  on  the  tjlobe.     Thus,  to 
i;':'S'Uthof  the  great  Valley,  and  projecting  into  it,  as  high  as  the  thirtieth 
tlfTOof  nurth  latitude,  there  is  an  immense  basin  of  tropical  water,  from 
t-isiirfaccof  which  come  those  volumes  of  hot  and  huniid  air,  which  eonsti- 
^Mtlies'iuthernwinds  of  the  Tnteriov  Valley.     The  south-west  wind,  which 
iwinces from  or  traverses  the  mountain  regions  west  of  the  Gulf  of  ^lex- 
'■■"■andabo  the  Rocky  Mountains  further  north,  is  both  dryer  and  coider,     Li 
'":!;i;er,  It  shed,:  hut  little  moisture  on^^the  great  prairies:  and,  from  tlie  dry 
•Msnadclcss  condition  of  their  surface,  is  often  so  mueii  heated,  na  to  produce 


*•  •*-.  .'4*  ; 


i'- 


T- 


■h:-'* 


:  v,_s;4»-.' 


.  e,  .*,    f 
t     ■'<■■  - 


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'..'   * -IS     '    ■  '1 


'S':':\J'!     • 


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'.-v- : 


•:-^^ 


•[')_• 


TlIK  rKINCll'AL  niSEASKS  OF  THE 


i«oox 


ocpnsioniil  hot  days  very  fur  norlli.  Tlio.so  (iurroiitH,  like  tliose  from  tlie  (;  li 
ill  inaliiiij,' tlieir  way  to  tlio  polar  roffioiis,  traverse  tlio -.untry  around  H- J 
son  I?ay.  and  at  last  roacli  tliat  in  wliicdi,  as  wc  have  won,  tlic  iViluofCdld ' 
>ituatoil.  Were  the  (iulf  of  Mexico  rolled  away,  liy  ;iii  i)])liuaviii(Mif  pii, 
t.iiiis  in  its  ht-d,  the  (dimato  to  its  north-east  would  underco  a  siini'il  ,.l,. , 
as  would  that  of  the  whole  ^'alk•y,  if  tho  western  mountain  chain  wmsuik 
so  as  to  let  ill  the  mild  and  damp  atmosphere  of  the  I'aeitiu  Oecaii 

Virr.     To  tlie  north,  the  N'alley    is  sulitended  liy  Hudson  Bay  audi"' 
Polar  Sea,     North  of  tin;  fornuir  and  witliin  the  latter,  litis  tlio  I'ule  of  I'.  M 
or  region  of  North  Ameriea   in  whieh  the  mean   temperature  of  the  year  i- 
least.     It   is   W(»rthy  of  remark,  that  all  the  southern   and  soutli-wvstfrn 
winds  which  can  reach  tliis  spot,  must  have  d<'scendt''.  from  or  erosswl  tiit 
Rocky  Mountains,  in  hititudes  where  tiieir  crests  arc  covered  or  eiiiliii«Mil 
with  perpetual  snow.     'Without  attempting  here  to  assign  tho  fund;iiiioiiUi 
causes  of  the  low  temperature  of  the  region  of  maxiiiuim  cold,  it  niuyl' 
safely  affirmed,  that  if  the  llocky    IMountains.   north  of  the  South  Pass,  ia  j 
latitude  4'J"'.  were  sunk   to  near  the  level  of  the  I'acilic  Ocean,  theri-orif 
the  Pole  of  Cold,  would  be  greatly  diminished.     JJy  what  route  tlio  [ularair 
from  that  icy  region,  makes  it  way  back  to  the  equator,  I  canrmt  say.   It 
certainly  does  not  traverse  the  Interior  Valley,  in  volumes  sufficient  to  rni- J 
pensate  for  those  which  flow  in  tho  opposite  direction      AVhou  it  docsUf'W, 
it  is  always  cold ;  and  thus  our  Valley,  being  placed  hetwecn  one  of  tho  lidttist  j 
and  one  of  tho  eiddest  seas  of  the  globe,  must  forever  bo  sulijeet  tosuiltel 
vicissitudes  and  wide  extremes  of  temperature. 

IX.     This  brief  general  view  of  the  elements  of  our  climate,  hasjirupa- 
red  us  for  entering  on  its  statistics  ;  which  consist  of  observations  mado  in] 
several  difforeut  conditions  of  the  atmosphere,  at  various  stations.    Bdm 
proceeding  t(>  examine  these  elements  in  detail,  we  may  advautagcouslj  con-j 
sidor  for  a  moment  their  relations  and  mutual  dependence.    While  tbcsiiaj 
constitutes  the  first  cause,  or  primum  moliUc.  of  all  the  phcnnmeiia  li  i 
mate,  the  whole  do  not  immnJiatc///  depend  iijion  the  influence  of  that  (Aj 
By  its  action  on  the  surface  of  the  continents  uiid  seas,  it  impart-S  heat  t^nael 
atmosphere,  but  in  very  unequal  degrees;  and  that  heat  becomes  the  causo  on 
many  effects,  or  meteorological    a[)pearances.     These  are  losses  of  .«tatieai 
equilibrium,  and  the  production  of  winds,  which  transport  hot  air  iiitn  c"" 
regions,  and  cold   air  into  hotter.     In  the  former  case  its  vapor  is  j ioiJ)iti"i 
tod  in  the  form  of  rain  or  snow ;    in  the  latter,  it  passes  into  a  .-itato 
more  perfect  suspension,  and  the  atmosphere  becomes  more  transparent. 
the  condensation  of  vapor,  electrical  phenomena  arc  produced,  andtalnea 
given  out,  which  raises  the    temperature  of  the  atmosjthcre.    On  tlie  >  t^a 
hand,  the  evaporation  from  the  earth's  surface,  and  from  the  objects  it  -ipH 
ports,  after  rain,  cools  the  whole.     In  studying  a  group  of  phenomena  ?■"  H 
plicated,  it  is  necessary  to  take  them  up  in  succession,  which  we  shall  m 
proceed  to  do. 


'  h'n 


,IT  II. 


INTERIOR  VALI-EY  01'  NOiiTH  AMERICA.  40;] 


.u-  uliniate,  liasiirtpi- 
observations  made  oaj 
ious  stations.    Beforej 
;y  advantageously  cow 
denco.    ^Vlulo  tbesuaj 
the  phenomena  4  ili 
iuflucnec  of  tliat  crlj 
it  imparts  boat  t'ltjjj 
t  hocomes  tlic  cau^> 
are  losses  ff  ?i'.t''' 
port  hot  air  into  coUe* 
its  vapor  is  pvocii'itij 
lasscs  into  a^taU'O^ 
more  transparent. 
iroduccd,  and  e:iluW 
[sphere.    On  tlic  rtkeJ 
fom  the  objects  it  J^pj 
,  of  phenomena s.^'*j 
,  which  \sc  sliall  norf 


CIIAPTKU  ir. 

TEMrE n  A  T  U 11 E    (.)  F    T  II  K    I  N  T  K  II 1  O  II    A    V  L  L  I'l  Y. 


SKCTIOX  1. 

MKAN  TEMrEUATLIRE  dl'  THE   YEAIJ. 

I    I)iFKicuLTiK.s  01.'  Tiiii  Slu.ikct.  —  111  .'if  I ciiiptiiiif  1 1»  .'isrcriiiii.  tlitj  iiieaii 

vMeraturc  of  the   atiiKisphere  ior  oaoli  (L.^'rco  ni'   latitude,  in  tiio  vast 

bri.r  Valley  of  Xdrth  America,  the  first  dinieulty  i.s  the  want   wl'  obser- 

,;!  ;>  at  a  .suilii-ioiit    number   of  place.s;   ('S|iocially  uuilcr  tii';  same  |i;ir- 

al-  and  to  the  east  ami   west  nf  tlio   iMis.sissi|i|ii,  or   syiHjlinal  ax.     of  tlio 

Vi:;v.    The  seciiiid  is,  that  sduio  ob.server.s    liavc  iiut  madi' tlnir  (  b^'rva- 

•:;,i at  tlio  hours  of  the  day  most  [jropcr  for  sliowiiiL;- eitln'r  its  c.'areiiK'H, 

r;!-niean  beat.     The  tliird,  that  m.aiiy  tlu'riiiomctcrs  have  been  in;;   nirate. 

I:..t'initb,  that  the  po.eitioiis  in  wliieli   they  iiave   been  kept,   have  lieoii 

3r'itly  ehnsen.      Thus.  M-itli  a   few    lionorabli'   exemptions,   tlic   result.s 

.:' 11!  iliiuhtful  approximations   to  tin;   truth.      However  all   this  may  )jo 

:..Tettod.  wu  need  not  be    astonislie<l,  for   the  A'alley  is  too   rciMMitly  and 

•;5N'!y  settled,  to  have   raised  up  a  jjody  of  profcssod  luctcorolooi.vts ;  and 

:rj!;al  physicians  are.  in  ireneral,  too  mucdi  occupied,  and  too  fiftmi  absent 

I'Ehi.mi'.  to  make  and  record  rcLn  lar  observations      At  first  viiw,    the 

y:.jikn  kept  at  the  various  military  jio.sts,    under  the  direction  of  the  Sur- 

.;^;a Geiiural  of  the  United  States'  Army,  might  seem  worthy  of  imjdieit 

riilence;  but  after  vi.sitinir  a  considerable  number  of  these  posts,  1   have 

.ECti' the  conclusion,  that,  from  the  freijucnt  elian;:e  of  rrlHcer.',  the  -wrong 

I'lti'iii of  instruments,  and  other  causes,  many  of  the  ainiy  registers   are 

■-t  a?  accurate  as  could  be    desired.       As  a   class,    the    registers  kejit 

M t'^; academics  of  Western  New  York,  are  probably  the  uk  st  exact,  ami 

■ . T,iral,  extend  through  tlie  greatest  number  of  years. 

n.    OiuECT  TO  i!E  KKiT   IN  ViKW.  —  111  Studying   our    therniomotrical 

'uiiJtKs.  we  should  constantly  keep  in  view  the  law  of  decrease  of   mean 

' -i'Miiro,  as  we  advance  from  south  to   north  ;  for  wlien  it  may  1  e  found 

;:  we  can,  hy  calculation,  determine  the   mean  temperature  of  places,  at 

"-!'.  no  observations  have   been    made,  and    thus  construct  a  table  of 

-:3r, ti.niperaturcs  for  every  parallel  of  latitude.     Should  the  ratio  (,f  de- 

■'='-■  vary,  as  Ave  proceed  from  the  tropical  to  the  polar  regions,  tin-  law  of 

•jnatKin being  ascertained,  the  calculation   might  still  lie  made.     At   ])re- 

'■'■  tho  number  of  reliable  observations  is  too  few  to  afi'ord  us  rigorous 

l-^>-  but  the  discovery  of  such  a  law  should  be  kcpit  in  mind  as  a  dc- 

"'    AscEUTAixED  Meam  Tempeuatures. — Wo  canuot,  I  suppose.  ])ro- 
■Iwith  tbis  subject  in  a  more   -latural   method,  than  to  give  in  a  tabular 


4     ' 


■  't/. ..;  . 


■,i' 


\'- 


;r^^^i 


f  II;"    -  f  -'ifci't-'  '•■■;.*.. 


■•.    ,t 


•  '".V  «i  ■••■  I  ';.!,■    . 


.T  ' 


•; -I  ■■■,;.  ■• 


V'''        (        ! 


4.")4 


THE  ruiNcirAL  diseases  of  the 


[BOOK  I. 


form  all  t!ie  results  wliieli  I  liavo  Itt'on  able  to  collect.  In  doinff  tl'i  ' 
will  bo  projiiT  to  coiiniiuiiec  in  the  cqiiatDrial  rcirimis,  at  the  K'vcl  ot' tli 
sea,  wliiM-L'  tlio  niaxiiiium  of  heat  corresjioiidH  to  tlic  ininiiirju;  of  latiti.' 
and  (.'Ifvatliiii,  and  tlionec  jirocecd  to  tlic  piilar  regions,  wIhtu  tlie  miirii- 
of  lu'at  corresjionds  to  tlio  nuixinnun  of  latitude.  It  will  lie  iiruiier,  :it  tl 
same  time,  to  give  tlie  altitudes  aliovc  the  Ocean,  of  the  places  of  uUrrn. 
tion,  and  their  proximity  to,  or  remoteness  from,  seas,  lakes,  and  moum.ii:.' 
which,  a.s  far  as  may  1)0  praetioable  and  eonvenient,  I  shall  do.  Acn;;-' 
examination  of  tlie  tables,  will  soon  diselost-  to  the  reader,  suiuu  cmbanuo. 
ing  anomalios.  lie  will  see  a  Inwer  mean  temperature  assigned  to  a  lilv.. 
than  that  of  a  place  further  uorth.  This  may  sometimes  ho  exnlaini  11  • 
(litl'eronee  of  altitude;  but,  in  many  instances,  may  be  regarded  astlieivi- 
donee  of  inaccurate  observatinu.  Time  oidy  can  be  relied  iqiiin  furtiiei  r- 
rcetion  of  these  errors;  which  are  not  [)cculiar  to  meteor'jlugy,  but  iihi .. 
sarily  belong  to  all  the  inductive  sciences. 


I    I 


Si    ' 


'-  'tL.  '■ 


t  i  i.s  .^  ••  " ' ' 


\- 


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INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


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INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NoRTII  AMERICA. 


459 


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THE  PRINCIPAL  Dlf^EASES  OF  THE 


1800K  I. 


IV.  Law    of    dfxkease    of    ^Fkan    Temperature   from   ivfnvi^p 
Latitude  —  ]M.  Ilumboldt  iufsnus  us,  tliat  the   equatorial  moan  hot   f 
Si'"*  extoiuls  north,  to  l^at.  10"'.     Melville  L'^laiul,  tlio  iiio>t  nnrtlien  statV 
of  the  tal)le,  lies  Gi^  47'  further  north,  and  has  a  mean  teuniurature  "^r,-  ir 
less,  whieh,  divided  hy  the  ditferoiu'o  of  latitude,  gives  P  .'JS  as  the  rwluf 
tion  of  temperature  caused  Ijy  each  deu'ree  of  latitude,  from  the  tHiuatori ' 
to  the  polar  regions  inclusive.     If  this  ratiu  Avcre  uniform,  it  wouli]  V 
easy,  by  making  allowance  for  tlio  dilVerences  of  elevatinn.  to  c-idfulatc  t!" 
mean  tein[ierature  of  any  given  jilace.     ]>ut  the  ratio  varies  in  a  rouuirkaiiV 
manner,  and  to  this  point  we  must  now  give  attention. 

From  Cumana  to  Havana  the  distance  is  lli""  42'.  and  tlic  nductirn  of 
tem])eraturo  4"  'I'l,  which  gives  a  decrement  of  .3:!  (thirtv-tliroc  \m- 
dredths)  of  a  degree  of  temperature  for  every  degree  of  latitude. 

Between  Key  West  and  Fort  llrooke.  the  diiTercnee  of  latitude  iso*  zi 
of  temperature  4^  .OS.  whicli  gives  a  ratio  of  1°  :10. 

Eetwcen  Fort  Brooke  and  the  thirtieth  j)arallcl  the  diffcrciivo  of  latituJ" 
is  -2*^  03'— of  temperature  '2^  .2S,  affording  a  ratio  of  1"  .11. 

The  difference  in  latitude  between  Key  West  and  the  thirtieth  paralK!  I 
near  New  Orleans,   is  5"  2G'  —  that    of  temperature  G^  .30,  from  \v!;ii'i 
results,  as  the  ratio  l'^  .17  of  reduced  heat  for  a  degree  of  latitude.    Ti.;; 
ratio,  which  is  nearly  identical  with  that  of  the  whide  range,  is  ahuut  thrte , 
times  as  great  as  the  ratio  from  the  eijuatorial  limit  to  Key  West.  i 

From  Key   West  to  St.  Louis,  the  distance  is  equal  to  14^  Oo  — 'Jm 
diff(!rence  in  mean  heat  21^  .12,  giving  a  ratio  of  ?"  .50;  but  ^vhoii  woHii- 
tract  from  the   difFerenco  of  temperature  1°,  for  the  elevation  of  St.  Ljuiij 
above  the  sea,  the  ratio  falls  to  1'"'  .43. 

Between  Natchez  and  lluntsville,  the  latitude  is  3"  11',  and  the  diii'enr.ej 
of  mean  heat  7"^  .13,  wliich  irives  a  ratio  of  2°  .28.     But  as  the  latter  rik>. 
gradually,  four  hundred  feet  above  the  former,  one  degree  nuist  lie  dedmt.J 
from  the  whole  difference,  when  tlie  ratio  is  reduced  to  1°  ,92. 

From  lluntsville  to  Nashville  1*^  "IW  ;  difference  of  mean  lieat  1'  :1': 
ratio  0^*  .90.     Tiie  elevation  of  both  jdaees  nearly  the  same. 

When  we  compare  Natchez  and  Nashville,  having  a  difi'ereneo  of  '.atitiiloj 
equal  to  4°  3G',  and  of  mean  temperature  ei]ual  to  S°  .4(1.  we  obtain  as  tL 
ratio  1^  .S2.  The  differeiu'o  of  altitude  between  these  places,  is  fr  mj 
three  hundred  to  four  luimlrcd  feet,  and  the  rise  gradual,  so  that  we  icavj 
deduct  a  degree  from  the  ditferenee  in  their  mean  temperature,  as  tliecfeiil 
of  greater  elevation,  when  the  ratio  of  reduttioii  is  diminished  to  P  .'10, 

On  comparing  the  thirtieth  parallel,  near  New  Orleans,  with  Xatelioz.  t'ae I 
latter  being  1"^  34'  north  of  tlio  former,  and  liaving  a  moan  teni)H"3:!ir(l 
3°  .2G  lower,  we  find  that  tlie  ratiij  of  reduction  is  2'^  .0^  of  mean  teiii|ira{ 
turo  for  1"'  of  latitude.  The  clevati.ni  of  Natchez  over  (the  t!,ir;:iili| 
parallel  near)  Now  Orleans,  is  two  hundred  and  sixty-four  foot:  aiidii«j 
allow  O""  ,GG  of  the  difference  in  temperature,  to  result  from  that  Lau-e.«j 
have  a  ratio  of  decrease  eiiual  to  1'''  .GG  for  a  degree  of  latitude:  \vl':'"'-il 


'^  I  BOOK  :, 

mOM    IXCREAJE   Of 

>oriid  mean  liiut  i,f 

110<t  nnrtliuu  >t;i';i;, 

tciiijiLTature  ^'l-  h; 
"  .->!  as  the  rrJu. 
frcim  the  eiinatfiria': 
iiiiform,  it  woull  U 
inn,  to  caleulatc  tV; 
iries  ill  a  remarkaii' 

and  tlie  reJuctii.n  C. 
)  (tliirty-tlireo  Ima- 
:'  latitude. 

of  latitude  is  :;•  ■.:; 

(litTereiivo  of  latitai; 
I"  .11. 

tlio  thirtieth  paralltL 
■  0^'  .o(3.  fi'Diu  wiiirh : 
CO  of  latitude.    Hi- 

ranii'e,  is  ahuut  three  I 

Key  West, 
ual  to  14^'  03  -ti.ti 

(J ;  but  when  wo  >u1j- 

Icvation  of  St.  Louii  \ 

1\\  and  the  difforfr.i 

3ut  as  the  latter  hh-. 

ree  must  be  doJu';t'i 

)  1^'  .9-J. 

)f  moan  heat  1'  .-': 
same. 

ditroivjuce  of  latitii'le 
.40,  wo  obtain  as  t!ie^ 

those  places,  is  I'ra 
dual,  so  that  we  rcay 
icraturc,  as  tlio  ofctj 

lii.ished  to  P  .'X» 
ans,  withNatclioUMJ 

a  mmui  teraiif":i!''"-'!J 
.(i<  of  mean  teiii|'i'raf 
z  over  (the  ti.ir;:ali| 
■-four  foot;  amlit'«l 
t  from  that  cau-o.^vtj 
:f  latitude:  win''!''-*! 


•or  n.. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


4G1 


;i 


.j,^  of  reduction  greater,  by  .7'2,  than  that  from  Key  West  t(>  the  thirtieth 
pirillel,  at  New  Orleans. 

"  Botffoen  Xatohoz  and  St.  Louis  the  diflbrenco  of  latitude  i.s  7"^  3',  the 
;,%,;iiccfif  mean  temperature  11"^  .50,  wliioh  gives  a  ratio  of  1'^  ,Go  for  a 
ij?rtf  of  latitude.  If  we  make  the  allowance  of  one-third  of  a  degree  for 
■  edifference  of  elevation,  about  one  hundred  and  thirty-three  feet,  wo  have 
jtatioof  1"  .5S. 

B'tween  Na.shville  and  St.  Louis  the  differenoe  of  latitude  is  "2°  '21' — of 
;;a:i  t'.'iiiiierature  o'^  .10,  giving  a  ratio  of  1^  rli) ;  but  as  Nashville  i.s  about 
>,au!iilred  feet  the  higher  of  the  two,  by  a  gradual  ascent,  half  a  degree 
t;;;  be  added  to  its  mean  temperature,  when  tlic  ratio  of  decrease  from 
iiiisile  k'comes  1"  .17. 

Between  Nashville  and  Cincinnati,  at  nearly  the  .«amc  level,  the  difference 
•lititude  is  2'"'  5G' — of  mean  temperature  4"  .80,  which  data  give  1'  .GU  as 
::e  ratio, 

F  rt  Armstrong,  with  an  elevation,  by  gradual  ascent,  of  about  one  hun- 
i'?l  and  eighty  foot  above  St.  Louis,  and  a  higher  latitude  of  2^^  55',  has 
i  mean  temperature  4*^  .92  less.  According  to  these  data,  the  ratio  of 
iecreiseis  V  .69.  If  we  allow  for  the  difference  of  altitude,  the  ratio  is 
rBineedtol"  .51. 

F:rt  Crawford  (Prairie  du  Chien)  lies  4'^  2G'  north  of  St.  Louis,  and 
;.:« hinidred  feet  above  its  level ;  their  difference  in  mean  temperature 
:OMil,  jriving  a  ratio  of  1"^  .80.  As  they  differ  in  elevation,  by  gradual 
M,  three  hundred  feet,  we  must  subtract  .75  (three  (juarters  of  a 
iffiee)  from  the  difference  between  their  temperatures,  when  the  ratio  is 
:;aeid  to  1°  .03. 

fit  Siielling  lies  G°  15'  north  of  St.  Loui.s,  at  an  elevation,  by  slow 
isfflt.  three  hundred  and  eighty  feet  higher ;  the  difference  in  their  moan 
aporaturo  is  10°  .21,  from  wlucli  results  the  ratio  1°  .02 ;  but  when  we 
7;iiz'.' their  elevation,  the  ratio  falls  to  1°  47. 

T:ie  elevation  of  Portsmouth  and  liochester  is    nearly  the  same;    the 
aeiieo  in  their  latitude  is  4'^  22'  —  in  their  mean  temperature,  S°  .94, 
I  wh  gives  a  ratio  of  2°  .04. 

fiiitiniiati  and  Rochester  have  the  same  elevation,  and  differ  in  latitude 
H',  The  difference  in  their  mean  temperature  is  7°  .38,  which  gives  a 
i  ratio  of  P. 83. 

Be  difference  in  elevation  between  Marietta  and  Rochester,  is  too  little 
I t!ro'|uire  attention;  their  difference  of  latitude  is  o°  42',  of  mean  tcmpera- 
lto;tr  ,3!),  from  which  results  the  ratio  1°  .73. 

hn\ Cincinnati  t)  Fredonia,  the  change  of  latitude  is  3"^  20' ;  the  dif- 

l-roieein  mean  tempi  raturc  is  4°  .95,  and  consequently  the  ratio  of  diminu- 

|iKiiisl- .48.    If  wo  make  allowance  for  tlie  difference  of  elevation,  al'out 

fM  hundred  and  sixty  feet,  say  .45,  or  near  half  a  degree,   the  ratio  is 

''-■imi  to  1°  .35. 

The  difference  of  latitude  between  Cincinnati  and  Pompey,  is  3°  50'  —  of 
I  I'fjpt  (.levatiou  eight  hundred  and  sixty  *"eet  — of  mean  temperature  10"^  .96, 


It 


1:1 


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'     "•'if      . 


r.' 


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4v 


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40: 


Tlir;  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[eohk  iJ 


from  which  results  a  ratio  nf  -^  .So  ;  but  when  wc  allow  4°  of  tcniperiitrr 
fur  the  iliUcrenco  of  altitu<h',  the  ratio  is  reduced  to  1°  .81. 

]>otwccu  llochestcr  aud  31oiitreal,  the  diil'erciico  of  latitude  is  2"^  24 — 
mean  tcmiieraturo  1°  .i^5,  glviua;  a  ratio  of  only  .77  —  little  nmrc  tliai;  tlirea 
i|uarter.s  of  a    degree;    Init    ^Luitreal   lies   near    five  hundred  feet  l',.ln 
Rocliester,  fur  wliieli  we  niu.st  add  to  the  difFercnco  in  toniporature.  aljojt 
detiTee  aiul  a  ([uarter,  wlien  the  ratio  is  raised  to  P  .20. 

Fort  Brady  lies  4'^  04'  north  (jf  Fredouia,  aud  tlie  dilTeronoe  ui  tliJ 
moan  temperature  is  8'^  .23,  which  gives  a  ratio  of  2"^  .02.    As  Yrd.m 
is  one  hundred  aud  tliirteen  feet  hi_:.dicr  than  Brady,  wo  mnst  aild  t^i  tin 
ditfereneo  between  theui,  about  oiic-third  of  a  degree  (.-jo),  when  tlie  ntia 
is  raised  to  2°  .10. 

The  dist:..iec  north,  from  Bochostor  to  Fort  Brady,  is  o"^  2o'— tlic  ^fJ 
fereuee  of  elevation  only  ninety  feet :  the  range  of  mean  temperature  •)-  ^lU 
Disrocrarding  the  difiereneo  of  altitude,  the  ratio  of  decrease  is  P  .71 

Fort  Howard  lies  0°  O-V  north  of  St.  Louis,  and  the  difleroiice  in  tt 
mean  temperature  is  10°  .7ii,  Avhich  gives  a  ratio  of  1°  .78:  but  the  cixntefl 
elevation  (near  two  hundred  feet)  of  tlie  former  requires  the  detlmtkin 
(.50)  half  a  degree,  when  the  ratio  is  brought  down  to  P  .GO. 

Fort  "Winnebago  lies  4°  54'  north  of  St.  Louis,  and  is  10°  .47  C'jMerj 
eonso(|uontly  the  ratio  of  decrease  of  temperature,  is  2°  .14 ;  but  ;'.s 
elevation  is  four  hundred  feet  greater,  by  gradual  rise,  we  nui.st  sultr: 
degree  from  the  ditfereneo,  when  the  ratio  is  reduced  to  P  .0:]. 

From  Fort  Howard  to  l^'ort  Brady,  tlie  distance  in  latitude  is  V-  ^Vi  -:  e 
diflorenee  in  mean  temperature  o°  .OS,  giving  a  ratio  of  2^  .17.  j  :e 
diiFerenoe  in  elevation  is  too  small  to  roipiire  notice. 

Cumlierland  House  is  in  N.  Lat.  5^°  57',  or  15°  20'  nortli  of  ?t.  L  : 
the  difference  in  their  mean  temperature,  is  2o°  .o5,  from  wliidi  n-v,i:- 
the  ratio  of  decrease,  1°  52 ;  but  as  the  former  has  fdur  lunulreJ  fiC. 
greater  altitude,  by  gradual  rise,  a  degree   must  be  deducted  from  ;... 
difference,  which  reduces  the  ratio  to  1°  .40. 

The  distance  from  Fort   Snelling  to  Cumberland  House,  in  latitul'. 
9°  04' ;  the  difference  of  mean  temperature  is  1:)°  .14,  giving  a  uv.j  ti^ 
1°  .45,  the  elevations  being  nearly  the  same. 

From  Cumberland  House  to  Fort  Cliipewyan,  N.  Lat.  58*^  -l:)',  t!;- 
tauec  is  4°  4ij' — tlie  difference  of  mean  annual  heat  2°  .82,  affmliii:?. ; 
of  0°  .4.     As  the  latter  is  three  hundred  feet  lower,  .75,  or  tlirue-t'iir; 
a  degree,  must  bo  added  to  the  difference   of  temperature,  ^beu  tlio  ii:' 
becomes,  .75,  or  three  quarters  of  a  degree. 

Fort  Beliance,  or  Besulution,  in  latitude  02°  40',  lies  4^  O:]'  nortli  d 
Chipewyan,  and  the  difference  of  their  mean  annual  temperatures  h  i 
which  gives  a  ratio  of  1°  .90.     As  the  latter  is  one  hundred  and  til'iy  liel 
the  higher,  .:»7  must  be  added  to  the  difference,  when  the  ratio  i'^  iii'^i'->^^ 
to  1°  .00. 

Fort  Knterprise,  in  latitude  04°  28',  lies   1°  42'  north  of  Fort  Edu:/^ 
and  their  difference  of  temperature  is  7°  .28,  giving  a  ratio  of  4-  .'-^ 


Mr"'. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


4G:J 


. . •  iinier  is  five  huiKlrcd  feet  liighov  tliaii  tlio  latter,  a  (lecliiction  imi,-.t  lio 
-lie  friin  tlie  difference  of  toinporatnro  of  a  degree  and  a  (quarter,  wlion 
"„;;  I  is  reduced  to  o°  .54. 

iHvilio  Isliuid,  in  latitude  74°  47',  lies  12'^  north  of  ^'ort  riolianoe,  and 

<i  :no;ui  teinjicrature  --°  J)-[  lower,  wliicl'.  indicates  a  ratio  1°  .J^8.  As 
■  .'it;,r  is  tlireo  hundred  and  fifty  feet  more  elevated,  ^7  hundredths  of  a 
:r.>cnin5tbo  added  to  the  difference,  A\lien  tlie  ratio  rises  t(j  1°  .0.'>. 

jVniFnit  CliureluU  to  ^lelville  Island,  tl'.o  distance  is  15°  45'  of  lati- 
•;;._ik  ilitforonce  fif  moan  temperature  '2G°  .27 — tlic  ratio  1°  .07 ;  buth 
.■/y.iii  I't.'iiiL'  at  tlie  level  of  the  sea. 

F  rt  Franklin  is  (i°  10' north  of  Fort  Churchill,  and  two  hundred  feet 
-:o elevated ;  the  difference  in  their  mean  heat  is  7°  .0(1 ;  the  ratio  nf  de- 

i.j  1- .-!).    Tlie  ratio,  when  they  are  reduced  to  the  same  level,  is 

'.  .'.i. 

From  Fort  Franklin  to  Melville  Island,  tlie  latitude  i.s  0°  o5'— the  dif- 
::;:iee  of  temperature  18°  .31;  the  ratio  1°  .04.  The  greater  olevation  of 
;:■•  Ivrmer,  two  hundred  feet,  requires  half  a  degree  to  be  added  to  the 
>';\n'i',  wlien  the  ratio  rises  to  1"  .00. 

F.;t  Churcliill  lies  12°  32'  north  of  Fort  Brady,  and  has  a  tem[)crature 
;■  .l.lloss;  but  as  it  is  sis  hundred  feet  lowc.  the  difference  must  be 
.:Msed  1^.5,  making  it  10''. 92,  -when  the  ratio  's  i°.o5. 

F.'BiFort  SnelUng  to  Fort  Churchill  14°  00'  of  latitude  — difference  of 
.Lilieat  V,P  .'Si) — ratio  1°  .40.  As  the  difference  of  elevation  in  favor  of 
'..'.'iiiL'  is  Seven  hundred  and  eighty  feet  =  2°  must  bo  added  to  the 
^;.:  !ieo  fit'  teinperature  =  21°  .>'b  —  giving  a  ratio  of  1°  .54. 

From  Fort  Churchill  to  "Winter  Lsland,  tlie  range  is  through  7°  00'  of 
.■;"iJe;  t!ic  ditferoncc  of  mean  heat,  10'"  .11;  the  ratio  (both  at  the  level 
:::.e  m)  2=  .07. 

IjlMiilik  lies  10°  18'  north  of  Fort  Churchill,  and  has  a  mean  temperature 
.^.'I'los.^,  with  a  consequent  ratio  of  2°.20.     Ijoth  at  tlie  level  of  the  sea. 

Fruni  Fort  Churchill  to  A'ictoria,  or  Felix  Harbor,  10°  5b'  of  latitude; 
.1  .^4 oi'differcnce  in  temperature:  ratio  1°  .Oli. 

F;mii  Naiii,  N.  Lat.  57°  <i>^',  to  Winter  Lsland,  distance  9°  Go'  of  latitude— 
.iri'uco  of  temperature.  20°  .10;  ratio  2°  .2:]. 

Hii  to  Victoria,  or  Felix  Harbor,  12°  52'  of  latitude — difference  of  mean 
•="22-..52— ratiol°  .75. 

^ViiitiT  Island  to  Igloolik  3°  09'  of  latitude— difference  of  mean  heat 
i-  '''-ratio  P  .14. 

^I'lville  Island  lies  4°  47'  north  of  Felix  Harbor — difference  of  tempera- 
■■•••  ^' .^o-ratio  1°  .01, 

'^':terl.-i!and  to  Port  Bowen,  difference  of  latitude  7°  03' — of  mean  heat 
•  4;-ratio(jo  .35. 

Wis  Harbor  to  Port  Bowen  3°  14'— difference  of  temperature  V  .2i;— 

':'■'  lik  to  Port  Bowen,  distance  3°  54' — difference  of  tcmporaturc  in 
•■• 'jf  the  latter,  though  further  north,  1°  .12;  ratio  of  lacrca':  of 
'■!ii:oralure  0"^  .30. 


it 


I 


■..•■i'l 


>••-.. 


■■W^^^'Vm- 


|i(||^|i-' K,l  v.,<- '"  ; 


Wi-- 


I    ■ 


•liV  . 


I-  ■  I . 


4G-4 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


IBI'jK  ,. 


V.  Laav  of  dix're.vsk  of  3Ikan  Tkmi'kuatuuk,  FiioM  .  Ai.uTciiK— r, 
cxainiiiiin.'  tlio  I'loviitioiis  given  in  tlio  [jrcccdiiig  tal)le,  wo  du  not  findsuS 
cient  (lata  for  doti'Viniiiiiig  the  ratio  at.  wlii;di  the  tl'  ouiftur  lull- 
ascend  IVoni  the  lovel  (d"  the  sea.  Of  the  eighty-two  stutiuii:<  mai'  -  \ 
at  or  near  tliat  level,  and  but  six  rise  above  a  thousand  feet.  Tlie  <rieat 
number  are  below  live  liundred.  Let  us  seleet  such  places,  lyiiii' iieariv  in 
the  same  latitude,  as  admit  of  being  eunipared. 

A'era  Cruz,  at  the  level  of  the  sea,  in  N.   Lat.   10'^   12',  luii  a  niiai 
temperature  of  77^.     Xalapa,  situated  20'  further  ninth,  miflit  to  liare  a 
temperature  of  7<-»'^  .73 ;  but  observation  has  made  it  r»7^  .04,  or  [)-  .Iji;  le*- 1 
than  wliat  its  latitude  demands.     Now  the  elevation  of  Xalajia  over  Vtral 
Cruz,  is  foiir  thousand  three  hundred  and  thirty  feet,  and  to  this  tkvation 
wo  may  ascribe  the  ditferenee.     J5y  dividing  the  difi'erence  of  altitudu  uv  tlio  < 
difTeronce  of  temperature,  wo  obtain  four  liundred  and  si.xly-scvcii  fctt  asi 
the  ratio  for  1^  of  temperature.     Again,  tlie  difference  of  meuu  tomnuratKrej 
between  Vera  Cm;:  and  the  City  of  .Mexieo,  their  latitudes  being  nrarlvt'Lel 
same,  isl.")'^  .1'-*,  wlule  the  latter  is  elevated  .seven  thotisaiid  four  ImndiiMi  ui, 
fifty-one  feet  over  the   former;    Avhich  gives  four  hundred  and  niuotj-tlinej 
feet,  for  1"^  of  reduced  annual  heat. 

Fort  Armstrong  and  Council  Bluffs,  in  moan  latitude  4F  oC,  Lut  distant  I 
from  eaoli  other  more  than  5'^  of  longitude,  present  the  anomaly  of  a  meaa 
temperature  nearly  half  a  degree  {A'-V)  higher  at  tlie  IJluffs,  wliioli  liaveaaj 
altitude  five  liundred  and  forty-seven  feet  greater  than  Fort  Arnistren''. 

Marietta,  and  Fort  Leavenworth,  in  mean  latitude  39°  '1\'.  but  ]:]"  (ifl 
longitude  apart,  differ  in  their  elevatimi  tlu'ee  hundred  feet :  hut  i:i  t!icj| 
mean  temperature  vary  less  than  half  a  degree  (.47;. 

The  region  on  the  S(nitli  side  of  Lake  Ontario,  furnishes  several  data.  :a| 
■which  greater  reliance  may  be  placed. 

Cayuga  and  Springville  are  13' of  latitude  apart,  and  wlion  ;tllAvaiice: 
made  for  this,  the  difference  in  their  mean  temperature  is  4-  .-0;  I'littkirl 
difference  in  altitude,  is  sis  hundred  and  seventeen  feet,  wbieli,  JividtJ  IjJ 
the  difference  of  temperature,  gives  one  hundred  and  forty-seven  fui't  a? ttel 
ratio  for  1°  of  temperature. 

Onondaga  and  Pompey,  in  the  same  latitude,  differ  in  nioau  tomiioiatiirM 
4°  .27 — in  altitude  eight  hundred  and  fifty  feet ;  which  gives  a  ratio  of  tToj 
hundred  feet. 

Fredonia  and  Cayuga,  in  the  same  latitude,  vary  4°  in  teinpcraturo,  aai 
three  hundred  and  fifty-sis  feet  in  elevation,  which  gives  a  ratio  of  liitjj 
nine  feet. 

Hudson  and  Fredonia,  when  the  effect  of  difference  of  latitude  is  c  H 
rected,  vary  in  mean  temperature  3°  .50,  and  differ  in  altitude  four  ImiiJrt^ 
and  twenty-three  feet,  which  gives  a  ratio  of  one  hundred  and  twentv-ii 
feet. 

Lowville  and  Lcwiston,  allowance  being  made  for  differencp  of  latiaiJ' 
vary   in   mean    temperature    3°   .24,   and    in    elevation  five   liundrou  'ii\ 
twenty-eight  feet,  which  affords  a  ratio  of  one  hundred  and  si.xty  tect. 


mX:-' 


niLslics  SL'VOval  data,  ;5| 


FiSr  !!'J 


INTERIOR  VAI-LEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


405 


"  .l|^.stor  and  Ponipe}'.  wlion  CDrrectioii  is  niado  for  tin;  ditTLTciu'o  nf 
•r'v.(|e  vary  in  mean  temperature  0°  .!^^  ;  tlio  dit^oroiioo  in  their  elevation 
i  iiT'^M  hundred  and  ninety-four  feet,  from  which  results  a  ratio  <if  two 
■■;;.ir,.,l;ii!d  five  feet. 

J^'ii  is  a  mi>re  rapid  reduetion  than  Humboldt  has  assisncd.  In  tlie  tem- 
viteziino,  iiccordinj.'  to  that  celebrated  jihilosojdier,'''  throu^di  an  tlcvatiun 
i liitei' tlituisand  feet,  the  mean  heat  decreases  1°  of  Fh.  for  every  two 
rjuilred  ami  fifty-thr(!0  feet  of  ascent.  Tt  is  well  known,  however,  that  in 
•V"  liaviiii' the  same  latitude,  tin;  ratio  of  decrease  varies  in  a  remark- 
f .  riiMiinr.  from  the  influence  of  local  causes,  and  the  course  of  the  winds, 
1 ',|;:it  iin  nnifurm  expression  nf  the  amount  can  be  fixed;  t  of  which  wc 
•  ,v  jufficient  evidence  in  the  few  observations  embraced  in  this  article. 
j '•';;  while  on  the  south  side  of  Lake  Krio  aiul  Lake  Ontario,  we  have  the 
•«:;'.tiu«t  "iveii.  wc  find  in  the  Valley  of  i\n)  Mississippi  results  of  a  very 
iferiTit  kiml.  In  all  the  observations  which  have  been  quoted,  much 
I  L'.ianci.'.  liowever,  should  doubtless  bo  nuide  for  the  inaccuracy  of  ther- 
iiftcrs,  and  the  inexactness  of  ordinary  observers.  Js'evertheless,  after 
r-LHl'iiio  this,  we  must  admit,  that  the  gradual  ascent,  fV(im  the  beds  of 
;::n;ii,j  imJ  Mississijjpi  to  Fort  Leavenworth  and  the  Council  Ulufl's,  and 
:;ii  umlles.?  plains  which  surround  those  posts,  probably  exerts  an  influence 
:  r.t'Tai/ting  the  effect  of  elevation. 

!,.tk'aliscncc  of  data  for  a  rigid  determination  of  the  influence  of  alti- 

"i:.  in  tlio  retluction  of  tlio  mean  heat  of  our  climates,  I  shall  assume  two 

:-.!:lro(l  fuel  for  one  degree,  in  those   portions  where  the  elevations  are 

;;:,!•;  ami  four  hundred  feet  for  the  great   inclined  plain,  between  the 

Ifeippi  and  the  llocky  Mountains,  up  which  the  ascent  is  so  gradual, 

|'.:i:!':ejurfacc  appears  to  the  eye  to  be  horiznntal.     These  ratios  can  by 

.'jans  be  regarded  as  anything  more  than  loose  approximation.?;   but 

jiKwill  not  be  without  their  utility,  when  we  desire  to  estimate  the  mean 

Ittittnture  of  a  place  where  thermometrical  observations  have  not  been 

iv  applying  to  it  the  results  of  observation  at  a  neighborin;^  place  in 

1- latitude,  but  having  a  ililferent  elevation.     Thus,  for  examjtle,  we 

if  mean  ainiual  heat  of  Fredonia,  on  the   southern  shore  of  Lake 

lEi,  in  latitude  4-1°  20',  to  be  48°  .85,  the  altitude  of  the  place  of  observa- 

It'i.inL'  seven    hundred    and    eight    feet;    but    we    do    not   know    the 

lipMuro  of  the  neighboring  region  around  Chautauque  Lake,  tlie  eleva- 

livliiil:  is  about  one  thousand  five  hundred  feet.     But  if  we  divide  the 

fenco.  eight  hundred    feet,  by   two    hundred    feet,   the    (luotient,   4'^, 

^■•.raoteil  from  48°  .85,  gives  us  44°  .85  as  the  mean  temperature  of  the 

|i;ttrtalile. 

aia. as  the  moan  temperature  of  ]\Iaiietta,  in  latitude  39°  25',  at  the 
►■"itN  i.f  six  hundred  feet  above  the  sea,  is  52°  .81,  if  the  average  hight 


'^•la.Riicycloi).  of  Geography:  Vol.  I,  Art,  Meteorology. 
'«inptz's  Course  of  Meteorology. 


; 


,r 


!i 


•'.   .-.    'i:.;     'V.I 


I:  '  v/  V. 


5'  .  f.  ■■■ 


■  ',     .   ■       ■    .  "; 

;■  ■! 

'  ■ "  ',' 

|u::-r:.::. 


400 


THE  PRINXIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


tBOoj 


(if  tlio  Appalaeliiiin  chain,  in  tlie  same  latitude,  be  taken  at  two  ilious  i\ 
feet,  the  (lifrcreiice,  one  tliousand  four  liundred  feet,  corresponds  to  "-  vr] ',' 
subtracted  from  [)'1°  .>^1,  gives  450  .81  as  tlie  mean  annual  beat  ot'ti  .,- 
niduntaiii  tops. 

^\''hcn  wo  turn  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  in  latitude  39°  22',  at  an  elevati 
of  nine  hundred  and  twelve  feet,  we  find  the  moan  tonipcrature  oil-  :\i 
An  inclined  plain  stretches  eastwardly  from  the  liocky  Mnuntains.  Ift'o 
ascent  on  this  plain  for  live  tJKjusand  feet  give  a  reduction  of  Y-  cf  ii„,n 
teniperaturo  for  every  f(nir  hundred  feet  of  elevation,  the  result  is  h  ,m- 
if  for  tlie  next  five  thousand  feet  of  mountain  elevation,  two  liuiulri4  it-t 
give  one  degree,  the  result  is  25°,  equal  to  o7°  .50,  wliich,  subtradi'il  f^  ^ 
52°  .:>4,  indicates  1-1°  .84  as  tlio  mean  annual  heat  of  tlioso  summits. 

VI.  C.\LOULATKi»  Mkan  Tkmi'kuatuues.  —  Froui  the  forogi.iiiL' data  ll 
have  constructed  the  following  theoretical  table  of  mean  toiiiijoratun-.  la  I 
making  the  calculation,  three  decrements  of  temperature,  each  the  mean  tiiil 
of  several  ascertained  ratios  of  diminution  of  heat  from  increase  of  latituJ'' [ 
have  been  employed.  First:  For  the  portion  which  lies  between  the  iM-i-i 
torial  belt,  N.  Lat.  10°,  and  tlie  tropic,  Lat.  23°  30',  the  decremcut  is  n'  ..;3| 
(thirty-three  hundredths  of  a  degree)  of  mean  temperature,  for  one  ik.n  fj 
latitude,  and  0°  .0055  for  a  minute.  Second:  From  the  Tropic  of  C;i!i(.r:}| 
the  thirtieth  parallel,  which  cuts  the  northern  margin  of  the  Gulf  ot'M'.sii 
and  passes  over  the  northern  suburb  of  the  city  of  Xew  Ork^aii-.  '':»| 
decrement  for  a  degree  of  latitude  is  1°  .10  of  mean  temperature  (oiiu  d : 
sixteen  hundredths),  and  0°,  0193  for  every  minute;  the  stations  being,; 
the  last,  at  the  level  of  the  sea.  Third:  From  the  thirtieth  to  the  tlnvj 
eightli  parallel,  the  decrement  is  1°  .055  mean  temperature  (onu  d. 
six  liundred  and  fifty-five  thousandths)  for  every  degree  of  latitmli.  ;i!i| 
0°  .0270  for  every  minute;  the  assumed  elevation  being  six  humlreii  i'^ 
above  the  level  of  the  sea  —  that  which  supports  the  densest  stratum  it 
population.  Fourth:  For  tlic  few  places  which  lie  far  in  the  nurti; 
separate  table  has  been  found  necessary. 


M,---y^ 


:\- 


T^rn 


'ilT  ll-j 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


467 


■.  (1 


Table  oi'  Calculated  Mean  Annual  Tkmpeuaxures. 


Ratios. 


uctiiiu  of  1-  I'f  m:a 
]ic  rosvilt  is  Vl  ..'I'l; 
ion,  two  lmnilvv4;Vit 
■liicli,  subtr;ii:t'."l  tv  ;u 
those  sumniits. 
the   forogoiui.'  <luu  I 
can  toiupcraturt-.   lajj 
re.  oucli  the  moan  ttrn 
ni  increase  of  latituJ 
lies  between  tlie  f:fM 
;lio  dooreuicut  i« " 
atuve,  for  one  ik.Ti  ■  ll 
the  Tropic  of  Cancer  -J 
of  the  GulfofMi'XH 
•  of  New  Orleans,  t'jij 
.cmperature  (oiio  (h;is« 
the  stations  heiiig,  iikl 
)  thirtieth  to  tlie  Knyj 
.nipcrature  (one  dciel 
(le<rveo  of  hititiulv.  as^ 
beinir  six  hundrod 
I  densest  stratum  ('f 
,ic  far  ill  the  nyrta 


/.  -  - 

S  "  •- 

t  ".J 


0  o 


•/.     1 


0        V 

Cfl  .^   3 

^—  ca 


N.  L. 


10° 
11 

l-l 
13 
'U 

|15 


15 

l(j 

10 

17 

17 

18 

18 

19 

19 

•10 

•10 

•li 

•11 
■).) 

mdmt 
'I'l 

h 

|24 


•15 
•20 
•20 
•27 

27 
28 
28 
29 
29 
30 


00' 

00 

00 

00 

00 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 

30 

00 


M.  T. 


820 

SI 
SI 

81 

sO 

80 
SO 

so 

79 
79 
79 
79 
79 
79 
78 
78 
78 
78 
78 
78 
77 
77 
77 
77 
70 
75 
75 
74 
74 
73 
73 
72 
71 
71 
70 
70 


.121 

.79' 

.401 

.13; 

.80 

.47, 

.311 

.14 

.97, 

.81 

.04 

.48 

.31 

.15! 

.981 

.82 

.051 

.491 

.32! 

.10; 

.99' 

.83' 

.06: 
.08 
.50 
.92 
.34 
.70 
.18 
.60 
.02 
.44 
.86 
.28 
.70 
.12 


o 

M 
S5 

a 

P 

w 

O 

H 
O 

H 

H 


a 
o 


lOS. 

N 

L. 

M. 

T. 

30° 

30 

09° 

.29 

31 

00 

08 

.40 

31 

30 

67 

.03 

^ 

32 

00 

(iO 

.80 

^ 

32 

30 

<15 

.97 

33 

00 

05 

.14 

a 

33 

30 

04 

.31 

a 

34 

00 

(i3 

.48 

^H 

34 

30 

t>2 

.05 

o 

35 

00 

01 

.^2 

35 

30 

00 

.99 

1 

30 

00 

00 

.10 

1 

31) 

30 

59 

.33 

in 

37 

00 

5S 

.50 

o 

37 

30 

57 

.67 

<u 

38 

00 

.50 

.s4 

s 

38 

30 

50 

.01 

.-3 

3!) 

00 

55 

.18 

•"• 

39 

30 

54 

.35 

40 

00 

53 

.52 

40 

:iO 

52 

.09 

a 

41 

00 

51 

.80 

1 

41 

30 

51 

.03 

s 

42 

00 

50 

.20 

1-4 

42 

30 

49 

.371 

9 

43 

00 

48 

.54 

E 

11 

43 

30 

47 

.71 

44 

00 

40 

.88 

o 

44 

30 

40 

.05 

(A 

45 

00 

45 

•J  2 

45 

30 

44 

!.39 

40 

00 

43 

..56 

o 
o 

40 

30 

42 

.73 

"S 

47 

00 

41 

.90 

^ 

47 

30 

41 

.07 

48 

00 

40 

.241 

ni,  Ratios  of  decrease  of  Temperature  arove  toe  Forty-eiohtii 
mil  OF  Latitude.  —  The  places,  lying  far  in  the  north,  at  which 
F-i^rrations  have  been  made,  may  bo  thrown  into  two  groups,  as  they  lie 
f'tSc  east  or  west  of  the  one  hundredth  meridian.  They  are  embraced  in 
!  ■lowing  table,  wliich  shows  for  each  station  the  rate  of  decrease  of 
pperature  from  the  forty-eighth  parallel,  according  to  observation : 


4'" 


4(.P 


TIfR  PFUNCirAI,  niSHASE.'*  OF  THE 


J  BOOK 


Ratios   ok   DKcnKAfE   ok    Mkan    Tkmi'kuatii;!,    num  'iiik    KonTv-ri,  • ,.. 

DKOrKE   OF   N.   LaT.    to   Till:    UTMOST    LIMIT   Of   011iEUVATI0\ 


Coiitinciitnl  Stiitii-ns  West  of  tlio  ono  liun- r<ittoral  tiiui  Iiisnl^ir  ^'tatioIl^,  lyiiie   ■•• 

drudtli  iiteriili.iii,  I'l  tlio  dirpctioii  of  llio  ,  tlio  exception  of  Mclvillt;  islmi,] )  ^  ,, 'i- 

Rocky  l\loiintQiiiH.  I  the  c  le  liiuidredtli  ijicridiaii/   '' 

To  Cumhorlaiid  House,    .  .  .  P  .:57  To  Fort  ClmnliiH ]    ,, 


Fuvt  ('lii))('\vyaii, 1 

lii'liaiicc,    .... 
Si 


.0: 
Simitsoii, 0     .ill) 


,   M 

Enterprise, 

[''rauklin,   . 


.00 
..'{4 


Mean  Ratio, 


1    .25 


"Winter  Ishuitl.  .  . 

TuliKilik 

Felix  Harbor,    .  .  , 
Fort  ]>(i\vc'n,  .  .  . 
Melville  Lland,    .  . 

3Ieaii  Ratio, 


1  .." 
1    •<: 


It  appears  from  tlieso  results,  tliat  tlic  increase  of  coIJ  in  cninif  iMt'i 
from  the  forty-eighth  parallel,  over  Hudson  Ray,  to  the  Polar  .*»ea,  ij  ;.nl 
greater  ratio,  Ly  thirty  hundredths,  th.an  in  going  nortli,  from  tlie  mil 
latitude,  in  a  line  nearly  parallel,  and  much  neart-T,  to  the  Rocky  .Mountsir.3.j 
The  course  of  the  latter  series  of  stations,  varies  many  degrees  wc>t  :r  a! 
north,   and  comes  out  to   the  Folar  Sea,  n<  t  very  far  east  of  Eiliri::'}! 
Straits;  that  of  the  former  follows  the  magnetic  meridians,  and  terniiii.iti- ml 
the  pole,  or  maximum  of  cold,  between  the  head  of  Raifm  Ray  and  .Mdvi 
Island,  about  oO°  of  longitude  further  east.     Thus,  with  the  excopti;! 
the  summits  of  tlie  northern  extremity  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  tlio  nl' 
part  of  the  continent  of  Nortli  America  is  that  which  hcs  hotwoeullu: 
Bay  and  Lancaster  Sound.     Within  these  limits  is  spread  out  that dc'Iatd 
region  aptly  called  the  "  Barren  Ground;  "  while  the  ices  of  the  soumlsaal 
stra.ts  beyoiul,  have  baffled  the  skill  and  enterprise  of  every  navigator.  Til 
northern  limit  of  the  temperate  zone,  in  this  region,  has  a  moan  annual  hm 
of  b'^ ;  its  southern  limit,  on  the  coasts  of  the  Gulf  of  ^luxic",  enjuys  a  i.'a| 
of  77*^;  thus,  in  traversing  the  zone,  through  43^  of  latitude,  tlie  a::;. 
mean  temperature  sinks  7-°,  or  1°  .07  reduction  of  annual  heat  tir  c 
degree  of  latitude.     But  if  we  traverse  the  zone,  in  a  direction  para!!'.!  i\ 
the  Rocky  3Iountains,  that  is,  on  the  great  Mi.ssouri  plain,  and  pas>  F:i 
Franklin,  in  tlic  valley  of  oMackenzie  River,  the  lowering  of  the  annual :: 
is  only  01°,  giving  a  ratio  of  1°  A'2  as  the  reduction  of  temperature  k  i.- 
degree  of  latitude. 

YIII.  Further  usk  of  tiik  forkgoixg  Tajilks. — Although  tlic--e  tai, 
present  only  approximations  to  the  truth,  they  will  not  he  found  usdi.-' 
those  who  live  in  places  where  no  thermometrical  ohservations  have  H 
made.  Should  the  reader  wish  by  their  aid  to  determine  (approsimsiuj 
the  mean  temperature  of  any  particular  spot,  he  must  know  its  latitudf.  a^i 
if  it  be  beyond  the  forty-eighth  parallel,  its  longitude,  and  in  all  ''i- 


•jr  n.. 


INTERIOR  VALLF.Y  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


4GU 


r-uble  elevatimi  alnive  the  Icvt'l  of  the  soii ;  wlicii,  by  ii  n'suri  to  the 
,•;  J  of  the  tabic,  lie  tan  rciulily  niako  the  cahiulutioii.  In  the  first  soctidii 
T'i,in  the  tropicj*)  ono  iiiiii\it(.'  dt'  hititiulc  cliiiiiiii,shes  the  ti'iiiiu'raturo 
■J  (tiftv-fivi;  ten  thuu-iandths  <it'  a  (h'L'vro),  whieli  liciii^'  iiuilti|ilii'il 
- U' imiii'iei'  nt'  iiiiimti's  which  his  stutiini  lies  above  any  given  latitmle  of 
".■  uMi',  will  siliov/ him  what  (IcMliietiini  tn  make  fnan  the  teniiierature  of 
•■■•  litituik'.  F"i'  exaniplc,  the  teni])eratiire  of  the  twciitietii  |)arallol,  is 
■•  .^'l:  if  it  III'  re([iiired  tu  know  the  teni|icruturc  of  N.  Lat.  -U°  l")'.  tlie 
.; ,  t'nr  rmi' miiuite,  .'Hl.'),j.  must  Ix;  multiplital  by  4")',  whirli  gives  .-."i, 
r;ii  I'liiiir  subtracted  from  1>°  .^'2,  leaves  ~>^'^  ,57  as  the  amount  sought. 

[i  tlie  second  soctiitn  of  the   table,  the   ratio  of  1°  .10  for  a  degree  of 

:;;iil ■■  sivos  0°  .010:)  ('nuo  hundred  and  ninety-tiirco  ten  tlnmsandths  of 

; ].-.Ti'e )  for  every  minute:  which  must  l)e,  as  in  the  other  cane,  nudtiidied 

;■,;:;'.' muiibrr  of  minute-;  of  any  particular  station  above  a  given  iiarallol. 

liiinepriiiJuct  subtracted  from  the  temperature  of  that  parallel. 

ntiic  tliinl  section  of  the  tabic,  a  degree  of  latituile  reduces  the  mean 

.r.t^'io,  which  is.  fir  each  udnute,  "o  .(l27G  (two  Imndi'ed  and  scventy- 
■.iMillioiisiiudtlis).  to  be  nudti|ilied,  as  in  the  other  eases,  by  the  unndicr 

:  j.ti's  tViiiii  the  ncarc.-t  parallel  bch)W,  and  the  amount  subtracted  from 

'it  iif  that  parallel. 

Bi;iii!ill  c;iscs  allowani'"  must  be  made  for  the  di'Vcrenee  of  ;ltitude. 
[!.;ieflrst  two  sections  of  the  talde,  the  ratios  refer  to  the  level  of  the  sea  ; 

•'  iliinl.  til  an  average  elevation  of  six  hundred  feet.     Let  us  take  an 

l:ii|i1i',    Puinpoy,  in  X.  Lat.  4l!"  T))!',  has,  i'rom  oiiservation,  a  mean  tem- 

•rifire  of  42°  .S4.  whirh  is  (;°  .0:5  less  than  that  from  calculation;  but 
■-- iltitmle  of  I'liinpcy.  one  tliousand  three  huiulred  feet,  or  seven  hundred 

•  ;linve  the  average,  reduces  its  tcm[)erature  o°  .50,  and  this  being 
.:  1 'I  tlie  temperature  from  observation,  rakses  it  40°  .84. 

IX,  Amosriii:!!!*'  Axn  Ti:i;iti;s'n:iAf,  >Ii:an  Ti;.mi'i:i!Atukes  Comi'akko.-  - 
I ''"-ivor  may  he  the  reality  of  internal,  terrestrial  fires,  we  cainiot  doubt, 
!".c relative  tcimiorature  of  the  crust  of  tlie  earth,  in  different  latitudes, 
Id- than  tl'.at  of  the  atninsphcro.  is  largidy  attributable  to  the  sun.  It 
.'•■  moiI  known,  that  the  influence  of  that  luminary,  in  the  torrid  and 
j'..i';rate  zoiio-i.  extends  to  the  di.>[)th  of  eighty  or  one  hundred  feet. 
ji::di  that  depth.,  the  summer  and  winter  temporatun:  vary  from  eacli 
'■  The  maximum  of  this  variation  is  found  at  the  surface;    its  niini- 

"  I:  a;  the  depth  just    mentioned,   where  lies  the    plane  of    invariable 

:•■  Tom  this  [ilaue,  the  tem[)erature  iiiereases,  at  the  ratiij  of  one  degree 
I :  Filironheit  for  about  every  forty  feet  of  descent.  Tt  is  only,  however,  in 
|-;3iiMie  latitudes,  that  the  mean  temperatures  of  t  o  air  and  earth  coin- 
In  the  south,  that  of  the  former  is  greater — in  the  north,  that  of  the 
l-'-f  Hi'iice  tlie  curves  of  terrestrial  and  atmospheric  uiean  tempera- 
I'-:-  Kiissate  ill  the  temperate  zone,  at  an  exceedingly  acute  angle.  It 
I' -^5  !rom  these  facts,  that  to  determine  the  atmospheric  mean  heat,  by 
pvftiie  crust  of  the  earth,  we  must,  in  the  southern  latitudes,  add  to 
|-  Sitttr— in  the  northern,  subtract  from  ic ;    but  a  suifieient  number  of 


» 


i\'t 


1- 

It  ■■ 


■  } 


M;:^M 

■'■■i'-'. . 

' ' 

'in 

H 

.' 

,''.'■■•  ^ 

* 

>'6'    id          •     '  ■ 

.       • 

:!■•:•■  •• 

•» 

•    . 

■?"i 


IV-; 


i 

.J    ;  .;, 

'^;f 

Ill 


w 


47(1 


TlIK  l'l!IN<I|'A!,  niSllAf^KS  (iF  TIIK 


.VMl 


obserViitionN  liavo  nut  yet  boon  inuJo,  tlirou<.'li  tlio    Interior  \n\h\-  to  1 ;; 
cato  with  iiroci.siuii  tho  rutins  of  tlitlLTeiico.     I   will    pioctril  t .  ,tatc  f  • 
tow  wliicli  liavo  liocMi  luado  l»y  niysi'lt',  nr  |nil)lisli(tl  li^  •^tln-Ts,  licciiiiun  ; 

the  HUlltll. 

1.  Near  Mobile  IJay,  ill  iinrth  latitude  •!•'  1- .  1  fuuiid  tin' tunpr  . 
turi'  of  the  Thuiidcriiip;  Spring*,  and  tliut  of  inidtlier  iilnidst  uh  cuiiiuu.  t  I 
respet'tively,  ••!•  mid  (i^<  — giviii;.'  tho  iiieiui,  <i,s  .5,  to  uliidi  Jmlt'  a  .],  t,. 
uiu.st  he  iidded  tn  make  it  o([UaI  to  tho  year,  (>!•'.  Now  IVfim  t],!.,,.  y, „ 
<d),s(Tvatin)i;5,  Doctor  N(jrth  /int  TO*^.-),  as  th(!  moan  iinnu;il  licut  ut'M.Jii,. 
Thus,  the  tcni])i'raturo  of  the  air  at  that  jihico,  uo;ir  the  tliiity-lir>t  ruralvl 
is  1°.!{  higher  than  that  of  tlie  earth. 

•J.  A  must  cdiiidus  |ioroinii;il  sjirinir.  at  Tusonnd)ia.  Alahama,'  La!  a  I 
temperature  of  (i(l'^  in  tln'  hitter  part  of  the  ninntli  of  .huif.  Asatri;,t- 
periiid  of  the  y<'ar,  the  mean  heat  of  such  a  sprin;j;  i,s  tlic  saniu  a«  I'.rt  ei 
year,  no  correction  is  recpiired.  1  do  not  know  the  nieiiii  tcniiKratiirt  fj 
tho  air  at  Tnscund)ia;  hut  tliat  of  Iluntsvillc.  a  slmrt  distaiiuo  tn  thii,.-, 
in  north  latitmle  IJ-J"  diV,  according  to  nhservatiitns,  throii,!,'li  tliiitim  vir; 
by  the  Uev.  Mr.  Allan,  is  ri'J^^.T.'I,  or  loss  than  one-third  of  a  iloirre';' l»;;»i 
the  heat  of  the  s[)ring  —  suggesting  ei[uality,  at  the  tlurty-tit'tli  paraili.l  fl 
latitude. 

•>.  At  llndsun,  south  of  Lake  Erie,  in  the  State  of  Ojiin,  ju  nonli  ijti-i 
tude  -11^  lo',  I'rofessor  Loomisi:  made  three  years'  ohservatinns  nn  tih'Um.; 
perature  of  two  wells,  one  a  little  below,  and  tho  nthor  a.s  far  abinu,  li"rj 
feet  in  depth.  For  a  part  uf  tlie  time,  they  were  made  nearly  everviiLvr! 
month — for  tho  remainder,  in  the  months  which  lie  funiid  tn  prc'St'iit  t::« 
extremes.  1  have  condensed  the  moans  of  the  uliolu,  into  tliu  fuIlMviijI 
table. 


I 


MONTHS. 


JanUA1!Y.  . 

Fki!i;uai;v, 

IjNrAKCH,  .... 

June 


AuorsT, 

Si;i'Ti;.\n!i:i{, 


:N 


OVKMliKJ!,.. 


MEAN   TEMP. 


O 

4s.2r) 

4S.4T 
4!t.l2 
40.30 
50.07 

r)0  07 

49.5(1 


AIIOVE. 


BELOW. 


RESULTS  AND  CO.MPARlSnv^. 


0.05 

0.S2 
0.82 
0.25 


1.00 

(».7^ 
0.13 


Range  from  Jan. )  ,  ^,, 
to  August, ) 

Mean  lieatnfwclls.lli'J'' 
iMcau  heat  of  air.  47.1' 

Excess  of  oartlr.s  (  j  ^■ 
teaiiicraturc.  1 


It  npjiears  from  this  table,  that  in  advancing  north  fruni  C4'^  45',  t"  i^i^ 
tude  41°  15',  tho  heat  of  the  earth  rises  over  tliat  of  the  air  1'  .'•' 
nearly  (.3)  three  tenths  of  a  degree  for  one  nf  hititiule. 

4.     Cidd  Spring,   at    Castalia,    near   Sandu.sky   City,  witliiii  :i  ffi''  --J 
iites  of  the  latitude  of  Hudson,  but  at  a  level   five  hundred  feet  l"«rr. 


»  P.  5G. 


+  P.  223. 


i  Sillinian's  Journal,  Vol. 


:  „.  niniitll  I 
ill.' ,'<:',  accnrc 
it"rhg  to  t 

,,tot' thoca 
I  ;"i  more  tli; 
fyvnce  of  a 
:ll'iil,'iiii;  a  I 
r.iuDiofif  wall 
•jMn  ti'ii)[H'ral 

...    .VtHiR.j 

'..'rvations  vn 
-eti'iiiperatur 
;ii!o,  niiero  tli 
''■nations  cu 


il'.VTHf. 

Ml 

j.i.Nr.iRr,.. 

1 
1 

:      i 

1 

tlBEUBV.. 

kcii, 

.. 

ArKiL 

4 

'hv 

■IrxE 

Jrtv 

.\r.;rsT 

'EITKMDEU, 

I 

'  /'IIEK 

6 

.^'IMMEn... 

4 

'£'.:.MI1EK,,. 

4 

At  tills  place, 
■•S'  :it  Hudson, 
•■•■'■ease  of  the 
•  'It'ira  dcgrc 
"•:■■  lluntsvillu, 
'''iiii  the  ratio 
'•'*.4S,  orlu 
'■'■  At  Roche 
>i'Wtained  tho  t 
'•*5"',theobser 
-i;:  (leJuct  '2'^,  { 
['Miure,  leaving 
piime  heat  of  Kc 

'  'ifgeiit'g  R 


Ifli  I 


i.ir  ii-: 


INTERIOR  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMKIIICA. 


ITt 


.,,.ni"iith  lit'  August,  a  teiniicraturo  cf  •^2.'^.     Correcting'  it.  \>y  >ul>tratt- 

,  vj  arti'rdiii}.'  tn  the  iibovo  tublc,  its  animal  iioat  is  i'jp.JS,  IVum  wliidi. 

•  inlinL' to  the  same  table,  r\^.')  inu.'jt  In-  cleduetod   lor  the  excons  of  the 

[nf  the  tartli,  loaviiig,  fur  tlie  mean  temperature  of  the  air,  4il' .:)■'{,  or 

.iiuiretlum  tliat  of  Hudson;    but  when  wo  di'duet  from  it,  '!'■',  for  tlie 

"'•ri lice  of  altitude,  we   have  47'^ .'!•>,  a  number  nearly   idmtieal  with  thai 

■lluilson;anJ  well-litted  to  sli'>w  that  a  |icriuanont  spring,  with  a  largo 

'uMO  fif  water,  may,  by  the  jiroper  eorroction.s,  bi;  made   to  iiK^ii-atc  the 

111  tiinpcrature  of  the  air. 

,1.  At'ineida  Cviiferenee  Aeademy,  New  York,  in  nortli  latituih;  l-'^Or*', 
'rwrrations  wore  made,  iu  each  month,  through  three  sueeessivc  years,  on 
nfteiiipiTature  of  a  well.  T  have  condeiiseil  the  whole  into  the  fidlowing 
aUe.  fflicrc  the  annual  temperature  is  e(tmpared  with  that  of  the  air,  froiu 
h'Tvations  I'lintinued  for  seventeen  years.* 


h 


Idle,  ii!ti>  thi.'  t'uiiMvii.^l 


TS    ANM)   I'OMl'AUIsi  '■-■ 


ABOVK     THE  IIKI.OW    TUE 
YEAR.  YEAR. 


UK.MAIIKS    ANn    <(iMrAUISON3. 


Temperature  of  April  obvi- 
ously too  high  —  that  uf 
3lareh,  too  low. 

Kaiige  from  Feb.  to  Se]).,  4'^.GO 
[.>Ieaii  temperature  of  well. -17". -Jo 
Mean  temjierature  of  air,  -l:{°.r)8 


Exee.S9  of  well  over  air. 


.CO 


A;  tliis  place,  we  find  the  mean  heat  of  th(<  earth  to  be  o°.8;),  or  "i"  more 
-i:.  :it  Ilmlson,  while  it  lies  only  1°  40'  further  north  :  showing  a  ratio  of 
/."•taseof  the  difference  between  terrestrial  and  atmospheric  mean  heat,  of 
-■1  fr a  degree  of  latitude.  When,  however,  wo  eompare  this  station 
~;::  liuntsville,  where  we  have  plaeed  our  zero,  8°  of  latitude  further  .south, 
"^liadtlie  ratio  of  inercase  of  terrestrial  over  atmospheric  mean  heat,  to 
':"iily.4>>,  or  less  than  half  a  degree,  for  every  degree  of  latitude. 

''•  At  Rochester,  north  latitude  43°  07',  the  Ileverond  3Ir.  Doweyt 
i^tained  the  temperature  of  an  artesian  well,  two  hundred  i'eet  deep,  to 
'•^'i",  the  observations  being  made  in  July  aiul  Deeeniber.  From  this,  wo 
SK  ileJuct  i'^,  for  the  increase  of  heat  below  the  plane  of  invariabh?  tem- 
[«ature,  leaving  48°  as  the  heat  above  that  place.  Now  the  mean  ;itmos- 
pfiric  lieat  of  Rochester,  from  two  long  series  of  observations,   is  4G°.4"J. 


^li-    * 


eut'g  Reports  University  of  N"iw  Yorlt. 


Ibid 


1        r     \ 


V. 


ri'-^ 


I  ■i- 


..  ;    •  .-1  •  . 

* .  ..4 


472 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOC-, 


whicli,  doductcd  from  48°,  gives  only  l°.f)%  for  the  excess  of  tlio  t^ir  • 
over  the  atiiiusjilu've.  which  is  oven   less  than  that  of   Onciila.    If  ^y,. 
vide  this  by  the   difference  in   hititude,  nearly  8°,  between  Iluntsvil!.- 
Rochester,  wo  have  (:2)  two-tenths  of  a  degree  for  the  ratio  of  iuorcaM 
divergence,  between  the  terrestrial  and  atmospheric  curves. 

7.  From  six  years'  observations,    the  mean  temperature  of  the  I*'' 
of   ]\Iaclvinac,  north   latitude  45°  51',  is  40°.     In  a  recess  of  the  cmm. 
escarpment  of  tlie  Island,  two  hundred  feet  below  its  summit,  a  >)mii:i'  • 
spring  bursts  out  from  the  limestone   strata,  the  temperature  of  uiii.' 
found,  at  tlto  end  of  July,  to  bo  44°,  which  may  be  received  as  its  a,- 
mean.     This  is  4°  above    tlio  atmospheric   mean,  and  2°.ll5  more  tluiii  • 
ditferenec  at   Hudson,  4°  0(1'   further  south.     These  numbers  (qvo  a '  r 
of  (.48)  forty-eight  hurdredths,  for  a  degree  of  latitude;  but  wIilmmv'  i 
vide  the  4°  by  the  difference  of  lat-'tude,  11°,  between  Huntsvillu  Ui.J  )[| 
inac,  \vc  obtain  the  ratio  (.-30)  thirty-six  hundredths. 

Tlie  mean  ol' all  the  ratios,   counting  from  Iluntsville.  as  zero,  is  .i: 
ono-tliird  of  a  degree.     Thus,  in  advancing  north  from  tlie  tliirty-tiftli  t.,  ■ 
forty-sixth  parallel,   every  three   degrees  of  latitude  add  one  dc;rnT  1 1  • 
range  (^  the  mean  heat  of  the  eartli  over  that  of  the  air;  and  as  three  iio:;rei- 
latitudo  sink  tlie  mean  temperature  five  degrees,  it  follows,  that  a  elianc"  • 
that  iimount  will  indicate  a  change  of  one  degree  in  the  relative  teiiiptrat :. 
of  tlie  earth  and  air. 

I  am  far  from  regarding  i.his  as  a  reliable  conclusion;  but  liope  tliatv.;.  • 
has  been  said,  may  incite  those  who  are  favorably  situated,  tu  more '-ar : 
and  accurate  observations  than  have  yet  been  made.     All  tlie  stations  wliicii, 
have  been  named,  except  one,  lie  within  a  i'ew  degrees  of  longitude  of  cae! 
other.     I  must  now  say  something  of  one,  lying  six  degrees  west  of  ;:■: 
most  western  of  those  stations. 

8.  Fort  Snelling,  situated  in  north  latitude  44°  53',  lias  a  moan  ton.- 
peraturc,  deduced  from  eighteen  years'  observations,  of  45'^.];').  Tlrt;- 
pcrature  of  a  spring,  in  Carver's  Cave,  a  few  miles  from  the  Fort.  \va>  t'i.;.l 
by  3Ir.  Schoolcraft,  on  the  'id  of  August,  to  be  47°.  On  the  Kith  of  Ji:! ; 
in  a  subsequent  year,  Major  Long  found  it  40°.*  The  months  were  .-11 
that  no  correction  is  necessary.  It'  we  take  the  mean  of  these  obscrvati :-, 
46°. 5.  as  the  heat  of  the  earth,  and  deduct  from  it  that  of  the  air,  tbi '!::• 
fcronco  is  only  1°.H5,  which  divided  by  the  number  of  degrees  of  latitiu 
between  the  Cave  and  Iluntsville,  gives  a  ratio  of  (.135)  one  hundrtJ;.:i  i 
thirty-five  thousandths. 

This  low  ratio  suggests  an  inciuiry  into  the  influence  of  local  oausis.  ';.' 
the  iiurth  of  Carver's  Cave,  is  the  table  land  between  the  sources  ut  vj: 
^lississijipi  and  Lake  Superior,  the  elevation  of  whicli  is  about  seven  liai.- 
dred  feet  above  the  Cave.  From  this  plateau  the  strata  dip  to  the  S'.!!:- 
and  it  seems  probable,  that  the  spring  consists  of  water  condueted  dnmu:  ;■  I 
that    higher  level    and  more  northern  latitude,    which  must  of  noee;.>;' 


*  Second  E.\pedition. 


'it  '■ . 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


47.-) 


.  .jvit;  temperature  IjcIuw  tliat  of  the  cartli,  whore  it  Imrsts  out.  That  u 
;,-■]'  iiisy  liavc  its  source  so  distant  from  the  place  where  it  is  inspected, 
,;•  :ve  a  different  temperature  from  that  of  the  spot,  cannnt  lio  doubted  ; 
■  it.i.imist  be  taken  into  account.     There  are  other  circumstances,  morc- 

..-.iviiiili  must  not  be  overhioked. 

1;  tile  spring  ur  well  be  near  tlie  surface,  and  the  quantity  (if  v>iiter  varia- 
■.;;•  i.iit  very  great,  mucli  nuire  frequent  observations  arc  ncci>s:iry,  than 

ir  npposito  circumstances.  If  the  well  should  be  broad  and  its  depth 
.- .!i.  tiio  sudtlcii  clianges  of  atmosplierie  lieat  will  perpetually  vary  that  of 

eiuiliice  of  the  water.  Again,  cold  rains,  and  the  melting  in  spring  of 
-it  snows,  may  bo  the  means  of  c(.M)ling  superticial  wells  and  springs.  If 
•.v-urees  of  error  should  be  disregarded,  inaccurate  results  will  nf  course 
;;  laiiiud. 

X.  Influknce  of  the  NoRTiiKiix  Lakks  on  i\Ii:AN  Ti;Aii'i:nATcnK. — 
"  Nnrtl'.orn  Lakes  of  the  St.  Lawrence  Basin,  do  odt  apjiear  to 
I  rt  ;i!iv  influence  on  the  mean  temperature  of  the  air.  H  we  compare 
Si.:  inintton,  Prairie  du  Chien,  Winnebago,  and  Fort  Snelling.  all  in  the  in- 
:,::  r.  with  Fredoiiia,  Rochester,  Fort  Gratiot,  3Iackinai-,  and  Fort  Brady, 
;;:..' rifflniig  the  Lakes,  and  make  due  allowance  for  differences  nf  latitude 
iLiw'uitiipii,  wo  find,  that  the  higher  mean  temperatures  sunietinn's  lielong 
;;iii!Klass  of  station.s,  and  sometimes,  to  tlie  other,  while  the  average  dif- 
::  .Liif  tlie  whole,  is  less  than  a  (quarter  of  a  degree. 

Xi.     V.iRIATION   IN    TUE    MeAN    AnNUAL    IIeAT    Ol'    THE     SAME   Pl-ACES    IN 

::i:i5L\i  Ye.vus. —  This,  for  a  considerable  number  of  places,  has  been 
'ireiecti'din  tlio  Geueral  Table  of  ^lean  Temperatures,  from  which  the  follow- 
ajidections  have  been  maae.  ThenuniuCi.i  of  the  lirst  colunni  belong  to 
r  able,  and  will  direct  the  attcatior.  of  the  reader  to  the  position  of  the 
Sin 'B<  embraced  in  this.  Here,  as  there,  they  are  arranged  IVem  south  to 
ifflk  Tu  fit  these  results  for  comparison  vitli  each  utlier,  the  ob.servations 
it fwy  station  should  have  been  continued  for  the  -anie  nnndn^r  ol'  3'cars. 
.*;;;is.  most  of  them  afford  but  a  distant  approximation  to  the  truth. 


4..  a: 


f 


:-^V 


■  -n 


Jl    ,/,    _.      '  i  .■■*   'if-'.  ^■■■'  .-   t    ;•^-   •  V 


-•:-1.-., 


S  '  '!' 


'i 


1 


M 


474 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


G11EATK.ST  Variation   i\  the  Annual  Mk^^n  Heat  of  the  same 

IN    A   SEUIES   OF   YEAUS. 


iBWK  I,  i 


I'l-AUj 


c5 
25 

Plack. 

Range. 

m 
< 

d 
2i 

Place. 

T 
11                 S 

Kam.e.  '. 

>1_ 

i> 

1 
7|Ul»a)i.v, 

0 

3.80 

4 

44 

Siiriiiirville. 

0             - 

'i.HO '  s 
11.14   (5 

8  Key  West, 

-[AVI 

G 

45  I'rattsliurg, 

!l;T!ii'n|i;i  ]5ay, 

1.82 

5 

4(iOavuga, 

3. nil   9 

] 4' Thirtieth  ])eg.  ofLat. 

3.43 

11 

47i-^Iiddiel)ury, 

"49  15 

1")  I'nisiicdlu, 

4.34 

0 

48  Canaiidaigua, 

0.1*   8 

19  Fort  .Je.siij), 

3.72 

7 

oOj'oinpc}-, 

7.:!1  13 

•JO  Natchez. 

3.S0 

10 

51;()ii(iiulaga, 

O.N^   I'J 

•J;i  Iliiiit>villo, 

•>  - 1 

13 

55  lluclioster, 

5,511   1.5 

liliXashville, 

3.38 

5 

5()  Lewiston, 

li.2o  11 

'27  li'iui.sville, 

5.00 

6 

57' Mexico,  N.  Y., 

:;,!U    ^ 

:50St.  Louis, 

.").81 

10 

59'L()wvillo, 

T.'.';!  11 

iniPiirtsinnutli, 

5.97 

20 

Olil'ottsdani, 

544  13 

;>'J  Ciiiciiiiiati, 

5.47 

21 

02  Fort  Howard, 

4.:;-:   9 

:?4j  Marietta, 

5.5!t 

20 

04  Fort  Snelliiig, 

5.i.i'.i   i 

^J")  Steiiheiiville, 

0.33 

12 

05ploiitreal, 

7.:!7  li 

;)7  Blodiiiiugtoii, 

11.20      9 

07  Fort  Jjirady, 

a.sil   i 

4.i;Fre(liiiiia, 

().(i8    14 

1 .     A  glance  of  tlie  eye  upon  tlii.s  table  discloses  that,  as  we  iKlvaiKefr:J 
s'Hitli    to  north,  the  diftereuee  between    the  coldest  and  hottest  years  iii 
creases  :  that  is,  as  tlie  annual  mean  temperature  lessens,  the  range  ot'lil' 
tion  in  ditlerent  years  increases.     I  liave  sought  to  ascertain  the  law  wL 
governs   these    inversely- var_\ing  unantities.     By  averaging  tlio  mean  t^'ii 
perature  of  twenty  stations,  varying  from  70*^  to  40". 5.  a  moan  tein|nr:i:t 
of  52"  is  ol)t;iiiied.     At  these  stations,  observations  had  been  iiiailo  tLr 'i^l 
periods  varying  from  nine  to  twenty-six  years,  and  tlie  mean  lihnition  i>ii  H 
Now  it  is  well  known,  tliat  in  tlie  equatorial  regions,  the  moan  teniprr:;;! 
of  which  is  ^^2".  tlie  difference  between  one  year  and  another,  at  thv-ain 
jdace.  i's  so  little  that  wc  liave  there  the  zero  of  libratiun.    Tlie  am  ;ii 
(i'^.lO.  tlicn.  is  the  result  of  the  diilerenee  between  82°  and  r)2^=:l'i     Bl 
if  we  divide  ir.H!  by  30°.  we   obtain  0°.205  (two  hundred  and  live  ltd 
sandtlis)  of  a  degree  uf  temperature  of  libration,  for  every  degree  of  iiia 
annual  temperature  lost.     Kejeeting  the  fraction  (live  tiiousaiiilths\  we  lial 
a  ratio  of  (0°.2)  two-tenths  of  increasing  beat,  of  libration,  for  mie  ilo.;r«| 
decreasing   mean  annual   heat;  and.    conversely,  five  degrees  of  the 
originating  one  degree  of  the  former.     The  application  of  this  law  i? 
danlly  simple.     The  mean  annual  heat  of  the  jilace  must  be  subtracU'iir^ 
82^.  and  the   difference  multiplied  by  (.2)  two-tenths  — the  product  i^ 
range  of  liViration,  or  difference  lietweon  the  coldest  and  lutte^t  ycMrsJ 
that  place.     For  example  :     The   .lifference  between  the  mean  temiKratif 
of  Portsmouth,  and  the  e(pmtorial  mean,  82°,  is  2<)°.G4.  which  luin:"- j 
plied  by   .2   (  two-tenths  )  gives  5°. 33.  which  is  but  .04  (loss  tliantii^ 


/^.  ..v 


;  v'l 


iBOOK  I. 


F    THE    ;!AMF.    ll.,\,  F< 


■triX 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


4-5 


:e. 

>  ■ 

1  0        ~  ■ 

.'i.'.in     V, 

,11.14    .■, 

!  ii.ii'i  ii 

> 

i  7.4'.'  Ifi 

la, 

1^.1>    > 

1  i.'il  ]'■) 

ij.^^  Vl 

o.oii  l.i 

ij.'io  u 

.  Y., 

:-;.'.•!    ^ 

1 T.'^;;  11) 

5.44  li 

arcl, 

4.;)-.  'j 

1 

ing, 

1    i.-'i    lO 

ly. 

1  :;."<i'i  i 

lUl 


:bat,as  v?e  advaiii.;;';ni 
and  hottest  yours  H'l 
:011s,  the  range  of  li''; 
ascertain  the  law  r..:i 
eratriiig  tlie  mean !' 
.5,  a  moan  teinpiTiivi 
lad  hecn  made  tLr  "15 
moanlibi':ttinni>'l  H 
the  mean  tenipersn 
A  another,  at  t!i..'^aa 
ihration.    The  aiivs^ 
•i°  and  .Vi^=:!'i-. 
lundred  and  live  '■■■'^ 
r  every  degree  -f  ii:ei 
..  thousandthsV  \n  hi 
;atioii,  tor  one  dc:reej 
e  degrees  of  the  Intj 
,nofthislawi^ 
must  he  suhtraote'nrj 
;,s  — the  pv'dut^  :■■ 
,gt  and  hittest  yvsrM 
tl,i.  mean  toiiii"^-''' 
(U.  whiehhein:"- 
,ut  .04  (less  tlian;' 


.ri.uif  a  dosree.  diflferont  from  the  range  Ijctwcon  tlio  coldest  and  Imttost 
;,ir  a>  ascertained  liy  (d)scrvatieiis  cuiitinuod  for  twenty  years.  Again: 
j-.iiM'aii  iii""''il  teniporaturo  of  Mimtroal.  is  o7'^.4o  below  Nl2°,  whieli  mul- 
■  ■  ill  liv .-,  gives  7°. 49  as  the  range  of  annual  lihration,  wliiidi,  oliserva- 
■;  i.i  niiitiimed  through  fifteen  years,  liave  placed  at  7*^.')7,  only  an  eighth 
•a; 'if  a  deirree  les.s.     In   all   cases,  the   results  of   calculation  do  not  so 

;elveoineide  with  those  of  (djservatiini,  but  generally  vary  less  than  a  de- 
-  •;  altliouL'h  at  many  places,   the  observations  have  not  been  continued 

joiK'n'.'h,  to  complete  the  cycle  of  yearly  variation,  liy  the  furniula 
richiias  been  obtained,  if  the  annual  heat  of  the  year  were  settled  by  an 
■•ifvationmado  in  June  (;r  ])ecember,  on  a  well,  eighty  or  one  hundred  feet 
i].,  ira  enpious  and  pormatient  S[)riiig,  issuing  from  beneath  a  hill,  it 
I  il'l  be  possible,  at  onee,  to  determine,  with  (approximative)  certainty,  the 
• !!;  T.itmv  of  the  hottest  and  coldest  years  that  would  ever  occur  there.* 

•.  l!v  llie  forinula  deduced  from  the  table,  we  are  enabled  to  invcsti- 
."te  t!ii'  iiiilneiiee  of  large  Ijodies  of  water,  as  the  Xortherii  Jiahes,  on  the 

ritkias  of  annual  tenijiorature.  In  calculating  the  range  for  all  the  sta- 
•'^ariiund  these  Lakes,  it  h  found,  I  believe,  with  one  exception,  to  be 
:.;.<r  llian  that  afforded  by  observation.     Thus,  the  average  of  eight  sta- 

■■  i>.  bv  (d)sorvatioii,  4'-'.>^l,  for  the  range  of  libration,  but  from  calcula- 

::i  .«!iidd  he  7*^.-4,  or  nnn'O  than  "jO  per  cent,  greater.  The  exee))tioii 
'i'lilliavo  referred,  is  presented  by    Fredonia,  where  the  range  from 

i/i.Iatiuii  is  equal  to  that  from  observation;  but  this  only  confirms  the  rule: 

•  «'n'lf  of  the  Appalachian  ]\Iountains,  seven  hundred  feet  higher  than 
:;'l-!:ire.  terminates  by  a  bold  escarpment,  within  a  few  miles  of  Lake 
::;■.  and  it  lies  between  them;  thus  the  influence  of  the  Lake  is  neutralized 
•.'tiiatofthe  mountains.  No  other  station,  aroruid  the  Lakes,  bears  the 
m:  lation  to  mountains.     Thus  the  restraining  influence  of  the  Lakes  is 

■:;.:!.  I •;tabll<liod.  They  do  not  modify  the  mean  annual  temperature,  but 
::r:tit<  extreme  range  in  difi'ercnt  years. 

aII,  IsoTHKHMAr,  CuuvKS.  —  The  curves  of  erpial  mean  temperature, 
will  traverse  the  Interior  "N'alley.  cannot  yet  be  delineated,  from  the  want 
'Mviffic'oiit  rumihor  of  observations.  In  the  West,  from  the  cooling  influ- 
("'•';  f  the  Cordilleras  of  Mexico,  and  the  llocky  IMountains,  extending  into 


'  Itwillbo  5oen  that  Bloomiiifitoii,  Iow;i,  and  rrattsl)iir(r.  Now  York,]ir('siMi)  raiifies 

"'.Tten  ;hc  hottest  and  coldest  years,  that  are  ([iiite  ano.iiaious.     I  suspect  that  in  both 

'""there  is  a  mistake.     The   roid  year,  l^'t",  intlie   Blooininston   observations,  was 

'  ■  biiow  tile  average  mean  licat  of  that  place  ;  hut  at  St.  Louis,  only  0-    111'  furtlicr 

I  **.  in  the  same  loncitude,  that  year  ^dl  only  "^.GG  helow   the  mean  teuiperataro  of 

r"'*'"  y'-ii's;  and  at  Marietta,  two  defirees   f  irther  south,  but  ten  decrees  farther  ea»1, 

l^nifan  hoat  of  the  same  year  fell  only  "^.Sl  below  that  of  its  general  mean  tem|)c'ra- 

•-'    liithecav  of  Prattsburgr,  the  extraordinary  year,  lo3!),  fell  7^  hrhiir  the  sreneral 

I    "'ff  llritpiiire.  Imt  the  mean  heat  of  the  same  year  at  Sprinjrville,  was  1^.;!!)  ahnu 

I  ••werago  yearly  heat  of  that  place,  althonjrh  they  lii'  nearly  in  the  same  latitude,  and 

I-;  I  .ill  of  loiijritude  apart,     It   seems  (]nite  imi)0ssible,  that   ])IaeeH  so  contiirnous 

I    '    lUihL'  sanii>  year,  have    temperatures  varving  so  wiilely  from  their  respectiv".' 

I  "-'-i^  lemppralures. 


i "  * 


;••!*»»', 


;,  <■■■;    nv 


i' 


r.\p^^-;t!-;|v.;-:f:^v 


I  '  -I  ■■  /*■ 


W:\--:  .'i-i\    ■■■■    '■         \ 


'm.-'> 


.'f   i: 


■  ■■'•'•  ^ 


I 
7     ^'t 


■'■. 

'M-:'  ■■:■■  ■■:.^ 

ill 
III 

"■■'■''■:    ■■  ^^"''^   1-    '■ 

'  '        ■-■■    '■...'■     »    . 

^.    •  ■■■; 


i;-- 


470 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OP^  THE 


[eooi  :. 


tlio  p(il-i.'  circle,  and  to  tlio  East,  from  a  similar  thougli  smulliT  inflnti ,.,.  f 
the  saitio  kiml,  cxcrtod  by  the  Appalachian   chain,  from  thu  latitude  •' ''j^ 
to  4SO  ,)!•  50°  niirtli.  wo  know  that   tlio  curves  of  cijual  mean  tein'iurat 
cannot  lie  parallel  to  tlie  lines   of  latitude,  except  fur  a  certain  (listn".  ^     1 
t!io  middle  of  the   A''alley.     Ivist  of  the   Mississippi,  as  thuv  aimri.;!)]  .i 
Appalachian  Mountains,  they  must  l)eud  to  t!ic  south  ;  west  of  that  rjv  ■• 
they  ascend  the  i;reat  inclined  plane,  tliey  nnist  curve  in  the  same  dirmi'm- 
and  on  reacljiiig  the    Rocky  M(juntains,  must  of   necessity,  extend  nip. 
their  slopes,  rising  gradually,  as  the  latitnd(!  lessens;  hut  not  attainin -tj." 
summits  of  those  mountains,   until  we  come  within  tlie  tropics.    It  i'c-«ultv 
from  these  data,  that  the  isothermal  lines  of  the  ^  alley,  are  nearly  jmiallil  t  > 
those  of  itne   side   of  a  conijtressed  ellipsis  or  hing  oval,  witli  tlaii'  i.!^;.™ 
curved  extremities  nuicii  shorter  tlian  tiieir  western.     Where  tliev  iiitir<  ,• 
the  trougli  of  tlie  3lis.sissippi,  tliey  have  their    lighest  latitude.    Tnw<  (■:■ 
curve  of  07°,  descending  from  the  Cordilleras.  ;,oar  Xalapa,  in  iiortliLi  i',\,\,' 
19°  80',  passes  near  Xatchez,  on  the  Mississippi,    lu^  further  ivitli  tL  • 
nundjcr  heing  equivalent  to  four   thousand   feet  of  dil!Vreiice  in  tlitir  tkra- 
tion.     Fr(jm  Xatehe/,  it  pmliahly  continues  eastwardly  on  the  .same  laijll 
of  latitude.     The  curve  of  <'.-Jo,    traversing  the  City  of  Mexico  in  latitude 
19°  liG',  enters  the   State  of  Arkansas,  about   the  latitude  of  :>i^  ;jij'.  mur  i 
passing  near  l^n-t  Towson,  cuts  the  31ississijipi  14°  north  of  Mexico. tr.«««{ 
the  State  of  Alabama,  a  little  south  of  Iiunt.sville,  and  aspeiuliiiu' tlicui'ur;- i 
tains  of  Georgia,  turns  again  to  the  south.     IJut  this  configuratiuii  i^tnif.; 
that  portion  of  the  Valley  only,  which  is  liouiuled  on  the  cast  hy  tlie  .\iiu- 
lachian  ^Fountains.     South  of  tho.se  mountains,   below  tlie  latitude  ul' vV 
north,  tlio  eastern   extremities  of  the  curves  of  temperature,  do  iiutlri;ii: 
the  south,  as  tlie  surface  rises  but  little  above  that  of  the  Gulf  ami  the  J.'ia 
of  the  Mississippi;  but  the  western  ends  of  the  curves  still  hciiU  to  tlie-Ltj 
as  they  ascend  the  mountains  of  Mexico.     Above  the  latitude  of  4^  !;«■;',  ; 
a  diflerent  conliguratiun  occurs.     As  the  curves  descend  from  the  lioikv , 
^lountains,  they  rise  ra]»idly  to  the   north,  until  tlicy  npproaeli  the  iner.'i-j 
ans  of  the   Pole  of  maximum    Cold,  when,   independently  if  elevatiin.  ikvj 
arc  deflected  to  the  south,    again  (it  is  probable)  to  ascend,  on  ;iii)ir(aH; 
the  eastern  edge  of  the  Continent.    Thus,  the  isothermal  curve  of  1 7^.  wiiti  I 
passes  Fort  Fraidclin  in  nortli  latitude  05°,  and  west  longitude  l-'r.  :i:ur 
having  advanced  rapidly  to  the  north  on  descending  from  the  niciuntain*.  is | 
bent  to  the  south,  and  by  the  time  it  reaches  the  SOth  degree  of  luni'itiiiie.  j 
must,  according  to  the  temperature  of  Winter  I.'^land,  Lave  suidv  as  1'«mh 
the  5Sth  degree  of   latitude  ;  afterward  to  ascend,  on  advatieing  tu  Ito 
Straits.     In  traversing  the  A'alley,  then,  this  curve  is  sorpeutiue.  proniiii:.' 
in  the  western  part  a  vertex  to  the   north  —  in  its  eastern,  a  vertex  to  v~t\ 
south;    in  the  latter  of  which  we  find  the  southern  limit  of  the  ['<■■ 
Cold. 

Xrn.  At.i.kgkd  GRE.vTF.n  TTkat  of  Tin-  3IiBDT,K  L.vTiTrDKS  OK  tmkIxie^a'' j 
V.\i,i.i;y,    than  ok  the   Ati.axtic   Plain.  —  In   17'^3,  Mr.  JethTSon  i' 
lished,  that  the  Basin  of  the   Ohio  was  warmer,  liy  the  amount  of  t::m  i 


BOOK 


■lUTH'; 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


477 


sraull'i-  iiifluti,.,.  „t 

tliu  latitiuk'  <y  :)o' 
1  ineau  tuitiiiurutiir':' 

cortaiii  distaute  in 
i  they  appi'nach  til! 
ivest  of  that  riwr, ;.. 
I  the  same  ihr<:tti',ii; 
essity,  extend  ul,;,. 
)ut  iKit  attaiiiiii- ti..: 
)  tru[)iL-.s.    It  vi>i,!;. 

are  nearly  \k\\-mv]  ; 
al,  wltli  their  I'li,- ■...;. 
Where  tliey  iiiiH.-  ■: 

latitiuh'.  T'uu-. !.. 
lapa,  ill  iiorlli  !a  it'uii.j 
^  i'urther  I'.i'itli,  tl;;: 
Ferouee  in  their  dtva- 


al'a.lu  1 


y  Oil  the  same 
of  Mexieo  in  latifio 
itudo  of  :io^:l(i'.  :•:;.: 
n'th  of  Mexicii.tr  -  • 
i  ascentling  theui'  ■■ 
configuration  isiru'j  , 
the  east  hy  the  Aju- 
kV  tlie  latitude  of  ^i^:' 
ature,  do  not  ki:ii : 
e  Ciuiraiid  tk' J'hi 
still  bend  to  tlie  j'-ui'ii  j 
atitude  of  4n"  r.urth,  i 
■cud  friiiii  the  K'A'iiy 
ainiriiaeh  the  inoraii- 
tly  of  elevatiuii.  tiitvj 
uend,  on  annaii 
aleurveof  IT'.vi.i'-aj 
Longitude  I-'j'.  -''•' 
om  the  mountains,  ij  I 
degree  of  luiiL'itUiiv- ! 
have  sunk  as  h^aH 
advancing  to  V^-^ 
crpcntino.  prc-diii: .i  j 
:crn,  a  vertex  to  ti-ej 
limit  of  the  Pul' 


,,r(,Oj  nf  hititude,  than  the  niaritinie  l)olt  cast  of  tlio  inouiitiiins*  :  ami 
1  j[  twenty  years  afterward,  31.  Voliiey.t  on  returning  from  his  travels 
•iruui:'!  tliis  country,  adopted  the  same  coMoIusion.  In  1^15,  I  ciidcavorod 
Milioff.i  that  the  opinion  to  which  those  distinguishod  writers  liad  given 
i;r,;i,v  was  erroneous.  At  that  time,  the  numl)or  of  rcHalilc  uhscrva- 
.•;,ffaj  small,  compared  with  the  present;  yet  the  error  into  which  3Ir. 
,;.i;.i;nn  liad  fallen,  by  a  prematuro  generalization,  was  correctly  pdinted 

;:  ssnnuierous  observations  on  both  sides  of  the  nmuntains,  have  since 
,  sn.  As  it  is  not  in  the  plan  of  this  wdrk  to  institute  comparisons  be- 
■le'ithe  (diniate  and  diseases  of  the  Iiitcrinr  A'allcy,  and  the  regions  beyond 

.a.iimtains,  which  bound  it  to  the  oast  and  we.-t,  I  shall  limit  myself  to 

•  ai-irtiou  which  has  licen  made,  leaving  it  with  others,  to  cumpare  the 
iiomtions,  which  show  that  in  the  same  latitudes  the  temperature  of  the 
Wi inn  the  opposite   .sides  of  the  Appalachian  range,  is   substantially 

■.leiaine,  The  physician,  then,  of  Maryland  or  Penn.sylvania,  who  would 
ife  liis  patient  to  emigrate  to  a  mildor  climate,  must  not  ])oiiit  out  the 
;ate"f  Uliii>;  nor  must  the  invalid  of  Virginia,  expect  a  warmer  climate  by 
mnv:  to  Kentucky.  jMuch  of  the  popular  perpetuation  of  this  error,  has 
;:;ii,ofroiu  thc  dircctiou  oi  !,.:e  great  current  of  immigration  into  the  middle 
iiitadus  of  the  Mexican,  and  the  Sduthern  portion  of  the  St.  Lawrence 
3!:;n.  It  has  been  largely  from  higher  to  lower  latitudes,  and  yet  it  was 
il  ill  the  phraseology  of  the  people  and  the  profession,  to  the  West.  They 
itiiiel  a  warmer  climate,  by  going  south,  and  without  investigation  pro- 
iiiid'J  it  the  consequence  of  traveling  westwardly. 
\\\.  Xo  Cu.\NGE  OF  Mean  Temi'ku.vti'kk  kksultin(;  from  the  Settle- 
aioF  THE  Valley. — Whatever  may  be  the  influence  of  the  settlement 
ijilcultirationof  a  new  country,  on  its  mean  temperature,  the  Interior  \'al- 
ityks  not  undergone  such  a  degree  of  transformation,  as  might  produce  an 
iwdalijo  effect.  An  immense  proportion  of  it,  is  in  the  same  condition  as 
liita  the  French  first  ascended  the  estuary  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  or  cn- 
"■Jiped  among  the  swamps  of  the  ^Mississippi.  The  greatest  changes  of 
Ae.  have  been  eflectod  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Mississippi,  l)e- 
Sa  the  Tennessee  lliver  and  the  Lakes;  and  in  that  region,  if  any- 
'te,  a  ehange  of  mean  temperature  has  taken  place.  There  are  no  facts, 
iiwevor,  which  indicate  such  a  change.  At  the  beginning  of  the  present 
«iiiry,  the  population  of  thc  region  mentioned  was  exceedingly  sparse,  and 
J'ltlicrmometrical  observations  were  recorded,  to  show  the  moan  tempera- 

*  fjf  any  spot,  while  the  cimntry  was  still  a  wilderness.  The  earliest 
''fi'-'S  of  ohservations  wore  made,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cincinnati, 
'y  Colonel  Jared  Mansfield,  .Surveyor  General  of  the  United  States. 
lievwere  hegun  in  1800,  and  continued  for  three  years.  The  results,  in 
Section  with  observations  by  myself,  in  Cincinnati,  for  the  next  five  years. 


.'   *..„ 


ntf  «'/•, 


I- 


.  ( 


•DESOKTllKb'WSA'il 

yh.  Jefferson  ]^- 
the  amount  of  '■-!'■'  i 


I  ^>s  on  Virjrinia.  f  View  of  tlie  Soil  and  Climate  of  thc  U.  S. 

'••'icuire  of  Cinciuuati,  by  Daniel  Drake.     18io. 


:^^: 


...  If 


Yrm) 


:' 

A': :. 

'S  C'i'li ',:■■ 

]'  f 

'■:M', , 

-f 

■',f'  '■!  ■ 

'  ■  jf  i       \  ■ 

'1   > 

■ ''  Fi*    '  *"  *  ' 

!  'it 

•t'K' 

•  i 

;-f  :j; 

i:  ; 


-.1   l'^  ■  ■■-  .    ■ 


V  A' 


m. 


478 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


J':'OK  I. 


were  imljlished,  in  1815.*  The  moan  doiluccd  from  the  wliolo,  was  54-  "" 
The  moan  rosultiiig  fmrn  observations  by  Professor  lliiy,  from  iNiJti,  Ivr 
is  r);)0.;>('»,  giving  a  diflereu'.'t"  of  less  than  nino-tcutlis  of  a  deenM.  —  ;,],,, 
gethcr  within  the  limits  of  inaecuratc  observation  and  incorrect  iiistrutji(i,\ 
From  the  middle  term  of  one  of  these  ])eriods  to  that  of  the  (jtlnT.  i<  ,,|j„|, 
one-third  of  a  century;  but  that  time  has  effected  no  chanirc,  ;iUliou"i,  tjio 
increase  of  the  population  and  the  consequent  destruction  of  the  tWst  h.^. 
lioeii  at  a  high  ratio. 


SECTION  II. 

EXTREMES  OF  GOLD  AND  HEAT. 

I.     The  Table. — An  inquiry  into  the  lowest  and  liigliost  decrocs  of 
heat,  at  a  place  through  the  whole  period  of  time  in  which  observations  an; 
made,  naturally  follows  on  the  study  tf  the  coldest  and  hottest  years.    Tin 
data  for  this  inquiry  an;  ju'esented  in  the  following  table.     The  /!«( eiiluiiiii 
is  for  reference  to  the  Ocneral  Table  of  Mean  Temperatures,  where  the  pi;;- 
tion  of  each  place  can  be  found ;  the  second  presents  the  mean  tcmpurat;;r'} 
of  each;  the  third  gives  the  amount  of  range;    the  fourth,  the  fercthkv. 
(jf  range  above  or  below  mean  temperature  ;  tho  fifth,  the  greatest  colil;  t'l.' 
auf/i,  the  greatest  heat;  the  seventh,  the  distance  of  the  former  beWiUcJiij 
temperature;  the  eighth,  the  distance  above  mean  temperature;  the  nmh,\u\ 
percentage  of  the  fall  over  the  rise:    the  tenth,  the  number  of  years cfiJ" 
scrvation.     Those,  it  will  be  observed,  vary  widely  from  each  other,  for  whi 'a  j 
irreat  allowance  must  be  made,  in  ostima;in<r  the  relative  rantres  of  diti'im! 
places.     Thus,  if   ob.servations  have  been  continued  twenty  years  in  Mi 
place,  and  only  five  in  another,  where  the  ranges  in  the  long  niu  areiii'M 
the  probability  is  four  times  as  great,  tl'at  both  the  extremes  that  canivtrj 
occur,  will  be  included  in  the  former  period  than  in  ihe  latter.    It  isoki- 
oixsly   impossible    to    know  the   length  of    time    between   the  lo\YCSt  asJj 
highest  degree  of  heat  at  any  place.     The  greatest  extremes  wliicli  ecuHj 
possibly  occur,  might  be  within  a  few  years  of  each  other,  or  even  liappejl 
in  the  same  year ;  and  on  the  other  hand,  centuries  might  elapise,  before  m\ 
would  be  witnessed.     It  seems  to  me  probable,  that  as  the  wood  'r'dpcr-j 
tions  of  the  Valley  become  denuded  of  forest,  the  eytremes  will  k'^Ml 
frreater.     Both  the  hot  and  the  cold  winds  will  then  have  a  more  im 

O  ft 

sweep,   and  the  sun,  in  summer,  an  increased  power  on  the  stratum  fl 
atmosphere  which  rests  upon  the  earth. 


*  Picture  of  Cincinnati. 


tl-i' 

1 

:  1 1 

If' 

,  1  '•  " 


■I  '•:i: 


'    .\: 


■  '"■•'  V...  if, 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


471) 


T.\BLE  OP  TOE  Extremes  of  Axnuai-  TEMPERAxunE : 
3I1MMA  AND  Maxima. 


.  highest  (.legreos  i; 
hicli  ohstTvatiiriisarc 
hottest  year*.    TW 
le.     Theyirsi  C'luim 
turc3,  where  the  jk;:- 
he  moan  tcraperatuie 
)urtlh  the  jiercntdL". 
the  greatest  colli;  t!i.'! 
he  former  helnw  lUtan  | 
!r;iture;  the  ninth Su\ 
unilier  of  years  of  mI-  j 
I  each  other,  for  wlivi  [ 
live  ranges  of  Mm\  j 
twenty  years  iii  h 
lie  hing  run  areeipiLj 
stremes  that  can  iW 
_ic  latter.    Itisol)vi-l 
weon  the  lowest  aslj 
extremes  whicli  cou 
jthcr,  or  even  lafi'iiil 
Ut  elapse,  hefor.'  eicli| 
tis  the  wooir''Jr-'" 
leytremes  will  If^Mj 
■n  have  a  more  m 
jr  on  the  stratoi  -l 


-— — 

1 

Dist.  ' 

Hist.   I'.rct, 

Mt'an 

.  '1 

'er  cent. 

from  j 

from 

of 

T  e  ni  - 

1  ' 

)ii  Mfuii  Min- 

Max- 

Mis 111 

Moan 

low  11. 

PLACES. 

[ipra- 

.-3 

'J'lMiiiK'r-'  iiiKi.  1 

ima. 

reiiip. ' 

I'lTlll).  (ill  up- 

ture. 

0 

atiire. 

to     1 
Mill.  1 

0 

to       \Tiir(l 
Ma.\i,  raiifje. 

-  

0 

0 

0    i 

0 

0     1      0 

1  1  ,**^\i\t'\fi              _          ^           ^ 

Sl.f) 

1 

92 

12.s' 

.  1  uttiana. 

Vera  Cruz,  -     -     ■ 

77.(1 

90 

18.4 

'Havana, 

77.0 

80 

+59;    94 

18.0 

17.4;     5.S 

■  I"  •  . 

7:1") 

—  '4--!^i 

1 

41.5 

1 
t 

,  1  i)aj'i\,  -    -     -     - 

■  KiyWcst.  -     -     - 

7»i.r. 

40 

-\-')0     90 

2(;.5| 

18.5    90.8 

.['rt  Bniike,    -     - 

7-2.4 

74 

3,(1-1-20,     94 

52.41 

22.4  142.0 

i'.rt  King.  -     -     - 

71.C. 

05 

82.N+11:  lUO 

00.0; 

84.4!  95.9 

.'.Htlirarallel,    -     - 

70.1 

80  1 

22.4+14    100 

50.1 

29.9'  S7.8 

■  lVii>uciila,   -     -     - 

(is.4 

02 

84.54-  ()'     98 

02.4' 

29.<>l(is.(l 

i;Bat'iii  Rouge,    -     - 

()7.r) 

00 

88.8+10;  100 

57.5! 

32.5 

77.4 

bM"ljile,  -  '-     -     - 

1-,. .) 

70 

00.0+241     94 

40.8! 

28.7 

95.0 

."Natchez,-    -     -     - 

(i(j.s 

07 

45.2i       Oj    97 

(iO.s! 

80.2  121. S 

::FiTt  Toffsnii,   -     - 

Gl.-J 

10:! 

09,0—  8    100 

()4.2i 

38. s,  05.2 

:i  lluutsville,  -     -     - 

50.7 

105 

75.^1—  9l     90 

0S.7' 

80.8    80.5 

:.'  Fort  Gibson,     -     - 

01. 1 

123 

101.8—  7 

110 

08. 1: 

54.9:  28.9 

■j'N'asliviile,    -     -     - 

r)S.4 

US 

100.0— IS 

99 

70.4! 

40.0    88.G 

■J'L'iuisville,   -     -     - 

55.(1 

110 

100,0—10    100 

05.0^ 

45.0:  44.4 

i'Jeli'ersiin  Barracks, 

50.0 

119 

109.]!— 18^  101 

0(i.!) 

48.1 

70.0 

:)'St.  Louis,    -     -     - 

55.1] 

18  1 

142.81—25,  109 

80.8; 

58.7 

49.8 

?ilF(irtsnioutb,      -     - 

55.8 

100 

91.01—  (J 

100 

01.3 

44.7 

37.4 

;Lt'inciiuiati,  -     -     - 

5:5.  s 

117 

119.8— IS    100 

70.S 

40.2 

53.2 

SFort  Leavenworth, 

52.8 

185 

15S.1.— 80,  105 

82.8 

52.7 

50.4 

i)  Marietta,     -     -     - 

5-J.S 

117 

121,5—18;    09 

70.S 

40.2;  53.3 

-'•  "^'.'.■iiljeiiviUo,     -     - 

50. S 

107 

90.9—12 

95 

02.S 

44.2   42.2 

■'Blunmiiiirton,     -     - 

50.0 

128 

140.0—25 

98 

75.0 

48.0 

50.2 

■"i^unL-ilBluffs.  -     - 

51.1 

129 

157.0—21 

108 

71.1 

57.9 

20.0 

i'F'Tt  Armstrong,    - 

50.0 

122 

141.1—24 

98 

74.0 

47.4 

57.G 

ilF'-rt  Dearborn,-     - 

401 

114 

147,8—22 

92 

08.1 

45.9 

48.1 

^^t'uba,  N.  Y.,     -     - 

41.4 

118 

185,0— 2C> 

92 

07.4 

50.0 

37.3 

+'r|ttroit  Barracks,  - 

40.0 

99 

111.0—  5 

i)4 

51.9 

47.1 

10.4 

^^Frcdjiiia,    -     -     - 

48.8 

104 

118,1  —  s    90 

50.8 

47.2 

20.5 

i'^l'riiigville,  -    -     - 

44.S 

107 

18s. s!— 14     08 

5S.S 

48.2 

22.2 

1''  Prattsburg,  -     -     - 

42.8 

119 

i7s.o:— 19 

loo 

01.8 

57.2 

25.6 

^''-'jvuiia,       .     .     - 

,    48.7 

lOG 

1     117.01—10 

90 

58.7 

47.8 

24.0 

^^Mi'.ldl'obury,-     -     - 

i     40.0 

119 

155.; 

.-17 

102 

08. () 

.55.4 

14.7 

•■'''aiiaiKlaigua,    -     - 

'     40.0 

90 

IOS.7       s 

88 

54.0 

42.0 

28.6 

;;'F.Tt  Gratiot,     -     - 

40.8 

127 

171.8-18 

109 

04.  S 

02.2 

4.2 

■'''!'.'ni|n.Y.      -     -     - 

;     42.8 

119 

17^.(»;— 20 

98 

08. 8 

50.2 

30.0 

^■"iMiJaga.   -     -     - 

1    47.1 

I18 

140.0'— 14 

99 

01. 1 

51.9 

45.8 

'■^F.rt  Crawford,  -     - 

47.  ;i 

182 

179.0—82 

100 

79.8 

52.7 

50.7 

;^R"cliester,   -     -     . 

40.4 

108 

182.7—  0 

102 

52.4 

55.() 

■"lwi..ton,     -     -     - 

i    48.( 

102 

112.5—  0 

90 

.54.0 

48.0 

12.5 

;;M«ion.  X.  Y,,  -     . 

1    44.1 

120 

172.li— 24 

9(i 

08.1 

51.9 

3.1 

■•''f«t  Winnebago,     ■ 

■-    44.f 

1132 

194,( 

Ji-33 

99 

77.9 

54.1 

43.9 

r-r-- 


*  •"*  - 


;...■•  Ji 


',    t 

■'■■.■'.  i'    '  '• 

'■■'. 

■■.'■.I'  ■■■ 

•    .'.'•     '•'     ■.  V   • 

•  ■  .\ 

.'          '        ■             A      -      • 

,.'■.'. 

.         .     '  A  '  - 

/       " .     -         '•    , 

*■  ■      t  • 


■'^r. 


Sy   '■     l■■•■' 


SH.-- 


'  .J  ■  'f 


4S0 


T[[i:  riJiNCirAL  diseases  of  thf, 


K.\Tui-Mi:ti  OP  Annual  Tkmi'eratluk  —  Conti.nleo. 


:«'Joiti. 


'^  -I 


ri-Acr,s, 


Mean 

Toin- 

pera- 

turo. 


Ter  cent.  ] 

|oii   ]\Ii:aii  M  i  11-' 
Tfiiipur-  ima.  I 
Ci    I  at  1110. 


o 

tJD 


(iO  Lowvillo.      -     -  - 

(11  Madisnii    l!;irr!ick.«,- 

(i-J  l'(its(l;mi,      -     -  - 

(')'>  Fi.rt  ll(i\v;u-(l,    -  - 

()4  Peiietaiiii'uisiiiiic.  - 
()")  Fort   SiicUiiij;',  - 

(it)  ^louti'L'al.      -      -  - 

(iTjMackiiiar.     -     -  - 

Gs|Furt  ]{ra(Iy.-     -  - 
TO  Cmiibt  riaiiil  House, 

7-  Cliiiiewyaii.  -     -  - 
7i")  Furt  Iveliaiico,  - 

T<>  Eiiteriirise.  -     -  - 

77  Furt  Franklin.  -  - 

7N  Winter  Islaiul,  -  - 

7!)  Id.'olik,  -     -     -  - 

.^OjFclix  Harbor,  -  - 
i^ljFort  l^dwi.'n. 

82iMclville  It-Uind.  - 


o       j    o 

4:{.7'l:U 
4(».")'l(tt» 
4:].r.'lii-2 
44.(U:{2 
■\i).ll-2-2 
45.1140 
44.(il'J(; 
40.0'll:; 
40.(n:51 
;5ii.0:i:]l 
'2!).-J141 
21.5 


14.2  I  :]5 
17.2lU{;j 

Ci.s'  ()() 
2.5'l00 
:5.(5'117 
,'5.(;!  97 
-1.07,115 


I  c 

!  200 

'  12^ 

I  1^0 

;    I'.M) 

170 

210 

:  ISO 
i    lx-1 

MOD 
I     321) 

i  S50 
;  (;7:5 
:  1:511 

'  ;j!)oo 

I  ;!150 

2504 

,11(J07 


:\iuxi- 

niu, 


-851 
— l(i 


—4(1 

— "'sl 


-44 

-70; 

-57 1 

-5:;! 

-42' 

-5(11 

-47! 

-47 

-55i 


o 

9G 
!)0 
!I4 

mil 

0(1 

1(10 

OS 

00 

OS 

S7 
07 


I  Dist. 

1  rroiii 

MlMU 

,'i"emp. 
I     to 

Mill. 


<^.7| 
(i2..T 
71.5{ 
7().(i 
77.1, 
S5.li 

72.(5' 
(i.'5.(l' 
78.0' 
7(i.(i 
73.2' 


Ml 
54 
50 
70 
50 
GO 


I 

I  71.ii' 

i  70.2 

i  52^51 

1 5o.n: 

I  5(1.(1 

I  5;j.o 


I'lst,  P,.r,7 
fruiii     of 

Temp.ui.  (i> 

(0     warii 

Miijaran.-e. 

c     ~^ 

52.:;  -.'k:, 

V.\.:<  4:i.!t 

5'i..-  414 

55.4  >:.', 

440  :;(i.l 

54.:i  :c< 

5:].4  :;:,,v 

5i'.(i  •.'(;,! 

57.4  L'\:; 

55.(1  jx'j 

-ii.i; 


(m.-" 

uy 

(12^ 

]■! 

47,: 

■  (,'1 

47,5 

1'^•| 

(1(14 

. 

4(,;.4 

..  - 

lil.l 

II.    IIel.vtion  of   Range   to   ]Mea\    Te.mi'eratcuk. — The  iiittitr"; i- al  j 
observations,  are  too  few,  to  (.li,scluse  the  relation  between  tlio  extreiin'.-  ai.Jj 
the  mean  annual  heat ;  but  they  show  that  tlic  latter  is  va.stly  gicatir  ::.an 
the  former.     Tiiis  continues   to  be    the    case  at    Key  "West,  in  X.  Lat.  j 
24°  34';  but  ceases  at  Tampa  Bay,  in  Lat.  27°  57',  where  tlicy  aiv  t^i' 
and  the  moan  heat  is  72°. 40.     If  we  may  rely  on  a  single  observntioii.  ive| 
may  conclude,  that  in  advancing  to  the  north,  from  the  eiiuaturial  rojiiviis,! 
the  range  is  less  than  the  mean  tenijierature.  until  the  latter  has  :^m.k  It' 
The  Gulf  of  [Mexico  no  doubt  augments  the  influence  of  a  low  latiiuilo,  inj 
restraining  the  extremes  of  cold  and  heat,  for  Ubajoy,  an  interior  jtation,! 
near  Havana,  evidently  suffers  a  much  wider  range  than  that  city;  ami  Rrtl 
King,  only  fifty  or  sixty  miles  from  the  Gulf,  witli  a  moan  toniiu'raturc  k-sl 
than  one  degree  lower,  exhibited  in  three  years  a  range  2P  groatw  v.:m 
Tampa  suffered  in  nine.     The  range  of  Pensacola  is  02*^,  whieli  niav  wj 
regarded  as  that  of  the  northern  coast  of  the  Gulf  of  3Iexico,  in  tlie  uiOiij 
temperature  of  00°.     From  this  base  lino  we  start  into  the  interior  ■ !  tnej 
continent,  and  up  to  the  4Sth  parallel,  that  is,  through  1^^  of  latii'.'.e,! 
which  reduce  the  mean  heat  from  G0°  or  70°  to  40°  or  4P,  wo  !:avi 
tolerable  supply  of  reliable  observations.     In  running  the  eye  over  i!.:^  •'•C'l 
tion  of  the  table,  we  find  that  the  range,  with  a  few  exceiition.s,  is  al"''^ 
100°  — at  one   station  up  to   140°.     But    the  ranges  are  in  no  rei'nl: 
relation  to  the  mean  annual  temperatures.     For  example,  the  range  a:  i' 


All' J 


',r 


>\''\ 


'  BOOK  I. 


'IITI 


IXTF.RIOR  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


4S1 


TINUED. 


j  Dist.  Uist.  Pent 
j  from  !  from  of 
-  'Metiii  M til II  ('.  wn 
.  Temp. 'rcmiiii  oi- 
I  to  to  warii 
j  Min.  Miixi.  r;in  V. 

'  [\-l.')  4:1.'   1:;'' 

Tl..Vi  -'ill.:  41. '• 

Tti.iV  r)5.4  ■>■', 

77.1,  44,li  ;>;i 

S5.1  54.!'  .v:.: 

72.G,  5:5.4  :;:.  - 

I  C)3.o'.  oi'.i'  ■:'  ■' 

7^.0'  57.4  -V 

7U,0  5.V11  ■>: 

1  73.2:  (17.^  :'■' 


) 

s 
I) 

s 

7 

'7 

;s 

50 

70 
51) 
00 


!  71.2  ti;;.^  li  ■ 

i  70.2  iVl.^  : : 
1  4S.n!  47.:  ■.  i 
1  52.5I  47.5  !"■' 
1  50.0',  (itU  — 
1  5o.(V  4(].4  •:; 
i  5;].D  t'l.i  — ' 


^v:,_The  intfitrn' i^ al 
Avceii  tlic  cxtreiui-^  a;,l 
is  vastly  gvoaur  i;.;i'.i 
[voy  Wcs-t.  ill  N  ^'^''■ 
wliore  tlicy  aro  t ;»!. 
single  obscrvati.'ii.  ■« 
the  LMiuat'jnal  vo:i'-'..:, 
■lie  latter  has  siruk  U'-.' 
CO  of  a  lowlatiiuiicin 
[ioy,  an  interior  ^tatioIl, 
,ian  that  city;  ail'' l;^f' 
mean  tempi-'ratuvc  irS 
ange  2P  gveat.r  tlran 
is  92°,  \vbicb  may  wj 
Lf  Mexico,  in  tk^  K':;.!' 
into  the  intcriui-;t::ei 
,,ough  1^^  of  lati.'v.e.l 
.0°  or  4P,  ^ve  lu^^''  ^ 
g  the  eye  over  tli^-^^^ 
cw  exceptions,  is  ^i'"'^' 

Ls  are  in  "o  r^f 
Lnple,  the  range  at  ^ 


;itiwn  ami  Cincinnati  is  the  .same.  altlioui.'h  the  mean  tomporaturc  of  tliy 

..jjier  i9  7'^  t'lc  L'veater;  tlio  riuitres  for  Naslivillc  and  Marietta  avo  idonti- 

il  altWirli  tlieiv  mean  toinjieraturos  vary  nearly  <>";  and  the  rim<xc  at  St. 

aii  i^  IF  greater  than  at  IJlonniingtoii.  while  the  niciin  annual  heat  of 

■vhttor  is '>°  less.     When  wc  advance  beyond  the  forty-ciirhth  iiarallel.  in 

•'!  lino  of  stations  which  an;  found  lictwoen   Hudson  Hay  and  the  llueky 

Hv.tiiiiis,  we  oli.'iorvo  the  same  anomalies;  l)iit  at  nmsjt  of  tlu'in  the  range 

.tiiitffliii'li  a  single  year  presented.     The  highest  among  them,  at  Chip- 

mn.  is  141°,  but  a  degree  above  that  of  Fort  Snelling.    although  their 

i.rjt.niiicratures  differ  14°;  and  two  otlier  stations,  Fort  Enterprise  and 

:';  Franklin,  with  mean   temperatures   of  14°  and  17°,  have  ranges  of 

;:raii(l  l:!5°,  identical  with  those  of  St.  Louis  aiul  Fort  Leavenworth, 

i;  ;■•  mean  tennieratures  are,  respectively,  ''S"  less.     For  a  further  apjire- 

!,'.;  n  nf  this  matter,  tlie  reader  may  consult  that  cohunn  of  the  table,  in 

i:.''it!i''  relations  of  the  range  to  the  mean  heat  of  each  place  is  expressed 

r'"i!vm.    The  eonclusicni  to  which  wo  are  led  is.  thiit  after  advancing 

it  t'w  onntiiient,  beyond  the  influence  of  the  Cnlf,  and  keeping  at  a  sufli- 

:^!:  ili'taiice  from  the  Lakes  and  Hudson  Bay,  the  extremes  of  heat  and 

\;'avo  no  fixed  relation  to  the  annual   temperature,  and  are   nearly  or 

:vv  a<  Ltcat  in  the  middle  as  in  the  northern  latitudes  of  the  "N'alley.    But 

iiii. '.ijli  tlicy  do  not  increa.sc  with  tlio  increase  of  latitude,  and  the  eonse- 

ik!  ikreasc  of  moan  temperature,  they  are  imt  a  fixed   (ju;intity;  but 

I  T":i:iif'iij  themselves,  whore  the  latitudes  and  conditions  of  the  surface 

I  n!d kil  us  to  expect  uniformity.     It  thus  appears,  that  intense  degree,? 

:' ■  11  and  liCvit  nuiy  bo  transiently  produced  within  very  limited  spaces,  by 

'iiatiU'Sphcric  influences,  which  are  not  well  understood. 

in.  I\H.UEN'CK  OF   TUK    MotlN'T.ilXS    OS    TIIR    1\.\NGR    OP    TEMPERATURE. 

j  E'..;"!!  ff  tlie  western  stations  of  the  Valley,  those  nearest  to  the  Rocky 
I H  ntdi!?,  present  an  average  of  122°  for  the  range:  an  oi^ual  iuimber  of 
I  ai r.s.  all  lying  considerably  east  of  the  Mississippi,  and  running  througli 
G <ap.io  kitmles,  dvo  an  averac;o  of  114°,  showiiiiir  the  western  runL'es  to 
■iwen  per  centum  greater  than  the  eastern.  This  result  is  less  than  I 
Mod:  and  the  general  impression  is,  that  as  we  advance  toward  the 
5'.iv Mountains,  from  the  Basin  of  the  Ohio  River,  the  extremes  become 
Piti'T,  at  a  ratio  much  higher  than  is  indicated  by  the  diilercnce  here  pre- 
JK'A  1  can  only  reconcile  popular  opinion  with  the  results  of  scientific 
J'tKnitif.n.  hy 'oferring  to  the  impetuous  winds  which  .sweep  over  the  great 
"''''y  plain,  and  reduce  the  temperature  of  the  living  body,  and  all  moist 
W-n\  liy  promoting  evaporation,  while  their  own  temperature,  only,  is 
C'hti'd  by  the  dry  tliermometer.  In  this  way,  the  tributaries  of  the 
jfeun  may  he  covered  with  thieker  ice  than  those  of  the  Ohio,  by  the 
j*e  mmmetrical  depression  of  temperature.     A  prevailing  opinion  is, 


'^"ne  nnmcdiate  contiguity  of  mountains  generates  violent  extremes  of 
j'^pmture;  but  when  wo  compare  Ilunt.^ville,  Nashville,  and  Steubenville, 
'y"i?iioarto  .spurs  of  the  Appalachian  Chain,  which  rise  from  one  thou- 

''  ''^''  hundred  to  one  thousand  five  hundred  feet  above  them,  with 

31 


;•• 


it     ; 

-> 

■'(■;• 

•i. 

.'y  " 

-■ 

■'r- 

* 

^'1- 


•  1 


'TV       ■ 

i^-j-. 

■'''■■ 

■■ ). 


1  . '1*     } 


t     1- 

I 


'%'M 


\ .. 


.'I 

n 

■■|^ 


(t-'' 


'!,■:■ 


4b-J 


TIFF',  F^RFNCFPAF,  DISFASF'-S  (»!'  TFFK 


I  Boot 


Louisville  and  Cinciii'iati,  whieli  arn  iinirli  moro  remote,  we  liml  tk- ;iv,.r, . 
range  at  tliu  two  latter  places  3°  greater  than  at  the  three  l'(jnin;r.    iJut  n 
result  ihie.s  not,  perhaps,  overthrow  tlie  general  opiuiijn.  fur  tliosu  statiMis  i 
on  the   windward  sido  of  the  nionntaiu  chain,  wiiicli,  thurcfun.'.  Imt  .dil 
rolls  back  its  currents  of  air  npua  iiM  mi. 

IV.  Tnfi,i;k.\ce  of   the  Noutiii;i       TjAKES  o\  tiii;   Kxtkkmi:  ruNw:,- 
Ten  stati'Mis.  on   or  near  the  .-hui,, ,  bays,  and  connecting  straits  i.f  ti,,- 
Lakes,  give  an  average  range  14"^  degrees  less  than  an  ciiualnuiuIaTofiiibiifl! 
stations  lying  cast  and  west  of  them.     This  diflfercncc  (if  almut  tLirtKi;  .rl 
ccnlinu.  shows  a  restraining  iiilluenee  on  the  e.Ktrcnic  range;  hut  it  i;  na] 
exerted  at  all  .«tation.s,  for  the   live  highest   of  the  hdce  i^urios  are.  in  tlisj 
aggregate,  er|ual  to  the  five  lowest  of  the  iidand  series.     These  lakc-«tati  ii.jj 
are  Howard.  IJrady.  Gratiot,  I'cnetangnishinc.  and  ^Mexico,  tlie  rulatini  .,fj 
which    to    the    lakes    may    he    seen    on    the    general   h \  thv grapliioal  nupl 
( i*/.   /);   tlio  remaining  live  stations  arc   Mackinac.  ]'"ri(lniii;i,  Ll\u-mi,J 
Rochester,  and  Sackctt's  ILirbor,  the  average  of  whii  h  i>  "J-j",  or  tnvntjj 
per  cenlam  below  the  average  of  the  inland  posts.     3Iackiiific  is  an  i«!a!iiiJ 
and  the  four  other  stations  lie  nn  the  simthcrn  coast  of  Kri"  and  lihiiirioj 
It  is,   then,  on  those  coasts    that   the   restraining   lacustrine  intliKi;i" 
chiefly  felt.     It    is.  moreover,  not  limited  to   the  lake  margins,  hut  txti:i 
for  many  miles  from  them.     Thus,  the  average  of  k^pringvillc,  ('unan(iai:"Hi 
]\Iiddlchury,  Cayuga,  and  Onondaga,  is  '1\°,  or  sixteen  ;)<;/•  cauluni  bi.lM\T!lii 
average  of  the   more  iidand   stations,  employed  in  this  comparisin,    ■'•^ 
whole  of  these  places  lie  east  of  Lake  l']ric,  and  south  of  i/iku  ()m:,ii 
are,  therefore,  to  the  winter  leeward  of  those  lakes,  as  well  as  )Iitliii.'ii^ 
Huron,  and  Superior.     As  the  summer  winds  do  not  hlow  over  tl'      fl 
towns  on  the  stmth  sides  of  Erie  and  Huron,  those  lakes  cannut,  d'  i 
restrain  the  range  of  temperature  by  lowering  the  niaxiniuni.  but  by  k^ 
up  the  niiiumum. 

V.  Influexce  of  Hudson  Bay  and  the  Polau  Sea  ox  the  Han 
Te.mpeuatcke. — ^leteorological  observations  have  licen  made  at  one  yA 
only,  on  the  shores  of  lludsini  Bay,  and  T  have  not  even  seen  a  statcnid: 
the  lowest  and  highest  dcirree  of  heat  at  that  station.     In  tlie  mar:t:fl 
region  to  its  north,  observation.s  have  been  made  on  three  islands  aii'll^ 
cape-coasts.     The  highest  of  the  whole  is  but  117°  —  the  average,  l"Ji 
Compared  with  the  average  of  Fort  Enterprise  and  Fort  Franklin,  thi'  ni'ii 
northern  inland  stations  to     he  west,  the  marine  iiifluenco  is  dfciiKJ 
difference  between  the  two  groups  of  stations,  ])eing  -I'°.  or  twonty-t!^ 
fer  centum.     The  group  we  are  now  investigating  lies  within  tlic  liinitH 
the  Pole  of  Cold. 

VI.  lluLATrOX    OF     THE     MlXIMA    AND     IMaXIMA,    OR     OlTOSITE    ExTRES 
OF    TEMPEaATUKE,    TO    THE    ]MeAN    AxNiJ.iL    HeAT. — If  WC  add  tluMliti.W 

between  mean  temperature  and  the  lowest  degree  of  heat,  to  the  di.'itrejj 
between  mean  temperature  and  the  highest,  at  each  place,  as  set  d'mj 
the  foregoing  table,  and  divide  their  sum  by  two,  we  find  the  fJ'i'^l 
with  a  few  slight  exceptions,  to  be  less  than  the  annual  mean  heat.   11] 


■T 


V. 


[tool 


INTERIOll  VALF.KY  OF  NOHTU  AMKKICA. 


4.^;] 


,  we  find  the  avon: 
CD  iVivnuT.    I5ut  til.- 
fur  tliDSL'  Stat'iM;';!.' 
llKTcluri.'.  1ml  sckl  ;• 

EXTUKMK   PiAX;V,.-   | 

u'L-tiii;^  straits  ft'  t!,i; 
.'HUiil  iiumbi.'nit"mlai!ii 

3  ofubnut  tllivtii'l! ; 'T 

!  Viuiii'i';  liut  it  is  r.ijtj 
lukt'  tiovii'S  are,  in  tiiej 
,.     TliesL'  lukc-'tatii'.isi 
Mexico,  the  relati"U  il 
.1  liyilviigraphioal  ffiapl 
c,  rri'ilnirui,  Lev\i-t"n,i 
1,1.  h  is  '1-1-,  or  tu.'!ity| 
Madiiinc  is  au  inland 
;t  of  I'iVi'.'  and  Oiitarioj 
lacustviuc  iwflneiii'" 
u-  iir.ir.Lrins,  hut  extoni 

l,rliigviim''"i!^*'-''1 

en  ;)t:c  fc/((i(/.i  Wlv.-;iil 
I  this  eoiui^arisoii. 
til  of  Lake  Ontario  -M 
es,  as  uell  as  Mi.lii; 
11,, t  Wowuver  \.h  \.4 
luke;^  eannut,  nf  v<m 
laxiuuuiu  hut  by  l^'-'!!"! 

lieen  nualc  at  mw  ji^? 
I  fven  scon  a  statement  ( 

lallon.  In  the  numtJ 
ju  thrue  ishuids  aii'lt^ 
,, .-  _  the  average,  h'j] 
Fort  Franklin,  the  r^i 
|nlluoiK'0  is  (IfciiU;  ' 
[uf  -0°.  or  t\vei«y-ii?| 
I  lies  ^vithinthc^uI>it^| 

OR     OlTOSlTE    EXTEE* 

If  we  add  the  aiS'.^a" 
of  heat,  to  the  ^'^'^ 
cb  ydaco,  as  set  d-'^ral 
0,  we  find  the  ^lU'-'^J 
luiiuial  mean  heat. 


•  alawof  our  olimiitc,  tliat  tlic  ratigtMif  tcinpcratiiro  (Icpctids  iiinro  on 

■  .s; ,11  ladow,  than  i-lfvaliiiii  alinvc  iiuaii  lioat.     Tlio  revcr.-io  of  tlii>i,  I 

i-i  th"  P'>l'uhir  i)|iiuiii:i.     'I'ho  j)rii[Mr(iiiii  in  wliicli  tlio  iiiiiiima  and 

Muut' heat  vary  from  the  mean  teiniioraturcH,  is  .set  down  ;«■/•  cenlum, 

■  Ijst  colunni   of  thi)   talile,   the  mmiln'is   uf    which   cxprcs.-t  \\n\  jxt 

iv  of  the  greater  or  dnwinvard  do|iartiin',  I'roni  tliu   less  or  upward. 

I".;ii.>t  eiirs'iry  iiispeetiiin  of  tiii.s  nduiiiii  of  the   talilc,  sliow.s   tliat   tho 

•j'i'i'iimiion"  (lill'ercut  places  is  considrralilc.     A  full  deveb)pnn'iit  of  the 

;,;...<, 4' these  variations,  is    imt    p(n'lia|is    attainalde;    but    an    cKtciiiled 

I .:;3ii'i!ili"ii  disehi.se,s  tliat  there   are  three  re^inns  wliere   tlie   dilVereneos 

■-T.p.  the  upward   and  downward  ran;^es  are   much   reduced,  in  a  few 

fM  eiiuality.  and  in  three  or  four,  heymid  tliat  point;  so  that  the  rise 

1,1  i-lf  a  little  the  fall  from  mean  temperature.      The  regions   in  which  this 

■/arativo  reduction  of   the  downward  arm   ol'  the  ranj^c  is  funnd.  are  the 

if  the  Gulf  of  ^Ie.\ieo,  the  Northern  Lakes,  and  the  INdar  Sea.      It 

then,  depenil  <iu  variatiims  —  the  animal  temperature  of  different 

:j -ha!,  in  fact,  no  connection  with  it;  liutnsults  from  the  infhnneo  of 

i;>[iit  Imdios  of  water,  which,  in  winter,  wlii't her   in  the   north  or   south, 

;i  iii.'her  ternperaluro   than  the   contini'iit.     On  the   other  hand,  the 

|rc;;v  ef  the  Ilocky  or  Appalachian  Mountains,  imiy,  in   jdaoes   lying   to 

l;::'.:  I'lwaril,  exert,  in  winter,  a  eoiding  influence,  and   thus   augment   the 

-.lUFiiraiiw.     Hence  we  find  that  the  causes  which  diminish  the  lenjith 

:;:..:!part  of  the  range,  arc  precisely  those  which  diminish  the  length  of 

liw'le range,  as  pointed  out  in  the  preceding  iiumher  —  V.     it  may  be 

Lr.f| liowovcr,  that  deep  waters  ami  liigli  imiuntains   reduce  ttie  upward 

jro , [^'^ well  as  the  downward,  and  this  is  ]irol)ahly  the  case;  but  to  a  less 

Ir;.:    Ill esainiiiing  the  maxima  of  places  t^ii  the  shores  of  the  Gulf,  we 

Iti •'.em  less  than  in  the  interior,  further  nurth.  and  may  therefore  con- 

l.:l. ',::at  tlicy  arc  kept  in  idieck,  by  the  extensive  oceanic  surface  to  their 

Ir.iJarJ;  and  that  if  it   were    converted   into  a   continental    plain,  the 

;;.i:  !:eat  of  Vera  Cruz,  Key  West,  and  other  places  around  tlie  Gulf, 

'i'.  k  augmented.     AVhen  we  advance,  northwardly,  to  the   Lake.s,  we 

fcl  vat  all  their  southern   and  western  shores,  are  swept   over  by  winds 

"i;:;'' S'luth-west,  which  keep  up  a  high  maxinmin;  while  their  breadth 

fi  -lilted,  that  the  hot  currents  of  air  reach  their  northern  coasts,  with- 

piMiiig much  reduction  of  temperature;  hcr.ce  the  maxima  of  heat,  on 

"ii^ts,  is  actually  greater  than   on   those  of   the   Gulf.     Tlius  the 

Ife  and  the  Gulf,  restrain  the  range  of  temperature  in  diirerent  ways; 

r^-aicr  by  dimini.sliing  the   downward  range,  the  latter  by  diminishing 

f"""i^ard:  one  acts  as  a  war;.,cr  in  winter,  the  other  as  a  cooler  in  sum- 

^'  ^e  are  now  prepared  to  understand  how  it  is,  that  liochcstor  pre.-ents 

■i>raalv,the  only  one  from  Key  West  to  Winter  Island  through  42^ 

*  Mo.  of  having  the  lower  pnrtion  of  its  range  nearly  six //<;;•  ci'tilum 

p  ;:.a!i  tlic  upward,  while  at   every  other   station,  within   the  latitud  e 

paed,  it  is  greater.     Tlio  winds  which  reacli  it  in  sumiuer,  have  tra- 

^i  "ne  vast  plain  to  its  south-west,  and  become  greatly  heated  ;  those 


i' 


4St 


THK  rrUNClPAL  DISKASES  OF  TIIK 


[•"'iii  I. 


it.i 


1   . 


i' 


l!li>l4-c^| 


wliicli  |i;is3  ovur  it  in  winter  Imvo  -wi'pt  nt'ni.s-i  tlio  lakes  from  tlie  »(> 
extremity  of  liako  Sii)>('rii)r,  and  liiivi;  Iwul  their  tuuipenitiire  iiirrfUHi!' 
thoy  were  repliicod  by  liind,  the  descent  of  tho  therninnnjter  wuuld  n  t  I 
arrested  at  — 11°,  as  it  now  is.    Tho  Houthern  shore  of  Lake  Oiitarin  iinH'ti 
another  anomaly,  which  ro([Miri'H  to  he  noticed.     Mexico,  hut  LO'  ii(,rt! 
Koehester,  and  still  ni'urer  to  the  lake,  presents  a  niaxiinmu  only  d"  l,,! , 
that  town,  but  a  inininuun  funr  times  as  great;  that  is,  — •J,['-\    Tlj,   ,,  g 
ca'i  bo  ex[daini!d.     Mexico  lies  at   the  narrow,  eastern  extremity  .f  |  ija 
Ontario,  tho  axis  of  which  is  frnni  soiith-west  to  north-east,  and  liiuv;',! 
the  north  winds  reach  it  without  traversing  tho  Lakes.     Thus,  in  otlii.a;  J 
the  iafluonce  of  lar^ie  bodies  of  water,  on  the  jilaees  which  surrouml  tim 
rcfcreneo  mnst  be  had  to  the  eourso  of  tho  cold  and  hot  wiiiJ.s. 

Advancing  to  the  Polar  Sea,  wo  find  five  insular  or  littoral  statiuii,?, 
three  of  which   the  descending;  range   is  a  few  degrees  greater  tlian  iM 
aseonding;  and  two  other  stations,  in  which  tho  reverse  occur.-!,  tlir  r  j 
above  mean  teniperafure  being  greater  than  below.     Thus,  witbin  tin  1 
Circle,  over  the  Polo  of  Cold,  aft  tho  margin  of  a  sea,  whoso  ices  iitvir  ii,;| 
tho  same  approach  to  e([uality  is  found,  between  the  downward  and  iiiuii 
variations   IVom  moan   temperature,   as  exist  at    Key  M'est  and  ll:;v,i« 
where  the  tro[)ie  cuts   tho   Gulf  of  3Iexieo.     In  tho  former  rtL'i'ri,  tij 
causes  .seem  operative  in  restraining  the  descent  of  the  tlicrnuuuta, 
conse((Uontly  reducing  the  uiinimum  to  nearly  the  same  degree  vitii 
maximum.     Tlio  first  is  the  temperature  of  the  sea,  which  eannut  k : 
below  the  freezing  point,  though  the  ice  which  covers  it  may  ;  tie  scn.ui 
that  no  colder  region  exists,  to  pour  over  it  a  wind  <jf  lower  tenipcratiii 
than  belongs  to  its  own  fitful  and  chopping  gales.     Tii  evidoneo  of  tlkj 
may  refer  to  Fort  Reliance,  in  the  direction  of  the  Rocky  3Iountaii!.<.  s'.. 
with  a  mean  temperature   of  21°,  has  a  depression  of  — 70°  or  I'l 
than  that  of  iMelville  Island,  whose  moan  heat  is  — i".07.    In  winter, tL.j 
from  the  summits  of  tho  Rocky  3Iountains,  witliin  the  Polar  Circle,  ui.hJ 
upon  Reliance,  which,  at  the  same  time,  is  surrounded  by  land  unai 
water. 

VII.  Continental    Extkemes. — It  may  not    lie  unintcrcstinL'  i" 
together  some  of  the  most  striking  examples  of  higli  and  low  tenir'ratij 
which  have  been  observed  in  the  Continental  Valley.     Of  the  foriinr.  1 
take  those  only  which  are  above  1U0° ;  of  the  latter,  such  as  stainl  i 
tho  freezing  point  of  mercury.     The  numbers  in  cucdi  cohunn  are  il. 
the  order  of  increasing  amount.     They  are  artificial///  paired  >£  ;-  H 
form  a  column  of  ranges,  which  is  placed  between  the  other  two  : 


•    (i-'.i   ,.11. 


.    -( 


INTERIOII  VALLKY  OF  NOUTH  AMIilRICA 


485 


T-'XTItKMKH  OK    TkMPKUATUUE. 


ri,Acr.». 

Ranok. 

Low. 

ri.ACF.1. 



;,5  r«Hii  fiarriK'ks, 

ioi 

14:{ 

—\-l 

Winter  Island. 

tlilokry, 

102 

H!> 

—47 

Kilix  Ilailmr. 

";(Leavt'nwi)rtlii 

It  If. 

l.VJ 

—47 

I'nrt   IJdWlMl. 

■  ••  Kin:. 

IOC) 

ir.ij 

_r)0 

l^rliHiIik. 

;  vil  liluffs, 

los 

i:)S 

—M 

Kurt   I'r.'iiikliit. 

(rtCiratint, 

10!) 

104 

— .").") 

.M.'lvillc  l.sli.l.d. 

>:  L'liis, 

III!) 

i(i<; 

— •")7 

lA.rt  l']nl(i'jiri!*o. 

'-.  itilisiin, 

llll 

i>(i 

—70 

Kurt  Jliliaiii'c. 

.;! 


vcrsu  occurii,  the  ranj 
Thus,  witbin  i\w  \'-\ 
I,  wlmsc  i':es  iitviT  ite 
J  duwiiwuvtl  iinil  111^^1 
[cy  'NVcst  ami  Unvm 
the  {'urmer  rui;i"ii.  t^ 
of  tlic  tluruit'unur, 
c  same  degree  wii'a 
a,  wliich  (-■aiiiiut  k  :a 
;rs  it  may  ;  tie  sei:i.r,i| 
id  of  lower  teniiii'':i;a 
In  I'videucc  if  li.> 
Kocky  Moiuitair.s.  ^J 
|.„  of  — 7U°,  or  l.v  q4 
i".07.   In  wiuttr.tl 
l\ie  Tolav  Ciri'lo,  tk- 
,uuded  l)y  laii^^  '''■'' 


;;\nll  be  observed  tliat  tlio  cxtraordiniiry  dofijiei's  of  heat  do  not  helon;; 
;:',!.  iXtMiic  SI luth,  uov  those  (if  cold  to  tlie  extreme  nurth.     The  lii;,'Iiest 
iM'.iCCurrt'd  a  little  below  the  thirty-sixth  parallel,  and  tlie  greatest  euld 
L;irUI)Wtlic  .sixty-third,  only '27°  of  latitude  ajiart;  huth  .stations  lie 
|i;v  ;' till' liyilroirraiihical  axis  of  the  A'alley,  in  coinjiarativu  proxinuty  to 
laF.ck;,  Miiir.itains. 
V[II,  hK.«<Kii   \'auiatio.\.s. — This    is   not    the    plaee    to    diseus-:    tlicso 
iiks  lit'  toiuperatin-e  whieh  oeeur  within  a  single  year,  or  it.s  sulior- 
Liiie  ilivijions ;  hut  I  may  remark  that,  as  the  greater  ineludes  the  less, 
l.:.e  HI  re  limited  cdiange.s  of  temperature  are,  as  it  were,  eoinprehended  in 
fiimn',  which  have  been  set  forth.     The  causes  of  the  wlnde  are  sub- 
ally  tlie  same,  and  in  those  regidiis  where  extreme  lilirations  occur,  the 
i".!y  .111(1  daily  vicissitudes  are,  of  course,  more  fre(|uent  and  vinlent. 
,u'.-auie  latitudes,  moreover,  the  range  of  mean  temperature  in  dill'erent 
•ij  wiliest.    The  zone  whieh  [iresents  this  ineonstaney  in  the  highest 
••  i-  tliat  ciimprised  l)ctween  the  thirty-fourtli  and   the   forty-luiirth 
k'ik.  liaving  mean  temjieratures  varying  from  (id'' to  4 T)^"".     This,  Imw- 
ist'iozmeof  densest  population  and  greatest  activity;  demonstrating 
v:;i:jituilos  of  temperature  are  nut  unfavorable  to  human  development. 


SECTION  III. 


peUTION   OF   THE  MEAN   ANNUAL  TEMPERATURE   THROUGH 
THE  SEASON.S. 

Table  OF  THE  Seasons. — The  following  table,  desiirned  to  show  the 
nii'mturo  of  the  seasons,  in  various  parts  of  the  Interior  \'alley. 
-  ■' t  imbraee  all  the  loealities  included  in  the  general  table  of  ineati 
l;"'nturos,  wliich  woidd  be  unnecessary,  even  if  the  observations  vhiedi 
'•'••t-ii  able  to  collect  were  sullieient.  As  in  the  preceding  table,  so 
\ve  begin  with  southern  and  end  with  northern  stations ;  but  they 


i    ■ 


;.T*  hi  >   .i  r  f  . 

!H    *      •»  ft'  '   >    L 


mi-ry  - 


'  If 


r '-ip ', 


.  I.  • »' . 


11 


ffW''i    •    ■  •  ■  :{^^ 


<-• 


4N(; 


TlIK  rUINCll'AI.  DISKASKS  OF  THE 


1««0K  ij 


are  ik.I,  jirosnitcd  in  (lie  saiiu'  (irdcr,  :.s  it  sci'iiis  iircftTfiMe  to  tlir,,;!  ,[.»! 
iiitii  !xnMi|iH,  (ir  sn  tiniis.  'I'lio/zr^/  iiidudi's  niaiitiiiu'  stiitiuiis  iiu<\m  v\ 
(Jul!'  (if  Mrxicn;  tiic  .'.ivv;//'/,  iiitciinr  or  ciiutincnta!  stutiuiis,  ca.st  -;  i 
(lulf  ;iinl  tlio  ]Mississi|i|ii  W'wrv.  up  to  latitude  I'l",  m-  tln' sdutJicrn  li  ,.  jf 
the  uroat  liaki's  ;  tin-  ////'/(/,  interior  slalii'i;s  «  n  the  lianks  df  tliat  ii\i;' to 
the  .^aiiu!  |tarailcl  ;  i\w  fimrtli.  inti'ri<ir  slalioiis  uo:~t  nf  tiie  (iiilf  ainl .  >  •  3* 
rivrr.  tn  tlio  lurtv-.si'ctmd  iiarallcl;  i\w.  Jiflh,  iiitciiur  stntiiiiis  iiIha,- •  j*  J 
jiarallcl.  and  west  dl'  tlio  luirtlicrn  Lalu's;  tlio  ■''■'.''''/'.  iiilei-iiir  )statiii;;<  ui,  y. 
that  l;;litiidi',  and  cast  ni'  the  Lakes;  the  srifu//,,  laeiistriiui  statinns.  ;r  » 
Oiitarid  to  Hu|ieriiir;  ihe  c/'i,'/,'/;,  ennlineiital  stations  in  tlio  lliidsn  ;,'i 
l\)lar  IJasins,  west  ul'  Hudson  Hay;  the  //./////.  inaiine  stations  in  t'c  ■■rij 
basins. 

1)V  lliis  gmuiiinii;,  the  influiMn-o  oi'  hx-al  eonilitions,  as  of  si'as  arili:,';..* 
forests,   savannas,  and  nh)Uitlai:is,   ean,  1   su|i|io.se,  lie  made  nimv  .'li,:;:-  ,^ 
tliiui  if  the  stations  liail   lieen  |dai'ed  in  the  order  of  the  ireiioral  talili'.   T!i 
aurnial   mean  teni|ieratures    in  (liis  talile,  result    Inin  the  sc:i,soiig,  a„(l 
r;.!l_v   dili'er   a    lit;K>   from    those   of  tlu'    L;-eiieral    taiiie,  as  they  repro;- 
small"';  niindier  of  years.     'i"he  olijeet  is.  to  .show  the  |ireiiso  rdatiuM  ;li 
heat  0!'  Mie  seasons   to  that    of  the  year — not  the  alisohite  aioaiii'! 
turi'.      .M'tor  piviny  the  tenqu  ratni'e  of  ea(di  se:ison,  the  dill'urcni'i' lur.i.a 
winter  and  suuwner  is  stated  in  a  separate  eoliuun,  followed  hy  aiinii'r. 
whieh   tl'.at  dill'erenee  is   eompared  with   the  nu'.aii  animal  teiii[ii'nitu 
exjirrs^-ed  /'•/•   cniluni.      The    ninnliers  in   this  eolniini.  whieh  dn  ii-:  rj 
to   <in(>   hundreil.  indicate   the   ju'f   c/Vi/////',  or  decimal   pro|Mirtiuii,  wii  .■1| 
ctitl'erenee.s    between   the   temperatures   of  Hununer  and  winter  hoar  t   ;ll 
annual  heat;  one  liundred  shows  that  (hey  are  e(pial ;  all  ahove  tlin: 
bcr   show  by   bow  much   jirr  miluiii  tho  dillereiiees   are  greater  tn::;  tSj 
nu'aii  heat.     Another  ecdunni  prt'sents  the   ratio   at  which  the  dir 
mean  temper.aturcv  from  advanein;:'  north,  occasions  an  iiicrea.so  of  divii 
between  wint;'r  and  snnuner.      In  determininir  this  ratio,  Ml*^  is  takin::lj 
ma.ximum.  or  e(|uatorial  heat,  and  :'>"  as  the  nuniniinn,  or  zero  of  ei|i!;i: 
divcrtrenee,  of  tho  winter  ami   summer  curves.     The  teniiieratu..  -! 
.station  is  then  subtraited  from  ^'i",  and  the   remainder  made  a(Iivi>'r: 
ruuLie  between  sunnner  and  winter  at  the  same  station  i.s  of  course  ii'.'-fj 
or   resultant  of  that  diminution    and  after  deductiuij;  from  it  •>  , !  r  t| 
equatorial   divergence,   the   remainder   is   made  a   dividend.    'Hn'  '.; 
sliuws  the  ratio  at  whi(di  the  reduction  ol' annua!  mean  teni|ierature ;;:. 
the    ra!i;;-e    between  winter    and  snuniur.      The    reniainiiii;  enluniiis  ' 
table  imlieato  the  rtdations  between  the  mean  annual  tempera hnv  ;: 
of   sprimr   and   autunni,   taken  separately,    ami,   also,   in   eii.iju;;i.:i 
excess  (u-  delicieney  of  tho  season,  compared   with  tho  year,  bciu  ii'i'-'''' 
liy  the  ^  L'n  -I-  (^plus),  or  —  (^ndnus). 


"tf  , 


iir. 


[vm  ij 


ivclVralilc  to  tlir.iw  iif 
iiiic  staliuiis  armni'l  i 
ta!   slutiiiiis,  eaht  ■:  i 

',   nr    the  SiiUtlllTIl  li'.r 

111'  lianks  (if  tluit  n\^'. 
■t  (if  tlie  dull'  ami  i* ;: 
■rinr  stations  aliii\i  ;'atf..-j 
'li,  iiitL'riiir  statiiin^  ai 
,  lacustrine  slati'iis.  :\ 
tiuiis  in  tlio  llui^.  II ;, 
ivii:(!  statiuiis  in  t!ii'  ■:; 

ons,  as  (4'  s^'as  arnli;ii;.;i 
1h'  made  move  .'|ij.;ir<;i^ 
il'  I  he  ,L'i'ueral  talilo.   T!i 
•('111  I  lie  seasons,  a.,ii  ,•:, 
nlilc,  as  tliey  iTpn-  • 
tlic  |iV('cisf  rclatim  ■ ;  iS 
I'  atiSdlute  mean  tiiii]': 
.(111,  tlu!  (litrereiici'  Ui'^vi 
III.  lull  I  wed  liy  aiii'iii'.r.i 
II  aimiial  temperaluiv  ;,« 
iiliiiiiii.  which  (Id  ii"t  r;i 
iiiial   |iroi)ortion,  \vi 
r  and  winter  ln^ar  ;   'lii 
|ual ;  all  above  tlia".  !:  s 
iices  are  greater  t!i;i';  ;ll| 
it  which  the  (Iht 
s  an  increase  (jt'divir.  i 
rat  id,  f^-^  is  taki.ii 
iiuiii,  or  zero  of  et|ii;i; : 
The  teiiijieratu.-.  "f 
ii;(l(T  made  a  div;-  r- 
tidii  is  of  course  tl;t'«::8 
■tiii'j;  from  it  •>,!!■  ^^ 
dividend.    The  f. : 
i>:iu  tcnuierature ;:;;.:' 
reiiiaiiiintr  eohuims  "■  'f 
nial  teni|)erature  a::'! 
iilsd.   ill   coajuiii'ti ' : 
the  vear.  beiu  .:.'■ 


'liTILj 


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rl   I-  '71   77 


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"/-  I-  17  u-7  77  1—1 
1,  [,  1~  1^  1-  1- 


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—  77  -f  -f  77  -* 


TO  T-  c:  C7  X.  -t  X.  ir7  T-l  o  ^c 


70 


o  :r>  tr  t^  •-::  I  -  tt  o  —  o  I'T- 
1^  '^  X  o  ^  o  c  o  X  ^ 
o  -3  i~  ^  ic  71  '."1  -3  i'-  o 


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o  c;  1.- 

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•-H  10  uO  01  ir:  1.7  r-J  ~   -f  ■—   -f  -f  T— I  r-J  77 

o  1^  01  c:  01  I-  1-  •-T  ~  '.7  -+  'r-  ^i  ,_  rt 

I-  XX  i^  X-  1-  1  -  i-  X-  y.  X  iX  o  1—  71 


71  71  7 


■'■  ^ 


tl. 


-X 


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1-1  01  71  01  77  7"  70  -+'  17   'C     77 


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.     ■  >    * 


490 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DI^^EASES  OF  THR 


L»00^.  ;. 




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'Oi|1  JO  'OM 


HVl'-l 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NOIITII  A.MEiJICA. 


401 


[f  Dkdi'CTIons. — Tlio  pliy.siciau  wliu  is  ilcsinms  of  kiiowin;^  tlic  distri- 
,-ii,ii  ol' temporaturo  tlirou^^liout  the  slmsuus,  in  llio  (litVcroiit  jiarts  of  tlio 
■;^.ii,r  Valk'y,  will  find  iiiucli  to  Katisly  liin  curinsity  in  this  talilc.  It 
•'txut-' a,  I'ai'flul  asHoiubhigu  of  lU'arly  all  tlu;  olisrrvatidiis  T  liavo  boon 
loleto  enlloct;  and,  ooniprolioiiding  .statinns  i'nmi  the  tnijiic:d  to  tho  polar 
.jjj  ;ifi'or(l^  data  fur  deductions  of  a  tMjnijiroiion.sivo  kind. 
l;i  tho  ei(uatiiml  regions,  the  seasons  pi-os(iit  but  little  variation:  and  tho 
ifcciii;*;  bitwi'ou  winter  and  sunnner,  is  not  as  groat,  as  that  belweon  one 
araiiJ  ll'o  in-'xt,  in  the  teuiporato  zone.  In  advancing  to  tho  north,  the 
arvt'S  wliioh  iiidi(;ate  the  toniporatures  of  those  seasons,  ininiediatoly  begin 
tidivcr't),  and  continue  to  separate  widt'r  and  Avider  from  cad;  other,  until 

irt  rcacli  the  (ifty-third   parallel   of   latitude.     This   divergcuei another 

_,j|.r;;<i,i;i  fur  the  dill'erence  between  winter  and  snnuner  —  ])riii'reil.s  y'(ni 
:,,;,/ with  the  decrease  of  mean  aniuud  heat;  so  that  tho  individual  who 
::iV(ld'ioia  south  to  north,  is  constantly  subjected  to  a  climate  of  less  mean 
Mt.  anil  givatcr  extrcnios  of  sunnner  and  winter  temperature,  tliau  that  ho 
>  Irliiiul.  He  cannot  anywhere  in  the  A'alley  enjoy  a  temperate  summer. 
KJiiiut  LMiciiuiitoring  a  rigorous  winter  and  a  low  annual  heat;  nor  a  mild 
litter,  ffitliuut  a  hut  summer,  and  higli  annual  heat. 
I,ic  ratio  at  which  tho  range  between  winter  and  summer  incrca-^cs,  witli 
;':e  ik'ri'a.so  of  the  mean  heat  of  the  year,  is  not  luiiform  ;  for  varying  condi- 
;;.is  H  tlio  surface  more  or  less  modify  it.  The  actual  range  at  the 
Smit  statinns  included  in  the  seasonal  talile,  may  bo  soon  in  ciuuioction 
t;;:i  their  iiicau  annual  temperatures ;  and  to  compare  one  place  with 
::, tiur  recourse  may  be  had  to  tlie  ciduuui  in  which  tho  divergence  is 
sfriJH'J  ptr  cciiium  on  the  mean  heat  of  the  year  at  each  place.  Tho 
Hj'iCT  the  per  centum,  the  greatci  is  tlie  divergence,  compared  with  tho 
Mn  ti'iiiperaturo.  But  there  is  another  mode  of  coniemplating  tlds  rela- 
:!;..  Ill  tlio  cohunn  of  ratios,  we  sec  the  amount  of  increase  of  diveracnco, 
■dii  results  from  one  degree  of  dimini.^lied  tcMujierature;  and,  conse- 
iM;:!y.  the  higher  tho  ratio,  the  gri'ater  is  tho  divergence,  couipared  with 
t:.>  iiieaii  annual  heat.  For  example,  Fort  Crawford  and  liCwistou  have 
al: ,1  mean  annual  temperature  (rejecting  fractions)  of  47^,  and  this,  sub- 
irartcd  fr.iui  s2°  leaves  o^)^\  whicii,  it  might  bo  sup.posed,  would  give  tho 
i«' divcrironco  for  lioth ;  but  Fort  Crawford  belongs  to  a  group  of  iidand 
■•;itiiiiis  (Sect.  V),  wliich  have  a  mean  ratio  of  l^.^iO,  while  Lewiston  is  a 
DerahtTof  the  hdic  group  (Sect.  VIT),  tho  mean  ratio  for  which  is  l°.tl4. 
'':.!iwe  multiply  yo*^  by  these  numbers,  and  subtract  from  each  product 
'.!'r  tho  divergence  at  the  e^piator,  we  have  as  tho  results,  a  dilferencc 
'^.weii  winter  and  summer,  at  J-'ort  Crawford,  of  4'i°— at  Lewiston.  of  38°. 
•oin:  Su])|mso  a  copious  and  permanent  spring,  in  the  State  of  Arkansas, 
we  111  I  meteorological  observations  had  been  made,  to  indicate  the  moan 
aiiual  atmospheric  temperature  to  be  (I'i"' ;  let  that  number  bo  subtracted 
ff'Bi  the  erpuiforial  maximum,  S2'^,  and  wo  have  as  the  remainder  2(1°, 
»'»li.  U'iiig  nndtiplied  by  l^.C.:!,  the  ratio  for  that  region  (See't.  IV),  gives 
'•  ''.  trom  which  o"^  must  taken  for  eijuatorial  divergence,  leaving  20°. 0, 


I 


'■^  ;^':^' 


'■•..„,«  *:P   ■    .. 


1-     •;■•'^.^•L^■'':«...'''    v''     '•• 


'%r         .    •}'     *■-*• 


*     '.i  *, 


.t| 


'-  ■■:■■■  -S' 


-:    '  ■*■     \ 


'!•:.• 


402 


THE  PRINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[Boot 


as  tlio  rani^o  of  winter  and  summer  divergence.  But  if  a  sprincindicM, ,i 
the  saino  tenipeniture  for  a  place  oast  of  the  ^lississippi,  in  tlie  >'tato  i.f 
Al;ibiuna,  wliere  tlic  niuan  ratio  (Sect.  II)  is  l*^.-!!,  the  resuhiiK'  rai". 
would  bo  only  2'i''.S,  sliowing  that  tlie  difrurenco  between  winter  ami  ^jni. 
nier  would  bo  7°  less  at  tlie  latter  tliau  at  the  former  place,  wliilo  th.ir 
mean  temperatures  were  the  same. 

iM'om  the  e({uatori;d  belt  up  to  the  thirtieth  parallel,  wliicli  cut?  \  .. 
nortliern  eoast  of  tlie  Gulf  of  ^lexico,  the  ratio  of  divergence  is  ^Tcutertlan 
we  find  it  further  north.  The  iiuinbc.  which  indicates  it,  is  T^Tl  for  1'- ,,' 
diminished  aniuial  heat.  After  tliat,  wlien  we  look  at  the  eastern,  middle 
and  western  lines  of  stations,  up  to  the  liakes,  or  forty-sccuiid  jiuralltl  i/ 
latitud(.',  we  find  for  the  first"  (  ^^ect.  11).  a  ratio  of  I'^.'iU;  fcr  the  seci  w 
(Sect,  rri),  a  ratio  of  1°.-1G;  for  the  third  (Sect.  IV),  a  ratio  of  l^tjii 
Now,  the  first  of  these  three  lines  of  stations,  extends  frmu  North  Alubaiu 
to  the  northern  part  (jf  Ohio,  lying  to  tlie  winter  and  summer  windward  ■;' 
the  Appalachian  .Mountains,  at  a  great  distance  from  the  Ivicky  Mountaiiis: 
the  seciiiid,  along  the  Mississip[)i  River,  between  the  States  of  .Missis.-irj.i, 
Tennessee,  and  Illinois,  on  the  one  hand,  and  of  Arkansas,  iMissnuri,  util 
Towa,  on  the  other;  and  tlie  third,  parallel  to  that  river,  on  tlio  firca: 
inclined  plain  wliiidi  descends  from  thuse  mountains,  in  Arkaiisa.'',  )lis.-'i;ri 
and  Iowa.  It  follows,  tlien,  as  a  law  of  our  climate,  that  between  the  llul: 
of  Mexico  and  the  Northern  Lakes,  the  din'urence  between  winter  and  sum- 
mer, as  we  advance  under  the  same  jiarallel,  from  east  to  west,  gradual!', 
widens.  l].\istiiig  observations  clearly  indicate  this  law;  but  are  n.it  .-i::ll- 
eiently  exact,  to  enable  us  to  assign  to  each  degree  of  longitude  il,s  piV'L-t 
iiiflucnee. 

Let  us  advance  to  the  groups  ()f  stati^Jiis  north  of  those  we  have  ju,st  o.n- 
sidered.  They  lie  nearly  in  the  same  longitudes  with  eacli  other.  "{'..■ 
first,  or  eastern  (Sect.  VI),  extends  from  Cuba  to  (^hiebec,  and  has  a  iii.,.:i 
longitude  of  7">°  H';  the  second  (Sect.  VI II)  includes  the  iiurthorn  Lai:" 
with  a  mean  longitude  of  SlO-Ul';  the  third  (Sect.  V)  eonipivhoiid? -t:,- 
tions  wi'st  of  tlu!  Lakes,  in  mean  lo)igitude  9U°  11'.  For  the  iir.<t,  tv 
mean  ratio  is  l^.Ti;  fir  the  second,  P.Ol;  for  the  third,  P.."]0.  'We  <ce 
from  t'l'js.)  rati  is  tliat,  as  th:)so  of  the  three  stations  furtlier  pouth,  are  l-- 
than  t'lose  of  the  in  ire  sjuthern,  or  (^  ulf  stations,  sj  these  are  lower  >i!:l. 
showing  that,  as  we  continue  to  advance  north,  a  degree  of  diiiiiiii>!i"i 
annual  temperature  produces  less  and  less  divergence  of  winter  and  siiniii;ir. 
We  also  sec,  when  we  compare  the  region  cast  of  the  Lakes,  in  New  Vi- 
and Canaila,  wit!i  that  1 1  their  west,  in  .Michigan,  Wisconsin,  and  .Miiu;  :■■ 
that  the  mean  rate  of  divergence  augments  from  1°.1"J  to  1^  a^,  whieli  i- 3" 
increase  of  twenty-three  ]'vr  cvnlum  of  the  latter  over  the  fnrnier.  h- 
when  we  look  at  the  lake-station,^,  tlu'  mean  ratio  of  which  is  P.d-].  wevO 
most  distiiKitly  the  influence  of  large  bodies  of  water,  in  liinitiiiL' the  ra::'.' 
between  winter  and  summer.     To  tlio  east,  the  ratio  is  1".12.  and  liMii !! 


1  ..■ 


1.111;;;  '     ",    y.';  ■.','.''■ 


*  Xiilajiu  and  tlio  City  of  Mexico  not  iiieliided. 


[book  1, 


•ar  n.J 


INTERIOR,  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


403 


'  a  spring  iwliciuu! 
)Iii,  in  tlie  t^tat<.'  i.[ 
-lie  resulting  raii^-t 
L'u  winter  and  .^nm- 
r  j)laco.  \Yliil(:  ih.ji- 

Ik'l,  wliicli  tuts  I,. 
icncc  is  greater  tb:: 
it,  isr^Tlt'i.r  1-; 
the  eastern,  nudiii  . 
ty-sccond  puralltl  i,;" 
°.'1\);  lor  tliesew.ll 
''),  a  ratio  of  l^t);]. 
fri'iu  North  Alub:iii;i 
suiuiiier  wiuJwiird  ■:' 
10  Rocky  Mountiuiis: 
States  of  ^lissis;i['iii. 
kansas,  Missuuri.  mA 
I  river,  on  the  mx. 
n  Arkansas,  ^lisf'uri. 
that  between  thcliul: 
ween  ^Yinte^  and  Mini- 
[ist  to  west,  grudii.uf, 
L\v ;  but  are  n  jt  -uili- 
f  longitude  its  [iroi;>c 

losc  we  have  just  orm- 
th  each  other.    Ti.' 

lebcc,  and  has  a  iii. ^^a 

.'s  the  nurtheni  Lai:'- 
V)  comiirohoiRU  ■:;.• 
'.     For  the  fet.  :':!•: 

Itliird,  l°.:5t'.  AVesrf 
irther  south,  ari'  1- 
t'lu'si'  are  lower  >ii!l. 
dein-eo  of  diinibi^'."' 
if  winter  and  sumiwr. 
e  T.akes,  in  Now  Y^'il 
SL'onsin,  and  Mines.".. 
I  to  1^0^.  whi-'lii-" 
livor  the  former,  h- 
,vhiehis  F.tl•l.^v.•-< 
in  liuiiting  tlio  r..:: 
lis  r.l-.  iinil  ^'f'""' 


•-'itudcof  the  lake-stations,  it  ought  there  to  bo  P. 17,  instead  of  1  \(14, 
,.  ',H>rvation  makes  it.  From  this  depression,  the  ratio  rises  raj/idly  to 
'::10.  Thus,  in  advancing  wostwardly,  the  ratio  sinks  and  ri.ses,  while  to 
■■:\j  soatli.  it  constantly  rises.  Thus,  the  effoets  of  the  Northern  Lakes, 
ritiio  Rocky  31ountains,  on  the  divorgeuco  of  winter  and  suiiinier,  are  in 
-i  jitu  directions ;  and  it  follows  that  the  more  coinplctely  a  jdace  is 
-,';  jod  in  the  former,  the  less  will  bo  the  range  between  winter  and  sum- 
:;r;  the  further  it  is  taken  to  the  west,  on  the  great  plain  which  ascends 
1 10  latter,  the  greater  will  be  the  divergence  —  the  latitude  meanwhile 
:i!iiiui!ig  the  same. 

h  t'lo  Hudson  and  Polar  Basins,  we  have  two  groups  of  stations  (Sects. 

nil  and  IX),  a  comparison  of  which  will  complete  this  investigation.     The 

:':raier  of  these  groups  (Sect.  VIII),  lying  far   west  and  north-west   of 

Hil'fl  Bay,  in  the  direction  of  the  Rocky  ^louiitains,  has  a  ratio  1".  16, 

i:;,':!  is  .14  less  than  the  group   south  of  it    and  west  of  the  Northern 

hiOs.  still  showing  that  as  we  cross  the  continent,  from  south  to  north,  the 

n:iMli™inishcs.     The  hitter  group  (Sect.  IX)  is  maritime,  and  composed 

;;;tatiung  in  and  around  the  Polar  Sea.     \l  lies  immediately  north  of  the 

a>statioiis,  and  has  a  mean  ratio    'M  lower  than  theirs,  making  it  the 

i.TC>t  of  the  whole  Valley;    which   sifiords  lurtlier  evidence  that,  as  wo 

!iii:T.jfrom  the  trojiieal  to  the  polar  regions,  the  ratio  of  seasonal  divorgcnec 

:.:  a  degree  of  diiiiini.shed  temperature,  gets  less  and  less.     Put  let  us  com- 

Mre  tbc  two  hyperborean  groups  with  each  other.     Their  diflercnce  of  mean 

!r..Viade  is  l)°  lU'  —  of  mean  ratio  .43;  that  of  the  maritime  group  being 

'i-of  the  continental,  1°.U).     This  gives  a  rise  of  ratio  e([ual  to  .04.')  for 

iichterecof  longitude.     This  is  a  greater  by  .010.")  than  from  the  Lakes 

'.jAe  stations  west  of  thcni;  and  shows   that  the  polar  seas  have  a  still 

.TOtor  influence  in  rcstrainino;  the  diveriience  of  winter  and  summer,  than 

ix  Lakes.    Xaiii,  as  lying  remote  from  the  other  places  of  this  group,  is 

1 ;  ip.i'luded  in  forming  the  ratio. 

Havin;.'  investigated  the  relation  between  the  mean  temperatuvo  of  the 
;  ir  ami  that  of  the  solstitial  seasons,  or  winter  and  summer,  let  us  now 
-"  to  the  et|uiiioctial.  Throughout  the  whole  table,  the  diffcreuce 
5t;;veen  spring  and  atiturnn,  taken  separately  and  conjointly,  is  indicated  by 
!'..•  ibs  ;)/us  and  minus.  It  will  be  instructive  to  collect  into  one  table 
-'.  niiaiis  of  the  different  groups  of  stations. 


■•'      1 


■mr- 


|i|;;t'';h  ^  '•''[  '>^.^ ■■■■■■-. V-;--' 


m'^^ 


V      '^.i 


I  •" 


■.3f,.  I  .  s  .  T 


■',1  Jm-"',"/  ' 


4.     ■  ?■ 


;,»<■""."' 


'\.  '..H 


''•l.>'  f 


1-  ■  ! 


H::^ 

!'■•• 


41M 


TIIK  PRIN'CIP.VL  DIf<E.'\SES  OF  THE 


BODE  ; 


Sl.lTlON.S. 

Sl'BI.NO. 

-l-o.i:} 
+0.41 

-i-o.;")l 
4-0.2:5 

:      Hl'niMi       DiFK.    BF.T. 
Al'Tl-MN.             AM)         Sl-rtlM,  \M, 
AUTl'.MN.  1    AltI'MN. 

I. 

TT. 
III. 
IV. 

V. 

+o.:j4 
— <>.;ju 
+0.44 
+l.:;4 
+l>.04 

+0.2:} 
--0.07 
--o.(;-_' 
--0.!)2 
--0..5S 

.21 
.74 
.47 
>■■', 
.71 

Mfiiii, 

+U.45 

+o.:;5 

+0.48 

.■>n 

VI. 

A' 1 1. 

Ylil. 

IX. 

— 2.(K) 

—2.00 

— 2.r,.'-) 

5.70 

+2.:]2 
+2.2:} 
+:}.:j:j 

+:5.r.4 

+o,i;j 

—0.21 
+(».:;4 
—1.12 

4S!) 

.Mciui, 

— ;{.20 

+2.S5 

— 0.:i4 

r..i4 

Mo"M  of  tlio  whulo, 

—  1.22 

+l.ns 

+0.17" 

:5.n() 

Wild,  we  ta:.     -lie  means  of  tlio  iiiiR-  p-oni)S  of  .^tntior.s,  wo  finil  that, 
tliroiiH-h  tlio  oiitiro  Vallo}',  fniiii  tlio  trojjical  to  the  pdar  rcu'iiir.s,  tliotcnipi- 
raturu  of  .spring  is  P.22  litlow  the  moan  toinperaluro  of  tlio  ycnr:  tiat  .f 
autumn,  1^' "iS  above;  and  tliat  of  .wpring  and  autumn  unitwl,  (i^.17  aWo. 
This  small  exi-css  does  not  oiipose  tlio  fonclusion  tliat,  taking  tliu  Valle.  as 
a  whole,  tlie   moan  temperature  of  spring  and  autumn  combined,  is  iilLini' a!  j 
■with  the  mean  hoat  of  the  year.     It  is  interesting  to  observe  tliat.  iiiitiUf 
come  to   the   last  group  of  stations  (h'eet.  IX),  in  the  extromo  mrtli,  tiit 
average  heat  of  spring  and  autumn,  in  none  of  the  groups,  varies  a  dcjrro; 
from  the  annual  temperature.     But  tlie   table  gives  us  infurmatii  n  ■  f  a  i 
different  kind. 

lu  looking  at  the  colunm  for  spring,  -we  see  that  in  the  first  five  secti'i.?. 
the  heat  (jf  that  season  is  loss  than  half  a  degree  above  the  nioaii  yonrly!:.atj 
of  the  same  seetions.  These  sections  include  all  the  stations  in  tlie  \ali(v,j 
from  Vera  Cruz  and  Havana  to  the  southern  shores  of  Lake  Eric,  (ii  thij 
east  side  of  the  3Iississippi,  and  also  the  country  up  to  Fort  Haclliiig,  unt!:"! 
western  side  of  that  river.  'Ihcir  high  mean  temperature  iudiiatcs  ima 
opening  of  spring,  and  a  raj)id  advance  of  summer.  AVhen  we  pass  oiitoj 
the  remaining  groujns  (Sects.  VI,  VII,  VIII,  and  IX),  we  find  :i:i  intire! 
change  in  tlie  temperature  of  that  season,  in  its  relation  to  the  a!iriuall:cai.| 
below  which  it  ranges  from  2'''.0<)  to  ."t'^.TO. 

Let  us  imw  institute  some  comparisons  of  a  different  kind,  llie  niostj 
eastern  section  (VI)  embraces  stations  north-east  of  Cuba,  in  X-  I'Stj 
42°  15',  to  Quebec,  in  N.  Lat.  4(i^  47'.  Its  spring  temperature  t'alN  •-.'"l| 
bolow  its  mean  annual  heat;  while  the  corresponding  region  (t^out.  M  Mj 
the  west  of  the  great  Lakes,  has  a  spring,  which  rises  .2:}  above  tlic  iiii'3!i| 
temperature  of  the  year,  making  a  difference  between  the  two  nf -".-'■'.  IJ 
what  should  this  be  ascribed  V  Physical  geography  furnishes  the  aii'ifefj 
and  shows,  at  the  same  time,  the  necessity  (jf  connecting  its  study  with  t,:atj 
of  climatology.     Firsl,  the  western  stations  lie  to  the  windward  of  the  ^m 


11 


B'JOK 


•iJt  il.J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


VX> 


DiKK.  BC.T.' 
Sl'RlNC  \Ml 
i    AlTI'MN. 

.47 
>:'. 
.71 

'.r.i) 

4H) 
:{.im; 


slntior.s,  vo  fiml  llat. 
hir  rcgiov..s.  tliptor!]"-  i 
;  of  tiie  ycnr:  tht  •: 
111  uiiittil.  C'MT  ali'A': 
:,  taking  tlic  Valk'v  ;i- 
1  com'.iiued,  is  iiliMu'.'a! 
observe  tliat.  until  w?  j 
,l\o  extreme  m  vtli,  ti;? 
ronits,  varies  a  dcgr':':' 
s  us  iiiturmatiijii  'i  a  I 

li  tlic  first  five  ?ectivii5. 
c  tlioiucaii  yearly 'xi! ! 
statiims  in  tlic  ^all^y. 
of  Lake  Krie.  (lithi'l 
,0  Tort  Snelling,'^!itl 
turc  iiulii'ates  aiiwilyj 
When  \Tepas5  i-nt)j 
iX),  we  find  au  entire! 
ion  to  the  annuaUoatj 

tvont  kind.    Tl.e  niv<; 

of  Cuba,  ill  N-  I'»';| 

temperature  falN 

11  region  (^ei-t.  V\  li 

.2:^  above  tlie  iii'-'"j 

the  two  ot  -  .-'•    "! 
,•  furnishes  the  an?«M 

incjits  study  >vitlit!-« 

windward  of  the  ,Tiit] 


tes 


■,.,  ji|,(l,  sconil,  they  arc  in  th(!  midst  uf  ii  I)ound!ess  plain,  ^N-hi(di 
..ijnej  tn  the  south.  On  the  othor  hai.d.  the  stations  tn  the  east  lie  to  the 
(^Kird  of  the  Lakes,  which  renniiiiing  eoolcd  niucli  hjnger  than  a  tcrre.itrial 
dice  retard  the  opening  and  advaneo  of  spring,  wlicrcver  the  winds  Muw- 
"iWi'r  theiu  are  fidt ;  >v'6w//y/,  they  are  in  the  inuni'diato  vicinity  of  the 
.,1,  yirnadack  mountains  of  New  York,  or  other  portions  of  the  Apjia- 

,jj,,  Clijiin,  to  tlic  south  and  north  of  that  alpine  gr(.ui),  and  the  currents 
■  lir wliieh  roll  down,  counteraet  the  iiifluenee  of  the  sun  upon  the  plain; 
cj  ■uril,  the  general  declination  of  the  jdain  is  to  tin   north. 

Ihenoxt  group  (Sect.  \'1I )  includes  the  lake-stations,  the  average  mean 
ancrature  of  which  is  'i°.(i<)  below  that  of  the  year.  'J'his  dill'ereiice  may 
■tii'tilied  almost  entirely  to  the  influeiiee  of  the  lake,<,  which  is  of  course 
•Kitcr  ill  plaees  situated  on  their  coasts  than  those  more  remote,  although 

ntir  leeward.  The  iie  formed  in  their  shallow  hays  and  coves  is  slow 
■DieltiiiL';  the  wh(do  Ixnly  of  water  i.s  (Mjoled,  in  many  parts  almost  to  the 
j  a*!iii2  jiMiiit ;  the  rivers  pour  into  them  iiielt<il  siiow> ;  Jiake  Superior 
.--!)  1  iwii  from  a  high  latitnde  a  copious  supply  of  ice-water:  and  the 
■Dlaiiiiiis  whieh  they  send  up  ferm  mists,  tiiiil  legs,  and  cluuds,  whie' 
:;  Milt  tlie  rays  of  the  sun  *  —  causes  ijuite  sullicient  tu  account  for  th 

,wt'!ii|ierature  of  spring. 

h  tiie  distant  north-west,  the  group  (Sect.  VITI)  presents  an  average 
I ■: <iiriiif; ;)°.-)o  helow  that  of  the  year.     In  the   (comparative)  contiguity 

inw  stations  to  the  northern  portions  of  the  lloeky  Mountains,  an  . 
I  iL'i t"  the  polar  seas,  we  lind  at  once  an  explanation  of  the  low  tenipc"  'ture 

if 'frill!,'. 

Ik  List  group  (Sect.  IX)   consists   of  sea-side  and  insular  stations, 

:i«jy  within  the  Arctic  (Tircle  and  the  area  of  the  l'(do  of  Cold.  Their 
I  Wi.'f  vi.Tiial  tempiirature  is  no  less  than  ^>°.'i\)  below  the  annual.     Spring 

ii:W  almost  annihilated.  The  simws  and  ices  of  winter  are  but  par- 
hal!y melted  at  midsummer,  and  it  is  not  until  the  approach  of  the  solstice 

atthe  earth  is  .sufficiently  thawed  and  warmed  at  the  surface  (still  remain- 

■..■'Tizen  beneath)  to  permit  vegetation  to  come  forth. 
^•/ must  new  turn  to  autumn.     Witli  one  exeeiition.  we  find  the  heat  of 
Injni'i greater  than  that  of  the  year,  in  all  the  groups  of  stations;  and  in 

■'tk  instance  (Sect.  IT)  it  is   only  three-tenths   of  a  degree   below  the 

mil  heat.  Nevertheless  autumn  is  not  uniform  in  this  relation  tu  mean 
h"';al  temperature ;  for  in  the   same  group   of  stations,   some   present  it 

'''''■  fthtrs  below,  mean  yearly  heat.     The  group  in  which  the  greatest 

"prtiqial  number  of  stations  present  it  below,  is  the  second,  extending 
niintsvillo,  in  North  Alabama,  to  Lake  Erie.  ]}nt  few  stations  on 
j*"!f«sito,  or  western,  side  of  the  .Mississippi,  have  an  autuumal  tempera- 
pe  teliiw  that  ]of  the  year;  and  all  the  groups  present  an  average  above 
jjwlylioat;  from  which  it  appears  that  l)etwcon  the  latitudes  of  :i()°  and 
j-'.  the  western  portions  of  the  A'alley  have  warmer  autumns  compared  with 


*  Professor  Dewey :  New  York  Reports. 


f- 


.1 


... } 


-I-.J.--.-  . 


fff4,^8::| 


''■■■i 


;•■<•■ 


r  .-^-'-i  ■ 


4!)0 


TIIK  PRINCIPAI,  DISKASKS  OF  THE 


.OCOI  >. 


tlic  year,  than  the  oastem.     Tliis  may  prolialtly  be  asr-rilied  to  a  dfonrrl, 
ing  ot  tlio  oartli,  by  tlm  rays  (tt  tlio  suiiimoi'  sui\  haviii;.'  acted  un  a  drv 
tro(di'SH  surlaco;  Iiiit  ju'rliaps  some  jtortion  of  it  may  bo  attrilnited  to  th. 
extensive  coiifla^ratimis  wliicb.  in   tliat  season  of  tlio  year,  run  ovir  tl 
bouiidless  prairies  whi(di  stretch  ofl"  to  the   Hocky  Mountains.    As  inf.. 
caso  of  spring,  we  iind  the  autumnal  lieat  of  the  first  five  irruuiis  to  var  h 
little  from  the  annual  temperature:  while  in  the  remainder  it  i.S'jrc.d-  ht 
in  every  group  in  tlie  opposite  direiition,  that  is  above,  whilo  tlint  of  surirr 
is  below,  and  their  divergetKio  from  mean  temperature  is  nearly  to  the  ^ame 
extent.     The  cause  of  a  warm  autumn  in  the  stations  around  ami ;.  the 
leeward  of  the  Northern  Lakes  (Seet.  VII  and  VI),  must  bo  fouMl  in,),,. 
Lali'S  thems(dves,  wliieli  retain  their  sumuuT  temperature  for  a  lonwr  tini' 
than  the  cartliy  surface,  and  tiius  retard  tlie  appriiuch  of  winter.    Tlr-anie 
explanation  is  perhaps  applicable  to  the  stations  in  Section  IX,  wliicli  :iri»on 
the  shores  of  the  Polar  Sea;  but  why  the  stations  ia  Section  VIll,  whiehlie 
between  Hudson  IJay  and  the  Rocky  Mountains,  should  have  Jin  a'ltnuiii  if 
hiirh  temperature  compared  to  their  ainiual  heat,  does  not  .«o  i!iar!v  iiminr 
The  last  column   of  the   small   table,   whiidi  h.ss  suj)plicd  data  fur  tlie 
deductions  wiiich  have  been  made,  presents  the  ditrerenecs  botwp'ii  ^m." 
and  autunni  without  any  reference  to  the  mean   temperature  (.f  t!ie  via; 
This  dillerencie,  it  will  be  seen,  is  less  than  a  dejrree  in  the  lirst  live  i;ruii[*. 
and  least  of  all  in  the  first,  or  gulf-section,  where  it  amounts  onlv  to  air  nt 
two-tenths  of  a  degree.     IJut  when  wo  atlvance  into  the  other  soptimis.  tiie 
dilfercuce  suddenly  becomes  much  greater,  and  continues  tu  increase  up  m 
the  Pole  of  C(dd.     In  the  region  cast  of  the  Lakes,  to  (^ichec,  it  i-i4^:>; 
among  the  Lakes,  4°.f-(t;  in  the  high  north-west,  fj'^.OS;  in  the  ]H!;ir  i:iari- 
time  region,  l)°  80,     This  divergence  of  spring  and  iiutumn  is,  of  Pnur-e.  t'le 
effect  of  those  causes  which  retard  the  coming  on  of  the  former.  m\  the , 
passing  away  of  the  latter  season.     In  ])roportion  to  their  difference.  t':e  I 
points  of  time  in  spring  and  autuinn.  which  have  a  moan  tcni|ieraturee.r- 
responding  with  that  of  the  year,  lie  at  a  greater  distance  from  tlie  c;;i- 
noxes,  and  consefjuently  approach   nearer  to  the  solstices,  than  wliere  i!i«j 
difference  between  the  two  seasons  is  less. 


-•  I 


l^'- 


SECTION  IV. 

DISTRIBUTION  OF  TEMPERATURE  THROUGH  THE  MO.M'Il.v 

I.  Tabular   Vikw.  —  The  tabic  of  months  does  not  embraec  as  nni'jn 
places  as  that  of  the  seasons,  from  the  want  of  the  necessary  raaterialsrl 
Like  that  table,  this  docs  not  present  the  mean  annual  heat  given  in  iw 
general  table  of  temperatures,  but  that  which  results  from  the  months  tb'Ui^ 
selves.     After  the  columns  presenting  the  mean  heat  of  each  month,  thiroaj 
another,  in  which  the  difference  between  the  coldest  and  hottest  niyatKI 


.<  '  I. 

■'  >  -i 


•iHII-] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


497 


ri3  their  names,  is  set  down ;  and  another,  in  wbich  tlio  ratio  of  that 
I'erenee  to  mean  temperature  has  been  calculated  by  the  method  adopted 
■  she  seasons,  which  it  is  unnecessary  to  repeat  or  explain.  To  these 
ans  three  others  are  added,  in  which  the  excess  or  defect  of  wean  tem- 
flnri'  of  the  months  following  the  equinoxes  (April  and  Octcbcr), 
lijiratelv  and  conjointly,  are  compared  with  that  of  the  year.  In  con- 
crtini  this  table,  I  have  not  given  the  latitudes,  longitudes,  and  elcva- 
j: .ii> if  the  places ;  but  by  the  aid  of  the  numbers  in  the  first  column, 
.;(viiiif  1)0  readily  found  in  the  general  table  of  moan  temperatures,  or  in 
•a:  cf  the  seasons. 


* 


I 


92 


'it 


tiA . 


, 

T 

t 

1 

1- 

J 

r' 

\ 

•!<■ 


4'    ,    . 


-.«- 


Vl 


it 


■  I 


■.■-^! 


VW 


4flS 


THF,  nUNClPAl,  F)ISi:.\SF,S  OF  THK 


[»0.5I 


J<;-? 


i*-^ 


— •  r»  r«  «*  —  ff>  ff> 

c;  c;  CI  w  lO  -H  -, 


■  T  CI  'jb  ir> 

1  —  I,-}  -r  .-5 

d  c  —  s  c  — 


••-ODiftiV" 
ifl  r«  M  -( 


"iJT' 


+  1 1  4-V+l    „  _  +-T++  I  +_  _  -H-++         1  ■ 

f>,  ij  vc  «  c  vc  -r  «  I-  rt  •*  o  c     ~    '   L-s  o  s  rs .  , 

>^  r>  «  /,  "*.  o  1-  CI  —  /^  c  t  «  r^-Ji  T.  T)  » ' 


-■s^Kr   ++++++1     .7 '1+71  +  .     ++++ 


CI  CI  O  -I  ™  —  - 


o  «  «  —  =  — 


c  s  — « 


s^>i 


— ■  CI  =  «  CI   /    "? 
iC  .-.  CI  -  '*.  -I  rf 

^.  ,0        —  cri  ^  r  «'  -^ 


irt  -r  1  -.  05  r:  -^ 


+  111+77-       +7-1+74- 


i'TiiT 


M.3 


o  sli-  I      W  —  re  'C  =,  «  . -  2    I  rc 


fc  in  T ; 


ri  CI 


»      CI  -.s  a  =    I  w 

'^        X  ..•}  CI  -     '  ~ 


O  CI  CI  ^^  --H  CI  '^  CI  J_<^ ^*p-^-^— .  —  -^    '»«        -w.-,..^.^    I_^      -;^^' 


"=•: 


S,      'Z. 


•~z-  CI  'C  r-.  •—  CI  ■■".  /J 


CC  CI  =  «  1".  —  « 


4»     Q ^ 


ijri 


—  C  —  —  CI  CI  CI 


fTj  lO  1-,    /.   T.  p 

ifS  CI  1;  .-c  -;  re 

-T  —  —  ci  —  i'. 

rt  -f  "T  T  -r  »* 


1-  CI  -  -. 


"I ;  ■ 


Vi 


b 


=  c  a  =  =  ? 

^^  j:^^  jja. 

Man  0 

X  •;;  c!  CI  X 

1 

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•  II. 


INTRRIOR  VAIiLKY  OF  NoUTlI  A.MllUK.  .\. 


•1!»'J 


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nt  it  71 
r  »  71 

71  'C       rx  » 
r.  71       ■V  Z) 

C  77  f  1  -  =  C7 

Si  —  71  5»  s> 

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ci:7i- 

,._ 

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C7  q  —  77  -r  0 

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1-1  -,         "^  -, 

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s  =  a  -  - 

0  c  =  3  a 

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— 

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500 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOK  I 


!Much  of  wliat  has  been  said  on  the  seasons,  is  applicable  to  the  months- 
for  wliilo  January  and  July  arc  roi)rcsentativos  of  winter  and  susimer  \i  r'\ 
and  October  are  representatives  of  spring  and  autumn,  with  this  ilifftr,  u,  „ 
however,  that  the  two  former  mont'i.s  represent  the  CAtrcmes,  the  two 
latter,  the  mean  of  annual  heat.     Let  U3  conL  '""r  them  in  suceej-ion.         ■  -i 

II.  SuMMEii  Months. — The  month  of  July  is,  at  almost  f very  static' 
embraced  in  the  table,  as  that  of  highest  mean  temperature.  The  curve  of 
80°,  or  upward,  for  this  month,  reaches  as  high  as  Natchez,  on  the  Mi-- 
sissippi  lliver,  and  Fort  Gibson,  west  of  it;  the  latter  boin"  in  X.  hat 
35°  47'.  To  what  parallel  it  attains  east  of  the  Mississippi  is  not  ku  n 
from  the  want  of  observations.  It  docs  not  reach  Iluntsville  (nearly  in  the 
game  latitude  with  Fort  Gibson),  the  July  temperature  of  whiih  town  ij 
7(.>°.30,  or  G°.89  behiw  that  of  the  hot  month,  at  the  western  niihtarv  i. -t. 
The  curve  of  76° — 80°  reaches  Fort  Snelliug,  in  the  west,  N.  Lat.  41  ■■:;' 
and  jNlontrcal,  to  the  cast,  in  Lat.  45°  31',  which  even  has  a  higher  temi;. 
rature  by  3°.4-,  although  two-thirds  of  a  degree  further  north:  but  v.li 
may  result  from  a  ditfercnce  of  seven  hundred  feet  in  tlieir  altitudes  ;ili  ve 
the  sea.  There  is  no  place  between  them,  which  has  an  ccpal  teiupen.iire. 
The  curve  of  70° — 75°  passes  above  every  place  south  and  west  vf  !'.e 
Northern  Lakes.  On  the  western  side  of  tlic  Valley,  it  even  cxtinJ.-  t) 
Cumberland  House,  N.  Lat.  53°,  whe- '^  from  one  year's  ohscivatinns,  i:  is 
73°. 73.  To  the  east  of  the  Lakes,  ^?hih  It,  passes  sout'i  of  Cula  ,1 
Prattsburg,  in  consequence  of  their  great  ele\ ation,  it  comes  iioar-r  ) 
Pottsdani,  at  a  lower  level,  though  further  north,  and  strikes  be  :.d  | 
Quebec,  the  July  temperature  of  which  is  71°.29,  while  its  latitude  :<  '■. 
47'.  By  the  Lakes  it  is  kept  to  the  south,  as  none  of  the  statioiij  E' :;• 
tioned  in  the  tabic  present  a  heat  of  70°,  although  they  arc  nut  su  fari,.r:L 
as  many  stations  included  in  it.  When  we  compare  the  stations  east  eft 
Mississippi  lliver,  extending  from  Alabama  to  Ohio,  inclusive,  with  tb 
along  that  river,  f  nd  to  its  west,  wc  find  an  average  heat  of  G°  or  '^  grcater| 
in  the  latter  ranges  tlian  the  former;  and  doubtless  when  olscrvatiui;?  ^bll 
be  made  still  further  west,  on  the  great  i)rairic,s,  the  differencu  wili  beau:' 
mented.  The  causes  of  this  difference  have  been  alrtu  '••  assigned,  whed 
treating  of  the  seasons. 

It  is  known,  that,  as  wo  advance  north  from  the  Gulf  of  Moxic.  •  e 
summers  shorten  at  a  greater  ratio  than  the  intense  heat  abates.  Is 
implies  a  decrease  'n  Juno  or  .Vugusc,  or  both,  at  a  higher  ratio  t!:;;...r 
July;  and  such,  on  the  whole,  is  the  fact.  In  the  hot  climates,  tlitt:.r)»i 
months  approach  nearer  to  the  same  standard,  than  in  the  toniperai  ■  aril 
colder  iCgions.  This  will  appear  from  the  following  table,  wliich  in!  ■•'J i 
stations  from  Havana  to  Quebec,  arranged  nearly  in  the  order  ol  :  .tif , 
latitudes : 


i 

1 

■t'fl ' 

i'   :■•■■ 

H 

K''?-. 

1: 


■■!,-.    ■»*  ■ 


r  t 


MTH.] 


intf:rior  valley  of  north  America. 


501 


icablo  to  the  moiitl;; 
i-cr  and  summer.  Aitil  I 
n,  witli  this  diifiTcnoi,  | 
ic   extremes,  tho  two 
m  in  sunce?  ;i"ii, 

almost  every  statLuj 
irature.    The  curve  uf | 
Natchez,  on  tlie  Mi: 
iter  heing  in  N,  Lat.  | 
^sissippi  is  not  kiuiwn, 
antsville  (nearly  iu  I'ue 
turc  of  which  town  is^ 
)  western  military  y^-i 
west,  N.  Lat.  41-  .".:;, 
in  has  a  higher  tempo- 
iirthcr  nurth;  hut  tliij 
lU  their  altitudes  above '1 
i  an  ci^ual  tempcruiure.  I 
south  and  west  vf  the 
loy,  it  even  extiiiJs  to  i 
car's  obsa vatiiiiis,  it  ijj 
cs  sout'i  of  Culia  udl 
on,  it  comes  neanr  ti)| 
1,  and  strikes  bov'-nif 
diilc  its  latitude  is  IP 
nc  of  the  stations  dkh': 
icy  are  nut  so  far  ii'.'r;li| 
tho  stations  east  ^'f  thsl 
io,  inclusive,  with  t!.'  m 
leat  of  G°  or  7°  greater! 
when  observation!  M 
difference  will  lii?  a'l-" 
alrcc.''- assigned,  i^bciil 

ic  Gulf  of  Mcxio".  ;'3»| 
use  heat  ahates.  TiiiJI 
a  higher  ratio  tlia:iiii 
hot  climates,  tliotw' 
in  in  the  temperate  a::* 
ir  table,  which  ii;  1  ;■•  ] 
^in  the  order  "f  -'if , 


— - — 

M.  t. 

M.  t. 

"M.  T. 

Junk 

August 

Pl.*CE3. 

OF 

OF 

OF 

BELOW 

BELOW    OR 

Jlwe. 

July. 

August. 

July. 

ABOVE    JULV. 
0 

o 

u 

u 

o 

Havana, 

84.12 

84.30 

85.84 

—0.18 

+1.54 

rbaj'y, 
Key  VVest, 

8l>.-25 

83.02 

83.25 

1.37 

—0.37 

81.03 

82.55 

8198 

1.52 

—0.57 

lPen.«acula, 

80.3:3 

81.02 

81.00 

o.(;9 

+0.04 

Furt  Jesup, 

80.i)o 

83.54 

82.90 

2.59 

—0.58 

■Fort  Gihson, 

78.05 

81.49 

83.28 

2.84 

+1.79 

[luntfville, 

74.23 

70.39 

70.24 

2.10 

—0.15 

»'..  Louis, 

73.79 

78.43 

70.34 

4.04 

2.09 

riaciniiati, 

70.80 

75.47 

73.25 

4.0)1 

2  ''2 

.)Iarietta, 

00. ()0 

73.72 

70.84 

4.12 

2.SS 

Hudson, 

Oi).00 

72.00 

0)8.90 

().00 

3.10 

riuiiL'il  Bluffs, 

73.ys 

77.38 

70.11 

3.40 

1.27 

BlHumington, 

07.30 

70.40 

09.30 

3.10 

1.10 

F'lrt  Crawford, 

08.57 

72.40 

71.41 

3.83 

0.99 

Fntt  ^nelUng, 

70.S3 

75.47 

71.98 

4.04 

3.49 

Fi'.cliestcr, 

G4.32 

0)9.31 

00.10 

4.99 

3.21 

pi'ttsilam. 

64.04 

08.22 

07.20 

4.18 

0.!K') 

'iontrual,  \ 

08.12 

78.89 

09.07 

10.77 

9  22 

iiuobce, 

05.27 

71.29 

70.77 

0).02 

(;.52 

F.rt  Brady, 

50.13 

05.90 

04.5-^ 

0.77 

1.38 

From  this  tabic  it  will  bo  seen,  that  tho  laoat  of  August  approaches 
:a'er  tban  that  of  June,  to  tlin  hottest  month.  At  three  southern  stations 
::;!  even  greater,  as  indicated  by  the  sign  plus.  Taking  the  mean  of  all 
:';;  stations,  it  is  but  1°.45  below  that  month ;  but  Juno  is  3°.77  below. 
\:'k:>  appears  that,  as  wo  advanffc  Jiorth,  with  the  single  exception  of 
latroal,  the  heat  of  Au/; Uft  keeps  Uj)  its  near  approach  to  that  of  July. 
Bi'.t'serois  a  manifest  decline  in  that  of  Juno.  The  shortening  of  sura- 
ar.  then,  in  the  higher  latitudes,  results  chiefly  from  tho  diminishing  tem- 
ature  of  that  month,  and  not  of  that  month  and  August  combiiod. 

111.  W  iXTF.R  Months. — Tho  relation  of  these  months  to  each  other,  will 
i;i  ir  from  the  following  table,  embracing  tho  same  places  with  the  last : 


i' 


.  I 


■  / 1 

.Jil 


f)02 


■nil;  i'i;i\(ii'\i,  miskasks  (ik  tiik 


I'l.AlKS. 


K('\'  VVisl. 

l't'iis;ii'ol:i. 
|l'"iirl  ,lcsii|i. 
jl''nrl   (Jilisiui, 
jlliiiils\  iili'. 

Si.  I, 


llm^ 


III 


iiiciiin.il  I, 
n'ii-ll;i, 
tidsiiii. 


iImicIu'sIit. 


ii:- 


IHcll     I>|III1S 


iKorl  ("raw  liTtl, 
iFml  Siii'lliii;^, 


i(|s(l:iMi, 


Mont 


rial 


\lt'lM'r 


V\<\\    l>r;i(lv, 


I  Hi  10  K 


M.  'I'.       .M.  T.   I    M.  'I'."  I  |)i;, 


IMMIH,      I 


I  ll  cl  M.      .1  ANI'  MIV.     Vl  ll'  M! 


Ill|,ii\\     ,<|, 


I  M!l. 

Ill    I.MH      .111 


\.      MlilM; 


IaV.     AlluM    .1,^ 


I.7S     (iii.'.is 


ii-J.:;7 


I' I. .'.I  I 
li'.Mt; 


l.s:!     .^)-j.;il 
»*J.:!ii 


•  >>.i  < 


ti.im; 

liV.'iO 

70. -jr. 

iM.dii 
ll.'Jf. 


-fl.SI)         -j-l. 


I-I.iii 
l.ilU 
(I.S7 
o.7:{ 


.(111 
(I  Ml 


i<;.i'ii     i;..  |- 

II. M        |--'.(H;   I    |-J.;V.I   !  — O.-J 

:;,i'.»  I  ;;i.;i;;  '■  -|  u.c, 


+'' 


l.-j'j 


.(III 


l.r. 


'S  (I, 


..j.;i.', 


-■>.  ( 


0    i   L'S.HO   ' 

ii;».|:;  i 


-  (i.il       — (i: 

-l-i^.i;!   i  -fi.h 


.(Ml 


•ji.-..'i     11,(11  i  'jc.r.'.i  !  —(I. Ill 


■J.'i.'.MI 


l.:;(i 


(M     i!i.7--:  i  -Ji.!!; 


,1  ('((t 


i;;..)S 

1(1. Ml 


l^.iMi      I  i.t'.i; 

l-J.iii      Kt'.is  I  1  l.s:; 

•J-_'.'JS        is. (is    I    ||).v() 


I- 1. (id 
-I. (is 
IS  till  I  -]-•_•. (1-^ 

!!•.:.  I        r.i: 
is.i:! 


■I  .'.II I 

-l.dii 
l.ih 

:l.iMi 


1.(1(1 
:;.(i(i 


l.h' 


It  appear."^   iVoiu  this   lalil.'   llnl.  takiiiLT  'lit'  mean  of  all  (lie  st;it 


Inl'. 


month   of   |)(>. cniliiT   rises  I    .'^7  alxivc  .lamiarv  —  that    ><['  l''L'hniarv  i  .'a 


Tl 


IMS,  till'    ilisirilintidii  (if   lu'al    .'nnnn!;;  tlic   \viiil;'r    nu'Dths  is  iiinri'  (■>ii;,'i' 


tl 


lau  aiiinnir  I  !u'  suiinuiT  :    Inrwhnc     \iit:iisl   bi'ins  ;i   i-clatMHi  to 


Julv 


tci  thai  111'  l>(Ti'nilH'v  and  I'l'lniiary  I"  -lanuarv,  rliinc  falls  liclnw  .lii!\.  ui 
than  tw"  and  a  halt'  tinn's  t'nrthcr  than  ,\ui.'ns(.  dues,  llcnci' we  Ic'irn  li: 
the  Ileal  inereases  M!on>  alter  the  snninn'r  solstiee.  tlian  ii  diiniiiiMii  -  ::t^ 
th 
\vl 


i>  WMiter   si'lstiee,  in  the   jimpertinn  n|'  ;V\77  In    1"'J7.      AiintliiT  \v  ::X 


ueli  the  winter  ni'inlh- 


np.ired  with  each  nlher,  dilVer  iVniu  tli 


when  I'oiupared  in  (he  sanu'  mannei,  i.s  thati  in'ifhor  l>eicniher  nur  iV! 
recedes   tVnni -lan'.iarv  with  the   same   retrnlarit v,  or  to   the  saiiie  i\tr 


lune   tVi'ni  .Inlv 


Still 


we    s"e 


thai    lielnw  Cineinnati.  in  the  tliirt'. 


pai 


■allel.  the  dill'erenre  Iietweeii    l>eeenilier  and  .lannar\  is  less  than  ;i!  'f« 


buT  to  Felirnarv  the  rema 


vk  is  searcely  a| 


nilieanli 


hh 


The   eiirve   I'or   the   month  of  Jamiaiy.  =rr  'A'-  \  parses  a  littlo  nor; 
Marietta,   in   Kat.  oH^' "J.".' ;  all  the  stations  north  of  that  latitiul.   b'l 


mean  liea 


t  bel 


OW'  •>- 


all  sonth  of  it,  altov(!  IV. 


When  we   liriii;.'  toLrether  the  enldest   nioiitlis   at  difrereiit  pi: 


lce5,  IK 


asrrcoini:  in  latitude,  hut  dillerin:.'  in  loniritude.  wu  have  the  follu\viiigcxi:i 


IK 


.an 


iN'i'i;i!ini;  v\i,i,i;v  >>',■  nmimh  ami:i;|(\ 


r»o: 


'l  1  I   Mill  II.       I'l  ll|[l   M,! 
I  l.i'W    nil        lin.iiW    (i;; 

iom;  Jan.  Aiinvr  J,\v 


1  l>ll 

-|-l.'i> 

■l\:\ 

-j-:',  (Ml 

i  l.ni; 
1  11*1 

(i,>-ii 

•1    ILO 

1  ..'J: 
tt>7 

1.?.' 

tt.T;i 

-\:l-l 

-  d.-J.") 

i  +ii.;i:i 

.-|.(i.t;;; 

■      1.71 

(i.il 

— (i.;i.'i 

l-.'.i:; 

1  -f'-l' 

l.tMt 

1      t.'.iii 

i.i;-j 

1    — l.l'H 

—(I. Id 

i           l.'.l^ 

-|-l.(ii» 

j     :'..i'ii 

l.CiS 

•1-Jl 

1       •'  T  1 

l.::n 

1  :;:r 

l.t'ii'i 

1     ;i.-.-, 

;'..t'iO 

,     l.l-j 

I  (,r  nil  till'  ^^tafiMi -.!'.( 

lli:it  tif  I'V'hnian-  1  : 

iiioiitlis  is  iiinri'  C'li'.:!''" 

relation  t"  -luly  miu: 

tails  lirlnW  .lu!\,  1,1  : 

lIciKH!  \v(!  Icarii,  li: 
lliaii  ii    iliiiiini-lii'-t^ 
•_!7.      AnntluT  1'  .:;t 

lilVcr  IVnni  till'  -r,;ll', 

HrrcnilMT  iiov  I'.lirun 
t,i   the  sanu'  rxtii;".! 
ati.  in  tho  tliirt;.- 
avy  i«  Il'SS  than  al  v^ 

a-s(-s  a  little  nortln 
,f  tliat  latitml.'  b«l 

t  ditr.TiMit  place?,  ncan 
avo  tlH'ibllu\viiig*-'xl'i'''5 


i;.»xii.ii\. 


V\' 


.Mill, 


•I 

II.Sj  |.",„|  ♦;iim,„i 

;;l  ..n.^'i.  i,,,iii...  . 


•T. 


.liT, 


7<H'.,iin.  il    I'.liill-J, '.'I 

|:;  !•'.  It   Cr.r.vriiiil 


•r.;ii, 


0  1 
H;>n  l''..il,  Ih.uanl 1^  I  I 


I    I    l\l'<    l.llt     ,'^IM-lllll 

mil-  I'.. II    I'.r.iils, 


I 

|s,r,.> 


■['.(■siiiiilaiitv  III  llii'-ii'    aiii.,iiiils,  ijiic.';    iiiil   wd!    .'ir.-i.i-il    v.illi    tin-    |i'.|iiil-ir 
„;n,  Viliii'li  .'i.'i'i'i'"'f^   ;i  iiinr.'    iiili'ii-ii'   'lc;.'ri  I'  III'  CI, III    III   till'    w'.',  Ii-ni,  tliaii 

c  iljIiTIl  -i'ii'  "I     'Ik'     ^li'  -is.-i|i|ii.        'I'lli'    nil    .rv.'lt  ii.MH    liric     f'l',.ll   .'il'i'     tii'i 

ili.-iUlr  tin-  i|iirs(  inn  ;    Inil   wi-    iiiiist,  i'ciii.nili<T    llu'    /iii'alir    vi'lm-ily  ol 
lull  ill.'  [irairif's  111'  lim  .Mi:-S(iiiii    nl.iiii,  an!  iln  f(>ii:-iijiiiiil.  (•iri'''t.  dii 
i|,  li'.-s  lliaii  llir    IrtMiii^:  IV'.iM  \vl,ii-ii  il    |.r.aiii,l.c.s 

h.'.l. 


::;{ ffiiii 


MI'S  III  iiiilu  iiliials,  II' 


I'VaiM 


.r.iti.iii. 


'I'l 


t".     rrlll.ill,  ilil.'     illlli  rc'lliT     liilwirrll      I  i'i''li.\  I  i-f     ail 


<.tl 


:•  ( rawlaril,  innl   »,|iiriiri'  ami 
;;,..l,;il>i.'S  in  wiiitiT. 
IV.  Sii;is(i  .MiiNTiis.  -■  or  fill-  vr 


rl,    iJr 


III',',   SlinW 


111 


I'    w.iiiiiiir.'  iiilliKiici 


iiai    ni.ii 
I 


illi.i,    .\|inl   aji|irii;ii'li('S   im  aiiht 


iiirnii  triiiiicriil  ni'i'  <il    llir  \cai.  Iiriir/  ■'iiiii't  iiiii'S  iiliiivc,  ruiil  .s.iiii<-lnii''M 


lit  till' sanii'  |i!arr.      <  mi  tln'  wlmli'.  it  li^ 

liliiii'li 


ill 


, i:  s'.nii  t liiii;.'  iilti-iicr 


;:..'*'iit!i  tlian  lli'-  nnrlli.      in  tin'    imil'mIhiiIiii.iiI  <.I'  tin;  iiaki  :-,  it   i.s  ^.^fMKj- 
s'.;:at  ir  I  I'I'iw  mean  t('ni|ii'rat  nrc  :  ;it,  iIk;  nnrtlnTn  iti.arj^in  nl' (lie  rontinfiit. 


>3.'  r  wiliiiii  tlic  .\ii-lii'  Cirrli',  curiKt.'inllv  li'i'ivv  :  in  IjhI  li  'mhi'S»  ^lio'tsint.' 
;:r  intiu' ii(«  III'  lar;.'<!  Iimlirs  ol'  waliT  in  rrlac'lincr  t  In;  (i|i('iiiii;.'  i>l  .S[ilinLr. 
Kr.iiiL'.'^.)  liltl'!  I'rnin  till'  iiwan  ;iniMi!il  Iftnjii'tatnr*',  .\[iiil  i.s  scl'lnin  I'alltMl 
[i.t  iiii.[itli.  An  in.s|irctiiin  nl  tin-  t.ilil<'  slinw.-^  tJial  tin;  tnin.'iti'Mi  rrdtn 
|LM:t.i  .\|iiil  i.s  iniu'li  trriairr  t  han  IVnin  l''rliruar/  tu  ,Maif;li.  .M.nili, 
"!.  Iirl.iii'.'s  ti)  wintiT  r.atliiT  (li;in  sMinnirr ;  Inil,  il;-!  li'iniMTatiirc  ih'M'T 
;i..'a>  Imv  as  tiiat.  Ill'  T'l'liriLary.  A.s  \vi'  advani'i'  rrmn  .soulli  tn  iiiirtliii|i 
pehlli'V,  till' (•lian;i(!  rruiii  Marrli  tn  .\|iiil  l)(;(;i(iiii'S  nioi'i!  ami  inoro  '.ii.JfMit, 
jjsiiiaHts  iiiaxinnini  ill  tin!    ri.lar  ,'-^i':i.     'I'lic  transition  I'ldrii  .Ajiril  lo  .^!;l}•, 


itarl 


as  irrcut   as  I'roni    Alardi    |.i    April.   ;i!nl    lili('\sis<j  iiicrcascfl   fr 


iitn 


tillnrtll.      II.    'S    l,.y    till.,    ra|iii|   ni'iVi'Iii'lit,  tli.ai 


II!   .•iir,  ai.ij    w.'iti-r.'i, 


pl'.srtli,  aro  rcikctncil  Ironi  (lie  ires  of  wiiilir.  in  tin:''  I'm-  ;t  tlinu-innl  |iiir- 
lp>' ibat  ('(luM  not  JfO   iirf.'(ini|ilislii'il   if  thr    inrrc'i.'-ij   ot    li«;at  \vi-'nj   innre 


A  f^l.iwor  increa.sc   of  tiiiily  lioat   wmil'l,  it   i.s  true,  pri  li.n;;   tL 

ii.=  pk'asurcs  (»f  fijirin;^;  Ixit  at  tlio  s.itni'  linn'  lonL'ttiori  t]n:  jircvali-riff 

ra.il  iiitoi'iiiittL'iifH,  ninl    aliri.'.'<'    the    |irniluctivi'rn-;H   of    smnnii'i'    .uiil 

■   A  riifi.mu.s  wiTitcr  iloniaiid^  .i  r.'i|ii'l  <l"Vt'l'i|ini(!nt   ol'  H|irin;r-     As 

|«rtii.ipat(!s  in  the  rliar.'H-tiT  nC  winter,  sn  .^^ay  is  allied  (n  sumuior. 


!r:i!i 


•^itioii  frum  tliat  inmitli  tn  June,  as  indi(.'at(.'d  hy  the  iiican  t<'iin|ior,a- 

"' 'iio  twii,  tlir(in,<rliiuit  tin;  N'alloy,  i.s  nt-arly  fii'iy  /xr  ranlum  k-ss  tliaii 

"iiivli  t.)  April,   or   h-iin   April   t..  May:    and    tl;<;   imrcase   of  tin- 

■'■lico  lotwt'on  the  la.st   inouth  and   .fu;".-.  as  we  aJvanoi.-  fri./ni  .soul!:  to 


r-f  ;    7  f      -  r;  -      --■■ .  ■-^■^j;  ^V^i 

■  ;'■.      ,  ,^    ;  ^    •••.•;  ,■'•. 

■  ■  *    ■•   I  ■     #^"      "■     ■    I    :  •.'    ■"■■■■ 


M$r^:f": 


-  •,■ .  fc 


,)AJ- 


r.i.:.. 


504 


THE  PRIN'CIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOK  1,1 


north,  is  in  the  same  proportion.     In  the  mid'lle  ^ititudus  of  t^'^  Vallp-  ,) 
temperature  of  the  lust  third  of  tliis  month  g(!norally  varies  widtlv  from     i 
first  third.     Frost  al  'ost  always  occurs  in  ti,t  l"//.,-;  '  .9  lorx  r  is  f^ 
quently  as  hot  as  Juno.     The  middle  somutimes  if>at)s  to  one.  ^  luetim  - 
tlie  other  extreme. 

In  the  distant  north,  the  transition  from  winter  to  suaiinor.  i.,  at  a  r"i> 
altogether  unknown  in  the  other  portions  of  the  Valley.     At  Cumberla'  J  4 
House,  Lat.  53°,  the   difference   between   February  and  !March  j-  ]" 
between  March  and  April,  14° ;  between  April  and  May,  28"^.    At  i!  ree  1 
places,  near  or  within  the  Arctic  Circle,  tlie  average  of  the  transition  fn mi 
March  to  April  was  21°  ;  from  April  to  May,  20° ;  frfjm  May  to  June  l-: 
By  sucli  an  increase  it  is,  tliat  spots  which  in  March  had  a  ;  <;au  boat :;:;' 
below  zero,  were  in  June  embossed  with  fiovrers. 

V.  Fall  Months. — October  is,  among  tlie  months  of  autun-n.  wliat  April 
is  among  those  of  spring.     In  all  parts  of  the  Valley,  its  heat  approaciicsj 
nearer  to  that  of  the  year,  than  any  other  fall  month;  and  its  temperatiire ! 
is  the  most  acceptable  to  the  feelings.     At  nearly  all  the  stations,  it  rar-jj 
above    lean  annual  heat.     In  the  southern  and  middle  latitmles,  this  exrisjj 
is  nearly  the  .«ame ;  but  in  the  Polar  Basin  it  is  greater.    The  transiti.al 
from  August  to  September  is  less  rapid,  than  from  September  tu  Octuljtr; 
from  the  latter  to  November  it  continues  the  same,  that  i.s,  tlic  rate  of  c(  1- 
ing  from  September  to  November,  inclusive,  continues  constant ;  Uit  thej 
transition  from  November  to  December  is  at  a  lower  raliu,  and  does  not! 
diflfer  materially  from  that  between  August  and  Septei'.ii'cr.    In  comparing 
the  autumnal  with  the  vernal  ratios,  they  are  found  to  bo  .substantially  tiiej 
same.     They  furtlier  agree  in  this,  that  they  arc  greater  in  the  middle  thai 
the  southern  latitudes,  a  necessary  rer[uireraent  of  the  greater  diffirec'el 
between  winter  and  summer  in  tlio  former   than  the  latter.    As  MarctJ 
throughout  most  of  the  Valley,  belongs  rather  to  wiaior  than  summer,  sw 
September  has  greater  afTinitie..  to  smnmor  than  winter;  and  as  Mayliad 
sometimes  a  rival  temperature  to  that  of  June,  so  Noveinhur  is  occasionailTJ 
nearly  as  cold  as  Dceembf^r.     The  true  spring  and  fall  ^casnns,  arc  tiiej 
sixty   day;-*   immediately  ceding   the   cnuinoxes.     In  dchciimsncss  on 
elimatc  they  constitute  tlu    u:>,st  portions  of  the  year;  but  the  latter  is  pro- 
ductive of  autumnal  fever. 

These  conclusions  relate  to  the  Mexican  and  St.  Lawrence  Basins;  inttej 
Polar,  while  the  transition  from  August  to  September  i.s  about  the  same  al 
further  south,  the  transition  from  one  to  the  other  of  each  of  the  sueceedin^J 
months  is  much  more  rapid, 

VI.  DiVEKGKNCK  OF    TIIK   UOTTEST   FROM   TIIK    COJ.DKST  MoXTlI,  COMr.t!:!:!)! 

WITH  Si'MMER  AND  WiNTEPw, — In  the  preceding  section  we  saw,  that  a«  nl 
advance  north,  and  the  mean  temperature  of  the  year  diminishes,  tk'ra!;i:e| 
between  winter  and  soiumer  increases,  T  propose  now  to  inquire  int'it::i!| 
divergence,  under  the  same  circumstances,  of  the  hottest  from  tlio  iMlk-'l 
month,  compared  with  the  seasons  of  which  they  are  the  maximum 
minimum.     To  do  this.  I  havo  collected  into  a  table  the  ratios  of  Jivei:.: 


w 


^ 


riiE 


l»OOK  1, 


!j:i.j 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


505 


iUdus  of  tb'^  YaRp"  t 
varies  widely  froni  ■  .e 
'i;r ;  < ,;P  lonn.r  is  fro- 
m  to  one.  ^^  iMctiuii;  to  ^ 

:r(  sui/urior. :.,  at  a  ma) 
alley.    At  CumlcrluiiJ  1 
•y  and  !March  i;  l:' 
id  May,  2b<^-.    Attlreej 
e  of  t'lio  tran'itioiitr'Uii 
from  May  to  Juik',  I:-. 
h  Lad  a  ;ueaulieat :;;;" 

s  of  autuirn.  ^\•llat  Ai:!! 
ley,  its  lieat  appr'aiij.j 
tli;  and  its  tempuratOT 
11  the  stations,  it  raiigoj 
■die  latitudes,  this  ox -(.-j ; 
2reater.    The  transitiui 
I  SeptL'niLer  tu  UcIoUt;] 
that  is,  the  rate  of  coj 
inues  constant;  kt  the! 
■wcr  ralio,  and  ddcs  r.oti 
2ptei'.ii>€r.    In  eomparin 
d  to  lio  substantially  tiiel 
titer  in  tlie  middle  tki 
tlie  greater  difftrec''«l 
the  latter.    As  Marcli,| 
w5:iior  than  sumiuir, ;« 
iviuter;  and  as  Mayhajj 
Noveniher  is  occasionaii^ 
lid  fall  seasons,  arc  thel 
lu   dclicinusncjj  ofl 
ir ;  but  the  latter  is  p- 


.awrencc  Basins:  intbl 
ber  is  about  the  sanio  asj 

f  eaeh  of  the  succadic  J 

MiKST  Month,  comml 

tion  we  savr,  tliat  as  ^sj 

■ar  diminishes,  the  mp. 

now  to  in([uire  int'itbel 

hottest  from  the  oJii^tj 

are  the  maximum  ;i;!Jj 

the  ratios  of  Jivei? 


iLttrom  winter,  and  of  July  fto;'i  "fanuary,  for  one  degree  of  lessened 
,„;  IiOjI,  ijialilng  an  average  of  each,  fur  the  different  facetions  iii  the 
,.;„ii,!  *uil  muuchly  tables. 


y- 


,  ,;  OF  THE  DIVERGENCE   OF  THE  MEAN  HeAT   (ji"   WlNTER   AND    StIMJIER 
jjDOFIUE  COLDEST  AND   IIOTT,-Si'   MoNTU,  FKOM   THE  LOSS   OF    1°  OF  MEAN 

iLiRir  Temperature. 


Groups  ok  Places. 

Seasons. 

Months. 

DrKFflR- 
ENCE. 

O 

o 

O 

I.  Around  the  Gulf  of  Mexico, 

1.71 

1.93 

0.22 

11,  Kast  of  Mississipi.i,  to  N.  L.  42° 

1.2!) 

1.38 

0.11 

III.  Along 

1.40 

1.50 

0.10 

IV.  West  of 

1.03 

1.77 

0.14 

V.  West  of  the  Northern  Lakes, 

1.30 

1.40 

0.10 

Vt,  East  of  tho 

1.12 

1.23 

0.11 

VII.  Among  the                 " 

1.04 

1.08 

0.04 

VIII,  Bet.  Hudson  B.and  Roeky  3Its., 

1.10 

1.33 

0.17 

IX.  Polar  Seas, 

0.75 

0.85 

O.IO 

I)  use  this  table,  the  mean  tcmperaturo  of  the  place  must  be  subtracted 

ji  ^i°,  the  equatorial  he:it,  and  the  diffei'once  multiplied  by  the  two 

iKj  "f  the  group  or  section,  to  which,  according  to  tho  general  table  of 

Ik:i  tcuiporaturos,  the  place  belongs.     The  difterencc  of  the  2>i'<*ducts  is 

|':;ijstenttu which  the  monthly  divergence  exceeds  the  seasonal.    It  maybe 

h-ii)  illu.strate  by  a  few  examples.     A  place  lying  cast  of  the  Northern 

Ife  (Soct.  VI),  may  have   a   temperature   of  44°.     If  this   be  sub- 

|ck;;;il  from  82°,  it  leaves  38°,  which,  multiplied  by  tho  seasonal  ratio  of 

Iti:  jertion,  1°. 12,  gives  42°. 50  —  by  the  monthly,  1°.23,  gives  40°. 74; 

i:~::' that  the  months  of  January  and  July  diverge  4°. 18  beyond  the 

ctrand  summer  seasons.     If  the  same  process  be  employed  for  a  jdaco 

fe  the  same  mean  heat,  but  lying  among  the  Lakes   (Sect.  VIII), 

pri' the  ratios  are  for  tho  seasons  1°.04,  and   for  tho  months  P.O'^,  we 

p;:i  as  the  results  39°. 52  and  41°. 04;  finally,  if  wo  proceed  with  the 

pE  Ecan  temperature  into  tho  region  west  of  the  Lakes,  where  the  ratios 

!  oi' and  1°.40,  we  get,  as  products,  49°.40  for  the  seasons,  and 

^M'lir  the  months.     It  will  be  instructive  to  throw  these  results  into  a 

|»;'':iar  firm : 

fiJiE  iROM  Winter  to  Summi:r,  and  from  January  to  July,  tue  mean 
ANNUAL  Ti;mim:uati;re  «kinu  44°. 


Localities. 

Seasons. 

0 

42.50 
3!  1.52 
49,40 

Months. 

Differ- 
ence. 

yi.  Eas\  of  the  Northern  Lakes, 
^11.  Among  the                 " 
V.  Wesi'.  of  the               " 

0 

40,74 
41.04 
55.48 

a 

4.18 
1 .52 
0.08 

I 


i 


.ill 


M^^ 


:r»>*4 


t 


itt:ij'.lLili 


m^-  '^•: 


1 

•  ;'■•<".'■' 


i^Mm'i  ■■■'"■■'■'■■■'  ^ 

I."  U;  li''  I  1  ' 


■     •       < 


wt 


506 


THE  I'RINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOK  |J 


"We  obsorvp  by  this  table,  that  the  Lakos  cxort  a  <lcclJc(lly  restr '>  r 
iiiflueiiee  on  the  r;iiiL'c  bctwoon  winter  and  summer,  ami  a  still  „►.,  , 
the  (livcriroiK'c  of  .Jul}'  from  January;  we  also  jioreeive  tliat  both  tic 
sonal  and  monthly  ranges   are  greater  in  the  plains  wtst  ol'ttnjl',1 
among  the  tributaries  of  the  ^lis.'ii.'^.^iiipi,  than  in  the  valley  of  tjic  St  U  J 
rcncc  to  their  cast.     15y  a  similar  ooni|iarison,  l)etwcen  the  nlacos  e;i«t  if thi 
]Mississi[>[ii  (Sect.   II),  and  tliosi-  west  (Sect    W ),  we  ascertain  t!i;i'  ''J 
ranges   of  winter   and    s\nnmer,  and    the   eoldest   and  liottu^t  uimitli    n 
greater  in  the  latter  than  tiic  former  region. 

VII.       CoMl'.VRATIVi:  llAXdK  OF    TlIM    COLDEST  AND    UoTTr.Sr   Months    f|.fy 

MKA>f  Tkmi'i:uatl'iii;.  —  Having  eonsidered  the  coMest  and  hottest  iiii,i'!id 
iu  connection  with  the  other  months  i^f  winter  and  spring,  we  coiitinu,.  [..jJ 
study,  by  inquiring  into  their  relative  distance  from  mean  annual  tm, 
tare.     This  may  be  understood   by  the  following  talde.     Its  first  ivli™ 
presents  an  average  of  the  nu-an  temperature  of  the  diUcrout  stiitiniisi;  lai 
grou]),  or  section  oi'  the  Table  of  Months;    the  secnnd,  aveniL'e  raii". 'oe4;? 
tween  the  eoldest  a^id  hottest  months  of  the  same;  the  third,  show?  t!ic i:!* 
tance  to  which  the  average  of  the  coldest  months  falls  hdew  the  iinai: 
nual  temperature;    the  fourth,  the  distance  to  which  the  avcra"'.' i.:' :li^ 
hottest  mo'.ths  ri.scs  above;    the  fit'tli.  the  greater  divergence  froin  iiki 
yearly  hea.,  of  the  a'.'erage  of  the  eoldest,  than  of  tlie  hotte.-t  nv.iit!:-:   iifi 
3i.\.th,  the  greater  divergence,  from  the  same  temjierature,  of  thoa\ri     i\ 
tha  hottest  than  of  the  eoldest  months. 


Sections   Ani.iial 

of  the  I  averagf 

Tiibic  of     Mi-aii 

Mouths.     Temp. 


I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 


7-2.  SI 

54.54 

55.40 

CO. 02 

45.K-5 

4:}.:57 

44.(;7 
.>•)  so 

;).oo 


Range 
ln'lween 

'^oldest 
and  hot- 
test 
months. 

o 

20.s(; 
41.:!1 
4:;.(i4 
40.10 
50.22 
50.15 
44.02 

7iM;s 

07.00 


Coldest 

irottoRt 

month 

month 

below 

above 

M.  T. 

M.  T. 

0 

o 

10.70 

10.10 

20.45 

20.  SO 

22.(12 

21.02 

l!».:]s 

20. 7  s 

2s.(;s 

27.54 

24.77 

25.:!S 

20.:!0 

2:1.72 

:!s.(h; 

41.02 

27.00 

:54.00 

Excess  I'^xcess 
of  cold-  of  liot- 
cst   over  lest  mo. 

hottest  ovcrcol- 
ni  dist-  dest,  in 
ince  fni.  dis.  fruiii 

M.  T.     -M.  T. 
"o  .    0 


..)- 


.41 


.40 


1.14 


1.40 
.lil 

7.UH 


•> 


This  table  shows  th.it  the  range  between  tlie  hutt(.'.rt  and  coldest  ni;.t 
is  les.'i  on  the  caster:i  than  on   the  western   side  of  the  Mississippi :i" 
Lakes.     liook  at   Sections  II,  III,  and  IV.     Their  ranges  are  •' 
same,  but  they  differ  in  mean  temperature.      That  of  Seotioii  II  i>'^ 
that  of  Section  i\'    00°.02  :    vet  their  rani^-es  are  nearly  identical, «:. 
the  lower  ought  to  have  much  the  wider  range.     Now  the  furiutr  :.•.; 


1.1-1  ! 

.til 

8.4-2 

■ 

T.iJti 

tiirn.j 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


r)07 


.i>iie  latter  west  of  tlic  I\Iissi.ssippi ;  wliieli  shows  that,  in  <.foinfr  west,  the 

■  - oiilar<'cS'    Socti'iii   III,  on  the  l)!iiiks  of  the  Mississi|i|ii,  lios  between 

•■.]i  ami.  with  a  higher  mean  temperature  than  II,  has  a  higher  range,  tho 

,jj„['\vliat  would  be  tho  ca.se,  if  tho  divorgeiu-o  c-ontinucd  unitorni  in 

.■ticinrt'nini  Last  to  west.     Tho   .same  enni-hision  results  still  more  ubvi- 

■r,  trim  a  comparison  of  Soctiiui.'!  A'l  and  V.     Tho  former  lies  east  of 

■vLjkes,  the  latter  west.     Its  mean    temperature    is  "i-  .4(1    less,  which 

|-,.ii;i'ivcit  a  wider  range  between  tho  eiddost  and  hottest  months;  yet 

T„jj,,jpijf  the  latter  is  l»°  greater.     Tho  annual  mean  temperatm-o   of 

w-jia  VII,  iin-'hiding  tho  liake  .stations,  is  intermediate,  as  to  the  (jthers ; 

|i;ii«nDi'e  is  t>°  less  than   the  eastern,  ;iud    \-°  less  than  tho  western, 

If  r.!i:'.  in  a  striking  manner,  the  influence  of  tho  Lukes  on  the  tempera- 

|2ji:.f  January  and  July. 


4: 


the  third,  slmw?  tlii.' 


I 


SECTION  V. 

PAIRS  OF  MONTHS. 

r> f' lluwing  tahlo  presents  the  average  of  the  mean  tomperr.tures  of  tho 
Id  pairs  uf  months,  beginning    with    January    and  July,   and    traveling 

:;j:':i  tlie  calendar  year.  Tho  data  are.  of  course,  sup]ilied  by  the  ))refe- 
Iti'Mt  The  mean  annual  heat  of  each  station,  as  resulting  from  tliat 
Irini'iiitbs,  is  given  in  tho  first  column;  with  which  tho  average  of  each 
I !L- f  months  may  be  readily  compared.  To  facilitate  tlr.-;  comparison. 
iifdenoe  is  set  down  in  a  separate  eolunui,  after  that  for  eaidi  puir  of 
Ir::-, anltlie  excess  or  defect,  compared  witli  mean  annual  temperature, 
L nirlhy  the  algebraical  sign  -|-  (plus)  or  —  (juiims).  At  the  foot  of 
|;:i:..k'  tbe  mean  average  is  presented. 


11  [     :^ 

^Y-.  n.  1 

ill 

^m 

, 

lfT.-l 


^•'.•••f- 


^  * 


pi-... 


i- 


j-^<!-0 


508 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  1 


H 

O 


I— I 

O 

K 


i  ,i/i'r^ta  'n  If)  s"!"}  -j<  rt  tone  5;  1-  — '""cj  55  iri  ^  in  c;  to  to  ^'■^  ^  -.  li  ffTf«i  -i  >   - 

,5    .  l«-ffi  xji- -f  ..-:  fflr:  »  c-:i- Mt  t  =^  t  f^~:  *!  ~  =. '^"''<-5i'-"J^L- -~f, 

S  ?;  i  =■  ,^  d  d  71  -4  rt  d  ^  -i  ©  =  -^  o  -^  o  -H  -^  CI  o  —  ei  c  =■  d  £  ~i  _;  •  J. .'.  l' 

=  g  It  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  ij  Ml':::!! 

r  ii  iin  ,^  r-  c  ^5 '»  t-  to  ct  c«  (71  o  p  o  I-  f^  lO  o  ri  'o  I-  o  X  -c  n  r^~_  ~-r~V.,.— 


•         •        -        -         ^ .__ •       '        '       '     T  I  ^- 

^       'I-  i.'^  «  ■>*  c  »  o  r:  c  rs  o  —  X  M  't  ^  •'  — <  -<  CI  n  c.  -«  c)  n  n  n  7~ir~  7.; — ' 
»   .   ix/  to  c  -N  «  ro  CI  -H  c»:  /-  CI  1-;  o  I-  CO  to  -i  00  cj  in  I-  lO  «  I-  c  (-  rv  -  ^ ;.-  i  ■.' 

!=  ?*'   Id  d  d  d  -^  d  d  -^  -^  d  d  -i  ci  d  d  d  crj  d  M  ci  d  d  d  d  d  c  —-;-•-■"  ■ 

=  s  '+I  l  +  l  +  l  I  I  l  +  l  I  I  I  I  I  I  +  I+-H-I  li-H-H|l 


3ii      . 


t~  I-  O  CI  oc 
1-5    /    -.O  i-O   /.' 

d  ci  to  ro  d 

1^  I-  (-  I'-  -o 


UO  I-  ifS  C»?  CI 

i.'s  CI  :^r  to  1.-: 
I+l    1++ 


r  CI  r-  in  C5  o  ro  r-. 
ro  c^  X  1--  -^  -);  1-- --H 

/-'  d  to  in  X  «  to  H 

to  I-  ;c  to  >n  to  in  in 

I-  M  in  X  c»  —  to  A 

t  ~:  t  •"?  — .  t  -:  '-^ 

+1  h4++h^ 


o  CI  in  o  o  M  n  to  in  n  -J  in  —  rt  •«  1-  »>  •-  _  , 
/in  t  -^  1  -  i.n  in  -1;  CI  to  CI  I  - 1 .  ( -  -  71  —  ~i  I  ! 
-1"  ci  -^  -f  1-'  ci  -1>  rrj  d  d  ci  r: .-;  1-  .-:  :^  -,  1  : 

m  i."  i-n  "»  -^  i-'.  "I"  T  ■^  -r  T  1"  ->  -r  T  ••  -  ~  ' ' 

in  to  X  en  -)<  -H  in  X  X  c  «  o  —  1-  T  10  /  ■-  - 
ri  -T  -H  I-  r5  »j;  to  «  r;  -);  I-  -o  -T  1,  ..:  c  =  H  :-: 

rtddi— iT^-H-Hoddd-^d-Hdc£;'i 


0  in  VL  -<  o 
CJ  CI  CI  c.  r^ 
d  H  d  -il  ci 
I-  t~  1--  1-  I- 

r-.  T-  j:  1-  «>; 

;to  CI  rt  X.  CJ 


in  r-.  in  re  o  — 1  =>  in 

in  o  i.n  t  -fl*  to  to  rv 

"/,'  d  i-^^tl  d  rn  r'  d 

to  I-  is  to  to  io  i.n  in 

I  -  I  -  vs  I  -  to  to  ~  I  - 

Tf>  C5  ri«  r^  :•:  X  1-  c\ 


«  y.  -o . 

'o  ts  -^: 

I-'  •*  ci; 

-T  ■-  T 


=  s  i+l  III  111111+4 


.■--  CI  =  T!  -r 

d  H  -J  -i<  -r 

1~  I-  X  i-  I- 

,s  m  -T  CJ  -f 
CI  >-  I.n  -H  — 


in  — .  to  CI  -I"  to  -H  •*  -f 
.-:  — .  -r  -t>  (-  =  -^  CI  m 
T)  -;  d  /J  d  -^  d  d  I.n 
to  I-  to  to  to  \z  —  >-.  i.-s 


to  X  C!  ^5  rj  ^  to  to  'O 


CI  to  o  i.n  r^  o  -H  '/  n  -H  n  n 
X  :n  M  X  I-  I-  "-  to  s  I-  t  ri 

rt  ci  d  -4  ci  yj  d  'a<  d  r:  i-"  i-j 

i.n  I.n  •«i<  m  in  -^  -T  -?  Ti>  -«  -T  T« 

1  "tf  ■.->  X  I--  —  c»  n  c^  X  -.  o  X 
X  X  I-  -^  p  in  n  *;  c  r-.  -  .-.      ^.  .  _  . .  , 

•  ddddd^d'^d'^dd^tiz.-^-.''-^ 

■+±"l"+l±±+]++l+jJ  I  II, 
—  ri  in  ^  rt  1^  to  — .  —  —  —  r  ■-  ~  _ ,-  —  ■ 
c»  r:  C-:  c;  r^  i.n  c;  r.  -r  X  1-  — 

-r  r^  xj  d  -<  x'  d  d  d  -r  -r  — 

I.n  i.n  1"  -r  m  -3<  -1"  T  -r  ,*  -T  T 

tocix— <— .i~i-«~:x— (- 

— i-HXCICCJC^CI--—  -r 


71 .-:  /  : 

T"  T  T 


++I 

1    1 

.   ■, L 

1    1 

1 

1    1 

1     1 

1    1 

1 

2^S 
X  in  d 

-f  c  CI  X 
-f  -*  in  \s 

I.  d  il  1  -' 

to  I-  to  0 

1— ( • 
-1;  c 

i-n ' 

X  fC 

CI  to 
I-  >~. 


"TT+i++1+1j1]1_ 

X  o  CI  I.n  ©  in  CJ  to  1-  to  ©  o  -<  CI  = 
to  ct  -f  •^  en  rt  r;  1-  to  1-  p  -f  1-,  re  :r, 

I.n  r^  ci  d  xj  «h  x'  -r  d  i.-:  ci  d  -f  •*!  r 

in  I.n  in  "^  •^  I.n  "^  -T  -r  -^  T  T  T  -r  -T 


Tl 
-  S 

H  7i 


Tl_ 


.to  -*  X 
ii.n  in  in 


O  CI  CI  -^  X 


to  ■»  ~  -!• 


-I  C> 

cn  .- 


I +  11  m'h  I  I 


=  =:  00  C  O  . 


xtoi.ni-t-=x— r:  —  to-<i 

T)<  r^  c:  to  in  I*  re  c;  re  c;  ci  r. : 


<:-.^ 


,,  -ji  _« 
I-  t-  i~ 

=  CI  re 

( -  I.n  -o  i 
'  x:  d  d  ; 
i- I' t-  I 


I  X  to 

re  — 

ci  d 
1-  i-- 


to  re  CI ; 

~;  '-^  ~; ' 
d  d  i~  ! 

to  1-  tot 

.  X  CI  =:  1 

1  O  CJ  C  : 
1 ;/'  d  X 


:  CI 
•  CI  • 


'  X;  « 
:  x'  I.n 


I-  r:  re  x 


-t  CI 


CI  X  CI  in  I.n  r:  CI  s  to  I-  t^  —  c  ci  r-  r.  le  t 

CJ  -?  i-H  —_  re  =~;  <~  re  o  X  (-  i.e  —  1*  1-  ci  t;  : 
in  -i«  cn  x  1^  d  d  d  d  1-'  ci  ci  le  -r  d  ei  H  t 

I.n  in  i.n  'T  "5"  i.n  ■^  ^  T  T  -T  "T  *r  -r  "T  -T 

re  to  -t  I-  -^  -t  in  re  to  —  X  —  x  /.  to  ei  r.  ■ 

m  re  i.e  i.n  in  re  ~  1-  to  -t  ~.  .'.  r;  1-;  x  ?|  o  1 

in  re"  ci  i-'  x'  —  i~  le'  le'  d  ei  d  —  le'  —  el  o  ■ 

1."  in  in  ^  ^  i.n  "^  ^  "^  ^  tf  ^  "7  ^  ^  ^ 


u 

< 

A, 


.  .J-  >>; 


3    ■-=: 


t-  °    "  .-~  w 


JJ  .i   3    rt    --    I 


■"«a;>;»  ■---"*' 


^1  f 


•ox 


■  X  D  -^  le  ix  rt  ct  re  in  to  =  —  ci  -^  r-  x  r;  — •  to  -!■  to  c 
^,-,r-<f-.cJCiC<CJmcncnrecncnre'i<'5"i.ni-ew 


.  n  — 


to  to  to  I 


:  t  I  r 


•!»»•] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


509 


.71  —  0  eiL-SI-O  L  L  ■- 


ti  ,,  t,  —  5;  51  I-  gi'^S'^i 

c  y.  I- '"  -■ '". ' .  '''..■  ■ 


Tie  results  presented  in  the  footing  of  this  taltlc,  arc  not  (Icstituto  of 

.•rf«t,   They  show  that,  of  the  six  jiairs  of  months,  but  one  varies  from 

•itf  mean  annual  tonipcraturo  to  the  extent  of  a  dojfrec;  they  show  also, 

i  "St  the  mean  temperature!  of  February  and  August,  aj)proaehes  nearest  to 

i  mean  temperature  of  the  year;    and   that   the  average  of  June  and 

'aibir  departs  widest  from  it.     The  fcirmer  arc  the  last  winter,  and  last 

.-im-r  munths ;  the  latter  arc  the  first  sunnncr  and  f  r.st  winter  months. 

I T;  liiowise  SCO  that  four  of  the  pairs  rise  aliove  mean  aimual  heat,  two 

i.l.ff  it.  Those  which  present  an  excess  arc  the  four  pairs  whieli  suc- 
1 5,1 1)  the  solstices;  those  which  ofler  a  deficiency,  arc  the  pairs  which 
l.*,Je. and  the  pair  which  include,  the  solstices;  the  latter  showing  tlie 
I pjtor  deficiency  of  the  two  — 1°.18.  It  would  bo  interesting  to  know 
liitttcrtliis  is  the  consequence  of  inaccurate  observations,  or  in  accordance 
Irialawiif  our  climate. 

.ytlio  mean  heat  of  each  pair  of  months,  presents  so  close  an  approxi- 
latiin  to  lliat  of  the  year,  it  follows  that  tlio  mean  temperature  of  the  lat- 
lawvltc ascertained,  })y  observing  that  of  the  former;  but  we  must  bear 
hnipitbat  this  close  approach  is  made,  by  the  observations  of  the  whole 
luu.ffliieh  embraces  stations  in  various  parts  of  the  Valley,  I'rom  snuth  to 
l«':.  In  particular  portions  of  it,  the  coincidence  may  not  be  so  near. 
|r::rta']er,  as  he  feels  an  interest  in  any  particular  region,  may  examine  it 

.'lit  he  supposed  that,  when  wo  know  the  mean  annual  temperature 
lu'iriv particular  place,  as  Nashville,  for  examjdo,  and  observe  the  tempera- 
Ice 'fa  month,  as  of  February,  wc  might  predict  the  heat  of  August.     If, 
rir.*tance,  February  were  very  cold,  that  August  would  bo  very  hot ;  or, 
ft' )hv  were  unusually  hot,  November  would  be  correspondingly  cool ;  or, 
Itiiii: seasons,  it  niigiic  bo  expected,  that  a  rigorous  winter  would  be  fol- 
IIm !jy  an  anient  summer;  a  warm  spring  by  a  cold  autumn,  ct  vice  versa. 
pi;:kro  are  two  sources  of  uncertainty  in  these  predictions.     First,  it  may 
pettit  the  winter  and  spring  should  have  been  compared  with  the  summer 
pi  autumn  which  preceded,  instead  of  following  tliem ;  and,  second,  vfo 
aw  that  the  mean  heat  of  diiferent  years,  at  the  same  place,  is  not  tho 
1^  tut  varies  several  degrees.     It  might  be,  then,  that  a  cold  February 
fAfril  would  not  be  followed  by  a  hot  August  or  October  ;  for  the  whole 
pirmyit  be  one  of  low  temperature.     Neverthoi  \ss,  if  any  month  depart 
P':s  from  its  proper  mean  heat,  there  is,  prima  facie,  much  reason  to 
Ppf'ttliat  its  counterpart  will  vary  as  much  in  tho  opposite  direction. 
p  mode  of  prognosticating  may,  perhaps,  be  turned  to  some  account,  in 
p-ig  Ijcforehand  on  the  probable  duration  of  tho  prevalence  of  bilious 
P'  la  autumn.     Thus,  if  April  and  May  should  be  unusually  intense,  it 
Jkj  be  expected  that  October  and  November  would  be  so  cool,  as  to  give 
'tstlj  termination  to  autumnal  fever;  and  if  Juno  should  be  violent  in  its 
'  •  •f'-'Ughout,  a  cold  December,  and  an  early  setting  in  of  winter,  might 
'"petted. 


.1 


^»'. 


■'* 


< 
'1 

i:V-.  ,;;  : 

> 

■'Iv;--  •    ■■■•  ■ 

.    '    .  ■.  ■    '•  ■  •  ■ 

|.i    v:^,. 

'      .'    *  • 

li' 

f-     ■  ■■"■'■ 

;■■,  •'.   '  ■ ' 

t::.-'' 

-■»         •  *  - 

': 

■   \   '           ■      •     ■ 

»  .     ■     ■*           ■     ' 

^rl^^ 


■'>    •• 


i: 


510  THK  ridNCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  Till; 


>'00K   I, 


SKCTJOX  X\. 

DIUUNAJ,  AM)  SUDDEN  VAIilATIOXS. 

So  fur,  wo  liavc  studied  tlio  mean  temperatures,  iind  aiiinuil  seasonal   > 
muiitl'.ly  extremes  of  (iiir  rliinntcs;   it   remains  to  indieate  tlio  daily  n  ■■ 
and  irreuidar  variafiuiis.     1'liis  J  sliall  imt  In-  aide  to  du  by  tlio  coihp  • 
of  general  tables;  for  the  greater  number  of  publislied  oljHervatiuiis  ij. 
6uii{)ly  the  facts.     The  mean   temperatures  of  the   days,  but  not  i.f  t'l, 
minima  and  maxima,  are  given.     The  ehanLes  \vu  are  now  eoiiteiniilatiiir ^ 
cither  regular  or  irregular,  and  first,  of  the  foinier. 

I.  lii'iiLi.AK  iMiUNAi,  CuAMiKS. — From  the  eijuator  to  the  .\rct"' ('i- 
^vo  find,  as  the  law  of  our  elinuite,  a  rise  of  tomperature  frmii  inoriiiii- u' 
afternoon.      As    the  lower  temperature  of   the   morning,  depfiicls  i.n  [iJ 
absence  of  the  sun,  leaving  the  railiution  of  calorie  from  the  surfiuv  (f  ij, 
earth  uneonipeiisated  by  solar  influence,  we  may  assume  that,  in  tlir  n'l,., 
of  all  disturbing  causes,  the  minimuui  temperature  is  imnicui.iti'ly  bflir.'ta 
reappearance  of  that  luminary.     Of  the  distmdiing  inlluonees  it  will  W 
per  to  mention  two  or  three.     Should  a  wind  spring  up  in  the  eoiu'sei.t  tii 
night,  or,  existing  before,  cliaiige  its  course,  the  ell'eets  of  radiatiuu  in;  •, 
augmented  or  diminishetl,  so  as  to  give  a   dilleri'iit  morning  ttiiiiiunit; 
from  what  would  have  occurred,  if  the  early  morning  had  been  calm.    T 
if,   in  the  latter  part  of  the  night,  a  wind  from  the  (iulf  of  Mexico  sbm 
reach  the  central  parts  of  the  \'allcy,  the  minimum  of  the  niuriiiii;;  w; 
high  ;  or  if  currents  shouhl  arrive  fmni  the  Jloclcy  Mountains,  in  tin.'  \ 
or  what  is  more  C(jnunon,  a  south  wind  should  be  superseded  by  a  i,  nl 
oast,  the    minimum    may  be    lower   than    it  would   otherwise  have  k( 
Again,  if  clouds  .sliould  form  in  the  latter  part  of  the  night,  tn  tlirnwliJ 
upon  t1ic  surface  of  the  earth  a  portion  of  the  lieat  it  is  radiating,  the 
pcrature  of  the  air  resting  ujion  it  will   be  kept  up.     In  this  nianiiiT,  fij 
which  spread    abroad   from    our   rivers,  ponds,  and   lakes,  give  a  lii.'ii 
morning  temperature,  than  would  otherwise  take  place.    I  have  said.  tJ 
the  minimum,  if  no  disturbing  influences  exist,  may  be  assumed  to  k  bjn 
diately  before  the  reappearance  of  the  sun  ;  but  jiopular  ojiiiiiun  pLm-;: 
an  earlier  period.     The  time  can  be  determined  oidy  by  obstrvati'iis  ml 
every  hour,  on  the  state  of  the  thermometer.     The  places  in  tlie  bill 
where  such  observations  have  yet  been  made,  arc  in  the  high  latitmlis 
Montreal  and  Toronto.     I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  the  latter;  lui 
former  have  been  published  by  that  accurate  meteorologist,  .Mr.  .Mel 
under  whoso   direction   they  were   made  fur   two  sueces.>ive  years.  ;it  i 
British   military   post   on   the   island   of   St.    Helen,  opposite  Muii;rt: 
Unfortunately,  however,  they  were  made  at  the  odd  hours  in  one  yu'ir  ai 
the  even  hours  in  the  other,  and  the  two  years  diflered  nearly  twu  Ji.rfl 


•Report  on  Meteor.  Observ. :  Montreal,  1^12. 


••*■'   •! 


lit: 


.lOuS  1,1 


IONS. 

ul  iinnual.  seasonal,  anj 
(licato  ti)o  daily  ri.'u'm 
[)  do  by  Uiu  cuiistru  '.iji 
lic(l  olijicvvatiniis  i[ 
ilays,  but  nut  i.f  t'.'ii 
e  now  fuiiteuijilLitiii':  an 

tor  tu  tlio  Arct''  ("r 
ituru  fmiii  uiiiriiiii'.'  ii'. 
idviiiiifr.  (K'li'-iuls  1 II  ■'■xi 
from  the  surfacv  ^     i. 
sumo  tliat,  in  tin  aliina 
is  imnicJi.iti'ly  Wr ;   'it 
iiiiliioiu'us  it  will 
iir  up  in  tlic  cfivu'sc  il  tli 
fi'ccts  of  railialiuu  in: 
■nt  UKiniing  tt'iuiimiiiit 
ii<r  bail  boun  taliii, 
e  (ivilf  of  .Mcsko  rl  ■ 
111  vi  tlic  luorning  w;':'. 
V  Mountains,  in  thu  \- 
c  sujiL'VsrdtHl  by  a  i.  r'.!| 
lid   (itbevwi^o  liavu  Lt 
tbe  nigbt.  tu  tliriffla^ 
t  it  is  radiatuij:,  tl;o  :. 


h'- 


In  tbis  inauiiiT.  !'i 


liiul  lakes,  jrive  a  lii:!ii 
place.    I  bavf  saiJ.  'i 
y  be  assmneil  tMkiwr 
ipulur  opit:iouiilaeeji;i 
,Hly  by  obsivvati.'iisM 
[rbc  places  in  the  \all| 
iu  tbe  bigb  latit'As 
jbtaintbe  latter;  kt 
iicteorobigist.  Mr.  >bl 
successive  years.  :it 
elen,  opposite  ^b'"!'^^ 
,,ld  bours  in  one  yuir. 
ifiered  nearly  two  i^^^ 

Ireal,  1-12. 


INTERIOR  VALLP^Y  OF  NORTH  .AMRRICA 


'.11 


•  sein  temperature ;  tbiis,  tln!   relative  nn-aii  boat   of  I'acli  Imur  in   tlio 
yv part  "f  the  niglit.  caiMoit,  by  these  tiibk's,  be  made  out.     1  may  state. 
.»cfer.  tliat  in  the  year  in  wbieh  the  {•wn  Inmr.s  were  tibservod.  the  niini- 
jj(,f  tiiose  hours  was  six  A.  M.  fur  .January,  February,  and  Mareb,  and 
.-''or  the  other  months  (if  the  year.  eX('o[it  .Iinie,  wbeit  two  was  lower 
l-j3t'iur  A.  M.     '"  the  fullowinp  year,  when  the  odd  hours  were  (d).served, 
lilost  was  seven  A.  M.  lor  January.  I'ebriiary,  and  March,  and  live  A. 
Niirall  the  otiier  nmnths.     ^VlH;ll  W(!  connoi-t  these  hours  with  ibe  times 
;r;'jriiinL'  t\vili,i;lit,  in  the  latitude  of   l.V",  we  see   that   they  place  tlu.- 
I  ^Im  aa  "f  temperature  nearly  wln.'re.  by  theory,  it  ought  to  stand. 
Ltii:stiirn  to  the  regular  maxima.     Tlosc  an-  never  at  noon.     'I'lic  boat 
r.iustu  increase,  after  tbe  sun  has  passed   the  meridian,  until   by  the 
laktion  of  its  power,  from   increasing  obli((uity  of  it.^   ritys,  the   coolin;^ 
|>M>  uf  evaporation    and    radiation,    are    eijual    to    tho    warming    solar 
.:,.;:i  e.    I'or  a  greater  or  less  length  of  time,  the.se  forces  may  continue 
Lri('('/n'fl,  giving  to  the  whole  period  the  .same  temperature;  but  as  tho 
K'ar  Vree  is  a  diniinisbiiig  ([iiantity,  the   heat  at  length  begins  to  abate. 
Tivj  .iri)f  maxiuiiim  beat  arriv'es  sooner  after  midday,  than  that  of  minimum 
I'.aliT  imJnight.     Jt  rarely  begins  before  two,  or  continues  after  throe 
■■:A.  The  nb.servations  of  Mr.  McCord.  at  tho  even  hours,  place  two 
'.  k  iii'.'her  than  four,  in  January,  February,   .March,  April,   May,  Juno, 
|1::l-;. and  October;  in  July.  .Septiinbcr,  and  Noveml>er,  from  one  to  two 
:.;;■- "f  a  degree  below  ;  in  December,  T'.o'J  below.     The  ob.servations  at 
It'll limirs  show  three  o'clock  to  be  higher  than  one  or  live,  in  all  tho 
!;.::.>  of  tlic  year.     Thus  we  Und  two  and  three  to  be  the  bour.s  of  maxi- 
Ir.j  kat.  in  the  two  successive  years,  and   when  we   e([ual!zo  them,  by 
r.'':rj  ;i!i.'  the  difierenco  of  the  mean  temperature   of  the   two  years,  we 
bt- a  variation  of  less  than  three  hniidredtbs  of  a  degree,  and  are  led  to 
p. inclusion,  that  in  tbe  latitude  of  4.")°,  tbe  temperature  of  tbe  day  is  at 
I.:- iHiimim  from  two  to  three  o'clock   P.M.     Whether  this  ludds  good 
pi;':wut  the  various  latitudes  of  tho   A'alley,  !    have  not  the   meaiis  of 
Ikilin;'.    During  several  years  that  I  made  two  daily  observations  on  tho 
pnijiBoter,  in  Cincinnati,  Lat.  .'{'J°,  I  satisfied  myself,  by  reiicated  inspoc- 
jca.!' ilie  instrument  iu  the  afternoon,  that,  as  a  general  fact,  th(-'  masi- 
|b3  f  lii'at  is  from  two  to  three  o'clock.     Assuming  this  as  correct,  tho 
B^fr'iu  the  miuiniuin  to  the  maximum  is  about  nine  hours  ;  that  from  the 
iiMiani  to  the  minimum  about  thirteen,   tbe   other    two    hours    of  tho 
pffiy-liiir  behig  the  duration  (jf  the  extremes.     This  seems  to  indicate  a 
P' 01  rise  in  the  thermometer  greater  than  of  fall,  in  the  proportion  of 
Tti-'wii  to  nine ;  in  other  words,  that  tbe  warming  is  'aucli  more  rapid  than 
'ling.    But  an  exaiuiiiatiou  of  the   Mc(^lrd  tables   shows,  that  after 
Ki.'lit  the  rate  of  cooling  is  greatly  diminished,  eacb  hour  adding  but 
Ittli t..  tlie  redaction  of  temperature.     Thus  the  sum  of  the  reductiim  from 
^tv.uij  live,  ()  hours,  was  only  S'^.Oo,  while  the  sum  of  the  reduction  for 
JTCccdiiig  six  hours,   that  is,  from  five  to   eleven   P.  M.,  was  G'^.45. 
|.u  the  asi-enJing  has,  through  a  part  of  its  course,  a  considerably  greater 


^ 


■-H.: 


I'i. 


^> 


<<;  <^# 


Q^.  %%^Z.% 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


i/  /:%^'^, 


i?.t 


Ma 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


|^|28 

■  50     *^" 

us 


2,5 
2.2 

1^  IIIIIM 


1.8 


1.4    ill  1.6 


—    6" 


V] 


& 


//, 


/a 


#> 


/A 


'/ 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


*      \ 


i   •, 


!'f       ^ 


.    ' ''  I  ■ 

J  -  >      + 


i.l 


1 1f 


♦-  •» :    •'     }. 


.  .  '    .          ,     '         •*    • 

•  1'        .  '        :  > 

Iff 

•1              ':         •" ;  t 

^'                  '-'!S^> 

V    *         * 

i                     .                                             .       .    !jf 

.     .-!;• 

1  -    I 

,   -  > : 

^     •  .      "  V 

'    •   '      ■              "    '                 '<! 

.       '               .      -                •             -SI  , 

•             «                                           "J' 

'       •                      ,                      ^i 

1                                           k 

*. 

-  1   i    ■'•!.■' 


512 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


Kl. 


ratio  than  tlio  descending  scale.  At  first  the  rise  is  slow,  and  at  fir-*  u 
fall  is  slow ;  but  the  latter  period  is  brief  compared  tu  tlie  fjrincr  Ti 
ranges  from  three  to  five  P.  M.,  whilo  the  slow  rise  is  from  four  dr  li\ .  tA 
eight  or  nine.  From  five  to  eight  P.  M.  the  fall  is  most  rapid-  -liij 
includes  sunset  and  twilight.  But  the  period  of  most  rapid  rise  d'  ^  n^ 
include  the  dawn  and  sunrise,  which,  throughout  the  whole  year,  are  filnnt 
the  culminating  points ;  and  this  discloses  to  us  one  reason  of  tlie  rrtatei 
salubrity  of  the  morning  than  the  evening  twilight.  About  noon,  befir-;  j 
maximum  is  attained,  the  ratio  of  increase  abates ;  but  the  duration  (i  \]m 
period  is  far  shorter  than  the  period  of  abatement  in  the  ratio  of  decrcsse; 
from  eleven  or  twelve  at  night,  to  the  maximum  of  cold  before  day.  Thiu 
the  first  part  of  the  fall  of  the  thermometer,  in  the  afternoon,  is  short,  c  nn 
pared  with  the  last  part  of  its  fall  after  midnight;  but  tie  first  part  -f  i|| 
rise  in  the  forenoon  is  long  compared  "with  the  last  part  of  its  rise,  aft* 
midday. 

Of  all  the  ratios  of  change  in  the  twenty-four  hours,  this  is  greatest,  -nd 
next  to  it,  is  the  decrease  from  five  to  nine  P.  M.  These,  then,  are  tin 
periods  of  accelerated  change — in  the  morning,  from  cold  to  liot,  in  tin 
evening,  from  hot  to  cold.  In  one,  there  is  a  rapid  augmentation  of  vAm 
to  act  upon  the  body  soon  after  it  has  been  subjected  to  the  miniumni:  ii 
the  other,  a  rapid  abstraction  of  caloric,  soon  after  it  has  been  acted  in t™  . 
the  maximum.  The  etiologist  cannot  fail  to  appreciate  the  propriitv  i  i 
investigating  the  influence  of  these  two  periods  in  the  production  of  disease) 
but  this  is  not  the  place  to  pursue  the  subject. 

On  the  extent  of  the  daily  regular  range,  from  the  lowest  to  the  h'vhi 
heat,  in  the  various  parts  of  the  Valley,  I  cannot  speak  with  certaii.ty. 
That  it  has  its  minimum  where  the  mean  temperature  has  its  masiniian.  ia^ 
the  equatorial  belt,  is  well  known.  It  probably  increases  with  the  iin  re* 
ing  inequality  of  day  and  night,  as  we  go  north,  but  at  what  ratio  has  ni 
been  determined.  Even  within  the  polar  circle,  it  does  not  cease,  for  witt. 
the  day  presents  twilight  only,  it  has  a  maximum  of  heat  over  the  ni^lit, 
In  a  practical  point  of  yiew,  the  interest  of  the  inquiry  is  limited  t.'  tie 
Mexican  and  St.  Lavrcnce  Basins ;  but  although  observations  have  '  ^i 
made  at  so  many  places  within  their  limits,  but  few  of  them,  as  puhli.-  ..d, 
are  applicable  to  this  particular  investigation. 

Fiom  the  Huntsvillc  tables,  in  MS.,  I  have  made  out,  for  each  month  of 
thirteen  years,  the  average  morning  and  afternoon  temperatures,  with  ti  ir 
difi'erences  ;  from  the  Picture  of  Cincinnati,  the  same  for  that  place,  tin-  .'li 
five  years ;  and  from  the  McCord  hourly  observations,  the  same  for  .M  a- 
treal,  through  two  years.    These  are  arranged  into  the  following  table; 


..-". 


urs,  this  is  greatest.  :.nj 
I.  These,  then,  ;iro  tin 
rom  cohl  to  hut,  in  tin 

augmentation  of  i-nWv,  \ 
ted  to  the  niininium;  i| 

it  has  been  actoil  vv.  bj ' 
ircciate  tlio  propriety  of  1 
he  production  of  distasej  I 

[le  lowest  to  the  lii^i';:0!l 
t  speak  with  certaistj.  I 
are  has  its  masiniiaii.  iii 

reascs  with  tlio  iinrcaa.  \ 
at  at  what  ratio  h>  nol 
does  not  cease,  for  w'.oi  | 
of  heat  over  tbe  iiightj 
inquiry  is  limited  t'j  thil 

observations  have  '  e» 
w  of  them,  as  puljli::.ei], 

e  out,  for  each  month  o^| 
temperatures,  witli  lUilJ 
ic  for  that  plaec,  tbrctigf 
ons,  the  same  for  M^.a-- 
the  following  tallt: 


It:  Uj 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


513 


Months. 


HUNTSVILLE  : 

Mean   Tcni[jera- 

tuve  5yo.(;9. 

Mean    ]\Ie:ui  | 
Mini-   Maxi-  Differ- 


ina. 


ence. 


Cincinnati  : 
]Mean  Teuipera- 

turo  5:i°.81. 


Mean 
Mini- 
ma. 

"o 


■..\TiKV, 

Jnv, 
1  itti-jT, 

•[ItEMCER, 

\  vtilBER, 
Vt>ii:EU, 

)!i':iii3. 


Mean  1 
Maxi   DifTiT- 
iiiu.   j  ence. 


jMontukal: 

Moan   Tonipera- 

turo  4P.71. 


05.5Gill.3(; 
40.G4'li*.4.". 


,  o  o 

|85.G1  48.0(;;ii».45  •i4.il0 
l!(i.'J5.'i(i.:]l  14.0ti'-2S.2(i 
!43.S7G»).G1  1G.V4':57.0:{50.(I1'13.S!) 
!5Gi*G7(i.:!5  14.09i4«.:}(i|(;(i.S(ilS.57 
;5!3.-28  75.1(1 15.S-J  5-2.il5i<)9.G!l  l(i.74 
,G7.0;:i  M.9()  14.87 :GO.12ls-i.-i()-J-J.08 
G9.73S4.47'14.74:G5.71|>S5.:U47.G0 
GS.7()  8:5.7-J  14.9G)i4.5-i  s-J.0-247.50 
(l'2.1-2  77.G4'l5.52i58.9-J77.GG1s.75 
I52.40  G8.:!G  15.9G  47.44  (;-2.7-J15.-2!) 
|41.49  5G.14l4.(i5':!5.5G  47.94  li2.:!9 
i35.s2  47.39  11.57:29.72  39.3tM  9.(i4 


!\I(':in    Mean  ;  ' 

Miui-JMaxi-Difrer- 

ina.   I    nia.   j  ence,  | 

10.77  IG.74!  5.97i 
13.12  23.4310.31 
1 8.7(5  :;2.4(»13.G4' 
31 .55  44.531 2.98; 
47.21  (il.GG  14.45! 
57.87  72.95  14,18| 
1)1.24  7»>.GGil5.42i 
Gl.(i5:75.(i8'l4.03' 
52.1(f  ('.4.29  12.19 
41.8G  52.88  11.02! 
29.(i3;U.58    4.95i 


17.^3  22.(1<1 


4.83 


:52.38(i7.()044.G2l4G.05|G1.57l5.52i35.30;48.13  11.15! 


bxaminiiif,'  this  tablo,  wc  find,  at  all  tlio  stations,  that  Deooniber  is  the 
::;ii  in  which  the  difference  between  the  minima  and  maxima  is  least ; 
■:.{..  at  Hiintsvillc,  the  range  is  greatest  in  IMarelt,   though   I\Iay  comes 

icjialess  than  a  degree  of  being  equal;  that,  at  Cincinnati,  the  greatest 
k:;  is  in  the  mouth  of  .Tune;  and  at  Montreal,  in  July.  These  oliscrva- 
::;,  Iviwevcr,  are  too  few  to  justify  any  go'n.'ral  conclusion.     In  rcforonco 

I ;  I;:,' iiinati.  it  is  well  known,  that  June  is  the  month  fur  cholera  infantum, 
■■■a  intermingled  with  croup.  The  enormous  range  of  22°  between  the 
,r  :1  extremes,  may  perhaps  explain  tbe  prevalence  of  those  maladies, 
•  :::;i!ly  tlie  latter.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  the  difforonce  jjetwcen 
i-tMiiaiof  the  lowest  and  hio;liest  months,  at  Iluntsville,  is  less  than  at 

I  :.;:.•;•:  it  the  other  places.  The  months  of  the  j'car  come  much  nearer  to  a 
Miton  standard.  At  Cincinnati,  they  are  more  unequal,  and  at  !Mon- 
sal  more  unequal  still.  The  seasonal  means  are  set  forth  in  the  following 
ulie; 


F:v:es. 

M.  T. 

of  the 

DlFFERE.\CE    DETWEE.V   ME.\.\    MiNIMA   AND                           i 
ME.\.\    MaXIM.\. 

!  Yk.ar. 

1      0 

Ye.^r. 

0 

Wi.NTF.R.          Spring. 
0                      0 

St'.M.VFR. 

~"   0 

AUTL'.MV. 

Hitsville, 

5!t.(19 

14.G2 

12.G9     !     15.55 

14.8G 

15.38 

fi;ciaiiati, 

53.81 

15.52 

11.15 

1G.40 

19.0G 

15.47 

^Ir.troal 

41,71 

11.15 

7.04 

13.(;9 

14.54 

9.39 

•^! iill  the  places,  the  winter  range  is  least;  at  all,  the  spring  rises  over 
I '''' iutiiuinal  range.     At  Iluntsville,  the  spring  exceeds  the  summer  range; 

"^it  ihe  other  places  that  of  summer  is  highest. 

00 


'A 


"  ■•.J-;-'  V 


»'-....: 


■  M. 


':y^:   I 


ff/- 


■n 


..;  ■' 


Ssw^i  '"  I.' I.. ;    '..,     .  u 


I  if  ',1-  i    *    •  '" 


1  ■;■■  ■'■>.;■ 


.  '    '.* 

% 

."  '     --* 

'H' 

■■■*,  i 

,  .'•,.,.,, 

■•V 

Vf 

514 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


.  > 

ITa. 
'■:.  it 


1  have  spoken  of  causes  wliieli  may  deprcns  or  exalt  tlie  regular  n-  ■ 
of  diurnal  heat ;  it  may  be  well  to  devote  a  paragraph  to  those  wlii,' 
modify  the  maxima.  A  cliaiigo  in  the  direction  of  the  wind  in  tlic  (.  'ii  ' 
the  foronoon,  may  have  that  effect;  which  eliange  niav  he  thu  coiisciiiji ■  t 
utnuifipiieric  pciturhation.s,  at  a  disitant  place.  A  sudden  wuitiiif' uf , 
over  a  place  will,  especially  in  the  southern  and  middle  latitudes,  kcii. 
the  maxinuim,  by  intercepting  the  sun's  rays;  though  in  the  north  |,;i 
larly  in  cold  weather,  such  a  can(jpy,  by  arresting  and  throwing  Lm 
caloric  radiated  from  the  earth,  might  keep  up  a  higher  aftenioun  tin 
turu.  The  transition  state  of  vapor  may  influence  the  maxiiuum,  wl 
coincides  with  the  proper  hour.  TIius,  in  winter,  if  there  should,  in  ih: 
noon,  be  a  tendency  to  snow,  the  heat  may  be  kept  high  by  the  caloric  iven 
out  in  the  condensation;  and  in  sunnner,  the  formation  of  a  thumkr-'  ■.-., 
is  accompanied  by  a  high  temperature,  from  the  same  cause.  Tliu  -'  ■-., 
is  said  to  bo  the  conseipience  of  the  great  heat.  "Without  cuiitni-.^:  j 
this,  it  may  be  safely  affn-med,  that  until  the  canopy  of  condonsiiif  \  or 
intcrce[its  the  rays  of  the  sun,  the  caloric  which  is  liberated  aui'muin-  ::ie 
intensity  of  the  heat ;  and  hence,  while  the  power  of  the  sun  is  in  itM/l:  i  :•>. 
cisely  tlie  same,  and  the  movements  of  the  atmosphere  the  sumo  uii  ;vo 
successive  days,  the  one  which  has  a  thunder-storm  in  the  afteruoii!  .ifl 
invariably  have  the  higher  two-o'clock  temperature.  If,  however,  a.-,.  ,er 
should  occur  in  the  forenoon,  it  ma]/  lower  the  maximum. 

II.  OccASicvAi.  suDDK.v  CnAN(ij;s. — The  causes  which  originate  in  .  [jj 
changes  of  atniosplieric  temperature,  may  sometimes  coincide  in  tin;  ;i 
the  regular,  so  as  to  increase  the  mininaim  or  maximum;  but  mucli  ::  or 
they  break  in  upon  the  daily  range,  and  give  great  extremes  of  teuipera 
at  utlicr  than  the  ordinary  hours.  These  vicissitudes  are,  morenvi;- 
conliiu'd  to  a  day,  but  may  begin  at  any  time  of  one  day,  and  i.uiit.iu 
increasing  for  twenty-four  or  forty-eight  hours,  rarely  longer.  lu  rcftnni 
to  health,  they  are  of  far  deeper  interest  than  the  regular  dim'nal  viiiii 
tudes.  Like  them,  they  seem  to  be  greater,  and  they  arc  certaiiily  Ui0| 
frccpicnt,  in  the  middle  latitudes,  than  the  lower  or  higher.  The  jieii 
the  year  in  which  irregular  and  violent  changes  are  mcst  frcijuciit,  ;ire  tl 
latter  pait  of  winter  and  the  first  half  of  spring,  the  beginning  of  uutiii 
and  the  beginning  of  winter.  In  the  south,  they  occur  also  in  winter 
the  north,  in  sunuuer;  in  the  middle  latitudes,  in  botli  winter  and  «uuiii:( 
In  those  latitudes,  the  montlis  of  October  and  November  are,  perliaps.  d 
steadiest  in  temperature  of  the  whole. 

The  vicissitudes  we  are  now  considering,  depend  upon,  or  are  coiiiiec' 
either  with  the  state  of  the  weather,  or  the  course  of  tlio  ',vii;il!. 
influence  of  which,  on  the  regular  diurnal  minima  and  maxima,  liave  li 
already  pointed  out.  In  regard  to  the  weather,  it  may  be  stated  in  goui 
terms,  that  (when  it  is  calm)  a  rise  of  temperature  precedes  hutli  snow 
rain;  and  that  a  fall  of  temperature  ?.s  constantly  follows  these  vVvnl 
This  fall  is  generally  proportionate  to  the  amount  of  water  preoipitMe 
But  all  rains,  especially  all  thunder-showers,  arc  not  followed  Ijj  diniioiitii 


» il 


lai  n. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


515 


■KiHperature;  for  they  soiiiotimes  occur  in  a  series,  two,  tliree,  or  more  on 

•  viiue  ilay,  with  but  little  iiiterveMiiiL;;  rcduL'tiou  uf  tonij)entturo ;  Avhcn, 

itvc,  the  series  is  ended,  a  reduction   fuUuus,     This  is  truer  of  the 

.r^thern,  than  the  middle  and  northern  portions  of  the  Valley.     Tho  ^'eo- 

wiiiical  oxteut  of  the  changes  following  on  these  showers,  is  often  exceed- 

■  •'vHi'iitcd.     Everywhere  hail-storins  are  followed  hy  a  lower  temperature 

jiiraiii-sliuwcrs.     The  ditl'orence  is  doubtless  owing  to  tlic  absorption  of 

jijie  bv  tho  hail-stones   (often,  perluqis,  cooled  far  below  the  i'reezing 

viintl.  as  they  descend  through  the  atmosphere,  and  afterward  lie  dissolv- 

|m  on  the  earth's  surface. 

Two  winds  play  a  signal  part  in  tho  production  of  sudden   cliangos  of 

a.vrature  —  the  south-west  and  north-west.     Wliencver,  at  any  season  of 

avear, except  the  summer,  the  south-west  wind  blows  at  night,  there  is 

iiburease  of  temperature.     l:i  the  winter  it  occasions  thaws,  u[i  to  the 

|;nv-ti.'iith  parallel.     In  the  middle   latitudes,  a  night  may  bt;  clear   ami 

J:  kt  tho  next  day  this  wind  may  spring  uj),  and  the  following  night 

: v.; uacomfortably  warm.     'J'hese  sudden  rises  of  temperature  attract  less 

nation,  because  they  are  less  uncomfortable,  than  the  opposite  extremes. 

Ik' last  depend  essentially  on  what   I  liave  called  our  north-west  wind; 

hx:!!,'.  however,  a  wind  from  any  point  between  nurth  and  west.     This  ia 

ralwhicli  almost  invarialdy  follows  thunder-showers;  and  precedes  or 

!;;t:i-.  all  sudden  reductions  of  temperature.     The  coldness  of  tliis  wind, 

'M  i',1  summer,  attracted   the  attention  of  M.  Volney,*  who  conjectured 

;:i;  k  consisted  of  air,  which  had  descended  from  a  great  liiglit  in  the 

iiMiiiere.     On   and   around    the    -hores    of  the    Gulf  of  Mexico,    tho 

Ht'aor?."'  as  the  north-west  wind  is  called,  often  exerts  a  sudden  and  most 

:I;i.' influence,  as  far  south  as  Havana  and  A'era  Cruz.     Even  at   Key 

%;.  its  temperature  is    sometimes    verv  low,  and  the    late   Commander 

■KiiKton,  of  our  .'''■^avy,  cncc  saw  it,  as   he  informed  me,  destroy  a  great 

H-yfish  in  tlie  shoui  waters  of  the  Florida  reefs,  near  that  island.     This 

|r~;etinthe  loss  remarkable,  when  we   recollect  the  high  temperature  of 

iWk:' in  which  they  lived,  and  thini:  of  tlie  reduction  it  might  undergo, 

pHilriienin  thin  sheets  upon  the  strands,  by  such  a  wind,  continuing  for 

jif'trai  ilu;,s  and  nights.     Why  it  is,  that  a  north-west  wind  so  constantly 

''I;w<  rain  and  snow,  in  all  parts  of  the  Valley,  tlus  is  n(jt  tlic  place   to 

I'-.iiri';  but  the  cause   of  its  low  temperature  cannot    be  mi-^taken.     It 

jsiBil!  from  the  ^oeky  Jlountains  tliroughout  tlieir  whole  extent,  which 

lEjoe  regarded  as  the  remote  source  of  all  sudden  depressions  of  tcmpera- 

]>.t!irough  the  nine  milder  months  of  the  year;  as  the  Gulf  of  ]\iexico  is 

j'i-.rtiuute  cause  of  the  sudden  elevations  of  temperature,  in  the  other  three. 

I iii south-west  wind  generally  commences  afti  r  a  calm,  and  brings  with  it 

|i  timid  condition,  endinsr  in   clouds.     On  the   other  hand,  the  north-west 

r»)iily  succeeds  to  the  south-west   and  brings  fair  weather.     TLnice  the 

l''-t?  of  tlio  opposite  changes  of  temperature  ou  health  arc  not  tlic  same, 


1  ,.- 


.  ■  '•>'■. 


.'  iC  ■-.  >■' 


■m: 


.1 


■  I 


*  View  of  tho  Soil  and  Climate  of  tho  United  States. 


-1    ;» 


I    V 


\-^^- 


.)■   ■•■ 


.  "^       '■  -.  •'        '   ■    .  '  ■ 

•1    .    ■ 

..    f      s 

'    ,    V    '         ''          *           ;               ,'."               /      '. 

>  I'  ■(. 


.v.  ■'  ■.  "i» ; . 
....  J  -.  . .  t  ■•'   . 


."■  »*■-, '.  ■  . 


f»#::|:Q:^:j 


*^  r 

■•■.'I:  ■■■. 


■    ; 


i-    :.: 


",-V     . 


■■  •■•.':*■■  M  ■ 


'  .^  ■   ..-'.■/■■■-■ 


„'-•■;-/ lit 


'••if 


,'*  r  .  ^ 


ii:,^'S;:'T- .1?:  . .,  ,  '  '''**'■  ' 


'..^.t. 
-^*'-      •'-'^' 


51G 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I. 


either  in  kind   or  in   degree.     These  sudden   vicissitudes,  which  proll,! 
abound  no  where  to  a  greater  extent  than  in  the  Interior  \'alh'v  -in.  . 

o  '*^ J i  "I I.,  iij  use 

a  pojmhir  ph^-asc,  "  trying  to  the  constitution,"  especially  in  tho  latter  nart  « 
of  autumn,  when  summer  elothing  has  not  yet  been  laid  aside,  and  in  nrh  ^ 
spring,  when  it  has  been  prematurely  put  on.     Through  both  jiorioils,  thev  % 
produce  relapses  into  ague  and  fever,  in  regions  which  generate  that  di>e;i«r 
accelerate  the  development  of  tubercular  infiaunnatiun  of  thu  Imurs;  a,,,] 
give  rise  to  rheumatism,  catarrh,  croup,  and  all  other  varieties  of  nuhiiunarv 
inflammation  ;  concerning  which  more  will  be  said  hereafter.    Neverthtlejs 
it  cannot   be  doubted,  that   the  stimulus  of  change  is   preferable,  in  jtj 
influences  on  the  constitution,  to  long- continued  and  iuteiise  heat  or  colJ. 


SECTION   VII. 

IMEAN  TE:\IPERATURES   D'sTERMLVED  by  INDUCTION-, 

Under  this  head  I  propose    to  give    a  few  examples,  whifli,  liko  tic 
exj)criviciitum  crucis,  may  determine  the  accuracy  and  value  of  thr  iiiv.si- 
gations  through  which  we  have  passed.    In  several  places,  certain  (Icilucti  ;:3 
have  been  pronounced  to  be  hiws  of  our  climate,  and  in  many  tables,  i:,:! j 
have  been  given,  which  it  was  intimated  might  be  employed  in  (Icteru.ii;^ 
not  merely  the  annual  heat,  but  its  distribution  throughout  tlio  year.   ^Vj 
arc  now  to  test  the  truth  of  these  statements.     This  I  shall  do  ly  iiii.;,:,;. 
ing  a  calculated  thcrmometrical  or  thermal  year,  for  a  few  places  v:  rt 
observations  have  not  yet  been  made,  or  if  made,  have  not  been  |iuljli>i.  i 
The  mean  heat  is  that  in  the  table  of  calculated  mean  tenijicraturos.  iriLat 
resulting  from  the  data  by  which  that  table  was  con.^tructed;  and  tlir  JjteN 
mination  of  the  months  and  seasons,  was  made  from  the  data  furnLslicdk i 
footing  of  each  section  of  the  table  of  monthly  mean  heat.     In  doing  tliii 
it  was  assumed  that  the  dilTerenoe  between  the  mean  annual  temporatun 
the  section,  and  that  of  the  months  included  in  it,  might  bo  taken  as  li 
difference  between  the  mean  annual  heat  of  the  place  selected  for  tlio  trii 
and  the  months  of  that  place ;  then,  on  ascertaining  the  dilToroncc  betwe 
the  moan  temperature  of  each  month,  and  the  annual  temperature  oftl 
section,  that  difference  was  applied  to  the  mean  annual  heat  of  the  plai 
which  had  been  chosen,  and  gave  that  of  the  months  for  the  calculated  va 
The  extreme  ranges  were  determined  by  a  similar  method,  from  data 
nished  by  the  table  of  annual  ranges. 

In  selecting  stations  for  this  purpose,  I  have  fixed  on  Memjiliis,  in  II 
Mexican  Basin,  Cleveland  in  the  St.  Lawrence  13asi  ,  and  Pembina,  w 
the  forty-ninth  parallel  cuts  Red  Eiver  of  Lake  Winnipeg,  in  the  Iliwil 
Basin.  The  two  former  arc  important  and  flourishing  cities,  a  knovrkiii:e 
the  climates  of  which  cannot  be  without  interest ;  the  latter  is  at  the  ciloi 
of  Lord  Selkirk,  which  seems  likely  to  bo  irueh  augmented  ffituin » 


% 


des,  wlilch  proliulily 
3r  Yalky,  uro,  to  use 
Uy  in  \]\ii  latter  prt 
(I  aside,  and  in  early 
fh  both  ^l(;rlod9.  tlicy 
Tcucratu  tliul  disease; : 
jn  of  tlic  lungs;  and 
•avictics  of  iiulmunary 
eaftur.     NevL'Vtlielv-3, 
is   prcd'ovubk,  in  iu 
atense  beat  or  coU. 


Y  INDUCTION, 

.uiples,  wbieli,  like  the 
,nd  value  of  the  iuveEii* 
laces,  certain  deiluoti-na 
id  iu  many  tabled,  ratios  | 
employed  in  dctovuiimcgl 
IdUglumt  tlie  yiar.  ^Ve" 
is  i  sball  do  liy  I'vcsew 
for  a  few  places  v\m] 
lave  not  been  iiuijli!litij 
■an  temperatures,  or  llr 
;tructcd;andtliodeter.| 
the  data  furnislicilljytlir 
an  beat.     In  doiu-tbiij 
M  annual  temperature « 
,  inigbt  be  taken  as  tai 
■vcc  selected  for  tl.o  tna 
g  tbc  difference  betwri 
mnal  temperature  of  !i| 
.unual  beat  of  the  ^ 
for  tbc  calculated  sd 
mctbod,  from  data 

ixcd  on  :Mempliis.  >"  1 
,si  ,  and  Pcmbuia,  ^^^ 


tiitn.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


511 


tfirs:  for  tlic  broad  stream  of  Norwegian,  German,  and  Irish  immigration, 
dprobably  soon  reach  the  banks  of  lied  River,  from  its  sources  with  those 
t  [lie  St  Peters,  to  its  mouth  in  Lake  Winni[)Cg.  An  a  priori  estimate 
.•  it;  eliinato  will,  therefdro,  not  bo  without  interest,  to  thuse  who  would 
i  .iie  to  know  either  its  agricultural  capabilities  or  its  dis  ises,  as  far  as 
•;iv  depend  on  climate. 

MEMPHIS. 


^FVN  ■: 


Position'. 


N.  L. 


35°  80' 


W.  L. 


OC^  00' 


Elevation. 


400 


Mean  Annuai-  Temperature. 


Gl°.85 


Extreme  Libration. 


Lowest. 


—10° 


Highest. 


108^ 


Range. 


118° 


Seasons. 


Winter. 


4P.16 


Spring. 


Summer. 


G2°.79 


81°.97 


Autumn. 


G2°.33 


,  ,  I- 


Months. 


k\.   F 


EP. 


5ll.^3i2,20 


Mar.  'April.  Mav. 


0         10  jo 

50.87'64.9r)  72.54 


June. 


July.    Aug.  '  Sept. 


o        I  o  o        ,  o 

80.:!0,8:].47:82.14|74.27 


Oct. 


o 
03.93 


Nov.  i  Dec. 


o  ,  () 

49.79  41.45 


•.  .'  1 


;  .•'<'• 


I 


A,Jk, 


T 


m 


*'*yii 


;,.p"^":>i- 


018 


Jan. 


31.19 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


CLEVELAND. 


N.  L. 


41°  31'  '  810  40' 


\V.  L.     I  Ei.kvation. 
~04(l~ 


Mean  Annual  Tkmi'eratuue. 


51". 02 


EXTKKME   LlBKATION. 


I 


LowKST.        HioiiEST.         Range. 
■  — 15°~  r~^93°  '"  I  "iOKo  ~ 
Season.s. 


[eoox 


WlNTKR. 

"31°.94" 


SflllNfi.  I         Suy.MEH. 

'4U°M      I '      70°.82 
Months. 


AuTt'MN. 

f)4°.(ir 


Fkb. 


Mar.  April. 


May. 


June. 


30.70  37.72  52.20:58.89  04.50 


July,  i  Aug.    Sept. 


O  O  I  o 

74.72,73.19:00.13 


Oct.  I  Nov.  I  Dkc,  I  ^ 


'^U-i; 


54.04  43.05  3;].li:) 


1^  ';j;;t     ■■■      ' 


•  t'^ti'J 


fm    \    '.-Jk.    tK  ft  ■     ■  ■  "        -* 


.-»    .>.:!■    ,      •■ 


i   ;*- 


fa-v,^;.:^' 


4''    '    ■' 


r.$\ 


PEMBINA 

• 

1       Position.        | 

N.  L. 

j     W.  L. 

9S°  00' 

Elevation. 

49°  00' 

^00 

M 

EAx  Annual  Temperature. 

38°.G0 

Extreme  Li^ration. 

Lowest. 

l{AN(iE. 

Highest. 

- 

-42^ 

130° 

94° 

Seasons, 

Winter. 

Spring. 
38°.06 

Su 

MMER. 
l°.22 

Autumn. 

11°.30 

6^ 

39°.59 

Months.                                         J 

Jan. 

Fed. 

Mar. 

o 
24.69 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

1                              1 

Aug.  '  Sept.    Oct.  '  No 

1          !         1 

V.    De-. 

o 
9.91 

0 

13.01 

o 
.37.10 

o 

52.33 

o 
53.02 

o 

66.13 

O              0              0          !0 

63.51  52.27  40.17''26. 

1         1        1 

Sept.  ]  Oct.  i  Nov.  [  Due,  i  ;1 

I \ 

0  O  0         I  c 

;(j.l^l  54.04  43.05^3.9:) 


Sept.    Oct.  |  Nov.    I's;-. 


4 


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INTKRIOR  VALI.KY  OF  NOi;Tl[  AMIIIMCX. 


r.i!» 


TABLE  1. 

*!a\  TiiMrEn.vruKES  of    thk  Months    at   St.  Louis,  through   Sixtkkn 

Yeaks. 


"! 


I  'I 


SECTION  VI H. 

-;\irERATURF,S  OF  ST.  L()[MS  AXD  CINCIXXATI,  WITH   DIACUAMS. 

[  St.  Louis.  —  Gcnrgo  Enj^'oliiiaim,  ]M.  |).,  a  liii^lily  si-iciititii',  iiatiinil- 
lilinnaii,  of  St.  Louis,  lias  t'avnrcil  iiic  with  tlic  uiiimlilislicil  rt'sults  ni' a. 
■  vrii'Siif  im'teiirdltigii-al  nhstTvatiinis,  niado  at  that  phu'c,  ami  illti.«tra- 
.wi'Ji  iliii"i'ii>i"^'     Till'  charaettT  of  the  ubscrvt'i",  and  the  central  position 

■»!  Ijuiiiii.  in  reference  to  seas,  lake.-',   mountains,  and  |iroS]»eetivc,  if  not 

•;•'!(  nnpulatiiin,  give  to  these  oh.servations  a  valiu',  whii-h  has  di'ter- 
:■  1  me  to  print  them.     Those   whieli  relate   to   tein|perature,  will  form  :i 

•iriiiiii'libiiiii  to  the  present  ehapter.  The  notes  whii-h  follow  tlu"  tables. 
i:i!<i  the  iliairrani,  are  from  Doctor  Engelmann  :  hut  the  latter  has  been 

•    il  mill  prepared  fur  the  engraver,  by  Captain  Fuller. 


■r 


V'li.  Jan.  Feliy.   Mar. 

i-'a. 
'.•(1, 


I. '  >Iny.   June.    July.  '  Aujr.  ,  Seplr. 


"A- 


;t4,no:ts, 
OO.oQ  in, 

,U1T:>1. 

■i|i.:)ii;)s, 
:ti.?n2(). 
:i7.i7  ;)8. 
•yai  ;)!t. 

:ii;.TO:i:i. 
:'ao.Jl. 
lii.,^,-)41. 

.•2".i5:i(;, 
•  :iii;i9iii, 


ontt.fio 

55  14.^2 
12  1-.'.1Q 

15  :ib.:ii) 

5ail.G7 
78  5(»..5l 
50  15.(11 
75.17.''2(l 
!m4(i.ll 
,145(i.(;7 
,:i527..5n 
,Q04f...5ii 
,1045.:t5 
,4547.25 
,15  4l.:)8 
)  44.5:t 


Apri 
iT  II     ~ 

.58.55  Glt.n5 
5S.77  (i5.:U) 
58.(10  05.(10 
58..55  (;8.;I0 
4!>.551i:i.50 

58.4(;  (;().4:t 
r.:M0fi(;.78 
Gi.i:n;7.2s 

,54.!)l(i(;.7l 
(;:{.(l;)()ti.77 
55.:i()  (Mi.Kl 
f)(i.75  07.71) 
G4.:}0  Ol.Os 

58.!»5  oi).;in 
.■)!».:j4  ();i..54 

.5,5.21  0>^.'J8 


Oitr. 

0 


Nov.  '■  nee. 


%'.-.3;),19  34.93  44.34  JH^SJS)  06.32 


72.!)5  78.,57 
7.5. 12  si. 27 
72.50  72.50 
74.75  78.57 
72.05  78.12 
75.71  ,sl.04 

7(t.:i5  7(;.:iO 

77.2s  70.;):} 
77.43  .sO.ICi 
72.73  75.85 
7;f.sl  7il.O:) 
75.50  >1. 04 
74.70  7!i.75 
70.^5  s 1. 10 
72.02  78..50 
72.5373.73 

7TJ.7;)|78!43 


7H.17 
y{)M) 
71.00 
7;*. 02 
7.5.12 
sO.45 
74.:i2 
70.04 
77.12 
73.:t4 
70.S0 
77.43 
77.55 

•-■.oo 

74.011 
74.115 

7l;.34 


O-.OO 
(il.lO 

(;5.u() 

07.77 
00.87 

(;8.(;3 

01.3!) 
05.72 
(H.dO 
71.87 
73.20 
07.115 
70.>0 
74.00 
(ill. Oil 
04.3!l 

08.14 


5^.00  44.00: 
5.3. (iO  15.1)5  : 

51.00  10.00 ; 

4S.42  J|).7: 


.30.27 
1,3.35 
30.00 
2!).!)7 
5S.55  50.00  3(i.05 
27.42 
,30.3!) 


,iO.(;i  34.71 
02.71)  3S.53 
51.1»1))2.0- 
.54.30  10.11 
.5i).(l()  37.75 
51..52  43.17 
51.44  41.00 
55.3142.70 
50.30  40.35 
57.01)45.12 
.55.83  38.70 

547Shi  40.07, 


35.110 
37.15 
35.13 
38.0,5 
30.5s 
27.40 

:iii.7o 

34.70 
32.05 

33.82 


Whlo. 
yp  iir. 

50.81 
55.38 
,5I.!»2 
.51..58 
.54.1)7 
53.0s 
55.04 
55.1)4 
55.S0 
57.44 
53.1)5 
57.52 
57.27 
.57.73 
54.1)1 
55.13 

55:57 


'  v.- 


i;. 


'to  . 


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IL      A..' 


J    '■■ 


-•< 


r,.) 


20 


B 
O 


O 
» 

H 

U 

H 

0 


5'. 


Tlir.  PIJINCIPAb  DISKASKS  OF  TIIK 


[looK 


j 

J2.      1 

o 

J3 

March  •-». 
January  4. 
February  ?>. 
February  1. 
January  '2. 
February  15. 
November  -b. 
January  1'5. 
January  17. 
Februar}-  N. 
February  7. 
Decembt-r  17. 
December  1. 
February  •_*«. 
January    U*. 
Ja*  uarv  !>. 

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INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AIERICA. 


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324 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 
Exi'LANATOUY   NoTES,  BY   Dr.    EncelmAXX. 


I'OOKl. 


those 
mile 


1.  The  observations  were  made,  in  St.  Louis,  with  the  exceiition  of 
Dse  of  the  first  three  years,  l^'it'-i  to  IS:];"),  whieh  were  iiiiule  within  tv,.  i-v 
les  of  tlie  city.     In  those  years,  tlie  temperature  eertaiiily  roaclieil  i;, ,  •. 

trcmea  ;  and  we  have  not  experienced,  since  that  time,  such  cold  wiuti  i  >  a* 
those  of  l^;l8-4  and  lSo4-r),  nor  so  hot  a  summer  as  in  ls;J4^  nor  su  i',,(l, 
an  one  as  in  ISIJS,  of  which  it  has  been  said,  tiiough  with  some  uxa"ciri 
tion,  that  it  froze  in   every  month  of   the  year!     Eut  the  estrcm«js.\-'()Jl 
cially  of  cold,  appear  to  be  greater  in  the  country  than  in  the  eitv,  aul  i|ii 
maybe  well  to  bear  that  in  mind,  in  examining  these  taltles.  1 

2.  Table  I  gives  the  mean  temperutures.     Up  to  1^44,  the  mean  of  eacra 
month  has  been   calculated  from  the  mean  between  the  lowest  aiul  Iii'i.ejj^ 
temperature  of  each  day,  and  from  1^45  to  1>^4S  from  the  mean  ^A'  tlbvb.'; 
sorvations  made  at  sunrise  and  at  three  o'cloci^,  P.  M.,  whieh  is  belii.wltO' 
lead  pretty  much  to  the  same  result. 

3.  Table  11  gives  the  minima.     It  will  be  observed  tliat  in  tweki'  nt'thtJ 
sixteen    years,   the  thermometer  fell   to,  or  below,   zero,  and  the  mjiiih'' 
tables  evince  that  it  stood  at  or  below  zero  in 

188o,  on  1  day  iu  !Marcli,.         .... 

1S84,  "  7  days  in  January  and  1  in  February, 

183.n,  "  7  days  i     February,     .... 

1S3(),  "  1  day  in  February  r.nd  2  in  December, 
1^37,  it  never  came  down  to  zero. 

183S,  "  .5  days  in  February, 

1839,  "  1  day  in  November,     .... 

184t>,   "  1  day  in  January,  .... 

1841,  "  2  days  in  January,       .... 

1842,  not  below  zero. 
1S43,  "  1   day  in  February, 
lf^44,  not  Ijelow  zero. 

1845,  "  1  day  in  November  and  1  in  December,         2    '• 
184(1,   "         not  below  zero. 

li^47,   "  1  day  in  January,  .  .         .         .         .     1    •' 

184S,  "  1  day  in  January J    " 

In  16  years,  the  mercury  stood  at  or  below  zero,  on  cio  day--. 

4.  Table  III  gives  the  maxima.  It  appears  that  in  April,  the  thcriii 
meter  rose  above  9U°,  in  five  of  the  sixteen  years ;  in  May,  iu  eight  yeai 
in  Juno,  in  all  except  two;  in  July,  iu  every  one;  in  August,  ia  alien 
one;  in  September,  in  all  except  tliree;  but  never  in  the  other  six  mrtl 
Only  in  July  or  August  did  it  reach  to  100°  or  above  it;  and  tliat  kt| 
four  of  the  sixteen  years  — 1833,  1834,  1838,  and  1841.  In  throe  yeal 
1840,  1847,  and  1848,  the  highest  temperature  never  surpassed  '.'5^ 

Tho  temperature  rose  to  100°  or  above  it,  ia 

1833,  3  days  in  July, '^  <l'^v?. 

1834,  8     "     in     "     and  6  in  August, . 

1835,  3     "     in     " 

1841,  2     "     in     " _ 

or  iu  10  years,  only  on --  "'^3- 


1  dav, 

S  days 

0 

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1    '' 

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1 


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INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


525 


ired  that  in  twelve  - 
zero,  and  the  m 

1  day. 
lary,      .     ^  days, 

i         " 

mbcr,     .    0 

.     1    •• 

•  Table  IV  gives  the  range  of  tlie  monthly  and  annual  temperature. 
•.Tilkseen  tliat,  contrary  to  coinnion  opinion,  the  changos  arc  liy  far  the 
,';(;tiiithe  winter  month.s,  osptjcially  from  January  to  .^lurch,  and  mere 
I  F.i.ruarv,  and  next  to  that,  in  ^larch,  than  in  any  other  nioiitli.  The 
;.iTai)2e  is  ohscrved  in  July,  whore  it  never  hu.^  exceeded  4b°.4,  but  is 
;jiverageonly  .'39°. 5. 

Jiiualitlie  mean  temperature  of  Feln-uary  is  a  little  higher  than  that  of 
harv.  the  luwcst  temperatures  are  consideralily  lower  in  Fehruary,  and 
.-.r  t'lo  popular  opinion  is  not  without  foundation,  which  makes  February 
■;  .v':lnt  mimtli  in  tlie  year. 

'.  Table  V  records  the  greatest  changes  of  temperature  which  liave  oc- 
_-i  in  every  month  in  sixteen  years. 

',  .Tiatest  changes  take  place  from  noon  or  afternoon  of  one  day  to 

.--•next  morning — the  temperature  falling.     (Jrcat  rises  occur  from  sun- 

I'::;  n Hill  or  afternoon  of  the  same  day;    but  they  are  generally  not  so 

|:-;ve.  though  perhaps  equally  deleterious  to  th«  human  sy.^tem.     The 

•viakf  place  in  eight  to  ten  hour.> ;  they  arc  indicated  in  the  tabic  by  a 

falls  occur  mostly  within  thirteen  to  fifteen  hours,  and  are  not  thus 

•h1. 

'greatest  changes  occur  in  the  winter  months,  in  spring  and  fall;  in 
[-Miice,  only,  in  those  sixteen  years,  has  the  tempirature  changed  40*^ 
'V  ill  May  and  in  June;  in  September,  December,  January,  Feliruary, 
'!,;■  li.  the  change  reached,  once  or  oftener,  45°  or  more,  in  Decem- 
'ii.xiry,  and  3Iarch,  it  reached  to  50°  or  more.  IJut  on  the  average, 
.T  haiigos  liave  occurred  in  ^larch  and  April,  than  in  any  other  month, 
■■.raikT  changes  in  November  and  December,  than  in  cither  October, 
;-ry.  t  February. 

:.towperature  of  the  years   lS:j.3,  1834,   and  1835,  has   not    been  so 

irly  observed,  and  that,  too,  in  the  country,  near  St.  Louis,  Avherc  the 

;?•  lire  generally  more  violent  than  in  the  city. 

I'lNfiNXATi.  —  Having   submitted   the  tables  of  Doctor  Eiigelmann, 

'vUlay,  M.  D.,  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy  in 

'Taiil Culiege,  a  meteorologist  of  most  reliable  scientific  accuracy,  he  has 

v-''|«est,  obligingly  furnished  mo  with  corresponding  tables  for  Cincin- 

::'i'l.  also,  a  diagram,  which   maybe   compared  with  that   of    Doctor 

-'ran.    St.  Louif  is   half  a  degree  south  of  Cincinnati,  and  five  dc- 

irty-seven  minutes,  further  west.     Its  elevation   al)ove   the  sea,  is 

'!«  hundred  feet  less  than  that  of  the  latter  city.     The  Mississij)]!!, 

-I'Uis, flows  nearly  from  north   to  south  —  the  Ohio,  at  Cincinnati, 

*t  to  west.     No  hills  surround  St.   Ijouis  —  those  anmnd   Cincinnati 

'  'It  two  hundred  and   fifty  feet  above    the  upper   jdaiu  —  that   ou 

tic  observations  of  Professor  Ray  were  made.     An  attentive  exami- 

•■'"t  the  results,  obtained  by  two  enlightened  observers,  so  nearly  in  tho 

r  i!uude  and  elevation,  but  separated  by  nearly  six  degrees  of  longi- 

»Mot  fail  to  prove  instructive. 


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520 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I  Book  1 


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-. 

March.       April. 

o  ::;  CO  o  71  -IH  71  1^  co  rH  c;_  r-;  i-^  i- 
0    O  1.7  X.'  — '  — '  1  -1  — ^  1  -  r-1  -n<  ci  1  -  •  7  cc 

lO  iC  •rfi  O  iT  O  O  O  O   —  "^  i-O  '~  i7 

'71 

I* 

1 

th  rH  X.  -t  c:  I-  1 — t;  xj  -f  u7  -1  7!  c: 

0     O  •^'  rH  x'  -t^  1  -  -+  7  i  X   -f  -f'  -t   -    C  i 
-^  CO  "*  -^  Tt<  -t<  -*  1-7  71  Til  -r  "^  -f  -f 

«4< 

e 

ir:  X  CO  c:  o  o  Id  -rf*  '.c  rt*  i-j  1(7  x_  CI 

0     -f  xJ  tf  d  r-^  71*  71  '-£■  •£  1-  O  rH  d  c 

71  71  CO  71  CO  -^  CO  CO  71  CO  rt>  CO  CO  Ct 

O  *.0  rH  -f  O  1^  O  t^  X    1-  c;  71  x_  t- 

0     -t  O  O  -3  X"  17  71  -O  O  rH  1^  i7  C  ^ 

CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  Ol  00  CO  CO  CO  07  CO  CO  w  . 

iC  d  t-:  (X>'  O  O  -h"  Oi  CO  -t  17  ^£  h-  >_ 

CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  -t  'i^  *+  t  -t-  't  -r  -r  7" 

;/    X   X   X  uC  X   rx  CO  X   X  X   /-   X    A 

rHrHrHrHrHrHrHiHT— IrHr-trHr-ir-i 

^  -f '-.  ••:  i-i- 

c  iri  :c  —  |:c 
:i  4.'-.  o  I-  ,.- 


"^  c.  "^  ^^  vi 


■5  -f  t  Ct  ;-i- 


(IT  CC  -i]  C    • 
C:  tI  «^  ")"  i"1 

LfJ   O  'O  L-     I* 


i  -t  ^  --  ^!  '.^ 
;  c;  1-  C  -C   - 


_  i-  1-  I-  1-  I- 


q -t  q -r '-^.   -. 
/'  cc  '.'T  -f  ''^  I'" 


C.  r-  1-  1-    *1 
•-  lC  O  '"  i"  \^' 


-,*  u-:  "1  -Ti  ^*. 

^  -*,  -t  c  -1  '22 
4  4  5  ^  -t  |-t  I 


S  CC  «  ^  «  p 


■iB  II., 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


cs 


«o 


00  M      .  'Jl 


7, 


o 


a    73    -.^    cz    „    I-    u    7t    73    '"  '7^    t:    '—    i. 

o   1^  t-  m  —  •ri  rt  1^  '.-:>  7i  r- 1  -^  —  -t  -f  ,i 

7 1+7+1  Mill  1 1 ;' 


C5  IC  1-  -f  X.  1  -  CO  O  O  O)  O  Ci  CI  -t    o 


o 

<: 

N 

C 

u 

H 
< 

EC 


> 

M  o  -M  ~v  Ti  X'  ic  cc  -ri  1-  rH  i-  CT.  >r: 

0           r1  C-l  1-1          rH  71          C-l  i-H  ri  1—1  1— 1  :M 

ri 

^ 

■ 

c  I-  o  o  71  c:  i'5  I—  ( 

O     Tl  :M  TI  CO  n  r-i  Tl  'M  ' 


tz>  lO  c/:'  \  ~  \z 

71  'M  Tl  CM  cc 


~  71  ~  T— I  1— I  71  ■—  OO  V.  O  -f  X  -^ 

-t^  ^  C7  cc  -f  -t  -+  -t<  C7  -t<  't  cc  -t 


(73 


S" 
<< 

o  -jo  71  C)  r^  1-  c:  cc  cc  o  o  -t  CI  -h 

0     IH-T^iO— i-t<i0i0iJ7LCL0iJ7-^'OO 

X  lO  1—  C5  '-fi  O  O  -^  O  UC  O  t 1<  X' 

X 

1) 


i7>  71  71  fC  tr  t-~  CC  ir^  X)  -h  rH 
O    rti  O  O  O  -+  *+i  O  'f  CO  117)  O 


o  |x 

U7     CC 


r^, 


O  X  O  O  O  71  I-  -^  r-i  1(7  -t*  CC  -C'  O     -t^ 

o   TtH  CC  CC  CC  CC  -t  CC  CC  -r  rf  tc  -ti  cc  -f   cc 


a, 


1—1  17  O  X    71  I-  C:   I-  tr  X  O  I-  O  T-1 
O     71  71  (?(  71  CO  71  CC  71  71  71  71  71  71  CC 


71 


r-(-^Oi-H7lT-iCOiOTHOXO-tiiC 
O  71  r-t         71  i-H  71  71  r-l  71  ri 


V 


O      1—1  1—1  r-(  T— I 


1^ 


CC  w'  lO  X  CC  1— I  1^  05  7^  rH  O  O  CC  -rri 


^ 

1.7  -.r  1--  X  c:  o  rH  ci  CC  -t<  i.c  o  i-  xj 

■2 

CC  CC  CO  CC  CC  -Tf  -^  rt<  ■rt<  -+i  -t<  -r  -r  -+' 

(1!^ 

X  X  X  a   X  X  X  x  X  x   y^  x   x  x 

rHrHi— (rHrHrHi— 1i— irHrHi— li— II— li— 1 

-w 

\^ 


■.)'I1 


i 

^1 


■4; 


■    «'  '    ' 


>•■> 


•...  .  :.'>'. 


-■-^''V  ^h 


iiiil''^'-- 


llHI;:-^:! 


.1-; 


*♦*■ 

.  '  .,    ■    .i 


528 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


loo 


AfAXIMlM  TKMI'EnATT'Rf:  0 


.•\|.r. 


Feb. 

Mar.i 

1 

o 

"     1 

r)G 

70  1 

ti2 

71  : 

(i6 

T.i  1 

51 

85 

70 

7!) 

<;> 

li) 

58 

H'.i 

(i!) 

85 

58 

5!)  1 

70 

72 

70 

77 

55 

(11)  1 

(il) 

72 

GO 

86  ! 

75 

8() 

o 

91 

8!) 

85 

8;^ 

!)1 
82 
!)() 

8H 

b8 
8G 
81 


TAT5LE  in. 

r  K.\cii  .MONTH  tN  K(»ruTi:i:\  ykvrs,  at  (U>in\ 

.Miiv. 


o 

f)l 

8!) 
!»5 
87 
ill 
Jil) 

•j;t 

88 

!t:} 

81 » 
<)l 
!)l 

88 
90 


95 
95 
95 

9;t 

91 
9:t 
99 
95 
97 
90 
itl 
91 
'Mi 
91 

99 


./uly. 

~o  ' 
'V.l 
99 
95 
97 
9G 
9t) 
9S 
92 
9y 
94 
95 
9(1 
92 
90 


99 


Ahj;. 

o 
h9 
95 
91 
100 
95 
9:i 
9G 
ISh 
92 
9!) 
95 
95 
90 
92 

iW 


^cp.  1  Oct. 


o 
8(1 

9;i 

90 
91 

t^8 
85 

9;t 

94 
92 
89 
8G 
92 
«9 
86_ 

'9r 


o 

82 
80 
8(1 
84 
88 
82 
70 
84 
77 
7G 
76 
81 
8.1 
75 


VII 


.Nov, 

Oe,.. 

~6~ 

d~ 

76 

g:i 

C^ 

55 

75 

7:t 

65 

54  1 

61 

Is 

71 

i)^ 

72 

61 

77 

6'' 

68 

(;.'! 

75 

61 

6JS 

51 

7:i 

66 

75 

611 

59 

7;) 

77 

"iTi 

Wh 


'J5  June  13. 

:':'.iidv:;:i, 

!'5.liiK  \:y 
!»li.lui\  /,  ' 

:'ii  iiiivii; 
'.•lUiih,  ]■>, 
K>hv..  ■.'. 

'■'-■h'.i 
:'-i.l„iw  ,ii| 

!t.).iiiiv  :. 
'JfiJiilvl'i. 
WJui'v  !- 
ii-iAir,  !|. 


TA15L1']  IV. 
MoNTiii-Y   Hax^io  of   Tkmi'Khati  mk    at    CiNf'ixx.vn,  IN   lonnF.KN  u:am,1 


Year.5. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

IMar. 

April. 

.May. 

June. 

July. 

.■VllL'. 

t*ept. 

Oct. 

X,)>. 



O 

~o  " 

C  " 

^0 

""0  ' 

~~o~ 

0'" 

o~ 

^"0 

"""c" 

r. 

18:^5. 

6:t 

7:1 

69 

62 

51 

50 

45 

43 

53 

53 

73 

1 836. 

GO 

69 

75 

66 

51 

13 

44 

47 

53 

53 

5,3 

I8:i7. 

48 

5S 

53 

63 

56 

4.3 

38 

42 

4  s 

51 

53 

I8:i8. 

61 

>■' 

74 

57 

51 

40 

38 

3S 

52 

54 

fil 

I8:i9. 

5:t 

65 

77 

51 

58 

48 

42 

48 

57 

56 

.V.l 

184!l. 

56 

75 

51 

64 

47 

46 

46 

36 

41 

113 

53 

1811. 

61 

54 

65 

52 

56 

46 

39 

37 

51 

51 

47 

1812. 

56 

74 

60 

6.3 

52 

50 

36 

35 

54 

1)1 

(;:i 

im:). 

65 

60 

5S 

62 

52 

59 

4S 

39 

44 

58 

Ki 

1841. 

57 

55 

ro 

61 

44 

36 

2!t 

:n 

51 

,")() 

Cii 

1845. 

4:1 

(i2 

59 

73 

57 

43 

46 

42 

16 

51 

57 

1846 

57 

55 

49 

Gl 

48 

45 

39 

28 

4S 

53 

fis 

1847. 

70 

55 

58 

60 

52 

45 

38 

351 

51 

5G 

.iG 

1848. 

64 

43 

81 

53 

50 

41 

32 

31 

46 

59 

;m 

Kx.Rn. 

70 

"75 

77 

73 

5~8 

59 

48 

48 

57 

'6;i 

73! 

IJ 


TABLE  y. 

(lliF.ATEST    CHANGE   OF   TE.MPF.nATUnE   WITHI.N    24    HOl'US,  I\    E.VCH    JIOVTH.   !  "R 
\ear.    Jan 


Feb.  Mar. 


1835.' 

1836. 

1837. 

1838.; 

18.3!]., 

1840. 

1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

1845. 

1846. 

1847. 

1848. 

'Cr.ch. 


o  i 
33 
27 
27 
29 
25 
31 
21 
35 
31 
28 
.32 
29 
22 
_28_ 

"'35" 


o 

37 

35 

25 

31 

35 

38 

30 

30 

31 

31 

38 

29 

07 


o 
37 
32 
32 
30 
31 
41 
30 
43 
32 
33 
.39 
35 
33 
^0 

.38  I  1^3" 


:April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

0 

Aug. 

0 

0 

37 

35 

31 

32 

30 

43 

46 

33 

38 

28 

40 

42 

31 

30 

35 

37 

38 

31 

28 

28 

38 

35 

35 

3!) 

33 

38 

33 

30 

25 

27 

37 

36 

33 

.30 

28 

43 

43 

34 

28 

29 

34 

36 

38 

34 

32 

37 

33 

28 

25 

26 

43 

42 

32 

30 

33 

40 

■32 

30 

24 

23 

42 

38 

30 

25 

25 

40 
""43 

38 
46 

30 
38 

23 

20 

39 

35 

?ept. 


Oct.  '  Nov.  i  IK", 


O 

33 

30 

22 

37 

35 

32  I 

30  ' 

34  ' 

29 

32 

31 

27 

29 

27 


31 

,'!0 

31 
35 
41) 
35 
35 
41 
38 
31 
39 
33 


30 
% 
32 

21) 
40 

:u 
44 

OS 

35 
35 

,32  '   - 


36  ^    29  i   •■I'i  I 
211  ■_^_^. 


1 1" 


ri 


'iir, 


>'>th 


■i-3.. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


529 


YEARS,  AT  ClNUN    XtL 


Nov.    Uc.'.i     Wiw.l..  V.'ir. 


O 

7(i 

i  (15 

hi 
i  '- 

77 

I  ^'? 
75 

r.8 


7.') 
5!) 


o 

Gli  I  05  J 11 IV  i.t 
■),-)     '.'D-liilv 
7:(  I  ('aJuK  .:.. 

o.l  |UHI;\ui;:i-'9, 

'.•llJulyj-.. 
%  luK  i'', 
D!)  Jui'i.  i;. 

!<;  Jul.  1. 

!),'). I  111  v:, 
'jr,J;ilvli 
ll'JJufv  !- 
'.i-].\  ir_.il 


5^ 
Gl 

(il 
51 


(ill 
tilt 

7:i 


77     71! 


ATI,    IN     FOVUIF.KN    iKOIll 


t-ept. 

53 

4S 


vIct.      No^.     I^' 


.'ll 

54 
44 
51 
IC. 
is 
51 
■Hi 


0 

5:i 

53 
54 
54 

5f) 

51 

57 

5^ 

.■)ll 

51 

53 

50 

5'.t 

'  6:i 


73  ! 

53  I 

53 

51 

511 

53 


(;Ci 

>l 
.1,1 

47      I':  1 
(ill      C'l  i 

.10 1  i:;| 

fill  j    .Vj  ' 

5rl  \' 
5G  I  ■> 
34IJJ 

'73  I    61) 


Oct.  ',  Nov.  '.  I)«'. 


^•ept. 

~o     1 
33 
30 

00 

37  , 
35  ' 

30  ' 

34 

2i> 

32 

31 

27 

2!t 

27 


o 

31 

32 

31 

35 

40 

35 

35 

41 

38 

31 

3fl 


o    : 

30 

36 

32 

34 


% 


211  1'' , 

40  33 1 

31  .  '^1  ■ 

44  3|, 

2^  26 : 

35  :'■] 

33  !    32  23 

36  1    29  ■ 

o()  !    22  i  23 


"!,  I:i  comparing  tlioso  two  sots  of  observations,  wo  must  add  to  tlic 

toiBiicrature  of  Cincinnati,  iW  its  iiiglicv  latitude,  0°.85,  and  I'nr  its 

1- ;•  duration  "^■-•^>  thus  rai.sing  it  from  5o'^.4<)  to  54°.50,  wliicli  sub- 

-•1  from  oo°.57,  tlio  t('ni[u'r;ituvo  (if  St.   Loui",  givcts  a  difToronco   of 

;.  Tu  infer  from  tlii.s  that  tho  luinin  annual  hoat  of  the  nu'vidiaii  of 

hiiaii.  is  Il'ss  than  that  of  St.  Louis,  5°  47'  of  longitude,  further  west 

V  h'.itmles  and  elevations  being  oijualizcd),  would,  I  supi)0se,  be  inad- 

1;:;;'..:  a?  .slight  viiriations  in  tho  instruments,  their  adjustment,  or  the 

:,;..f"!).it'rvintr  them,  might  jimdviee  tlio  result.     Tiie  iirohability  of  this 

.::r.;,^.'cl,  by  comparing  St.  Louis  with   Portsmoutli,  whieh  lies  7°  ~U'  of 

|;.T'.Ji'  east  of  St.  Louis,  and  yet  diil'ers  fmra  it  in  inetra  temj)crature, 

"Tj-iliinls  of  a  degree,  tlie  pro[iur  corrections  for  latitude  and  elevation 

:.:!r,a']e. 

'■.:'.iii'.'iriii,!.' tho  mouths,  sunjected  to  tho  same  corrcction.s,  avc  find  tliat 

-J' T.  Pt'Oi'inlier,  and  January  arc  colder,  while  February  and  Mareli 

■  :,'::i;y  the  same,  at   St.  Louis  as  at  Cincinnati,  which  sliows  a  more 

•  •;:-aiKl  [irotracted  winter.     This,  however,  is  oomnensated  by  the  heat 

:.l;i:!. ffliidiri.SL'S  above  that  of  the  same  month  in  Cincinnati  2'"'.(i!):  an 

L:-.-:rjm.'SpoiiJiiig  to  tho  greater  cold  of  St.  Louis  in  Xovcnibcr,  which  i,-^ 

|.,'j;,  Iloiice  tlio  transition  from  winter  to  summer,  and  from  sununer  to 

lc;r. tliMigh  tlio  months  of  April  and  November,  is  more  violent  in  tho 

Itii'sn  of  St.  Louiri  than  of  Ciiuiinnati.     "When  January  and  July  are 

I'ari^.  vc  find  the  former  month,  at  St.  Louis,  l°.(;i  beluw  that  of  Cin- 

jc..  "',;ile  tlio  latter  montli  is  l*^.7o  above,  making  tho  range  of  m,'aii 

ia;.ktffecn  tlio  coldest  and  hottest  month,  3°.o4  greater  at  St.  Louis  than 

Ifebati. 

pi ivn  WB  examine  the  tables  of  minima,  wo  find  the  thermometer  below 
In..: the  months  of  Xovember,  Dei-ember,  January,  February,  and  3Iarch, 
In;.  Lfui.s,  but  never  below  in  the  first  of  these  months  at  Cincinnati. 
i:-:we.stminimam  at  the  former  was  0°  below  tliat  of  the  latter. 
k;tal)lij,s  of  maxima  give  us  a  rise  above  9(J°  from  April  to  September 
p;ve,  at  St.  Louis,  and  the  same  at  Cincinnati;  but  the  average  rise 
p't  ''II'  for  tliat  period,  in  the  former  city,  is  10° ;  in  the  latter,  (F. 
p^ati.st  licat  observed  at  the  two  places,  was  for  St.  Louis,  108°.5: 
ifainnati,  tho  correction  being  made,  101°.5.  In  comparing  their 
pfM  annual  ranges,  that  of  St.  Louis  rises  L5°  above  that  of  Cincinnati. 
ifflfaral  Ir;  their  greatest  changes  of  temperature  in  twenty-four 
p.  Koliiul  thoso  of  St.  Louis  to  predominate  in  January,  February, 
p'-ii.  April,  June,  September,  October,  and  December ;  to  bo  nearly 
pill  April,  October,  and  November ;  and  in  May  only,  to  be  con- 
N'J  greater  in  Cincinnati.  The  average  of  the  excess  of  St.  Louis 
[»l-'i:ii.iunati,  for  eight  months,  is  9°;  of  tho  furmer  over  the  latter. 
''irmontlis,  not  c^uite  4".  The  greatest  change  observed  at  St.  Louis, 
[»onty-four  hours,  was  5G°,  at  Cincinnati,  40°. 


fe.it 


fippcars,  that  M'hilc  the  two  cities,  which  have  been  compared, 


T^r\    41 


T4  JJ^J^B'' ''' ™c  niore  than  one  degrc<'  In  mean  temperature  (allowance  being 


•"-•l*"r 
:■:■:      V: 


1' 


'■•ill 


V'..::..!-,-: 


-..*■■?• 


-li 


r}A : 


500 


THE  riMNCirAL  diseases  of 


lOOI  I 


made  for  their  difforcnco  in  latitude   and  elevation),  tho  extromcs  of  ovh 
kind  are  decidedly  more  violent  at  St.  Louis  than  Cincinnati.    C<jiiiriJri 
with  tliis  result,  we  have  in  the  tahlo,  page  47,  the  amiiial  rarifc  at  1'  '■» 
mouth  lOG'^,  Cincinnati  117°,  tSt.    Louis    l;J4°,    Fort  Loavi'imnrtli 
■whicli  stations  lie  nearly  in  tho  same  latitude,  and  vary  in  mcun  temir 
hut  a  few  degrees;  while  the  lirst  is  in  longitude  !^2'^  '"'(J',  and  tlio  lu-t ':[% 
94',  more  than  12"  further  west,  through  wliieh  tho  annu;d  ran"o  i 


iiicroa>(.i 


It  seems,  then,  to  be  a  law  of  our  climate,  already  more  than  (-iito  liii!tMi  ak 
that  about  the  thirty-nintli  parallel,  tho  oscillations  of  tlio  thcriiMii' ta 
become  more  sudden  and  extreme  as  we  advance  from  east  to  west,  ai  J  liij 
is  probably  true  of  tho  whole  plain,  or  level  country,  between  the  Lukcjaa 
the  Gulf  of  jMexico. 


<,.■ 


/'•i;-! 


..  It 


■■.-V'  . 


•  i>'-'    ■IV  !'.A 


'\-'  I 


*^j  "^ 


r 


IvO 


%l  -:   -•■;;: 


.-{■i  ■>; 


>v 


•i  )"''P  .',?■■  ■?  ■■^•'■J-  1;  ■"■  ■       ■'  ■  :-■    ■■■■'  ' 


*'  V'. 


V.-h't- 


■  \'':\iii. 


SECTION  IX. 

CURVE  OF  MEAN  TEMPERATURE  OF  THE  INTERIOR  VALIIIY 


The  mean  of  all  the  moans  of  the  general  table  of  annual  t( 


mporatr.n- 


within  a  fraction  of  T)!.!^,  which  may,  tlieroforc,  be  taken  in  the  [iv-f 
stage  of  observation,  as  tho  curve  of  mean  tempera*  ire  fur  the  entire' 
ley.     In  referring  to  tho  places,  whose   oliscrved  mean  temperatures  • 
not  more  than  a  degree  from  50°,  wo  find  them  incladcd  betwoen  tlic  f  i  j 
lirst  and  forty-S(!cond  parallels  of  latitude.     Of  the  wliole,  Fort  Anii-tr 
at  Hock  Island,  Illinois,  and  IJloomington,  Iowa,  both  on  tho  ^^l;--:- 
River,  in  N.  Lat.  4^  ol'  and  41°  2(i',  approach  nearest  to  the  i.?"i:.,rn 
curve  of  50°.     The  ot'ier  places,  lying  between  the  forty-first  andir 
second  degrees,  at  which  observation'j  have  been  made,  arc  Council  hiiij 
on  the  ^Missouri  Eiver,  Fort  Dearborn,  at  Chicago,  and  IIiulsuii,  .ui;:!!! 
tho  middle  of  Lake  Erie.     Tho  first  wtnihl  carry  it  a  little  aljove  tlio  fi 
second  degree,  the  last  two  below  tho  forty-first.     The  Steubouvihe  ' 
vations,  N.  Lat.  40°  '25',  place  "t  a  few  niinutes  below  that  parallel:  H 
of   ^larietta  seven   minutes   a1)ovo.     Tho   mean   between  that  plav 
Hudson,  which  lie  in  the  same  longitude,  would  fix  it  at  41"^  'I'l'.    "r.l 
whole,  wo  may,  in  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge,  say,  that  tlio  i- 
mal  curve  of  mean  temperature  for  the  whole  Valley  mcamlor?,  ii' ml 
Alleghany  River  to  tho  IMissouri  River  (tho  elevation  being  from  «..; 
dred  to  one  thousand  two  hundred  feet),  between  tho  forty -first  aiil 
second  parallels;  but  seems,  i^rora  the  observations  at  Council  Bluli-. t) 
higliest  in  the  west.     Tho  west'-,  n  extremity  of  Lake  Erie,  and  the  ■  i:!J 
end  of  Lake  Michigan,  dip  into  this  zone;   which,  likewise,  iueluildj 
northern  part  of  Ohio  and   Indiana,  cuts  through  the  northern  pi  itil 
"West  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Illinois,  and  traverses  the  southern  halt  c!  1 
To  the  north  of  this  zone  lies  tho  colder,  to  the  south,  the  warmer  t'4 
half  of  the  Valley.     It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  this  zone  ranges  ij 
ecpiidistant  between  the  Gulf  of  IMexico  and  Ax'udson  Bay,  and  also  bitj 
the  baud  of  Eijuatorial  Heat  ri.ud  the  Polo  of  Cold. 


BOOK  !j 

the  extremes  of  cvm 
Jiiieiuiuiti.    Cuiiiailinl 
.unual  I'aiigc  at  l'^  r'; 
iirt  Lcavcnwurtli  Im.i 
vy  in  mean  teiini^'v;ird 
3  ■■>(■)',  and  the  bt  ('•J 
aimual  range  iui:V' ;: 
lorc  than  ouccliir.tu' 
iiis  of  tlie  tlicrnviiiti 
111  east  to  vest,  aid  I'ui 
•,  l)Ct\YCen  tlie  l.uk^  ai 


INTERIOR  VALir.V 

r,f  annual  tcmpevaturf-, 
Ijc  taken  in  the  jr 
ra* -ire  fur  tlic  eulivcV^ 
mean  teniperatim-  a 
leladod  between  the  1' id 
,ho  whole,  Fort  Anibtrii 

,,  botli  on  tlic  ^li->' 
nearest  to  tlie  i;"t::'ia 
tlie  forty-fivst  andf 
made,  are  Comuil  IV.; 

it  'a  little  above  tlr: ''  t] 

The  Htenbcnvillo  '' 
below  that  parallel:  ta 
I  between  that  lib-' 
fix  it  at  4F:I:i'.   ".i 
(cd-o,  say,  that  the  I- 
Y.illey  meanders,  ft* ml 
ivation  being  fvom  ^i'^  ^ 
n  the  forty -iirstaiJ-*' 
as  at  CounoillW-.'ol 
l.alce  Erie,  and  the 
[l.-ch,  likewise,  inelu'Ksj 
^li  the  northern  v''i|"Jl 
fs  the  southern  half  ci^ 
south,  the  uaniicr  u 
pat  this  zone  ranges '.I 
tdsonBay.audaholrtj 

id. 


:i 


•I 


I* 


f. 


n-^-' 


'*  ■-'■ . 


'I's' 


:f,^ 


.,   » 


1  ■  ■       - 


,       .             ■             ...   ^ 

r 

••■* 

''irM'  " /,  ''■'!  "  • 

• 

• 

■     ' :      '     *» 

•^■j:; 


i 


1.;-, 


1L  *  ,  _ 

a    5    !   ^  'I 


:ilT  II.J 


INTIilllOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMMllICA. 


681 


CIIAPTKll  111. 

.a)i(j.-;riii:iiic  imiessuue  of  tiik  intkiuur  vali.kv, 


.^....1 


%|     5 


Si:CTK).\  I. 

I  N  TR  O  1)  r  C  T  ION. 

I,  As  the  variations  in  tlio  woii^lit  or  iirossuro  of  the  fitmospliorc,  at  the 
■530  pljco,  (iKjit'inl,  directly  or  iiidiroctly,  tui  tlio  tciiiponituro  of  tin:  air, 
.:r -tmly  naturally  follows  tliat  in  wliidi  wo  have  I)l'imi  I'lifra^'ml ;  iiiid,  in 
:::, [rqiarcs  us  for  tlio  study  of  our  winds  and  woatlifr,  wlncli  aro  inti- 
:;/.vci'iinecti'd  with  l)ar(iinL'tri(j  oscillations. 

;i.  Tbe  (liiric'ultios  an<l  delicicncics  which  wo  meet,  in  tliis  dejiartuiont  of 
■;iDL'k'"rulogy,  aro  great ;  for,  although  a  large  |»roj(ortion  of  the  nietoor- 
.:!:!>,  wlin:<i!  tlicrnioinetrical  ohservations  were  (juoted  in  the  last  chapter. 
;i;ili|it  baruiiK'trical  registers,  but  few  have  made  allowaiu;e  for  the  etiecL 
inriations  of  ten)[ieraturo,  on  the  mereurial  (jolumn,  or  for  thcinlluence  on 
liuijlit,  of  the  CT^iillary  attraction  of  the  tube;  whereby  their  iecurd.s  are 
-.:  s  true  expression  of  the  weight  (if  the  atnios])hero.     l''rom  tlie  former 
";,■' (i^rn'cially,  the  errors  must  necessarily  bo  very  great  in  a  country  like 
;.'>, wlierc  tlio  mean  heat  of  winter  and  summer  differs  so  widely;  and  that 
:' M  same  month  or  season  in  the  south,  as  at   New  <  >rleans,  varies  so 
I.Tiit'iy from  that  in  the  north,  as  at  (Quebec;  while     jtli  aro  at  the  level  of 
r::;ta.    Thus  the  mean  temperature   of   tlie   i  .oiith  of  (October,  is  28'' 
|i'b.T in  tlic  former,  than  the  latter  eity;   and  if  the  true  atmosjiheric  pres- 
ide at  tlie  two  stations  wore  tlio  same,  it  would  seem  to  bo  greater  in  the 
iM'ik  t;i  the  extent  that  the  barometric  column  would  bo  elongated  by  tlS^ 
Mllitional  temperature.     In  most  of  the  meteorological  tables  whie'h  are 
llcre  mo,  there  is  no  record  of  the  state  of  the  thermometer  attached  to  tin; 
rA'Mer:  and,  even  where  such  a  register  is  given,  the  data  for  calculating 
|i;?deet  of  capillarity   aro   wanting;  I   have   determined,    therefore,    to 
jteil  diiefiy  on  the  observations  made  at  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati,  Hudson. 
U'Mito,  aud  Muutrcal. 


SECTION  II. 

E.\ROMETRIC  OBSERVATIONS  AT  ST.  LOUIS,  MISSOURI. 

M"'- tiiermometrical  tables  of  Dr.  Englemann  wero  given  in  tlio  eighth 
*!' 3 '1  the  ki,  chapter.  The  same  gentleman  has  kindly  furnished  me 
^t::oiinpuljlis]ied  results  of  his  observations  on  the  larometer,  through 
f-''<!  years  of  the  same  period,  carefully  arranged  by  himself,  and  has 
"'J  to  the  tables  an  instructive  diagram.     With  these  we  shall  begin. 


.<:*'. 


^'r 


t 

4. 


li,  •. 


•  1 


.1 


:>% 


682 


u 


fo 


u 


w 


cc 


H 


« 


M 


% 
P 


W 


THR  PniXCirAI.  DISEASES  OF  THE 


Whole  Yr. 

i-;   _i  I..  1^  1  .  ^   ■/,   X  Ci  ><t  1-  'J 

l.tl   VT  O  iC  irt  »rt  '.t  ''"   '-"   O  ut  ift 

7 

1 

1 

S 

.1. 

o 

'A 

-f  ti  i.t  'ji  ?i  -i  ^  «  •-  c  -/.  ^.\ 

-t  •/.  O  '-  '-I  'X  1  -  1  -  C   /.  -f  iC  1 
O  *0  iC  I-  'w  O  O  lO  I-  ITS  O  O  1 

ifi ! 

1 

I':  o  *  o  t?  ».o  CI  M  ic  o  •«  :? 

*r.  -.D  -r  w .  ••  15  :i  o  c  c  T 1  :? 

1^-  1  -  15  lO  O  -^  V3  :C  ^  «  <^  •.;  1 

^?i 1 

fi 

7j 

SI 

-f' 

X 

"7 

?i 

1- 

,^. 

71 

1 

1 

I 

Sept.      October. 

v.  /  -/.  1-  -ri  X  o  -f  r.  1-  lo  1- 

«  71  71  1-  71  i-i  C  -t   r  -C  -w  .17 

_  --5  O  O.  lO  O  -J  O  O  t-^  O,  iC  O 

5?i 

H 

C 

?l 

c 

s 

u7 

o 

S 

g 
a 

7. 

t- 

^- 

71 
u 

V 

»-<  C  n  C.  O  O  •/.   iT  CO  1.7  CD  71 
C'  '7    >-    71  r-  1—1  i7  17  ■^  iC  17  1  — 

iC  O  '^  O  '-7  '.5  O  O  >C  O  O  lO 

SC5 , 

1 

August. 

t-  ic  c  >-•  «  vj  -/J  .-1  77  lO  y.  i- 

:7  c^  rv  i7  CTi  =•  c;  7r  -r  31  vr  -f 

1.7  ^5  U7  0  u7  0  0  0  lO  uO  U7  1.7 

ari 

-71 

a 

y:  71  t'.  1— 1  1-  -n*  1-  i--  0  0  —  i- 

71  17  :7  X   0  71  C   C  C-.  71  CO  00 

1,7  iC  0  0  0  ;C>  0  U3  -1<  iC  u7  Tf 

.5?; 

-t" 

K7 

a 

"~r-(  -t  u7  ■/.'  i-H  r-H  Ci  T— t  C7  0  0  7  1 
C7  0  T.  ~.  0  X  C/j  r-^  17-  71  71  r- 
-^  -ti  -}<  .^1  't'  rf  Tt  iC  0  lO  0  1.7 

s-?; 

i7 

I-  X)  rH  w  -O  X  -H  1—  0  0  X'  -f  7t 

17  r:  -f  0   ~  71  -H  0  71  71  1-  f7  r. 

'-t<-f'^'^ou7u7u7cj:'*-tni|-f 

.=  71 

Tl 

-r 

17 
7i 

X 

7J 

-JO 

1— ( 

April. 

1-1  1-1  -t  X   1-  TO  -f  1-  71  0  t  i7 

T-1 1^  X  '^  1  -  0  i-H  X  0  0  l^  X 

'O  --f  ■^  L.7  0  lO  0  lO  to  U7  0  w 

February.     March. 

CO  -f  — <  CO  1 f  0  -.5  71  0  'X.  71 

>7   X  ri  1-  -t<  — ^  7J  rs  -t<  71  71  1- 

ooo'*'000>ooo;^i-7 
.2?j 

X  O  O  i-H  O  X   l-i  O   w  O  CO  CO 

o  c;  o  7 1  lO  in  ci  1--  o  ri  71  "^ 

O  O  1-  O  O  m  lO  O  lO  -O  lO  o 

1 

'X  ex  CO  o  -t<  CO  71  r-  o  X  1.7  c: 
CO  CO  x  X  117  o  o  I--  o  o  cr  o 

iOOu70000U5iOiOOcr 
.2(71 

t— 1 
71 

Years. 

>< 

1^  X  O  O  1-1  71  CO  •<*  lO  O  l^  CO    £1 
CO  CO  CO  -f  ■rt<  -rt<  <*  '+  ^  ^  -t  't    r^ 
X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X    's 

1 

[lOOl  1. 


•;S' 


1 


IE 


[KMl. 


-JT  11] 


LN TERIOIl  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


538 


2  I'.-  ' 


o 


'^.  A\  S 


W— I 

r-1 


(71  in 

— -I     u 


M 
H 


rri 


Tl 
I- 

J3 
7i 

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r-i 

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rn 

es 

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Tl      .»».••> 
Tl  I-         C5 


Tl      .  'Jl  rH  .  i-i 

«  u'i  S^'  «'J  l?S-ri  i:?i3 

-3  ■       "     ■ 


u  73    s 


iTS  -^  X  c;  5  5  cl  >.  c  ^  \5  T-  -t 

C5  C";  X_  Jj  Ci  T.  O,  C5  C  -C  C;  /-     •-£ 


s?-. 


O  S  O  »  O  C  O  C'  1-  it^  1ft  o 
t3  "i<  ■"  Tj  ~  I-  n  Tl  -r  i~  i-H  r". 

C  C   C'  'II  w  T-<  rH  o  ■^  O  11  cv 


M 


o 


o 


A 

<rl 

"3  r;  7  'Ti  1  o  ■^  ?.  f^  T-i  I  -  tl  1-^ 

ri    *  -/  ci  /  r;  /  ci    '    '    '    ' 
11      11  II  II  II II  II 

C  C    ~   C'   C    ~    O  O  C  1(1  1(1  Hi 

c  •;■  ~  -r  r:  X  Ti  I-  II  1—1  1(1  I o 
CI  rH  :i  1 1  1 1  1 1  1 1  1 1  «  CI  1 1  r. 

X 

I  II 


a  — . 


b 

V; 


c.  I  -  I  -  :/-  r;  c^  II  rH  ~.  vr  lO  11 

1 1  1 1  —  Tl  ri  :i  o  t  T-i  1 1  1 1  1— 


In 


to 

a 


11  ll  1 1 

11  -t  01 

ci 

CI 

5 
:i 

CI 

11  c^  y, 

CO  -f  CI 

11 

i'l 

ir. 

:i 

-' 

c 

^^ 

^^ 

a 


c  '/-■  -r  ?i 

CI  II  CI  CI 


II 


1-H  CO  U  rl 


—    — '   — '   —  i~  1.1   _ 
•C   C.    /     T1  1.1    —    ~ 

CI  1 1  :i  CO  1 1  CI  CI 


II 


11  c:  i  I  l]  ci 
CI  11 


C3 


i-t  II   —    X 

' ri    ■    ■  'X 
II II 

o  -H  -7  o 

.  '^.  ^.  -. '": 
II  II 
5  I-  ?.  5 

:  ci     '  x'  o 
11       II  II 

o  o  o  o 

1.1  -t  X  Ci 
oil  O  X 

;  X."  ci  Ci  X* 

II  II II  11 

X  5  '-H  Ci 

,  O  Ci  rH  T— ( 

:  r.  x"  ci 

11  11  n 


*>  e-  3  =-  I 

CI  c;  _  ■-<  II 


11  — 

r-H  II 


•.j:  11 


T.  X  Ci 
II  II  II 


111 


,x 

'x 


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f— I  _«  1—1  1 1 


X.   Ci 

■5'  "^i    _ 

O  O  O  O  C; 

X    tC  Ci  rH  tH 
C-  O  Ci  r-;  rH 

'  CO  ci 
u  n 

0  O  O  O  lO 

1  -  -O  O  Ci  o 

""*  ^-  — ;  ""1  — . 
•ci  xJ  ci  ci  ci 

II  Cl  11  II  11 

-    O   O   O  11 
CI  ili  O    X    I- 

n  o  o  Ci  11 

*  od  c: 

11  II 


c/j  Ci 
(11  II 

-1-  I- 


^ic^ 


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111 


X 


X  Ci 

11  11 

11  ~  11 
11   \Z  1.1 

Ci  Ci  — ■ 


X 

!x' 
111 


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1>l 


c: 
11 


I-  X   Ci  C: 

CI  CI  CI  -h 

X-    X   X   X 


— *  11  11  -t<  1.1 
-t<  -t  -t  -f<  -f 

X  X^   X  XJ    X 


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^    ■         '        »  ■    .•}..■■'..■■  •        'ii    ■; 


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s 

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V 

.  ' 

*    ,  • 

,         '         '      ' 

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- 

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>  *! 

■,■ 

534 


THE  TRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


o 

rH 
X 

"S 

■"^  ~"  Vf  IC   X    •'  "  X-*  ,-;  Tl  r^' 

T^ 

o 

x" 

•^ 

t^    t-    ,     "I  t-H    >-    t-    ;,  i-i    ,     71         !^ 

O      CJ      ..•,   .        .        O     O     O              -^i              •   1  . 

o 

P 

CC;=.-::nS33^Sc:.^    r: 

o 

c: 

pi't.cpS<^OOr:^~^~ 

^-i 

? 

c  ^o    ■_,    -    -    '^  ^  ^  ^    ^    S  ^    :J 

H 

'>< 

t^<  1^<  Ph  ■  '^  t-J  r^  1^  fi  O  Ul  -j  ~,    l-J 

ca: 

b^ 

o  o  O'  c;  -r  o  o  o  "C'  o  o  >n  c 

r*. 

i-H  ,—  o  ri'  o  1--  -r-  rH  -r  -t  r:  c  '  = 

~  rr  It  ^i  -+1  1-;  t-h  i-<  ti  rt  Ti  :•:  -+ 

r/j 

■—■—->                                                                                                                                                                                    *M 

p; 

■'~    C   ~   ■—    ~    ""■   ~    C  O  ~   ~   O  i  o 

•< 

u 

U;    ITI   -1-    — .    rH    1^   -j:    r-l    1  -  -I    I-  ?I     1^ 

C^^   r^   • — ^^.^,..,T-Hr-HT— It^t— (...^O    rH 

a  —  — ' — ' 

■~  Ti  -r                                                  :: 

p; 

--  — 

r' 

> 

5  ;^  5  ?.  X  o  'rH  1  o  ^  cri  -Ti  '^  '^ 

% 

o 

H 

'"  fo           ^1  ?"i  T?                ci  rr  ^' 

TC 

« 

ry   1  -  1  -  rH  1  -:  1  -  -r  -t  '-^  -t  -c  '/-    t ' 

o 

o 

.  :rv  o  o  :r  w  x_  o  o  -ri  ci  rn  rs  ?] 

o 

-  cs     "     '  o     '  d  o'  O  ^'  c:  c'  ~'   '~' 

la 

"" -M           CO       -v;  ■^ 'M -c  ^1 -rc  "M  ■:: 

'~^  .-"*.   -~   ,-^-  ,■"■    ""^   .■"'   i"^    I'*    -^   ;r"  ir*   1  "^^ 

yJ, 

H 

o 

•^ 

O  -3   X   -O  -M  17  -+  Ct  i.'t   -D  i^  C^  IX 

ul 

.  X    X._  Ci  Xj  Oj  a.  iX;  CI  X  -C  X.  X  |r. 
'"  71                                                                              71 

k  . 

I-*"",    .■—     "—     -"■•   .—^    ,— ',     — '    .'"'    .-•"*■    1**    1  "^J  I  **■    1  ■^ 

r-H 

h5 

« 

3 

■X'  1,7  CO  00  ^H  inh  -^  17  -t  l'-^  c't  O 

P3 

W 

.1-1-  a.  1-  X.  Cv  I-  1-  x_  tr  I-  X 

— 

< 

<: 

.5  ^    '    *  * 

d 

H 

?; 

71 

"--| 

M 

il 

X    X   C7  T-^  -t  71  71  1-7-  yi:  17  1-  X    i.7 

f. 

— 

•  -.  '  'T  ^^  -'-.  I':  '^i  "^^  '^.  ^.  ^%  -;  — .    '-. 

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[BOOK! 


■  n 


^  V'ifl 


-JI  II'J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


535 


I  _ 
i"    ~  l~     — 

-r  ~.  c  — 

Tt  71  tt    -t 


llAimV 


TABLE  IV. 

FiANGE  OF   liAKOMETRICAL  rUESsiUKE,  AT    St.  LOUIS,  FOU    12    YEAllS. 


Jan. 

ill. 
,  11.900 
.  1.1  DO 

.  l.UH) 
,  l.Oilll 

.  i.lio 
,  i.i'in 

.  l.Ulll 

.  i.i:to 
.  ii.:ii5 

■  l.i.').')  ! 
■•  l.'K'J 

jTiTj" 


I'elj. 

111. 
i.ii.")n 

jo.-^iii 
i.'J-'ii 
Ii.-Jio 

'O.'.ITD 
ij.lTll 

l.noo 

il.TTl) 
1.(17.') 

i.:k. 

|:I.!I2.') 
1.1 'J.'. 


Mnr.  Ajiril. 

ill.  in. 

1. 000  o.Din 

o.."*;!)  o.^.'fo 

I.KiO  O.tlTO 

O.'.ITO  ().7.")0 

1.010  l.OC.ii 

D.ilTO  O.G.'iO 

1.(1:20  0.7;iO 

j(i.;i(;o  o."i(i 

1.010  ().!)1.') 

Ii.m.')  1.12.". 

D.Kl.'.  0.870 

1.27.')  0.7;{0 


M.iy.  I  June,  i  July. 


111. 

O.fi^O 
0..V.0 
(1. 7^(1 
O.'.IIO 
O.I!IO 
().!».")0 

o.7(;o 
o.7l;i 

Il.(i7i) 
()..')!».". 
11.7.10 
0.75U 

l.djO 


111. 

o.ino 
o.:i(i(i 

0.. ')(!() 

O.Ojll 
0.110 
0.b2il 
0.  )!I0 
0.110 

o.."):to 

0.(i(il) 

o.:i!io 

O..V.)3 
0.^<fO 


Alu. 


III.        ill 

o.:!S0  o..')>^0 

O.lllOO.ICiO 

o.;i:i()  o.i-d 

OHO  d.  100 

o.:i^o  (1. 170 
()..'):)()  o.tiio 

0.11(1  O.MOO 

o.:i2o  (I. no 
(i.|:{0  o.llii 
o.:.!.")  o.:iii.') 

0.2S.'> 'o.,')00 

().i:iit  o.i'.io 

0.CG0i077'2(! 


Sept. 

in. 

!t.r>70 

')..'.!  10 

ii.:iio 

II.  !>(! 

).(i:io 
i..'):io 

I. '•"20 

l)..V2(l 

Gliil 

0..-.I0 

()..■'>•;,') 

(l.7Gi) 
l.lHiO 


Oct. 

in. 

i)..")(;ii 

0.770 

()..'.!  to 
0.^00 
0.07  (I 
0.11:2,'. 
0.(;:>.'. 

o.oof) 

1.02.-^ 
i.2!i0 


.\(.V. 

Dec. 

in. 

in. 

o.8(;n 

O.IMO 

1.120 

I.OM) 

i.:!2(i 

D.OIM) 

0.070 

O.SOO 

I.OMO 

l.OKI 

1.110 

1.000 

1.020 

().!I7() 

o.,-20 

1.000 

0.b7;". 

0.72."> 

O.HO,') 

l.OO.'i 

1.0!).'. 

O.S.-).'. 

0.^^0 

I.OIJO 

l.'KiO 

l.lbO 

Whole 
Vear. 

ill. 

LOGO 

I  .;!.■>()  I 

l.l-o, 

l.ltOO; 

l.r.OO; 

1.210; 

1.17o! 

l.l.'iOi 

1:210 

1.7051 

i.:f;iO! 
I  a:io  I 


'  ( 


■.  J  ■• 


■". 


'ii't 


I  i 

i 


1  i 


1.7  GO 


Illustk.vi'ive  Annotations,  by  Du.  E-wjelmann. 


I  cv  1-1  c;  1*1 


rl  J.  y.  y'  \^ 


-f  'C  >■-  jir  I 
X.  •-'  1-:  ^. 


^^'^■^i^ 


—  lO  irt  '-  U- 

~^l  y.'  ■r^   ~r'r~ 

■^  C5  ■=;  '^.  ■  • 


".zu.  I,  records  the  mean  elevation  of  tlio  barometer  in  every  single  month 
liriwi'lve  years;  the  average  elevation  of  the  same  tlimugh  the  whole 
|k:.'l;;iml  the  mean  elevation  of  ever}' year.  The  mean  of  the  twelve 
^tir; is  i'nuiul  to  he  liU.OTS  inehes.  All  the  ligurcs  given  in  the  tahle  are, 
■fciUrso.  the  result  of  calculation  from  a  larjre  iiumher  of  .siiiL'lo  obi^orva- 
Ik;  The  mean  of  every  month  has  been  found  liy  taldng  the  mean  of  the 
likrvations  of  every  day  at  noon,  and  subtracting  therefrom  O.IHi.'i  ;  as  a 
rof  direct  ob.servations  have  shown  me,  that  this  gives  the  true  mean 
I iKnimitli,  as  near  as  it  can  bo  ascertained  from  one  daily  observation. 

Lblell,  gives  the  minima,  and  table  III  tlio  maxima  of  every  month  and 
ift-vvear  of  the  twelve. 

Llk'IV,  is  tlio  result  of  both  those  tabic,  presentiiig  the  difference  lie- 
liTj...  tlio  minima  and  maxima  in  every  month  and  year.  The  lowest  line, 
lr...'tlio  "extreme  ran2;e,"  shows  the  diifercnce  between  the  hidiost  and 
|i>.-t  state  of  the  barometer,  that  occurred  at  anytime  in  January,  Eel>- 
P's.iAi.  The  last  column  cives  the  difference  between  the  hiu'hcst  and 
lUv-t  ill  ijach  year. 

I-iDnGiiAM,  as  far  as  possible,  embodies  all  these  results,  and  shows,  by 

p  dance,  First,  tlio  mean  barometrical  elevation,  during  the  twelve  years, 

tt-.teilbya  straight,  heavy  line  (r/),  and  the  range  of  tlio  mean  elevations 

: '•  .:t  periuJ,  by  two  lighter,  strtiight  lines  (a')  below,  and  (n")  anove  the 

r'   Tiie  mean  of  any  one  year  was  never  below  the  liiiO  a',  nor  above  the 

fcj.    Second.  The  diagram  shows  the  mean  barometrical  elevation  of 

i- m^'nth  during  that  period,  by  a  thick,  curved  line  (/>),  aiul  by  lines  (// 

^' '  )■  the  extremes  of  these  monthly  moans.     Third.  It  displays  the 

'^i' of  tlie  lowest  depres.sions   of   every   montli,  by  the  CTU'ved  line  (c), 

'"  and  c")  are  the  lines  indicating  tiie  lowest  and  highest  minima  of 

'■".'  nifiiith.    Ill  other  words,  during  the  twelve  years,  the  lowest  stage  of 

•ii.micx  was  never  b>low  c',  nor  above  c".     Fourth.  Finallv,  it  shows 


•t-.i<^" 


.1 .» 


H 


j||t.S  '^u:■ 


,.'  i 


MM' Aim 


•  J. 


\'  ■ 


■■■■   '•>-■>.•;•  :., 


!:if 


J.,,..,. 

iir' 


:k  I 


583 


THE  PRINXIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOK  I. 


the  mean,  and  the  lowest  and  liiglicst  niaxiuia  of  every  montli,  )»■  tljo 

d,  d'  and  d".  '   '         "'^''^ 

The  following  interesting  facts  are  deduced  from  the  taLIes,  and  tsliilii  j 
to  the  eye  on  the  diagram. 

The  mean  elevation  of  the  barometer,  i    Iculated  at  tlie  frci'ziiirr  ,.,,i,,.  i^.^ 
29.57S  inches  ;  the  lowest  and  higliest  m*  uns  SO.aoO  and  i'J.Ollj,  vatliin  tie^ 
twelve  years,  dilfer  only  O.OGo,  and  the  mean  of  one  year  dcit-^  ntt  J -e. 
from  the  true  mean  more,  at  most,  than  0.U34, 

Tlie  moan  elevation  of  eaeh  month,  during  the  year,  gives  a  ciirvi  c) 
which,  in  January,  commences  above  the  mean  of  the  year,  gradually  d..>(  i  Ij 
from  January  and  February,  until  it  gets  l)elow  the  averaau  iinaii  (-  ij 
April,  and  reaches  its  lowest  point  in  May;  it  gets  at  or  a  httlo  aim^^.-  -.-e 
moan  in  September,  and  reaches  its  liighest  elevation  in  ^November. -wlide 
it  slightly  falls  until  January. 

The  means  of  each  single  montli  (//',  //"),  vary  loss  in  Jainiarv.  e  :.-;]. 
crably  from  Februaiy  to  jNlay,  very  little  from  June  to  Septcral;or,  but  !•  j 
in  August,  more  again  in  October,  still  more  in  November,  and  ]t><, ;  _  V 
iu  December.     Tlie  range  of  the  barometer  is    smallest   in  suiunior,  radi 
especially  in  July,  and  greatest  in  winter,  from  October  to  3IarL-li  (ainl  iveij 
April),  but  less  so  in  December  than  in  the  other  five  months. 

The  highest  barometrical  elevation  in  the  twelve  years  tuok  ]ilaec.  .hn- ■ 
uary,  li^4G=30.400  in.;  and  the  lowest  depression  (duringa  violiut  stcr^ 
April  'JS,  lS4G=->^.(i40  in.:  but  usually  the  barometer  (bits  not  riic  ;i' 
oU.'i41  in.,  nor  sink  below  -8,  1)15  iu. — the  mean  ranae  aiuijuntinjr  to  1;;3 
in.;  iu  one  year. 

Other  tables,  not  published  here,  show  that  the  piean  daily  vaiiati::,  i 
St.  Louis,   amounts  to  about  O.O-jG.      It  is  well  known  that,  unless  1 
influences  intervene,  the  barometer  rises  and  falls  twice  in  twenty-four:.' 
The  highest  point  is  attained  at  nine  A.  M.,  and  is  on  an  avoragc  ai 
0.034  above  the  mean  of  the  day  ;  the  lowest  occurs  at  three  P.  31..  abJJ 
about  0.0'22  below  the  daily  mean ;  at   ten  P.  M.,  tlie  baronietor  is  i.' 
liigh  as  at  nine,  nur  at  four  A.  ]M.  so  low  as  at  ten  o'cbick.    TLcse  it: 
daily  variations  are  much  more  considerable  here  than  in  mure  ii'itiij 
latitudes,    and  approach   those   of    the   tropical   regions,   where  all  tin 
phenomena  are  more  constant. 


SECTION  III. 

BAROMETRICAL  (OBSERVATIONS  AT  CINCINNATI,  OilltV 

From  Professor  Eay  I  have  received  the  results  of  barometric  i' 
tions  for  fourteen  years.  They  are  made  out  on  i  e  same  phni  with  v.. 
Dr.  Engelmann,  and  will,  therefore,  admit  of  a  full  and  insi- 
comparison. 


i^  ^;t 


■■<■ 


1 


HE  [book  I.I 

ry  montli,  liy  tli'j  ;'.,, -3 
,c  taUcs,  and  txhiV.;  -1 

t  tlic  frci'ziiijr  y'ii;. is 

i  and  20.01a,  \;lil.!it  lie 
10  year  ddi;-;  mt  u'fet 

cnv,  ghos  a  curve  (!i), 
year,  gradually  dustu-ils 
ihc  avovagi^  iiifun  ("  in 
at  or  a  little  aliuvi.'  ilie 
on  in  NovemljiT,  v.ki.ce 

loss  in  Jaiuiary,  c-'.^il- 
.c  to  Sept(jnd;i;r,  Lut  k.i 
JoYcmbor,  and  lif  s,  ap  in,  ^ 
smallest  in  summer.  ;ii 
;tol:)cr  to  ^^larcli  (aud  'veij 
five  niontlis. 
Yo  years  tuuk  jilaec.  .uh-j 
n  (during  a \iokut  *hr.'i\^ 
L-omcter  dtjcs  not  ri^t  y 
range  amountiiig  t.  l./| 

lio  ;nean  daily  \avii\i!' :;.  i| 
:11  knnwn  tliat.  unk^^ '. 

twice  in twcnty-iV'Ui'.. 

(aid  is  on  an  average ;,:  )l 

lur,5attlu-ocr.)I..^'='i! 

I.,  tlio  barometer  is  i.^tl 

Icn  o'eloek.    Tlieso  r.; ' 

ere  tl\an  in  mure  im;:iI 
regions,  ^vllerc  all  ''A 


•jiii'J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


587 


|clNCI^•^'ATI,  OHIO. 

r-ults  of  barometric ''■••' 
I  C  e  Fame  plau  with  \- 
h   a    full    aud   i>^--^^' 




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n;i  "■] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


541 


Jill,  liijlit  of  the  barometer  at  St.  Louis,  for  the  moan  year,  is  greater 
.  ■;!(  Cincinnati;  but  as  the  latter  is  elevated  oiu;  Imndreil  feet  above  the 
I.",!,  an  amount,  equal  to  tlie  atnuisplieric  pressure  of  that  number  of 
1 V' must  1""  made  tot  one,  or  subtracted  fri 'in  tlio  other.  Wisliing  to 
Lj.  ?t,  Liiuis  a  .stanoaui  of  comparison  for  all  tlio  banmietrio  stations,  I 
aniiliedtho  correction  to  Cincinnati,  by  adding  .111,  a  ratio  .*uiliciently 
li'Tato  for  our  purposes.  The  months  thus  corrected  arc  presented  in  the 
llitriDg  table : 

TABLE  V. 

I'wARATivE  Monthly,  Qoartkiily,  and  Yeaiua'  mkan  Piik-^sure  at  St. 
L  i:-  AND  Cincinnati,  coimKcxED  for  Difference  of  Elevation. 

The  (iilTerence  marked  -\-  or  — ,  as  Cincinnati  rises  or  falls  from  St.  Louis. 


;        MOMlllS. 

'.iariuary. 
'[■.iTuary. 

iWiiitcr. 


St.  L. 


Cin'ti. 


'i!9.G.%i2!  1.407 
i2!).()lG'29  44l) 
!-29.GlHli>t).41() 


Differ. 


Months. 


-.K)'.)  June. 
.170  .July. 

.11)!! :  August. 

.170  ISuunner. 


"ifitlZ. 


::>0.G23  2i)444 

2!]T5!»S-i!>.42U  —.17-2  September. 
•J1I.540  •20,40(ii     .i:]4  lOctobor. 
20.403  t29.:J56:     .1^7  November. 


20.544  29.300      .148  1  Autumn. 


.^t.  L. 


Cin'ti.  1  Dift'er. 


29.49.')  29.3S2— .113 
20.n44'20.442j  .102 
20.007  20.407|  .150 
20T:") 35  29 .43 0 , ~T(T5 

—.127 
.134 
.103 


•iit.;)^4i2i).457 
29.010',29.4^^5 
29.023  29.400 


29.009  29.407 


.142 


karrrear,  |  St.  Louis,  29.57«;Cineinnati,  29.434, Difterenee,  U0.144 


SECTION  IV. 

RAROMETRIC  OBSERVATIONS  AT  HUDSON,  OHIO. 

.l;-jfi'unclly  scientific  meteorologist,  Professor  Loomis,  has  published,  in 
i.lmerican  Journal  of  Science,  Vol.  XLI,  2^(ige  310,  the  results  of  his 
Ismitions  for  three  years,  1838 — 40.  Those  on  temperature  were  before 
fbtlie  last  chuptcr.  Those  which  show  the  monthly  mean  hight  of  the 
jtieter,  I  have  arranged  into  a  table,  fitted  for  comparison  with  the  tables 
l>:.Louis  and  Cincinnati.  Other  subordinate  tables  have  been  extracted 
Itiro. 

Ibise  observations  are  of  the  greater  value,  from  being  made  at  a  place  only 
pj.five  miles  south  of  Lake  Erie ;  and  at  an  elevation  nearly  six  hundred 
f-h}m  tlian  any  of  the  other  stations.  They  present,  moreover,  the 
pKorningand  afternoon  elevations  of  the  barometer,  which  tlujse  made 
T"  Louis  and  Cincinnati  do  not.     These  will  be  found  in  the  first  table,  as 


■"■-m 


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lOt  H'J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


54.{ 


J; this  tablo  WO  IcJiiii  that  tlic  mean  annual  jin'ssuic  of  tlic  atniospluTC  at 

I:ii!jn,  allowance  liciiig  nuido  I'nr  dltreionrc;  i.C  tnjxigrapliical  eluvalion,   is 

lir;. ks than  at  St.  Luuis;  while,  as  wo  liavo  sclmi,  tiiat   nvor  CiiK'innati, 

sVccU'dto  tlio  same  correctinii,  is  ,11 1.     Tims  tho  ahsdluto  weight  of  the 

|0i,si.!ieri!i.s  It'ss  at  tiiu  hint  stali(jn  than  cither  of  tho  others. 

TiitH' iHvcrsitios  in  tho  annmnt  of  moan  pros-suro,  at  diilurcnt  plaoo.s,  in 

■.•V;illov,  do  not  constitute  an  anonnily  ;  for,  in  tho  languago  of  J'rofessor 

Liaij.  "It  is  niiw  clearly  proved  that  tho  mean  pressnro  of  tlio atmosphere, 

|,;;i,e  levi'l  iif  tlio  sea,  is   not  ovorywhcro  tho   same,"  and  sneli   being  th(3 

lit.  we  should   e.xpect    tho   moan  jiressuro    over    a   continent,    at  ei^ual 

|i;blej,  I '  ho  imcipial. 

I'r.feur  Looniis  has  not  given  tho  monthly  nnniina,  maxima,  and  range, 
Itmarojirese'ited  in  tin;  tables  of  Dr.  I'^iigelniann  and  I'rofessur  Hay,  but 
InsitutuJ  fur  them  tliu  following  occasional  extremes  : 

TAJ5LE  IT. 

E.iv.vTieN  OF   rnv.  Baiiojikti'r  aiiovm  20.2-"),  iv  Tmiikk  Ykaks. 


)[arcli  25,  9  A.  jM. 
(k'tuberlT,  t)  A.  M. 
.\nvomhcrl(»,llA.M. 
.\.vi'mber2li,  !)  A.  31, 
.\\viiiber2!),  !)  A.  .M. 
jii'i'iulior  Ul.  niidn't 
.  i'elruarv  d,  o  1\  M. 


ni. 


2!).2r>2  ;il^r.n.  Febmary  IS,  ?,  V.  31, 

I      "  ]\hueh  ;il,  I)  A.  M. 

\      "  (>etobor2l,  !)  vV.  M. 

i      "  November  22,  0  A.  31. 

1810.  danuary  20,  !)  A.  31. 

"  December  4,  1)  A.  31. 

1841.  .Tannary  11»,  1)  A.  31. 


.ICtl 
.2.")  I 
.2!);") 

.298  I 


.:j()7 
.:)ol 

.r)i;o 
.;jr>s 

.272 
.479 


TABLE  III. 

I'UT.KSION-   OF   THE    IjAROJrETKR   liELOW  28.25,    IN    TlIREK  YeARS. 


in. 

in. 

■A  February  10,  IP.  31. 

28.122 

1840.  3Iarc1i  24,  ll.V  A.  M. 

27.953 

•  Itemubor  22,  4  A.  31. 

,07!  1 

"       3!av  o.  ().V  P.  31. 

.904 

•'■'.  I'Vliniarv  28,  ;J  i>.  31. 

.KU 

"      November  22,  :j  P.  31, 

28,2:54 

Mav27,3P.  31. 

.249 

"       December  15,  ;]  P.  31. 

.207 

X'.v.mher  2,  3  P.  31. 

.ii;i 

"      December  20,  8  A.  31. 

.035 

^'anuary  oO,  7  A.  31. 

,009 

I-;  ihc-0  tables  of  extreme  variation.  Professor  Loonu"s  remarks,  that 
F:'- >5tlian  tlinsc  observed  at  31ontroal,  New  York,  and  Boston,  places 
■"•  ■?  kvel  of  the  sea,  wo  may  conclude,  that  for  considerable  elevations, 
■-p.*  of  the  barometer  diminishes  more  rapidly  than  its  absolute 
!'•■  l)ut  they  present  1.551  as  tho  extreme  range  in  three  years.  The 
pe range,  for  twelve  years,  at  St.  Louis,  was  1.7t)0,  and  for  fourteen  years, 
i-imati,  l.G2(i,  numbers  which  confirm  Professor  Loomis's  conclusion. 
pcl.jilnffing  table  of  extreme  oscillations,  within  tho  twenty-four  hours,  is 
p  '■  1  from  the  same  jiapcr  with  the  last,  and  will  be  found  the  more 
F'-innj;,  liccausc  St.  Louis  and  Cincinnati  observations  do  not  present 
]e.>>V' i!ig the  occasional  diurnal  fluctuations : 


* 


.): 


yM. 


i; 


:t 


544 


THE  niiNcirAL  Di.-r:APES  of  tug 


[lOOI  I 


TABLE  IV. 

Fl.UCTDATIONH     01"     TIIF,     IIaUOMKTKK,    NOT     CoRr.rf'TKD      lOP.    TfM/KI'.aT:  ,» ^ 
ExriKKPIMI    .«IX-TKNT11H     01'     AN    INCH,    IN    TWKNTV-FOCll   lif,i.|iv 


Date. 


Ilnrom, 


F.'i).  ii;,   1  i\  M. 

l7,l(t.\..M. 

M:ircli  1,  10  A.  M. 

5,    UA..M. 


Nov.  :>,  :»  r.  m. 

C,  I»  A.M. 

(;,  :i  1'.  ,M. 

Dfc.   11,  :?  1.  .M. 

"     i;i,  :«  r.  Ai. 

"       2^,   !l  A.  M. 
"      yit,  (i  A.  M. 

IS'A'.). 
,I-m.      7,   H  P.  M. 
H,   •)  A.  .M. 

"     Gi,  :}  r.  M. 
"     2^».  :«  I*.  M. 

"  .Mi.liii;:lit. 

"       2;!,   7  A.  iM. 

"     2;»,  ;]  r.  m. 

Fob.   28,  .'{  p.  M 

Marcl.  1,  !)  A..M. 

"       21»,  !l  A.  i\I. 

"      -M),  y  A.  M. 


.7(;g 
ait.oci 
•jd,:i7H 
I    .:i27 

.i)21 

.!»;(.") 

..ll!»] 

2;).(i.".ii  r 

.00-1 
2r<.;jl4 

28.4;)7 
2!l.(l-l() 

.:io.') 

.2-\S 

.H(l!l 


.Itr-H 
.SO'2 

.5;).'') 

J'J.213 


Ihi'illiition. 

,f)'^0  in  21  IiouM 

.G8G  In  2()  hours 

Sm  in  18  hours 
.ms  ill  21  iiour.s 

r>01  in2i!iours 

.GJ4  in  21  lionrs 

M)[)  in  l.T  hours 

..'J03  in  21  hours 

.510  in    7  liourn 
.(.ll.t  in  l.">  liour.s 

.61 1  in  18  hours 

708  in  21  hours 


Dnlo. 

"1H40. 
2.'(,   2  A. 


F.;b. 


« 

Mar 


Jim.   2;(,   2  A.  .M 
Jan.   21,   i)  A.  ,M 

9  A.  M. 

7  A.  M. 

!»  A.  M. 

!)  A.  M. 

:«  P.  M. 

U  A.  M. 

:t  P.  M. 

:t  p.  iv[. 

!)  A.  .M. 
y  A.  M. 

:<  p.  M. 
y  A.  M 

21.111..  A.M. 

"      24,   :»  P.  M 

"       2.'),   !»  A.  ,\1 

Ai)'l.  12,   y  A.  .M 

i:i,  y  A.  AI 

25,  y  A.  AT 
20,  8  A.  AI 
27,  y  A.  AI 
1S41. 

17,  y  A.  AI 
1^,  yA.  AI 


21, 
21t, 

:t(), 
:i(t, 
:n, 

12, 

r-h 

15, 

2:j, 
2:i, 

21, 


Doc. 


Jan. 


os.iiiii)  ••'■'' 111  ^'1  hoaa 
;l|;[^596in2ihoii^ 
.ill 7  •^"'li'iSiliii' 

.VJ  |.1;,  -Ml  iii13!,cj4 

:i;l.l(ll  -'"^  ill  1'' '"ill 

27.1):;:t| 

.2M)7;t!„, 

.-,-  .1)14  ia"21  .:ja 

!^!:).'lil7  •*56iJiii>i .  d 


j    .71G 
.2S..'.!)4 

2i).:)u6 


.7«lin2:i! 
.681  in 'Jo;. 

.71211121:. 


"Tlic  greatest  range,  in  tuvcnty-four  hours,  was  .^74,  Jaimary  ll",  1' 
but  tlio  most  rcmarkaljlo  motion  of  all  Avas  that  on  the  'J-'M  it'  -I;!:;. 
IS.'JO,  S)l'l  in  seven  liour,g.  It  was  accoir.panied  by  a  most  vui!u::t  ' 
from  the  nortli,  and  a  heavy  .snow.  It  will  be  observed  tli;a  these  ox:: 
diiiary  Ihictuations  oeeur  cliiofly  in  winter;  not  one  oceiirrcd  in  tl.'C  s,:..i 
montlis.  The  same  remark  applies  to  the  table  of  maxima  ami  c/ 
given  before."     Page  314. 


I'-',' 


iff '  ■ : 

mi     1 


.«■: 


■It   •  •, 


'  '^.  * 


m 


TIIC 


IVJ'JI  I 


TV.n    I'ou  TPM?Kr.ATi:r.| 

Wl'.NTV-FOCll   IKjCU'. 


Batom,  I      Otci'hiinn. 


I 


I  ill.        I 

A.M.I    .m  H74i„2ihJ 
A.  M.-Ji).i-)r"  '  '^    " 

I  A.  .M.-i'.).lGr'^""' 

(A.M.!   .oin;''''''""  • 

II  A.  M.i    ■•>"" 

!)A.  M.'    •^•■'•^'GGr.nr^l 
1)  A.  M.-J:>.l'.i7  •'"•""'' 

i)  A.  M.2-.lil<l  .7-ii„o;r; 


.(IMj 

IG 


8  A.  I^I. 
U  A.  M 
1. 

<)  A.  M.:2S..^!14 

!)  A.  M.  •2'^.:m 


.G:l  iii-Ji 


712 11151  mJ 


yas  .^71,  Jaimnvy  "",  1^ 
hat  on  the  i::M  "f  'T;'.:-; 
lied  by  a  most  viu!e:;t  ' 

ohscrvod  tliiii  tlicsc  on; 
t  one  occurred  in  tlic  >v,2^ 

,1c  of  maxima  aiul  w 


ha:: 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


54.') 


SECTION  .IV. 

,,,;'tMin'Ric  oi}si;rvati().\'s  at  ti»R(».vt(>,  ca.nada  ^\■!:sT. 

I's,.  Uritisli  j,"»voniiiH'iit  lias  f.stal)li.slKMl,  at  Tnnnitu  (luriiifilv  Littk- 
llrk.u  .M.\(.m;tio  and  .MuTixtnoi.iiiiii'Ai.  Oii<.+:itvATiiiiv,  wliicli,  at  lliis  time. 
lijrAr  till!  suiH'rintciidoiico  of  Captain  Jiutroy,  of  tlic  llnyal  Artilli'i-y.* 
jl  liut  liiglily-cultlvatfd    and  olili;.Mii^'  goiitlenian,    I    am   indelitcd    fur  a 

miwr  uf -WN.  iiii'tciir(di»j,dral  oliMTvation.s;    and,   al.sn,  for  two  vulumcs 

^2M  liy  the    J?ritisli    irovcrnwH'nt,    under    tlio    direction    of    Coluiud 

hibv    The  MS.  ubsurvati(»n.s  will  ho  |)ro.sontcd  lirst. 

TAJ5LH  I. 

tiv  l!\r.oMETnic  p]i.KVATrn\.  wrnr  the  Maxima,  Minima,  and   Range. 
AT  ToiioNTit,  I'oK  Nine  Yeaks. 

Alliludu— above  tlio  ocean,  3.'Ji)  feet;  aiiovo  Lako  Ontario,  lOS  feet. 


Year. 

I\Ican. 
in. 

Mi.x. 

Min. 

III. 

Raiigo. 

1 

111. 

in. 

1S40. 

2!).(;r)4 

3u.:)sr) 

28.004 

1.0!)  I     i 

1S4I. 

.<i(l4 

.417 

.<172 

1.745 

]^4li. 

.012 

.•J58 

.781 

1.477 

|N4:{. 

.01 -J 

.•iO:j 

S>1\) 

1 .084 

!S44. 

.(lis 

.205 

.014 

1.051 

1  h'i. 

.010 

.242 

.J):jii 

l.:](i;{ 

is4ii. 

.01>S 

:.]:l') 

.82!) 

i.noi; 

1^47. 

.025 

.:5!I0 

.721 

1.075 

1S48, 

.01!) 

.2!)8 

.80;} 

1.4:15 

.Moan. 

2U.00!) 

;JO.:]l,s"~ 

28.744 

1.574 

p  krometric  oh.scrvations,  the  rcpults  of  wliicli  are  privcn  in  the  tables 

l-'l  by  Colonel  Sabino,  oxtcnd  thrcmgli  two  years  only,  and  they  are 

piiiitlie  preceding  table;  but  as  they  were  made  at  every  alternate 

li-  .nir  for  the  whole  [teriod,  they  arc  of  great  value,  as  .showing  the 

>':illatioiis  of  the  instrument   at  a  spot  reniDto  from  tho  sea,  and 

iUliJistant  between   the   southern   and    northern   borders    of    the 


« 


.** 


r 


•  1' 


■f- 


'tlemau  whoso  observations,  fiiiully,  ilctermined  Iho  position  of  tin;  Polo  of 
'■'iTisity  for  this  continuiit.     Sn-  p.  111. 

'"'rtuiiately,  the  comnuinication  of  Captain  Lefroy  did  not  reach  mo  until 
I  "'ifl'-'  ti'iu])erature  was  printed,  I  will  here  state,  that  from  observations  for 
|.--^ilie mean  heat  of  Toronto  is  iP.d'J. 


-■'!'. 


540 


Tilt:  rRiNcirAi.  nisi;.\si:s  of  t!ie 


,•'"  A  k 


TA15LI-:  11. 

^rONTIIt.Y  MkAN.«  of  TIIK  TlAHOMrrKIl,  AT  KVIMIY  KVKV  TToCll,  FROM  DKi'tMllJl 
is  1(1,    TO   NoVIIMIir.lt,    ISpJ,    INCM'SIVK. 

Ill  roadiiip  llio  d'Tiniul  iiuimImtn  of  the  tiildi',  29  Kiifrllsh  indies  must  Ijo  i/ffiv  ik 

OUcl»    HCt, 


Monihi. 


0  H 

A.  i»l.  A.  M. 


IH40, 
It'll, 


Dec. 

.1.111. 
J'.l). 
Mnr. 
April 
M.iy 
.111  lie 
J  Illy 
Aii(,'. 
S^.pt. 
Oct. 
Nov. 
II.  Means, 


.ri.|7    .CGI 

.t;M  .did 

.III'      Mil 

.(17 ; 
.*;ii 

.7;.»J 

.r>i(> 
.(;.')] 
.r)5i 

7620!  .ii'M 


10    I  I    •>         4         0     I     ^ 

A.  .\I.  Noon.  I'.  M.  I'.  M.  i'.  M.'P.  M. 


(;s:» 

.•;>•-' 

(:.17 

.(112 

.Ifi.'i 

..-.(il 

.'■)77 

..'■)7(), 

(;.')! 

.(Ml) 

7:ti 

.7;t(l 

(iU." 

.(i:ti 

(;()7 

.(i(i;< 

.'iWi 

..-)f^5 

ISIl, 

iyi2, 


Dec. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

jVIur. 

Aprii 

May 

June 

July 

Aujr. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

H.  -Means, 


.GKI! 

..VJH 

.52!»| 

.G.<:i 

..'■)70 
.591)' 
.607 
.l)G7 
.728 
.077 
.G.IO 
.6:).') 

.Gill 


.»i21 
.;Vi.l' 
.r.(i2 
.G(;;t 

.5H.1; 

.GDI 
.G17 
.G7S 
.7:til 

.()')9 
^U2 

TG'I2 


GT.'I 
GDI 

.')2G 

;i;, 

>GI 

i7( 
Mi 
VM 

i:ti 

.g;mi 

J--  ' 

.(i2ll' 
..Wll 
.571 
.G71 

.5>^(l; 
,G(IM! 

,Gi;t 

.G71)' 
.741 

,G9(;: 

,(i57 

,Gin: 
.fi:i.v 


.fi:ifi 

.G;'.i 
.'(1^ 
.GGI 
.Gin 
..'il.-t 
..V)(i 
.(■.27 
.71G 
.G22 
.GKI 
.5G? 

T(jjj) 

T5!)(l 
.1911 
.5(12 
.G(;2' 
.,'')59; 
..')!»5' 
.5!IGi 
.G71[ 
.7:i2| 
.Gf<:i 

.g:»2 

.612 
.G15 


.619; 

.GIIG 
.IGs 

.(i:t.-. 

.GDI 
.52(1 

.;-.:tr 

•  GIN 

.Gill 
.GOO 
.022 
.55!) 

.592; 

.Ml) 
.171 
.51.'. 

.g:i5 
.5;i^ 

.579 
.579' 
.651 1 
.714' 

Am 

.GI4 
.■'>96 
"i59G 


.6:i5 
.Gi:t 

.171 
.G27 
..V.I5 
.517 
.51(1 
.595 
.(1-^2 
.5r<7 
.G22 
.570 

.58S 


.657 
.GIG 

.i-:t! 
.(i.t;t' 

.GD4 
..52G 

.5i:t 

..5!)2i 
.G72, 

.5H7I 

.(i:m! 

.5s7i 
.595 


.66- 

.()5ti 

.4s(; 

.GI5 
.G2I 
.5511 
.52(1 
.G()2 
.GSl 
.597 

.Gi;t 

.597 
".GOd 


..571 

.5^^l 

.5K5 

.Ivi 

.i:ii 

.4x5 

..55  1 

.5G9 

..57 1 

Xy2^ 

.g:ii 

.GIU 

..525 

.52G 

..545 

.57  G 

.5f<2 

..5i)7 

.5G,s 

.5(;d 

.5(i5 

.(i.-JI 

.(i;i2 

.G:t7 

.G97| 

.692 

.701 

.Glr< 

.651 

.G59 

.602 

.G20 

.g:)d 

..599' 

.GD5 

.GOG 

..■)!)! 

..595 

.602 

I't    Mi,i.   o     r^|- 

I'.  M.  nl)(ht.  A.  v.  A.  M. 


.6G9|  .646'  .(MD  .«." 


.G5;t:  .(lii.'l  .(IT-I 
•  I",-  .|h:i  A", 
.641 


.(i21t 
5(11 
.511 
.(il;^ 

.(KIS 

.Gi: 

.59( 
.Gil 

.5^1 
.l^: 
..5.'')li 
.Glitj 
.517 
.(11)7 

.57;) 

.G4^ 
.7().'( 
.657 
.G;i2 


.621    .(11  :i 


i:t; 

ti72  .litiii  .i;iii 

.iin; 

..-.11 

.li'J.I 

.i;ii:i 
.Cl'i 


..-,11) 
.5:t(; 
.iik; 

,(;.s7 

.597 
.(150 


..i.'ill 

,()ii; 

.i'.Dii 
.Gil 


.51S  Jil-i 
.GOG  ~m 


.(11)7 

.5:);) 

.524 
.iii»7, 
.5:17' 
..579 
.575 
.GllO 
.7(12 

.(;;(>- 

.G1^ 

.(Job!  .Gif* 


.Gi,') 

..'ill 

,G-'ii 
.'y2-< 

.(i,')ii 

.Gll:1 


.(;"'j 

..VI',' 

*  I.I 

.ij;'" 

.,Vm 
..'i-l 
,(ul 
.G'l- 


•g:!,'.  .i;i'J 
.Gi-j  .i;i'i 
.(111  .i;i'i 

'.(ID,')'  Am  yj'.t  'M ' 


■'■.'■  f 


irii'j 


ffriUT 


/.Miy-nine 

■I..I1M.       I  A, 


•10,^ 
•II.- 


|..;1-IJ.'. 
I«l'.'.\ 

■l-ii' 


i-ll, 
I  u-l«l;'.J 
'bl-i-V. 


'/•in:/  ( 


Ml  (ll 

..  I'll.' 
.;^-ii.^ 

)!-ia  01'  i 

if: 


f<1 

M 

.m 

Mill 
Ml 


.655' 


M>ii,^ 

■::  i>l:j.' 

~    .620' 


.GU7 
.6.-)l 

.62,^) 

.620 
619 


1 


11 '. 


K'Ot 


liT'ls 


INTEUIUll  VALI.KY  or  NORTH  AMllIUCA. 


5i7 


TAIU.E  TH. 

'll  IIl.UT    OK    TlIK     Tl.VUOMKTKIl,    SllO\V>f     IN     QuAKTKllI.Y      AND      AnNDAI, 
MkAN!*,    KIIOM   TIU;    I'llKOKDIM)    TaIIMI. 


IliUU. 

VHtjM  UECEMr.dP^H 

"^nflliy'inn 

U    lill^ 

^H 

•     "■  " 

tl            H              10                     1      •.'               1              fi        '      H              lit      1    Ml.l-         'J        1 

•t     1 

■ 

Houti. 

\.  .M. 

i 

\.  M.  A.  .M. 

1 

Noon  1 

1'.  .M.  1'.  M.  r.  M. 

.       1                   1 

I'  .M.  r.  M. 

1   ., 

iii;;lil,  A.  iM. 

A.  M.  M'ni. 

I 

ucht)«  must  Lu  ;ir'  ll      h    H 

1 

1         '         1 

1 

1 

■ 

1>I'U 
;mi.> 

.GOS  .025  .(;:ti 

.OHO 

.571    .,jx3    .595 

.003    .000 

.597    .599 

.001 

.001 

'.  M.  night.  A.'m.  A.M.    11.    ^|. 

<,l'll.) 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

— 1 — 1 H 

..M^ 

.550  .572   .57H   .5J7   .529,  .5;J7   .5-17 

.547 

.541    .555   .553 

.519 

.551 

r.c.'i    r.Ki  .111'.)  .)'<"  ''Jl  fl 

...,1M1\ 

1         1                          1         ' 

1 

i',i:'l    i;M   X,I'}    m  ^I 

ilnaof  ) 

i         1         1         {         1         < 

i 

.t*>    ik'i  .'I'.'i  A''    in  ^1 

f 

.582   .559    .005   .574   .552   .500   .571 

.575 

.571 

.576   .570 

.575 

.576 

,.::.r..^ 

1         !                            i         1 



— — — '  ,  , 

•  1-11, 

.f.22  .C;)2   .023 

.009   .588'  .58u'  .58?^   .000   .013 

.014   .007 

.605 

.608 

.511   .,);((>  ••'■ll         3^H 

Jv.i-ll.^ 

1 

1 

:||j  |«S  J 

u'l'i'.;./ 

■<tl-4'2.) 

.GDO  .OIO'  .CIS 

1         1 

.605 

.584   .576   .580 

1         1 

.594   .597 

1 

.574   .574   .579 

i         1 

.591 

1     5'.)l 

..>l>^^H 

.^til  of  1 

Hi:n'r». ) 

1         1         1         1         1         i 

' 

(1  .c.u 

r'...i  '^^^H 

.Gil!  .624   .02:3   .007   .5c<f.   Ju^   .5S4 

i         1                                   i 

.000   .005 

.5111    .591    .592    .000 

1          1 

V  .iK^  .'>:«:)  .r>'i^'  ""•  '^H 

:-.,  I'll,. 
■■■'•11  \ 

1 

.653;  .050   .C3:> 

.611 

.59t< 

.592 

.003    .014 

.013'  .612   .021 

.020 

ol  .o:t(i  .f'i>"i  ■*>-"  ■':':!;  '^H 

'-'  Ul')  1 

; 

-      r                     .V2-<    .'<      .^^1 

■■"'•./ 

i 

.5li                        „  ^^H 
.571)           .f '1  ^1 

.GG7   .G78'  .078   .000 

i 

.648   .033 

.028   .031    .041 

1 

.010   .040 

.045-  .050 

1 

^^H 

I'a  of  i 

1 

1 

1 

,7  (;l^!  .('>'■'"  •'i'^"  •!:■''  ^H 

1 

1    7„:ti  .7i.->  .tv.t:.  ■&■'■  H 

^3r,r,ier  ■ 

.655  .000   .004 

.050 

.030   .016 

.610   .019   .628 

.030'  .626'  .6331  .035 

,.,    .(;.-,7l  .f.>  •li^'''  •".1-  ^1 

Va'I'-s. ) 

1         1 

i,   (i:!>2!  .^M^  .tii'^  •':'''  ■ 

:ci>ii.'. 

.(JU7   .025'  .020 

.010  .5941  .593 

._„ -1 

g  1 

.003 

.013   .614 

.598 

.590 

.606 

)., -^io|Oiii^3i)i^j^ 

1 

•.«MMi' 

.651   .664   .004 

.012 

.024 

.010 

.625 

.032   .0:)2 

.035 

.030   .633 

.637 

):T.l.li).\ 

.629 

1 

.043 

.045 

.020 

.009 

.005 

.014 

1 
.02.3   .623    .017 

1         1 
.012!  .015'  .622 

iffl»rs.\ 

, 

1 

1 

iI'M'rom) 

1         1 

1 

"^  Mil. 

.620!  .o;)4 

.034 

.013 

.592    .588 

..595 

.000   .010 

.000 

.003 

.606   .609 

'U'\\\ 

t 

h:mj 

^•>41    1.619  .032 

.035 

.015 

.59(i 

.,-)91 

.595 

.602   .003 

.002 

.599 

.602!  .608 

5NM54i\  1        1 

1 

1 

■WT 

'       1 

1 

J 

1       1 

' 

1 

Ji  uro ' 

.620,  .633    .035 

1 

.014 

.594 

.590 

.595 

.604   .607!  .004 

1                  1 

.601 

.604   .008 

1 

■f!*.. 


,1 

I  : 

'1 


I) 


%. 


.  1' 


•I  ■'.  (  ,• 


■m-:M 


i'': 


■1     ,. 


■'  t^'f 

; .  ];  J 

'  , 

4  f 

'M 

^;"i: 


}'■  '  ^'■'■' 


•,..r-. 


f-i  ■'  ■••  ^y-' 


':  ■  ■  i' 


bii% 


p. 


548 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 
TABLE  IV. 


iC'-OKLf 


TuE  AvEiiAGE  Daily   Differkxce  in  the  ITioiit  of  the  liAiioMETEi;  i<f 

THE    SeVEK  .L    QuAUTEllt:. 


QllurU'l-.s. 

Winter,    -    j  ^^j._,' 
«    .  i  lH4l'   - 

Summer,  -    j  jj:^^'   '_ 
Autumn,  -    |  ii^i.>' 
In  tlie  ic;ir,  j  1^1.) 


Ahixiinum  .Mluiimiiii. 
in.  "Til. 

29.031     29.571 

.578     '     .529 


.032 

.5^0 

,.iJl8 

.574 

.053 

.592 

.070 

.028 

.(;20 

.593 

.004 

.010 

.034 

.588 

.035 

.591 

"Wo  derive,"  says   Culonel   Sabine,  "from  these   tables  tlio  fiil[ 
particulars  relative  to  tlio   (regular)   diurnal  variation  of  the  liar  iii,i  ;rij ; 
pressure,  viz. :  — 

"  I.  The  morning  maximum  takes  jjlace  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  sun  :::ef  1 
(juarter,  and  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  winter  quarter;  in  the  sprhig  and  a;;:  ..a 
quarters  it  is  almost  e(|ually  divided  between  those  hours. 

"II.  The  afternoon  minimum  takes  place   at  two  o'clock  in  t!:ev,::.;erj 
(quarter,  at  six  o'clock  in  the  summer  (quarter,  and  at  four  o'eluck  i:.  ini 
spring  and  autumn  quarters,  and  in  the  annual  means. 

"III.   The  second  maximum  occurs  at  eight  o'clock,  P.  M.,  in  tlioirLtai 
quarter,  is  equally  divided  between  eight  and  ton  o'clock  in  tlio  ;iu;:aii 
(|uarter,  is  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  S|iving  (fuartor,  and  at  twelve  (iimlni.'i. 
the  sunnner  ouarter.     On  the  average  of  the  whole  year  it  is  at  ten  u'l 

"IV.  The  second  minimum  is  at  two  o'clock,  A.  JM.,  in  the  -liniij 
summer,  and  autumn  quarters,  and  on  the  average  of  the  year ;  but  i::  :lii 
winter  quarter  it  occurs  two  hours,  and  occasionally  four  hour,-  earlier." 

In  the  tirst  tabl'>  of  this  section,  the  annual  hight  of  the  bareiiKt.: 
Toronto  is  given  for  nine  years,  including  the  two  which  make  apartcfiij 
three  preceding  tables.     For  the   annual   mean,  the   first   table  uisv 
consulted;  but  it  dilFors  from  the  mean  of  the  two  years  of  the  otlior  tn'Iij 
only    .007.     Those   tables,    however,   present   the   mean   pressuri'  d  'J 
different  months  and  seasons,  to  cxhil)it  which,  I  have  coiiHtnutiJ  :ri^ 
♦^hem  the  following  table,  that  the  distribution  of  the  pressure  tlirou^!; 
year,  at  Toronto,  may  bo  compared  with  that  of  St,  Louis,  Cinciunati. 
Hudson : 


■•'  V'M 


•■■■       ■.I 


\  i' 


IE 


CijOK  I. 


•niE  Bap.ometku,  is 


UilVt-rtiii;''. 

in.             ill 

.or)-  \ 

.or.2  1 

AI44  f 

.nb 

.*ir)U  ^ 

n.'j.").". 

.ti4s  1 

XUi'3 

.it4i;  j 

1     .044  i 

.OA.'i 

c   tables  the  IV'I!  v'.:ig 
ition  of  the  l)ar.u. -.dc 

t  o'clock  in  the  ^ni.  ..la  ; 

11  the  i^iiriug  uuil  a;;v  .aa ; 

hours. 

xo  o'clock  in  the  v:::,;a: 

id  at  four  o'ehul;  i.m 

,iis.  , 

iuck,  r.  M.,  in  till  v,:..t^ 
n  o'clock  in  the  untuii 
I  at  twelve  (niitli4'l.;ii 
!  year  it  is  at  ten  u"''.cr 

:,  A.  :M-,  ill  tl"*  1'''^ 
'of  the  year;  hut  mill 

four  hour.<  cavlier.' 
[i:ht  of  the  haroiiKt^: 
Iwliich  make  a  ptirt  d  tlj 

the   first  taljle  ii:;v. 

years  of  the  etV.ir  t;>d( 
1;   mean   pressure  ti  i 

I  have  coustruc'A'i  ■■" 

the  pressure  tlir-n^:^  J 
1st.  Louis,  CinciuiKit' 


■:!Tn.j 


INTERIOR.  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  A:\IERICA. 


549 


^ ■ 

, 

O 

■^ 

JO 

CO 

P 

Tl 

CO 

■-w^ 

CO 

O 

o 

;^ 

i.-O 

tH 

3 

d> 

d 

d 

' 

r/] 

Q 

"^ 

Q\ 

CI 

(•»  1 

fi 

CO 

'O 

CO 

^, 

, 

~ir 

s 

o 

CI 

1- 

o 

o 

lO 

o 

-44 

1—1 

p 

o 

1^ 

•5 

d 

CI 

d 

CI 

71 

H 

h 

.^^ 

^■1 

1  ^ 

Cl 

(U 

CO 

rH 

T^ 

o 

o 

o 

-— ., 

t.'^ 

1— ( 

s 

5) 

3 

d> 

d 

d 

' 

A 

6 

ci 

CI 

CI 

p 

. 

~co~ 

~-ti~ 

1—1 

CO 

1— 1 

C 

CO 

cc 

1--: 

J- 

t— 

o 

'^ 

»,c 

o 

?: 

a> 

d 

d 

"^  1 

d 

CI 

d 

l" 

7. 

•  1 

1 

> 

cj 

rH   o    c; 

C 1     Ci     — 

o    -t;    r-; 

K 

o 

1^ 

rH 

3 
t 

<5 

0          J 

J- 

d 
c) 

d 

CI 

iro 
cli 

+ 

.   i 

Lh       1 

:   Cl   Cl 

M 

lO     CO     Cl 

1- 

-t< 

^ 

.^ 

El 

»-* 

co 

-f 

rH 

CO 

i    1 

CO      rH      Cl 

<! 

t^ 

> 

o 

i.Ci 

lO 

o 

::  1 

'A 

<^ 

c 

d 

Tl 

d 

CI 

d 

CI 

1  '  = 

:  d   d 
:  Cl  Cl 

X    " 

1  "■ 

CI 

CO 

>.c 

<< 

. 

-^ 

1 

3 
1-1 

3 

d 

■^1 

d 
■^  1 

d 

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^! 

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O     I  -     VD 

O    -f    o 

-"-       — 

1-- 

.  1 

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a    1 

'co" 

/^  1=    Cl     Tl 

>      ^ 

> 

> 

d 

-in 

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—      o 

i 

3 

d 

d 

d 

■ 

c 

1^ 

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~i 

CI 

CI 

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1^    lO    :r 

1 

< 

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4  d  d     r 

— ^"" 

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c/:. 

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c 

3 

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d 

d 

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CI 

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'go" 

t—  " 

J—t 

t?  P  ~  -  s 

»i 

> 

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1—1 

1—1 

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c  ^  X  ■•'-   t 

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d 

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h^ 

fo 

CI 

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£^  «  «  2 

>; 

> 

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Cl 

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Ih 

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o 

o 

4 
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s 

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d 

CI 

d 

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\ 

1  N«H 

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a 

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si 

h  r 

y, 

.2   ■/. 

<J     . 

•—  — ^ 

< 

o" 

o'§ 

0  7J 

br.J 

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5 

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u.     .— 

'  > 

H 

E-H 

7.    CJ 

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^  = 

>'. 

t. 

f"  '^ 

tx-= 

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..-3 
a 

—     -"3 

1+ 

^ 

1 

3    V 

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ItC 

1 

»  1 

4i 

-  7 

-  "5 

?< 

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c  F 

—  > 

3    U 

'J 

^  bx. 

« 

1 
> 

n   5 
1)  -*■ 

»     c  *J 

.•3    O 

4>      k- 

's  .5 

^^ 

kl-il 

r- < 

a 

p 

rr. 

p^ 

r*. 

f 


^t' 


:| 


lir?iH:  /•  .■i^-•:-^■'■-'•:' 


lJ•|i!l-:i■■■■.■^■■•'    .v  ■;■•''  '  V.'. 

r'iV     |.'1    '  ■• .'   <  i-  ■  '■■  '      ■ 


i.- 


•:l).-r 


t:i'c^-:l-:'r: 


'S'  ■ : 


550 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOK  iJ 


SECTION  y. 

BAROMETRICAL  OBSERVATIONS  AT  MONTREAL,  CANADA  I:a.-^T 
Montreal  lies  nearly  north-east  of  St.  Louis,  boinrr  6*^  5-i'  iiortli,  ami  hv  joa 
cast.  The  otlior  stations,  Cincinnati,  Hudson,  and  Toruiito,  lie  lahvd-.n 
these  cxtrenu'S.  3I(intreal,  inoreuvur,  is  near  tlie  love!  of  tlie  swi.  AjJ 
McCord,  of  that  city,  has  puhlislied''  the  annual  mean  of  five  years' iJijonaJ 
tion.s,  bis  barometer  being  placed  ninety-one  feet  above  the  moan  ti'le  i;:  i),^ 
St.  Lawrence.  The  monthly  means  are  not  j;ivcn.  As  this  is  tliij  l;,--,  ,-jf 
our  stations,  I  have  added,  as  far  as  practicable  the  annual  results  li,r  tlie 
sarni'.  years  at  the  other  statidiis,  all  brought  to  the  elevation  of  St.  Lov.ijj 
but,  in  the  footing  out  of  the  table,  the  means  of  all  the  obtervatiuns  at  t!ij 
several  stations  arc  put  down. 

Tadlk   of    Mkax  Annual    Barometiuc  I'kkssuiik  and  Hanoi:,   at  M  xJ 
TiuoAi,,  FOii  Five  Yeaus,  fiiom  18;](i  to  184U  incllsive,  wnu  ijii.r.u^ 

PONDING    YeAKS    at    TIII:   (ITllini    STATIONS. 

Altitude,  91  I'cot  above  tlie  Sea.' 


Moan   1 

.Montreal 

Mran    of 

Year. 

Pressiirn  i  cor.  for    Mean    ol' 

Cincin- Mean    of  Mean    of  A 

niinal  V,:..-n 

— 

at  Monfl 

; 

Ul. 

St.  Louis  St.  Louis 

nati.       Hudson.   Toronto.    ; 

in. 

in.             in. 

in.             in. 

in. 

183(1, 

20.020 

20.522  ; 

20.450  1     — 

— 

\y>' 

1837, 

.425    20.555 

.402        - 

— 

1.;.'.^ 

1838. 

.8S4 

.48(1        .(il3 

.458 



i.ii'^ 

1 830, 

.000 

.512       .57S 

.408 

2  1L- 

1840. 

]Mcan, 

.805 

.407       .578 

.450  i20.52S 

20. 532 

L.'nili 

29.88(; 

20.4S8    20.578 

2!  1.434 

20.550 

204><7 

.'■  --.t 


K 


li:'^liMt' 


.. "  ■  •« ' 


SECTION   AT. 

G  E  N  E  R  A  L  I  Z  A  T  1  O  N  S  . 
I.  CoMi'Ar.ATivi-;  ]\Ii;an  Annual  rjtEssuiii-;  vi   tui;  Difit.rknt  St.u!  vj 
— AVheii  we  cunij)aro  tlie  mean  pressure  of  tlie  five  statimis,  as  piTSii.;'- 
the  foot  uf  the  M<i  Ureal  t:ible,  the  whole  being  brought  to  tlio  altiu'A' 
St.   Louis,  four  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  we  find   the  average  211501'. 
Louis,  the  highest,  stands  over  Cincinnati  .144,  niidsun  .<i22,  Tonmi'i.'l 
and  Montreal  .H'.M).     Of  the  whole,  Cincinnati  difi'crs  most  from."".  L 
and    Hudson    least.      AVIien    we    bring    the    mean    of    each   stati  ;i  ul 
comparison  witli  that  of  tlie  whole,  20.500,  St.  Louis  and  Iludsmi  aiv  t  jI 
above  it,  Cincinnati,    Toronto,    and  ^Montreal   below.     Such   is  tlio  n:ej 
pressure  witliin  a  parallelogram,  extending  north-east,  from  the  h.ii!';- 


*  Anier.  .Tour,  of  Sci.,  ^'ol.XLI. 


,iV»>1 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


551 


\L,  CANADA   EA.-^T. 


•mJic  section  of  the  Mii^sissippi  River,  iioavly  to  tlio  lioad  of  titlowatcr  iu 

...  j[  Lawrence ;  and  lio  who  resides  witliin  it,  and  know.s  his  elevation, 

iviiliout  nmcli  prohaLility  of  error,  cahnilato  tlie  [iressnre  of  tlie  atinos- 

-,.  ill  which  he  lives.     How  far  this  is  applicable  to  dther  parts  of  the 

|r.>.  can  be  known  only  by  ol)servatiou. 

"1,  KCLATIVK    3IkA.N'     rjlKSSUllK     OK     TIIK    ^loXTIIS     AND    FkASOXS     AT    THE 

I'mEREN'T  STATIONS. — In  tlieso  etHnpiirisims  Montreal  cannot  lie  introduced, 
...;•];>  its  monthly  ]iressuro  is  not   piven   in   the  table.     Of  the   other 

I ri;;  1:1?.  St.  Louis  is  taken  as  the  standard,  to  which  the  rest  are  brought 
:  rrection  for  dift'erencio  of  altitude. 
i.  S',  Louis. — The  highest  month  is  Dccendier,  being  .0.5S  above  the  mean 

I'y rear  at  that  jilace;  tlie  lowest  May,  .0S5  below:  the  range  between 
■■;i.1-1j.  The  month  nearest  to  the  mean  year  is  September,  being  .000 
;  V.  it.  Of  the  whole,  September,  October,  November,  Peeember, 
,V::irv,  February,  3Iareh,  rise  above  it;    while  April,  May,  June,  July, 

LiAazast  .'^ink  below.  Of  the  seasons,  autumn  and  winter  are  aliovc, 
ii:::,.'a:!J  sunnner  below.  "Winter  is  the  higliest  and  summer  tlie  lowest 
in  .four.  The  difference  between  them,  is  .O'^H  Autumn  is  higlier  than 
?•::.'  bv  ,055.     The  season  whieh  comes    nearest  to  the    mean  year  is 

lira.ii.  .031  above. 
.('•liciiinalL — The  monthlv  talile    f(jr    tliis  place   cives    the  followin!:' 
;,-:   October  the  liighest,  being  .051   above  its  mean  year;  !May  the 
■:.  .nT'i  below   the    year  —  the    range    between    them,    A-'i.      dnl}-, 

I ■".:;•:.  Sqitember,  Octolier,  Xovemlier,  Decendjer,  and  January  exceed  the 
v.ine;ui;  February,  Marcli,  Aprils  May,  and  June  fall  below  it.      The 

|::.;:iiKarost  to  its  mean  year  is  Jul}',  being  .OdS  abjve.     Of  the  (juarters, 

Iciaiiianil  ^vintcr  are  above,  spring  and  sunnner  l)elow.     Autumn  is  the 

L'-rft  of  the  whole;  sjiring  the  lowest  —  tlie  difference  between  them  is 
Wintur  i.s  higher  tlian   sunnner  by   .('14.     The   season  nearest  to 

iKJSiiimal  pressure  is  summer,  being  only  .004  above. 
I  Unison. — The  month  of  liighest  mean  pressure  is  September,  b^ing 
".i  ;i!jiive  its  mean  year.;  of  lowest.  Ma}',  bi'liig  .'•'..Hj  briow  —  range 
»eii  theni,  .VW.  January,  February,  July,  August,  September, 
te'i vr.  and  November  are  above;  Man-li,  A[iril,  ^lay,  dune,  and  Deeem- 
kI.Lw.  The  month  nearest  to  the  annual  mean  is  Februarv,  lieini;  only 
''1"  aiiiive.  Of  the  seasons,  summer,  autunni,  and  winter  are  above, 
;!t!.:i' alone  below.  Autumn  is  the  highest  season;  spring  the  lowest  — 
fence  between  them  AO'o.  Summer  is  higher  than  winter  by  .<l01  only. 
|fe vjasoinvhich  approaches  nearest  to  the  mean  yearly  pressure  is  winter, 
te.'  .'lit:)  above. 
i.  T^roiilo. — At  this  station,  the  niunth  of  greatest  mean  jn'cssurc  for 

p  :•  lis  is  August,  .007  above   its  annual  mean;    tlie  lowest   rebruury, 

''.'hi'luff  — the  range  between  them  .1^0.      Tlie  inoullis  whicli  rise  above 

'■;«ily  moan  are  March,  July,  August,  September,  October,  and  ]>eeem- 

«■  tli'iso  bolow  are  January,  Felnaiary.  Ajtril,  May,  June,  and  Novemljer. 

^■"iie  wliiuh  cuiii'^s  nearest  to  the  year  is  December,  being   .017  above. 


■I>f*r.. 


f  * 


,  1. 
.'  J 


Wr^'-ym'-'-''i.^T^ 

''•';■"      . 

!']•  -■'■■:    :<'")'  ':--^y-  ■  <■  :;••■  \i-'- 

,     i 

i'  i  1  -f  ■    '.'.  ■■■ -,■  :  -  ..■  ■  ;  ;■'.,  '';';■'    *■  - 

r      * 

■  M , }'f\ ' '' '"     ^  ■•            ■   '  '    ■  ^  ■ 

; 

j.Si_,'-j  ■  t;     '.•■i|  .  '    .■     ,,     ,  :'     . 

Il-''  '■■'■''■  .:^''^:. 

m%. 


iff  ■•*..•:     ■-■-.' 


i'";'':.:^^- 


*!;.!■! 


''J  V-'- . 


tost'-  •!■■-■  .-1  V  .    *• .  ■.  •"'■■    ■* .. 
[■..', .  .  •■.■■■  '•  I  ■ . ■,        .  **.«• 


:.y  ■f:<-ii  ■  .-yv  . 


.h'' 


•tr  'j 


'    ■-/ 

■H  .'        ■ ' .         ";V  ■ 

iif.fiiT 


.    .f- 


■<i 


■  1, 


♦4«,         .<t: 


THE  TRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


l^WK  !, 


Of  tlic  seasons,  summer  and  autumn  arc  aliove ;  winter  and  spiiii',  i^^.i, 
tlio  mean  your.     Summer  lias  tlie  highest  mean;  winter  the  lu\ve!.t_af f 
fercncc  .05S.     Autumn  risL'S    over  spring  .Ulil.     Of  the   season;,  i',yua 
approaches  nearest,  being  .008  less. 

It  will  be  prufituLlo  to  throw  these  analyses  into  a  tabular  form: 

Tablk  op  Barometric  Diversities  in  Meax  rKEssLui;, 


Places, 


Highest  month, 


Lowest  month, 


iMonths  which 
rispiibovcmoan 
year, 


;  Months  whicli 
'  sink  below  mean 
i    year, 

•  Men  th  nearest 
l     mean  year, 

Seasons    above 
i     mean  year, 
I 

I 

I    Seasons   below 
1      moan  year, 


St.  Louis,  12  yrs. 


December 


May 


Cin'ti,  11  yrs. 


Hudson,  '.I  vrs,  iT 


October 


I  September 


orontf,  i!  vj, 


'August 


May 


May 


Aug. 

N..V. 


Dec.      Nov.       <  )ct. 
Oct.      Fob.      jDcc 
Jan.      3Iarch  |Sept.     Jan 
September     j         July  , 

A^^  July"";  Ma^iri^b^      | 

June     3Iay       April    June      i 

April         i  T'lay         | 

September        iJuly 


Sept.    Oct. 
Aug      ]S'(iV. 
Jan.      July 
February. 

April     JJfC. 
3Iarch  Juno 
May 


February 

|Aug.  Mar, 

Oi-t.  .]u!; 

:soiit.  1),; 

I 
I 

Nov.  ,]:i{ 

■\\<\'\\  )Ir 

June  Ft!., 


Season  nearest 
mean  year, 


Autunni 
Winter 


Autumn 
Winter 


Spring 
Summer 

Autumn 


;  Summer 
;  Spring 


Summer 


July 


Deeciiil 


k: 


I 


Autunm 
Sunnnor 
Winter 

Spring 


Winter 


Muiiiiii'r 
;Vutuiim 


S|jriiif.' 

Winter 

! 

i  Spring' 


An  inspection  of  this  table  shows  that,  in  the  region  of  country  fn 
Louis  to  Toronto  inclusive,  while  the  mean  pressure  (if  no  station  mai 
more  than  .080,  from  the  average  of  the  four  statior.s,  there  is  groat  dii 
sity  in  the  distribution   of   tlio  ju'essuro   throughout  the  year.    Thii'-  tij 
months  of  highest  pressure  are  not  the  same  at  any  two  stations,  iiml  t.. 
belong  to  three  different  seasons;  nearly  tlie  same  being  true  of  tlic 
months.     Nor  are  the  months  which  rise   above  or  fall   bcluw  tli'j  n/;i| 
annual   pressure,    the    same    at    any    two    places ;    and    the   month  ^v::i 
approaches  nearest  to  that  pressure  is  a  ditlercnt  one  at  ouuh  plan',  sij 
belongs  to  three  of  the  seasons.     Tlie  seasons,  liDwevor,  displny  a  tn;. 
to  order.     At  every  station  autumn  is  above  mean  pressure;  winter  i>  ;. 
at  three,  and  summer  at  two — on  the  other  hand,  spring  is  below  at  a.i  :■ 
stations,    thus    antagonizing   autumn;     summer    is    lielow   at   two, 
equally  divided;  and  winter  is  below  at  one  only.     These  facts  iiulicati' 
general  law,  that  in  autumn  the  pressure  is  greatest,  next  to  which  >  aj 
winter ;    then    summer,    and   then    spring.     Yet,    in    eonnoctioii  with  tf 
approach  to  uniformity,  it  is  curious  to  observe,  that  a  different  aa? 


'HE 


;p.ooK  \i 


iuriM 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


5o3 


iter  and  ?pviug  \K\i,^ 
inter  tlie  luwttl  — diw 
If  tlie   scasoni,  spviuj 

taljular  form; 

JAN   PllESSlia-. 

I 
lIsou,  3  yrs.  iToronto,  i!  vs. 


temper 

August 

J 

iFcLruary 

t.     Uet. 

|AuL'.  Mav.i 

(T     N(.v. 

iM.    Julv 

K     July 

t^qil.  D'.r. 

Fcl)ruary. 

1 

ril     ])ec. 

Nov.    .1;;;;, 

vrch  June 

;Ai,vil  Mr 

:May 

J  mil'  K'' 

iiy 

■  DecciiiUr 

utuiiin 
Luumer 

Sumiu(.'r 

iiV.utuiim 

1 

'inter 

L'l-'iig 

1 

Sliriii<; 
;\V  inter 



1 

'inter 

Spring 

lo  or 


region  of  country  I'v ni 
lsii?o  of  no  station  m 
Itior.s,  there  is  gvcut  diva 
iiout  the  year.    Tlub ; 
aiy  two  stations,  iiml  ti 
|c  "being  true  of  tlir  U 
fall  hcluw  i\\'i  K^i 
and   th.e   month  w;.. 
kt  i>ne  at  each  pluo-.s 
loxvcvcr,  airplay  a  teu.l..r.i 
pressure;  winter  b  ^ 
spring  is  below  at  ad  ti 
is    l.elow  fit   two.    " 

These  facts  imViu;it 
[Uest,  next  to  nvW  ;  ^ 

iu    connection  \s\w 
that  a  different  sliu 


l.fn  station,  is  that  whicli  cdines  nearest  to,  or  best  rcpresent.s  its  mean 

,.jj|y  |irossurc.     It  is  also  worthy  of  remark,  that  at  three  stations  out  of 

[■■-J  tliciuean  pressure  of  seven  month.s,  i.s  above  mean  aniuial  pressure — at 

...tlii.rtlie  months  arc  equally  divided.     Ilenec  it  follows,  that  the  fall  of 

l-hr'UiL't'-'f  below  the  annual  mean,  is  greater  than  its  rise  above,  in  the 

.[rtkinuf  seven  to  five:  that  is,  the  sum  of  the  fi\      /niniis  months,  is 

j  til  the  siuu  of  the  seven  plus  months. 

III.  Extreme  Annual  Kanges. — For  determining  the  relative  extreme 

IsrvJi.!' the  barometer  at  different  jilaces,  it  is  not  so  important  to   liavo 

,,|ivrvations  corrected  fur    temperature   and    capillarity,    as  when  tho 

U^iivi.'  niuim  pressure  is  the  object ;  I   shall,   therefore,  under  the  present 

hil rotor  to  two  sets  of  observations  not   hitlierto   noticed;  those  of  3Ir. 

:.  I'r  two  years,  at  New  Orleans,  on  the  Gulf  Coast,  in  N.  Lat.  30°; 

till  si' of  FirE.  Parry,  for  two  years,  north  of  Hudson  Ba}-,  below  and 

■itho  arctic  circle."''     These  distant  and     jiiposiio  stations,  when  com- 

i:,l with  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati,  Hudson,  Toronto,  and  3Iontreal,  will  afford 

is:;sf;ictory  ccpression  of  the  annual  and  monthly  extreme  ranc-cs  for  the 

k' lutLiiur  Valley.     The  extreme  annual  ranges,  at  tliosc  stations,  are  as 

!:w-:  New  Orleans  0.700 ;  St.  Louis  1.700;  Cineinnati  l.<J:Jn;  Hudson 

:;  Toronto   1.075;    Zdontreal    1.7<>0;    Arctic    Cirele    12.100.      These 

ks  show  that  as  t';e  mean  temperature  of   tho  year  decreases,  tho 

I'Mtric  range  increases.     I  shall  not  attempt,  on  so  small  a  imniber  of 

lut"  develop  these  inverse  ratios;  but  it  maybe   stated,  tliat  the  mean 

:;i:'jrthe  five  stations,  from  St.  Louis  to  Montreal  inclusive,  is   1.07-, 

it'^.irmean  N.  Lat.  41°  o>^',  mviiii;;  .070  of  increased  barometric  ran^o 

tJil'.m'e  of  latitude  at  New  Orleans.     The  mean  temperature  of  the  same 

fciiD>is49°,  tliat  of   the  city  70° ;  showing  an  increase  of   barometric 

ij'itjthe  amount  of  0.88-!,  for  a  loss  of  lll°  of  mean  temperature  which 

i."t fur  a  degree  of  temperature.     There  is,  also,  a  relation  between  the 

'S  annual  ranges  of  the  barometer,  and  those  of  tho  thermometer,  as 

[tsr:  from  the  followiiiir  table : 


Places. 


New  Orleans, 

St.  Louis, 

Cincinnati, 

Hudson, 

Toronto, 

^lontreal. 


Y.'arly 
Bar.  I'aiifrc 

in. 
0.700 

1.700 
l.(H2(» 

i.iiur 

1.075 
1.700 


Yearly 
riu'.  Raiifie. 
-— o 

80 
134 
117 
10-J 
110 
1-JO 


:>'-' immbcrs  show,  win.  at  a  single  exception,  tlial  the  liarometrie  and 
fiKtrie  ranges  arc  in  harmonj',  or  direct  proportion  to  eauli  otlier.     Li 
h'liparison,  St.  Louis  rei^uires  a  .special  notice 


Mthougli  tlie  most 


:\, 


4 


•)Wr., 


-r... 


.V 


*  Second  Voyage. 


I; 


mi  II- 


!::'-«'>■■■ 


><  S'M':'--  ■ 


t  * 

i  ■' 

•■•it 

■ 

a->iii 

hflh' 

f?lr ' 

),■ 

« 


1    t  ''■■):    y     '■.  '■■:;     • 


41  r  i<i'. 


■«.>-■;■*. 


r  r   4 


THE  ruiNcirAL  diseases  of  the 


[book  1 


soutliorn  of  tlic  five  intoiiur  stations,  it  exceeds  thciii  all  in  tli,.  extent  ( 
Lotli  its  ranges.  This,  1  pvef  o,  arises  from  its  being  tlie  most  Wf«tcrai 
that  nearest  to  the  great  |.i..iiis  and  the  llocky  MDUiituiiis,  .uiil  siir"Wi 
that  as  we  travel  westwardly,  on  the  same  parallel  of  latitude,  tllc■^t•  riui^rei 
of  temperature  and  pressure  beeorae  more  extended.  The  olisorvnti^n 
made  in  the  Arctic  regions  are,  as  yet,  too  f^'W  to  admit  of  a  sitislii.;,, 
comparison  on  these  points;  but  they  seem  to  indicate  a  (.'hannu  i,f  tlic  hi 
of  relation,  for  while  the  extreme  barometric  range  (ibserved,  in  twu  •,,;,r« 
was  li.lC.O,  or  nearly  a  third  more  than  the  mean  of  the  middle  statin,.-  -'le 
range  of  the  thermometer  wos  only  100°  or  four-fifths  of  the  )ii(;iii  ,■,  ^j 
of  those  stations.  It  is  probable,  then,  that  there  is  a  jmint,  lii-ii  m  in 
the  temperate  zone,  where  both  ranges  accpiire  tlieir  maxima,  uiM 
wliieli  they  decrease  to  the  south  and  to  the  north. 

IV.  ExTiiEME  Monthly  and    Quauteiily  Eanges. — As,  liy  tlio  nniiiirfv 
range,  is  meant  tlio  distance  between  the  highest  and  lowest  status  ut  tin  I 
barometer,  through  the  wb'lo  period  in  \vhich  observations  are  madi'.  > 
the  monthly  and  (juarterl}',  is  meant  the  range  between  the  hJL'Li-r   ni 
?owcst,  in  the  same  month   or  the  same  quarter,  tliough  iiiakin;.'  in',. 
parts  of  ditfercnt  years.     They  show  the  highest  and  lowest  point.-i  if  ^ 
latiou  to  whicli  tliat  month  or    season  is  liable.     As   these  maxiiii;i  ai 
minima  are,  also,  the  data  from  which  th.e  yearly  extremes  are  caliulatu 
follows  that  the  latter  must  indicate  the  former;  but  they  do  not  tt!!;pl 
the  montli  nr  seasons  in  which  the  extreme  librations  have  tlioir  /';.  -ij 
and,  tiicrefore,  we  are  lel''t  t;)  inquire  into  the  relative  monthly  and  -;:- 
oscillations. 

If  wo  ascertain  the  mean  of  the  extreme  montldy  ranges,  at  carii  i-taiid 
and  compare  that  of  ea(di  month  witli  it,  some  will,  nf  cimrso,  ri-i  'Ji 
and    others    fall    below    the    average;    and,    tluis,    Avithout    cniliam- 
ourselves  witli  numbers,  we  may  perceive,  in  a  general  way.  wliirli  ;iiv 
months   of  higher,  and  which  of  lower  range;    as  in  the  fi'llnwiiii:  tin 
where,  moreover,  the  months  of  both  columns  are  placed  in  the  u' 
their  distance  from  the  mean  of  the  wdiole,  and  the  aninuiit  of  tlie  \''.:h^ 
and  lowest  is   annexed.     Tluis,  the   first-named  montli  of  tlic  fnv-t  r  iiii 
lias  tlie  highest  range  of  any  in  the  year,  and  the  last  of  the  second  v 
the  lowest :  while  the  last  month  of  the  first  eobiinn,  and  the  first  iii'i:t;i| 
second  column,  are  those  whose  range  approaidies  nearest  to  the  moan 
whole;  in  other  words,  are  the  months  of  temperate  range. 


tK 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMEi.    :A. 


OO) 


LnRK.ME   3IuMIILV   BaUuMKTUIC   IIaNOKS   at     FlVK   Sl'ATIOXri 

.Months  Ix.'low  incun 
IT       Mca ■■■■''       ■■'  - 


^         j  I.Moiillis  aliovd  lucaii 

ill  Years.  Ilij^liest  |  iMiigf,  iu  liio  order 
I  Riiiige.  I     of  their  e\lL'nt. 


I  \.i  Orloaiis:  3 


Hiouins  aiiovd  lucaii  .>ioiims  ikmow  mean 

jrhest  I  range,  ill  IJio  order       Mean       ranfje,  in  the  unler     Lnwe.st 
inge.  I     of  their  e\lL'iit.     ]  Range,  i     of  tiieir  extent.       Range. 

Nov.  Feb.  Dec.  ,  I*         t         v         i 

.bbi  Jan.   iMar.  Oct.    ,  U.441      ^  , ,     ,    i    ■    °    i  0.20 < 
I  TVFn,.  !  Sept.  J  Illy 


!,  ;i.s:  12 


,  ^lay , 

Fob.  'laii.  Nov.  1 


I  I'ol).  -Jan.  i\ov.  1 

'  1.490  Apr.  31  ar.   Oct.   |  1.154 


Boc'cmbor 


l"'('b.  Ni)V.    Dee. 
';';''^"'  ^'  I  1.470  Mar.  Jan.  April  ,  1.140 
I  Octul)cr         ; 


May  Sept.  June     .,  ..p,^ 
August  July 

.M;iy  Hi'iit.  June     ,,  -,.r.  , 
\        '     r  ,  0.(00 

August  tJ  uly  I 

I  1 


■„to:    3 


^  -oi  Feb.  Jan.  Nov. 

^•"^"^Oet.  Dec.  Mar. 

I 

Lr .;  rxcgioii.s;     .,  m,,  Mar.  Oct.    Fob. 
I  i«rs,         ;  "■  Juno  January 


,  .,,...  Sent.  Juno  Aiu'il    ,>  -.r  i 
July  Jlay  August  I 


Apr.  Nov.  May 
1.3.^8  .July  Aug.  Due. 
I       Septombor 


1.010 


:  Ntalilo  we  perceive  that  from  .soutii  to  iiurtli,  (|uilo  across  tlie  conti- 

;.r  LToat  oscillations   ol"  the   baronietcr   occur   chiclly  in   the   eoh-ler 

Ik:.,;,  At  Now  Orleans  they  arc  found  higliest  in  all  the  winter  ninnth.s:, 

Iri'TMuoiitlis  of  spring  and  two  of  autunui:     At  St.  Loui.s  and  Cincin- 

>;ime:    At  Toronto,  in  all  the  winter  months,  together  with  two 

ir.::.;:aiiil(jiie  spring  month.     But  in  the  Arctic  llegions,  this  order  is,  in 

p  k'ree,  broken  up.  two  of  the  winter  n)nnths,  and  one  month  of  sjiring, 

.r,  ami  autumn,  being    aliovc  mean  range;    still   giving,  however,  a 

fc,;.kaiiec  to  tlie  colder  months.     At  New  Orleans  the  highest  month  is 

.'j.r;  ill  tlie  distant   north,  ]Marcli ;    at   the    three  middle  stations, 

iKarv.    The  lowest  month  at  New  Orleans.  St.  Louis,  and  Cincinnati,  is 

pi'; at Turonto,  August;  in  the  north,  Se  .icmber.     In  New  Orleans  and 

plrjiito,  tlio  number  of  montlis  above  and  below  mean  range,  is  e(pial ; 

"Luij  autl  Cincinnati,  as  seven  to  live;  in  the  north,  as  live  to  sc'ven. 

I'-,  ioutbuni  city,  tlie  month  of  lowest  range  is  less  than  a  tliird  of  tho 

k->;:  at  St.  Louis,  about  half  way  between  a  third  and  a  half;  at  Ciu- 

piand  Toronto,  nearly  a  half;  at   the  Arctic  Circle,  within  .O'iO  of 

■   Thus  the  difterence  in  extent  of  range,  between  the  summer  and 

fcr mouths,  diminishes,  as  we  advance  from  south  to  north. 

l^-t'i 've  group  the  months  into  seasons,  m'c  find  the  winter  months,  with 

f-M|itiMii  of  ])cccmber   in  the  Arctic  Regions,  above  moan  rarge  :  the 

«-'. wcqit  Juno,  in  the  same  regions,  below;  31ay  leans  to  the  lower 

•iii?  in  it  at  four  stations,  and  in  the  upper  at  one  only.     At  all  the 

P  -^  ^'iitonibor  is  below,   iiiul   October  above;    at  four,   November  is 

itonel)olow.     Thus  spring  and  autumn  are  almost  equally  divided, 

'fflir,  however,  inclining  a  little  to  tlie  lower,  and  the  latter  to  tbi; 

pSroupof  ranges. 


■  m 


("f**. 


i  ■ 

.  ■»; 

:r 


■  t. 

■I- 


,  t. 


.■...  t 


■i.A-.uiei 


d.  ft'  .i  ■   ^'  .1  i   ;^  I  -I- ■>     *     'i-''     .      »•??* 

•    ■ '  iJt'.i !' '      '       ■  ■''■*■■          tl 

Jl^-^fiv    -"'I--  ■■•■■  '•'\.'  i;      ■■    M. 

O  ■:■;  'r,-  ■.'..  •.  .  ■   ■  .''•^m'*- '•'••>■■ 


1  .      . 


H-^',.1         i 


^.'•'i. 

4-.        * 


'    J- 


F'.i'; 


)|||| 


550  Till::  rRixciPAL  dis^eases  of  Tlin 


[bookI 


SECTION  VII. 

PIIYSIOLOGICAE  AN'l)    ETIOI.OCICAI-  EFFECTS  OF  VARYING  \TMo^ 

rUEIilG  IMIESSURE.  '    ' 

III  a  country  of  such   unifurm   cleviifioii  as  tlio   Tnterior  Valkv  >  f  rJ 
continent,  nidst  of  tlic  inlialiitiints  live  iimlor  the  Siuno  iiuaii  iiresMu,. 
has  been  ah'Oiuly  cstinuitcd  that  the  majority  rosicb  ahout  six  liuiidrcil  fei 
above  the  level  of  the  sea;  anil,  therefore,  aecording  to  data,  siiripliL,]  !.■  tl 
preceding  table,  they  live  under  a  mean  [iressure,  indicated  nearly  liv.!'.:;,)! 
or  .!»7''*  of  the  atmosphere  resting  on  those  at  the  I'vel  uf  the  Gu!:',    Bl 
there  arc  extensive  table-lands,  stretclung  off  from  tlie  Apiialadiian  Mo 
tains,  in  Pennsylvania,  Oiiin,  and  New  York,  whose  iiihabitants  n-siilo  uiid 
a  pressure  indicated  by  about  l!!"-.7,  or  .!»57  of  tlie  wlmlu  atninsiiLiio; 
on  the  terraces  uf  the  Cordilleras  of  3Iexico,  and  tho  soutliorulliMk-, )[,, 
tains,  there  is  a  considerable  population  whicli  move   in  au  atnu-plii-r', 
average  wei<,dit  of  which  must   bo  far  less;  while,  on  tlic  otliur  11, 
inhabitants  (if  tho  shores  of  the  Cudf  of  Mexico,  and  of  the  cstuarv .  f 
St.    liawrence,    live    under  tlic    pressure   of    nearly  the  whole  culiuiiu 
atmosphere,  equal  to  thirty  inches  of  the  barometer. 

Tliesc  ditlercnces,  ranging  through  several  inches  of  t1ic  haromotric  .<ci 
may  fairly  be  presumed  to  exert  an  influence  on  our  pliysinlugy.  IimtoI 
diilieult    it    may  bo    to  ascertain   its  kind  or  degree.     Our  coiistiuitioi 
no  doubt,  become  acconnnodatcd  to  the  atmospherii.'  pressure  to  wliitl!, t 
birth  or  long  residence,  tliey  have  been   accustomed;  as  tlicy  arc  l;:iavi| 
become  used  to  climates,  the  mean  temperatures  of  wliieli  are  vltv  iliMri 
The  inhaliitants  of  eacli   climate  feel  a  cliange  of  tonipuraturo,  tl.ii.'y 
may  not  rise  as  high  as  tliat  in  which  persons  furtlier  south  reside;  ii-rl 
as  low  as  that  in  which  persons  further  north  enjoy  tlieniselvt- 
cannot,  I  think,  be  doubted,  that  those  who  live  under  the  sca-^;iili'  j4i-3l 
of  tlie   whole   atmosphere,   and  those   who   reside  at  an  clcvatii :.  v! 
reduces  the  pi'cssuro  an  oiglith  or  a  tenth,  arc  crjually  affected  by  a  ri-ol 
fall  of  the  liarometer  through  the  same  ranee.     In  other  words,  a  iKireif 
or  elevation  of  the  mercury,  amounting  to  half  an  inch,  would,  I  ^Wjy 
as  sensi))ly  felt  by  the  inhabitants  of  the   Gulf  coast,  at  tho  moutl:  'I'j 
Rio  del  Norte,  as  by  those  of  Santa  Fe,  or  the  Valley  of  Taos,  m 
upper  waters,  six  thousand  feet  higlier.     From  these  facts  wo  may.  I  -iK)^ 
reiterate  tho  coiu-lusion,  that  mean  pressure  is  a  pliysiological  and  it; 
iuiluence,  which  should  not  be  overlooked,  in  niaking  a  rccugnitiiU 
physical  agencies  which  modify  tho  human  constitution. 

But  the  influence  of  the  oscillations  of  pressure  on  the  same  lov';:, 
deeiter  interest  than  the  mean  pressure  at  different  elevations.  A  ■ 
dimiinition  of  pressure,  is  cipiivalent  to  the  rapid  ascent  of  a  moiii.t 
sudden  elevation,  like  the  descent  from  a  mountain  into  tho  v;di'y 
except,  that  when  tho  barometer  falls,  the  temperature  of  tho  aa'  :i'. 
rises,  and  when  the  barometer  mounts  upward,  the  temperature  ouii 
diminishes ;  while  in  ascendioix  a  mountain,  tho  heat  decreases,  p;"'; 


niR 


IBOOI 


I  lit  II', 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


iiOi 


OF  VARYINC.  AT'03. 

Tuteviov  Yall'.'\  •■;   yg 
una  niuau  ^iroMi;     It 
I  al)out  six  liuiiilix  I  le 
;  to  diita,  sniiplii  1 '  ■  tji 
du'iitcd  iitavlv  ly  ■.'    lO, 
lovcl  of  tlu'  ''■i':'.    Hal' 

tllO  Ap|ialarlii;:;:  )l.\^ 

J  iiiliuliitants  risi''.;  luii 
e  wli'ile  utniiifiiliivi.; 
lie  ffouriK;vuri'i''ky)!.; 
ve   ill  an  atiiv  -jili';'.'' , 
i,  oil  the  otiiov  1,;;';1, 
and  (if  tlio  (.'Stuarv  >  f 
vly  the  wliulc  eulaiiiu 
cr. 

cs  of  tlic  liavoiiiclv'.  • .-; 
n  ouv  iiliysinlogy,  Lwej 
oo-vee.     Ouv  coustitutioi 
irii.'  pvc^suru  tu  wlii 
icd;  as  tliey  uvc  l;:;Avn 
(if  wliii:li  are  vury  uiM^ 

of  tonilKTiltUVO,   tll'.llA 

tlicr  suiitli  ro^le:  n^rl 
enjoy  tlieiusolvos ;  ;iui 
under  the  sca-s"ulr  i.vri| 
Ide  at  an  elevate:.. 
,|nallyaflV.'tOLlliy:ir;-)j 

11  i.thev  wovds. ;» '''!'■■ 
1  ineh,  \YouW.  I.  ?v,;  i 
[coast,  at  the  iiioiu'; 
.Valley  of  Tao?.  aiv. 
lese  facts  we  may.  I  M 

ihysiologieal  ami  >ti '. 

akiiiir  a  recugnitl^!;'.'!! 

Itution. 

e  on  the  same  l':'V''i  art 
ent  elevations.  A  -1 
k1  aseent  of  a  muiu.t.. 
Iitain  into  the  valley  I'j 
:rature  of  the  air  .^^■'■^■'1 
jtlic  tcmi'fvatm'C  c^iuu^ 

icat  decreases,  fan  A 


I  ^i(jj^,  ^veiglit  of  the  atmosplioro  :  and,  in  dosocndinfr,  it  augnionts  witli  the 

,,„.  if  in'cssuro.     iStill  I'urthev,  the  (jseillatioii.s  of  jitnKsplunic  Avtidit 

.jii i.'1'iUiu'e  are,  no  doubt,  acuoinpiinied  by  inodilk'ati(;ns  iu  the  liiuiiiility 

l.;,>;i'icityof  the  air,  whereby  the  direct  iuflnenco  of  variations  of  lucssuro 

1.  j.eaa'J.    Thus  the  iiroblom  becomes  coniidex,  and  we  are  thrown  liack 

.J  1  tVw  well-ascertained  and  fainilinr  facts.     First,     It  is  witliiii  the 

L jifi;, t^i  of  every  one,  that  when  the  barometer  is  low,  and  smoke,  vapor. 

Iti;  .'<  liiii-'cr  near  the  surface  of  the  earth,  tlie  body  feels  languid,  fatigue 

Lr.f.Iluffs  on  exertion,  and  the  intellectual  funetions  are  reduced  in  their 

|cTi;v;  -.fl'ccts  which  occur  even  in  winter,  when  they  cannot  be   ascribed 

Lucrea-?  of  teiuiierature.     To  what  extent  this  physiological  change  may 

Iri-! "-0  to  disease,  deserves  to  be  considered.     On  the  other  hand,  Mhen 

Ijilar  meter  ranges  high,  there  is  a  feeling  of  vigor  and  activity  in  lioth 

Lvij'luiiiiJ,  disproportionate,  1  think,  tu  the  mere  reduction  of  tenipera- 

|rt. ivLkii  is  generally  connected  with  that  change.     These  vicissitudes,  it 

(Ju  known,  are  apt  to  generate  inllaminations  of  the  lungs,  joints,  and 

Kins  of  the  body,  which  arc  commonly  ascribed  to  changes  of  teniper- 

Icviilv.  but  it  may,  fairly,  be  presumed,  that  the  diminution  of  pressure 

liixHNiosing,  its  sudden  increase  a  cooperative,  exciting  cause  of  these 

fe:;i.  :<tcoinl.  The  other  facts,  which  bear  on  the  question,  have  been 

kftil 'ly  those  who  have  ascended  high  mountains.     Captain  Fremont,  in 

ping  the  Reeky  Mountains,  had  two  attacks  of  dizziness  and  vomiting, 

Is:  t'ae  krometer  stood  at  about  twenty  inches;    and  those  who  have 

i!*l  to  greater,  hights    elsewhere,    have   suil'ercd    extreme  lassitude, 

asK'!-,  vertigo,  nausea  and  vomiting,  dyspnoea,  and  hemorrhages  from 

(sui'ii!;  meinhranes;    eflfect.s,    apparently,  attriliutablo  to   nothing   but 

iimiuished  weight  and  density  of  the  atmosphere. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

^VIXDS   OF    THE    INTEEIOll   VALLEY. 


SECTIOiN  L 

INTRODUCTORY  OBSERVATIONS. 

prv  physician  must  know,  that  winds  are  currents  of  air,  created  by 

I'tie?  of  temperature  in  the  atmosphere  over  different  places.     AVhen 

F'™  is  beated,  it  expands,  becomes  lighter,  rises,  and  flows  off  in  some  or 

pwtction;  and,  at  the  same  time,  the  cooler  and  denser  air,  around 

'"»  tlie  surface  of  the  earth,  flows  toward  the  base  of  the  rarificd 


.f! 
•I 


1^.. 


I 


■i- 


.-./'.^      n 


.''i''^. 


h'^ 


.'s 


^  ■   .  ■  '  -    '  ■ 


■-.'.f .  ■'. 


i5S 


Tin;  PRINCIPAL  DISEAHHS  OF  Till; 


I  "fill. 


coliunns.  Tii  this  niaiincr,  not  only  l(ic;il  but  general  winds  arc  oii(f;,  tiJ. 
such  as  tlioso  wbit.-li  preeedo,  aijcuinpany,  or  t'olluw  a  tluuKkTsturnr  li 
also,  tlioso  wliicli  lilow  iVoui  tlio  tr()[iical  to  tlio  polar  ri't;ioiis,  el  vue  j> 
I>ut  cliaiiLrcs  of  tonijieraturo  arc  tlio  vW'vi'i.  not  less  than  tlio  I'ausu  nfwii^ 
WIioii  the  atniosplioro  moves  from  a  soutlicrly  to  a  nortlu'rly  iKjint,  tlj..  tA 
perature  ri.scs — I'roni  a  northerly  to  a  southerly,  it  falls:  it' tluMvii d  bjiL 
from  a  low  iilaiii  or  v.illoy,  ujion  a  mountain,  tlio  elevated  rcpion  In, ^im 
warmer — if  from  the  latter,  a  curroiit  roll  down  upon  tlio  valley,  tlii.'  ti 
peraturo  sinks.  In  all  these  movements  the  weight  or  prcs.suro  ui 
aflected  atmosphere  is  modilied. 

Ill  some  fundamental  [loiiits  all  tlio  movoments  of  the  irrcut  aerial  m 
agree;  as,  for  example,  that  the  e(|uatoiial  eurreiits,  when  tiny  tlnv 
toward  the  ]Hdes,  assume,  from  the  diminishing  veloeity  of  the  earth  i: 
higher  latitudes,  the  character  of  south-westerly  winds  in  the  nurthuni  liea* 
isiihero,  and  of  north-westerly  in  the  southern  ;  while  tbcy  raise  tliL-  teiiiiien. 
turc  of  the  ciddcr  climates  ;  and,  that  the  returning  ur  eonipuiisatiiic  (.uneDti 
as  they  advance  toward  the  eipiatnrial  regions,  from  tie'  iiicrea>iii2  vi'ioob 
of  the  earth's  surface,  seem  turned  from  their  original  course,  tuwanj  Ai 
west,  assuming  the  direction  of  north-east  and,  at  last,  of  east  wiiul-. 

])ut  the  winds  of  every  country  have  peculiarities  wliiili  deiiuiiil  .11  Al 
vicinity  or  distance  of  seas,  and  hroad  lakes,  mountain  chains,  dwii  villqi 
large  rivers,  and  extensive  savannas  or  forests.  In  the  sceund  v 
tlie  lirst  ehapt'jr  on  Climate,  page  453,  a  general  recognition  of  thcs 
features  of  our  Interior  \'alley  was  made,  and  need  not  he  here  ; 
I  shall,  therefore,  proceed  to  remark,  that  to  construct  an  accurate  svstoi 
the  winds  of  any  country,  is  a  lahor  of  much  magnitude  and  diilini!; 
do  it  for  (jur  Interior  ^'a]ley,  at  this  time,  is  quite  inipraeticaltle,  I'ur  1, 
which  may  ho  briefly  stated :  Firsl.  Observations  have  not  been  nia!'^ 
suthcient  number  of  places.  Second.  They  liave  not,  in  general,  b] 
the  velocity  of  the  wind,  or  the  lengtli  of  time  it  blew  fre:ii  ^  partii 
point.  Third.  They  have  not  been  made  on  any  ueiform  phiii.  an ! 
of  the  tables  are,  therefore,  not  susceiitiblo  oi  being  comparcil.  /' 
The  duration  of  calms,  and  their  relative  frequency,  before  and  after  wi::! 
seldom  been  noted.  Fif/h.  The  course  of  tlie  upper  winds,  as  indirati 
the  nnivements  of  the  clouds,  has  not  often  been  recorded,  in  coniiecti 
the  direction  of  the  currents  at  the  surface  of  the  earth.  Sixlh.  U 
tions,  with  two  or  three  exceptions,  have  not,  in  general,  been  uiadf  iaj 
night. 

Until  these   desiderata  shall  bo  supplied,  it  will  bo  in  vain  to  atMnj 
full  development  of  the  laws  which  govern  the  atmospheric  niovem- 
the  interior  of  our  continent;  and  I  shall  limit  myself  to  the  pre.v!. 
the  results  of  observation  at  such  a  number  of  places,  scattered '.a  rii 
will  give  a  general  view  of  this  branch  of  its  meteorology.    In  duii!.' 
propose  to  begin  in  the  south  and  advance  into  the  north.    In  eoibtm^ 
the  tables,  I  have  reduced  all  the  observations  to  eight  points  of  tlie  ( 
pass,  adding  a  column  for  calms.     The  latitude,  longitude,  elovat::i,^ 


;•;,.] 


iiarr, 


.:.;jry, 

f'  'iiarr. 


•■■:>t, ... 

■  ■."! 

■'■''"i«'r, .... 
^^rnlicr 


Eastern, 


v.;>(*' 


•■     f 


TIIH 


;iifoi 


'UTll'J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


'.,'0 


1  wii 


,'iiiils  artj  ovminata 


?  a  tlmiKk'rAturm :  .4 
V  n'gioiiH,  ct  i'l'i- 
than  tlio  ciiu^u  ii!  ' 
iiiivtlicrly  iiiiint,  ti. 
t   ialls:  it'  tlu!  w;-,  i 
'  L'luvated  rcf.'iuii  li 
|)iiu   tlm  vuUry,  til' 
'iglit  ov    [ii'ussur.;  ul 


'M. 

•df. 


(if  the  jrrcat  aori;i':  :eii 
•cuts,  wliou  they  ti  v  uf 
locitv  of  the  wivtli  :  i  tk( 
iiiils  in  the  nurtK'ni  liei* 
nh  they  raise  the  iciiipeji- 
:  or  ciiiii[)L'iisating  ir.iiren^ 
)m  tie  iiKTcai'hig  vdixlly  I 
iriL'ilial  course,  tuwavJ  Ik 
t  last,  of  east  \\iml>. 
hies  whieh  (lc)ieiid  'i  Al| 
Lintaiu  chains.  dee['  \  lilej 

In  tlic  second  s'^tiiB 
recoirnition  of  thus.' 
leed  not  be  here  rq- 
struct  an  accurate  pys'.cl 
gnitudu  and  Jiffimiity, 
,e  ini[)ractieahle,  tor  nai 
lis  have  not  been  wA 
ive  not,  in  general.  i;i' 

it  blew  fro-.n  ;.  paitid 
my  ui'irorni  [ilan,  aii'! 

being  compared,     hi 
[v.  before  and  after  vh 
"u[ti>er  wind.s  as  intlioata 

recorded,  in  coriiii'i'ti' Hi 
lie  eartli.     Sixth.    Oi' 

general,  been  mail 

[ill  be  in  vain  to  :r:  'iptj 
Itniospherie  movoni' 
Lyself  to  the  prcs.ir.i'.ifl 
■  places,  scattered uvri^ 
ctcorology.    I"  'l^'"!-'  J 
I  the  north.    In  eoii-;ruf 
,  to  eight  points  of  tlio  | 
[do,  longitude,  elovati-n.l 


^j;:,,ii  to  sca3,  lakes,  or  inountain.s  of  each  station,  may  be  .soon  liy  :i 
Lwnoo  to  the  genoral  table  uf  mean  temperatures,  page  405,  or  to  the 

,,  rr;ii,|iic;d  dcscriptlons  in  Part  I. 

ii'iall  iirst  pre-ent  tin;  observations  roeordeil  at  niir  ilifVoront  military 

,-.,  wiiich  uiay,  with  the  greater  propriety,  be  thrown  togotlier,  as  they 
|i-  luaJt'  on  the  same  plan  and  luuler  one  ilireetiou — that  of  the  bureau  of 

.v;r_'('on-gencral  at  Wa,shington.*     In  th^se  tables,  the  single  observa- 

■., vviial  times  a  day,  are  not  given,  but  the  numbers  represent   days. 

;;..iat  ffliich  observotions  were  made  for  less  than  three  yeans,  ar^^ 
|;.'.;Jtil.  A  mean  year  for  eaeli  post  ha.s  been  made  out.  The  whole 
Iders  represent  days,   and  the  decimals  parts  (jf  days.     There   is  no 

■M  of  calms. 


SECTION  II. 

ARI  LAR  VIEWS  OF  THE  WIND  AT  OFR  MILITARY  POSTS. 

TABLE  I.-CANT()N:»IENT  CLINCH,  PEN8ACULA  EAY. 

IJiaMiixtiilv  Pkevalence  of  the  "Wind  fou  Seven  Yeaiis — 1822-'-0. 


M»r,lhi. 

E, 
1.4 

iS.  E. 
4.9 

!S. 

5.1 

S.  \V. 
2.U 

\v. 

1.6 

1  N.  W. 
5.4 

N. 

N.  E. 
'5.4 

I'rev.  VVjmls. 

i!.iar\", 

4.1 

N.  E. 

[;™«y 

1.7 

4.3 

3.6 

6.1 

0.6 

4.6 

4.6 

4.4 

S.  W. 

L'ch 

9..\) 

.').7 

G.l 

7.4 

1.4 

3.!' 

2.7 

2.1 

n 

.15: 

().:} 

7.0 

6.1 

10.0 

0.!) 

3.1 

l.(i 

1.0 

(1 

!k 

I.O 

3.1 

8.0 

13.7 

O.'J 

3.0 

0.0 

1.1 

tf 

0.1 

3.t 

4.1 

14. (! 

2.4 

1.!) 

0.0 

1.3 

t( 

/.",..,. 

0.7 

3.3 

3.4 

13.G 

1.4 

3.0 

2.4 

1.6 

(( 

ij;]it 

0.0 

4.3 

4.1 

10.3 

1.3 

3.1 

1.4 

4.0 

(• 

^i-'i-mber 

1.1 

7.4 

3.4 

b.G 

2.0 

3.4 

2.1 

3.0 

« 

-'ojcr 

1.0 

8.0 

3.1 

3.4 

0.7 

.').0 

4.0 

O.'J 

p.    E. 

''i^'Tiber, .... 

l.G 

7.0 

2.4 

3.7 

0.6 

7.7 

3.0 

2.!) 

N.  W. 

J^finWr, .... 

2.9 

7.0 

3.y 

2.6 

1.4 

5.3 

2.6 

5.0 

S.     E. 

Vnr, 

1.'').3 

nr>.4 

.')3.3 

"9G.n 

1.').2" 

40.7 

31.2 

37.7 

MEAN    YEAR    IN    ANTAGONISTIC    O  !l  D  1 

EIGHT    DIRECTIONS,  OR    SE.tll-QUADRAN'TS. 

rrt'iiDiKlorniice. 


IN 


eiiifso  of  Wind 

East, 

^outh-east, 

>Olltll, 

•^outh-west, 


IlilVS 


(■ourse  ol'  Winil. 


15.3  W^st, 

66.4  N.  rth-wpst, 
55.2  North, 

_97.i)'North-East, 

IN  FOUR    DIRECVIOVS,  OR   QUADRANTS 


Days. 

"16"^  West  over  l-Just, 
50.7  S.  E.  "  N.W., 
31.2  South"  North, 
38.7  S.  W. "  N.  E., 


^MUh-east, 
■"oiUh.west, 


101.6  North.west, 
133.6|North-eiist, 


74.4S.E.  overN.W.,1 
62.0S.  W."    N.  E.,! 


;r. 

Days. 
~K9 
l.j.7 
24.0 
59.2 

27.2 
71.6 


Kastern, 
■^'JiUik'ni, 


163.CWestern, 
235.2!  Northern, 


IN    SE.MI-CIRCLES. 

"  r2(kU)\vT"(rvTr"ET' 
t  13'^"4S.       "     N. 


44.4 

9S.J< 


*  Meteor.  Roffisier  U.  S.  A.,  1S40. 


I''.. 


\ 

vl-! 
■I 


■  V 


1.1 


5U0 


Till::  PRLNXIPAL  DISEASKS  OF  TIIH 


TAHLE  TT.— FORT  JKsrp. 

jMkan  ^Tontiu.v  I*iikvam;nci:  of  tiii:  Wind  loii  KinuT  YKAns— If^"" 


[ll()>;Xm 


jaiiiinry.... . 

!■  i'Urii.iry,. .  . 

Murr.'li 

Ain-il 

Miiy, 

.llllH', 

July 

Auf;iijit,  .... 

Sl.'llliMlll  <•!•,.  . 
Octuln'l' 

Novum!)!'!',. . 
Di'Cfinlii'r,  . . 

.MKAxN 


•mT      3.11 


:t.i 

2.1 

y.i) 

3.'.) 
9.5 
2..'. 

-1.0 

3.2 
o  » 

2.0 

.•11.8 


6.1) 
7..'» 
4.!) 
C.I 
(i.fl 
G.l 
5.5 
•1.0 

<;.() 
•1.:) 

7.0 
71.3" 


f!. 

.■^.  w. 

3.5 

5.7 

2.7 

2.7 

3.2 

3.1 

2..''. 

4.7 

(i.O 

4.5 

'1.7 

(i.l 

4.") 

5.1 

3.7 

3.W 

2.1 

')  0 

2.5 

3.0 

2.!» 

5.2 

3.0 

:\s, 

11.3 

.10.3 

3.0' 
1.4 

2.5 
l.'.l 
2.2 
1.2 

2.S  I 
].!»   I 

o.c 

0.9 
2.1  I 

0.9  I 

21.4  ' 


N.  \v. : 

4.7T 

3.(; 

5.!»  ' 

3.7  I 

2.7  ; 

2.5  ' 

2.9  ' 

3.7  I 

.'-..G  ' 

5.1  I 

0.7  I 

511.9 


N. 

3.4' 

3.4 


\.  v.. 

4..vr 

S.5  I    4.1 

;i.r.  I  (i.O  i 

2.1  ,    4.1  I 


0.5 
2.7 
3.9 
4.1 
3.0 
2.2 
3.2 
31.(1 


4.1 
1.5 
7.0 

8.5 
G.7 
5.(1 

'1.0 


\.  i: 


N.  I, 


s.  i;. 


YKAR    IN    ANTAi;t)  N  ISTIC   o  IM) 

tN    i;i(iiri'    DlllECTIONH,    OR  .SKMI-Ul-AIHIANTS. 
('inir!.e  (il W'jiiil.      l»u_v.>.  ,  < '<iiir<f  of  Wiiul.  i    l):iy<.  '     l'ri'|i(iii.li'iiini  f. 
Kust, 

"^nlltll-l'ilHt, 
•-(lUlll, 

Soiilli-wpst, 


34.H\Vc.st, 

7l.:i  i\(irtli-\vest, 
41.:i  Noi'th, 
50.3  North-eust, 


21.1  i;;i.slovL"r\V..'sl. 
50.11  S.  i;.  "  N.\V. 
3 1.(1  Hoiitli  "  N„nli, 
63.0  N.  K.  •'  S.  W. 


ixr 
12.:' 


.■^cMltll-"^l3t, 

■■imlli-wc'st, 


EllStt'l'II, 

Siiiillii'rii, 


IN    IdUll    I)lliKLTION^<,    oil   IU'U)UANTS. 

lii:i.4  Xortli-w.st,        I     7.-'.'.>,<.  K.ovi'rN.\\\~Tjii.,'| 
M.7|Xortli-cnHt, |_97^  N^E.  "    S.  W.j    ll!.! 

IN    SK.AII-CIKCLKS.  ~ 

"20T;i,\Vesti!rii,  flGO.iTE      ^over     \V'7~46.'i 

191.1  Ncr'liorii,  |  17(i'6!s.        "         N.i    14.: 


■Hi 


1 
jfOVTIIl. 


ll,llll'. 

:•  :-ify, 


■liV, 

',.'J,  •  1  ■  1 1 1  t  • 

;:il't 

'  ''niinT,  . . . 

'■:mt,  . . . 

>'::il*r 

I'lr 

"mkam 

C>i:ne  of\ 

Soiitli-oant 

.'Olllll, 

Soiiilhu'osi 


'lutli-cast, 

.-oiitli-we.st 

Luieni, 
."^Diithern, 


'!:r-<  ^.;'.  .• 


!S'4;^C'^I'-';--- "-■ 


TABLE  III.— FORT  GIRSON. 
Me.\n  ]\To.\rii[,v  PuF.v.M,KN(  i:  OF  TiiK  WixD  Fou  TiiiiKK  YE.\r„>— 1 '^i;^-':: 


MiiMlh*. 


1    K. 

.I:uiil:iry '      1.7 

Foliriiarv, I     1.3 

Marcli,  '..... 
April 

May, 

Jiiiio, 

July 

Aiij^fiist.  .... 

i^cpleiiiber,  . . 
()ctul)Li',  .  .  .  , 
Noveiiilier,  , . 
Decuinlier,  . . 

""Year, 


1.3 
1.3 
0.7 
1.0 
1.0 
1.7 
1.7 
4.3 
4.0 
2.7 

22.7 
Yl' 

IN 
Course  of  VVinil. 
East, 

Soiith-uast, 
South,' 
Soiitii-west, 


v. 

.s. 

1   15.0 

It— 

1   1.5.3 

0.7 

1  is.o 

0.0 

10.7 

1.7 

28.3 

0.0 

25..'} 

0.3 

15.0 

0.3 

22.7 

1.7 

13.3 

1.0 

1G.3 

0.7 

11.7 

0.3 

13.3 

0.3 

7.7   " 

210.9 

u. 


1.0 
1.3 
0.0 
1.7 
0.0 
1.0 
4.7 
0.3 
0.3 
0.0 
1.3 
1.0 


\v. 

^0.0 

u.o 

0.(1 
0.3 
0.0 
0.3 
0.3 
0.0 
0.0 
1.0 
1.3 
1.3 


N.  VV. 

.N. 

>.  )■;. 

0.7 

5.3 

G.7 

.'1.0 

3.0 

3.7  : 

3.3 

1.7 

G.7  ; 

5.0 

1.3 

2.0 

1.0 

0.3 

0.7 

0.3 

0.0 

1.7 

3.7 

0.3 

5.7 

0.3 

1.0 

3.:) 

0.3 

5.0 

t-.:) 

1.3 

2.3 

3.0 

5.7 

3.7 

2.(» 

G.O 

0.3 

G.O 

33.() 

24.2 

49.f^ 

Viv\. 


MEAN 


12.6  ^1.5 

;AR     in     ANTAGONISTIC    OUDEK 

KKillT    DIRECTIONS,    OR  SE.MI-mrAUllANTS. 
Days.  7  Course  of  Wind.      IJays.      Treponderance 
"li2.7  West, 


Il;\v*. 


210.0  North-west, 
7.7  North, 
12.G  iVortheast, 


4.5  East  over  West, 
33.C  S.  E.  "  N.W., 
24.2  North  "  South. 
49.8  N.  E.   "S.  W., 


iC.i! 


IN    FOUR    DIRECTIONS,    OR   QUADR.\NTS. 


;Soutli-c'ast, 
South-west, 


'Eastern, 
Southern, 


22().l  North-west, 
18.7JNorth-ea.st,^ 

IN    SE.MI-CIRCLES. 

atlUW^stiyrn; 


47.9  "S.E.  over  N.  W.j 
73.3  N.  E.  "    S.  W.| 


226.1 


244.f<  Northern, 


GS.GIE.  over  W., 
121.2S.     "      N., 


2;t;i.. 

12;t.iJi 


Mo.MniY 


■■■:,.:)er,.... 

,:-«> 

jwcffibcr,.... 
f  •  ''nbor 


!■-• I  m 

j  .1IEAN" 

•^outh-east, 
poiitli-west, 

!'"iitli-"o^f~ 
pfudi-ivest, 


I  r., 


'IIR 


HIT  YK.\n.<— l>'j:',-',;|_ 


N.    1 

N.  K.     l'r.v.  W 

i?l 

:t.4"l  .j.r.i  t^Tw, 

■^ 

:i.4  1   4..-) ;   H.  i;. 

;.'.:.  1   4.1 

ii.fi  1   c.ii  ■   N.  i: 

S.'.l       4.1  1    S.  E 

0.:) 

4.1         •• 

9.7 

4..')        " 

:).'.) 

7.11  1    N.  1.. 

4.1 

S.5        •• 

:t.o 

0.7        " 

y.2 

r..o    X.  w 

M.'i  1   4.0     s.  i: 

":ii.(;    (;:t.ii 

I  c  u  n  I)  1,  i; . 

ANTS.                              1 

i|Mjiiilvrnni'«.      liKy>. 

toverWust,     i:i.  l' 

•;.  "  N-w.    -JIM 

itli  "  North,       ii.: 

i;. " 

■!.  w.    ij.: 

I'S. 

K.uverN.w.   :iii.:^ 
E._^^  w.l_2i;.i  I 

~:^r"~\vr~4T: 


Jjlj 


INTERIOR  VALLKY  OF  rsORTII  AMERICA. 


501 


TAin.l-:  IV.— .JKFI'KUSOX  IIAUIIACKS. 

\I0\TH1.V   I'llKVALKNCK   OF   THE   AVlND    FOR     FoUR    YkAR.S,     ]8'27-n0. 


H. 

!^.  \V. 

~-\v.~" 

•N.    VV. 

N. 

N.  E. 

"778" 

2.7 

.M.2 

7.K" 

"  4.5 

2.7 

4..-) 

1.2 

2.0 

I.I 

2.7 

2.0 

:t.5 

r).7 

2.5 

0.2 

3.7 

1.0 

(i.w 

5.0 

:t.2 

.5.7 

0.8 

4.5 

7.7 

:t.2 

5  0 

5.0 

4.2 

I) .) 

iii.r. 

f,  o 

0,H 

.5.5 

1.5 

O.s 

a.'t 

4.0 

2.7 

4.8 

4.5 

3,2 

^.f) 

5.2 

0.({ 

2.0 

0.5 

2.(1 

4.(1 

4.2 

o,,s 

5.7 

3.0 

4.'. 

L'.rt 

5.5 

5.(1 

.5.8 

2.8 

2.2 

4.7 

4.^^ 

.) .) 

G.5 

3.5 

1.5 

r..7 

3.5 

1.8 

.5.7 

4.0 

4.3 

7^>.r 

50.2' 

34.0 

G8.4 

r.7" 

30.;i 

I'rev,  WiikIi. 


.S. 


E. 


S.&.N.W. 


s. 


MKAN    YEAR    IN    ANTAGONISTIC    ORDER 

I.N    KlfillT    DIKK.mo.NS,    OR    NFI.MIMa'AimANTH. 


iiinrof  Winil. 


-iiiiii-oast, 

-until, 

Mlllll-Wl'St, 


Dnyi.  I  Courie  ul'  VV'inM. 


n.HlWe.st, 
fi0.3'Nortl»-wcst, 

72.1  North, 

50.2  Nortli-i'ust, 


llayi.  I   l'r«|ion(leriini'C.       Hays. 

"iTiXilvvearovuTEirsr,  "Tfila 

(1^.4  N.  W.  "  S.  K.,  8.1 
35.7  .S.  '<  N.,  I  36.4 
311.9  S.  W.  '<   N.  E.     Id:.] 


■  liitli-oast, 

-(iiilll-we.it, 


IN    FOUR    DlnECTIONS,    Oil    QIJAIIHANTS. 

l(t5.2|Nortli-\vc,st,       ri03,2|S.  E.overN.VTT 
103.3  Nortli-piiHt,        I     .57.7. S.W.    "  N.  E. 


.■Southern, 


2.0 

IN    HKMI-CIUCI.KS.  

1(J27!)  \v7stoni^  I   200..5] VVT  over  E.        TIXG 

208.5  Northern,  I    IGO.'jIs.      "    N.         |    47.61 


'  ' 


I\ 


;oN. 

'iiui'.K  Ye.\i!.s— b^-':]y 


>. 

.N.  i;.   iv>  ^ 

"  ""5.3  " 

"li.7      ^.  L 

3.0 

3.7  1       •• 

1.7 

G.7 

1.3 

2.0 

0.3 

0.7 

0.0 

1.7 

0.3  ' 

;i.i 

ti 

1.0 

;i.:i 

" 

5.0 

^.:i 

2.3 

3,0 

3.7 

2.(t 

1     0.3 

G.O 

" 

24.2 

VJ.f- 

h'lC    OIUJER.  . 

lllANTS.  j 

jrcinmileriinco        "■"'■  ; 

1st  over  West,;    l-.;^j 

"  N.\V.,|  I'M 

[rlh  "  Soutli.j    1(J..^| 

E.  o^NTwTii^l 

[E.  "'   ^-  '^^'•'  •'•^ 


TABLE  v.— COUNCIL  BLUFFS. 
Monthly  Pkevai.kxck  ov  the  "Wind  foi!,  Five  Years,    1822-26. 


"•^■^    . 


^;'..>. 

E. 

!>.B. 

t<. 

s.  \v. 

\V. 

N.  VV. 

N. 

N.  E.  , 

;.3jrv 

0.4 

4.0 

"i.(Y 

2T2" 

1.0 

"  5.6" 

8.4" 

2.4^ 

•jiurv 

0.4 

2.4 

5.2 

.3.0 

2.4 

7.8 

6.4 

1.0 

b.i 

0.8 

4  2 

3.G 

2.0 

1.2 

0.6 

10.6 

1.0 

1.8 

4.4 

8.2 

l.H 

2.2 

4.0 

5.4 

2.2 

tv 

1.8 

3.6 

12.2 

2.6 

1.8 

3.8 

2.8 

2.4 

;:; 

3.2 

4.S 

11.8 

2.G 

1.8 

2.0 

3.2 

2.6 

3.2 

G.O 

9.8 

3.G 

O.G 

2.6 

2.6 

2.6 

i-:i!t 

3.4 

2.8 

12.0 

2.G 

2.6 

2.0 

5.6 

2.2 

^'M-ber 

2.4 

4.0 

8.2 

3.6 

1.2 

4  6 

3.t 

2.2 

■'■'■m, 

1.0 

3.G 

7.G 

5.0 

1.0 

4.0 

7.6 

0.6 

JiiTtiiibcr,... . 

0.4 

2.4 

G.8 

1.2 

1.8 

5.2 

10.4 

1.8 

"■^nlKr, 

0.6 

2.4 

5.8 

1.4 

0.6 

4.8 

13.2 

2.0 

y.^. 

l9.4 

44.6 

96:2" 

"31  .C 

T8.8' 

T)3.(l 

"7976" 

23.0 

I'rev.    VV'imii. 


N. 
N.W. 

N. 
S. 


s 

N. 


W. 


I  MEAN  YEAR   IN   ANTAGONISTIC   ORDER 

i__ I^N   Et(;HT    DIRECTIONS,   OR  SKMI-QUADRA.VTS. 

i.'ou^e  01'  U'inil. 


East, 

■^outh-east, 
"onth-wppt. 


URy.s. 

19^.4 
44.6 


Course  of  VViml. 


West, 

North-west, 
96.2'North, 
31.6  North-east, 


IJ.iy.s.  I     Prcpjiidcranee. 


18.8  East  over  West, 
53.0  N.W.  "  S.  E. 
79.6;.South  "  North. 
23.0  S.  W.    «   N.  E. 


iJaye 

'~0A\ 

8.4 

16.6 

8.6 


jjouth-caat, 
poulh-west, 


IN    FOUR  DIRECTION.S,    OR  QUADRANTS. 

~  102.41  North-we'str 
89.1|North-east, 


102.2  s.  E.  over  N.W. 
72.5  S.W.  "    N.  E. 


0.2 
16.6 


IN   SEMI-CIRCLES. 


!'^3steni, 
.j^outhern, 


174.9 
191.5 


Western, 
Northern, 


191.3IVV. 

174.7|S. 


over 


1-:, 

N. 


16.4 
16.8 


[< 


h'. .  ■  • 


.\ 


•i    ■' 


>-ri 


■  ,  *   ,'■•1 


^  .i'  ■  ^  ; 

' 

i_ ' 

■\ 

.  • 

. '  ,      », 

dfls^i '    i  ■ '  ■' 

•    ^        ,  ■  i 

,       N 

fmk    ■'  -' 

T 

•     "■{ 

:    '■  .;'■'  '.* 

%■ 

^j^ji,:'-'-  ■ ' 

- 

* 

•      .     •".  .. 

-      .■ 

w\¥  •■■•' 

■  1'' 

'  » ^ 

■•  ■    . '      ■':• 

.' 

Jwiifillj:,       i.i  , 

■    7,   • 

;i- 

'  -1. 

■   ■  ,      i_ 

HkalL^  ^  ;ii 

ki.'^- 

A  -r 

>  •. 

■. 

^ 

oGli 


THE  I'RI.NCIPAI,  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I  BOOK  I J 


TAliLE  VI.— FOllT   ARMSTRONG— HOCK  ISLAND. 
Meax  Monthly  Prevalknck  of  the  "Wind  for  Vovr  Yeak?,  lb'27-oi)j 


MonltH. 

1      E. 

Jiiiuiary,    . 

....  1     3.5 

Fi^bruary, 

....'     1.5 

Marcli,  . . . 

2.2 

April, 

....      3.7 

1     I\Iav 

....      2.2 

Jutif, 

i     2.i> 

July, 

....      1.5 

August,  . . 

.  . .  . '     .3.2 

Si'|)lcnibi»r, 

3.2 

()clol)cr,  . . 

....      2.7 

Novc.inber, 

. . . . :     4.8 

Decern  h»r, 

....;    3.0 

Year,.. 

....    33.7 

E." 


3.(1 
0.5 
1.2 
2.0 
2.0 
2.5 
2.5 
2.0 
3.8 
2.2 
L2 
2.2^ 
25.1 


\v. 

M.  \v: 

4.2 

4.2 

4.2 

4.5 

3.0 

2.5 

4.2 

1.8 

4.2 

1.2 

3.0 

2.(1 

3.0 

'J.O 

2.8 

0.5 

1.8 

2.8 

5.5 

1.7 

3.2 

3.7 

4.5 

2.8 

44.G 

2!».7 

3.5 

(i.O 

7.(1 
3  5 
3.0 
G.5 
J.8 
8.0 
4.5 
tJ.S 
4.7 


N.  E. 

'''"■"."Winds 

N. 

2.0 

S. 

3.5 

S 

:i.o 

N. 

3.7 

S. 

1.5 

s. 

O.K 

s. 

2.5 

8. 

3.5 

N. 

2.5 

s. 

0.8 

N. 

1.5 

8. 

_         _        _      _  66.8  '  26.8  '    S. 

MEAN    YEAR    1  n'  A  NT  AGO  x\  1  S  TIG    u  RD  ErT' 

I.N    EKillT    DIRECTIONS,  OH    SE.MI-QOADHANTS.  \ 

U.iys.        I'r<.'|i()n(|pr:ini'e.        I)av«. 


(/'oiirse  ot'  Wind 

Kust, 

South-east, 

South, 

Soi.ili-\vest, 


Itays.  I  Course  oj'  Wind. 


44.G;West  over  Ivist,  ULU 

20.7|N.W.  "  S.  E.,  .l.G 

(;().b|Soutli "  North,  43.4 

2li.8!S.  W."  N.  E..  1.7i 


South-east, 
South.west, 


33.7!  West, 
2.J.  I!  North-west, 
ll().2:North, 
2S.5x\'orlh-East. 

l.\  FOUR    DIRECTIONS,  OR    tilJAI)R.\NTS.  I 

|~8.')4  S.E^over  NAv.,i"]r.(;' 
I     77.0jS.  W."    X.  E.,i    28.9 


i)7.0!North.west, 
105.0' North-cast, 


Cuslerii, 


IN    SE.MI -CIRCLES. 

174.0i\Veslonir  I'lOI.SrVVToveTEr        ^'llli- 


202.!}!\crth- 


lG2.rs.       "     N 


I    4()..V 


TABLE  VII.— FORT  SNELLLNC. 
Mean  Monthly  Prevalence  of  the  Wind  for  Eic.i  r  Years,  l.*«l!'2-'ol 


M, 

nlhs. 

i;. 
0.5^ 

S.  K.        S. 
2;?   '     4.0 

S.  W. 

M.2 

w. 

N.  W. 

\. 

.\.  1 

J. 

I'ipv.  W 

January 

5.7 

G.l  1    2.5  :    0.9 

8.  W. 

February 

0.5 

2.1  i    4.1 

G.G 

7.2 

5.1        1.4 

1.1 

w. 

March, 

1.1 

3.4  i     5.1 

4.0 

8.4 

0.2       1.0 

0.9 

w. 

April, 

3.0 

4..-i  1    4.4 

G.2 

8.0 

5.0  1    1.4 

1.5 

w. 

Mav, 

2.8 

:^7       7.0 

G.O 

4.7 

3.0  ;    2.8 

1.7 

.s. 

June, 

1.4 

4.*^       5.0 

5.2 

G.G 

3.5 

1.5 

1.2 

w. 

July. 

1.2 

3  2       4.2 

7.2 

7.5 

4.0 

1.7 

1.5 

w. 

August, 

1.0 

3  5  ;     5.8 

.5.G 

.5.1 

4.0 

1.5 

1.0 

s.  w. 

September,. . .  . 

1.8 

4.5       3.G 

5.G 

5.7 

4.8 

2.8 

2.6 

w. 

October, 

1.0 

2.2  i    2.7 

9.0 

G.G 

8.0 

2.8 

1.2 

s.  w. 

November, .... 

1.2 

2.S  i    2.6 

4.G 

8.0 

5.9 

'10 

1.7 

w. 

DecembiT 

1.5 
IG.O 

1.2  i    3.4 

:i»A  i  52.8 

4.0 
74.(1 

7.5 

8.0 

2.9 

1.9 

N.W. 

Year 

81.0  '  G3.6  1  24.4     17.: 

I 

w. 

MEAIS 

r    YE 

AR     IN    ANTAGONISTIC    ORDER. 

IN 

EIGHT  DIRECTIONS,  0 

r  semi-quadra 

NTS. 

Iioiulcriince.      Uny*. 

Course  ol" 

k\ind. 

Days.  1  (^'ourse  of  Wini 

.        Dnvs.       I'ri 

biast. 

lG.O|Wcst, 

Sl.OWe.^t  over  East,      6,).U 

South-eas 

t,           1 

38.4  North-we.st, 

G3.G  N.  W.  "  S.  E.,      S.'"- 

South, 

52.8,North, 

24.4  South  "  Nc.-lh,     '-ili' 

South-\ve 

't,          i 

74.0:Nortli-cast, 
IN  foi;r  directions, 
72.8  Norlii-v,-csl, ' 

:     17.2S.  VV.  "N.  E.,      '4.11 
OR  quadrants. 

South-eas 

t, 

1  11G.3|N.  VV.'^'  S.  E., 

41:1 

South -we 

St, 

140.0  North-eiist, 

1     37.4'S.  W.  "  N.E.. 

ui;i..') 

IN    Si:.MI-CI 

]10,2lVVestrrii, 

RLES. 

F.astern, 

257.2|\V.  over  E.,       M!'" 

Southern. 

213.7|Northorn. 

153.7|s.        "    N.,         fi"i'  ._ 

*r^ 


1 1> 


HI 


1  BOOK 


CK  ISLAND , 


:;.  "VN.  E., 

'rev.  W. 

.■i.5  1    1.5  i 

N. 

6.0    2.0 ; 

jii 

3.5       3.5 

^_ 

7.0  1    3.0 

X. 

3  5  ,    3.7  , 

r*. 

3.0  '    1.5  ^ 

^^ 

G.5  1    0.8  ; 

;;. 

■l.S  \    2.5  ' 

^_ 

b.O  '•    3.5 

N. 

4.5  i    2.5 

^. 

G.S       0.8 

,    N. 

4.7       1.5 

1    j;^ 

1      ,    ' 

Gli.d  '  26.8 

IC   ORDER. 

^NTS. 

1 

i'poii(|pr;\ni'e. 

sl  over  Iv.isl, 

10.3 

VV.  "  ;^.  Iv, 

4.b 

itli"  Nortli, 

43.4^ 

VV."  N.  Iv, 

1.7 

T9, 

1 
1 

';7()verN.W-! 

11.11 

\V."    N.  E., 

2^.1' 

over  K. 

"    N. 


i7.:i 


JVINO. 


IV.  over  E., 


ll!l.'> 


',!I  II.  I 


IXTERIOR  VALLKV   Oi'  NORTH  A.MER1C.\. 


o6:i 


TAULE  AlII.— FOllT  IIUWAIID— (JKEEN  IJAY. 

[jlS  MuNT.'ILY    I'UEVALEXCK     OP    T![K    WlSU     FOH    NlNK    Ye.VIU-!,    ISllS- oO. 


ilun'ii>. 

1.. 

=" 

■jaiurv 

o.a 

•"■^iiriiary, 

0.(i 

)ljrcli 

1.1 
0.4 
0.7 
(1.7 
0.6 

Aa.'iist 1 

1.1 

rotember, .... 

1.1 

■■'iW.iet i 

1.1 

Nivi'inuer, .... 

1.0 

D^ppmber,  .... 

(•.7 

V»ir ' 

!).6 

1 

MCAN     YI' 

IN 
CiiursL"  (iT  \\  liiil 

Kastr 

Sfliitli-rast, 

^.iiilli, 

-ilUlll-WOSt, 


Soulh-ea.st, 
Sniilli-wpst, 


r.:ijterii, 
.""outlii^rii, 


T)'.r 

0.1 
0.0 
0.5 

o.ii 

0.7 
1.!) 
1.3 
l.D 
0,.-, 

(i.:i 

10.7'_ 

A  r' 

i;i<;iiT 

-!!;'>■  *^: 
;)T; 

10.7 

4s.r, 

123.7 
i.N  roi! 

:iii.7, 

163.0j 

14H.5 
203.(1 


4.0 

;!.5 

L».7 
5.1 
i.'.N 
4.4 
3.3 
4.1 
5.4 
4.0 
.").l 


i;l5 

10.7 

0.0 

ll!.l 

0.0 

\±] 

10.1 

lo.y 
l.-l 

10.0 

9.3 

12.5 


_vv. 

2.0 
2.0 
2.4 
1.0 
2.0 
2.7 
2.6 
3.0 
3.0 
3.2 
2.0 
"32ir 


1.3 
1.2 
1.1 
0.7 
1.8 
0.0 
1.7 
3.2 
1.0 
2.7 
3.7 


.N. 

"2.0" 
3.7 
2.1 


N .  li. 

""7.0 
5.1 
0.0 


I'lev.    VV  iii4> 
I. 

N.  E. 


4.1   i  lO.H 
2.4  :  11.3 


2.2 

o!o 

1.8 
2.7 
2.3 
2.7 
2.0 


23. ;< 


48.5    12.).7 

In  "TyN^'TX  Wo^  1  "s'Fi  c 

DIHKCTIONS.     Oil    Sl'.Mr-QfADIlA.NTS 


f<M 


0.1 

h.3  I 
K3l 
4.!l  i 

5.3  ; 

6.5  I 

:u  I 

80.6  1 


W. 


H.  W 


O  R  D  E  R. 


Cour»i'  of  Wiiiii. 

Norlli-wesl, 

Ncirlh, 

Nortlmn.;!, 


l):ivs.       Propomlcrain'c.     | 

"32.0  West  oviT  Eiistj 
23.4  .V.W.  '•  S.  E.,| 
2S.0  Soiiih  '•  -N'orth, 

8:).(;s.  W.  "  N.  vj 

II    DIIIKCTIDNS,    Oil    Ur.VIJUANT.S. 

iN'ortli-wc'st,       I     53.S  N.\V."oV(;rS7E.j 
Norlh-east,        i   108.8  rf.  W.    "  xV.  E.| 

IN'    SEMI-ClltCI.E:;. 


Wi'sU'rn, 
Nortiiorii, 


21 7.7:  W. 
162.6,S. 


OVlT    E., 

"     N.. 


2i!.4 
I2.7I 
10.6| 

i 
Yi.i' 

_55.1; 
7)0.21 

4i.n, 


T.vr.Li:  Tx.__FOKT  BiiAPY— SAUi/r  sTi:.  :m.\imi:. 


itf   "loNl 


PuKVALKxcK  OF   TiiK  AYiND    I'Oii    Six  Yti.vus,  Isi;)-':',!). 


Vonllii 

E." 

!<;e. 

p.    is.Av.' 

W 

N\V. 

N.     " 

N.  K  1  l'r«v.  VViniLs. 

.'ijiury 

4.0 

"7.3 

2.0  ;    2.5 

4.0 

5.5 

p  0 

2.5       S,  E. 

•  'inwrv, 

3.5 

6.5 

'..5       2.3 

5.0 

5.3 

L8 

2.2           " 

ir^ii,; 

2.2 

0.3 

2.7  i     1.8       4.3 

6.3 

2.0 

l.,s  i 

3J 

7.6 

l.G  !     3.3  '     6.7 

5.2 

0.8 

1.0  1 

'h' '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 

4.0 

;    6.7 

O.S       2.5       6.3 

7.2 

1.2 

2.3  !        '■ 

3.7 

:  5.5 

2.0       2.3  1     6.3 

4.8 

1.5 

2.3       W.              i 

hC.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 

1.5 

'  3.7 

2.0  '    5.7       8.1 

5  7  ''     2.0 

2.3  '      "                 ' 

.-.jjust 

2.2 

4.7 

1.5       5.3  1     8.3 

4.0       1 .8 

2.2  1      "                ' 

■foli'uibcr,  . . . 

E7 

;   7.0 

3.2       2.6  '     5.6 

5.8 

2.2 

iTs  i     8.  E. 

'■'■'otjpr, 

2.3 

6.2 

2.5       .3.3       5.5 

6.8 

1.8 

2.8  i     X.  W.         1 

^'Jvember, 

.5.8 

:   5.3 

3.0  I     2.8       2.5 

5.2 

2.8 

1.7  ;    X.  E.        1 

^'tw.biT,  .... 

5.5 

i    6.2 

2.0  1     2.8  '     3.0 

6.2 

2.0 

3.3  1     N.W..t8;E.' 

Jy 

lo.f 
YE 

76.0 
AR^ 

"24.!r'";i7^2''  "65.5" 
1  N    A  N  T  A  a  0  . 

68.0 

22.1 

26.2  1    .s.    1;. 

''U:\S 

V  l.S'i'  IC 

)  R  1)  E  R  . 

\Viiul~ 

KIGIIT 
linys. 

DlllECrrONS,    <IR     SKMI 
("oiir^H  dl'  Wiiiil,      Hay 

-liUAI)r..V.NTS. 
s    j    I'ri'pomlern 

1 

l-'iinrsp  ot" 

nee.    1  Days    ■ 

"1st. 

4  U 

West,                   .  "  6.- 

).5  W.  over  I: 

.  "i  25:4 

"'J'.uli-eus 

t, 

7ii.O' 

Norlli-wcst,        :     C>' 

^.O.-^.E.  ••    .\ 

.   W.;        ^.0 

•"^Olltll, 

2I.S 

North,                  !     2: 

?.l  S.         "    .\ 

1       2.7 

^'iilh-Wf 

M, 

37.2 

North-Eiist,        ■     2( 

;.2S- W."   N 

E.,       11.0 

I\    KOU 

11   l)lHi:rTlii.\,;,   ul!  n\- 

um  wr.s. 

^aiit'i-e'i^ 

t, 

10i5.5^ 

North-wost,          111 

.7  N.  WToviT 

s:e:i    3^ 

^':iih-\vi 

^U 

82.4 

Nurlli-eai't,         1     5' 

.'i-^.W.     " 

XE.I    25.2 

l.N    8E.MI-CII 

Western, 

l(,'I..EH. 

n-cT  !•; 

"1 

•'■■ISllTU, 

1 

TtisTf 

'     '19. 

.1  VV. 

V~~r28.4i 

^•iithcrii 

1 

lOO.Oi 

Nurtlierii, 

•   16> 

'.;••  ,8. 

■•     X. 

1    22.0 

Jf..!' 


i 


:  :  T'':. 


rSA' 


■i> ■;';■:    J 


,    ' 

'J 

•> 

s 

.V 

'  c  :'."■ 

■          ■•-.         V-    \ 

;■ !  ^ 

*  ■                  *     ■■': 

'•   ;- 

•'.V-  . 


■*'-i 


'■•if 


.     r» 


564 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I 


SECTION  III. 

TABULAR  VIEWS  OF  THE  WIND  AT  V^ARIOUS  CIVIL  STATIOXS. 

We  come  now  to  observations  inaJi;  by  different  observers  in  civil  !ifJ 

most  of  -wlioni  arc  loractieal  meteorologists,  on  -wlioni  reliance  niaj'bo  placej 

but  tlieir  oljservations  have  not  been  reported  on  the  same  |ilaii.    lu  a  fg 

instances   only  do  tlicy  show  tlie   duration  of  any  wind,  or  its  krcc.   \i 

again  begin  in  the  South. 

TABLE  I.— FLOniDA  REEF. 

Winds  at  Toutugas  Islands,  Kky  Wi:st,   Indian    Kkv,  axu  Carv.<fo< 

Keki",  in  IbJjS.* 

Tlip  fiL'urPs  (lonntp  ilays. 


rUice  of   Obser. 
v.itioii. 


Tortujras, 
K>-y  West, 
Indian  Key, 
Ciirvsford  Reef, 


S5_ 

16 

17 
22 
10 


TRADKrt, 

N.  E.     to     !;!.  E, 


32 


U)      7 


22    11 


!l3l 

i:i|  Mi  vM 
15  nil  12 


a 

f* 

1 

.     1 

•a 

> 

r- 

«- 

■'■ 

S5 

c 

■- 

i-» 

^ 

« 

> 

r/j 

rjl 

'■- 

?     •/; 

fc' 

G 

;{ 

i     ll  12 

1 

o 

2i   2  i;{ 

3 

8 

1      4    14 

1 

4      C 

7i  1^- 

% 


Sl'RIN'G. 


Tortillas, 
Key  West, 
Indian  Key, 
Carysfo:d  Keef, 


4 

1 

X\ 

14 

18i 

1 

:> 

2 

1 

i; 

10 

1 

u\  24 

13 

o 

3 

5 

0 

51 

14 

2 

211 

17 

25 

o 

^i 

10 

20 

15 

18 

12 

•^1 

2; 

SLMMER. 


Tortueas, 

i 

6    HI  IG 

o 

3 

1 

'  -1  ; 

Key  West, 

1      1 

4 

36    22 

2 

1      5 

4 

2 

4 

4      1 

4     1    ': 

indium  Key, 

1 

3 

4f)    23 

7 

G 

Q 

1 

•i         '.■ 

Car  jib rd  Reef, 

2 

15    21 1  22| 

IG 

1* 

1| 

2, 

i    'I'.' 

ACTUMN. 


Tortnjjas, 
Key  West, 
Indian  Key, 
Carysford  Reef, 


8 
11 

le 


34 
32 
19 
31 


15 

13 

1 

Ks 

() 

o 

30 

8 

15 

13 

1 

I  7 

II  7 
5|     5 

.1 

2;  11 

nKSULTS    FOR    THE    YEAR. 


I'o'  IniT^.s, 
Key  West, 
Indi  lU  Key, 
Carysford  Reef, 


o^ 

1  1051  .')2 

54 

k) 

14 

10 

1      5i  231 

i;  illll'.t; 

39 

5    75    88 

51 

8 

0 

9 

15 

7    12    331    9 

y.    .l.Xi 

53 

37  110 

Gl 

43 

12 

1    19j  221 

')    3:iq 

31 

81 1  G7 

G5 

.31 

25 

12i  35| 

1.  MM 

MEAN     YEAR     IN    ANTAGONISTIC    ORDEi;. 

IN' EIGHT  I)1;!ECT1(1NS,  OR  SEMI-CIUAIJRANTS. 


Course  of  Winil. 


East, 

."^outli-east, 
South, 
Sonth-west, 


Course  of  Winil. 


79.2  West, 
5'^'. 7  Nortli-west, 
25.2  North, 
17.8  xMorth-east, 


Davs. 

12.0 

35.5 

3-S.5 

75.2 

Prepoiiilpriinre.      Day.-. 

E.  over  W.,  liT.'j 

S.E. "  N.W., 
N.      "    S. 
N.I'].  "S.W., 


i:!.:. 

57.1 


I.\   I'OUR  DIRECTIO.NS,   OR  UUADRANTS.  _ 

SoiUli^st^;         TlilTO; North-^vest,      I ~  G0.7  S.E.  over  N.\V.,I    50.:i 
South-west,       I     42.4| North-east,      |  134.0iN.E.    "   S.\V.,|    'Jl.ti 


Eastern, 
.Soutiiern, 


I.N    SEMI-CIRCI.ES. 

T245.0i  Western,  f  1037lTl^r~ownV 

I  1. 53.4  i  Northern,         I  194.7 1 N. 


S. 


Ml.!' 
__£!."  ^ 

*  E.\tracted  from  a  table  in  the  American  Almanac  for  1837,  liy  W.  A.  ^\! 
E-q.,  tlie  Observer  at  Key  West.  The  otii(>r  observers  were,  C.iptaia  11.  'liio::: 
Howe,  Esq.,  and  Cu|)tain  J.  Walton.  Observations  niaile  in  tlie  forciiooii  ;i:. 
noon  of  each  day,  and  tho  results  shown  by  adding  the  half  days  toftetlier. 


yiuvi 


THE 


[book  iS 


JS  CIVIL  t^TATIONS. 
t  obsevvovs  in  civil  lifji 
in  rulianoe  mayte  plac'; 
tlic  same  iiluu.    lu  a ;'« 
y  wind,  or  its  i'l.reo.   \% 

fiEF. 

AN     Key,   and   CARY^FO 


2;  Vi\ 

7    iH 


3     1 


1    1 




0 

1 

1 

•1 

2 

1 

•1 

0 

li 

■1 

1 

0; 

^  1 

li 
1 

1 
1 

•I 

1 
I 

1; 

r  71 

f,      a 
2i  Hi 


S:  •'HI 
n  '11 ;] 


i;!,;i' 
57.4 


"10' 2;v,      1;-    I 

TSTIC"  OUDF.K. 

UADUANTS. 

I'repomlprnnoe^  j^^y*- 

rforl8:i7,bvWjA:^,:' 

.swcro.C.i.tamn.i^^';. 

„uul,-   in  tlu^  l"r';;"  •  "  '■•■ 


ruriM 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  A.    r:RICA. 
TABLE  II.— NEW  OIILEANS— LOUISIANA. 


5G5 


\[).  Prkv.  of  Wind,  for  Three  Years,  1840-42.     By  D.  T.  Lillie 


<    E 

E. 

.S.  E 

■2.0 

r).7 

2.3 

i.:j 

5.0 

2.3 

l.U 

3.:j 

10.3 

1.0 

4.0 

4.0 

n.;j 

.•t.7 

3.0 

0.7 

2.7 

2.0 

(i.n 

.3.7 

1.0 

2.7 

.3.3 

4.7 

i..'« 

.5.7 

3.0 

0.7 

4.7 

4.0 

2.3 

4.0 

2.3 

2.0 

().3 

1.3 

lai) 

52.r 

40.2 

4.0 

2.3 

!i.7 

8.7 

!l.7 

10.0 

5.3 

11.3 

0.0 

4.3 

_3JJ 

77.1)' 


3.7 
0.3 
3.7 
2.3 
4.0 
3.0 
2.7 
0.7 
0.7 
2.0 
2.0 
33.4 


\v. 

N.  W. 

If.i) 

2.3 

2.3 

2.7 

1.7 

1.7 

2.7 

2.7 

4.3 

3.3 

8.7 

0.7 

0.0 

1.7 

3.7 

3.0 

2.3 

1.3 

].() 

4.0 

2.3 

4.3 

2.7 

3.7 

.•jy.7 

31.4 

Forro  iisl  to  10, 

~L39 


2.30 
227 
2.47 
2.37 
2.20 
l.,37 
1.38 
2.17 
2.10 
2.27 
l.K) 

^1.3  IVli^iu 


M  CAN    YE  A  R_  I  N  /\_N  JJiGjl  N  I  STIC    ORDER. 
I  IN  EIGHT  uinKCTioxs,  OR  se.mi-ui;adk.\.nts. 


(,iriir«e 


(if  \\  iiul. 


Soutli-east, 

Soutli, 

^lutli-west, 


Days 


t'mirse  of  VVin<l. 


.'')2.1|W<.st, 
40.2|.\oilh-wcst, 
77.li|  North, 
3:i.4|\ortli-<'!ist, 

I\  raVK  DIRECTIONS,  OR  QUADRANTS. 


Days.    I    Preponderance.    I  Days. 

~3T)77  East  ov'iT  W'l^!  '"12.4' 
31.4  S.  E.  ••  N.  W.,]  S.8| 
72.6^-olltll  "  Nortii,'  5.3 
18.!);s.\V.  '<  N.  F,.,  I     M.5^ 


>oiitli-eust,         1   IO0.2  Nortli-wo.st,            H(.7,S.  E.  over N.W.; 
Suiitli-west,        1     !)2.2iXoi-th-nast,              81.2  i>.  \V.  "  N.  E.,] 

17.5: 
11. o| 

IN    SEMi-CIRCI.ES.                                                                             1 

Soiithorii,           '   li»7.4,N<)rtlieni, 

17!).!)|E.  over  VV.,       1 
1G8.8.S.    "     N.,         1 

G.5 
28.5 

TABLE  III.— NATCHE: 

^— :\iississipPL 

^™;  .\x,  Prkv.  op  Wind,  for  15  Ys.,  182.5  to  18.39.    By  Dr.  II.  Tooley. 


Crase. 


h 


ff)      CI  i    CI       CT 


O  I  .^ 
^  fC 
C5       CD 


C-        CO 

■JO     a. 


"7   8!)    nil  02:  88:  5^1  G5    88  75    84 

i:t2in3   7(!    Ol'  84    441  54    43  40    30 

Wl  9!)  no  1.32  141  131  110    03  i^S  14!) 

,  ^811G    .S')    08'  04    00    .54    72  71    !IG 

;il  31  21  2G  20  38  25  25  33  38 

^"'4  4f)  2G  11'  25  28  31  10  25  20 

i'.i   72    ^8  110  KM)    8.S    04  105  82  114 

5S  44  44    41    15   21!  10    38  54    5G 

GTS  goo  5-17  550  573  408  '152  400  4li8  026 


CO 
GO 


CO 
QD 


^  |Apfr.  of 
cc     .ubs.    I 


51  70  124    GG    77i 

52  33    60    Gl    go' 
148155119    84  107! 


59  GG123 
31  37;  G5 
20  211  4 
143  131  173 
31    22,  37 

.')38  .V14  7Tl 


87  120 

53    41). 

30    28 

132  118 

_41i_44 

554  G()0 


1204 

957 

1752 

1259 

2I)5| 

431)! 

10^1 

628j 

1^20()' 


-Mean 
Ye.ir. 

~8(U(} 
63.12 

110.12 
83.14 
19.10 
28.10 

112.10 
41.13 


piEAN    YEAR     IN     ANTAGONISTIC    ORDER 

I  IN  EIGHT  DIRECTIONS,  OR  SE.MI-QI'ADRANTS. 


!i'oiir<enf\Viiul.  \     Oils.  |  Course  of  Wind. 

r84.4n|\Vcst; 


East. 
>oiiih, 

>OUlll.\vcst, 


G3.12Nortli-wesf 
,116.12  North, 
i  83.14  North-(':ist, 


oils,  j   Preponcle ranee.     |     Obs. 
19.10  E.    "ovcr~\V^,  "Gr.¥» 
28.10  S.E.     "  N.W.,!  .35  02 


^nith-i'Mst, 
^oiith-wcst, 

I'lStiTll, 

"^oiitlierii. 


112.10  S.         "        N.,     4.02 
_^    41.13  8.  W.  "    N.  E.,   42A)1 

IN   KOUIl  DIRECTIDN.S,  Oil    QI'AIIRANTS. 

161.38)Nortl»-wost,      i   93.70S.  E.ov"ii^r N.\Vrr'G7.G8 
150.75lNorth-e:ist,       1137.38,rf.  W.  "    N   E.,    13.37 

IN  si;mi-cir''i.es. 
298.7C)  WoslcrnT"   ""  24T4Fe7 
312.13  Nortlieni,  231.08  S. 


over 


W.,   .54.31 

N.,   81.05 


11 


■,t' 


r"  "I 


^ 


■*  JL 


ff 


V   I' 


'■■!• 


.  ^.}f '. 


j%r^T^ 


♦-'ft'       •'[     , 
lit  I     '        '/ 


M 


■    J 

1    ' 

\  ' 
I 


V    I 


.1 


'  *  i 


i.i 


«' 


i 

1- 


4 


u 


^  »  I  Y  ** 


•hV 


1 


r)()(; 


THf:  PllINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


TABLE  IV.— IIUNTSVILLE— ALABAMA. 
Mean  3Io.  Puev.  of  the  Wixd  for  13  Ys.  lS20-'42.— By  Rkv,  Jonx 


Months. 


January,.  .  . 
Et'briiury,  . 
March,  .  .  .  . 

April, 

May 

June,   

July, 

August,  .  . . 
Scptumbor,. 
O'Mobor,  .  .  . 
Noveiiibor, 
Di^ceuiber,  . 


>.  I  S.  VV.  I 
~1)  .691X301 
11.7(i  IG.TIi 
15.];-)'  17.071 
14.4;j'  IG.76! 
15.0!)'  18.;it<; 


14.071 
l-2.C>i\ 
l\:Mh 
!).]5 
11.07 


21.7li; 
20.7(i 
l.'i.Oo: 

]:j.i5: 

13.84: 


Wj_\  iN.  \V.  ;  J*.  N    K  i 

l^i  Ys"o7  T4.92  "aeV 

•S.Gl  l!).9:i  i:i.;)0  8.53 

2.C4  21.40  13.;is  7.07 

4.87  Ki.Gl  13.91  7.3s 

4.23  18.38  9.G1  8.00 

5.3S  13.23  8.54  7.t;i 

4.07  15.67  8.40  9.3s 

3.30  17.38  15.01)  11. Gl 

2,53  12.7G  11.53  12.2.t 

3.92  13.53  IG.GI  9.53 

G.7G  18.30  14.30  4.:is 

2.91 ;  21.23  14.81  6.84 


0.61  i  If^.si   'J.d'j 
0.53'  \U.>\    ].t;:i 

:io  lo.ci  :i -.J 


0.84, 

O.b.J:  1!.>.-1') 

2.07  Id.li'i 

2.1  (i  i-)..iii 

2.53  Kj.iir; 

3.011  liri.M 

0.7G  iJ.Tr, 


4.111 
l.fil 
•l.-l 
5.Q , 
4.11) 


13.61!  14.611     G.7G    l?i.3()    14.30      4.:is      1.3!l    115:t4'i 

10.61 1  13.53;     2.91,  21.23    14^1      6.84     0.4G   17.il7  2.1:. 

'Y^rTTTTJUii     1  f931)2i  48J)5'aOG.54  154.40  r()ri7l5;7n"57iri.](r7l 
IM  E  A  X      Y  :■;  A  R    I  N    A  N  T  A  G  O  N  I  S  T  K;    ()  IM)  L  I; . 

I  IX     I'.IGMT    DIRF.CTIONS,    OR    Si:.MI-«U.VDR.\NT.S. 

1  (,'oiirsB  of  VV  iiul.      Ob.s.     j  Course  of  Wind. 
15^1  \V7si; 

157.24  Nortli-wcst, 


BOOl 


AU4|. 
S.W. 

:-.\v: 

N.  % 
H.  E. ' 
.\. 

>.  \y, 


lEast, 
South-cast, 
.'Soulh, 
'Soulh-wost, 


Obs,     I     I'reponileran  e. 
4'-'.G5|W.  over  E. 
20G..-)4'\.W."S.E. 


:|49.14  Norlh,  |l5140iN. 

193.92  North-east,  101.17|>.AV    ' 

IN    FOCJIl    DIRECTIONS,    OR    ai'ADR.\NTS. 


ici.ii; 

4:i.:ii' 


8. 
iN'.E 


iSoutli-east, 
South-west, 


i239.66|North-\vcst, 

1292.81!  North-east, 


308.0CN.VV.overS.E"|  6'i..|ii 
I8G.22S.  W.    '•    iV.F,.  IIK;.,-):! 


I.V    SK.MI    riRCI.KS. 


Eastern, 
'Southern, 


l425.bt;l  Western, 
1532.47)  Northern, 


iGOO.S7;\V.  over  H., 
!494.28!S.        "  N. 


174.911 
;is.l|i 


TABLE  v.— CINOiXNATI— OHIO. 
I\rE.u\  Mo.  Pi:ev.  of  the  Wind  for  G  Ys.,  1S01)-'14.— JJv  Dr..  1> 


Montlis. 


S.  10. 

"~  G 

.5 

10 

7 


January,    .  . • 

February, 5  i  1 

March, 10  1 

April, 7  !  0 

May 7  1  1 

June !t  '  1 

Julv G  !  1 

AuJ,rnst, (i  I  1 

Septenibtr,    ...  G  [  1 

October, 9  !  1 

November,    ...  9  I  3 

December 7  i  1 

"'rwu'Obs.  aTday^l  ~87'i  ~T4 

InTe  AN    Y^E  A  R  11^ 

I.V    KIGMT    DIRrCTIONS.    OR 
Coursi!  of  Winil.  j  Ulis.     ]   l'o\ir-e(if  \\  iiiil. 

Eait,  "j     IG'lVVcsf, 


s.  \v. 

N.  K. 

N. 

13 

8" 

1 

13 

8 

1 

IG 

11 

1 

24 

10 

1 

19 

10 

0 

23 

12 

5 

19 

11 

■) 

23 

10 

1 

23 

9 

0 

24 

G 

1 

13 

G 

1 

1  11 

5 

0 

|"22f 

Tog' 

14 

N^W.;      E. 

~21 
14 
10 

,s 

10 

7 
11 
12 

8 
10 
10 
15 

13G 


W. 


IG       50 


4  ' 

6  i 


lV2  \ 


X.  v.- 


South-east, 
South, 

■Southwest, 

South  oast, 
South-west, 


ANTAGONISTIC    ORDER. 

.SK.MI-llU.\nil.\NT.S^ 

1)1)4.         l're|i(iTiilcr;in('i'.   I    '•!«■ 

T)(r,\\\    over    r;.|  .'i4 

13G     N.W.  "      S.i:.l    111 
14     S.         "         N:  Equal. 
lOG     S.W.  ov.mOs'.E^  Ij.' 

MR    QU.^DRAN'rS.  _ 

NTrUr-westV"  ]  TG8"TN.\V7o"verSi;.:    CO 
North-east,        j  121    JS.W.      "  N.K.j:!;L 


'     87    iNorth-wcst, 

I     14    'North, 

!  221    I  North-east, 

JN'    KOUIl    DIRDCTIO.N' 

'  102 
I  253 


Fa.^tern, 
Southern, 


223    iWestcrn, 
355     Noithern, 


.\    SKSIl -CIRCLES. 

ri2r 

I  289 


i\V~.  over  !•;.. 


mi 


t'alni 

I'r..-> 

Nil. 

G 

.N. 

^M 

' 

•l 

S.  ' 

i) 

(i 

THi; 


i")%.% 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  .NORTH  AMERICA. 


567 


uABAMA. 

. — By  Hev.  John  Ai 


K         tJ.  E    ra'.ni.    i 

; 

0.61    IS.Kl  2.ti'J- 

] 

0.5:V  Kl.^l    l.O!'  \ 

7 

o.:)ii  it).i;i  :i.,v2.-. 

8 

0.84'  in.Tii  4.1ii    • 

n 

O.S.i;  vnw  -ICU; 

1 

•j,()7  lo.'.i-:  •!.• ;  -, 

•* 

'J.4tl   l-3.i'i  5.0 , 

.1 

'^.r/t  i;i.:i!i  .i.in  ■■ 

2.1 

:i.o(i  is>i  :i.;tii.-. 

y.\ 

0.71.     y.Tti  .■),^l^ 

if^ 

i.:)ii  ii..i:t  4;i-- 

ei 

0.4U    17.117   -J.l.'.- 

■.v, 

:,Sf 

A'. 


17   15.71  157'J14(!.:i 
rnc    ORDER. 


DK.\NTS. 

rrc.|i()niti>r:in  e. 

ip|„. 

v' .  ovor  E. 

:i-i!)i 

'.W.-S.  E. 

4;).;!i' 

-J. 

,  5.Q(; 

.W    "  N.E 

i  9Q.75 

\NTf!. 

S.  W.oviT.S.E 

68.411 

i.W.    '•    N.K 

KKI.ri'.) 

kV.  OV.T  E.,     1 174.99 

i-OIITO. 

U._15v  l)n.  1).  I'w 

''  \V.   iV'ainl,  T'rev.  W^ 


•"<  1 

"G:    G!    N.W. 

0  i 
0  1 

5  1    H 
5^4      S.  V.-, 

1 

1 

1 

:i  '  5  j      ■• 
4;   G        •■ 
'i     :i ! 

1 

4 1  'I :     ■• 

1 

1  1    G  i        •■ 

o 

O     1 

0 

IG   " 

G  !    i)|    N.\v 

S  T  1  C 

ORDER- 

ADllANT.^.                  

I'reponderiinci;.       •'"'• 

\.W.  • 

S.l..'    ■'■' 

^AV.  ovcrN.E;:.!.'''. 

UNTSj _ 

\V.  ovnrS.E.'    t"' 


iV.  ovlm-  E.. 


1!H 
till 


U 


M 


3 
O 


6 

tH  CO 

^•5  -t  C5 

■*■«> 

-M  TT  O  -t^  O 
1  ~  r-A  O 

7^  — 

o 

o 

lO  o  o 

r-  -M  tr>  O  O 

u-  I-  Oj  ^X)  ^X 

i-  X 

0 

*.o 

1  _ 

^i  ' 

"     "     - 

J    J    ::  c/i;?; 

ai  ■: 

^' 

1^  X. 

1-    T-H     -^ 

■X.  O  OJ 

c;  I  -  '.-  y/  x 

r-  i.-i  Tfl  1-  i.-I 

QO  CO 

IT 

?i 

I— 1 

o  o  ^ 

I— 1  I— I 

1-  "--:  tD  -■:  r-H 
X'  o  --H  O'  T-r 

T-H   r-H   r-^   r- 1 

X  ct 

O  01 

1—1    T— 

oi 

I  - 

uO 

XJ 


i.~  X    ;■;'  X  u,  ;;^  y.  — r  >,    .»_  :.^ 

-h  c;  ~^  o  i.O'  -t;  T-H  01  co  oi  ^_ 

".o  oi  i-.^  -o  ~f  o'  1.0  1-.^  lO  cv  i-< 

01  TO  T-l  1— (  01  01  01  01  01  Ol  ^1 


IJ^ 


I. ) 

i.O 


01 


J.  01  I— I  I.O  c^  _.  71  ^  ;o  .:;  i- 

Ci  O  C>  CO  Ci  CO  CO  01  X^  O  01 

-f  X,'  uo  oi  oi  :5  oi  co  o  i~-^  x 

■^  CO  -^  -^  CO  CO  O  Tt<  O  lO  o 


1-^  o  i~  -—  ...  t-  _  :t  :.;  1-  I-  — 
x^_  X  01  I-  '.o  r-i  1— I  1— I  c:.  o  "O  CO 

X)  1-i  -d.  --I  ci  oi  oi  t^  x'  xj  oi  "o' 

w  C5  1-  X)  1^  1-  w  O  CO  O  -f  o 


CO  CO  O  -O  O  O  O  h-  CO  ..O  O   ~j  l>0 
1—1  O  01  1.0  O         -Ti  rH  lO  I— I  01  i-t 

'o 

— I  T— I  X  t^  t-~  1— I  XJ  Ol  1— I  CO  i.Oi  ^- 
l-  1  -  X  X;  X)  X)  1^  1-  1-  X  1-  X. 


;^ 


-     X!   - 


w 


M 


<^ 


o 


I.O  X  '+  ci  o  r^  "O  '-D  -r  "^^  c.  Ol 

■^  I-  01  1-.  r-i  X.    -^  C5  -.0  CO  <yj  Ol 

Lo"  -t  •-^"  d  ci  o  "-t^  1-  oi  CO  "O  C5 
x)  x./  i-"  Ci  C5 1^  X  c;  c>  01  Ci  o 
1-i  t-i 

"-*  1-~-^^"qO  C5~l-  -^  iTi  X"o  I-  CO 

I-  -f  <-;  '.o  x;  I.O  X  o  CO  i~  o  CO 
x'  ri  "d  CO  oi  i^  o  lo  oi  oi  x.  -f 

i-l  CO  CO  Ol  01  CO  Ol  CO  CO  CO  CO  04 

"To^c^  x" ~o  rr^c:"5  -^ri^co  "i— i  ollx" 

J>  -O  1-  -H  O  O  I  l^  ^-  CJ  CO  -f  Xj 

r-i  d  1^  C;  1-^  I-  Xj  1.0-  XJ  lO  Ci  CO 

CO  T}i  CO  -t  CO  CO  rt<  O  r}<  ijO  O  O 

nfOT— Td;"  kOi"^-^  CO  lO  i.O  -f  X)  CO  CO 

Ti<  o  X  o  'O  X  rH  o  C5  o  c:;_  01 

-t*  1-H  xJ  r-^  d  CO  d  >6  i.oi  -f  -t<  oi 

lO  o  CO  o  -r  -t  CO  CO  oi  t  't  >* 

%      „  o    o      „  >. 

9  •-  >  o   >,  rU*^    D  y  ^  3   b 

u;  —^  =  =  5  =^-i; ,  -  .i;  5  ^ 


IlC 


^>J         U: 


o 


72 


o  w : 


In  Ol 

-  !x)  oi 


li^^. 


di  -I 


2^  ='•_ 
2^  2  1.0  I 


cd'di 
id  1-^ 


■'■i\ 


U 


t.  . 


I 


V.4.: 


m"j-<  '  ■' '.'  ■"      ■■■■  ■  '■ : 


^^ill::::... 


■  V 


.^'Si'.'.. 


i ':,■',  V. 


sf  ---»•  '^ 


■  '"■/■ 


I'll,  ill.''**'' 


568 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[UOOK  I 


TABLE 
Ml.  Mo.  Prev.  op  Win 


A^II.—.MILWAUKIE— WISCONSIN. 
D  FOR  .']  Ys.,  18;]8-'41.  By  I.  A.  Lapiiam,  E>x>   vsb 
W.  P.  Proudkit,  M.  T). 


.Months. 

"5.(r 

N.   E. 
7.0 

E. 
~2.u" 

S  E. 
().3 

fi. 

> 

.u. 

u.    , 

-N.  W, 

rte> 

Uii.,;."~ 

January, 

3.7 

20.7 

13.3 

2;>.(i 

\.  W    ~ 

Febrnary, 

4.0 

10.0 

2.0 

2.7 

o.:i 

18.0 

14.3 

Q!).:! 

(( 

Miirdi, 

'•() 

J28.7 

().() 

4.3 

2.0 

19.7 

8.7 

13,7 

\  r 

April.  .    

J. 7 

23.0 

4.7 

17.3 

0.3 

11.3 

2,3 

1,").(' 

(t 

May, 

3.0 

30.3 

8.7 

10.7 

0.7 

ll.:i 

4.7 

;l.7 

•i 

June, 

7.0 

21.7 

7.0 

17.7 

G.7 

13.7 

2.0 

3.:i 

(. 

July, 

3.0 

21.7 

67 

10.0 

2.0 

30.3 

4.3 

11.7 

s.  \y 

August, 

3.3 

2G.0 

3.7 

23.0 

2.0 

12.7 

3.0 

U'l 

N.  E 

Si'pte'iiber,. . .  . 

3.0 

22.0 

2.0 

13.0 

3.3 

17.7 

8.7 

5.-,.;i 

October, 

0.7 

18.0 

1.7 

19.0 

3.0 

15.3 

5.3 

2().:t 

N.  \V 

Noveiiil)or,.  . .  . 

3.:» 

7.0 

0.0 

18.0 

0.7 

2.3.7 

3,0 

2;!i.il 

'■        i 

Dectnibcr 

1.3 

12.7 

0.7 

10.3 

0.7 

21.3 

4.7 

40.0 

"    J 

Year, 

41.3 

238.1 

45.2 

152.3 

25.4     215.7 

74.3   224.U 

-n;H 

MEAN 

YEAR     I  N  A  N  1'  A  IJ  0  N  I  S  T  1  C    0  R  D  1 

''•; 

I.N  i:i(;iiT  DinrcTioNS,  on  sr,.iii-(iuAniiANT.';. 

TiT 

Course  ot 

\  iiiii. 

(Ills.       Course  ol   VV  aid. 

Ul.s. 

i'rt'ponderiiute. 

East, 

45.2  West, 

74.3 

VV.     over    1^7" 

2!l,l 

.  i 

•Soutli-eas 

t, 

152.3  North-west, 

224.0 

N.W.  "     S.E.. 

71.7 

.South, 

25,4  North, 

41.3  N.        "       S., 

1, '..:•: 

."^outh-wpst,       1 

215.7  \ortli-past. 

235.1  X.  E.   "  S.  W.. 

2a.! 

IN  l-l)i:il  DIKKCTIONS,   OK  (tUAlPR.WTS. 

rioutli-eas 

1   iy7.li;Nortli-west,       |  !2f<1.7|M.  W. over  S.E.I 

!M.l 

rfoiith-wes 

t,       1  2fa,').5| 

North-east,        j  281.3  N.E.   "     S.Wj 

15.> 

1 

IN    SK.MI-flHCI.KS. 

Kastorn, 

1   4(;s.Ul  Western,           |   .')47.'JiW  .  over  E., 

s   s 

Western, 

1  4,")3.llNortlicrn,         1  Sfi^.l'N.     "    S. 

iii;i.,i       "* 

TABLE  VIII.— llOCHESTEll— NEW  i'OKK. 
Mean  Annual  Prev.  op  the  Wind,  for  1;!  Y.s.     By  Wm.  L.  WKTiiKREii; 

>'5| 


Year. 


1835, 

1836 

1837, 

18.38 

18.39 

1840, 

1841, 

1842 

1843 

1844, 

1845 

1846 , 

1847, 


Mil 


Year, 


N. 

N.  E. 

!■;. 

.s.  E. 

8. 

r*.  n  . 

u. 

X.  W.I 

1875 

~"28.0 

l(i.5 

27.5 

"215 

"■9175 

"  92.5 

5>^.0 

21.0 

62.5 

5.0 

42.5 

14.0 

106.0 

57.5 

57.5 

30.5 

35.11 

6.0 

24.0 

19.0 

98.5 

58.11 

94.(1 

35.0 

12.0 

7.0 

17.0 

55.0 

61.0 

32.0 

4ii.n 

38.0 

SO.,'-) 

17.0 

11.0 

18.0 

60.0 

99.5 

Gl.O 

9.5 

36.5 

9.0 

19.5 

21.0 

110.0 

68.5 

!  12.(1 

50.5 

38.5 

20.0 

16.5 

14.5 

70.5 

75.0 

79.5 

31.0 

46.5 

12.0 

15.0 

37.0 

71.5 

79.5 

72.5 

27.0 

34.5 

12.5 

30.0 

14.0 

63.0 

8S.0 

!)(;.(! 

28.0 

47.5 

12.5 

26.5 

27,5 

.52.0 

73.5 

ii-^.j 

27.5 

19.5 

6.( 

21.0 

20.5 

50.5 

73  5 

M().5 

23.0 

43.5 

14.0 

38.. J 

13.5 

47.5 

75.5 

lui.- 

14.0 

32.5 

b.o 

38  '' 

33.5 

68.0 

6S.0 

102,5 

~27.2 

~35^9 

11.2 

25.2 

26.3 

73.7 

~72.4 

~85,7 

7  .\.  W. 


MEAN    YEAR    IN    ANTAGONISTIC    ORDER. 

IN   EIGHT   IIIRECTION.S,   OR    SF.iMI-QUADRANT.'^. 
('onrse  of  Wind.      Days.  1  ('ourse  of  Wind. 

~Tr2  Wo7t,      ~ 


East, 
South-east, 
Soutli, 
Soiitli-wpst, 


25.2  North-west, 

26.3;North, 

73.71Norlh-east, 


Days.  1    Preponderanue. 

Ilavs, 

72.4;W.     over      E. 

61.2 

85.7'N.W.    "    S.E. 

&U) 

27.2  N.         "        S- 

(l.ll 

.35.9  S.W.     "    N.E. 

r,.-' 

So\ith-east, 

South-west, 


IN     lOUll    DIKECTIONS,    OR     QUADRANTS 

""43.9i  North-west, 
123.0  North-east, 


135.5  N.W.  over.S.E.I    lO.C 
N.  E.I    GT.'.I 


Eastern, 
Southern, 


IN    SKMI-CIRCLF.B. 

"99;0|Western,  1  2.58.5  W.' 

166.9!Northern,  |  190.6  N. 


over 


E.I  1J!).5 
8.1    2.17 


'"''^''PlainLefr, 


Iff  Hi 


'I 


HE 


CONSIX. 

A.  LaIMIAM,  lliK..  \si 
W.    \S.  W.I   l'tci.\\,       ' 

ll.li     '2'.).'.ll       " 

2.;)    ir..i'' 

4.7       ;l.7 

2.(1     :i.;il 
•1.;}     »■>. 
3.0    i;i.7 

8.7     5J.;!l 

fA  2o.;i 

4.7|    4l).li 
TL:«r2SM.ul 


X.  K 


s.^v. 

N.E. 
N.W. 


N. 


j 


'  1 C    0  R  D  E II .  j 

RANTS.        

ri-|ioiKUTiiii<.e.        IJlis.  1 

'  K.   .<  S.  W..    2-2.1 


I'S. 


.W  .over  S.H.I    '.tl.l 
.R.   "     S.W.I    15.^ 


KW  VOllK 


T\v.' 


(1 
.,") 

.0 
0.0 
0.0 

1..") 

,;!.()' 

1-2.0' 
1)0..') 

17.5' 

bs.o 


w. 

'J2.;) 

57..') 

Sf^.O 

:vj.o 

99.5' 
GS.5 
75.0 
79.5 

8S.0' 
7S.5 


N.  W.I 

57.51 

94.(1 

4i).n 

Gl.O 

9-2.1' 

79.5 

72.5 

9(i.ti 

ll>->.5 


W. 
r^.VC. 
N.  W. 
W. 


)0.5l  T\  5  14().rt 
75.5  lU'J.M 
6b.O    U)2.5l 


STIC 


0  R  D  E  R. 


Iw. 
In. 


over 


159.3 
•23.: 


■JTIl.J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


569 


TABLE  IX.— TORONTO— CANADA  WEST. 

|i-:LT>0F  Seven  Years  Oi!.sehvatio.\8  at  tui';  Macneticai.  and  Meteoro- 

lOIilCAL,  OliSJCUVATOUY,  lS41-'47,  INCLUSIVE.* 


The  figures  denote  observations. 


Vnr, 


|N.    W.  H.  VV.  I  •><.   E.  I 

I  794.0   507.0 :4S9.i) 

9;W.()j  .'-^10.0 

1."?R').0'  l-^Hl.O 

879.0  1025.0 

1.375.0:  911.0 

lail.Oi  904.0 

l.%50    929.0 

Ycarr.  'K^OK.S  lOO.'iJl    849^6 


.ll.'M.O 

.!i2.')4.o: 
.|i:}oo.o 
.  itiij^.o: 

.IlKH.O 

.ii5:)ti.o 


N.  E.   I  r'alm.  |  Keniarks. 

6ti8^  12547)  12  observ's  daily. 
R9f).0  1sf)1.0  12  ol)s.,    fir.st  fuilf. 
988.0  2940.0  2t    "    spcoiid  half. 
672.0  ;iG07. 0  24 
81(1.0  27;t5.0 
105:1.0  282(i.e 
909.0  2075.0: 

"8ti8.(i  2556.6 


daily. 


Prev.  Winds. 

s.  w. 

N.'.W. 


.\IEAN    YEAR     IN     ANTAGONISTIC     ORDER. 

I\  FOIR  DIRECTION'S,  f)R  QI'.VDR.WTS. 


nur-e  ol  U'lnil.    j    Olis.     i    C'oiir.se  of  Wind. 

?niiilwiust,        j  849.6' No'rtli^ west, 
Miiih-\ve.st,       |1093.0'Nortii-east, 


Dlis.    I'l'rt'ipondi'r  me. 


«JI)S. 

1:100.4;N.  \V.  "  S.  E.,'  4.50.H 
868.6  S.W.  "  N.E..'  224.4 


I.N    SK.Ml-CUKM.F.S. 


Ut'-rn,  ,1718.2  Wostorii, 

southern,         1 1942.6  Northern, 


2,19:1.4  W .  over  E  . 
•3169.0|N.     "     S. 


675.2 
226.4 


TABLE  X.— MONTREAL— CANADA  EAST. 

'  Results  of  5  Ys.  Obs.  on  the  AYind,  erom  1836  to  1840  inclusive. 
By  j.  S.  McCord,  EsQ.f 


Westerly, 

Easterly, 

No.  of  days 

.N\\.,W.,SW. 

N.E.,  E.,  S.E. 

North. 

South. 

observed. 

i89.'20 

4(;.i>5 

ti5.85 

55.66 

357.00 

•200.00 

82.00 

5().50 

38.50 

327.00 

liiilOO 

3-2 .1>5 

66.75 

49.25 

311.25 

iTii.OO 

83  00 

63.50 

33.50 

359  00 

188.50 

71.50 

47.50 

45.50 

353.00 

1«.94 

51.00 
15  per  cent. 

60.0-2 
IS  per  cent. 

44.48 
13  per  cent. 

341.45 

■^^ ,  -r  cent. 

I' -1  Captain  Lefroy. 


t  Amer.  Jour.  Science,  Vol.  III. 


I  t  -I 

'.  '  I 


i\\\ 


:iill 


r 


lit  ;-■' 


'■jr- 


■  ■■  ■'■.-,, 

.'   f  •;.■ 

■_',''■ ,"  ■ 


•  ■t  I  '  .  • 


M'';r,.''  .■■^  ' 


.'S-- , 


sii-ci, ,; 


•,«  •?•  ■ 


■  'f  ' 


w  ■]■■■'} 


570 


THE  PRINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


BOflK  i 


TAi;[.H  XL— WINTER  ISLAND— AllCTrf  lIKOToNs, 
M.  ^Uk  riiiiv.  01'  WiM.  KOii  1  Yk.,  lMil-2.— J5v  Siu  W.  K.  I'aukv 

'I'lie  tl;;tires  denotn  hall"  diiys. 

?  iVldiiili-. 

Jaiiu.uy,  . 
I'i'liriiary, . 
Miiicli,  . . . 
April,  .... 
May 

JllllL> , 

July, 

Aiijiusl,  . . , 
Si'|iti'iiil)i  r, 
OctoliiT,  . .  , 
NovciiibcT, 
l)t";einbfr,  , 

Yelir,.'.: 


.N. 

N,  K. 

G 

4 

C 

l> 

H 

G 

G 

10 

t 

12 

;> 

9 

!) 

7 

0 

H 

II 

G 

■1 

211 

11) 

IS 

11 

2 

69 

104 

K. 

s.  l). 

I 

0 

1) 

(1 

1) 

.) 

t 

Ill 

0 

.'> 

0 

15 

:» 

H 

0 

1 

•) 

11 

1 

!) 

o 

o 

0 

10 

23 

7.'J 

*•_ 

s.  \v. 

\v. 

1      '• 

0 

G 

1      0 

o 

0 

0 

.•1 

o 

0 

10 

1 

0 

.') 

G 

(1 

HI 

1 

o 

11 

:) 

A 

20 

1 

G 

« 

1 

0 

4 

0 

2 

4 

c 

0 

o 

0 

"14 

79 

~3.'< 

N.  W. 

I'ri'V.  Wii, 

42 

nTw. 

-JG 

»( 

\s 

a 

.11 

u 

1.-. 

s.  [•:.  .V  N 

11 

s.  w.  .V  : 

■S.i 

X.  w. 

21 

(( 

18 

N.  K. 

IG 

<f 

:j7 

X.  W, 

;i2() 

JV.  w. 

:\rRA.V    YEAU    IN    ANTACONMSTIC    OiiDllIt, 
IN'  j:i(;mt  niitKcriONS,  oii   si:>ii-(U'.MmA\TS. 


I  oiirse  of  Winil. 
'llast, 

.Solltll-fHSt, 

;S(uitli, 

Soillh  west, 

jSoulli  east, 
Soiith-wost, 


111',  ily.    I  oiirse  ol'  V\  ind. 

2H      West, 
7;l     Xortli-wrst, 
Xortli, 


14 

79 


Norlli-piist, 


lir.  ily  rr>'|.(>iii|eriince.   illi.ily. 

;{;t'  w.    in^T    i;.!""!!! 

:i20  N.W.  "      S.K.     o|7 

G9  N.         ■■'        .<.       x,\ 

104  N.E.  ovorS.W       -j.",  ' 


i.\  I'ouii  i)iui:<  rio.NS,  cm  cu'adiiants. 

"91    jXortii-wcst,       (.'171    i\.\V.  ovi-r  S.R.   •>() 
103    I  North-east,        |  150    IN.E.      "  i-i.\V.|    .)? 

l.\    SE.MI-CinCI.KS. 


EiiHtcrn, 

.'^OIltlliMIl, 


241    iWoslorn, 
194     Nortliern, 


474   (W.ovur  E.,      ,  -.m 
iV21    |N.      "    S.,      !  327 


TAIJLE  XIL— ICILOOLIK— AllCTIC  REGIONS. 
M.   3Io.   I'kdv.   op   the  Wind    for    1  Yu.  L'-^:2"J-;!. — Dx  ihk 

The    li''iires    denote   liiilf  davs. 


Months. 


•Tamiiiry,  . . 
Fuhriiary,  . 
.'\Iarcli,  . . .  . 

Ai)ril, 

May, 

Juno 

July, 

Au^rust,    .  .  . 

September, 
October,  . . . 
November, . 
December,  , 


Year, 


14 

8 
12 

8 

4 
14 

G 

3 
2 

4 
2 

4 


N.  E. 

E. 

e.E. 

t?. 

S  W. 

W. 

8 

0 

G 

2 

4 

0 

8 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

2 

0 

0 

0 

4 

12 

0 

0 

2 

o 

6 

6 

8 

0 

12 

8 

9 

4 

4 

o 

o 

4 

G 

4 

10 

2 

9 

10 

3 

2 

11 

o 

7 

2 

4 

3 

8 

0 

14 

0 

0 

6 

20 

0 

12 

4 

3 

0 

1 

0 

4 

2 

5 

12 

8 

0 

0 

0 

4 

22    1 

88" 

6 

6'8 

.34 

50" 

73 

x  \v. 

28 
3G 
32 
46 
17 
24 
20 
30 
30 
18 
34 
24 

339" 


IVv.  Vt 

"~\.  W'. 


y.  Y.. 
T«1 


MEAN     YEAR    IN    A  N  T  A  (i  0  N  I  S  T  I  C 

IN    EIGHT    DIRKCTIO.NS,   Oil     SF..MI-QI'AI)IIA.\TS. 


u  u  D  i:  i; 


Course  of  Wind 
East, 

South-east, 
South, 
South-west, 


Hf.  dy. 

G~ 

G8 

34 

50 

I.V   FOUR   DIRECTIONS,    OR  QUADRANTS. 


('ourse  of  Wind. 

West"' 
North-west, 
Nortli, 
Nortii-East, 


Hf.  dy.|    I'repoiidernnee.     III'.':) 

73    iW.  over  E.,       i    6', 

3.39    In.  W.  "  S.E.  TA 

81     N.  "  S.,    >   i'' 

88    iV.  E.     "  S-  \V.,    ;b 


South-east, 
Soutli-west, 


Eastern, 
Southern, 


88    jNorth-west, 
103    |North-east,    _ 

IN    SEMI-CIRCLES. 

7519 

i  548 


4lG    iN.AV.overS.E.^  33>* 
132    IN.E.    "   S.W.I    i'i 


I  220    IWcstern, 
I   191    I  Northern, 


|\V.  over  E., 
N.     " 


w. 


'It!  II'] 


liM 


J!:'";1^4.0' 
_'*':i'.  1:2(1.01 

Jp:'";  ^6.0    ] 
ME  AX 

■■'Ulli-easf 

■;o:i|li, 

'"lilil-lVocf 

r^'iiili-wpsi 


usterii, 


.'HE 


[book  I 


in  \V.  K.  ['w.v.s.^ 


N. 


.  IN. 

\v. 

Piev.  \Vi' 

; 

W 

N.  W. 

u 

-1(1 

.' 

2 

•M  . 

u 

4 

!«' 

il 

I'l 

:!i  ' 

II 

t 

ir. 

s.  v..  ^  ■■  "■'. 

H  i 

11 

S.W.vV  '.  W 

1 

'.i:\ 

N.W. 

1 

■i\ 

ki 

0 

IH 

N.  r,. 

n 

Hi 

>( 

1) 

;n 

i    N.W. 

';i:« 

;i2o 

N.W. 

■riG  () 

UDl'.U.  ', 

DllAN'l'^- 

I'rt'i't 

M.aerunce.   llll.'ly.  \ 

J.W 

OVlT 

Iv       I'l 
S.K.    217 

ovi^r 

S.\\  1     •^'' '; 

I  ANT 

s. 

1 

N.W 

.  11V1> 

rr^.K.   -i-l]   ! 

N.t". 

ti 

S.W.I     li    1 

iS2--:5.— 1'^'  '^"'''  '^"^ 


W.' 

•rev.  V 

23 

N.W 

:((■) 

i> 

;vi 

" 

41) 

" 

17 

a 

■u  ' 

" 

20 

" 

•JO 

30 
18 

J: 

24 

1     ■ 

'irii'l 


IN'TERIOli  VAI.F.KY  OF  NORTH  A:\IERICA. 


571 


•urAonANT^. ^ 

I    (•reiioiMlerance^J'il^i 
— I.'  I     til 

VV.overL.,       . 
Iadrants. T-fT— Jw 

■ — p — Tm 

|j    iW.overh.,         .; 


TA15M-:  XriT.— FKLIX  HARl^Oll— ATU'TTC  llKriTOXS. 

\.v.  I'Kiiv.  oi'  Wind,  iviii  2  Vs.,  Is.'JO  to  is:n.     ]]v  8iu  Jcirv  Ho.<<.* 


Kiir,i:):i.(i 


■'  ,1-21.  i'"^' 
'')ii.!iii;ii5.i 

'  ,l«.i^  ^9(i.i 
■iiNll,  47.1 


The  lijiirp*  ilfnntB  linur«. 
W^l      ?.   I    K.      N.W..-'.   u.    fs'K.i  N.  K.    Culm.  |       i'toviTi]iii){' uTihuT 

:,'iui  "'l  1  .()|~  7.0  -jii-J.tt yi  1 1.0  'ji .0;  ;);».()! "~  mt.oi  " 

41.0  Tfj.o'   G.oii.'i'jo  ii-j.o  ."iij.n  iG.o;  I'jn.ol 

;to.5 ";Vt..')i    (i.5',>(W.ii  i:)i.o  ':n.o^a-i.5i~To8^|      NtTnii-wMU 


17.(1    !).").(i:     ;t.(|     .').!)  I  O-i.O     7.0l(!(i.0     isi.o. 

42.0  11-J.o,    ;t.oi:)i.ii  170.(1  i-^.o  ii.o     i)4.o 


.W,  "1.0   ~"J->i"-*-»|     •■»•'»    7t<.()i:i(i.O    y4.5    WB.5;    137.5;       South-west. 

(bi'M-Ji^oi  11."  -•'<■"'  1 1.0  !(i.(i  iia.d'  i-.o  Tr.ii ~-j:f4.o 


,!••:!(/,  .'j-.O 

,'-:fi,l!ioJi 
:  .11,  fi.5 


(ii.oii.'j.o  Ki.di ii.di.'ci.o  ;m.(i 

5i.\5  JJfi^^U,  15.011("i.o'l!>:).0  2lTu 

4:1.0  .•fo.ii  i;i.(i  !.■)■<. 0  ir>i.o  .-j.'f.o 

:i!2.o  (i-J.o  ;jo.o-j-(i.oi  7:j.o  ."jlo  5i.o'     i;i.o 


i2.').(.»   yo.').o; 

^f<.l)j  ~2 1  i).5|       SoLitl>-wc7t7 

17.^.0  '  r)0.(ii  ' 


40.,)    4G.0.  1G..")2-J--J.(I  112.0    :J2.0 


'u-:i'ii/o'.i.(i|  4'J.O   r)(i.o   MI.O  KM.Oi  il.'i.O   41.0 
|-  l;-;il,ll«.(i|  fi7.0    24.0    11.0202.01  (JS.O    71.( 


114..-) 
98.0 


N'lirth-west. 


-iii,i:it<.o  .'».o   lo.o  .")0.o  1  s;t.(ii  t^o.5  r)7.5 122.0 


il-:i!l,  7(1.0  t<2.0'  :<8.01  Ifj.O   (i.t.d  I2S.0     4.0 
■|i-;!l.  im  i^l.O    71.0      CO  IDo.li  202.0    40.0 


M-jii,  56.;') 

uSiiF.iyiTo 

■(l;;il,  ?:<.0 

u-:iii,  141 '.i 
•n-:il,  64.0 

^a,U2.5 

'.■(•(,"  !I7.0 
^:il,  b7.i 


yl.T)    ;')!..')    I'l..-.  l:jlj.i)  Km.O    22.(1 

4:).o  i.').o    .".II  r.o.iij  50. 0  .'lo.o 
2r).o  40.0'  CGoii7.(i|  ;i(i.(iioii.(i 

:t4.(i  ~:t2.o " ;t7.o  I2(i..')i  4:t.o  7o..'> 


24!).0i 

y.o: 

2!».() 


41.0    51.0,     8.0  2;)lt.U 
57.0  5G.0|  r)7.0  177.0 

49.0   5.S.5!  ;n.5  2:Is;(i 


46.0    22.0 
77.0    54.0 

"(1175  ~3ao 


4,').0    H7.0|     :i.0  24:f.O  212.0    19.(' 
2G.0   49.0:  22.0  2G7.0J  75.0    52.0 

35;5!  G8.0;  12.5  255.044:t.5    35.5 


>."'l'i.  14.0   ;);i.(l    55. Oi  50.0  21!>.0!145.0    55.(1 
'■'■'i. 114.11   21.11,  7G.0i  :tl.01!)O.0|  91.0    70.(1 

'  ■■■)'',  l.M'.O 

Jill"  1351 

r>>3'i,  40.0 

yn  bfi.O 

Mean,  Wl 


GI.5 j  G5.5J  40  5  204.'r)jlT8.0jJw.5 

75.0    ti4.0    22^(J124.(i!  (12.0:  "7^.' 
:)1.0  173.0 

"4G.5/r2.5.5 

9(^.9117.0 
9.0    70.0 


23.(1  75.0,  23.<i  115.(1 
4"9^0   69'"5i"^22.5ilT9.5 

52.0  121. Oi'lS.O  171.0 
14.0  30.0!  54.0|2S5.(l 
3311 ''75:5n!G.()  228^    53.5i  93.5 


45.0 

85.(i| 

G5.n| 

'7l.oi 

7.3.01 

""72.0;' 


Nortli-west. 


iSoiitli-we.st. 


159.0,    107.(11 
G8.0| 

yf.i)] 

45.0 
57.0 

Till 

24.711 
59.o| 

41. 5i 


189.0' 
91.0i' 

115.0! 

1U3.0|" 

Kl.OJ 
^G.5| 

.')!».() 
32.0; 


Nortli-eiist. 


Mortli-wcst. 


Nortli-west. 


.50.0 

HI.O 


45.5|      G5.b 


122.0 
15G.0 


Morlli-west. 


22.0 
4.0 

T3J1 

4.0 

8.0 


139  0        Nortli. 


123.0. 
I88.O' 


155.5 


North-west. 


^lEAN    YEARIN    AN  T  A  G  O  N  I  .^TI  C    ORDER. 

_  IN    EIGHT    l)IHF.CTIO.\S,    Oil    SE.MI-QIJADRANTS. 

<'on7se"()fT\~rn(l 

~    287.5  Wi'sf, 


,t'.ast, 
^•luth-cast, 

>Olllll, 

Joiith-west, 


Hours.;  (.'ourse  of  \v  intl.  i  Hoiirs.l    I'reiiomlerance.     |  Hours. 

"I  5,"i4.5\v7'  over      E.  ~2G"7T0 
(•.22.5  North-west,       121G1.G'N.W.    "     S.E.  1539.0 


7:j.5.5;North, 
1235.5i  North-east, 


I1153.5,N. 
9G4.5S.W. 


S.    418.0 
N.E.'  271.0 


I.N     KOUIl    DIRKCTIO.NS,    OR     CiU AUKA.NTS. 

^oiitli-casti        (1 1 34,0^ North-west,  "^  1301 5.5  N .W.  overvS.K.!lH81.5 
JMiiih-west,      1 1K80.5  North-east,        llG8,5.0  S.W.    "     N.  R.i  195.5 


■Easiern, 
l~^'jiuliern, 


IN    SEMl-CIRCLKs. 

2'^i9.0,W(>'.;terii,  (4896.0  W. 

3()14.5|Northerii,  !4700.5  N. 


over      E.  2077.0 


S, 


1686.0 


*  Second  Voyage. 


'r 


■I 


n 


■ill 


i; 


.!t  ..'fHw 


\ , 


j.ij«-.. 


572 


THE  PRINCIPAL   DISEASES  OF  THE 


[>00|j 


E.'ich  of  the  forogoinr^  tablos  indicates  tlio  rolativo  fre(|nciioy  nf  i]\f[,.r,  t 
winds  at  a  particular  place,  but  not  tlio  length  of  time  they  Itlew,  nur  t  i» 
velocity.     Tt  shows  the  oscillatory  movements   of  the  atmoishliero.  w^  ,  * 
certain  (iP'': '  i  of  approximative  accuracy,  but  not  its  progressive  111,1  .n. 
To  disclopr.     .c  latter,  the  duration  and  velocity,  as  well  as  the  tliructinn 
each    wind    .tnould   have    been   observed    and    recorded.     'l\,  thu  sri,..,!;. 
ineteoridogist,  seeking  to  ascertain  the  direction  and  force  of  tlic  iini"r,  i.ji 
motion  of  the  atmosphere,  such  observations  would  be  iiulisncn<al)lt;  Lm  1 
tho   practical   physician,    who   regards   all    meteorological    plienumci;;! 
roferencp    to    the    preservation    or    destruction  of  health,  ratlior  tlitiii  tl 
advancement  of    physical  science,   these  tables  will  not  be  found  nit!i( 
interest  and  value.     Scattered  over  such  a  broad  extent  of  coumrv,  fra 
Cape  Florida  to  the  coasts  of  the  Polar  Sea,  they  show  what  wiudj  nw;] 
expected  in  different  regions,  and  will  tlius  aid  in  making  such  an  estimate  1 
their  rospectivo  climates,  as  etiology  and  practical  medicine  (leiiuiij. 
advising  those  who  are  ill,  or  those  who  arc  threatened  with  difuascs  wii 
may  be  accelerated,  averted,  or  cured  by  climate,  an  inspecti(jD  of  tlio  ta!j 
may  prevent  a  bad  recommendation,  or  suggest  a  good  one ;  and,  tlierei 
contribute  to  the  great  end  of  all  medii'al  prescription. 

But  T  should  not  disparage  tho  tables  in  reference  to  a  ])hilosiipliie;diii-t4 
of   the  winds  of   the  Interior  Valley ;    and  will,  therefore,  iiuliuate 
general  conclusions  which  may  be  legitimately  drawn  from  thcni,  with  j 
outline  of  tho  character  of  tho  winds  of  each  quadrant,  which  wiK  ni^ 
tho  subjects  of  the  next  section. 


SECTION   IV. 

ORDER,  RELATIVE  PREVALENCE,  CHARACTERISTICS,  AND  EFFEIj 

OF  OUR   VARIOUS  WINDS. 

T.  Order. — Our  winds,  like  those  of  tho  northern  hemisphere  ponefl 
change  from  one  point  in  the  horizon  to  another,  in  a  certain  order. 
the  manner  in  which  the  tables  are  made  out,  they  do  not  present  iv  Jj 
of  this  fact ;  but  every  observer,  in  the  middle  and  southern  portion*  ot] 
Valley,  is  aware  of  its  reality.     The  common  order  of  mutation  is  fru 
left  hand  to  tho  right,  the  face  of  tho  observer  being  turned  to  the  soiitli,J 
the  same  when  his  face  is  directed  to  the  north.     Thus  a  soutli-ca;t  • 
will  become  a  south,  south-west,  west,  north-west,  north,  and  nortiij 
wind,  without  any  intervening  calm  ;  but  tho  reverse  never  happens  wiS 
a  calm  following  on  a  northern  wind;  and  in  that  case,  if  a  southern  vi'm  5| 
up,  it  is  properly  a  new  commencement.,     An  easterly  wind  rarely 
nearer  to  a  true  cast  course  than  the  south-east,  and  tlic  north-wojt 
in  veering  round,   seldom  reaches  the  east.     Thus,  while  tbe  viim  1 
traverses  three  of  the  cardinal  points  of  the  compass,  south,  west,  and  i 


'^■•ii-rcfrequc 
■.:;;.  !.<  tniret 

■'iii^  uith 
hi  t!ie  aiTT 

rtiun  to 
p:.-:'-iting  the 

i.'.v<.  Ijv  (livid: 
pi  wi  either 
•■'^'Sfi'lfhoot 
'"'  finds.    Vi 

•'■aiiderfuur 
qnoty;  for  t 
™3'e  in  jintpe: 
'■iated.    Tho 
■  -'J'Jth-west, 


•  I 


Till' 


I  BOOK  I 


iJTIl] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


578 


■  ti 


0  frequency  of  Mmt 
ino  tliey  lAuw,  tior  tlie 
tho  utinii.«[ilicrt',  with 
its  j)ru;^ri;ssivc  iiiotio^ 
well  as  tlic  (lirt'ctiiin,  i 

iriluil.    Tu  tho  i;^.•'K■uti^ 

1  i'oree  of  tlic  \iro;;i'.vitl 
lie  imlisp(.'iisiililr ;  lui 
rologkul    iilK'nomci:;!, 

hcalili,  rallipr  tkui  i\ 
rill  not  Ijo  found  w'uIk 
d  extent  of  country,  frd 

show  wliut  wliid.>  iii;iy' 
naking  Hueli  an  ciitiinatoj 
ieal  niedirine  demauJ. 
xtened  with  di.-cascs  \vlii( 
;ui  inspoctioi)  of  tlio  tabl 
a  good  one;   and,  tkre^ 

ption. 
,icctoaidulosnpliio;illii-t4 

,11,  tlierofore,  indicate  .^ 
drawn  from  tbem,withj 
(quadrant,  whicdi  wil 


rERISTICS,  AND  EFFEJ 

Ltliern  hemisphere  pcnoj 
I    in  a  certain  order. 
Ihey  do  not  vrcsent  oviJ! 
land  southern  porti.'ii^^ 
Irder  of  mutation  is  tV'  ml 
Ling  turned  to  the  south, 
[th  °  Thus  a  south-east  i 
L^cst,  north,  and  ncrtij 

Lcrso  never  happo"^  1^1 
[case,  if  a  southern  ^vuid-< 

easterly  wind  rarely  i 
1st.  and  the  nortb-^vot 
Thus,  while  tbo  ^in  ' 
ipass,  south,  west,  a«d" 


•  larcclycvcr  crosses  tlio  cast.     Conunoncing   generally  to  the  south  of 

L;.  iln.  wind  exi)iro.s  hel'oro   reaeliiiig  that  eanliiial   jidiiit   from   the  north. 

VMVt'imi!>t  not  (ivorliiok  anothor  mode  of  cliange,  which  is  n.scillatory.     In 

■icase,  the  chang(3  is  in  the  same  iduiie,  which  is  generally  one  that  jiasses 

I  .T;eii  the  cardinal  points.     Thus,  after  tho  south-cast  wind  lias  hlnwn 

•'•itiine,  it  may,  witlidutan  intervening  calm,  lie  turnod  into  a  nortli-wcst — 

I5;,;\t'ie  reverse;  and  a  imrth-east  wind  may  arrest  and  triumiili  dVer  a, 

Ir-i-ffcst;  though  it  scarcely  ever  hapiicn.s  that  the  latter  succeeds  to  tho 

I iier.  without  the  occurrence  of  a  calm.     The  antagoni.sm  of  these  winds 

^jBiaeh  more  common,  than  that  of   any  others.     AVhat    has    been    said 

L.,';  5  (spcciallv  to  winds  that  continue  for  sumo  time.     In  cert;iin  seasons 

1,:  ..filiations  of  tho  atniusphere  are  so   diversifuMl   ;iiul  titfnl,  tliat  in  the 

lt:iir<eafa  single  day,   there  will  be  many  sudden  changes  without  any 

|:.re|itiMe  order. 

IIkhtivk  Prkvai,knce. — Around  the  Gulf  of  jMoxieo,  near  the 
irr.'rii  limits  of  the  trade-winds,  even  as  far  north  as  tho  thirty-second 
li-*'',  the  east  wind  jn-evails  (tver  the  west  and  some  otliers;  but,  aliovc 
iLHarallel,  up  to  Boothia  Feli.v,  within  the  IVdar  Circle,  it  prevails  far  less 
junny  other.     This  fact  harmonizes  with  what  has  just  been  said,  as  to 

iidnning  and  ending  of  the  varimis  winds  of  tho  card;  and  strongly 
hiiat'S  the  east  as  a  zero  or  minimum  point  of  the  compass, from  whicli  to 
Irraence  the  enumeration  of  difl'erent  winds.  Hence,  in  the  summaries 
IdM  to  most  of  the  different  tables,  l  have  placed  this  wind  first,  and 
|r«Jid  round  the  horizon  to  the  point  of  departure.  A  true  south  or 
Im Kind  is,  also,  comparatively  rare;  tlnnigh  both  are  nnjre  fre(iuent  than 
r»eist;  and,  on  tho  northern  margin  of  the  contiiK'nt,  the  north  wind 
piniinatcsto  a  decided  degree  over  any  other,  which  blows  from  a  cardinal 
A  wind  directly  from  the  west,  is  still  rarer  than  from  south  or  north ; 
Ik: jiTC frequent,  as  we   have  seen,  than  from   the  cast.     Taking  all  the 

Kii<  together,  wo  find  the  order  of   frcipiency  for   the    entire  Valley, 
|ki':™2with  the  lowest,  to  be  cast,  west,  north,  and  south. 
'it  t!ie  aggregate  of  the  winds  on  tlie  cardinal  points,  bears  so  snuill  a 

fKiiun  to  those  which   blow    between  them,   that  we  are  justified  in 
p-'i'iting  them  among  tho  winds  of  the    intervening  points,   and    thus 

pt&liing  quadrants.     This  has   been  done   in  the   supplonients  to   the 

itkby  dividing  the  cardinal  winds  into  halves,  and  uniting  them  to  the 

lis  on  either  hand.     Thus  half  the  east  wind  is  thrown  with  the  north- 
.  and  the  other  half  with  the  south-east;  and  so  of  the  south,  west,  and 

<"!i  winds.    We  thereby  obtain  four  principal  winds,  or  rather  include  tlie 
•under  fuur  heads  ;  and  this,  too,  without  any  violation  of  philosophical 

^iraty;  for  the  winds  on  the  cardinal  points  are  well  known  to  bo  inter- 


''<•'  in  properties,  as  well  as  direction,  to  those  with  which  they  are  thus 
'iti'd.    The  quadrants  formed  in  this  manner  are,  of  course,  the  south- 


j'it!i-west,  north-west,  and  north-east. 


.J!l» 


;,  i 


m 


iiiffti'- 


M;:|-i^ ::*v^;h ■::■■:/ •.■' 


Vr|-.J 


■&:  iii' 


If. 


;ji 


1 


Tin:  PKLNciiAi.  i)i>i:Ai^i:f'  oi'  thi; 


[lo 


(ii:\i;iiAi,    'I'ai-.i.i:   ok   tiik    ^\■|Ml.<.  at    XiNinr.KN    Station.-i,  IlKMriL 

IJUAKIIA.NTS,    AMI    Jixi'lilOSffKl)    I.N    I'KIK  IN TAdK. 


(iruil|iH  ut  hllltliillii. 


Sniitlioni  (lroti|», 
i'i\u  .Stuliuus. 


I  MllllOIIH. 

I'l.iri.hi  llLvf.  .  .  .  .  ' 
('!iiii|t  Cliiicli,  .  .  .  , 
NfW  ( >rk'!iii,s,  .  .  .  .  , 

F(jrt  Ji\su)) 

Natclicz, , 

Suutlieiii  Mean, 

Ilunt.svillc 

.k'tlVrsoii   JJarnicks, 

Ciiu-iiiiiati 

('(niiu'il  DIiiH;  .  .  . 
Kurt  .\riii>troii;.'  .  . 
Fort  Six'lliiii;-,  .  .  . 
l'(irt  Ildwaril,    .  .   . 

a^lil\valll<i(', 

lluclit'istor 

'J'nrdlltu, 

Tui't  ])i'a(ly,    .... 

!Muaii  ol'  ^liiUllu  (!roii|i, 

Arctic  Circle,  f  ■\Viiitci'  Island,  .   ,  . 

N.  Lat.   G(l^— 70^,     j    JMl.Milik 

Tlu-co  Statiuiis.        L  Felix  liarliur,  .  .  . 

Northern  jMcan, 
]\Ican  (if  all  flic  (Irciups, 


]Mi(]illc  tlroup, 

N.  Lnt.  :M"— 4tJ°, 

Klcvon  .Stations. 


lis 
K) 

t>s 

11 
IS 


]-l 

M 

>  i  li 

'2\ 

2()  \   3-j    :M 

ol) 

^■'  1   :ii  1  li 

~21 

"  jii 

-^    '.\ 

V2 

if 

"b-l  ~: 

1-2 

14 

,"iii     1' 

1.-) 

•J4 

:;!i     ■: 

U 

~'17 

"4'J  "-Ji 

•21 

'20 

"s2'rt 

Wlicn  wo  look  at  tliis  contleiisution  of  tlio  observations  in  each  t;,! 
■\vo  see,  at  once,  that  the  yi-i"dv.'r  jjart  of  onr  winds  are  hvit  oscilLiti' li 
the  atniosjiherc,  reseniMing,  on  a  lar^'o  .scale,  the  land  antl  sea  hroezis  ai 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  which  compensate  or  Ijahmce  eacli  other  everyday 
night,  and  do  not  imply  a  jjnigvessive  niotiim.     Still,  such  a  muvcnui.t  :• 
douht,  a  reality;  but  the  tables  do  not  ail'ord  data  lor  calculating  it, 
must  now  iutniduee  the  wliiils  of  the  ditferent  quadrants,  and  exaiiiino  t'la 
separately.     This   we  shall  do  in  the  order  of  the  card,  and  iiwt,  il'l'i 
relative  prevalence ;  beginning,  therefore,  with   the  south-east  aiil 
with  the  north-east.     If  the  other  mode  were  adopted,  the  order,  cuiiii;kbJ 
with  the  least  prevalent,  would  be  south-east,  north-east,  snutli-uiit. 
north-west;  for  such,  as  maybe  seen  in  the  table  of  percentage,  i' !a| 
order  of  prevalence. 

III.  The  SoUTti-EAsT  "Wixn. — The  winds  composing  tlii-  iju:wn 
make,  of  the  whole,  twenty-one  per  cent.,  or  about  one-iit'tli.  In 
southern  group  they  make  thirty  per  cent.;  in  the  middle  tweiity-'iill 
the  northern  thirteen.  Thus  the  relative  prevalence  of  the  Minis 
quadrant  diminishes  from  the  G  ulf  of  Mexico  to  the  Arctic  Ocean.  ^^1 
the  diiferent  stations  of  tlie  southern  grou])  arc  compared  with  la  ;i  'i 
wc  find  a  remarkable  oi^uality ;    Florida   llcof,   the  highest  (thirty 


■  'ft 


Tin; 

I  BOOK 

St  At  ION  ,s 

Ukijixki  t 

KUtKNTAriK. 

- 

<.  i;.  s.w 

N.W.  \  1, 

'21  1    :{<)  i   -^ii 


2S 

It) 
11 

IS 

•21  1   •:»'• 

~Jl 

1-J 
\1 
1.') 

"la 


lis 
•1\ 
•i'.i 

•Jf. 


•J) 


15 

27 


li;!  i 

ail 

'  81 

'^S 

"IT 

~0*2  ! 

14 

iiti 

•24 

Si'.l 

~17 

4'J 

•t.) 

"2:) 

•  ). 

•21 

.soi'vatiuiiri  in   t;icli  t;.* 

luds  are  liut  uscillali'i.jj 

mil  luiil  >ioa  lirou/A'S  ;iv 

caeli  (it her  L'Vury  d;iy 

till,  ^ucli  a  miiwniH.t  ;^J 

;i   lur  calc.uliitiiig  il. 

uilruiits,  and  cxamiuftb 

tho   card,  and  nut,  '■;  tal 

the  south-oast  airi  i:i'll 

jited,  the  urdov,  001111:1^:1: 

lurtli-cast,  suutli-ffi^t.1 

ablf  uf  porccntage.  i.^  (i 

eoniliosliig  this  qu^in 

tiljuut   onc-iit'tli.    Il' 

the  luiddlo  l\vi'Uy-':.'-;j 

lilciicc  uf  the  wiwl! 

0  the  Arctic  Ocean.   ^^] 

eoiuparcd  witli  ca.li  ■. 

the  hiii-hcit  (tliirty-' 


IJT  "•] 


INTKRIOR  VALLF.y  OF  NOIITII  A.MKIMCA. 


C)~'} 


v; Miiily  five  aliMVo    l'i'ii<:ioula — ('antouiiu'iit  Cliiicli — (twi'iity-.sovcii)  the 
f ,;.    Ill  the  iiiiilillo  ;.'r<iuj»,  liowcvcr,  tlio  rolatlve  jircvali'iicc  of  tlio  wiiiilH 

•  tilj  (jiKulrant.  at.  dilVcretit  jilaci-s,  varies  iiiin  li  iiiire  widely.  'I'liiis,  at 
•;ililiMiii,  ai'Cdriliii;^  til  the  Army  Ke^^i.ster,  they  make  Nixty-fmir  ]ier 
■    r  nearly  two-thirds  i»f  nil  that  Iduw,  and  emistitutc  tho   jirfvailiiig 

•  i  f  every  iiniiith  (d"  the  year.     This  amuiialy  is  fi(t  <^'reat,  that   1  havo 

1  this  post  ill  cuiistnictiiig  tho  table  <d'  percoiitai^e,  su|i|)()siiig  mjiiio 

rill  the  obiscrvatiuns.     Yet  there  are  tiipngraiihical  oaiise'^  wliieli   may 

ti  the  Mfiiin«|dierii'  eiirreiit.<,  at  that  jdace,  an  extraerdinary  aiinnint  of 

,  .-'iistorn  directiiiii ;  and,  as  illustrating  the  meidiaineal  inllueiiee  <d'  tho 

;■(.!' tlio  earth,  nr  the  eourse  o\'  the   wiinl.  tluiy  should  be  iiK'ntionod. 

Mintiin  with  tliem,  I  will  also  refer  to  other  gengra[ihieal  ami  hydm- 

_    ii;ilcniiditioiis,  which  dellect  certain  winds  from   the  paths  they  would 

:.:\viM'  pursue. 

I'  '/,  The  O/ark  IMnuntaiiis,  from  llfteen  hundred  to  eighteen  hundred 

:.;.'!i,  ill  the  interior  of  tho  State  of  Missouri,  eonstituto  a  barrier  well 

|r  It  I  arrest  the  course  of  tho  south-west  wind  ;  whiidi  is  reported,  in  tho 

:-iI;lisiii  talde,  as  lieiiig  at  a  lower  per  cent,  than  at  any  other  .station  in 

■,v,i lie  interior  of  the  eontineiit.     Now,  the  course  (d"  tlie  Arkansas  lliver 

:  th;  SDUth-east,  through  or  near  the  southern  side  ol"  tlmse  mountains; 

::iiis  tho  south  and  south-we.st  Aviiids  are  deflected  and  largely  mingled 

Ivi:  :',io  true  south-east,  wdiich  exj/lains  tho  anomaly.      Second.  Another 

^iiily  isiiro.seiited  at  Cineiiinati :  the  general  emivso  I'f  the  Dliio  lliver  is 

\x  West  .south-west,  and  its  valley  deflects  the   south-east  and    south 

|r:;>  t'lMiii  their  course,  and  blending  tliem  with  tho  south-west,  raises  its 

ycy.  high,  while  it  reduces  the  south-east  correspondingly  low ;  tho  former 

lajnihij;  to  thirty-eight    pi'r    cent.,  tlie  latter  only  to  sixteen.       Third. 

ItibillJIiiffs.  on  the  Missouri  River,  tho  eourse  of  whiidi  is  to  the  south- 

Ik,  k?  u  liigher  per  cent,  than  Jellerson   IJarracks,   Fort  Armstrong,  or 

|;:l.'^Ilellillg,  on  tho  Missi.ssipjii,  the  course  of  whieli  is  directly  from  north 

11.  juth.    Fourth.  At    Fort   lirady,   near    Lake    Superior,  flie  south-east 

liiilraat  rises  nine  per  cent,  above  the  mean  of  the  group — twenty-one ;  and, 

.:.!'ire,  merits  attention.     The  general  course  of  the  river,  or  Strait  Ste 

h:v.  ■iiiineeting  Lake  Superior  with  Lake  Huron,  by  a  soutli-east  direction, 

Icrs an  olivious  explanation;  which  becomes  entirely  satisfactory  when  we 

l(&t  with  it  the    ran!i;e  of  hii'h  lulls,   or  rather  low   mountains,   seen 

lulling  nearly  east  and  west,  on   the   northern  side,  or  to  the  .'summer 

;-''arJijf  the  strait.     Thus   it  i.s,  that   mountains  and  valleys   deficit   tlie 

"•■r  currents  of  tlie   atmosphere,  and  im[iose  different  names  on  wliat  is 

|t!'r:.ti:illy  tlie  same  wind. 

hv:;ig  thus  explained  the  anoinalii's  in  this  group,  and  other  groups  of 

'-'.s.  it  may  be  said,  in  general  terms,  that  fr  uii  Cape  Florida,  where  the 

I-:  ;■  tralc-wind  is  felt,  to  tlic  Polar  Cirele.  the  s.iutli-east  wind  diminishes 

p:? relative  prevalence.      The  manner  in  wliieli  tlie  diminution   is  eU'ectcd, 

|'''!'l")setu  be  this:  From  ihe  warm  surface  of  the  fiulf  of  Mexii'o,  which 

'%  pressed,  on  the  west,  by  the  Cordilleras  of  3Ioxieo,  the  rarified  air 


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'♦ 

576 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES   OF  THE 


[book 


arises  and  flows  over  tlic  continent  toward  tlic  Polar  Circle.  At  first  tliesa 
t'olnnins  liave  a  direction  to  tlie  north-west;  but,  as  tliey  adviiui.a',  thcv 
gradually  lose  it  f(jr  one  to  the  north,  and,  finally,  tu  the  north- cast •! 
becoming  thus  changed  into  south  and  south-west  winds.  This  aiiiiun.n^ 
change  is,  of  cour.se,  to  be  ascribed  to  the  diminishing  velocity  of  tlio  Lurtlu 
surface,  as  wo  pass  from  the  torrid  to  the  frigid  zone.  But  there  is  ttii] 
another  cause  for  the  infreiiucncy  of  th>^  south-east  wind,  us  we  advame  to 
the  north.  I.  refer  to  the  Ai)palachian  Jlountains.  Originating  in  tlie  Stata 
of  Alabama,  in  the  thirty-third  degree  of  latitude,  and  terniiiiating  oii  i]2 
coast  of  Labrador,  near  the  fiftieth,  these  mountains  constitute,  hetwcuutluj 
Interior  Valley  ami  the  warm  Atlantic  Ocean,  a  barrier  from  two  tlnmsan^ 
to  four  thou.sand  feet  high,  over  which  tlie  atnujsphere  of  the  latter  dous  nufc 
often  pass;  wlule,  far  in  the  north,  the  tendency  of  the  cold  and  duiise  ail 
to  flow  to  the  south-cast  and  overspread  the  surface  of  the  same  ocean  is  si 
groat,  as  to  arrest  the  currents  which  might  otherwise  set  in  tlie  {>]f,m 
direction. 

In  temperature  the  south-east  wind  is  always  warm,  but  except,  jurli: 
near  the  G  ulf,  it  docs  not  bring  the  hottest  weather ;  when  it  prevails  i;i  tiig 
morning,  and  veers  to  the  south-west,  its  temperature  is  high,  ai,d  it( 
huniidit\^  small;  but,  if  it  continue  through  the  day  and  night,  clouds  ani 
rain  are  the  consequence;  while,  in  winter,  it  often  precedes  or  acenni[,aiiiei 
the  deepest  snows  of  the  middle  parts  of  the  A'^ailey.  'While  this  is  goni 
on,  it  generally  veers  round  to  the  south-west,  but  is  sometimes  suddml] 
arrested  by  the  antagonistic  north-west  wind;  or,  if  not  arrested,  is  raisel 
into  the  up|)er  regions  of  the  atmosphere,  and  lost  to  the  view  of  thi 
observer.  This  wind  affects  the  barometer  less  than  some  others;  uovei 
sinking  it  as  low  as  the  south-west,  nor  raising  it  as  high  as  the  nortli-ffCstj 
It  never  blows  a  gale  in  thi;  middle  and  higher  latitudes,  nor  dues  it  ofte| 
generate  electrical  phenomena;  Imt,  on  the  northern  shores  of  the  Gulf  i 
Mexico,  it  does  both.  It  is,  indeed,  the  priii('i|ial  an!;ent  in  those  driviii:s( 
the  water  of  the  Gulf,  which  produce  deo[)  inundations  around  the  lialia 
and  the  city  of  Now  Orleans,  or  roll  the  waves  of  the  Gulf  over  JantI 
Rosa  Island  into  the  Bay  of  Pensaeida. 

IV.  The  SouT^-^\'J•:^•^  Wind. — The  winds  of  this  quadrant  piako  twea 
ty-five  per  cent.,  or  a  fourth  jiart  of  all  the  winds  of  the  Interior  ^  allcj 
When  we  bring  those  for  each  station  into  comjiarison  with  the  gui.eri 
mean,  twenty-fivo  per  cent.,  we  do  not  find  the  regular  decrease,  iu  aJvani 
eiiig  from  south  to  north,  that  was  foind  for  the  south-east  wind.  Uii  tb 
contrary,  high  and  low  per  cents,  are  distributed  thrciughout.  apiiaronth 
without  order.  Thus  Florida  Reef  (twidve  per  cent.)  and  ^Vinter  Waal 
(fourteen  per  cent.)  o>-c  among  the  lowest,  while  Cantonment  Clinch  (tliirtjj 
six  per  cent.)  and  Fort  Snelliiig  (thirty-nine  per  cent.)  are  both  high,  anl 
nearly  equal.  The  highest  of  the  wh(de,  is  Fort  Howard,  bcii'^  tVutv-fi' 
percent.,  but  Turontu,  in  nearly  the  same  latitude,  is  only  twentysix  | 
cent.  Yet,  notwithstanding  these  and  dtlier  irregularities,  there  is  an  "W( 
in  the  relative  prevalence  of  the  winds  of  this  quadrant,  which  may 


["HE 


LBOOK  |.| 


Circle.    At  first  thess 

as  tlicy  iiilviiu(.v,  thej 

Uy,  to  tbc  iiortli-east;| 

winds.    This  ajipiiri'iit 

il  volocitv  of  tlio  LMtb'i 

urie.     But  tlicTL'  i>  fctil) 

wind,  as  wc  advame  td 

Originating  in  tlio  J^tat« 

and  terminating  uii  tlid 

■i  constiiuti'.  lietwoi'U  tin 

rricr  frum  two  tlinusana 

:rc  of  tlic  latter  duus  iiulj 

the  c(dd  and  dense  ai] 

of  the  same  ocean  ;s  s 

iviso  set  in  the  eppojiti 

irm,  but  exceiit.  juTliap^ 

L- ;  when  it  prevails  in  M 

eraturc   is  liigli,  and  ill 

ay  and  niglit,  eluud.-  rmj 

I  precedes  or  acconi|iam( 

ey.     "While  this  is  g'iinj 

it  is  sometimes  suddiulj 

if  not  arrested,  is  ta'ucfl 

lost  to  the  view  of  \k\ 

than  some  others;  novel 

s  high  as  the  nortli-wcji 

litiules,  nor  dues  it  ofte^ 

ru   shores  of  the  Gulf 

I'^cnt  iu  those  driving's  ( 

,ations  around  the  Balia 

uf  the  (lulf  over  Sant^ 

this  (quadrant  nako  twc! 
lis  uf  the   Interior  Vallc: 
miiarison  with  the  gciwi 
tegular  decrease,  iu  advaaj 
Isuuth-east  wind,    '"i  H 
:d  throughout,  apiiarontl 
cent.)  and  Winter  VM 
J-antonmcntClinchltliirtr 
loent.)  arc  h(>th  liigK  ^nj 
Howard,  bell','  tV,rty-f. 
[ic,  is  only  twenty  six  [ 
lularities,  there  h  an  'Ti 
.quadrant,  wliich  may 


I'llTll.! 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


577 


tol  fr'^''"  *'''^'^''  '■^fifs.  Thus,  tlie  average  of  the  five  station.s  of  tho 
lifi'-.trii  "I'oup  is  twenty-five  percent. ;  of  the  eleven  stations  of  the  mid- 
Vi-Toup,  thirty-one  per  cent.;  of  the  three  stations  of  the  northern  group, 
per  cent.  The  numbers  twonty-fivo,  thirty-ouo.  and  seventeen, 
I,,-,,;,  tlicii,  the  relative  prevalence  of  the  winds  uf  this  (piudrant,  iu  the 
I.;  ;.:teiiiperato,  and  frigid  zones  of  tho  Valley.  Thus,  it  apjioars  that 
Lvaro  preeminently  the  whids  of  the  middle  latitudes  of  the  A^ilhjy.  Thig 
Lt bo  explained  as  follows.  In  the  south,  us  we  have  seen,  there  is  a  great 
Urjicnce  of  south-west  wind;  much  of  tliis,  before  it  reaches  the  middle 
Ic.'j'les. assumes,  from  the  diminishing  velocity  of  tlie  earth's  surface,  a  s(tuth- 
li«;e'urso,  and  before  reaching  the  polar  circle,  dies  away,  or  is  eonvertetl 
Kijwcstor  north-west  wind,  by  tho  descent  of  tho  cold  and  dense  atmos- 
|j;,r(.  ..if  the  Rocky  ^Mountains. 

B;;tliorc  is  another  and  greater  cause  of  this  prevalence,  Avhicli  I  shall 
Ip.;*!  to  set  forth.     The  winds  of  the  south-west  ([uadrant  appear  in  two 

'&,  tbo  arid,  and    humid,  whicli  must  bo  considered  under  se]iarato 

Tic  Arid  Sovth-West  Wind. — This  wind  boginL.  in  the  nmrinng,  when 
t-iu lias  been  above  the  horizon  two  or  three;  hours;  attains  its  uiaxi- 
iz  fpm  two  to  four  iu  tho  afternoon  ;  and  subsides  by  sunset  or  soon 
bntird,  when,  in  general,  a  dead  calm  ensues.  The  comnnui  tinre  of 
lEencauent,  is  that  morning  hour,  which  has  tho  mean  lieat  of  tln^  twenty- 
-;ts  greatest  velocity  gf  jrally  occurs  during  the  highest  lioat  of  the 
It  ntver  blows  but  iu  fair  weather.  Its  general  ])revalenco  is  in  the 
qart  of  spring,  throughout  the  summer,  and  iu  early  autumn.  Yet  it 
latiQies  felt  iu  tho  de])ths  of  winter,  when  other  winds  are  (piiet,  but 
KHthoi;  acipiire  tno  velocity  which  it  shows  in  liot  weatlier  ;  and  pre- 
jfjr  a  much  shtu'tcr  portion  uf  the  day.  Vliis  wind,  wliich  so  closely 
d'les  the  sea  breeze  uf  the  Gulf  of  ^Niexico,  does  i\ot  consist  of  air 
J;'iit  from  a  distance,  l)nt  is  a  simultaneous  and  iitful  nioveiucnt  of  tho 
!>l'!iere  over  the  svuface  of  tho  continont,  from  south-east,  south,  or 
l:;.-we>t,  to  north,  or  north-east.  Thus,  it  liogins  ami  ends  at  the  same 
fc.'.;:;k'r  the  same  meridian  ;  but  progressively  from  east  to  west,  \uider 
}'Mi  parallel  of  latitude.  There  can  be  no  doubt  of  its  immediate  de- 
'  on  the  action  of  tho  sun  upon  the  surface  of  the  eartli.  The  facts 
K':;avcbeen  cited,  lead  to  this  conclusion;  but,  still  further,  it  generally 
'■".-C''^  as  a  south-east  wind,  while  the  sun  is  yet  east  of  the  meridian, 
"  CT;  to  the  south  u.  south-west,  with  the  progress  of  that  luminary.  In 
'tamior  the  solar  rays  act  upon  tho  earth's  surface  to  generate  it,  docs 
^t'iuymind,  oeni  very  obvious.  Forhaps  it  is  by  warming  tlie  sides  on 
t.3  the  solar  rays  impinge,  of  every  tuberosity  of  the  ground,  ami  of  every 
t! jtaiidiiig  upon  it,  while  their  opposite  sides  still  retain  tlic  tcmpera- 
"!  tlic  niglit.  Tho  effect  of  this  warming  must  necessarily  be  to  rjirify 
I  Win  contact  with  the   surfaces   thus  exposed,  and  produce   upward 


:  t 


.  ni 


li 


♦Drake's  Picture  of  Cincinnati,  1813. 


'f'-'    I'i^      r        '   ■■■■     i 


.M-^ 


.?■■■•:• 


.    1.    '       ■■•■'I.''  ;■•••'■ 


I  I'i-P'n!.;'  .■-.■■ 


rl^' 


^  -F.  i 


^ 


•vv- 


.1 

iiiti 

.1 

■i 

578 


Tin;  riMNCiPAL  diseases  of  the 


^■"•■kI 


currents  :  tlicst!  Ix  iiig  cstalilislicd,  tlu;  cold  air  nii  tlicninvaiinc'd  sidrs,,:'  tk 
same  diijects,  is  put  in  liuvizuntal  iiintiiMi.  lnwanl  tlic  liaseiif  tin;  ;i.>;i.||,i;ij 
currents.  Tims,  two  innvcnionts  arc  goncratcd;  ;ind  if  uo  reiir  in  tl 
countless  number  ot"  iiie  jualilies,  including  liills  and  turest^,  wliicli  aiv  ;!i 
aetcd  on,  wo  may  perliaps  lind  in  this  (ipi'ratinn  a  suiliciont  nintive  inavir 
the  eft'cct  in  ([uestinii.  In  siippurt  ot"  this  conelusinn,  t\v(i  additimuil  :^|. 
may  lie  eitoil.  First.  It  is  well  knmvn,  that  when  this  wind  hluws  v.itlum 
inontod  vehieity,  it  often  raises  'iglit  bmliL's  to  a  eonsiderahlo  lii;.d,t.  ii/;lo| 
ting  apparently,  an  oblinuc,  upward  current.  Seco/ul.  It  ldow.s  elilLflv  J 
the  surface  of  the  earth,  for  the  clouds  (ritmuli)  which  form  in  tlie  utij 
phere.  nmre  on  tlie  days  on  which  this  wind  prevails  than  any  (4li, 
commonly  oliserved  to  be  at  I'ost. 

This  dry  south-west,  is  always  a  wind  of  high  tem]ioratnro.  Tliediroj 
■\vhicii  it  occurs  in  the  C(dd  sea.sons  arc  comparatively  mild  and  ^oiiial. 
jn'evails  in  the  hottest  day.s  of  summer,  wlien  the  merctury  ranges  Wiffj 
1)0°  and  1(1(1°;  but  cannot  be  regarded  as  the  cause,  so  mudi  as  tbeoffirtl 
the  great  heat  :  ami  so  far  I'roni  adding  to  the  heat  and  debility  felt  i  n  tlij 
days,  diminishes  both,  by  promoting  evaporation  from  tlie  sinfaie 
body. 

This  wind  does  not,  to  any  great  extent,  affect  the  baroineter:  iihn 
attendeil  with  any  other  rain  than  a  thunder  shower.  whi(di  invuiii'.lilvM 
uates  it  for  the  day.     On  the  contrary,  it  is  the  prini-i[ial  wind  tliiiii. 
long  droughts  of  summer  and  early  autumn,  wdicn   it   prevails  over  :ill 
winds  of  the  card.     In  the  year  1>14.  betwe.'U  the  "intli  of  d)dy  and  tl,'  l| 
<if  August — twenty-six  days — Tsa'vit  prevail  on  twenty-two  davs,  aii4:i 
(if  three  others — t!ie  north-west  being  the  wind  of  one  day.     df  that  ].'jij 
eighteen  days  were  fair,  live  cloudy,  and  three  mixed.     Six  thaudiT 
were  s. -altered  through  the  twenty-six  days.      In  the  whole  time,  tlii.'l 
ter  (nneorrceted)  oscillated  l)etween  HO.-'J-l  in.  and  l!!*.7"  in. — raiigo  "iJil 

l)uring  the  reign  (d'  this  wind,  we  sometimes  feel,  at  cveiniig  twiiLlj 
momentary  brcc/.e  of  hot  air;  but  a  much  more  fvcijuent  plieiiuimiiicl 
cool  current  at  that  hour  or  soon  afterward,  descending  by  the  latid 
vines  into  a  principal  valley,  where  the  difTerence  of  devatiuu  Ijitwn 
valley  and  siirrouuding  hills  is  eonsiderable.  This  compensating  dt.'.-.. 
cooler  ail',  analagous  to  tlie  laud  breeze  of  the  night  along  tliu  {< 
IMexieo,  suggests  tliat  the  currents  of  the  day,  diu'ing  the  prcvaKiH' 
dry  south-west,  have  an  obli([ue  direction  upward,  as  already  intiiua:! 
arc  compensated  by  the  descent  of  colder  air,  thus  presenting  n  ^in 
rather  than  a  horizontal  o.scillation.  It  is  quite  (djvious,  then,  tlai 
.south-west  is  not  a  wind  of  progression.  AVliat  proportion  it  bom?  !fl 
humid  variety  is  not  known;  but,  I  am  satisfied,  that  it  prevails  oiiai 
greater  luimber  of  days  than  the  latter;  and  hope  some  of  our  j'li'l 
meteor(d  igisis  will  make  their  comparative  prevaleiu-e  a  sidiject  >! 
vation.  Meanwhile  we  may  assert,  that  it  is  this  variety  wlii'di  givi? 
south  wind  So  large  a  place  in  the  registers  kept  in  tin;  inteiicv  '.:' 
latitudes  of  the  continent. 


■  ^'i:'*- 


TIIK 


ilOOKl 


INTERIOli  VALI.KY  ol"  AORTII  AMEllICA. 


570 


hcuinvarmcd  siik'sn;  tK 
tlnj  liase  I'f  the  '.c-c-iiiiiii 

and   it'   uc  vet'iT  tn  tl 
lid   I'lirt'St^,  wliii'h  aiv  ;ii| 
><ulVu-ioiit  motive  y<\;i\\ 
usimi,  two  uilditimuil  hi 
1  lliis  wind  liWs  v.itii: 
(.'oiisidc'Valdi;  liii:'!.;,  ii.' 
onil.    It.  lilows  (■iru.l!yi,( 

wliicii  form  in  tlie  utiuoj 
jvuils  than  any  '>i\w\<. 

temperature.  Tlie  daysj 
itively  mild  and  liOuiVi. 
tiie  aion-urY  vaniii'.s  bitwi 
iiiso,  Pi'iiin>-li'»s  tlio  fill  •  t,l 
eat  and  doliiUty  tVlt  'ii;'j| 
(in  IVoni   tlie  ^-uri'aru 

Tect  tlie  Ijaromctcr ;  h-:\ 
jwer.  wliieli  invun;',lily :  rj 
c  priin'il'al  wind  tliviii^'il 
ion   it   prevails  over  all 
the  --"'ill  ot'dnly  aiiiltl' 
1  twenty-two  day  .s  ami  II 
„f  one\lay.     Of  tlmtj': 
mixed.     Hix  tliumlrr  .!:. 
Ill  the  wliole  time,  the  larj 
uid  -J'.'-Ttt  in,— range  "il 
y  IVel.  at  evening  twi'llJ 
(,ve  freiiuent  iilieuunK-.i'cj 
lloseending  by  tlic  l;itor;l^ 
iMire  of  elevation  l-Hnv-.;]j 
ri.is  compensating  '1" 
|the   night   along  tlie  Oj 

during  the  prcvalem'-'  J 
lard,  as  already  intima;^' 
|r,   thus  presenting  ;>  '-^ 

;P  obvious,  then,  tlal  t: 
lat  projiortion  it  heav- 'l 
I'd,  tliat  it  prevails  mi  a' 
|l  hope  some  of  oar  i-i'j 
Irevalenee  a  suhjeet  't 

hisvariotywirudiglv^''] 

.^,L  in  the  iiiteii-v  o; 


fj.  If II mil  Soiilh-]\'isl   ]Vi,uL — This  variety  dilfcrs  widely  unni   the 

I;.'    It  is  not  the  wind  of  a  sinule  day,  but  ireiu'vally  coutiiiUL'S  tliron^liout 

.;iVi'iitv-four  hours,  and  orien  !'ur  tw.i  or  thruc  day.s.      Ii  i.s  an  occasinual 

Irl;  ami  sets  ill   at  any  hour  of  day  or   night.      It  .soinetinies  uiiitos   it.self 

Irviiiie 'hy  south-west,  whieli  may  be  known  by  a  conlliinaiice  tliroiigli  the 

Ij,'.;,   A  turbid  and,  at  length,  eluudy  .>^tate  of  the  atnio.-jihere,  never  i'ails 

(li,  I'leveliipcd  by  it;  ami  the  clouds  are  not  at  rest,  but  move  with  ;i  steady 

Jt*'..:'ivin  tlie  same  diree-tioii,  with  tlie  currents  at  the  earth's  surface.    Sooner 

'Vi.r.  tlicy  send  down   rain,  which   is  often  cojiioiis  and   ))rolonged.     In 

-■■]■.  (luqi  snows   occasionally  fall   iiMjin   them,  and   sometimes  delng(  s   of 

|i:.. ;itC"iiipaiiied,  as  high  up  as  the  Inrty-iiftli    degree  of  latitude   or   still 

cjk.ffitli  tliaws  and  Hoods.     The  termination  of  this  series  of  jiliennmcna 

t;ciierally,  in  one  of  two  modes.      Jlrsl.  The  wind  veers  to  the  west  or 

Lr.^wost,  the  rains  cease,  the  clouds  arc  dissipated,  the   theiniometer  falls, 

^l;!io  liaroiiieter  rises:     Or,   Scyi/iil,  an    antagoiii/ing    north-east    wind 

ri:<.  uiultlio  clouds  are   driven    )ia(dc,    still,  however,    ncotinniiig  to  Ijo 

.vid  ill  rain  ;  the  shy,  at  length,  becomes  fair,  and  the  north-east,  as  a 

,i:iJ  euinparatively  dry  wind,  continues  to  bhiW  I'or   one  or  many  day,'^, 

fc:. a lalm  succeeds.     The  heat  of  this  wind  is  generally  high;    but  the 

r!: kings  cools  the   air,  and   refreshes   all  organized   nature.      In   many 

;  it  takes  on  the  velocity  of  a  stiff  lircezc:  and,  occasionally,  when 

lEii!ii:;c3  against  a  north-west  wind,  a  linrrieane  is  generated.      I'lleefrir.al 

p.  nii'iia  often  attend   its  commeiiccnieiit,  but,  in  general,  are  not  of  the 

yvyk'iit  kiiul. 

like  tlie   arid    s mth-west,    this    wind    always    sinks    the    barometer. 

lit;!. tlie  iiiiniuia  of  that  i'lstrument  arc  connected  with  it.     This   1    ha\e 

i'l  liy  the  inspection  of  ta'.les  formerly  kept  by  myself;  ami  I'rol'essor 

Iv : .;.*  uiailo,  as  he  informs  me,  the  same  observation. 

IT.  ImiiiiJ  South-west  is  un(|uestioiiably  a  wind  of  pregres.^i  iii — a  current 

|:...'li'um  the  warm  suri'ace  of  the  Cull',  where  it  has  becomo  saturated 

p.ikurc.  toward  the  pidar  regions.     J5ut  it  (h.es  not  always  jirescrve 

:*■  direction,     ju  the  lower  latitudes  it  very  comnurnly  has  a  south 

Irse.aiul  senielimes  a  south-east;  in  the  middle  latitudes  it  varies  froiii 

G:itoffest,  still  preserving  its  characteristic  propt'rties.     It  is  even  somo- 

t;! ^ ' ileileeted,  as  to  beciane  nujro  or  less  of  a  north-western  wind;  but, 

lniil.is  lia|ipciis,  the  rain  soon  ceases,  a  true  north-wester  sets  in,  and  the 

ii-wilLssipatcd. 

^Wm)s  01-'  Tin:  XonTH-Vri:sT  QuAunANT. — According  to  the  table  of 

|i  !2-'e,  the  amount   which  represents  these  winds  for  the  entire  A'alley, 

■■;-t\vu  per  cent.;    making   them   nearly  one-third  of   the  whole'.     In 

I' itlieni  group,  they  only  reach    twenty  per  cent,  or  ono-lifth ;  in    the 

•'gi'uup  twenty-eight,  or  more  than  a  quarter;  in  the  arctic  ftirly-nine, 

I  ^t  one  half.     \\'ii  see,  then,  tluit  these  winds   increase  in   prevalence 

■.'rroiu  south  to  north,  at  a  still  higher  ratio  than  the  antagonizing 

■'  the  South-east  (juadrant.  derria>c   through    the    same   extent   of 

•■•lilt;  !uid  their  increase,  if  we  ci  mpare  the  grevi  s  by  their  j  ereci.tagi^. 


f  ' 


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■    ^     'If.   .  l*  1'  '        ■    1 ' 

.■■;■:•   f  ■  '■  •"•■.■■,-    .'     'h 


'■  >■■         il       '.•.■, 


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1     ■/■I 


680 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOK  ] 


and  tlicir  mean  latitudes,  makes  a  near  approach  to  unifurmity.  Tk'  n<  rtL 
west  wind  presents,  like  the  south-west,  two  varieties,  distinguishuMo  iHofc 
by  their  duration. 

The  transtmt  north-west  is  tliewind  which  attends  or  folloM's  our  1mi!(1» 
showers;  hut  its  Dccurrenco,  in  connection  with  them,  is  not  iiivaii;il,i(  •  f^ 
some  of  thcni  are  iieconipanied  by  a  south-west  wind,  and  are  nut  suiiKjil 
by  a  north-west.  When  this  wind  does  not  follow,  the  storm  is;  ;.',.i ,  -, 
repeated  ;  and,  this  occasionally  happens  day  after  day,  at  last  wiiidini; 
with  a  stiff  north-west  breeze.  >Vhen  the  first  niovenients  of  the  stoini 
from  the  north-we.st,  it  is  not  often  repeated  on  the  same  day  nr  nii;!  t. 
was  a  correct  suggestion  of  Vc^lncy,'*'  that  this  wind  consists  of  air  win 
descends  from  the  higher  regions.  It  is  always  conii)arativi'ly  ciid 
siidv.s  the  thermometer,  rai.scs  the  barometer,  and  dissipates  tlie  ckmds.  ■  ;.i# 
a  bright  sky.  Thus  it  comjdetes  the  vertical  oscillation  of  tin,  atm  ^iieit 
begun  by  the  ascent  of  heated  air,  and  restores  the  cquilibriuin. 

Tlie  other,  and  more  'permanent  variety,  is  not  a  wind  of  diurnal 
tion,  and  nnist  be  considered  in  reference  to  its  efficient  causes. 

1.  As  the  atmosphere  moves  westwardly  between  tho  tropics,  ami,  ;:•  th|j 
taljlo  of  percentage  shows,  to  some  degrees  of  latitude,  ahuve  tlio  i.  ::  elll 
tropic,  there  must,  in  the  higher  latitudes,  be  a  compensating  raovcii:  t|»J 
the  eastward. 

2.  In  tlio  south  the  heated  Caribbean  Sea  and  the  Gulf  of  Mcxb 
cast  of  and  near  to  high  ranges  of  mountains,  the  cold  and  dense  atniisji! 
of  which  readily  slides  down  to  the  surface  of  these  warm  seas,  whii-el 
mosphere  is  continually  rising  and  flowing  off  toward  the  pole.  | 

3.  As  these  currents  traverse  our  Valley,  tliey  sink  the  liaromctiT,' 
already  stah'd,  and  thus  invite  upon  it  the  colder  air  of  the  Rocky  M 
ta-ns  to  its  west. 

^.  Tiio  Atlantic  Ocean,  from  the  West  Indies  to  NewFouiidlaml,  is  v.;iri 
by  the  (rulf  stream,  and  also  l)y  the  action  of  the  sun,  to  a  far  gri'atinle 
in  summer,  than  the  interior  of  the  continent ;  and,  thevofure.  in  viiitir 
a  much  higher  surface  heat,  with  a  correspondingly  greater  rarefaiiimi'l' 
atmosphere  resting  over  it,  than  of  tliat  resting  over  the  continent,  i>| 
ally  its  western  Alpine  regions ;  consequently,  there  is  a  tondomv  i:i 
atmosnhere  of  the  latter  to  flow  down  upon  the  former.  Indeed,  tlkiv 
for  t''.e  western  side  of  the  Atlantic  basin,  be  no  other  conipensatiiij^ 
ply,  tlian  that  afforded  hy  the  ailjacent  continent. 

Under  the  influence  of  these  causes,  this  variety  of  our  Nortli-ffi> 
made  a  wind  of  progression,  and  often  blows  for  several  days  in  sucl.c^ 
while  the  other  variety  commonly  endures  for  a  few  hours  only. 

The  greatest  liights  of  the  barometer  are  oct^asioned  hy  this  ^villll. 
oxtreme  o.scillations  of  that  instrument  are  produced  by  the  sudden  altc 
tion  of  this  with  the   humid    south-west.      On    the  aft(Tiioon  of  tln' 
of  February,  IS  14,  under  the  influence  of  this  wind,  the  barometer,  at 

*  View  of  the  Soil  and  Climate  of  the  United  States, 


.-'   l.'lL 


THE  ;„,, 

uiiifurmity.    Tlie  w  nb- 
IS,  clistiiiguishalilo  i/iith 

is  or  follows  our  tniuid* 
m,  is  not  iiivarisili!'  ;  fit 
(1,  and  arc  not  sueci.ja|| 
,  the  storm  is  fjucra"  ' 
(lay,  at  last  vrimliiii! 
venicnts  of  tlie  stnwii 
0  .«an)C  dav  or  uii;!;t.  i" 
nd  consists  ot"  air  \v!ii| 
5  conijiaratively  ci'ld. 
issipatcs  tlio  (.'loiuls,  giv 
llation  of  tlu;  atiii'  ^jikei 
L'  c([uililjriuin. 
a  wind  of  diurnal  osiill 
icient  causes, 
en  the  tropics,  ami.  :i- 
titudc,  aliove  the  mnhf 
onipcnsutiiig  raoveiin.;itl 

id  tlio  Ciulf  of  Mcxi^fi,! 
cold  and  dense  atnii  sjli^ 
leso  warm  seas,  wb  -i'  I 
ard  the  polo, 
ey  sink  the  barometer,! 
air  of  the  Rocky  }Ui 

New  Fouiiillaiiil,  is  v.;iriil 
sun,  to  a  far  grcati  r  >'"' 

d,  therefore,  in  viiitir  | 
y  croater  rarefaiii'iii  "t 
!ver  the  cuntinciit,  >^!i< 

\oro  is  a  teiuloiic; 
Mvnior.     Indeed,  tbuwi 
0  other  eompensatiii^J 

-loty  of  our  Nortli-v^'^i 
several  days  in  suci.c.>a 
•w  hours  only, 
noned  I'y  tins  vina, 
cod  by  the  sudden  a!t(i 
the  afti'rnoon  of  tlu' 
ind,  the  barometer,  at ' 


•iTT: 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


501 


^.jii.  sunk  to  28.93  ;  a  change  of  weather  took  place,  accompanied  by  a 
.-■■..\vc.«t  wind,  and,  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  ^the  barometer  stood  at 

v.\  having  risin  more  than  an  inch.  On  the  10th,  1 1th,  and  12th  of  iMay, 
,  ••..!  .-ame  year,  a  soutlierly  wind  prevailing,  the  barometer,  for  throe  days, 
jvl  between  2f^.S0  and  29.00  ;  the  north-west  wind  then  set  in,  and  for 
^ost  three  days  it  ranged  between  29.::50  and  29.t)0. 

C.iiiiii:  from  a  higher  latitude  and  greater  elevation,  this  wind>is  always 
slidvilv  cold.  The  sudden  dcjiressions  of  temperature  with  which  the 
ylf  ijf  tlic  middle  latitudes  of  the  Valley  are  so  familiar,  are  produced  by 

:r,t;il.    The  extrcn\c  depressions  of  the  tliermometcr  do  not,  in  general, 

-  ;  while  the  wind  is  still  blowing,  but  in  tlie  calm  which  follows ;  and 
|K  .Ttatest  cold,  as  yet  recorded  in  the  Valley,  occurred  during  a  calm. 
Ifc.  at  Fort  Pieliance,  in  N.  Lat.  02°  4()',  where  for  a  week,  in  January 
|;>:;i.  the  mercury  ranged  between  — 50°  and — 70",  two -thirds  (if  the  ubser- 
|n;:!:<are  rejwrted  calm.  The  day  before  and  the  morning  of  the  last 
Icirliiiary  depression,  were  entirely  calm.* 

Wjuntlie  north-west  and  the  humid  south-west  winds  impinge  against 
ii^'htT,  the  former  at  leng''  predominating,  it  seems,  to  thobc  who  have 
lip.i^crvoJ  the  antecedent  phenomena,  to  bring  rain  or  snow;  but  the 
|irj;:i';3tion  is  from  the  deflected  sinith-west  currents.  Tlie  north-west  is,  in 
|i::  :--iiitially  a  dry  and  a  drying  wind,  except  where  it  blows  over  the 
irom  lakes,  the  axis  of  which  lies  in  its  course  between  the  forty-first 
l»lf  rtv-eighth  parallels.  Tlie  causes  of  this  dryness  are  easily  understood. 
If!;  U  temperature  of  the  atmosphere,  resting  on  the  Hocky  Mountains, 

Ells  the  deposit  of  a  large  portion  of  its  vapor  in  the  form  of  snow; 
liiwiiijii  it  (''^'secnds  to  traverse  the  great  inclined  plain,  which  stretches 
Ihtyrbase  to  tin   Mississippi  River,  it  rolls  over  the  dryest  part  of  the 

K'iitnt.  In  descending  this  broad  and  treeless  desert,  where  but  few 
liftisrisoup  to  retard  its  progres.s,  it  necessarily  acquires  great  force ;  and 
ps  iiecomes,  indeed,  the  swiftest  wind  of  the  Valley,  if  we  cxccjit  that 
liii.:ii  tmstitutes  our  hurricanes.  Hence,  on  the  prairies  of  IMissouri,  Iowa, 
|fe'n?'.:i,  and  Illinois,  in  a  winter  night,  it  is  sometimes  so  piercing,  as  to 
Itaryjotb  man  and  lieast  when  long  exposed;  although  the  latitude  might 
Ik  suggest  the  possibility  of  such  a  catastrophe.     We  must  now  study  it 

itte  snuthern  latitudes. 

^Uiiave  seen  that  the  winds  of  the  north-west  quadrant,'mako  a  fifth  or 
Ite  per  cent,  of  tlmso  which  blow  around  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  This  is 
|k;!u'ji-tit'ths  of  the  north-east  and  south-west,  and  but  two- thirds  of  the 

iiHast;  yet  it  is  greater  than,  at  first  view,  might  have  been  expected. 

'clearing  up  of  the  difiiculty  may  be  found  in  the  distinction  which  has 

K'jilrawn  between  the  trans'unt  and  fcrmaneiU  winds  of  this  quadrant.     A 

"?"  I'Srt  of  the  winds  which  make  up  the  twenty  per  cent,  of  the  table 
W  of  the  former  variety :  mere  hjcal  breezes,  fidlowing  the  numerous 
tader  showers  of  that  region.     The  other  variety,  however,  does  prevail 


•   ^ 


I  ' 


4 


i-'l  1 


'nitcd  States. 


»  Captain  Back's  Narrative. 


J  :  •» 


''  >•' 


■,,|;i|'^^):;-  /■,,■ 
lf^|.^},^•;>^;>'- 


'4 


5S2 


THE  riilXCirAL  DISEASES  OF  TIIF, 


inooK 


around  the  Gulf,  even  down  to  tlio  Trojiic  of  Cancer.     Tn  the  statos  wl' 
r^-st  on  tlie  (JuU*,  it  oeunrs  in  tlie  ciildor  j)art.^  of  every  ve;ir  ;  but  isles-  vi.  1  J 
and  rigorous  (in  tlie  enstorn  tl'.au  tlio  wt'steru  side  of  tliat  liasin.     In  'J'ryas    <T 
s.iutli  of  that  state  in  the  tu'rra  cnlioilr  of  Mexicd,  t!iis  wind  is  froi  n,    i— . 
of  tiTeat  foreo:  and  ^^d  Ijw  in  teiM[ierature.  as  In  jirnvc  cxeoidinflv  cliir'  1 
It  is  not.  hcwevcr.  until  it  reaches    the    snux.fh   surt;u-e  of  the  (iiilf  tij 
rarified  atninsjihere  of  which  has  contrihuted  to  its  [irudnetion,  that  it  attai 
its  greatest,  munieiitum.      It  tlieu  traverses  the  nfrthern  ?i  Liiiicit  if  tli 
Gulf,  and  drives  the  waves  upon  the  coasts  and  reefs  of  Cape  Moiiihi;  mi  tH 
recession  of  wliich  it  is  nut  uncommon  to  find  many  lisli  thiit  have  |i(r'-''d 
apjiarcntly  from  the  eliango  of  teni|ieraturo  in   the  shallinv  waters.     '|'|j|.; 
currents  wliieli  make  up  this  wind  are.  l)y  the  inhahitaiits  ariiund  tliin 
and   the   seamen  wlio  navigate  it,  called   the  Northers — !os  i\t.r!(s.    W-n 
boldt  has  given  the  following  account  of  their  prevalence  at  A'era  Cni/: 

"The  north  wiiuls  (/us  U'jrlrs'),  whieii  arc  north-wc'st  winds,  1-1. .n-  ii  tM 
Gulf  of  ^Mexico  from  the  autumnal  to  the  sjiririg  equinox.     Ihcse  win.;.; 
generally  moderate  in  tlie  months  of  Hejiteiiiher  and  (Jctolier;  their  lT'ScI 
fury  is  in  the  month  of  3Iareh;  and  they  sometimes  la<t  to  Apvil.    'I 
navigators  who  luive  long  frequented  the  port  of  Vera  Cm/,  knew  t!ic  ■ 
toms  of  the  coming  tempest  as  a  physician  hnows  the  synijitonis  nf  an ; 
malady.     According  to  the  excellent  ohservatioiis  of  M.  Orta.agnot  r'aiii 
in  the  liarometer,  and  a  sudden  interruption  in  the  regular  rcfurrciKc ' ;  tl 
horary  variations  of  that  instrument,  are  the  sure  forerunners  of  tlie  tcirio^ 
It  is  accompanied  by  the  following  phenomena.     At  first  a  small  l:n.l\ 
(Icrral)  blows  from  the  west-north-west;    and  to  this   drnd  siunv.si 
breeze,  first  from  tlie  north-east  and  then  from  the  soutli.     Duriiifr  :ill 
time  a  most  suffocating  heat  prevails ;  and  the  v/ater  dissolved  in  tlie  ;i;;j 
precipitated  on  the  brick  walls,  the  pavement,  and  iron  or  wooden  haliis 
The  summits  of  the  Pie  d'Orizaba  and  the  Cofrc  de  Perotc.  and  tl.u  ii;  il 
tains  of  A'illa  Eiea,  partieularl}^  the  Sierra  de  ?an  [Martin,  which  cxti.aJ 
from  Tustla  to  Guasacualco,  appear  uncovered  with  clouds,  while  their  iajj 
arc  concealed  under  a  vail  of  demi-transparent  vapors.     These  cordilkij 
appear  projected  on  a  fine  azure  ground.     In  this  state  of  the  atiii' 
the  tempest  commences,  and  sometimes  with  such  impetuosity,  that 
the  lapse  of  a  ([uarter  of  an  hour  it  would    be  dangerous  to  reiuaiu  ii;  tl 
mole  in  the  port  of  Vera  Cruz.     All  communication  between  the  eitvii 
the  castle  of  S.  Juan  d'Ulloa  is  thenceforth  interrupted.     Tliese  nortlmil 
hurricanes  generally  remain  for  three  or  four  days,  and  soniotimes  ftrtinf 
twelve.     If  the  north  wind  change  into  a  south  breeze,  the  latter  isvd 
inconstant,  and  it  is  then  probable  that  the  tempest  will  reeominoiico :  ln;tj 
the  north  veer.s  to  the  east  by  the  north-cast,  then  the  breeze  orfincwc;it!j 
is  durable." 

It  will  have  been  remarked  that,  according  to  ITumboldt,  the  nirtM 


•.MS.  of  tlir  late  Comnmmler  Johnston,  United  State?  Navy. 
fPolitical  Essay  on  Now  Sjiain,  Vol.  I,  Hook  I,  Cliapter  3. 


,-i'rn  tlio  SiXl 


.J    .;•  r" 


'  f" 


hill  U.J 


TNTERIOPx.  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


r)S3 


ITural)olilt,  the  ii'TI!:« 


L,Mvitli  tlio  greatest  fury  in  tlic  immtli  of  jMarcli.     Tlii.s  ddcn  luit   arise 

,„  t'le  occurrence  of  the  vernal  eijuiui'X  in  that  iimntli,  for,  ai'Cdnliiig  to 

. -inic  pliiliisiijilier,  tliey  arc  generally  mudcrato   in   tin;   i^ejttenilKT,  tlio 

•    f  iiutuiniial  ri[>iin(ix.     Their  violent  prevali'nce  in  early  spring,  is  to 

...liijcil  tu  the  (liilert'nie  hetween  the   tenijierature  nf  the  (iult'anil  the 

|.  ,.;ii!i5  liaviag  at  that  time  reaeheil  its  niaximuiu  ;  Avhilc  in  autunni  they 

;:  iniidi  less  in  that  resjieet. 

I .(  must,  in  conclusion,  ascend  to  the  group  of  northern  stations,  lying 

,  n  the  sixty-sixth  and  seventieth  degrees  of  latitude.     The  winds  of 

.  xiilraiit  make,  in  that  desolate  region,  aliout  one-half,  or  forty-nine  piT 

;  f  ;ill  that  hlow.     An  inspection  of  the  monthly  tablos  of  I'arry  and 

...ins  tliat,  like  the  (jther  winds,  these   are  exceedingly  variable;  yet 

.jioato  a  progressive  motion   of  the  atmosphere  from  north-west   to 

•  i.-t.      The    winds    of    the    northern     senii-iircle    there    amount    to 

•;  jiiT  cent. — of   the  southern  to  thirty.      Tiic  Arctie  Cirelo  i.-.   in 

■  ','M'>A  at  the  terminating  point   of  tlie   tropical   currents,   which   are 

li'ti::: tuWiU'cl  the  pole,  and  the  gelid  air  of  the  frigid  zone  is   there  on   its 

|n;'«rilthc  e(|uatii,-i;il   regions.      l>ut.  aifhou,i:h   moving  soutlu'rly,   aiul 

liii'liicTcajiiig  velocity  of  tlic  cartli's  surface,  it  might  be  expected  to 

:T;\i;ml  the  south  or  the   south-west,  it  rolls  most  of   the  time  to  a 

|).::<.;i«t  of  simth.     This,  doubtless,  arises  from  tlnj  attractive   influence  of 

IrrAiLitie  Oiran,  whicli  is  known  to  nniintain,  in  the  same  northern  lati- 

l:i.-, :i temperature  far  higher  tlnm  the  adjoining  coiitinenl. 

I'l  i'uNDs  01;'  THE  Noutu-Kast  (JuAi)iiA.NT. — Au  insj)ection  of  the  table 

liweciitage  shows  tlie  winds  of  this  quadrant  to  be  less  than  those  of  the 

yi;::.-\vi;st  and  north-west  quarters,  but  a  fraction  greater  tliaii  the  south- 

l'.;:  Ac  fovnior  being  twenty-two,  the  latter  twenty-one  jjer  cent,  of  all 

!.u-.    AViicii  the  groups  of  stations  arc  comj)ared,  we  find  their  amounts 

jiiiluini  tlian  those  which  represent  the  other  winds.     Tlius,  in  the 

.■.r;i,tlie  per  cent,  of  prevalence  is  twenty-five,  while  tliat  of  the  south-east 

■v;  ill  the  middle  it  is  twenty,  that  of  the  south-east  being  twenty-one ; 

ii'irthcrn  twenty,  that  of  the   south-east  thirteen  per  cent.     Hence, 

^"ithiils  decrease  in  going  north,  but  the  soutli-east  at  the  greater  ratio, 

'liffercncc  between  the   amount  of  its  southern  and  its  northern  per 

t.i.'e  I'l'ing  seventeen,  while   the   corresjionding  difference  in  the  north- 

fc:  .r ".'utago  is  only  ilva.     In  the  southorn  group  the  north-east  wind  is 

.;i the  south-west ;  in  the  middle  far  les.s — in  the  northern  much  more. 

;»r«l  with  the  north-west,  it  is  greater  in  the  southern  grouj).  mucli 

ki  t!ie  middle,  and  far  le.-5o  In  the  northern.     It  appears,  then,  tliat  this 

1  in  the  southern  latitudes  consists,  in  part,  of  currents  moving  south, 

■  liymiiij;ling  with  tlie  outer  trade-winds,  arc  deflected  toward  the  west. 

t:  ".tlie  wiiuls  of  this  group  consist  of  air  which  is  gravitating  from  the 

|:''  ?  no  ia  compensating  currents.      They  are   not  divisible,  like    the 

I'.we.n  and  north-west,  into  transient  and  more  permanent.     The  length 

T.!i;';'it  liliiws,  without  ceasing,  is  various;  but,  in  the  middle  latitudes,  it 

Ml  titmiuatcs  in  twenty-four  hours;    and   sometimes  continues  for  a 


'  •  ! 


;■_(  ■ 

«';■ 


^]l' 


, -.( 


Mi;.!-]-/.  •  ,! 


:  '.( 


Pf.;.  ■•■:■: 


7      .'  ■    t         ••  • -^  ^■ 

■.    'v  .7  :-,^  ,V^  i; 


684 


THE  rUINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[Book] 


week.  In  many  instanctiH  it  is  prccctltd  by  a  north-west  and  north  win 
when  it  geiiorally  sinks  the  barometer,  and  rai'  .-s  the  tliorinonRttr  ii  litti 
At  otlier  times  it  is  proccdcd  by  a  s<iutli-\vi'st  wind,  and  tliun  tlic  liaiiiiii,.t» 
rises  and  tlio  tliernioniuter  falls;  but,  under  tlic  intluunc(!  df  this  wIikI  tb 
cold  is  never  inten!?e.  On  tlio  (Julf  it  is  ajtt  tu  blow  as  a  dcstnictivu  ■'■Av  \,^ 
over  the  eantinont  it  never  attains  to  that  velocity.  It  is  essentially  u  l,m,iU 
wind,  as  ai)[iears  from  its  not  dissipating  tlu;  elouds,  which  are  borne  on  tb 
poutli-wcst  wind,  as  rajiidly  as  they  aru  dissolved  when  tniviTsod  hv  tbi 
north-west.  It  often  precedes  and  accompanies  rain,  but  this  arises  Inmiji 
meeting  the  humid  south-west.  The  rain  or  snow  is,  then,  at  the  hi'i;iiiiiiii^,|j 
the  north-caster  ;  and  it  often  continues  for  several  days  aftorwanl,  witln 
clear  .sky  ;  still,  even  then  it  produces  a  sensation  of  rawness  not  foil  midg 
a  north-west  wind  of  the  same  temperature,  which  suirioienlly  iiulii.atis  1^ 
creatcr  huniiditv. 

In  conclusion,  it  may  bo  said  of  this  wind,  that  it  is  charaoterizod  !r.  ifc; 
intermediate  qualities ;  being  not  so  cold,  dry,  heavy,  and  ra]iid  as  tiio  i,  rtl 
west;  nor  so  warm,  humid,  light,  and  electrical  as  the  south-wcsl  ui.d  >  uti 
east — with  less  of  a  fitful  character  than  belongs  to  either. 

VII.  The  Winds  op  the  Quadrants  iikduced  to  Semi-Circlks.— Ti|J 
object  of  this  induction  is  to  obtain  a  knowledge  of  the  relative  ini-va!. 
of  our  eastern,  western,  southern,  and  northern  winds.     If  the  obsciviiiia 
contained  in  the  monthly  tables  !uid  been  so  made,  as  to  show  the  durjitii 
and  velocity  of  every  Mind,  a  condensation  of  this  kind  would  iirliiutt 
direction  and  rapidity  with  which  the  whole  atmosphere  of  the  Vallc,' 
moved.     As  it  is,  this  generalization  affords  but  the  remotest  aijiroxiiiiutij 
to  such  a  result,  yet.  it  an:?wcrs  a  different  end.     It  sh(]ws  us  tlic  om| 
parativo  frequency  of  the  eastern,  western,  southei'n,  and  northern  \vii,ii>  | 
the  different  latitudes  of  the  Valley.     In  forming  such  a  table,  the 
that  blow   on  the   cardinal    points    which  divide  a    semi-circle,  nii:'!:t 
left     out.        For  example,     in  determining    the    amount  of  castor!;. 
westerly  winds  the  south  and  north  winds  might  be  omitted,  as  liilonL'ii,' 
neither.     To  divide  each  of  those  winds,  however,  and  add  their  liidvis 
the  eastern  and  western,  maintains  the  same  relation  between  the  two  Litt< 
and  as  this  was  done  in  forming  the  quadrants,  I  shall  continue  it  here,  usil 
the  percents  which  represent  them,  in  constructing  the  following  table. 


r 


I':; 


;y••^ 


'1   '■■■    ,.■ 


'  4    ■    ,  ■> 


U' ) 


,i 


']; 


THE 


[Bi.f'K' 


INTERFOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


oSi) 


:li-west  aiul  nottli  v  nj, 
ho  tliennoimtt r  ;i  i  'tlf. 

ami  then  tlic  lur  i    tv 

ifluonce  (if  tliis  wiui  tin 

us  a  destructive  g;Jrl,i4 

It  irt  oiseiitiuUy  u  UnM 
I,  wliicli  are  U<t\\(:  in  t^g 

wlieu  triiverseil  ly  tbi 
n,  l)Ut  tins  arises  iVumiJi 
!,  then,  at  tlic))e;.'imiiii;;rf 
il  (lays  aftcrwiinl,  vitln 
)f  rawness  in  it  fell  wAtt 
1   sutTieleiitly  iu(lieutc>  ifij 

it  is  cliaraeteriziil  hh 
•y,  and  riqad  as  tiic  i.  rtk- ! 
the  soutli-west  and  s^  utt 
to  eitlier. 

[)    TO    i>EMI-Cl«CLK?.-l 

of  the  relative  lui.vali 
iiids.     If  the  (jhjirv;,ii(j 
e,  as  to  show  tlie  dur;iti( 
is  kind  would  iii'licato 
knosphcre  of  the  Valliv^ 
\\o  remotest  aiiiVLixiuiutil 
It  &h(iws  us  tlie  coi 
ern,  and  northern  wiiiils  j 
11  rf  sueli  a  tahle.tk'vin 
e  a    senn-eUTle,  mvi'M 
amount  of  easterly 
,0  omitted,  as  hAomrid 
;  and  add  their  hulvdj 
ion  between  the  two  lattT 
Kill  continue  it  hero,  usij 
the  following  talile. 


•i;;t  fUOWIXG,   rEKCEXTUM,     TliK     IIELATIVE     KKEQUEXCV     OF    THE    WiNDS, 
CONDENSED    INTO    SEMI-CIUCf.KS. 


Kasteni 
Western : 
Southern 
Niirthcrn 

Hast  ern : 
)\'estt'rn : 
Sdutheru : 
Niirtherii: 


SOUTllEUN    CUOUP. 


:  S.JO.   :jo-i-S.  W.   •jr)  =  o5 
:  N.  \V.  'J<»4_N.  E.    -Jo  =  45 


BIIUDLK   (iUOUr. 


SllDULiK    (iUUUl'. 

S.  E:  -Jl  4-  N.  J-:.    -Jd  =  n  per  cent. 

S.  W.  ;Jl4-N.  W.  28  =  ;")'.,> 

S.  K.  '21-i-S.  AV.   :il=r)-J 

N.  \V.  28  4-  N.  F..    20  =  48 


Ivisteni : 
\Vi>>tevn  : 
Siiutliern 
Northern 


Kastern  4o — 


NOKTHEIIN   (iltOtJI'. 

S.  W.  17  4- N.  W.  4!I  =  (;G 
S.  E.    i;]-fS.  \V.    I7=::!i» 

Mi;.\.N    (IK    THE    WIlUl.E. 

■Western  .'»7 — Southern  415 — Nortl^  "U  i)4. 


Ii:;:.i- last  line  of  this  table  wo  iioreeivc  that,  taking  the  lntori(jr  Valle? 

|u:,!'.  the  western  winds  prevail  over  the  eastern   in   the  projiortion  of 

KTH  to  fitrty-threo ;  and  the  nMrtliern  over  tho  southern  in  the  pro- 

kiM' fifty-four  to  forty-six.     But  when  wo  i     mine  tho  dilForent  <;rou]i« 

|s:;;i  n«,  there  is  considerable  diversity.      Thus,  in  tho  .'southern,  up  to 

jtv-si'rnnd   degree    of    north    latitude,  the    eastern   winds    prevail 

M'!!  western,  in   the   jiropi.rtiou  (jf   (ifty-llvc   to  forty-five,    and  the 

|c>nriviT  the  northern  as  Qfty-fivo  over  forty-five.     In  the  middle  group. 

iia  tiiirty-second  to  the  forty-sixth  jtarullel  of  latitude,  the  western 

"''v;;il  over  the  eastern  as  fifty-nine  to  forty-one — tho  southern  over 

|inirii  as  fifty-two  to  forty-eight.     In  the  northern  group,  about  the 

Kfiri'k  the  western  exceed  the  eastern  in  the  proportion  of  sixty-six 

|*";-tiirpe,  that  is,  arc  twice  as  frequent;  and  tho  northern  rise  over  tho 

fKi  ia  tho  jir.iportion  of  sixty-nino  to  thirty,  or  more  than  twice  an 

All  these  results  conform  to  principle;  for,  in  the  S(juth,  (he  greater 

■"l' the  earth's  surface  gives  to  the  air  which  has  glided  down  from 

■■;.  ail  apparent  direction  to  the  west,  making  it  the   highest  of  the 

-1.  as  jiiuch  of  it  is  ri.sing  ami  flowing  oiF  toward  the  p(dc,  the 

' 'viiuls  predominate  over  the  northern.     In  tho  middle  section,  thcsi- 

■ir>;  largely  turned  round  toward  the  east,  and  give  a  prepoiidfrance 

'f'>torn  winds  ;  and  the  dry  or  arid  south  and  south-west  wind.>,  which 

iTatcil  hy  the  action  of  the  sun  on  the  surface  of  tho  earth,  raise  the 

^^-inf  southerly  winds,  so  as  still  to  keep  it  above  the  northerly,  not- 

KiMiii^f  they  have  increased.     iMually,  in  the  distant  north,  we  arrive 

•in  whence  tho  air   is  departing  to  the  south,  chiefly  by  way  of  the 

'•■■  Ocean ;  and,  there,  the  western  winds  exceed  the  eastern,  by  one 


(  !  ; 


.i 


;l? 


t 


r 


iiiSw'i'  ,.rt., -, 


m 


-1.    •.,i.f  i     .- 


t     * 


Wi-  -•>?•■  ■•■■■■•  ^ 


'H 


I. 

•f. 


I 


I,. 


■!1>^':k:v..'':"-i^v 


^v^r- 


f  y  ■  v.-  ■ 


iittg.v'  ,?  [ 

u 

inii''^''l'>: 

»(. 


580 


TIIK  PIflNCIPAL  niSF.ASF.rt  (»K  TIIH 


(tOnk 


>l 


liuiiilnil  [lur  cont.  of  tlic  latter,  and  tlic  iKirtlicrn  s(ir|in,<is  tlic  .soutlicn 
ftill  liii^liLT  |iri)[i(irti()ii — all  of  wliicli  iiii;,'lit  liiivu   Ijuuii  fxinctcd. 

\'lil.     C!ai-ms. — Nearly    all    our   observers   liiive   oiuittiil    ijilm-      Of 
four  tliitusaiul  t\v<i  liimilreil  foriMioon  and  aftijniooii  ol),-ierv.'iliiiiis  dii  tin'    n. 
niou  vane,  uiado  I ty  myself,  at  ('ineiniiati,  from  IM)I(  to  1n14  imln.iv,,  ri 
liundred  and  >ixty-i'i,ulit,  or  nearly  niui'  jier  cent.,  were  calm.    Thu  cilmi 
inontli  was  Dcci'iiibei' — tlie  windiest  dune,  Sc[itend)er,  and  Octolior— ciiua 
(jf  oiglitoeu  tliuiii-and  tiu'eo  liundred  and  tliirty-ei^Iit   liourly  uliscrv.iii.ij 
coutinueil  tiiriiUL,di  night  and  day,  in  tlio  years  1^1 1,  '  j'J,  at  Ti.ri.i 
tlnMisand   and   Heventy-eii,dil,   were  calm;    making-  nearly  twi'iitv-cji'l  • 
oent.T     The  calmest  month  was  Aui^ust — windiest  A|ii'il.     Ol'scvtiitci'ii  • 
sand  six  lnnidred  and  thirteen  hourly  (diservations,  at  Felix  llaiii  r,  unil 
direction   of  ('attain    lio-s,  in    iN.'iO,  ■;!!,  two    thousand  mio  liiii;(|n(l 
twenty  were   ealm.  niakinj^  about  thirl  ecu    per  cent.     Tie  wiii(lio,-i  i; 
was  Se|itend)er — the  calmest   ]March.t      The   dilFercie'c    Itetwccu  ll 
northern  htations  and   (,'iiicinnati,  may  be   ascribed,   in  part  at  loast,  i 
nocturnal  observations  at  the  former  ,<tations,  for  it  is  well  known  t.. 
inhabitant  of  the  A^alley,  that  the  wind  blows  nmre  in  the  day  tlum  i 
and  that  the  nundicr  of  calm   nights,  in    tho  course  of  the  your,  i- 
greatcT  than  <if  ealm  days.     Among  fnir  wimls   then-  is,  linwcver,  : 
ros[)eet,   considerable   diversity.      The  land    breez(>  of  the  cveiiiiiL'.  - 
shores  of  the   Cnlf  of  Moxieo,  is   suceeeded  by  a  morning  calm.    T 
south  and  south-west  wind  i.s  f(dlowed,  gener.ally,  by  a  cahn  night:  ai; 
west  or  north-west  wind,  wliich  succeeds  an  afternoon  thundcr-.-t' rM 
moldy  subsides  in  a  few  hom's.  and  is  Ibllowed  by  a  calui.     Even  win:; 
winds  arc  of  a  more  |termaueut  character,  they  ol'ten  cease  or  grciiil; 
at  the  going  down  of  the  sun  ;  but,  at  other  times,  eontiimc  wiihuiini!'  .1 
violeneo  throughout  the  night,     'i'he  luimid  south-east,  south,  and  ■ 
west  winds,  blow  through  tho  night  as  well  as  the  day;  and  the  iiiti!i- 
wind  generally  continues  of  the  same  force  day  and  night.     A  diail 
often  precedes  a  thunder-shower,  and  greatly  increa.«es  the  fcelini'  ' 
and  exhaustion  wdiieh  ordinarily  jireccdo  that  phenomenon.     A  [nr; 
long-(!oiitinued  calm,  such  as  is  met  with  at  sea,  sehl'  in  occurs  in  i'ur\ 
and,  hence,  in   all   our  registers,  tho   course  of  tho  wind,  is  IdUinl  n  ; 
.1  part,  at  least,  of  almost  every  day  of  the  year.     Calms  arc  )ilcii.>;.!ii 
wo  have  been  exposed,  for  some  time,  to  iiigh  winds  ;  but  their  long  r.i 
ancc  is,  in  reference  both  to  health  and  condbrt,  undesirable. 

IX.     (loop  AM)  Kviii  OF  OUR  Winds. — The  arid  south-west,  iiitl^ 
of  summer,  fans  and  coids  the   body.     Tiio  humid,  brings  us  iloiulv 
intercept  the  liory  beams  of  the  sun,  and  refresh  all  organized  naturj 
rain;  but  in  the  latter  part  of  winter,  and   in   early  spring,  it  lirini'- 
TCgotation  before  the  proper  time  ;  and  by  leading  tho  impruilcnt  tm' 


■  TiKCLAI!  \ 


•Picture  of  Cincinnati. 

•fObsirvntions  made  at  tiie  Mag.  and  Met.  Observatory,  p.  96. 

♦  tfecoad  Voyage. 


I 


•'if:ii|iiTa(i 
'"■  :ii'raiig 
-  •■■:){  place 
'  '■>■-■  f  inn 

:''"'t\VfOIl  a 

■••-1  .-iJe  of 
■^-■t'latitii 
■'■'■  W'Mith  is 
•:j;ii,iis  hav 
i'Lllltity  lal 

'■>  fear  th 

■'"■If^'s.  it  sv 

*'in  the  y 

'••i!iio  that  " 

'J  (jf  rain. 


Ill 


Tiir. 


i  tons  I 


LNTF-RIOR  \  \I,!,I:Y  <»!•   NOHTII  AMKRICA. 


587 


I'Cll    OXjUL'tfJ. 

II Vf   tmiitti'il    ciilnis. 
I  ul).<t'rv;itioii»  iiu  tin.'  ('ii 
)\)  tol>>14  incluMvi'.  t'lrt 
won-  culm.    Tlic  cjlim 
ibcv,  uiiil  Ocliilier— I'lU: 
■  v\'s\\t  liiiurly  iiliM;rv;iU' 
l>.ll,M-i,  at  Tur..iitu, 
<f  nearly  twfiity-figU 
A]  nil.     Of  suventiM!!!  t 
J, ill  I'.lixlhul-r,  uiiil.r 
lIkiusuikI  line  Immlnil 
cent.     Tlio  wimlii-.H  i; 
lillVviu  'C   lictwcm  tl    I' 
bed,  ill  i)art  iit  ka^t,  t 
'or  it  is  Will  known  t  ■ 
novo  in  tlic  ilay  ll;aii  : 
,.„urs('  "f  tlie  Vfar.  i> 
h   tl\ev('   is  liDwevcr, 
•ee/.o  uf  tlio  evening. 
,y  a  morning  <'alni-    "' 
lly,  l,y  a  .••aim  iii-hf.  ai.l 
fternoun  tlu^ntler-^t' nn. 
l,y  a  calm.     Evinul:.:i 
often  traM>  or  gn'iitly 
iH(«s,  cMiiitiimcwiiliumvi-:,. 
Hoiitli-oiist.  Hiutli,  aii'l 
tliotlay;  an.ltk'iMi. 
ay  una'nicrlit.    A  ^1"»" 
i;„.veases   the  feeVmL-tl 
luMionienon.     A  l"'i''"J 
la,  sel.lMniK'(Ursini'w\s 
Vtlie  wind,  is  loiwl  u  ;(^ 
Lr.     Caliii^  arc  vloa>:.;-.t] 
tvimls;  but  their  H- 

it,  lUKlesirablc. 
I  avid  south-wost,  nilUj 

luunid.  brings  ^is  elouJ-. 
JVesh  all  urganizca  na'ure] 
L    ..ai-ly  .^i.ving,  it  hn 
Idingthe  imiu-mleutt.ol 


fatory,  !'■  ^C. 


•fliiitor  clothing  tuo  Honn,  subjects  them  to  catarrhs,  vcninl  iiiterniittent.«, 

livirim-i    |ilile:^niasi;i>.       The   north' west    wind   terminates   our    .-ettled 

L  .  1  riir.'.s  a  fair  kU}',  and  invigorates  th>'  body,  hniLniishing  under  the  heat 

inier;  hut  it  may  bo  the  exciting  cau.;e  nf  autumnal  fever,  anil  when 

,.  ticrcely  after  Imt  woatlier,  generates  a  high  (h'gree  <if  |ildiigistii' 

,;,,    Thi'  north-east  wind,  meeting  tiie   htunid   south-west,  acts  as  u 

;,nil  scMcrates  rain;  but  it.s  direct  ell'eels  mi  the  body  are  unfavorabh', 

L'ldilN  the  iuirfaee,  re|>roduces  paroxysms  of  dysjiepsia,  generates  catanh, 

1'  aivl  hronchiti.s,  excites  autumnal  and  yellow  fever,  in  tlu;  jiredisposed, 

i^Tib^is  iiitcnnittcnts    in    the   spring,  where  they  have   jirevaihij  in 

„n;i    Cahns  permit  the  exhahitioiis  from  foul  localities  to  aocumnlate  in 

r."n'«[ilicrc;  which  rests  over  them;  but  all  winds  uperate  to  dispcrsi*  and 

1^;': 'in  with  purer  air;  in  doing  wliich  they  may  promote  tlie  salal)iity 

•■  .t,  and  <limiiiis]i  that  of  another.     <>ii  the  whole,  tiie  oseilhitions  oi' 

«|ilicn!   are   indispeusable   to   a   proper  etpiilibriuni  of  its   various 

^.:,.-.  a:i(l  to  its  beneiiri;:}   Influeiice.s  on   tiie  gruwtli  and  Jiealth  of  bnlli 

j;- ami  animals  ;  and,  althougli  tliey  often  do  misLdiiof  to  both,  tlieir  utility 

r.redoniinate.s. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A  <-,►  i;  j!:  u  L'  s   M  j:  t  e  o  ii  < . 

SECTIOX  I. 

11  A  I  N    A  N  1)    S  N  0  \V  . 

I' Ti;:ri,AU  ViKW. — Following  out  tlio  method  pursued  in  tlio  di.<cussio;; 
i;ii[i!nitnro,  atmospherie  pres.suro,  and  winds  of  tlie  Tntevior  \'alley. 
arranged  into  a  general  table,  th(>  results  of  observations  made 
Mit  places,  on  the  (piantity  of  atmos[iheric  water,  which  annually 
':io  fi)rm  of  rain  and  snow.  The  table  embrai^'s  thirty-two  stations, 
•t^vi'on  and  includiiiLr  Key  West  in  the  (iulf  of  Mexico,  and  Toronto  on 
::' .-iile of  Lake  Ontario;  anil,  therefore,  extending  through  twenty 
>  'i' latitude.  At  eighteen  of  the  stations,  the  mean  <[uantity  of  rain 
iiirmthis  given;  at  the  remaining  fourteen,  that  of  the  yt.'ar  only. 
''iti'ins  have  been  thrown  into  groups  whi.di  represent  dlfTerent  regions, 
iitity  falling  ill  the  polar  regions  is  unknown  tome.  The  observa- 
^M'kat  a  number  of  the  stations  are  alto;;etlier  reliable:  but  there  is 
^"^'fca^  that  many  of  the  otiiers  are  but  approximations  to  the  truth  ; 
pit:le*s.  it  seems  better  to  use  than  reject  them,  as  an  error  of  an  inch 
'■■in  the  year,  is  not  of  great  moment  in  this  branch  of  our  inquiry. 
Nifflctliat.  ill  all  cases,  the  tpiantity  of  melted  snow  is  included  under 
|Wd  of  rain. 


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THE  riUN'CIPAL  DISEAi^ES  OF  THE 


[I.     IIkmauks  ox  Tin:  Yi;au. — Tlio  first  tiling  wliicli  .•«trilics  llu.'  ( \, 
it  rests  (III  tilt'  i'orfgoiiig  talile,  is  the  uiii'nual  iiuuiimt  oi'  raiii.  or  rai 
snow,  ill  the  JiiTori'iit  vcgioiis  of  the  \'a]ley.      Tliu  siiialliicss  ot'  tlu  ,r 
at  Key  Wcsi,  :]0.7b;J  iiiehus,  v.'ill  pcrliaps  I'xcite  astnuislnucnt  in  i!,  , 
are  aceustoiiictl   to  t,*.  k,  that  as  \vl'  go  south,  the  rains  bec-uim,  in,!-, 
uus.     IJut  wo  must  rccolloct  that  Key  West  is  a  small  island,  wlijcli  ,- 
rises  above  the  level  of  the  Gull",  and  that  the  nearest  lund.  r;i[ii;  j-jji-; 
almost  as  de})ressci.I.     We  must  also  call  to  miiul  the  iirevaleiui'  o;'  ,;i..,. 
v/imls  at  that  jilaeo,  whieh.  although  liiimid,  lind  no  elevated  iMy;d,  ivm 
lew  eold   eurrents,  over  the   south-eastern  suit'aeo  ol'  the  Gulf,  to  c  ni 
their  vapor   into  rain.      They  arc,  in   fact,  there  augmenteil  in  teiii]ioi;i*;j 
and  become  stiil  more  highly  charged  with  vapor,  than  I.efc.re  their  iirnv,.! 
the  Gulf.     Tn  this  condition,  they  arise,  as  IVom  a  great  evapiirutii;'.' ii 
and  wheel  toward  the  pole.     When  they  reach  the  northern  cna^^t-  ;' 
Gulf,  about  the  thirtieth  parallel,  they  begin  to  traverse  a  eoulir  rf-i  .ii. 
inciiualitics  of  temperature  between  land  and  water,  beiiin  to  exfit  :;iii.: 
cnce  upon  them;    and  they  are,  fre([uently,  met  by  northerly  wimls.    I": 
these  agencies,  their  vapor  is  condensed  into  copious  rains.     At  Mi  l.ik 
amount  which  falls,  is  more  than  double  that  of  Ke;,  AVest ;  ami  the  iii' 
all  the  stations  around  the  northern  arc  of  the  Gulf,  "iCi.lDO  inelics, is  t- 1| 
of  Key  We.-i    as  tliat  number   is  i,o  ;](''.7<'^o.     Tlii.-,  in  fact,  i.s  llie  minv  J 
of  the  Interior  \'alley  ;  not  only  rising  eighty-two  [ler  cent,  upon  Ivy 
but  twenty-four  per  eent.  over  the  average  of  the  fourth  group,llier.'jX!  J 
est  to  the  one  we  are  now  considering.     'Mvnh  of  the  rain  in  tlii.-;  iii.,;:j 
zone,  falls  in   showers;  which  are  uueipial   in   nuniber  and  ooiiiini.«m->, 
places  so  near  eacli  otlier,  thai,  we  should  expect  unii\iinity.     Thu-  tl. 
ference  of  ^lobile  and  }\(;\v  Orleans,  by  simultaneous  observation;,  in  l"! 
'4'2,  was  no  los.i  than  nineteen  inches.     AVhatever  alliiwaiicc  we  can  1.2^ 
ably  make  for  errors  of  observation,  we  must  still  aduiit  a  great  'li-paii 
This  ii:"'pudity  may,  imleed,  be  announced  as  juevailing  over  the  u;;::': 
icy;  of  which  the  proofs  will  be  cited  as  we  advance. 

When  wo  leave  the  Gulf  coasts,  and  advance  into  the  inteii'i',  m 
iag  to  the  cast  of  the  .^lis,-issi[ipi,  tlie  first  and  second  statiuiis,  II':i.:jJ 
and  Na,sh\ine,  show  tlieir  southern  position  by  averages,  respectivcK  alf 
as  high  as  the  mean  of  the  stations  near  the  Gulf;  but  a.s  wo  cniiti.. 
the  north,  through  the  groui>  Xo.  1\',  to  whieh  tlie  two  Ju.^t  niciKi:' 
long,  wo  fiml  the  (juantity  les.«cning;  yet  the  mean  of  the  whole  i,-'' 
inches  below  tlu\t  of  the  Gulf  stations.  When  we  ascend  from  the  I:.;; 
the  western  side  of  the  Tdississippi,  through  the  third  group,  \vc  1; 
most  southern,  Vnd  Towson.  which,  of  the  whole,  lies  nearest  to  tie'': 
have  the  highest  number,  4'i.7'>  inches.  All  the  more  nortlieni  .■=tati' 
to  Fort  Snelling,  have  much  lower  nmnbers :  St.  Louis,  the  higlie.«t,  •! 
reach  40  inciies,  and  Fort  (iilison,  the  most  western  and  soutlMiii' 
group,  is  only  30.04.  Fort  Smith,  in  the  same  region,  is  o'l.'J").  Ihai 
tant  western  posts  are  nearly  in  the  same  latitude  with  niiiit.«v!..-J 
Na.'ihville.  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  3!ississipjii.  which  are  ri>pi'Oti. 


Tin: 


liiOC.t 


I  'si' 


INTF-RIOR  VALLHY  OF  NOUTII  AMKlflCA. 


591 


hicli  i-.ti'ikos  tlic  ^y\  \v.i^~ 
(lunt  of  I'liiii.  iiv  rain  unij 

^iiialliu'ss  of  tlif  ,r.ii 
istnuislunoiit  ill  tlu.s..'  wi 
■  r;iins  booounj  morij  i-  n 
mall  island,  wliii-h  -;,;■' 
.rest  Uuul,  (.'ii[Hi  ri'jiii,;, 
tlio  jircvaleiift."  ol'  lU-id 
110  olevaU'd  ulij'jct,  anu' 

3  of   tllL-   Gulf,   to  C'  li' 

uigmciitc'tl  in  tuiniuia-j 

tlum  luti.rr  tlicir  :imv;ili 
a  "rcat  evaiinratiii'.'l-n 
ilm  iKjvtlicrii  C(ia>^t.<  i' I 

ra verse  a  cuulu"  ro;:i  .ii. 

tc'V,  I'Oifiii  to  I'SL'it  ;;ui..J 

l,y  iiiirllK'i'ly  wih'l-. 

liuiis  vaiiis.     At  M  1 

Kr,  ^Vc.st;  amUhf 

iuu;r)t5.r.)(rnii'iii'.>,i<t' tl 

his,  ill  I'aet,  i.s  //ic  rainy  zj 

,V;i   [K'l-  (L'Ht.Ul)'iulv}' 

)  fourtli  ;:'riiU]i,lliei.'X' 
of  llio  vain  in  tlii^  lu.'.'J 
mniltor  and  copiuUM;!.--,! 
:t  uuifuvniity.  Thus  \l 
loous  ol)!-crvatiijiis,  in '"-{ 
;vv  alli:wam:c  \\x  can  ;  '\ 
till  admit  a  great  '\'.- 
rfvailiiiLC  over  tliL-  eiiliii;! 
;aiiec. 

iiiL-i;  into   tlio  intoiT'i'.t^ 
I  second  stations.  Ir-  ? 
verages,  respcclivtl, 
;ulf;    but  as  we  tnuiu. 
the  two  just  iiicu;i'  ;> 
.;m  of  the  w'lule  is':'v 
v.c  ascend  from  tlie  l;it; 
llic   third   grnuji,  ^w  l' 
,h;,  lies  nearest  to  tl.u  '-i 
10  more   niirtlarii  stati 
t.  Tiouis,  the  higln'^t.  'i  j 
wosterii  and  suuIIiht.  I 

•    '•■-,•1',     Tii'W 
region,  is  •)).-•'•     ■"■■ 

latitude   with  lIui.t.-viL 
pi.  whiidi  are  rr>pK'tr..l: 


■,(l!iv  ")4.''!>  ami  ">.'). (*l),  or  ahmit  twe)ity-twn  inelios  mure.  St.  Li  iu« 
^;ist'.'ni  margin  of  tiie  ".^roup,  is  alunit  ei|ual  tn  i'urlsinnutli.  hut  more 
l,„.j;;veii  inches  below  Cincinnati,  h'urt  Leavenwnrth,  in  the  same  lati- 
I-;.' with  Marietta,  i.s  nearly  eight  iiiehes  behind  it,  and  I'nrt  Crawford,  but 
r-v  11  irtli  of  Steubeuville,  is  .six  inches  lower.  The  mean  of  the  eastern 
.J.,  is  45.:J17,  of  the  we:iteiMi.  .'i."i.()17  —  dilFereiice,  1U:5.  Now  this  an- 
r-viilToreiicc  of  ten  inche.s  of  rain  and  snow  between  the  regions  on  the 
;:tf  sides  of  the  Mississippi,  is  a  deduction  from  too  many  (diservations, 
|tfi.nuit  the  eoiielusion,  tliat  it  can  be  the  result  of  acciileiital  or  tempo- 
ll-v f:m?os ;  and,  therefore,  ii  presents  an  intere.Uiiig  subject  of  iiiijuiry,  to 
|,^.';iwi'  iii.iy  pruccod. 

o.i!iii"t  be  doubted  that  nearly  ;ill  the  rain  which  falls  in  the  interior  of 

j;;V;il!i'V.  is  brought  from   the   (iulf  of  M(!.\ieo   by  our    southerly  wind.''. 

1%!  tl:oy  reach  the  middle  latitude.^,  a  ccxder  atinos[dicre  eondenses  a  iior- 

tlieir  vapor  into   rain,  or  snow:  and  they  often   meet  with  iiorth-cast 

Ik:.::;-,  which  greatly  increase   the  coiidunsation.     Having   sucli  a  source, 

b;.iiii.>  will  he  most  copious,  over  tliose   jilaei's   which   lie  most  directly  in 

L -I  k  of  the   (julf    winds;    wliiidi  are   the  stations  between  the  Missis- 

I    -.d  tlio  Appalachian  Mountains,  in  [he  .'"^tates  of  Alabama,  3lississippi, 

|Itai-"e,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  and  Ohio.     ''Alien  wo  cross  the  Mis.-i.-sippi, 

Liaivaiico  into  th.e  west,  every  mile  carries  us   furtlxT   from   thai  humid, 

l;;'i-\v.  St  wind,  which  has  traverse(h  or  started  from  tlie  surface  of  tin;  (!ulf 

kiei;  and,  of  course,  the  (|uaiitity  of  rain  suIVers  diminution.     W'c  enter 

r.j '1!  wliich  becomes    dryer  and   (h-yer,  the  further  it  is  peiielratcd ;  and 

It'.io  hundred  and  second  meridian,  as  Oortor  <  >  regg  has  infiprniedmc, 

6;vl}0ver  refreshed   by  evening   or   morning  dews.     The   livers  of  that 

:' t!io  Interior  A'alle}'.  testify  to  the  deficiency  of  lain,  for,  in  projior- 

;  \\w  extent  of  surface  whieli  they  drain,  they  arc  fewer,  and  lessabun- 

;.  water,  than  those  on  the   eastern    side  of  tlie   Mississijipi ;  altliongli 

H "!' tliein  have   the   advantage  of  originating  in   the   J'ochy  .^iountaills. 

IrO'Vcr.  the  superficial  jiarts  of  that  reg!  lu  are    more  sandy  and  bibulous. 

wiiiftse  nil  the  eastern   side  of  the   Mississippi,  and,  therefore,  a  greater 

Ji'tioii  of  tlie  water  wliiidi   falls,  sinks  into  the   earth.     Thus  both  gco- 

w     :il  position  and  geological  constitution,  contribute  to  an  aridity  which 

a  ■  mtinue,  until  the  state  of  the  surface  is  chaiigiol,  or  the  Gulf  id'  3Iex- 

I) i- removed  finilier  west,  or  t!ie  llorky  Mountains  sunk  ,so  low,  as  to  admit 

titiiiihuf  the  J'aciil;'  Ocean.      This  dryness  ha><  soinetiiiics  been  ascrilied 

|tr,e  absence  of  forests  :  !)"t  irh^  arc  they  absents     They  are  said  to  have 

p  liurnt  up  bj'  the    Indians.     The  animal  burnin^^-,  however,  do  not  de- 

rjtlio  woods  i'l  the  humid,  river  valleys  of   those   iinnieiise   plains:  and 

t Indians  were  once  more  numerous  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Misslssip[ti 

r.tlio  westerr,  and  yet  the   forests  remained.     The  truth  is.  that  if  the 

pt  liad  over  1  eon  overspread  with  a  vigorous  forest,  it  w>.nld  have  maiii- 

P'dand  perpe;uated  itself.     The  influence  of  trees  in  producing  rain,  is, 

pii«  not  very  great ;    but   their  power  of  preserving  the  moisture  of  the 

"i;iwliieh  the,-  grow,  is  uiniuestioiiable;  i'or  they  intercept  the  rays  of  the 


"■.1 


I 


r  ^^ 


m. 


wO-i 


TIIK  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES   OF  THE 


. BOOK  i 


sun,  vrtanl  tlio  velocity  ul'  the  wiiid.s,  iincl  tliiis  diininisli  tlio  rate  of  evarw 
tion  unci  drying.     Tlicy  mni/  augnu'iit  the  dujitli  of  rain  —  tlicy  cprln'mln  si 
cure  to  the  soil  a  greater  iirojnirtion  of  Vtliut  lulls,  es2)ecially  in  suuiiin.r,\l.a 
it  is  most  needed. 

Wo  eumc  now  to  the  tifth  and  last  group  of  stations,  tlieso  wLi,!;  Ije 
rinind  tlio  Nortliern  Lal:es.  The  nieun  of  thirteen  stations  is  n:!.:i(;(i  y^  .^ 
is  the  lowest  of  the  whole.  The  highest,  Fort  Ih/ward,  only  rca(!i(>;^  ^ 
—  the  Inwest,  Pottsdani,  falls  to  "JS  inches.  We  should  imt,  I  tl.i:  k,  1  ,^ 
expeiird  to  find  the  (juantity  of  rain  so  small  in  this  lacastrino  rcgj.  ii; 
there  sceins  no  just  rea.soii  for  doubting  the  accuracy  of  the  ohsurvai!  11 
most  of  whicli  were  continued  througli  a  hnig  iicri(id  of  years.  <)iio  m 
of  the  diminished  amount,  in  this  region,  compared  with  tlio  n-;<,ii  i 
between  it  and  the  (Inlf  of  .Mexico,  is,  doubtless,  its  greater  distance 
tlic  (lulf — ainitlicr,  its  higher  latitude;  which  brings  an  incroasiiiL'  y. 
lenee  of  di'v,  north-west  wind.  The  same  (juantity  nf  rain  in  thi;-  ;  . 
can  nuiintai'  t!ic  moisture  of  the  eartli  nuicli  longer  than  in  that  wc-t'. 
Mississiitpi;  for,  .//'•>■/,  less  of  it  sinks  deep  below  the  surface;  «''■';,. 
power  (if  the  sun  is  diminhshed  by  the  higher  latitudes;  l/nr/l.  cviiji' i;>;ii 
from  the  lalces  keeps  the  atmosphere  so  replenished  with  moisture,  tliat  1  vaj 
oration  frcm  the  surface  of  the  adjaciMit  land  is  retarded.  Tin  iff. 
lacustrine  evaporation  is  rendered  manifest,  iiy  the  girdle  of  lofty  ferc.-t  t 
which  surrounds  every  lake,  and  beyond  wliich,  at  the  di.-tancc  lif  n 
miles,  wc  frei(Uontly  enter  extensive  prairies.  These  furests  hear  t.  t| 
lakes,  the  same  relation  which  the  trees  along  the  rivers  wc-l  of  tii.  M:- 
sippi,  bear  to  thein. 

Ill,     DisTiiiiiuriON  TiiRoniu  tiiI':  Ykau.  —  The  distribution  of  rainns 
snow,  throngli  the   months  and  seasons,  at  eighteen  statims,  is  proMnt. 
the  foregoing  table  ;  but  a  further  induction  is  necessary  to  their  lih 
sou  with  each  other  ;    I  have,  therefore  constructed    a   suhurdiiiatr  uiui 
which  shows  the  months  of  ma.vima  and  mininKi,  atul.  likewise,  that  vl  • 
each  statiiii'.  ap[)roaches  nearest  to  the  mean  month  of  tlie  year.     'li.   ; 
also  prcsciits,  ior  each  stiition,  a  ((uartcriy   moan,  and  likewise,  a  iji;:.! 
mean  for  each  group  of  stations,  an  average  ijuarter,  or  eijcal  fourth  \^u] 
the  whulo,  being  preli.Ked  as  a  term  of   cimparison.     J!y  this  iiatlii  1 
the  use  lif   the    signs    plus  and  minr.s,  the  eye  at  once  discovers  wii!. 
the  rain\,  and  lyhii'h  tli^-  dry  seasons,  at  every  place,  and  fur  every  gr/ 
places. 


"I: 


ll'li 


TIIF, 


[book 


INTF.RIOI:  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


593 


liuisli  tlic  rate  of  evairar 

rain  —  they  crrlntalu  i^ 

ospocially  in  iiuuiiin.T  \\1« : 

StatinllR,    tllC.HC    Wllirl:  ]]( 

11  f-tatinn^:  is  rj:].:liio.  w  ^^  ' 
(Avavtl,  ciily  rcai-lio'.l"  liO 
I  sluiulil  nut,  I  tliii.l;,  i  .^ 
tlii.s  lacustrine  n-'/vv, : 
;iiracy  of  tlu;  uIihtx;.: 
•riml  lit'  ycar.-i.     '  *iii' 
iiroil  willi  the  n.ijii 
;,  its  greater  ilistaiici.     il 
rintrs  an  inen'a>iii'.'  i     &.| 
tity  lit'  rain   in  t';,i-  . 
n-er  than  in  tliat  ^YL^-l 
i\v  tlio  s-urt'ace;   sixh 
:ititmlos;  lliir/K  evii). 
vA  with  nidisturo.  tliui 

i.s  ri'tardi'il.  'Hit  >!';":t 
le  irivtUo  (if  Itifty  i'on-i  I  ti 
1,  al  the  Ji.-tanci'  ef  -  ' 

Tiit'se  forests  hiur  ;  i 
ic  rivors  we-i  uf  tli'  M .-ii 

;iio  iVi.stri'iution  of  r;;':!; 
ccn  stations,  i,s  pru.-r  .;-lj 
neei'hsary  to  tlieir  ctn  ;al 
u'ti'd  a  suhuviliiiatr  lab 
and.  lil<c\vi:^e,  that  viiilJ 
nth  of  thtiyear.  Ti; '  ;:ilj 
|ni,  and  liki'\vi.-i',  a  i^-^'.-i 
rter,  uV  ounal  fuurtli  i^t. 
lison.  J»y  tl''-  >"'■'''"'■'■ 
|;it  iincc  discovers  wVini! 
hico.  and  for  every  givupj 


I     " 


M 


(N 


+ 
I- 

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I        O 


(M 


O 


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X,i 


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TI 


4- 


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3  TO 


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t-  i-i  ,— 


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+_  I  IJ  L 

I   -  -H     —       C^      C 

o       'T  C-.  •/  -S! 


+ 


to  I- 


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•^  -f  ".r  -c  ~.  r:       :?  I  -  -  x  /.  tt 

:?  -t^  —  -^  T  i  r       r-'  >-■  c  I  -  -/  -■ 


++ 1  +  +    I  +++++  +^  -f- 


to 


=,     I 


l-l  -T    ■ 

CO        1  ^  ■ 


X 


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I  T—   T-"    r— 


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+  1 


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r.  x  yJ  y."  y."  i^ 


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i-C'i:   ^^  if 


r  -=^    =:  -^ 


}i  ^  ^    -^   "  ,'-^        — 


M  'oiii  |s.i       ,•        ij  d   -;  — :  i;   -■     .     .    .  -i        - 

-I  jiiii         I— I        '^    ••  ^^  j^       jz       *~  ^  ^  ^       *-" 

, ;  ||  I,-.  I  JO       ^        >  fc|   -^   >        -^      _;_;_•>_£,       r 


i_  =  be 


—       o         ;. 


7.   "/. 


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r. 

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[V''    f,?.      .'   I   -1..-    ,     .    .'■.;>!•, 


.,.p:'.':^ 


594 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  Tlir, 


[nc.., 


We  HOC  fi'um  tills  talilf  ll',  't  llu  ;.•  hi  un  particular  mdii''-  •..i.ioh.  at  fi  .  . 
jority  of  tlie  .stations,  comes  nearest  Id  a  mean  m  i.tli  for  t':"  year.  Jul,  •, 
Uiat  nidiitl!  fur  six,  ()r  ( .le-tlii.  J. 'il'  i!"  h'litioiiH.  Tliey  ■;(■ -i.t,  ,;ui,riiii'j  ta 
one  regii)n,  Imt  extend  from  K( y  W'st  ti  riedoiiia,  on  tlio  slun'os  nf  I  'a 
Erie.  NoveniLcr  is  \]\v  inontl;,  t  I'lVv  olaccs,  three  of  wliicli  an-  \u  •:,. 
s:)Utli.  the  fnnrth  in  hititude  •jil'^.  jMaveh  occurs  oiico  in  the  fir>t  iu:il  t,  ,.. 
in  tlic  seeond  group.  April,  Pej)tcnibcr,  and  (..'etoLir,  each  dcfur  1  .« 
Jannar)-,  I'elirr.ar}-,  3Ia3',  Jur.e,  and  ])ec('inlicr,  arc  not  the  niL'an  iiinnti .  o» 
any  slati'm.  The  only  generali/afioii  mIiIcIi  the  talile  permits,  is,  tl;;it  jU 
menu  niontlis  fall  chiefly  in  sumnior  and  aut'inni,  eiglit  0(  eurrinp  in  the  I'l  ri;,e? 
and  six  in  the  latter  season,  from  Jnly  tn  Novenilier  inelusive:  v\i\\f  'h 
ri'mninder  and  larger  part  of  the  year  '  '  s  I'ut  fonr. 

The  months  ('I'  greatest  rain,  arestill  i..ire  dis]iersed  througli  tlic  cali'iif]: -« 
ton  out  of  twelv(;  heiiig  found  in  the  ''olunni  of  iiiax'im'!.     June  ocrurs ; 
times,  and    all   the   stations  are  in  the  middle  latitudes.     The  echini:! 
minima  fdiows  tliat,  at  seven  stations,  Feliruary  has  less  rain  tliat  iiiivitb 
montli.      Tliey  are  dispersed  fmni  soutli  to   north.     Oetnlier  ami  Dtrui 
are,  respectively,  the  dry  months  at  three  stations.     Thus  I'ehriuirv 
June  stand  in  some  dcLri'OO  of  anta^oiusm. 

At  I'lijir  out  of  the  five  groups  of  stations,  v  inter  hrings  li>s  rain  tl;iiit! 
average  quarter  of  the  year.     Tlu>  exception  is  found   in  tlio  gnrnp  ;\liii 
embraces  Xev,- vh'leans.     Spring  is  above  the  moan  cpiarter  in  thrro  "f  t 
groups — below  at  two;  but  here,  again,  tlie  dillV-rence  is  not  cnmiccfiM 'vi| 
latitude.      Snnimer  is  abuve   at,  e\ery  station,  showing  that   tlirnuji!i^:t  tl 
A'^alley  it  is  tin.'  rainy  season.      Autumn  is  above  in  two  and  hildw  in  1 
showing  t,.,it  ne.vt  to  winter  it  is  the  drycst.     If  we  enumerate  tiiu  fuui 
in  the  order  of  their  comparative  raininess,  beginning  with  tlio  least,  tlij 
stand— winter,  autumn,  spring,  summer.     It  should  not  surprise  us  tnkii 
that  Si  mu;-h  rain  falls  in  sMU-iiier,  notwithstanding  the  air  tluii  .-coiii> - 
and  thi;   streams  fall  ?>  low.     The  warmth  of  the  surface  of  the  earth, 
that  season,  car.ses  a  rapidity  of  evaporation  unknown  in  the  other  i|i:;irti 
of  Mie  year  ;  and  the  high  temperature  of  the  air  admits  of  its  reiiiviii, 
g,'.  i'  quantity  of  va[iiir,  without  becoming  moist  to  our  feelings.     Mui!i 
ti.!o  is  llirown  down   in   autumn,  when  the  rate  of  lerrestriiil  lv;i]i< r.iti  'i 
every  day  diminishing;  so  that  Minter  becomes  the  least  rainy  soiisiiin! 
wdmle.  except  in  the  gr(mp  around  the   Gulf  of  Mexico,  where  that  ji-iisi 
as  might  be  expected,  takes  the  place  of  autumn. 


SRCTIOX  II. 

CEEAIJ.rT.OUDY,  RAIN  V,  AND  SNOWY  ^)AY^^. 
I.  Wc  cannot  infer  the  relative  m-.mber  of  clear,  cliaiil},  ;ui(l  niii} 
Aoiii  knowing  the  relative  quantities  of  rain  and  snow  which  fall  at  '■'■■ 


1  •', 


TllF. 


I  Bmok 


INTERIOR  VAI.l.HY  OF  NoRTlI  AMKRICA. 


505 


mmi'.b  •..'liicn,  at  rt  n\^ 
1  fur  {'•-:•■  yc;'.v.    .liiK  i^ 
l'Iu'Y  :'.:■('.  !:i/l  '.iuiium'd  tfll 

\.  (in  tllO  sliiilTS  lit'  l,;iki 

I'L'C  of  wliicli  iuo  in  tbj 
CO  in  tlie  fii>t  iwA  twio 
itiibcr,  cail>  (iccur  i'.,i'< 
not  tlic  iiK'iiu  in'".it!  s  I 
:a1ilc  |iLnuit<,  i?,  ll;it  th 
;llt  (J*  i.:uvnii<r  ill  tlir  I'l  n:',ei 
ilior  iiiflusivc ;  ^vllik•  '.lij 

cd  tlirouiili  tlic  caloii'lur 
If  11))'!.    Jniio  cofurs ;' ar^ 
LitituilcH.     TllO  ciluni'  i 
18  less  I'liiii  tliut  iiiiy  ■ :  et 
Oetdlicr  :u!il  ]'uii.:)| 
jiis.     Tliuri   Fi'linuiry 

crlirinu's  l''---'^  i'"'"' ''  ■ '  ''*^ 
fomul  in  tlio  pvuii  v 
;ui  (inavter  in  tlivK'  "t  tl 
rence  is  not  cnniiccti.! 'vi| 
,,\viiiic  tliat  tlu'nujili'-.t  tlj 
In  two  aiiil  li'l"W  i'l  !'■'!! 
•v\'C  cnuincrato  tlu'  m-i- 
lUiiiig  with  the  lo;ist,tlil 
lUl  not  HuriiviscustMlia^ 

irr  tlic   Uiv  tlu'U  .-Clll.>  " 

lie  siivt'are  nt'  tlu'  oavtli. 
„o\vn  in  tlie  (.tliiv  'prti 
ir  lidniits  of  its  n''-'i-.ii| 

to  our  tediums.     Mu'i 
,,f  u-rrostviMlevaviT.ui'i^ 
lie  least  vainy  ^''^^i! ' 

Mexico,  where  ibu  h;.<« 


,;;  fo!  ;i  Vi'^'e  fall  of  rain,  in  the  eoui>e  of  tlu'  year,  is  not  iin'i  nijiatilile 

■  ;i  creat  luimher  ef  fair  days.     On  (lie  othc'  liand.  there  may  be  a  groat 

;f  cloudy  weather,  with  imieh  drizzling,  and  yet  the  annual  (|iu.ntity  <  f 

|-i;;ii;;ivbe  comparatively  small,     ll.  is   iioi  essary  tnen   to   a.  certain   h>  n 

•i;rvation  the  r.tate  of  thf  weather  as   to  (■lia!(liii"<s,  and   tlie  frc(|uen(y  ut 

I  nil  ail -111  iw.     Nothing  is   more  ililliciib,  iuwever,  th>  n  to  assign  the  pro- 

;::s  of  elear  and  cloudy  weather,  seeing  that  many  days  in  i'\ery  niontl; 

',  vrarwear  such  an  aspect  that  wliile  one  observer  miglit  record  tliera 

'ii:;  clear,  another  would  vait'.'    them    >lown   eb  udy.     Then,  again,  tbo 

;vif  clnii'ls  nniy,  on  some  days,  lie  much  thicber  and  more  inipervii'U.s 

ravs  of  the   sun    than    others,  and  yet  both   will    be  recorded   in   the 

!:;:::.'uagc.     Sometimes,    moreover   the   cbnubs  will   float  very   low,   at 

r times  very  high  in  the  ntmosjibere,  when   their   inllueiiee  on   tlio  radi- 

f  kilt  from  tiie  ear'di  will  be  very  ditlerent,  a.s  will  also  the  amount  of 

wliiili  tlii'^    return,  by  radiation,  ujiiU    the  earth;   yet   this  will   not 

•■  froin  the   record.      Still  lint  her,   eloud.s   have   dill'ercnt  firms    and. 

•^  the  result.s  of  the  mode  in  which  the  vapor  of  which  they  are  eoni- 

!  is  set  free  and  aggregated;  but  these  funn.B,  of  which  the  elementary 

■  are  few  and  sini)de,  have,  in  most  instaneos,  not  been  recorded  ;   finally, 

.■,,i:ions  have   .seldom  been   made  in  the    night.     In   refercni'c   to  that 

■;;n(if  tlio  twenty-four  hours,  we  know,  with  accuracy,  but  little  on  this 

:;;  vit,  I  am  persuaded,  that  in  the  middle  latitudes,  at  least,  the  nights 

Ei  •>(!oiiiIy  and  rainy  than  the  day.s 

1m!ic  fiillowiiig  table  I  h.ive  attemjited  to  give  such  an  abstiaet  of  the 
liirvati.ms.  made  in  dilferent  parts  or"  the  \'a!li'y,  as  will  .how  tli"  propor- 
Ik."j!'  clear  and  cloudy  weather,  ami  the  number  of  rains  and  snows  ;  but 
llfwr,  tliat  the  larger  portion  of  tin;  observations  arc  not  entitled  to  full 
JKiildice.  Inmost  of  the  tables  there  are  two  columns,  whicli  are  headed 
rji'aiiil  cloudy;  in  several  a  third,  eniitleil  variable  or  mixed.  In  these 
Is?!  I  liavo  divided  the  numbers  etpially,  (listril)Uting  them  under  tlu;  'wo 
I'rtr 'leads,  thereby  augmenting  both,  and  mahiiig  them,  wdien  ui  ,  jd 
JUm! to  the  whole  luunber  of  days  in  the  year.  3Iany  of  tlu;  fdisei\  c; 
r.n  included  the  days  of  rain  and  snow  in  the  column  of  clm-.d-  iays. 
lo'iuif  course,  has  been  done  in  constructing  the  table.  The  st..tii  ;i.^ 
I:  lii'pii  arranged  into  the  same  groups,  as  those  of  the  table,  giving  the 
^1  ■'.'',■  uf  rain. 


I  : 


l.ii 


;nowy  days. 

l-1ear,  .b-udy,  a»d  "i".):'] 
ll  snow  which  fall  at  a;!.' 


i96 


Tin;  riiiNCiPAL  diseases  of  the 


B00» 


oT 

(A 

CO 

o 

'<, 

i3 

."3 

?i 

-t 

Q 

o 

Ci 

-+ 

M 

H 

11 

S 

••-s 

^^ 

OS 

I- 

11 

^  'i-  o  f  o  ?i  c-  •"  i~  <?!  c  X  :i  r ■  M^i-" 


—  1  -  c  t?  ~       y.  vr  1";  o  -t  I— 1 


-+  tr  o  I— I  ift'  r> 


•C  -A 


r-1       ':ri  I— '  I— I       -H  ^-  T-(       'ji  !—(  -1  T-i 


C5  'I' 


-f  i;  <-i      in  o  r^  o  M!  t^  V5  -t  -c 

rHi-Hi— (  1— ii— I         1— II— »         T-(f—  "•i 


^ 


O    113 

y.  --. 


u 


^ 


h 


u 


tc 


m 


i^       o  1-  ~i  3  ~.  I'-       c  c  !■-  :/:  T?  y. 

■Jl  11  1 1  1— I  r— I 


-r       1-  to  r:i  c;  ^ 


o  c  c;  I-  7t  «  ir:  i-  i- 


C5      cr  1-  CI  cf  y.^  -t       — >  c  i-  - 


CI 


1    .-1  r-    71 


o      '^  =>  -"^  ^.  ~!  ^-       — .  -. 

7i      1-  CO  o  r-  -£  •-£      d.  o  ct 


1- :i      1 


i-c 


ai 


tt 


o       ~v  ■z.  c  cr 


T-l   -I  .-(  (?|  r-  I-  — 


1— 1   1— (  I— I  t  I  I— I  I— I 


—       CO  I-  o  71  /.  y-       ^  r  ■- 


rH  T— I   7  1  I— I  1— 1  i-H  r— I 


I-       I  -  71  y-  -r  i~  yj 


1-71        w  1 .7   /    c  cv  7  I  y    7 1  -^ 


M  rH  ^-  r«  '~  — 


C7  V^  7 1  C7  '^   I  ■•  ^   C«   • 


X;       o  w  I-  :i  y._  -r        c  -  r  c   ::_  :-  i-  :r  —_       r  i 
yJ       c  7  yJ  ut;  o  t-!  :^       c"  7 1  y."  — "  >  7  i  -^  /.'  7  i  'Z      --  v: 


_:  I      <rj       I- 


M  --I 


M  y.  o       '::  c  17  :c  -r  tc  71  /-  — 


CO  t— I   y.  -f  C".   O  u7)  "C  '.t    O  '"   -t<  I-  'C   TT   1  ■ 


<;i 


;i       I- 


rH   rH   I— (  71  r^  »— 


•O  -t   I  -  C7   C5 


r-^  r-"  r-H  ^1  r—  ^i« 


y-  71  ,;.  i7  r  I-  v;; 


rl  rHi— (  ,-lrH^-  71  —  I— I  ~ 


■.-.  \~  \~~^  -^  ~.\       w  r-r  y  7ii-i-:7'-7i-;7 


O         "   -.  71   y    71  1- 


r—  Ol  T-1  71  r-  1—1  1—1  ;l 


>^  .  •  O     -"> 


rt    3  .-    n 


n;    i;^  ;;^  -;;    ■^■ 


-  •—     u     - 


r*  I         ~' 


■/.  .  -A 


/■  -^     ^4 


=0 


>  ^ 


1^  -  ® 


^      -«.  ^   ■/.      "-.  :^ 


■^  5-^.^  I^-" 


y< 


^  .=:i 


I'lIE 


,DO()t 


~'f.   «  C  t-i  ""t 

:   C  -■  -t-  l- 
|  I— t  "1  T-i 


'.  ••.  '••;  '■•. 

?   /.'  T.  ~ 


f,-^^"^'  .--■ 


-1  —  ,-  — 


:'.  \-  J. 

-I 


■rii.J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


50^ 


..  .|  •'i-'i-.  -H  -^  C  I -^  Tti  -t  w  I-;  : .  .—  _   J.    .-   z.  I-  I.',  -r  ,-:;  -r  -r  1—  .r   -   :; 

'.  -'/  ~  -f  ~-  '"i  "-I  '•'5  —  ci  >~  >-'  -t  /'  o  -jD  /'  I-  cr  -c  — '  I-  Ti  c  I-  y'  /.'  o 

..  ■  ::  ;•:  t?      -f^  c;  -t  ti  ri  r-i  r:  -ri  i-  t-i  ri  t  i.-i  ci  ~j  -^  ^  >-.  :^  i.-j  -ri  t? 

(              rH  (711-1               71  »-l               (?!»-(               r-  1— I  74  "-^  71  i-i  Tl  1— I 


;  :i  ^       — .       — ;  yj_  71  if:  7i  c_  71  y_  -+  C;  ::.  .1 1-7  o  1-  c  1-1  y.  7 1  —  o 
r  — '  -f      -t'       i~  o  o  -t  o  — '  -r*  •^'  c'  o  71"  co  c"  -i<  v£  d  d  y"  71  71"  -J 

.;l  i-i  r-(  71  f-t  71  T-i  -H  ^1  71         71  1-i  t— I  r-l   71 


-  r  TTI 


.  I  I  -  TO  y.       y.  7 1  r^       7 1  yj  to       •-   :, 


TJ  — '  I— I  I— (  T-H  71 


I  -  :7  7 1  yo  ~  r;  y.  7 1 

1—1  I— '  71         71  i-H  I— I 


K 

i^ 


7  1  ~     t— I  T— I  •• 


'•;  I-  I-        71         C7  71  X  fO         Ol  00  S         Jj  7j  O         07  I"  X  Ji  O  — ,  O  O 

l7  i7  o      ri      I-  -f  -^  r-I      CO  1-^  rJ      i-I  r:  iri      o  -i<  oi  i-  ci  7 1  7  i  ri 

:i  rH  71  71  71  r-i  ^  Tl         ,_(  r-  71 


71  i-* 


~  1.7   — ■  ^Jj    -iX    Z.  I-  TO  TO 


\   C    C;  '7  i7   i7   —   O 

1-^71  X  -ii      -f  -^  y.       c"  zi  ^5       y.  to'  oi  x,'  — i  cv  t  i  ci 

71  71  <7I  »-H  ri  T-i  71         71         71 


- 1         I— I  — 


-  -  1-      -t^       ~_  y,  71  71       o  ~_  :::_       y.  7i  >ci      i-  to  to  oc  -*  o  o  c_ 

::'  1-  TO      ^       — "  ~l  -z  'fi       c  c  T-I      c  "    '    " 

71  1— I    1— (    1— I  71    T-l    1— I  T 


Ci       7 1  I  -  ~  c;  y.  r-<  TO  1  '• 

rH   1—1  71  ,_,,_,  -J  I 


1- ::  ^_       71       o  o  o  O        C_  O  -t       y-  7  I  TT  -T  ;.■;  :7  i  -•  ;  i  :7  i  -  C;  __ 

i  •*  l-^         i-H         ci  xJ  TO  l-^         O  T-i  — '         I-  to"  C5  O  71*  1,7  x'  7  i  x"  7  I  -<*  x' 

—  —'  T-l  I— li— (  7lr-(i— <         1—1  i"(  T— li— It— (r-ir-4T— (7) 


l.>  1 


::  1-  1  -      :^       ~-.  — .  — :  '•"  •  ^  "f".  "-R  ^-;      ". '":  't  ■^! '":  •'^.  ■^.  — .  —  ~t '—  — ; 

l-i  tI  -T         rH         C<:'  I-  TO  TO  i-i  wJ  cf  XJ         x£  TO  O  oi  x'  i-^  'O  -!<  I  -  7  i  CI  i-J 

—  — '  T-(  1— (T— I  r-t    T-i  i-Hi— '  T— It— ll-^I— It— (I— 11— IT-! 


I- ::  r  TO  '7      o  oo  i-  7i  u-o  71  x  x  7i  x  71  i- 


I-  i«  TO  -^  -f  O  O 


■Z   71         'X  1-  O  TO  71  rs  1-H  -^5   711-  TO  TO  TO  O  i-7  I-  TO  "O  t   O  t-l 
-H  tMt-(  I— itH  1— ItM  r-<t— (I— ll—irHi— 17Ii— I 


I"  1-  w  I—  iw.         C7  1.7  Ci  Ci  ~'.   — .  — .  "^i   — ',   •'-.  '  ~.  '  ".    —    '  ~   —   '  ^    VT   1  ~  1  -   _    C_ 
i  — "  7i  O  ci         1-^  x'  C5  O*  TO  1-  "t  7i  7i  1'   — "  O  --C  '7'  1.7  to'  >.7   -T  to'  '—'  71 


/  7i  —  r-I  O         I-  TO  X"  O  71  O  '7'  71*  '"'  Z   C   ^'  TO  "Z  kO  TO  I  -  '7   U:  '"'  "^ 

—  —  T-I  71  1— 11-H  711—1  —   ,— (.-^,-Hr^i— (I— lr-( 


-^     ^   iJ  "^ 


^     =     ^^' 


.5   -   ?   ? 


-  -  '-"  '   - '  ;i;  X  w  ^  ^  S  ^  C  w  a 


;/; 


v. 

""^ 

■ 

I  ^ 

si 

B  i 

1 

L- 

^^^ 

-.-?=:? 

.    ^H 

^ 

C  k^    'i> 

i:/T-^ 

-1 

> 

.^tt:^ 

h2^ 

Y. 

-•" 

— 

CA"J 

g      » 


^J 


.  to 


o 

H 


ft 

h^ 

e:  3 

"^ 

r/. 

■•/) 

1 

.'-'   -■ 

1-1 

.•H 

^^ 

y: 

X  -s  «^ 

5^ 

— > 

X  «; 

1   M 

^^ 

'-  *^  -^ 

^  i.Ti 

u- 

h->4 

O 

r^, 

— •  *   'I. 

1    M 


^  •  - .     ?> 

«         ~  _  - 

K  /i  -  I-; 


508 


ui 


u 


THE  PRINCIPAL   Dlr^EASKS  OF  Till: 


[inor  ij 


_  •/  'O  i^  X.  rH  r;  i.'^  i-i  i.'s  o  s  >r,  v..  »— 


/■-   T   /.    -    I  ,  i-i  c 


;i  /  "M  1-  —  /  71  C".  71  y.  tr  /-  -o  c  iCi  -f 


r.  /.  I- 


r-   :.    -<  71 


1— I    7  I    r— I   1-H 


<~    J.    /.    —  —  ,- 


'-I   71 


I "  - 


\~  ~. .  -T"  r.  :t  1-  tt  t— I 


2  :'- 


I       .  I  ::^  c  :7  ri  -t"  _;  /._  7i 
I      =   c  -r'  I-  -t  '7  -h  -i<  1.7 


i.~  i.~  1.7'   —    I  — 


>',    -   71 


/.  I— I  -f  o  y.  ■—  Vi  T  c  —  71  -  i  •-'  "• 

71  71  T-l  r-  '     "  -■] 


1 7  : 7   /-  7  I  I  -  I  -•  -o 

•^  I  -  c  c:  I  -  y.  T-i 


7C_  I  -;  r-;  -T   >.    »— _  1.7    ^  _'.   ;  I   ;  I 

>7  "7  '/J  i-H  —  ^  •.;  71 


:5-''  =  =  i'- 


177  I- 


•r   71 


::    I- 


C    =  O 


1-71  y- 


=  'C  -f  -i      ^ 


,1  r-< 


■y.  i.7_       -^  -r  - 

Ci  17  I-  77  I' 


M  r  y 


I-      I-; 


71  y.  I- 


J.    .1  -.1 


:  I  I  -  -H       I  -  7 1  /.  o 


'~  o  I- 


I-  I-  71 


-.  -^  c  y.  71  y.  o 


ri  y     C   77  1.7  '7  -f  77 
7  -.r'  rJ  7i  vf  77  -t^  r-! 


.-);  o  yj  Oj  i,7_  O  71  o 
:7"  1  -  I  -  -t  -i^'  -ji  -t  -«■ 


:  -+  r;  •_:  1  -  rn 
1.7  — "  d.  I-  1-H  -^ 


I  —   c    y    I  -  1 .7  1 7 
c'  -H  i7  17'  y.'  71 

—I   71  7  1 


Cl    "       '  r^   —    '~  71   —   ~ 

77  •-  y.       -t;  -^^'^       ^~_r  tT 

ci  o  a.'       -t  1 7'  1  -      I  -  7 1  . 7 


cj:  -p  1.7  71  77  -r  ,-1  ,-.  --  -^  -,. 

CC"  7  i   /.'  ^'  77  I  -I  id  i-t  — '  .-i  77 


I-  :7   y.  1  -  7  I  --;  y_  — .   ,;_  :.   Z,   ~  Z.  S- 

f-  — '  -f  1-^  1 7  'C  :7  i-i  -f  —  -f  7  i  •*•  'i  1  -  r 


x-  71  c;  CT.  -yj  71 


1.7  71   J.   71  -r 


-.;;  I  -  T.  1.7  -t  y,  w  77  y.  -f  /.  ;;  z.  :: 
<-<  u:  c  /.*  ~i  y."  ^'  1.7'  71 17  c"  7;  r  /  -; 


-"    ~.    :7    1  -   ~.  rH   T—    I  -  I 


1  -  1  -  I  -  —  J. 


.  I 


'^    -  '  7i    ^    '^ 

CJ  w  r-i  V-   w 


'-J  ,  '    >,  ..^i 


't;  :^>  ».:-7r  ^-'-o  ::•  >*  t: -=  :r' > 
5  .S  '^  £3  ?  «  5  .E    -   ?  ?  ..=   - 


y. 


■f. ;,  :;*  K  y.  o ::;  p:;  y.  w  ■-  -1 


!      5 


K 


~        K  — 


■'^'  r-  -^    .-  i  -1    H 


/i    ■«        C     e3 


r.  >i 


S     s  "^ 


X  >i 


p    t-    rs 


2h^ 


;^ 


;■.?;-   1 


K!;- 


,%  •_  I  -  . '  -  1- 

-  ~  -  -1 

7-.  -r  ~  Z.  'A  'A 

1—1  I— 

itT    —-■•'•   VI  !-•_ 

f7-M 

-  ' '  'J:  :2  •  •  - 

£ /i-J 

U  1*.  /  : 

Z  11  ' 

-f       -ri  =  X 

'•  '  *■  - 

1-       /.  '.-.  \~ 

)-">.' 

,,1  LNTKRIOR  VALLliY  i)I"  NORTH  AMl^RICA.  :>{}*) 

1  liavi'  iiiit  ;ittiMiipt<Ml   til  Inrm  ;i   tahular  viuw  of    results  rrnin   tlw 
.  ::i_'  talilo.      Its   (Iclicii'iicius  iiud   aiKHiialics   aru  tii(»  niaiiy  to  warrant 
I  ;.'eiu'i'alizatiini;    vot  tln-Tf  an;  a  IVw  conclusions  wliicli  may  be  diawii 
Miii'l  lii'lil  sulijtM.'t  tu  futiiru  Cdrrcctinii. 

Ill  ii'^Mitl  to  tliu  iiuiiibcr  of  clear  ami  fair  ilays  in  tin' im-an  year,  iti 
i'liViviit  irr^iil's  fif  stations,  wo  timl  for  iivo  stations,  arouml  the  (nilf  of 
|\[,ji,M  — (!roii|»  1 1 — tlic  miinlicr  is  two  liiiiidrcd  and  thirteen.  This  ox- 
l.'ir.  Natclii'Z  ami  New  Orleans,  whii'li,  iin-luilcd,  would  reduce  (he  avera;_'0 
himilrcd  and  sixty-ei^ht.  Hut,  at  the  fornur,  the  number  repirtid  is 
-rv-three — at  the  latter,  seventy.  Tlie-o  nnndiers  must  refer  to  days 
,:viV  cl'Udless  ;  indeed,  Mr.  l/dlie.  tlie  New  Orhans  (diserver,  tells 
i;i  roL'ard  to  ihat  ]i1a(ro.  Such  observathns  cannot  be  compared 
■ ,  >L'  wiiieh  arc  generally  recorded,  (iroup  II  —  rci;ion  we-t  (f  the 
i-ilipi — jrives,  as  the  average  of  five  .-tations,  two  h\indrcd  and  twelve 
:it:ivs.  GroUji  IV — oast  of  the  Mississipjii — [irosents,  as  the  mean  of 
jtatiniis,  one  hni  dred  and  ninoty-eiirlit.  (iroup^' — reirion  of  the 
l]_'i..j_affiir(]s  an  average,  for  six  stations,  iif  one  hundred  and  sixty-seven. 
r  -w.  tiiid  that  the  aundicr  of  fair  days  increases  a.s  we  iro  to  the  south- 
|r.;  ;r.im  the  Xorthcrn  Jiakes 

;  Tiio  uuiuber  of  rainy  days  at   Key  West,  (iri.up  1,  is  nincfy-twe:   the 

|iv..Miuiuhor  of  (Jroup  II,  around  the  (adf,  is  ninety-four:  of  (Ironp  III, 

It-:  I' t'.ic  Mississi|ipi,  seventy;  of  (Iroup  1\',  east  of  that  river,  iud<miwn: 

!i|i  V,  around  the  Ijake.<,  ono  hundreil  and  one.     'JMius  the  region  of 

.;';i<lia'-  more  cloudy  weather,  and  a  greater  number  of  rains  or  snows, 

,v  itlicr.     JJut  it  is  wlien  wo  eoniptire  that  region,  \vith  the  great  prai- 

■t  '.f  tlu!  ^lississipjii,  that  we  find  the  highest  difl'erences.      The  for- 

,:i;  not  loss  tlian  forty-livo  clear   lays   more  tlian  the  latter,  and  thirty- 

iwcrtlays  of  rain  or  sn(j\v;  while  th.o  depth  of  water,  fallinL'  from  the 

■'I'liTf,  in  the  two  regions  is  nearly  the  same.     Of  all  the  Lake  .-tations, 

fr:  liru'ly,  east  of  Lake   Superior,  has  the  greatest   nund)or  of    doml}', 

M  .snowy  days.     Tt  will    lie    iu'-truetive   to  eom[)are  tliiMn  with  Fort 

:  I'll  the  Mississippi,  \Yhich  lies  nearly  in  the  same  latitude  : 


(  ' 


:l 


I  Clear.   iCloiidy.!  Rainy. 
Snelling,!  21S.J3J  147.(t,     r);5.7 


j  Rainy 
'nowy.j     ami 
I  Snowy. 

"(io.iii  T:}s.-j 

L'().")|      S0.'2 


.5  minparison,  we  Und   the   jiroportions  of  clear  and  clouily  days  rc- 

h  i:  while  the   niuuber  of  rainv  days  at    IJradv  is   liftv  nor  cent,  greater 

I-  ;i;  duelling,  and  those  of  siiow',  upward  of  a   hundred  per  cent.  more. 

iiy  ostond  the   comparison,  by  placing  a   station  on  the  south  coast  of 

*-Kne,  by  the  side  of  one  on  the  Missouri  lliver,  varying  from  it,  in  lat- 

Wt  mie  degree. 


vi    1 


J- 


1 


*  ■ 

4 


CIMt 


Tin:  rinNciPAi,  I)1si:asi:s  or  'iiii; 


["I 'OK  |J 


jMciliiniji, 


I  I  j  U;iiiiv 

CliNir.    ('Idiidy.   I.'iilny.    Snowy.     111111'! 

I  I  '  'Snowy' 


1    Coiin.'ii  lilniVs,    'SM.w  iii'.».<'|    :;:..(ij    i:).i|    :,n.7j 

It'  We  iiiaki'  :i  lariro  alliiwaiicc  fur  inacciiracii'M  i.l"  (ihsrivatinii,  tlici,,  j,  . 
li'l't   ciiiiiiL'li  I'l"    ili.-|iaiity   lii'twiM'ii   tlifj'i;  immlicrs,  to  f^limv  that  iIh-  ■ 
jilaiii^  lia\»'a  far   liriL'litcr  j-ky  iiiid  dryor  !itiiiiis|ili('rc  than  the  Liikc.-. 

Ill  ca'.'li  LTiiiij),  tli(!  iii'iiitlis  liaviiii^  tlit<  j^ncati'st  an. I  least  imiuljLr  if  >! 
oliiuily.  anil  I'aiiiy  ila_\,<,  arc  ri'sjiocitivdy  tin;  I'ollipwini^ ; 


(au;ATi:sT 


I.K.\ST. 


Clear.  Cloudy.  Itaiiiy.  ]  Clcur.  Cloudy.  IJuiny. 


(iripuj)  I, 


Si'iit. 


•'      IT.  !Oct.     IJnly.    Ijiily.    'Inly. 


"      III.  Aug.    iNov. 

I  I 

"    ivjoct.   ;i)c<'. 


"    y, 


July.    iD.'C. 


May. 


Nov. 
Doc. 


Sojit.     Xov 


X'lv. 
.\n,_'. 
'  >ct. 
Jnlv. 


Ain-il. 

Oct. 
An;.'.  .V 


HI.     Tilt;  first  PMdW  imMi(i()n(!il   in  tlio   talilo,  is  at  Cantunnioiit  Ciii:( 
I'ciisacula    Day,  in  latitndf   oO     •>]'.     At    i'mt    .fosuji,  a  ([(.'pivo  liirth 
iinrtli,  it  is  noted  as  ocn-urrlnir  in  .January  and  I'Y'bruary.     AVr  luiiy,  iicr!i;i| 
take   til','  thirty-sccund  di'i:;roi!,  as  that  at  wliii'h   it  (Hciir.s  iu  L\cry  \uiit| 
inuiith.     As  we  advance   north,  tlic  nuinher  of   snowy  days  ri'frnlailv 
iMvasos.     At  Fort  .^^iiu'llinir,  .snow  falls  in  all  the  iiiniitli  of  tlio  yr.ir,  is 
Jvnio.  'Tuly,  Anitust,  and  Sciitcniher.     At   Fort    Urady,  in  every  iiimitli,  i 
the  tliroe  suninior.     At   the  An-tii^   Circle/''  where   the  number  <if  ti 
days  in   tln'  year  amounts   to  two   hundred   and   twenty-tlip'O,  it  sii'iW^j 
every  nioiith,  and  raiiLS  only  in   Juno,  .July,  and   An^nist.     Thus  tliu -ivi 
sixth  [larallel  reverses   the  order  of   the   tliirty-.=:o('ond.     The  h'.-s  il  fi 
degrees  of  mean  temperature,  works  out  this    chaiiiro,  in  the  relati"!i3J 
rain  and   ,«now.     JJelow  the  fortieth  [larallel.  it   never  lies  mi  tlio  .t 
throughout  the  winter  months  —  ahove  that  latitude,    as  far  as  Lake  MiJ 
rior,  it   is    often   dissolved  by  warm  rains,  and  leaves  the  earth  uiicivi 
in  the  midst  of  winter. 

The  aggregate  iu'|ith  of  snow  in  the  difTerent  latitudes  of  the  A'alky 
not  boon  determined.     31r.   IMcCurd,  from  idiservations  eontinuotl  Ir  I 
years,   states  it,  for   Montreal,   at  G!).7  inches,  or  nearly  six  feet,    hit 
[leriod,  it  varied  from  17.7  in.  to  l(l7.0  in.,  or  more  than  a  hundrcil  [nr; 
A  similar  range  is  oliserved  everywhere  south  of  tliat  city. 


*  Parry's  Second  Voyage. 


iiir, 


lii'OK  V 


■1-  :i . 


INI'ERIOIl  VAF.LKY  t»F  N'ollTII   AMi:i!IC,\ 


t;til 


''■l 


li:uiiy 
innwy.     iiim 
r^niivvy 

(ihsi'vviitioii,  flu'Vf  is  -lil 
tn  sh"\v   tluit  till'  gnu 

c  th:m  ill''  i'iilo'-- 

1,1  Uast  \>uiuli<  v  '  1'  ir  .:, 


ii;.sKi' 


,,  is  at  Canli'iiinoil  *'•'' 
t    JoHUi.,   a  «l<'.Liive  I'lr-'J^ 

•U    it  wv\W^  ■"»  *-'\^'0  ^'■••' 

,no\vy  -Itiys  vc.irnluvly 
;.  lauutli  "f  llio  v'':ir,'^v; 

l>,,;i,\v,  in*-'vcry"i"'''''';j 
HuTO  tl.c  numbor  "f  ti^'J* 
,,1  tNvoMy-tla-e.  it  m.^v^' 
11    AuLM.st.     'nuwtk;-Aj 

chauire,  i.>  tho  rolai^^J 
It   nov.r  lios  on  tl.o  ;.'r;' 
itmlo,   asfarasU->oM. 
leiu-cs  t\ie  earth  uucove^ 

,  latltuaosoftl>cVnlK'^ 
Lrvati.ms  (•^.ntium'dt^t 
I  or  nouvlv />x  V^'^t.    l"j 
Lvcthanalmuaroaiar^ 

If  that  eity. 


si:cTi()\  III. 

Ill  MIDITV. 
Tin:  Pkw  Point. — As  the  ilryiicss  or  itioistiin'  of  a  'liinatn,  cannot 

■  rrriMV""!  thi'  <|ii.infity  of  rain  wliiili  falls,  nor  even  from  the  rdativL- 

-./ ,.r  (if  (•li:ir  antl  domly  days,  roroiir.st!  uiu.st  fn;  Innl  ((»  hy^roindric  (ili- 

-•nriiiis.     (If  thcsf;,  few   liavc,  as  yc(,  lici-ii  niailf,  wiiliin  the  gcn^^rajihi- 

:nits  a^signi'il  to  this  wi'rk.     In  fniincr  tinns,  I    iiiailc  ohsurvaticjn.s  at 

•:;ui.  with   the   cxjian.sihh'   hyLM'oincU.rs   of  that  day,  liut  such  n'Cdnls 

V  'f  litth'  value. 

-  kiinwii  to  all  till'  world,  that  air,  whicli  doi'S  hut  feci  daniji  ina-  inijiart 

iro  to  the  hodicH  iininorscd  jn  It,  may  1>"  mado  to  do  lioth,  liy  lowurin^  its 

ituri".     Now,  when  two  volumes  of  air,  havinpr  tho  sann-  scnsihlo  lu'ut, 

.   hi'teil  to  cooling,  t!u>  oih'  whii.di  first  liu^'ins  to  di'|ii>sit   nioisluro  cm 

ri.'Tatnr,  contains  ihi'  greater   ((Uaiitity  of  water,  and  i<  said  tn  lia\(; 

.i.ci' ilcw  point.     The  range  tlirongh  wITk;!!  the   ihcrmnnictrr  falls,  he- 

•;  i['W  iippcnrs,  is  calle(|  the  connilenient  (.f  the  d"W  |i'iiMl.     The  h  ■'S 

:'  ;v  i-!  in  air  of  the  same  temperature,  tho  greater  will  ho  tho  luun- 

:  ! '.TCcs  in  the  eoniplenieiit,  ef  rice  irrxa.     AVhen  air  feels  damp,  and 

■'   'oilics  with  whirli    it  is  in  cnutaet,  it  is  saturated  with  vapor;  and 

■    iMiiiplcnient  of  tho   dew  pfint  is  ainiihilatcd.     Tf  a  reduction  to  a 

xteiit,  say  fivo  degrees,  cause  tho  couden.-ation  of  vapor,  the  eomplo- 

.: :•  live  ilegrcoH ;  if  tho  reduction  iiiU't  he  thirty  degrees,  hufore  that 
;:iK'!'iii  will  show  itsidf,  that  nunibor  expresses  the  cnmpleinent.  Tfair,  at 
'.aikrature  of  thirty-two  degrees,  he  saturated  witli  vapor,  it  is  moist 

iir  senses;  but  if  its  temperature  he  raised,  it  will  feel  dry;  ami  if,  with 

liaercaseof  ti'Uiporaturo.  up  to  seventy-two  degrees,  for  example,  there 
k'nillie  110  aihlitioM  of  water,  it  (muucs  to  feel  as  if  it  cuntaiued  none,  al- 

kjhtlii' ahsiilute  rpiantity  continues  the  same. 

II'.:!  incorrect  to  <peak  of  tho  rapacity  of  air  for  holding  water  in  solu- 
frovaporation  goes  on  more  rapidly  as  the  air  is  loss  dense.     "Wind,  or 

['iiBotion,  promotes  evaporation,  hy  carrying  away  the  vapor  which  hov- 
'TtLo  surface  from  which  it  has  arisen.     Caloric,  in  short,  is  tho  eau>o 

hf'r,  and  the  quantity  which  can  exist  in  any  portion  of  tho  atnio.-?- 
'.nsiicli  a  state  as  not  to  impart  moisture,  i  r  be  in  any  manner  percep- 
'!'  our  senses,  is   determined  hy  the  temperature;  hut  as  the  air  iiiio 

F'.bo  vapor  rises,  and   the  vapor  Itself,  will  necessarily  have  tho  same 

pnturc,  it  is  Common  to  speak  of  the  eajiacity  of  air  for  bidding  vapnr 
F''!i'n.  This  capacity  increases  at  a  higiier  ratio,  than  the  increase  of 
p'raturo.  Thus,  starting  '"rom  any  p'liiit  of  Fahrenheit's  scale,  it  is 
^'  A;tt  for  every  twenty  degrees  of  elevation,  the  (juantity  of  vapor  ne- 
JifJ' I  saturate  the  air,  is  doubled. 

l^it'T  ho  passed  iij>  the  tube  of  a  harnmeter,  into  the  vacuum  over  tho 

'f  ni'^rcury.  it  expands  into  vapor,  and  .sinks  the  column.     If  heat 

Allied,  the  rarefaction  of  the  vapor  causes  a  further  descent  of  the  mcr- 

%'.'Xperimont3  of  this  kind,  the  expansive  force  or  pressure,  gcner- 


,1 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


2.5 


l^|2.8 

|50     "^ 

^  lis  IIM 


1.8 


1.25 

1.4 

1.6 

^ 

6"     — 

► 

Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


•n 


\ 


:\ 


\ 


V 


<^-..^^\-o^ 


^V 


'^.^ 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  873  4503 


^ 


:\ 


\ 


■■Si 


.  •■  .:•;.  .i . 


mui  ■■  ..-■ymKm'. 


'■■■>  i 
-if  ■■*■ 


L:;t.T-,:..'^;f' 


•1.  ^^ 


•.  >  ■  i-/ ,     •. 


002 


THE  PRIXCIPyXL  DISEASEf^i  OF  THE 


^M! 


1>C« 


!». 


all}'  called  tiji!>iou  of   vapor,  for  every  degree  of  tempcraturi'  lia< 
determined. 

Tlie  following  table  plin\v.s  tlie  quantity  of  vapor  necessary  to  t!ie  >r  t 
tion  of  a  cubic  foot  of  air,  at  every  degree  of  temperature  from  —  ]:;   I, 
-[-05°  of  Fahrenheit's  scale;  and  also  the  tension  for  tlio  same  (h"ri\x<    ft- 
is  constructed  from  two  tables  in  Kaemtz's  Course  of  3Icteor(ilo^v,    I  h* 
reduced  the  volume  of  air  from  a  cubic  metre  to  a  cubic  foot,  aii'l  In-,,, vjU 
the  woiglit  of  vapor  from  grammes  to  grains  troy,  and  the  de^reL'S  df  toA "I 
perature  from  the  centigrade  scale  to  that  cf  Fahrenheit.     A  siinihir  '/vji 
latinn  has  been  made  of  what  relates  to  the  ten>ion  of  vapor,  tlie  ...■,l(j| 
the  thermometer  being  changed,  and   the  barometric  hights  hciiif  "ivinj 
decimals  of  inches,  instead   of  millimetres.     Tlie  calculatious  of  ilnj 
part   of  the  table  are  by  Kaemtz,  from  his  own  experiments;  tk,<i>(.f| 
second  part,  arc  by  August,  from  the  experiment.^  of  JJaltini. 

TABLE 

Op   the   AVek.IIT   OV   VaPOII,    in    CiKAINS    TuOV,    HEQUTKKD   to    SATUU.VTKi 

Ent.lisii  Ci;i!ic  Foot  or  Am,  miti[  tiik  cokkksi'0.ni:i.\(I  Trxsio.v  of 
roil,  IN  Enoi.isii  Ixciik.-  ;    at  i; veui'  ukguki:  oi'  Faiiiie.\!h;iis  Tiitu.Moj 

TEU,  FROM    13°    TO  -]-0.1°. 


Llefjrees  ' 

is.  trfjy 

Tension 

I)i'i.'ref5 

of   Kah- 

nciiliii' 

in    Kn^'. 

of   I-;>li- 

ronlieil.  [ 

loot 

inches. 

renliL'it. 

1 

O 

— 1.30.0  in(io.f):)():{ 

+1.1 

la 

.()4x!.") 

.0.310 

16 

11 

.0445 

.0.320 

17 

10 

.04(i0 

.0.344 

r- 

% 

.04BS 

.0.301 

10 

8, 

.0510 

.0.381 

20 

7' 

.052'J 

.0398 

21 

r. 

.0545 

.0414 

22 

.") 

.057:2 

.04.32 

23 

1 

.0001 

.0452 

21 

•'<! 

.002.3 

.0470 

25 

t) 

.0647 

.0408 

20 

T 

.0070 

.0513 

27 

Zero.^' 

.000!) 

.0532 

28 

+  1' 

.0701 

.0556 

29 

0 

.07:55 

.0581 

30 

3 

.0700 

.0607 

31 

4 

.08;i.3 

.0035 

32 

W 

.0872 

.0663 

33 

<) 

.0005 

.0687 

.34 

7 

.0041 

.1)714 

35 

H 

.000.") 

.0748 

3(i 

n' 

.10.30 

.0783 

37 

lo: 

.1071 

.0818 

38 

11 

.1107 

.0856 

30 

12 

.1144 

.0805 

40 

1.3: 

.1106 

.0034 

41 

14 

.1253 

.0974 

42 

(is. troy  ' 

['en  -ion 

UPf;refs 

(r>.t  roy  i  rfii>-ioii 

Or urec-  (Is.Iim  T'n 

in  cnljiii 

11    Kn^' 

of   I'ah- 

in  I'libic 

in    \M'ji. 

of  K.-ih-|iniiilik' in 

foot. 

inches. 

renheit. 

1     fool. 

incliL's. 

renheit.  ■    tool.    ;ni' 

O 

0  1 

).1303  0.1015 

+43'0.362!! 

13001 

J-Tl'lLM,-,.!"!,: 

.1354 

.105.3 

44 

.3759 

.3113 

'  72  .'fj:il  ,> 

.1407 

.1097 

45 

.38^-; 

.3229 

73    .I'.M-  ,« 

.1462 

.1143 

46 

.4012 

.3.347 

7-1   .:i-h  .- 

.1518 

.1194 

47 

'   .4144 

..3471 

75  1.iil'ji,  .'[ 

.1580 

.1244 

4N 

!  .42f0 

.3000 

7i;i.iii::i  .;i! 

.1645 

.1294 

49 

.4437 

.3713 

77 1  (iT.l.i  1 

.1713 

.1.346 

50 

.45911 

.3>>9 

7- 1.1  III,-,'   .!! 

.1780 

.1398 

51 

'   .47o7 

.401- 

7!)l.i:t;'-.'l.'i: 

.1H51 

.14.)7 

52 

.4910 

.1151 

M)j.i;'j;i'i, 

.1923 

.1517 

53 

..")0:i 

.42lt9 

b'l  l.:Jii:i  l.'l! 

.2003 

.1577 

54 

..5240    .4il^ 

,-21.2):.':i|.i: 

.20-^1 

.1 039 

55 

.541!!    .4599 

S3 1. •.';:'!;  1 1 

.21  .-^7 

.1702 

50 

.5602    .4764 

841.:iUi.iil 

.2232 

.1768 

57 

1  .5787    .4938 

85i.:;ji';:-i 

.2307 

.1830 

58 

,  ..5987    .5109 

861.:!:-.'li'i 

.2388 

.1909 

59 

.6191    ..5279 

87l.i:illl.:) 

.2471 

.1984 

60 

.6374    .5463 

8M.(:iWI.3 

.255.3 

.2062 

61 

.6562    .561!) 

KM,."0'i:':,:) 

.2039 

.2142 

62 

.6774    .5S.V) 

!iiil.,Mi:J'.'M 

.2742 

.2227 

03 

.6990    .60.17 

91  i.i;iii:i4 

.2844 

.'2313 

01 

.7214    .6210 

!l!:;l.t;i:ii::5 

.2946 

.2400 

65 

.744-^    .6138 

<):i!i.ii:H;-'i.5 

.30571 

.2492 

66 

.76-^8    .6642 

!N  l.M-i-l.( 

.3174 

.2580 

67 

.7934,  .6,-90 

9,-  I.TM'li.J 

.3284 

2683 

68 

.81-^2    .71 .50 

i 

.3.393 

.2781 

69 

8436'  .7397 

1 

.3510 

.2891 

70 

.86931 

.7046] 

1 

m-- 


■.«.■"  ■», 


■•■» 


T)itTercnt  methods  have  been  invented,  for  ascertaining  the  dew  point. 
a  lump  of  ice  bo  thrown  into  a  brifdit,  metallic  pitcher,  contaiiiii)]:  ^ 
dew  or  moisture,  will  in  a  short  time,  begin  to  be  deposited  from  tlu 


;iK'  ;iu 


F  THE  fBooi 

of   temiicraturc,  kis  '."flo 

>Y  nocos^ary  to  the  «;i:  ;r». 
jinperature  from  —  ]:;  (q 
a  fur  tlio  same  ili';;ri:rs.  ]| 
50  of  MetcorMlo:_'y.  1  \v^ 
)  a  ciiLic  foot,  uii'l  lir>.,;(»|| 
ty,  and  tlio  degreos  of  t  m- 
Llircnlicit.  A  simihir  ','«. 
;ii?'ioii  of  vapor,  tlio  ^./jrf 
iietric  Lights  being  gi'.  !1b 
\e  ealeulatioi.is  of  llv;  fin( 
J  experiments;  tlic<r  ■ :' the 
t.^  of  JJaltou. 


KF.tirTKKD   TO    SAiniA;  ;  « 

LKSi'ON'ii.Nii  Tension  m,  Vi- 

31'  FAiiiiENinafs  Tiii;!;  iffl" 


iroyrrt'iiMoiijI'f'l^tce!  ('■s.tr.i; 
nl)iV  111  KiiL'.fol'  fnli-|mc'ili: 
lol.      ini'liuj.  jrenlieil.  _loo:. 

"O  i 

-Tl'i).S05- 


;G-2i},0.3001 
'  .:ui:t 


75"J| 
|H44 

i:<7 

r,o:i' 


.:ii7i 

:mM 
,:i7i:i 
.:i>^'J 

.101- 
.1151 
.4-J'.t'.) 

.111 


-itt 


i-ilO 

)(;o-j  .1701 


'.ii 


1)^ 


S7 
'•l 
i7i 

-74 

211 
■tl-^ 

'j:i4 


,l:»:i^ 

.51!)!) 
..5271) 
.5li;:i 
.5(i  r.) 

.51^  .V) 
.61)17 
.(■.210 
.(Ulie 

.(i(;42 

.f>,-i)() 

.7150 

i.i:w  .7:t!)7 

|8li'.):ji  .^046 


72  .'••J:il 
7:i  .'.'.M- 
7-1   .'.i~l- 

7i;i.i:t:.l 
77 1  o7;i.'i 
7-l.lW'^ 
71)  l.i:!:'-J 
Mli.l7:i; 

bi  i.'jii:i  1.0! 

f^21.24-' 

s:ii.2:'.>tii  II 
84i.:uii,ti. 
e5l.:!5ii'':'l] 
?(;i.:i:'-:n!l 

87  1.41  111  I! 

8^4.4:(yi. 

811 1. ■'O'''. 

;iiil.,")ii'j'.M 
91 1,(10 1:. 
;)-;i.tin' 
yiii.'i^'t'^Ji 

!)-!  l.M-.'-i 

9:  i.i;Hi 


scortaining  tlic  dew  pomt-l 
Hie  pitcher,  containing  wi 
be  deposited  from  tlic  ;>ir<l 


•rii., 


LVTERIOR  \'ALr;EY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


CO-d 


■■;j;1o  of  the  vessel.  The  tenipcraturo  of  the  immersed  thermometer 
,1  iiioment,  is  called  the  dew  point;  and  the  diftorence  between  it,  and 
■■:i.pcniture  of  the  air,  is  ti)e  ooiojiloment  of  the  dew  point.  By  a  ref- 
totl'.ose  figures,  in  the  table,  which  correspond  with  the  two  found  w 
lirrinK'nt.  the  weight  of  the  vapor  then  in  the  atmo.^phcre,  ^vith  it.s  ten- 
i,  i!i  corresponding  to  the  dew  point,  may  be  .seen  ;  and,  als.i,  how 
.nioif  would  be  roijuired  to  saturate  the  air,  at  the  temperature  which 

;  ;'ifr  method  of  determining  the  same  thing,  is  to  observe  the  toaiper- 

|-,;'t!io  air,  and  then  M'rap  the  Imlb  of  the  thcrmrimcter  v.'itli  some  frag- 

■;  ,f  tliiii  mu.slin,  or  locks  of  cotton,  and  after  wetting  it  witli  water,  to 

;;  ill  the  wind,  or  swing  it  in  the  air,  till  the  mercury  ceases  to  fall. 

sitiun,  indicates  that  no  further  evaporation  is  going  on,  for  t!ie  lem- 

,;,;:cijt' tlie  water  around  the  bulb,  has  been  reduced   to   the   point  at 

r .  tiie  air  can  receive  no  more  vapor  from  any  source.     Having  ascer- 

li'i'.'  liwest  degree  to  which  the  wet  bulb  can  be  reduced,  the  diifercncc- 

>:!it,  and  the  temperature  of  the  air,  must  be  multiplied  by  one  iiun- 

.■:j .1  t'aroe.  and  the  product  divided  l)y  the  temperature  of  the  wet  bulb: 

/;,:iio  (luotient  must  be   subtracted  from   the  temperature  of  the  air. 

,  :.:ri'maiudor  is  the  dew  point.     If  the  air  be  below  the  freezing  point. 
lib  of  the  thermometer  must  be  diii[)ed  in   Avater  before  being  swung. 

r-.atliin  pellicle  of  ice  will  form  over  it,  from  wliich  the  evaporation  will 
■iifhte.* 

!':iie those  physicians  who   are  familiar  with  these  elementary  matters. 
n  their  introduction,  which   has  been   done  under  the  impvossion 

L;r,;iyof  our  brethren  have  not  studied  this  subject,  and  have  nut  even 

|;:^SJ!ary  books. 

1  .MuisTUKi:.  —  From  what  has  been  said,  we  perceive  that  t!io  abso- 
ij'iantity  of  vapor  in  the  atmosphere,  if  it  were  always  saturated,  Avould 

[infropartion  to  its  temperature,  and  w  )ukl,  therefore,  decrease  from  the 
rpltothe  polar  circle — from  July  to  January — and  from  the  ma.ximum 
I'jitlie  afternoon  to  the   mininuim  lieat  of  the  followiuL'  morninc;.     If. 

fe,  itbc  not  saturated,  it  may,  at  a  high  temperature,  contain  no  mon 

n:"ibitliat  which  has  a  much  lower  temperature,  but  is  saturated.     As  a 
ataet,  the  absolute  quantity,  is  far  greater  in  the  warm  tlian  tlie  ctdd 

I'i'fe;  and  yet  the  atmosphere  of  the  latter,  may  bo  the  d;unper  of  the 

v  U'-ause  it  may  approach  nearer  to  saturation. 
'i;  nature  of  the  surface  over  which  the  air  rests,  not  less  than  its  tem- 
3iirt,  exercises  an  influence  on  the  absolute  quantity  of  vapor. 

I ii"'ar  climatic  geography,  there  are  five  great  regions,  whioh  may  l)c  prc- 
E'ltoilill'or  widely  from  eacli  other  in  their  absolute  (quantities  of  alinos- 
M vapor;  and  also  in  the  dew  point  complement.  They  are,  frsf,  the 
'1  .Mexico;  second,  the  region  west  of  the  IMississi2)i.i  Kiver;  l/iird. 


*  Espy  on  Storms. 


•■*■*; 


»!-.• 


V  :^^^-:¥^- 


l\ 


• 


^H--:l 


t 


.,       >.    .,  ,       .  .'.•V        ►  ■      •■      >At'  f     U  ..'    :',    V  ♦- 


004 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DlFEASEr5   OF  THE 


.BOOK  U 


I..    : 

■  f 


''•V 


tl'c  region  east  of  that  livor.  Itetwocn  tlio  Gulf  ami  liiikcs;  /')«r<//,  the  I/,1qa' 
tlieinsL'lvcs;  .A////,  the  Arctics  regions.     Lotus  cousidor  tlieui  in  sufc(s>;, 

I.  The  Ile,4io/i  of  (he  (Sulf. — The  atini)si)h(M-c  resting  uvor  tlic  (ju].-  ,J 
over  its  coasts,  ami  tlie  e.-^tuarics  ami  ilelfu.s  of  its  rivers,  is  coii.-taiitly  inur  ;he 
[uiint  of  saturation;  although  from  its  liigli  temperature,  a  large  www:  rf 
vajHir  is  necessary  to  that  eomlition.  Thus,  the  mean  annual  ttMiiiMnifn  o( 
the  thirtieth  jjarallel,  is  seventy  degrees,  at  which  point,  tiie  quantity  nt'  mji 
Avhieh,  aecortling  to  the  tahle,  is  necessary  to  the  saturation  of  uLuliir  f. . 
air,  isO.'^('il);5;  wliilo  at  the  tliirty-iiinth  parallel,  where  the  nicanuiinuall.  itij 
')?P,  the  amount  of  vapor  re(iuireil  to  saturate  the  same  (luaiitity  .f  ,ii* 
is  f>nly  0.5074.  llenee.  around  the  (Julf,  there  is  not  only  an  iiuprc'iiari.  uigj 
the  atmosphere,  nearly  up  to  the  [loint  of  saturation,  hut  tiic  aosuhuo  ipni^ 
tity  of  vapor  is  great.  The  dew  jjoint  is  always  high,  and  its  Cdinpknii.^ 
small.  In  every  season  of  the  year,  the  loss  of  a  few  degrees  i if  tiiiii 
ture,  is  sutfu-ient  to  cause  the  condensation  of  vapor,  and  reiulirth:'  airiu  i| 
When  the  wind  blows  ovijr  the  interior  of  the  eontinent  frum  the  ^\\\\\.\ 
l)riiigs  with  it  tiiis  great  amount  of  vapor;  and  coming  into  colder  din, 
which  have  a  lower  dew  jiuiiit,  tlie  atmos[)hijre  is  at  first  iiiatle  (laiii|i.  Mai 
hazy,  and  at  last  rainy.  During  the  winter,  the  heat  of  the  (lulf  kni- 
while  that  of  the  irdaiul  regions  heeonu'S  greatly  reduced;  ami  iutlic  -\:\i 
the  winds  from  the  former  have  their  vapor  condensed  in  pas^iing  nwr  I 
latter,  and  henec  the  copious  rains  of  that  season.  At  inidsuunuor.eiirreJ 
tivnn  the  (lulf  arc  still  passing  to  the  north;  hut  the  air  over  the  eoiitiii>!i| 
so  hot,  that  it  can  receive  and  retain  much  of  tlieir  vap(ir,  in  ailditii;ii  tiMvl 
it  already  possesses.  In  autumn,  the  continental  atmosphere  is  Odnloil. 
then  the  southern  currents  send  down,  in  the  form  of  rain,  a  liheral  ijuaiitl 
of  tlieir  va[)or.  Hence  there  are  vernal  and  antunnial  fluuds  in  our  rivj 
If  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  were  fdled  u[),  the  winds  from  that  region  wuuMl 
a  high  temperatuiv,  with  a  low  dew  point,  and  would  shed  upon  tlie  iiiti.i] 
but  little  rain — the  condensation  from  th.o  difFercnce  of  temperature,  wol 
not  reach  the  dew  ]ioint. 

'1.  Rpg'wn    West  of  Ihc   (rulf  anlthe,  Mississippi.,  —  The  great  iiirlil 
plain  west  of  these  waters,  stands  in  opposition  to  the  reginn  uf  tin- 'r| 
Its  southern  latitudes  are  as  warm,  as  those  of  the  northern  curve  of  tlieii 
and  even  for  ten  or  fifteen  degrees  further  north,  the  sunmiers  are  aln;  s^ 
hot  as  those  of  the  latter  region.     The  temperature  is  such  as  wnuk!  aJj 
of  a  high  dew  point ;  but  the  surface  'hjcs  not  afford  water  fur  cupious eva 
ration;  and  the  air  seldom  approaches  the  state  of  saturation  —  is gciierj 
capable  of  receiving  more  vapor,  and  feels  dry.     The  mountains  to  tlios 
arc  equally  deficient  in   sources  of  raptn",  and  their  low  temperature  laa 
the  precipitation  in  the  form  of  snow  and  frost,  of  so  great  a  quantity,  tbtj 
atmo.«plierc  over  them  has  a  dew  point  still  lower,  than  the  atniosplieroi 
plain.     When  the  winds  of  the  Gulf  traverse  that  region,  much  oftliiirj 
por  is  required  to  bring  its  atmosphere  to  the  point  of  saturation,  and  ul 
left  to  be   precipitated   in  the  form  of  rain  or  dew.     On  the  eastern  m^ 
of  the  plain,  near  the  Mississippi  Kivor,  tbi^  is  not  the  case,  fortlio  cvap 


ILL.  ' '  '^1 


'\ ,. 


F  THE 


.EOOX  U 


■r  n.. 


i\Tr;iiioi;  vallf.y  of  north  a.meiiica. 


]0:. 


of 

of 

u 

"ir, 
of 

.0- 

It 


isider  tlicm  in  buce'c-s:,;:, 
vosting  over  tlio  Guir  li 
ivcrs,  is  constantly  uvur  the 
erature,  a  large  an\o'ii  •  of 
i\L'ai\  annual  f(;nnMr;it' 
iMiiiit,  the  qnantlty  "l  - 
satiiratinn  of  auuliii.'  ' 
licro  tlie  moan  annual' 
!  the  same  (quantity 
IK  it  only  an  iiniiri'j.nui 
tioii,  but  till'  ai)S(iluti> 
,•<  ]\\'j}\.  ami  its  foiiij. 
f  a  lew  dejiveos  u{  tc 
IHir,  and  render  the  air, 
eoiitiiicut  iVum  the  >;    : 
,  c'luuing  into  euUler  el.i; 
is  at  first  n\iide  daiii)!. ; 
l;  heat  (if  th.e  tuilf  keu- 
V  rodueed ;  and  in  the  -\  in 
•uiulensed  in  passing  ev^r 
on.     At  midsummer. euvrei 
\t  the  air  over  the  eontinnil 
heir  vapcv,  in  addition  t.^w' 
tal  atmosphere  is  oM.'~ 
orm  of  rain,  a  liberal  iiua:; 
lutumnal  fhiudsinuur  liv 
s  from  that  region  wuul:  111 
would  shed  upon  the  iiiti' 
[erence  of  temperature,  woi 

Lcs />/'/:.  — The  great  i&iil 
|ou  to  the  reginu  of  tk- 1)| 
[he  northern  eurve  of  tlicd' 
Ith,  the  summers  are  aluv  j| 
Irature  is  such  as  ffniil'l  ^^ 
liifford  water  fur  copious iva 

to  of  saturation  — is  gown 
The  mountains  to  tho^tj 

their  low  temperature  <-ii 

of  so  great  a  quantity,  tbj 
,'cr.  than  the  atmusplicro-: 

thatregi.m,  niuehoftlKirJ 
Lointof  saturation.  aiiJM 

dew.     On  the  eastern  m* 
|snottbccase,fortbeevap 


'' Mil  the  hrnad  and  watriy  trough  of  tliat  river,  keeps  uji  the  atuios- 
■  ■vanur;  l>ut  on  advauviiig  toward  tlio  iiinuutaius,  the  ijuantity  of 
rinvonics  so  sill  ill,  that  it  reniaiiis  uiieoiiden.sed  during  the  miuiumni  tem- 

•  ireiif  the  suinuier  night,   and   dew  docs  not  form.     In  autumn,  Iujw- 

•  wiioii   tlie  temperature  sinks    still  lower,    saturation   i.s   reached,  and 
\  ■ :  U  then  deposited  in  the  form  of  hoar  frost. 

%.;•  facts  disidoso  to  u.s  the  eaTise  .if  the  dryness,  and  tluMlrying  finality. 
J"  west,  and  nortli-west  winds.     The  alisulute  ijuantity  o!'  their  vapor 

...Imueh  less  than,  at  tlieir  temperature,  tliey  are  eajiable  of  contum- 

•;  jml  hence,  when  they  roll  over  tlie  eastern  half  of  the  A'alley,  they  take 
;.;alargo  quantity  of  water,  V>y  the  vulgar,  their  ei  Idness  i.-i  supposed 
,  ;;io  cause   of  their  drying   power,  and   hence   they  f5peak   of  freezing 

:,_•. ilrv;  but  if  they  eanio  with    the  same  small,  alisidute  (juantity  of  va- 

•  laJ  had  a  high  teinjierature,  their  drying  power  would   lie  far  greater. 
;,  'vivls  "A'hica  possess  tliis   power  in  the   liighcst  degree,  are  those  which 

T^jiii  a  southern,  sandy  desert.     Tliey  come  with  a  low  dew  [point,  wliile 
r-iiiiit  fives  them  a  caiiacitv  for  sustaiiiin<r  one  nnudi  liiiiher. 

:.  ll:;hin  E'i'it  of  llie  Mls'^issippi,  bctirecn  llui  (Snlf  and  hakes. — The 
I; .  .•■■il,  liydrographical,  and  liotaniral  ccniditions  of  this  region,  consjiirc 
|;.:rjing  more  vapor  to  the  atmosphere,  than  the  region  beyond  the  Mis- 
Tlie  south-west  wiiuls  whieli  traverse  it,  come  from  the  (Julf. 
|r..Lrf'teiier  than  those  which  traverse  the  more  we.'^tern  plains.  I'iiially. 
|:rrrt!i-cast  wind.s  come  almost  saturated  with  vapor,  afforded  by  Davis's 
L.:.t!ie  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  and  the  Northern  Lakes.  Under  such 
l:;:;!i;;an(es,  its  atmosphere  is  of  necessity  nujrt-  humid,  haS  a  higher  dew 
.anJ  a  complement  of  shorter  range,  than  the  region  to  the  west  of  tlie 
|iK:.-i[i[ii, between  which  and  the  region  of  the  Gidf,  it  may  be  regarded  as 
ItL.'au  intermediate  pfisition. 

1-  li:')');i  (//'  the.  Lakes. — Here  is  ale     ''■Mice  of  water,  but  the  tempor- 
iiipared  with  that  of  the  Gulf,  isi  low;  find  the  absolute  (quantity  of 
..lie  vapor  is,  of  course,  mueli  less  than  along  the   shores   of   the 
llvgronietrie  observations  iiave  not  yet  determined  the  relative  nuin- 
u-':;rees  in  the  dew  pidnt,  of  t'.iese  two  different  regions,  lying  thirteen 
k'lrteeii  degrees  of  latitude  apart.     At   Toronto,-'-   the  elastic  fnrce  or 
'■pif  vapor,  from  observations  every  two  hours  for  two  years,  was  found 
'-■)■'  ill.,  and  the  mean   annual   temperature  for  the  same  years  wa.« 
'    Now,  hy  a  reference  to  the   table  nf  tensions,  we  find  that  vapor  of 
k  :ili';rature,  when  the  air  is  saturated,  has  a  tension  of  O.IjIo  in.,  sliow- 
h'  i-  the  atinospliere  around  the  Lakes,  taking  the  year  tliroughout,  does 

Vvroaeli  the  dew  point. 
I •''■  lluJson,  nearly  thirty  miles  south  of  Lake   I'^rio,  Professor   Loomisi' 
K^l  Ao  eoinplcment  nf  the  dew  p.iint  fur  two  yi^ars  to  be  '^.10,  while  at 
f"  It 'it  is  about  5°. 25 — difference  2"^. So,  in  favor  of  Hudson,  which  is 
-Qii.'htbo  expected  from  their  ndations  to  the  Lakes. 


i^f 


'*^!  and  .Mot.  Obser. 


t  American  Journal  ol'  >^oieuce. 


i;^ 


ft  '  !  -■  ■■    i  j '  •-  '       ,(    If-    •■  ■     I 


ys 


■  r'.v. 


•':•  "-y  ""^ 


'■•  •/  'y.'..f:''- 


■vv 


.'i' 


r. 


■...'-•*•  ,•■ 


M. 


600 


THE  PRINXIFAL  DISEASES  Ol'  TUK 


.BOOK  ! 


From  tlio  tublo  of  Pmfos.sor  LuDiiiiH,  it  appears  tlmt  tlio  nimlli  nf  Vhifl 
has  tlie  least  vapor,  coin[i!ireil  with  wliut,  from  it.s  teiiip(M'iituri',  tlic  uIhim 
phcro  might  contain.  TIrj  ei>iii[)!emciit  of  the  dew  point  of  tlmt  niont! 
12°.80;  that  of  Decemlier,  wliieli  has  the  least,  is  i'\'X).  Uf  tlm  .«..;is,iii 
spring  is  the  dryost,  winter  the  must  humiil;  suiiimer  ami  auruiu.i  an;  intei, 
modiato,  and  differ  but  little  from  eaeli  other.  Two  observations  weru  mai]| 
dailv  by  Trofossor  Loomis,  one  at  nine,  A.  jM,,  the  otiicr  at  tbrcr,  V.  % 
The  dilferenco  botwoeu  them  was,  lor  tlie  year,  5°.'J.  Tlu-  greatest  ditfo^ 
cnco  Avas  in  spring — the  least  in  winter. 

T).   A)r!!':    Rc^in/i. — A   reference  to  the  general  tabic  of  mtun  tumiiiTt. 


turcs,  and  the  table  of  this  section,  will  sh(/W  that  the  actual  aniuuiit 


^^ 


por  whieh  can  at  any  time  exist  in  the  atmosphere,  witliin  ilie  polar  oir 
is  very  small,  In  the  latitude  of  thirty  degrees,  where  the  mean  tL'iiipei 
turc  of  the  air  is  seventy  degrees,  it  rcfiuircs  0.8tl93  grains  troy,  tu  satmat 
cubic  foot  of  air.  Under  the  fortieth  parallel,  whieli  has  a  mean  liuat 
fifty-one  degrees,  CITT)?  grains  are  reijnired  for  saturation;  at  the  S'jv 
ticth  degree  of  latitude,  where  the  average  annual  heat  is  but  five  (le.'iei 
the  re(piired  amount  is  only  0.()>^7'2  grains.  In  ]>opular  language,  thrva 
of  the  atmosphere  is  nearly  frozen  out.  Htill,  in  those  region-:,  inw  ,,{ 
chief  inooiivenienees,  experienced  on  shipl>oard  in  winter,  was  t!ie  liu:a; 
of  the  apartments.  The  atmosphere  has  no  capacity  fur  receiving  tlie  cx 
lations  from  the  li'.ngs  and  skin,  which,  being  condensed  against  the  \va!I 
reiivaporation,  maintainod  the  air  at  the  dew  point,  while  cvorytliinguy  Jij, 
had  its  moisture  congealed  and  deposited.  When  the  wind  blow.s  fi-  :.:  hat 
region,  it  does  not,  however,  reach  the  more  southern  latitudes,  in  siai.  isti- 
tution  of  vapor;  for,  in  traversing  Hudson  IJay.  and  a  (•ouiitk':^.s  mii;'  rrf 
lakes,  its  temperature  is  raised,  and  it  imbil)es  a  great  additional  'pUi'  yrf 
vapor. 

in.    Dkw,  Fj;ost,  Fog,  Smoke-Fog    on  Indian  Simmer. — 1.  7^    -A; 


reference  to  ^".  loO,  Avill  prepare  us  for  understanding,  why  there  ai 
periods  in  the   i,.\enty-four  hours,  when  dew  is  deposited  mure  C' k 
than  in  any  otiiers.      Evaporation   begins    at    sunrise,   and  g'^s  ' 
the  maximum   heat  of  the  day  is  reached,  between   two  and  four  ^m 
P.    iM.;    but    with    the    increase    of    atmospheric    temperature,  cuiii'. 
increase  of   capacity  for    holding  vapor  in  a  state    of 


n!spn 


sil)],. 


-ii>p 


sion ;     and   hence    the    air,    and    all    the    objects  which   it  Qn\A'>\ 
dry    compared    with    the     morning,    although    the    quantity  if  v;;!  r; 
greatly    augmented.       As    the    sun    declines,    and   its   ra)S    devil 
heai  at    the    surface   of  the  earth,    cooling    commences,   and  g'HS  '•n 
three   modes  :     First.  Evaporation  continues  in   virtue  of  the  heat  ot 
surfiice,  and  carries  off  caloric  in  a  latent  state :     Second.  A  porti"i 
surface  heat  is  conducted  into  the  earth:      Tklnl.  Iladiation  eontiim^- 
is,  by  far,  tlm  most  eflieient  mode  of  cooling.     Thus  the  decline  ut  a: 
pheric  temperature  begins  at  the  surface  of  the  earth,  and  whoa  it  aa- 
until  the  vapor,  at  the  lower  temperature,  begins  to  saturate  tia: 
becomes   fresh   and   moist.      This   often    happens   before   sunset: 


A 


n 


V  Tin: 


.BOOSI 


;  that  till!  m.intli  df  Ap: 
■•J  teinpi'Viitui'i',  the  ;iti;ii)i 
(.■w  point  of  tluil  uiDiitl 
s  -i'^.O.').  Of  tlm  s.'a>  ii| 
incr  ami  aut'ini.i  avi;  ii.'T- 
vo  oljsorvatiuiis  wvro  i;.  iji 
the  other  at  tlirer,  1'.  M. 

=.:j.   Til"  gr.;at(jst  a;'^> 

■al  tahic  f'f  mC'MU  U'li.i  n- 
t  the  aotual  amuuiii  ■ '  ■;»• 
ere,  within  Au:  jiulav  '!■!», 

whure  tlie  nicaii  toiui  r* 
[)3  grains  trfiy,  tu  -afir.-ji 
whii-h  has  a  nuM'.i  li'  :t|[  • 
r  saturation;  at  tho  >  ■•■* 
lal  heat  is  but  fiv.;  (k':;o«^ 
jinpdar  hinguago,  tli^  ■  pfli 
in  those  rcgi'iii';,  out'  ^.  l|| 
in  winter,  was  the  hu;:.'li^ 
leity  for  receiving  [h:  ■  ;'♦ 
iikMised  against  tlio  ^va,  -.bj 
int.  while  cvcl•}■tlmlg^^';:  '4 
en  the  wind  hlows  fr^iu'luti 
hern  latitndes,  in  siu-L  ■i'St; 
and  a  countless  inin.   raj 

(i-reat  additional  iiu;iir.::yrf| 

AN  Slmmku. — 1.  1)    -A I 
tanding,  why  there  ;;v   tw| 

deposited  luiii'o  C" 
sunrise,   and  g"is  '<n  "« 
wec.i   two  and  f'mv  '"'iji 
ne    Icniperaturo.  cv 
state   of  insensihli' 
cts  which   it  eiivol'i  ■ 

the    ([uantity  "f  '•  .  ' 
and   its   rays   devil"!' 
mnncnces,   and  g"i-  '^ 
I  virtue  of  the  heat 
:     Sfcond.  A  portion  -f 
(/.  Radiation  l■ontillnu^ 
Thus  the  dci'liiie  I'i  '"^ 
earth,  and  when  it  .   -  ■ 
ro-ins  to  saturate  t-  ^  r.' 
ens   before   sunset:   ■~v^' 


hiPii-. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


(1(17 


.];t,].  before  that  tiiiit!  in  ravines  and  narrow  valleys:  frr  the  sua  eeases  t'l 

a  them  before  it  leaves  the  plains.     As  radiation  is  the  ehiel'  cause  id' 

|-;r:ilinf',  it  proeced.s  more  rapidly  from  surfaces  which  are  covered  with 

u  wliiih  rise  from  the  ground,  as  grass  and  trees,  than  from  the  eartii 

It  proceeds  slowly  from  water,  for  when  the  sn[»erficial  stratum  gives 

:<lii'at  to  the  rising  vapor,  it  sinks  and  the  one  immediately  lidow  comes 

,  t!io  surface.     As  the  decrease  of  temperature,  from  four  or  live  n'cloek 

1,1).  is  more  rapid  than  for  the  remainder  of  the  night,  it  follow.-^,  that  a 

],;irt  of  the  vapor,  susjieiided  in  the  hot  air  of  the  day,  is  thrown  down 

.  V'.iii:!:.' iliiW ;  and  thus,  by  leu  o'eloclc,  the  deposit  on  the  leaves  of  our  f  re.'^t 

-;;iH'l'ton  so  gn;at,  that  drops  are  I'orined,  and  can  he  heard  falling  from  leaf 

>',    Bat  dew  does  le     .qipear  on  livery  evening  in  those  seasons  in  which 

irevaik  for  if  clouds  overcast  the  sky,  radiation  from  the  earth  is,  in  part, 

:v;!;«a'ed  by  radiation  from  the  clouds,  and  tin;   air  near  the  surface  is 

•r.lnrcdin  temperature  to  the  dew  point;  or  tV.e  humid  south  or  .south- 

;..- ,v:;;(l  may  sprinii-  up  and  prevent  the  necessary  cooling;  ur  a  dry  iiortli- 

l::"  liml  may  absorb   the   liberated  vapor.     It   is  a  popular  opinion,  that 

rVip'r  whieh  arises  during  the  day  in  summer  and  autumn   carries  u[),  iu 

;;;  a  f'V  coviibinatioii,  whatever  noxious  gases  or  miasms  may  be  liberated 

|::;  •'  surface  of  the  earth,  to  return  with  ttie   so-called  fuHlng  dew  ;  and 

t'le  insalubrity    of  evening    exposures  in    tho;_:e   seasons.     AVitliout 

'ting  this  opinion,  we  may  admit  the  fact,  that  such  exposure  aids  in  the 

|-iMim  of    certain    fevers;    and   linu    an    explanation    iu    the    sudden 

'•itiiii  of  temperature  from  four  to  nine  o'clock,  luul  iu  the  humidity 

it.;;:iit  occasions. 

I!ie  second  period  in  which  dew  may  bo  copiously  deposited,  is  the   latter 

r.iftlie  night  and  at  the  dawn  of  day.     After  nine  or  fen,  P.  31.,  the 

i|  ileerease  in  the  temperature  of  the  air  is  much   diminished,   and 

la  it  tlic  deposition  of   dew;    but  when  the  minimum  is   reached,    the 

:-;'i  a  is  increased.     Sometinies  wo  have  morning  dew  only,  the  teinper- 

.:;:'M!i  the  evi'ninir  not  falling  low  enouii;h  to  rea(di  the  dew  i»oint.     Lxpo- 

I'T-' til  this  dew,  in   traveling   through   tall   ])rairie   grass,    or  working  in 

n'T cotton  fields,  has  been  found  unhealthy.      The  cold  wetting  which  it 

::wiiis,  followed   by  a  rapid  increase  of  forenoon   heat,  may,  [)crhaps,  do 

:/oiis;;hief;  but  if  we  admit  that  miasms   may  be  deposited  in  dew,  their 

l-ri;.  with  the  vapor  generated  by  the  morning  sun,  will  enable   them  to 

■  '• 'ii  the  systems  of  the  exposed.     The  former  is   a  fact — the  latter  a 

.."["■thesis. 

liie  theory  of  dew,  first  developed  by  Doctor  "Wells,  and  briefly  recognized  in 

■-■■»liMn,  discloses  to  us,  that  there  is,  over  every  spot,  iu  spring,  sununor, 

•-i  autumn,  a  circulati(Mi   of  the    same   water  rising  into   the  atniosjihere 

'•■  i.'h  the  day  and  returning  at  night,  to  reascend  on  the  following  d;ty  ;  yet 

|;.-wli.ile  of  it  is  not  deposited,  and  in  the  absence  of  rain  the  earth  con- 

-'■iihy.  which  drying  goes  on  much  more  rapidly  over  naked  surfaces, 

'-I'Se  which  are  covered  with  trees  or  rank  herbage,  which  favor  cooling 


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I'-Miiliilf.'ii:     '       '      ^' 


ou^ 


THE  rJiLNCii'AL  DlSl'.ASES  01'  TIIK 


iBOnn 


u\A  tlio  duposit  of  (low;  antl  hence  a  forest  sustains  a  dnjugut  :iiuili  Ijiit.r 
tluni  11  trec'li'ss  |ilalu  with  a  scanty  licrlia'euus  vcgctatiun, 

*_'.  IL/nr  Vrost  is   ilcw   cuiigcaleil  int(j  crystals.     It  i.s  found  du  (.lii,.,.-, 
whicli  project  a  little  tVoui  the  cartii,  when  it  is  not  seen  ou  the  canli  lisil'" 
hccuusc  they  radiate  more  fri'dy,  and  their  tcniperatuie  is  but  iuiiii'Hkt'v 
kept  u})  by  conduction  from   the  earth.     Thus  a  degree  of  cold  wlui'li  will 
dcpo-it  frost  may  not  freeze   the  ground.     What  is,  by  the  noiink',  eulld  a 
hlack  frost,  is  the  freezing  of  w  "^er  at  the    nirfaco  of  the  Citrili,  wlici  tiia 
ilew  point  is  so  low,  that  atmo     iicric  vapor  will  not  be  dcousitid,     S^h 
reduction   of    t('m[)erature  is  neecssary  in  .spring  to  freeze  the  vuin'tilila 
juice.'*,  and  in  the  autumn   to  arrest  bilious   and  yellow  fcvur.     A  cnhiMU^ 
white    frost   may  appear  without  doing  cither.      We  sonielinies  «•>■  t'rnjd 
falling,  in   a  wintcr-d-iy,  when  tlie  atmosphere   is  cloudless.     In  tlio  intiri 
mixture  of  strata  of  air,  someone   has  become  saturated  and  gives  out  1 
portion  of  its  vapor,  which  is  congealed,  and  falls  in  minute  cry .-ital,-,  roihli.iil 
visible  by  reflecting  the  light  of  the  sun. 

o.  Foi^-  appears  when  the  atmosphere  over  a  watery  surfa'-'c  is  coWrv  i]., 
the  water — a  condition   the  opposite   of  tliat  which  originates  dow.    Thi 
vapor,  whieh  cscajies  ia  quantities  proportionate  to  the  tenipenituie  'i;"  t'J 
water,   saturates   the  air,  and  is  converted  into  floating  ve.sicles,  ur  eli.uj 
The  action  of  the  sun,  by  expanding  the  vapor,  causes  it  to  disappear.    Y'A 
impl^-  cool  nights,  and,  the  extent  of  watery  surface  lieing  the  .saiuo.  tliiv  urJ 
denser,  and   ooeur  more  frequently  in  the  higher  than  the  lnwcr  latit;i.l' 
because  the  diHerence  between  the  temperatures  of  the  night  and  thf  w;it'.rj 
surface,  are   there  greater.      Fogs  appear  but   seldom  along  our  riwrs  ii 
S[)ring  and  early  summer,  for  the  reason  that  the  water  has  not  yet  ;n.i|iiiiv 
its  highest  heat.     When  that  is  reached,  and   tlie   niu'hts  boL'in  to  cn 
the   latter  part  of  sunnncr,  they  prevail  and  continue  in  autunni.  until  \.\ 
streams   are  reduced  in  temperature   to  a  certain   point,  when  tl;cy  ttwA 
Their  coincidence  in  season  and  locality  with  autumnal  fevor,  has  given  rial 
to  the  opinion  that  they  contribute  to  the  [)roduction  of  that  disea.se, 

4.  Sinokt-Fog,  or  Indiua-Su miner.  —  An  aspect  of  the  atmosphere  ivliio] 
occasionally  shows  itself  for  i  brief  ])Lriod  in  spring,  is  an  arinial  an! 
tracted  phenomenon,  in  autumn.  For  its  popular  name,  LKlian-Sui'.niirr.  ] 
iiavc  proposed  one,  more  expressive — Smoke-fog.  In  Europe  ;i  corrosj 
ing  state  of  the  atmosphere  is  denominated  Dry-fog.  In  our  Valley.  tlJ 
months  of  October  aiul  November  are  those  in  whieh  this  atnio.<pliorie  pli 
noraenon  appears.  Its  duration  varies  from  one  to  two,  three,  or  even ' 
w'ceks,  in  diflerent  years.  It  also  varies  in  depth  or  intensity,  in  ^ueiT>::i 
autunnis.  A  cojiious  fall  of  rain,  sometimes  mingled  with  snow,  ami  i''li'  >« 
by  hard  frosts,  generally  precedes  its  ap[]caranco.  The  atmosph.ero,  ilunn 
its  continuance,  is  commonl_y,  tranquil;  temperate  in  heat,  ".nd  Inizy; 
not  much  obscured  by  clouds.  Falls  of  rain  are,  however,  not  iiiieuiiiiii'i 
and  in  general,  the  wdu)le  appearance  vanishes  with  a  rain-storm,  tulluwej 
by  a  winter  temperature.  An  apparent  smokiness  through  whieh  tne 
and  moon,  when  near   the  horizon,  and  especially  in  the  e^ennig,  :inpi;tr( 


\  <  H 


Tin: 


I BOOK     . 


INTHRIOR  \  ALLKV  01'  NOllTH  AMKIMCA. 


GO!) 


ii  di'Dugiit  ruucli  Ij.'Urr 
itiou. 

It  Is  found  on  ol,j(ci^- 
seen  on  tliu  uarlli  itsLif, 

itUlU   is  but   imi'i'lfi;!:!.',- 

Ii'greo  of  colli  \s\\\c][  \\\'\ 
,,  by  ihi  iioojik",  I'ullf  1  ;i 
}  of  thu  earlli.  w'licn  t  •} 
ot  bo  dopositi'd.     fjii'^li  ij 
to  froczc  the  vi';:ft  i' ',9 
L'UoW   ffvur.     -V  (;"|i:   .h 
We  somelimcrf  <'"i  fr  -t 
(;loudloss.     Ill   tli;  in;  > 
iturattjd  anil  ;^ivf»  ii  •  a 
1  minute  cry  .-itals,  roiul.  1 

tory  sur'.'u'X'  is  ciilr ;    , 
ich  origiiKitos  dew,    T  .» 
to  tlio  tcuiiiuraturo  "i'    » 
llootiiig  vesicle;,  or  1!  ,L 
isos  it  to  dis.uppcur.    1'  j 
■0  l)eiiig  thesaiuo,  tlir;    u 
•  tliau  llio  lower  lati; 
)f  tlio  uiglit  aiid  the  u: 
;cldoiii  :doi.-  o\ir  riw 
water  has  not  yet  a-'; 
}   iiiLilhts  Ijegiii  to  C'. 
tiiiuc  ill  :mtuiiiii.  nntil  ;!« 
11   point,  when  they  cc;.; 
unual  fever,  has  given  lis 
i,,u  uf  that  disease, 
ct  of  the  atniosjihcrc  u! ':i;| 
■iii'i,  is  an  arnual  au'l  jiVO 
.r  name,  Indian- Sumiiid'.] 

Ill  Europe  a  curresii 
^'.102;.     In  our  Valley,  tl^ 
liicirthis  atmosi'h'^rie  I'lia 
to  two,  three,  or  even  t'^' 
|i  or  intensity,  in  siu'K'j::' 
led  with  snow,  and  I'-h  '^^'J 
The  atmosph.ere,  tlunU 
itc  in  licat,  ".nd  hazy; 
,  however,  net  inieonuiioi 
ffith  a  rain-storm.  MU<^ 
ss  through  vhi'h  tl.i'  ^'i 
in  the  e^■ening.  av] 


% 

1 

1 


.  :;  hue.  is  tile  great  eiiaiaeteristie  uf  the  season.     As  tlie  lime  when  it 
.  iniiieides  with  the   period  of  our  densest   river  fog.*,  the  nights  and 
;.  iiiniu'  valleys  soinetimea  ]iresent  a  deep  and  gloomy  olisenratinn : 
,xcrt«  on  the  hypoehondriaeal   a  doprer-sing  iidlueiiee;  and,  as  optlnd- 
-  vails  more  in  autuinii  than  any  other  .season  uf  tin;  year,  it  is  imssi- 
at  this  state  of  tliti  atmosjiliere  may  be  an  exciting  cau.se. 
c"n:in  of  >^inokc-fog,  i.s  sujuxised  by  many  to  be  una.seertained;  but  the 
raiimhor  think  it  dependent  on  exten.sive  conilagrations,  in  our  forest?, 
;!:0  CTound  is   over.spread  with   dead  loaves;   and   on    the  extended 
.,  inlersperseo'.   witli   groves,  through  which  the  31i.'«si.'<sip[d  In  his  its 
lut,  above    all,   on    the   iiuiuense    desert  wliiili    .stretelies  oil'  to  the 
.'.■.Vouiitains.     Tlie  dryllc^s  of  that  region,  lead.^  to  an   early  witlniing 
;  :'ra->  and  herbaeeou,s  jdants ;  and  ruining  lires  arc  known  annually 
i'luic  that  which,  allowed  to  aceuniulate,  'vould  at  liMigtIi  increase  the 
::-(iftlic  .soil.     An  objection  to  thhs  opinion  i.s  drawn  Irom  the  well- 
,  !'a-t,   that    r.iin    docs    not    permanently    dis.sipato    the    Snuda'-fog, 
;  i- often  quite  as  great,  the   next   moriung  after  a  copious  .shfiwer , 
:i,>  iii.raediately  b(dovo.     Hut  we  must  reeolh'ct,  that  rains  are  local, 
:_'it  he  profuse  in  places  remote    from  the  seeiio    of  eMiflagaralioii, 
,t  iiicluding  it. 
'■  <tatc  of  the  atmosphci:'  here  described,  does  not  appear  to  have  any 
:.;L!i"n  with  a  dew  point :   for,  acc(jrdiiig  to  the   tjbservati.)ns  of  Profes- 
bds.  at  Iludsiin,  the  dew  point  of  October  and  Novemlier  is  nearly 
:  t'tlie  year;  nor  with  the  weight  of  the  air — lor  the  observation.?  of 
•rEiigolniann  and  Doctor  Hay  show,  that  the  barometer  in  Oi-tuba-  and 
,'  ;,  has  very  nearly  tlie  average  elevation  of  the  twelve  months:  nor 
; i: ari-o  from  volcanoes,  for,  although  , some  of  the  mountains  on  the  coast 
;:';  Pacific  Ocean  are  V(dcanic,  they  are  too  far  in   the   uortli-west,  to 
Itiiiir  influence  over  the  central  part.s  of  the  Valley. 

.    TliK  I>KW     I'dINT     CONSIDKUKP    1.\     lilUKllENCK    TO    JIkAI.TU. '^VllCll 

luliment  of  the  dew  point  is  small,  or,  in  other  words,  the  dew  point 

ihfirthe  teinperaturL',  whatever  the  latter  may  bo,  the  air  begins  to  be 

Cf:  iffhon  the  eom[ilement  of  the  dew  point  is  reduced  to  nothing,  and 

»|  int   oincides  with  the  temperature  of  the  air,  saturation  exists  and 

cnition  ooases.     This  condition   may  occur   at   any   temperature;  and 

wo  may  have  a  cold  and  moist  air,  or  a  hot  and  moist  air.     The  latter 

"•'Miililion  of  the  shores  of  the  Gulf  of  ^Mexico,  for  more  than  '      '  the 

'-uiotheruionieter  ranging  between  eighty  and  ninety  degrees,  the  air, 

-■-•'mie  time,  being  nearly  satv.ratcd  Avitli  vapor.     To  this   condition, 

"t"  our  physicians  have  ascribed  the  fevers  of  the  south;    but  without 

ptiiig  to  as.sign  the   modus  opcran<li.     Adopting,  to   some  extent,  the 

'-"  'i"]!!'!!.);!,  Doctor  Lee*  suirirests,  that  smdi  a  str.te  of  the  :iir  retards  the 

' ':wy  excretion  of  carbon,  thereby  changing  the  condition  of  the  blood, 

^::r'miig  upon  the  liver  the  necessity  of  increased  secretion.    At  the  same 


*  Forry's  Climate  of  tlie  United  States,  p.  111. 


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t;io 


Tin;  I'UiNcirAL  1)I.-!i:asi;s  of  tiik 


» 


[BOOK  I, 


tlmo.  (Mituiioous  evaixiratioii  is  iiiiiiodcil ;  and.  in  lii.s  ii|iiiiifin.  th.'  niati.M 
wliidi  tlu;  skill  sIkjuM  e.\crut(!,  aro  in  part  rotaincil  in  tlio  IjI.mhI.  l'i),,;| 
nioi.st  air  cijiiiluct.s  olX  tlio  oloctricity  (if  tlio  bddy  more  raiiidlv  tliaii  a  .in 
These  (ifl'cctn  lif!  ftscrilx.'s  to  a  lii;^Ii  dew  |Miiiit,  and  imt  tn  thu  .^n-jit  ]„.J 
T/ltli  wliii'h.  In  till'  siMitli,  it  is  assDciuted.  I5nf  it'  saturatimi  uf  tlir  w  \y\A 
vaji.tr,  (ir  t'p;  stat(!  ap[)r()aelung  to  it,  can  impair  tlicso  f'lnictiMn.i,  in  ,,,,(■ 
clitnativ^.  why  duos  not  the  sann-  fimso  produce  tlie  saiML-  allcil'.  il  (•t^•l•t^  k 
higher  latitnilo.-i'.''  We  Icnow,  moreover,  tiiat  tiie  suaniru  of  the  (inl! 
IMoxieo,  who  are  immersed  in  an  atmosphere  nearly  saturated  with  vm 
are  little  affected  with  fevern,  while  they  k('c[»  at  sea,  proviijcil  t!ii'irsi.i|,.ij 
not  foul;  I)utareapt  to  be  seized,  while  in  |(ort.  Lastly,  it  is  \vi'lll;iiuv,i. 
the  operatives  iu  eertain  manufacturing  establishments  spend  tlnnr  i|;iv,>  ii 
hot,  su[icr-saturated,  v.apnrous  atmosjiherc,  and  yet  cnjiy  gimj  hi.;dt!i  \\ 
climate,  with  a  high  dew  point,  is  eminently  litteil,  however,  to  exert  aiij 
fluence  in  the  production  of  the  gaseous  produi-ts  of  organic  de.^iiiie..vifi(j 
and  may.  in  that  way,  prove  an  indirect  cause  of  fevers.  In  siieli  a  I'.im^ 
everything,  both  animal  and  vegetable,  which  is  dead,  juitrlHes  mi 
while  in  eohhir  or  dryer  climates,  from  lack  of  heat  iir  of  luui.-tur.;, 
decomposition  goes  on  much  nunc  slowly. 

A  high  dew  point,  with  a  low  temperature,  presenting  coldness  fiml  iiia 
tare  combined,  is,  ])crhaps,  more  injurious  to  health,  than  the  cimilitiin  {I 
considered.     Its  influence  in  the  production  of  tubercular  phthisis,  il'.'>'n(i| 
to  bo  considered.     It  doubtless  favors  the  production  of  brnnehiiil  (':it;in|j 
and  rheumatism  is  among  its  effects.     Those  who  s[iend  niost  of  '',. 
and  lodge  through  the  night,  in  cellars,  vaults,  and  cells  with  thick  wa!!-.  iij 
immersed  in  an  atmosphere  of  medium  temperature,  kept  eonstanily  m-iiri 
point    of   vaporous    .saturation.      In   such    habitations,    dyspepsia.   I'lru 
bronchitis,  consumption,   scrofula,  and   scurvy,  are  apt  to  occur:  an  I 
perhaps  lie  ascribed  to  the  humidity,  and  the  absence,  at  all  limes,  ot'  a  1 
temperature. 

Our  west  and  north-west  winds,  as  we  have  already  seen,  have  a  1  v 
point,  and  are  either  temjicrate  or  cold.     They  are  ahv.ays  invigoratini'.l 
contribute,  in  the  end,  to  generate  an  inflammatory  diatlicsis: — c?|"iiall 
produce  inflammations  of  the  lungs  and  joints.     By  their  dryness.  t!i<y 
mote  a  rapid  evaporation  from  the  skin  and  bronchial  menibrano.    A\!  ■■; 
low  temperature,  their  chilling  inlluenee  is  so  much  increased  by  tii.^ra 
exhalation,  that  persons  exposcil  on  the  prairies  of  Illinois  and  I '«::. 
frozen  to  death,  when  the  temperature  of  the  air  is  not  so  low  as  t^  -  .: 
the  possibility  of  that  event.     If  a  person  thus  exposed,  wore  tu  bun 
self  in  snow,  his  body  wouhl  soon  bo  surrounded  by  a  saturated  atm">!'l 
when  further  evaporation  would  bo  suspended,  and  the  danger  ol'  [tn;i 
diminished. 

When  the  temperature  is  high  and  the  dew  point  low,  the  acti"ni;| 
air  is  very  powerful.  It  rapidly  drys  and  hardens  the  ground,  wit'uil 
plants  by  carrying  off  their  juices,  and  exerts  on  men  and  aiiiiiiilH 
the  bad  effects  of  escessivo  evaporation,  among  which  are  drynes-   ' ' 


''■(dt.Gt 


m-fi:  ■ 


1*1 


F  TlIF, 


[BO-K  1. 


iNTHinoit  vAr,i-i:v  of  north  AMr:ni<'A. 


i;ii 


I  Ms  (iiiinion,  tlii'  iii:iit,.|| 
I  ill  tliu  Ijliii'l.     Fill  1.;,  I 

uiDVO  raiiiilly  lliaii  u  inp, 
iml  not  (ii  tin;  ^.'vi'iit  !  4, 

s;itur:itliiii  nt'  t!i"  nir  ■  i^ 
r  tlii'sc  t'liiirtiuiis,  ill  '  .r( 

llO  SUlllL'   allril^^rll  cITt       ig 

10  seiiiiii'ii  lit"  ilio  (',  o( 
javly  i^utnratfil  witli '.  or, 
son,  prnvidi'il  t'.icirM  '  be 
Lastly,  it  is  well  kin 'W  iit 
ncnts.  spend  tliuir  iKi;  •  at 
■t  enjoy  ^ond  lie;ill!i      '  hdt 

m1,  lluWCVlV.  to    L'Xelt 

s  of  organic  de.  iiini">i 
fcvi'i'S.  In  siu'li  ;i  I'.i 
is   dead,  ]intnti«'»  i;-; 

f  lioat  or  of  niui-tv.v 


•osontini;  (.'oldiii;-'  amliiiOl 
altli,  tliau  tin.'  conditi  ■ 
tuln'rculur  jilitliisis.  '1  ■ 
liK'tion  of  bvo;u:lii:il  <■  ■ 
vlio  sjicnd  most  of  '' 
lul  cells  with  tlii''lv  w' 
uro,  l<oj)t  c'onstamly  ; 
ations,    dyspeiiM:^.   ' 
irc   apt  to  oeeur:   i' 
euco,  at  all  limes.  "'•' 


an] 


>s 


11 


Ircady  socn.  liave  a  1' 
re  always  invigonitiiiL'. 
ry  diatlle^is•.— CS1"''ki1! 
Hy  tlicir  dryness.  iImv 
•liial  membrane.    '\\t'"'< 
lueh  increased  by  tlii.>  r| 
■s  of  Illinois  and  l""':'- 
1-  is  not  so  low  as  i<>  '^ 
exposed,  were  Ui  l'""}' 

a  by  a  satiirated  atm"^!'l 
and  the  danger  ut'  l'^ri=i| 

point  low,  tlie  action  ■■fj 
dens  the  ground,  ^vitlH■l■^ 
hs   on  men   and  ainiii:.! 
ur  which  are  dryu'-^ 


■>  membra no.s  of  the  inoutb.  fam  '•-.  nostrils,  niid  eyes.  It  is  an  idiservu- 
:  sumaicr  laborers  in  thu  iield,  tiiat  when  th"y  sweat  freely,  they  can 
rii.elicat;  but  if  their  .skins  remain  dry,  th.ey  arc  apt  to  fail.  In  this 
[  .ii|i|iiise,  th(^  air  has  u  low  de-w  point,  anil  carries  n\Y  the  transpiration 
,  .Lin,  before  it  is  condensed:  and  if  so,  they  suH'er  from  tlie  dryness 
.•;iir,  and  not  from  being  unable  to  jicrspiro. 

•all  portions  of  our  Interior  \'allev,  the  s  oitlieni  and  iniddle  latitude" 
■  western  prairies  are  most  exposed  to  tlio  fiery  atniosphen;  we  aro  now 
l.'.iiiL'.  At  Fort  (iibson,  near  the  ninety-liftli  meridian  and  thirty- 
lunillel  of  latitude,  it  lias  raised  the  thermonieter  to  one  hundred  and 
.:i .[ 'irrees.  On  the  same  desert,  from  eight  to  ten  degrees  id' lungitudc 
rwi'st,  and  as  far  nortli  as  the  thirty-seventh  parallel,  this  ^tate  of  the 
•i';  10  exists  in  a  still  higher  degree.  The  lioise  fly,  and  the  ;:reen  or 
...:;,  th,  arc  there  unknown;  and,  in  the  month  of  duly,  the  liesh  of  the 
..'  i.'iit  ill  slices  ami  hung  in  the  air,  dries  so   rapidly  as  to  bo  preserved 

|r:.;t5;ilt;  and  is  carried  to  Santa  Fo  for  futiiri!  use.  The  i]iiical  pho- 
i;i  uf  looming  and  mirage,  tiro  strikingly  exhibited  in  tlie  same  hot  and 
';;.  Small  bodies  are  often  seen  in  tlie  distance,  at  a  eonsiderablo 
::  i;  and  the  delusive  appcaranco  of  lakes  and  streai.M.4  freipiently  tun- 

|ii;« the  way- worn  and  thirsty  traveler.* 


CHAPTER  V. 

:iECTRICAL    PHENOMENA:    DISTEIIJUTION    OF    PLANTS 
AND  ANDIALS. 


SECTION  I. 

|eO?P[IERIC    ELECTRICITY.— TiriTNDRR    STORMS.— HURRICANES. 

!•  AiMospiiKuic  Er.KCTurcrry. — It  would  bo  absurd  to  question  the 
K'^-.tja  physician,  of  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  temperature,  winds, 
filler,  ami  moisture  of  the  country  in  which  he  is  to  ascertain  the  causes, 
►ifWi.'ute  the  cure  of  diseases.     If  the  study  of  its  electrical  condition 

'pknumcna,  cannot,  in  the  ju'osont  stage  of  our  knowledge,  bo  shown  to 

•■■'j !in  crpuil  importance,  it  is  by  no  means  to  bo  neglected.  Tiie  mystc- 
p!j'Jt  apparently,  intimate  relations  between  light,  caloric,  magnetism, 

^■wism,  and  electricity,  suggest   that  thoy  are,  perhajis,   but  one  agent 


fj  ■•: 


■V 


'^ee  Dr.  Gregg's  interesting  Commerce  of  the  Prairies,  Vol.  I,  pp.  96-100 


(ii2 


'I'rfF',  PIUNriPAI,   DI.SEASIIS  OK  TFIK 


[I'l.iti. 


'.■I;    ;.. 


•^■*'"{ 


%-i-  '^ 


f-lU'v^:  ■ 


jit 


■ '  »■»'.■ 


•*;„•■ 


.'  ♦  .     N 


'jr'.M- 


/I 


j,j!;;^?..';^ii 


lUIII 


ill  iliircntat  shiti'S  nr  iimiI>s  of  ii'.itljii.  tlio  wliulo  of  wliich  silioiilil  lie  .stuilvi 
ill  <.'o,iiic'i-tii>ii.  Tlic  iiKiiiifeHt  jmrt  which  eluctrii-ity  plays  in  t\\o  nv-'tfiniH  al 
curtain  ai|iiiili(!  iiiiiiiial;',  a;*  the  ^n/mnoluv  eU'ctr'wus,  uml  thu  infliu'iii'i.'  it  v  \m 
\w  iiiinlc  to  oxert  on  tho  nervous  mystoiu  of  iiiun,  still  rurt!n.r  iioint  to  it  u 
an  agont,  ii|iiin  \;\\\r\\  tli(.'  |t!iysiiMan  is  I)  iiiiid  to  direct  a  porti  jii  of  liis  atti'iit;  ,il 
Al'tor  t':>'  i.'X[K;riinontal  (Icnunstration,  hy  our  uroat  einiiitrviiuii,  Frai.klii 
of  th(>  i'lv'iitity  of  oloutrioity  unil  lii^htning.  by  wliii.-h  tliu  iiiimi.Mi.ii;  am  i:tiit 
that  fluid  i:i  tho  atiiivtsphorj  wa^  niul!  kn  twn,  many  pliysiciim.!  v,i,| 
indiil^'dd  tho  opinion,  that  it  purfornn  an  important  p:irt  in  tlio  u 
oooiioiiij-.  Tho  sul).soi[n(.'iit  dis';oV('ri''s  of  (lalvani  and  Vnlta.  ^ravc  a  nji 
iinpiilse  t>  thoMo  speculations;  and  suo-rrostod  many  cxp'.Tini'jiits.  (n  t|| 
ofl'oets  id*  qalvanio  electricity  upon  tin'  living'  hody.  ImHi  in  health  an 
dis.'asD.  \o  satisfactory  re^iult-*  have,  howi'Vcr,  I)  mmi  reaclinl.  TIk; .s'i!iii.'( 
iiiivorthclo.ss,  1'  not  likely  to  ho  reliii'[iiislied  hy  the  iiiiau'lnative ;  iml,  I'vi 
tlie  nijst  s  ihji'-nundeil  ur.ist  admit,  that  an  accent  so  powerful,  so  n!iiv,.r,;i|j 
pro3iMit,  and  3  )  oporativo  in  many  of  the  Si>orot  [i;mi;i!ss"s  of  in  ir'^ruiii'  uut  in 
can  s-arij  ;ly  fail  to  perform  s  oiul!  important  [lart  in  the  liviui:'  Imdy,  IVriuJ 
t!ie  proper  ni  i.l'  of  studyiii','  it,  in  referenct'  (o  that  h ody,  lia.s  net  vut  \> 
discovered.  That  atmospherics  air  performed  a  vital  part,  in  the  kiiij.'iiiiii( 
organized  nature,  was  known  from  tlie  lieL'iunin^':  Imt  it  was  reserved  fort 
last  ceiiiiiry  t>  discover  its  mode  of  a"ti  m.  We  are,  pcrliap-,  at  tlii^  \\ 
in  a  similar  condition,  in  refcrcuee  to  electricity,  and  snnie  future  gi'iioratij 
may  devise  instrumentalities,  by  which  modes  of  aetion  and  eflects,  uf  wliii 
at  pres  •  it,  wo  can  form  no  eouception,  will  bo  rendered  plain. 

JCIeetricity  exists  at  the  surface  of  the  earth,  ami  in  tho  almnsplioro  .i: I 
times,  a!id  is  forever  eireulating  between  them.     Experiment  has  .sliewii. 
durin;.^  c  nubustion,  the  iinafman  products  which  escape  are  positively  . 
trifled,  leaving  the  residimm  negative;  but  the  process  hy  which  tlio  trivitd 
amount  of  ideetrieity  makes  its  way  into  the  titniosphere,  is  solar  eva|iiratii 
the  va])  ir,  which  arises  from  every  wet  or  watery  surface,  in  which  any  s;ilil 
matter  is  held  in  s  dntion.  being  positively  eleetrifKnl.     Wherever,  then,  t!i«( 
Is  a  high   temperature   with  a  high  dew  point,   the  atmos[iheric,  ekctria 
phenomena,  are  of  a  striking  character;  and  where  the  teiiiperatarc  is  1)| 
and    tlie    evaporation     feeble,    they    are     correspondingly    rediieetl. 
condensation  of  vapor  into  fog,  rain,  or  dew,  appears  to  increase  atmisjiliei 
electricity,  setting  it  free,  in  conjunction,  if  wh'  may  so  speak,  with  the  l;ua| 
caloric  of  the  vapor.     The  tension  or  (Quantity  of  atmosjiheric  elei'tricity. 
measured  Ijy  the   electrometer,  is  greater,  in  a  tranijuil  state  of  the  ntni 
phore,  in  winter  than  summer;  it   would  seem   that,   as  the  vapor  of 
atmosphere  is  more  and  more  deposited  by  increasing  culdness,  its  cleetri'l 
is  disengaged  and  left  be'aind.     Tlicre   is.  als ),  a  diurnal  variati'iii  in 
amount    of  electricity   at   tho    same    place,    when    tho   weather  is  seriilj 
According  to  Kaemtz  :* 

"  At  sunrise  the  atmospheric  electricity  is  feeble  ;  it  continues  to  ini-re^ 


*Comi)lete  Course  of  Meteorolonfv,  page  338. 


Tiir. 


[in  .K  U 


jilays  in  tli'j  liy.-'ti'iii-  of 
uihI  the  "mibuMii'i!  it  r  ly 
ulill  I'lirtlmr  ji'iiut  t  >  ,:  ai 
;i  |ii)rl'Miiiif  liUiiU(Mi!  X 
at  e')iiutrviii:iii,  Kr;iu!.:,n, 
.•h  the  immmist;  am  lai.'  of 
many  jiliysiijiaiis  va.' ,  Ij 
rtant  pirt  in  tlio  u . 
li  ami  Vnlta.  gave  a 
many  PX[i';niiioiits,  en 
)iitly,  biitli  ill  h('al!!i 
ioii  roai'luvl.     Til'' « i 


im:i'/uiativo ;  nul. 


)1 

■f 

id 
t, 
!i 

A 

'!» 

•a 


SD  JloW'Tl'lll,  SO  Ulliv.': 

iCLVSSis  lit"  ill  ii-i^aiil''  11. ■ 
1  the  liviiijj;  bihly.    V. 

lal  li.nly,  l>;i^  ""t  }■'-' 
ital  part,  in  the  l;iii;"l'i.i 
;  l)ut  it  was  reserved  I'lrt 
•  are,  perliap^  at  tliis  t;ii 
ami  some  rutuv" -"H'    "M\ 
actiiiii  ami  effects,  olwii 
lulered  jilaiii. 
mil  in  the  aimusplierc  :r 
■iXneriinent  lias  slmwii. 
csi'ano  are  pnsiiivei)  '■« 
rocess  by  wliieh  tlio  <^\yM 
jihere.  is  solar  evainrati)! 
urlaee,  in  which  any  s;ilij 
hI.     NVlicvever,  tlieii.  t'.i 
the  atmospheric,  elcJtnii 
,ve  the  temperature  l<  h% 
(indindy    reiliieed. 
;avs  to  inereasc  atniosiiliei 
;vy  so  speak,  witli  tlio  1;U^ 
f  atinosithcrie,  eleetririty, 
•an' (nil  state  ofthe  atmdj 
that,   as  the  vapor  of 
^ing  coblness,  its  eU'ctn- 
a  diurnal  variati'Hi  in 
on    tlic   weather  U  s-ro" 

1,1c  ;  it  continues  to  Iii'T- 
.  page  338. 


i.\Ti:i{ioR  v.\i,i,i;y  of  nohth  .-vmkkic.x. 


oi:: 


■ '«U!i  risio.'i.  and  the  vapors  an;  eulhrtinL'  in  ilie  Inner  ri"riini.s  cit"  tin; 

.'i!ii;re.     Tiiiij   inereasiii;.;   period   l.ast.-t,  in   .siunnier,  until   h\k  or  .<5t'Ven 

;iii  t!iL' iitn-nin,;^ ;  in  the  s[(riii;,'  and  aiitninii  until  oiglit  nr  nine,  and 

wiiitor  U"til  ten  or  twelve  o'elurk  in  tiie  day.      Uy  deirrees  the  tension 

*  it)*  /««./•«',. v//t  ;  diirin;^  this   tiim'  the  Inwi-r   ri';:iims  art;   iilb'd    \\it!i 
.  tli'i  hnniidity  of  tin;   air  iiii'roasjH,  and   thi-   iiy.irrnnietri'-   teii-ji'in    j^ 

•  :t!iaii  in  'he  ninrnini;;  in  the  e'lld  seasmi  then;  is  ol'teii  fn:;.     (Ji-ner- 
,'.etrieity  deerea.sen  iininedi.itely  after  attaining;  its  mailmun,  at  lirsl 

;;,,  then  more  slowly.     Thi;  vi.sibh;  vapors  of  the  lower  strata  disiippear, 

sdisnor.se,  tlie  atmosphere  beiionies  de.ar,  ami  distant  oltjee-ts  feem  to 

•11  the  speetator.     Toward  two  o'eloek  in  tliu   afternoon,  tJK;   atnios- 

/  1,'trii'ity  is  very  feebli;,  and  scareoly  stron'^er  than  at  .'^unrisf'.      !t 

:.„- 1)  (liminisli  until  al)ont  two  iioiir.s  befn'o  sunset;  in  SMinnier  until 

■  ivi'.  or  «i.x  oVdoi'k   in   tiie   evening,  and   in  winter  until   live  "'(lock. 

:  !V')v.m  lasts  longer  than  it.^  ninxiniuin.     As  s  ton  as  the  .siiu  :i|ior'>;i  dies 

-iri'iii.  it  again  begins  t'>  a'lvaiKie,  inerea.ses  sensibly  at  the   iiionifiit  of 

.;.'.")(.'«  un  increasing  during  twilight,  and   attains  a  seeoiul   intt.f'in'in 

:  ir  aad  a  half  or  two   ii ours  after  sunset.     Then   vapors  form  in    the 

■  roii'Mis  of    the   air,  damp   inereases,  and  the   night-drw   tails.     This 

IriJ  w/J7i«HJ  usually  C([uals  that  of   the  morning,  but  it  C'lntinues   a 

If. r;:: time,  and  the  eleetrieity  ileereases  slowly  until  the  next  morning." 

1  i:ii  ii'it  in  the  possession  of  any  series  of  cxperiineiits   on  tlie  elretrlcnl 

|.:;:iii  uf  the  atmosjthere,   at  any  place  in   the    Interior  Valley.     Two 

Ik'Hs may  bo  hero   projtosed:     rirsl.   What  are   the  etVects,   if  any,  on 

:ireii,m  C'Mistitution,  of  a  highly  positive   or  highly  negative  .'^tato  of  the 

li'i'-CTe,  au'l  of  the  sudden  transition  from  one  to  the  other?     S-'ond. 

inat  manner,  if  at  all,  does  eleetrieity  contribute  to  the   production  or 

r;vl "f  I'pidemie  diseases  ?     I  shall  not  undertake  a  reply  to  these  ([ues- 

b,l)iit dismissing  the  consideratimi  of  eleetrii-ity  as  it  exists  in  eqw'dlhrio, 

iMtriil  state,  say  something  of  its  plienoiuena  and  etfects  when  in  a 

perturbation. 

iiLNDiai  SroRMs. — These  electrical  plionomcna  diminish  in  frequency 
'iv:ile:icc  from  the  tropieal  to  the  [lolar  regions.  On  the  shores  of  the 
^•'■f  Mexico  they  occur  in  every  nunith  of  the  year,  but  much  oftener  in 
'it'iciM  weather.  In  the  middle  latitudes,  at  St.  Loui.s,  their  fre(pioncy 
'M  observed  and  recorded,  by  Dr.  Engelmann,  for  sixteen  conseeutive 
'•'  The  moan  of  this  long  period  was  41),  distributed  through  the  months 
l^asoiisas  ftdlows: 


becember,      .     .     . 

ilanuary 

d'ebruary,      .     .     . 

.  0.(50 
.  0.00 
.  1.25 
.  2.54 
.  2.00 
.  5.70 
.  8.30 

June,      .     .     . 

July,        .     .     . 
August,  .     .     . 

.     .  10.40 
.     .     0.00 
.     .     5.10 
."722.40 

1          Winter,  .     . 

Summer, 

'March 

'■Vpril, 

M^v, 

September,  . 
October,       .     . 
November,  .     . 

.    .    :t.oo 
.    .    2.dn 

.     .     1.20 

__^ Spring,    .     . 

10.00 

Autumn, 

.     .    7.20 

'1. 

■ifl 


\ 


f " 


J' 


h 


$M^-^i^^:;:^---;:  V: 


J* 


fir.,  t      i     ■  ,    ,  1..        '         .  H-' ■  "  .    ,, 

.'\'^■■'.■■■i       ■    /     ■     '■        :■•       ■.        ■     ■ 

M:  -i.  :         ■'■■■  ■   ^  V:'.'->-'' 


p.  5 


W 


.-*!#'- 


114; ^j-p: ■■■.::.  ■■■•^:■  /-:'■: 

I'  i  ■•     ■  ' '     ■  ■  .•  -'.'  ■  -w".'  ■  ■ .' .  ,^  ■•  ..' :'    ■ 

\i''h'JH   ■■:'"i        ■■■■    v..  y  ; 


., 

'  % 

'  i  ■ 

Hi 

1^; 

;•;.. 

If 

VJT 

>'i 

''5' 

■■    ."' 

L 

1 

■  .1  "■ 

..     ^' 

^::^ 


Iil4 


TIIK  rillXCrPAL  DISEASES  OF  TIIK 


InnoKl 


"Wo  st'o  by  this  taulo  tluit,  boginiiliig  witii  tlio  r\'asoii  in  whi,.],  t'liinileJ 
stoniH  aro  liMst  tVci^uout,  th-'  onl-'i'  is  winter,  aiitaimi,  sprinif,  timl  s\iinm/ 
In  rulbrriiig  tu  the  moiitlis  we  fiinl  a  regular  increase  fromDeccinlMr  ImJuii 
ami  lit'  'lecroasa  from  tlie  ibriiior  to  the  latter.  It  is  wnrtliy  of  roniurk  t!ii 
the  cxtreuK';-)  do  not  lull  in  tlie  months  of  least  ami  greatost,  mfn'i  t'Mir  •«. 
turo,  whi;'h  are  Jaaiury  and  -rnly,  but  in  the  fjolstitial  mouths,  wIku  i]m 
direit  aL-;i.)ii  u''  the  sun  is  at  it»  minimum  and  maximum. 

Thunder  storm-!  become  exceedingly  rai'e  as  we  apjn-oach  t!ie  iinLir  r^m 
\\\  the  northern  {lart   of  our  \'alley.      Iloss,  as   far   as  I  roi-olloct,  d.  <■>  n 
mention  o;  .;  at  jJ.iutliia  I'^elix,  N.  J^at.  70^,  where;  he  spent  the  greater 
of  three  years.     Simpsttu  saw  one  in  N.  Lat.  ()"<"'  :V2'.     jJaek  speaks  ef  o| 
in  latitude  08^,  and  says  it  was  the  most  northern  he  hud  witnessed.    I'lr 
r    orils  Oh"  in  latitude  iju'^,  but  none  further  nurtli.     AVj  must  ref  Ilea 
however,  that  all  these  observations  were  made  near  or  over  the  pule  i  i'c  J 
and  tliat,   ia   other  meriuiuns  to  the  cast  and  west,  they  probaljlv  mrarj 
higher  latitudes.     For  the  I'ltiuae-  Vidl/y  we  uiay  assume  tliii  .^pv.-.ria 
parallel  as  the  zero  ijr  these  electrical  phenumoua,  which  increase  tn  j',,r^ 
nine  per  aiuuim,  at  .St.  Louis,  in  N.  Lat.  «<  -i"^  1)1'.     The  increase  ia  tli.'  :mJ 
bor  is,  perliap'J.  according  to  the  s'^uaro,  or  some   higher  power  of  t!iv  c  J 
plement   of  the  angle  of   incideueo  of   the   suu's   rays,  and   is,  tlwreio 
constantly  augmenting  in  quantity  down  to  the  Tropic  of  Cancer. 

Our  thunder  sL orms,  in  every  latitude,  are  more  freijuent  in  the  diivth 
night ;  but  thiv«o  of  the  latter  period  are  often  as  violent  as  anv  wliie'i  a'lj 
iu  the  day.     Occasionally  they  happen  early  in   the  nifirning,  anil  arc  tli 
generally  repeated  iu  the  course  of  the  day,  or  they  usher  in  a  stealvral 
The  most  common  time,  however,  is  the  afternoon,  when  they  begin  l>  I'ji 
during  the  period  of   maximum  boat.     A   calm,  or  fitful  breezes,  pir 
them;    thi   temperature  is   high,  and  the  atmos[ihere,  at  the  same  tii.iej 
charged  with  va[i"r   nearly  to  the  point  of  saturation.     The  sultriin's- wi 
becomes  insup[)ortable,  and  the  feeling  of  lassitude  very  great.     As  t:,';| 
and  clouds  are  in  a  highly  positive,  electrical  condition,  that  of  the  surn 
of  the  earth,  and  of  the  objects  and  animals  resting  upon  it,  must  he  in 
opposite  state,  and  lieuco,  perhaps,  arises  a  part     '  the  langor  felt  wiiil" 
storm  is  feirming. 

The  first  anpearance  of  a  thunder  storm  is  generally  to  the  we-t  <i\ 
observer,  on  the  Ohio  I  have  never  seen  orio  form  further  east  than  a ; 
degrees  from  south.  Around  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  they  nmcli  oftem ill 
to  the  east  of  south,  for  there  a  south-cast  wind  corresponds  to  a  ?  liill 
.south-west,  iu  the  middle  latitudes. 

Thunder  storms  arc  almost  invariably  accompanied  by  high  wind:  u'li 
at  tl>c  lieginning,  is  generally  from  some  point  between  south  and  wi^t. 
it  ha.6  a  strong  tendency  to  veer  toward  the  north  ;  and,  before  t!ii' 
begins  ,0  fall,  often  changes  to  north-west ;  whence,  in  almost  every  in-iJ 
it  blow:,  at   tlie  conclusion  of  the  storm,  and  often  for  a  few  hour,-  ;if| 
ward —  its  violence  constantly  diminishing. 

Discharges  of  lightning  from  the  eloud  to   the  earth,  are,  I  am  einv 


L'  Tin; 


[mi^K  |» 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


GI. 


v.'asou  ill  \y\w\\  tliuii>lci 
.mm,  spring,  tniil  sumuic 
se  from  Duci'inlirr  I'l.Iur 
is  worthy  of  roniiirl:.  i!i< 
I  gi-eatest  ??i''rt't  t'.'iiii'ri| 
)lstitiul  moutlis,  wlifu  tl§ 
ximuiii.  I 

ainii'i-Kicli  []w  [Hilar  i-ircl 
ir   us  T.  voi'olloet,  il  i-  :ij 
!  he  spent  the  grc;itcr    ut 
'  1)2'.     Uack  speaks  ('•  'M 
1  lie  luul  witnos^eil.     i'  rrj 
lorth.     Wj  mvi<x  r>:  ■     oi, 
ear  or  over  the  pile  ■ :' 
est,  they  prohahly  h.    ; 
may  assume  the  sevi'i.na 
la,  which  iiicveai^e  t'l  ; 
The  increase  ia  thr  :ml 
higher  power  of  ilv;  ci 
\"s   rays,  aii'l   is,  tli.refo 
Tropic  of  Caiieer. 
irc  frequent  in  the  diy  \\ 
IS  violent  as  any  wliicH 
the  morning,  ami  luv  in 
they  usher  in  a  stou  ly  li 
in,  when  thoy  begin  tn  k 
jui,  or  fitful  breezes,  \n-vA 
bsphere,  at  the  same  timej 
ration.     The  sultiiiK'?^  uti 
nde  very  great.    As  t!,cj 
jmlltion,  that  of  the  syJ 
[sting  upon  it,  must  he  in  I 
•  the  laugor  felt  wii"'! 

Icmerally  to  the  wivt^ii 
'form  further  east  tluin;i  I 
Ixico,  they  mueh  oftcai' 
[ad  corresponds  to  a  f.'Ut^ 

ipanied  by  high  wiu'l :  v^l 

1  between  south  and  v-t. 

north;  and,  before  t^^-' 

lonee,  in  almost  every  ui-tal 

1  often  for  a  few  hmu>  ~A 


lie 


earth,  arc,  T  am  eiinvni| 


.-■  ni'irc  oomniou  in  town  than  country.     No  summer  ever  passes,  T  sup- 

;,  ffiiliout  one  or  several  liouses  being  struck  in  Cincinnati,  althongli  there 

.  :;,.iriv  liii'litning   rods.     In  traveling  tlirough  our  woods,  in  vari'nis  parts 

■.Valley,  I  have  often  passed  many  miles  v.ithout   being  able  to  tiiid  a 

,.,.  tree,  scatlicd   by  lightning.      The  buds  and   leaves  of  trees,  no  dmibt, 

•;;  attracting  point.s,  while  their  sap  renders  them  gond  eondurtors;  and 

,;;;,.  ileetricit}'  is  conveyed  quietly  into  the   earth;      iueh,  morcDvcr,  is 

Ljnl'.v  moist  under  their   shade.     It  is  a   popular  opinion  tliat  the  beech 

I.  F^'.nis  Jh-rui^inca)  is  never  struek   by  lightning.     I  have  not,  as  yet, 

'0  ffliieh  had  suilered. 

rtieular  s[iots,  in  city  and  (country,  have  been  observed  to  s'oTer  more 
;''icrs.  Thus  a  part  of  Cincinnati,  for  a  long  while  its  north-western 
:',iii  fiirmer  times,  was  peculiarly  lialde.  I  do  imt  know  how  it  is, 
ind  with  other  parts,  since  it  has  been  densely  built  over.  In  tlic  year 
IffiiStohl  by  3Ir.  Potter,  of  llandolpli,  on  the  3Iississijipi  lliver,  in 
II-;; Tennessee,  that  he  knew  of  two  idantations,  v.liich  had  suH'ered  more 
It. ill  'tlior  parts  of  the  surrounding  country. 

liiir-teamhoats  arc  seldom  strui'k  by  lightning.  jTaiiy  uld  comma-iders 
■jTis-sureJ  nic  of  this  e.xemjttion.  Wlien  at  the  IJalize,  in  I'^d:!,  1  was 
;;!'}•  Captain  Annable,  of  the  Phauiix,  ■who  had  b.en  engageil  for  eleven 
,:!.  ill  towing  ships  between  the  Gulf  and  New  Orleans,  that  he  had  known 
rtwelvc  ships  struck,  but  not  a  single  steamer.  One  of  his  most  expe- 
kvlliilot;  te.-tified  to  the  same  exemption  ;  and  both  state,  that  they  had 
en  <Iiips  to  sutler  from  lightning,  while  steamboats,  lying  by  their  side, 

iBrsiil  flashes  of  lightning,  without  thunder,  arc  not  uncommon  in  our  liot 
cs.r  evenings.  There  is  sometimes  tlio  appearance  of  a  low  bank  of 
id>— but  at  other  times,  none  are  visible.  These  corruscations  are  al- 
h near  the  horizon,  and  may,  perhaps  indicate  the  summit  of  a  thunder 
liiiit  such  a  distance  as  not  to  be  seen,  or  its  thunder  heard. 
Itepliysiologieal  effects  of  a  thunder  storm,  are  always  considerable. 
I:;  Eiay.  perhaps,  be  referred  to  several  heads.  /'i/V';/,  a  sudden  reduction 
'.iiiliurature.  Second,  hnvering  of  the  dew  point,  and  an  increase  in 
ai|ik'mcnt.  Third,  an  augmentation  in  the  prcssw  of  the  atmosphere, 
.a restoration  of  the  eiiuilibrium,  or  neutral  condition  of  the  electric 
M  Fifili,  the  terror  excited  in  most  persons,  by  the  near  approach  of  a 
i.r  gust,   must    not    be    overlooked,    in    recognizing  its  physiological 

|iMi[iward  discharge  of  electricity,  during  a  thunder  storm,  is  not  an  un- 
p  !i  event.     ^Vhen  animals,  in  open   places,  remote  from  all  elevated 

■'•=  are  killed  by  lightning,  the  discharge  is,  no  doubt,  generally  from  tlic 
But  they  arc  sometimes  destroyed  when  near  to  such  obji'cts,  while 

''JMts,  themselves,  escape.  Not  long  since,  a  horse  and  small  carriage, 
|ii«'inien,  were  struek  by  lightning,  in  one  of  the  streets  of  Cincinnati, 
|. tin; liigh  houses  on  either  side  remained  untouched.  IMany  years  since, 
i-'part  of  the  city  which  has  generally  suffered  most,  T  saw  a  bean-pole, 


t  ■ 


,  %.t  ^ 


:■:.  -I 


*' i ■  tl m Mil ■  -^'v  #  if  W'^ - *'if 


g''|5 


lit  ■'.''    '-f    ■•l  '•   *  <* 


w^  ■«!■.'   .■  •  ■•       r  ■•       ■  ■ 


"..■-1,  ,.■    ■-  .■   ?■■•:■;•'•*■■   ■*  ■■;  •■ 


'  4v 


'4  ■*<  • 


••,«■■ 


-•l''-v 


<;iG 


TIIC  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


^BOiK  J 


v,lii(  II  li.ul  been  split  by  liglitiiing,  as  far  down  as  the  surface  of  the  gnm 
Tlie  fl'iid  Iiiid  j)r(ibably  been  discliargcil  from  the  eartli  thnmirli  thi^  ,,,,j|. 
rod,  and  while  jiassing  almig  the  nmist  extremity  in  the  gnmiuhdiQ  noi,iiv(i;rf 
baton  reaching  the  dry  shaft  alxivc,  destroyed  it.  The  fillowing fact  -liuw^tli* 
electricity  may  be   di.scliarged  from  the  earth,  in  fla.slie.--,  Avithout  iirnhiiii 
thunder.     IMy  informant,  .Indgt;  Collier,  of  the  Supreme  Court  dt'  Alnln 
was  at  Montgomery,  and  about  eight  o'clock,   1*.  ^I.,  in  the  imiiiih  .f  \n] 
1S;1:>,  saw,  with  many  other  person^;,  repeated  flashes,  or  electrical  f.N|i>inMi 
at    the  .surface  of  tlie   earth  —  which  illuminated  tlic  surrouiidiii"  iili, 
but  [)rodnccd   no  sound.     Overhead  there  hung  a  black  cloud,  \vhii.!i  ■ 
fortli  a  sound  lil:e  that  of  low,  distant  thunder.     A  violent  tenir)u.st  im 
diately  filhiwed. 

TTl.     TouN-Ai)Oi:s  and  IlLiuiirANrs.  —  These  terms  are  comnionly  ron 
dod  as  synonymous  ;    but  strictly  speaking,  they  are  not.     A  toriuuli)  j 
limited  thunder-storm,   accompanied  with  a  viulent  and  destructive  t 
pest.     A  hurricane  i^  a  wind  of  much  greater  extent  and  duration.  ;iii.!i 
with  fewer  electrical  phemmu'na.      Both  occur  in  the  sontl;ern  and  miiM].!, 
tudes  of  the  Interior  Valley,  chiefly  in  hot  weather.     According  to  }h.  K.ji 
in  every  tornado,  there  is  an  im]ierfect  vertical,  or  oljlicpie  vacuum,  |irMlii( 
by  colunms  of  licated  aiul  ascending  air,  which  aun  lus  moves  f>r\vaii|; 
at  the    same  time,  invites  into  it  the  surrounding  air,  near  tlie  ^uriaec  of 
earth,  so  as  to  establish  centripetal  currents.     Tlicse  current.^,  by  tln.ir 
tremc  velocity,  prostrate,  overturn,  or  transport  the  objects  which  lie  in  t 
way.     Hut  these  ravages  are  not  the  greatest,  which  the  tornado  oceas 
when  it  passes  over  a  town  or  city.    At  the  moment  when  the  imperfect  vnc 
reaches  such  a  spot,  tlie  air  in  every  house  that  is  closely  sinit  up,  .^U' 
expands,  and  bursts   out  the  windows,  drives   off  the  roof,  or  even  I 
down  the  walls.     The  older,  and  more  current  opinion  is,  that  every  t'  ri 
is  a  whirl-wind.     The    axis  or  center  of  a  wdiirl-viud  must,  of  iicit.< 
be  an  imperfect  vacuum,  and  when  it  passes  over  houses,  or  ohjectn  iiului 
atmospheric   air,  the  same  destructive  expansion  nuist  occur,  a.s  if  then 
faction  were  produced  in  the  other  mode  ;  while  the  gyratory  niotii.ii  J 
surrounding  air,  beems  well-fitted  to  produce  nmny  of  the  devastations  ivi 
render  these  storms  so  terrible.     It  is  in  our  compact  and  lofty  forest' 
these  ravages  are  most  conspicuous.     I  have  seen  many  spots  wh'u-li  liail 
thus  visited;  some  of  which  presented  the  fallen  trees  with  their  trut,!;- 
orally  in  the  direction  of  the  path  of  the  tornado,  while  others  have  pn  h' 
them  in  all   directions,  indicating  a  gyratory  motion.     It  is  nnt  uiiciiiii 
moreover,  to  sec  young  trees,  of  tough  fiber,  with  their  tops  apjiar 
twisted  off.     It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  these  devastations  are  sumeti 
found   in  spots  or  areas,  and  not  in  long  vistas ;  indicatin2,  apparoii 
bounding  motion  in  the  tempest.     In  hurricanes,  or  tornadoes  of  va.<t  i 
and  progression,  Mr.  Espy  supposes  the  area  of  the  region  over  wliii 
air  is   rarefied  to  bo  of  great  range,  and   sometimes   to  be  di.sposoil 


*  Philosophy  of  Storms. 


'I^^J^vonth 

'f?tal:?n)_ 

»-'!  at  :' 

tlie  si) 

'■''leglo'jni 

''''"•appro: 
•V  E,  (J. 

''Wended 

'^■<m  app, 

I .,  I 
■'JJ  assui 


P'?''^'ornis, 


I«!!'! 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


017 


terms  arc  crmimoiily  v.. 

arc  n<it.  A  tornaili  \i 
iliMit  ;uul  (li'structiw  til 
.tout  aiul  (lurutimi.  uti.-U 
tlicsoutl.orn  Hiuluii.l'lV!: 
r.  Acoordin.s  to  Mv.  1.^] 
or  olAiiiUC  vix'uuiii,  vv.  niK 
luir  lus  moves  fcvwiwl ; 
<r  a'n\  near  tlic  purfaeo  of 
These  euirentr;,  l>y  tlniv 

thcolijoctswliuhliciut 

I  wliieh  the  tornailo  da'a 
>,lt^Yben  the  imperfect  v;r-i 

.t  is  closely  simt  up,  ^^^''' 
olY  the  roof,  or  evou  t! 
lopiniou  is,  that  every  t^r 
vhivl-vriml  must,  of  v.n'': 
Lr  houses,  or  nhjccts  mh 
Immustoeeur,  asif  tl.er 

ile  the  gyratory  muU.n  u! 
l,any  of  the  devastation^  ^v 

nupact  ami  h.fty  f""'^'' 
•on  many  spots  ^shi.'hluul 

,n  trees  ^vith  their  triu.b 
:o  while  others  have  pnsei 

Imution.  Tt  is  not  uncunr 
,r  xvith  their  tops  ^r' 
.Jo  devastations  arc  soinetl 
ias;  indicatinj!,  apparent 
cs  or  tornadoes  of  vast  ^' 
of  the  region  over  ^vhiH 
Lotimes  to  ho  dispcseJ 


istcad  of  a  circular  innii;    constituted  an  elongated  center,   into 

|r:  i  the  air  rushes  from   two   <i|)posite  directions.     Tlie  wliole   storm  is 

f,r,.*5ive,  as  in  the  ca.sc  of  common  tornadoes;  and  may  move  in  tlic  plane 

('iri!;uliiin,  or  ohliijuely,  or  even  at  right  angles  to  it.     As  in  the  ease  of 

Ul'Os.tlio  winds  whieli,  at  the  surface  of  the  earth,  reach  the  iiniierfect 

Willi,  iuiiiiidiately  a.sccnd,  ami  in   the   upper   regions   roll  oil"  laterally  to 

L:>l.  ami  he  again   drawn  inward.     When   this    rareOed    center  passes 

\p  lijets  which  contain  atmospheric  air,  it  expand.s,  and  they  are  destroyed, 

'I'.eoiise  of  tornadoes.     IJy  other  meteorologists,  however,  a  hurricane 

■rli'ilas  a  vast  whirlwind,  with  a  progressive  movement,  in  the  center 

:::;x(if  which  the  air  is  calm  and  rarefied. 

;  I ',:iM  and  objects  of  this  work  do  not  permit  an  extended  account  of 
::  niaJoes  and  hurricanes,  and  I  must  be  limited  to  a  few  brief  notices. 
:'ri'i|nt'iicy  and  destructive  violence  over  and  around  the  Gulf  of 
ii  i  is  well  known.  Very  lately,  the  insular  town  of  Key  \Vest  was  laid 
ami  then  inundated,  by  a  hurricane;  and  the  dangers  of  navigation 
;-.l(';i|ie  Florida  are  cliieHy  from  the  same  cause.  When  describing  tlie 
oil),  a  notice  was  introduced  of  a  hurricane,  which  drove  the  waters 
;:.ilulf  over  the  lower  part  of  the  delta  of  the  Mississippi.  All  the 
ri flat  coasts  of  the  Gulf  are,  indeed,  subject  to  inundations  from  this 
When  we  advance  into  the  interior  of  the  Valley,  the  same  kind  of 
3«  still  occur. 

ISt'rence  has  been  already  made,  to  the  tornado  of  Natchez,  in  1841  >,  the 

i  f  wliii.'li  is  marked  on  the  topographical  map,  A'o.  VII.     Its  course 

'Mil  Sdutli-west  to  north-east;    Imt  the  wind  which  blew  in  Natchez 

iki  the  south-east,  setting  into  the  ainiulus  or  rarefied   center  of  the 

Itwas  the  transit  of  that  center,  over  the  town,  which  laid  it  waste,  and 

lknifti"in  was  produced  by  tin;  expansion  of  the  air  siuit  up  in  houses. 

liitliieh  stood  in  the  path  of  the  hurricane,  those  only  escaped,  which 

'if  diiors  and  windows  open.      For  six  days  before  the  siorm,  the 

to liail  hoen  hotter  than  in  the  corresponding  period,  for  tlio  preceding 

^'s.    On  the  seventh  day  of  the  month,  that  of  the  storm,  the  barom- 

;ito"2?.40,  or  .15  of  an  inch  below  the  mean  of  the  preceding  six 

IKesoventh  day"  (says  Dr.  Tordey,  from  whoso  paper*  the  preceding 

pite taken),  "was  usliered  in  densely  overcast,  and  very  warm,  with  u 

M&l  at  S.  4,t  increasing  at  noon,  and  veering   to  the  E.  5.      At 

■  tlie  south-western  sky  assumed  a  darker  and  more  tempcstuouiA 

I'neglo'jni  and  tu.-bulence  increasing  every  nuiuient.     At  111.  IT',  (he 

r  the  approaching  s;orm  began  to  be  distinctly  heard,  the  wind  blowing 

F-V  E.  (j.    The  roir  and  commotion  of  the  storm  grew  more  loud  and 

!'■  jitciKkd  with  incessant  corruscations  ami  flashes  of  forked  lightning. 

'torni  approached  nearer,  the  wind  veered  to  the  E.  7.     At  lA'),  the 

•''1*1  assumed  an  almost  pitchey  darkness,  curling,  rushing,  roaring 


py  »;i  Slorras,  page  33c). 


tTen  being  the  maximum  velooily. 


.    ..  •  'M- 


^■H 


■i 


I 


V, 


:  ■-■;,:  I 


:^' 


pre. .,  ,,  _ 


'.  J .' 


i    ■:■■*.  .:.■  •  •■■■  ■  :^  ■■t.':  •  -•  ...•.•■  ■• 

!  -■  J-.f  "•)     ..  V--      •*  >'V-.-  .  ■  .,r  •■ 


■,i\   To 


i '■;-!"<.■*  5-^.  •■,■ 


'''t  r|o-::-^i:.  ■■-^■■■^-^■- 


.'•.• 


^  t; 


-:4  a 

'     '  't      I. 


<.•     • 


'.'■*'. ; 


-■•        ■'■■      ..         -.  ■.?.■« 


•■  ■-"  .  A-fM 


•;;r^^-. 


iilHI  I   '.•-  ■  '•■■."•  :    !   ■  •  •  '•' 

mm-f-y.:^':'):" 

is-*'.'/  ■   '■■■ 


618 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


l"'    'S* 


■,rn,J 


abovo,  below  a  lurid  yellow  dasliing  upwanl,  iind  rapidly  aiitmiarliiiif'  .» 
tlie  Mississippi  .smiie  six  or  soveii  miles  below  the  eity,  snieailiccf  il(.<  i 
upon  each  side,  the  western  side  being  the  center  of  the  uinmhis.     \t 
time    a   blackness    of   darkness    overspread    the  heavens;  ai.il    win  i 
annnlus    approached  the   city,   the   wind   suddenly   veered  to  the  .<   | 
attended  v.ilh  such  crashing   thunder   as   shook  the  sijid  eartii.      \t  • 
tornado,  10,  burst  upon  the  city,  dashing  diagonally   throuiih  it    a;: 
witli  such  murky  darkness,  roaring  and  crashing,  that   the  citizens  siv, 
beard   not,  knew  not  tin;  wide-wasting  destruction  arotuid  thcni.     Tl:i' 
of  the  tornado  over  the   city  occupied  a  space  of  time  not  exccciliii ' 
minutes,  the  destructive;  Idast   not  more  than  a  few  seconds.     At  tiii- 
mcnt  the  barometer  fell  to  20  37. 

"The  quantity  of  rain  that  fell  during  the  passage  of  the  t  irnin]  i 
the  city,  was  only  .b'-l  of  an  inch,  holding  in  suspension  so  nuu'h  nni.i 
minute  particles  of  leaves  and  other  ve^tstuljle  matter,  as  to  l)c  iiii|icr\i. 
sight,  and  leaving  a  thick  coating  upon  wliatsoever  it  came  in  contact, 

"  The  effects  of  the  storm   upon    tlie  leaves   and   buds  ot  |iluiit.s  w:i.> 
manner  to  sear  them,   abstracting  or  destroying  so  nuc-h   of  tlnir  viri 
that  such  as  did  not  die  outright  were  crisped,  and  their  growth  si  ssbmii 
that  it  was  for  ten  or  more  day.s,  before  they  resuscitatcil  and  l)u:;a  i  ;i| 
to  grow.     Some  very  thriving  grape  cuttings,  in  the  ganlcn  of  the  \\r 
this  paper,  were  killei],  and  the  edd  vines  stunted      Even  the  leiivis 
succuU^nt  morus  miilticaulis,  a|)pcared  as  if  an   eastern  siroeco  hmi  = 
over  tliem.     A  luxuriant  arbor  vit;c,  in  the  writer's  yard,  appear.-:  l.'i 
and  dying.     Fruit'  trees,  grass,  and  weeds,  put  on  the  same  appcaraiiie.'j 

We  learu   frimi  Professor  Forsliay  (Inco  ci.'nto),  that  a  thorough  inv 
gatiiui  of  the  desolations  produced  by  this  hurricane,  resulted  in  tiic 
iiiable  C(Hiclusion,  that  the  houses  were  destroyed  l»y  the  outwanl  ('.\| 
of  the  ;iir  whicli  they  euntaiued,  at  the  moment  when  they  were  truvur 
the  annnlus. 

A  tornado  at  Tuscaloosa,  Alabama,  occurred  at  six  o'clcck,  A.  31 
the  4tb  of  March,  1S4'J.  Its  devtistatiims  could  be  traced  to  tiir  t 
west,  for  more  than  forty  nules,  but  ii^t  so  far  to  the  north-cast, 
were,  however,  not  continuous,  for,  as  Judge  Cnllier  informed  mo.  ?ii'ti 
ill  the  patli  of  the  tempest,  were  uninjured,  while  others  were  (Icvii- 
Thus  the  base  of  the  storm  seems  to  have  bounded  on  the  -ii 
the  cartli.  In  a  ride  with  Doctors  Guild  and  H;irringt(iii,  I  s;r 
vista  it  had  opened  through  a  piece  of  woods.  The  fallen  troi-.  a 
witliout  a  single  exception,  lay  witii  their  trunks  in  tlic  plane 


'm 
th, 


fin 


01   iHu 


with  their  roots  to  the   windward,  but  those  of  the  opposite  siili's 
path  were  inclined  a  little  toward  the  central  line  or  axis,  as  if  t!;e| 
been  acted  upon  by  lateral  winds,  driving  inward,  while  the  wlmlo 
phore  was  in  a  still  more  rapid  movement  forward.     That  portimi 
iowii  over  whicb  the  hurricane  passed,  as  Doctor  Harrington  iiid 
Guild  assured  me,  suffered  much  more,  iu  the  foUowin;^  autumu,  fruaij 


THE 


[W)t 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


G19 


.idly  appriiaclilnfr,  >'.rihu|g 
city,  hiivL'iulirj:  ilcs  lain 
of  the  umiulus.     At  \.\k 
lu'iivi'iis;   lu.il,   \vM!i  til 
Y    vucvt'tl  to   tin;  r^.  K.  i, 
he  si'liil  euvtli.     At  'i 
uiiUy  thn>u<^li  it,  M''-n 
thut   the  eiti/Aiis  s'.v.  iiot, 
n   arouiul  tlieui.     Tlr  roik 
of  time  u'lt  exi'oedin:  firt 
few  secoials.     At  t'n'.-  ao- 

jassaire  of  the  t.ini;vi     'Vg\ 
isiien^^i'in  so  nmi'h  nn. 
natter,  as  to  he  imiimlu 
vcr  it  eanie  in  cuiit;ut. 
and   h-.uls  of  vhiuts  \v;i.- 
1,0;  s't  mw\\   ef  their  '•  ' 
uul  their  .i^n.wtlis.  SUV,' ij 
•osuseitatcd  ar.il  hepi    ^j 
in  the  (fanlen  of  the  -     -tl 
ted       I'^veii  the  leav«  ufj 
,11  eastern  sirneco  h\<\  \^ 
p-iter's  ytird,  ani.ears  hii 
on  the  same  apiieiinni.r  ^ 
„/,,),  that  a  thoruu;ili  i^!\1 
;rieane,  resulted  in  tiiv  ul 
j-ed  by  the  eiilwavd  «1'' 
t  when  they  were  truvd- 

ivi-ed  at  six  o'eh'CK.  A.  ^( 

.aid   be    trao'd  to  ti.r 

far   to  the  uorth-eii-^t. 

Collier  informed  me,  ^1"'- 
while   others  were  (h'V^i^" 
■0  l.ouuded    en  the  ^;;r;a 
und    Harrington,  I  i^" 
as.      The  fallen  troi-, 
,jUs  iu  the  plane  of  t''c 
.   „f  the   eppnsUe  suVs^l 
.j^l  Vine  (.r  axis,  as  it  t.e] 
award,  while  the  wl.''l^ 
t  forward.     That  prt.^" 
Doctor  Harrington  vA 
,0  lullovving  autumn,  ho^ 


;V'r  p^i'ts  of  tlie  town,  or  than  it  liad  sufFereil  provioiisly.  which   they 

,•   -1  ti>  the  foul  condition  of  thu  fouinlatii)n=?  of  the  deniolisliLMl  houses. 

lithe  night  of  the  first  day  of  June,  1S;50,  the  southern   part  of  Ten- 

„..  was  visited   hy  a  hurricane,   the  i^eiioral  course  of  wliich  was   from 

•  -wrst  to  north-cast.  The  town  of  Sh(dbyville  suffercil  more  tliau  any 
.,;,  At  that  place,  for  siiveral  days  hefore  the  storm,  tlie  air  was  calm, 
.-anil  oppressive.     Early  in  the  evcniiijj;  the  wind  began  to   blow,  and 

.tit'iirni.     For  several  hours  th(!  gale  increased  in  violence   and  al)-iut 

jht.  a  suit  leu  destruction  fell  upon  tiio   town.     Every   house  in  the 

1  the  storm,  which  had   its  doors   and  windows  oj)rn.  was  destroyed  ; 

.  inlv  escaped  which  were  entirely  r/nsct/^  precisely  the  reverse  of  wliat 

ihI  at  Natchez.     The  lightning  was  so  incessant  that  all  objects  were 

./itlv  visilde  ;    but  the  sounds  of   falling  houses  were  inaudible.     At 

..  j-tanc!  of  eight  miles,  an   observer  saw   two  red  and  glowio"  clouds 

ra'-hai"'  meet,  when  they  seemed  to  diiscend  upim   tlie  town.     That 

jn-'.Mnnscd  to  be  the  moment  when   the  crash  of  houses  happened.      This 

Wi'Wus  hut  one  of  tlic  destructive  currents  of  the   hurricane,  for  the 

•  ;■  nf  Clmrlottc,  at  the  distance  of  sixty  miles  to   the   iiorth-west,  and 
c-i'iC'iitly  at  right  angles  to   tlie   g(»neral    course  of  the   hurricane,  was 

lii'stroypd.      Tiie  breadtii    of  the  gale   was,  indt.'cd,  estimated  at  a 
z\'A  miles.* 

j'liniliiv,  the  'iStli  of  May,  1 S09,  a  hurricane,  more  imfietuou.s  than  lia.«! 
!?i«iirred,  passed  over  (Cincinnati.  I  was  neither  qualilicd,  nor  prejjarcd 
;::".'trumoiits,  to  make  all  the  observations,  required  to  illustrate  its  ori- 
Kil  movements  ;  but  the  following  account,  jmblisiied  a  few  years  after- 
ii'fflhraccs  some  well-ascertained  facts,  that  are  not  deslitute of  interest : 
Ft  two  or  tliree  days  previous  to  that  time,  the  wind  was  various,  with 
riiii  utiiioqihe-e.  On  the  morning  of  the  li.*^th.  it  veered  to  the  south, 
ti'iff  with  violence.  During  the  forenoon,  wliile  the  lower  chiuds  were 
S':ra|iiilly  to  the  north,  the  upper  were  luovini  witli  equal  velocity  to 
I't;  iiidicating  a  superior  current,  which  travi  rsed  the  course  of  the 
:swi!i(l  at  right  angles.  Before  twelve  o'cdock,  both  strata  of  clouds 
P"llo(l  oastwardly,  and  soon  after,  the  west  wind  was  perceptible  at  the 
■'irt':ieo.  By  three-quarters  past  one  o'clock,  the  sky  was  very  much 
»1.  and  a  narrow  wdiirl-wiml,  or  tornado,  of  great  force,  swept  impet- 
'iya:russ  the  eastern  part  of  the  town.  It  deincdished  a  few  old  buiJd- 
i'iro\r  down  the  tops  of  several  chimneys,  and  overturned  many  fiuit 
jale'.rces.  The  peo[)lc  in  the  center  of  the  ti  wn  had  scarcely  time  to 
■''•^alarming  operation,  before  their  own  houses  were  sluihen  to  the 
liti  ti?  liy  another  gale  of  equal  violence ;  this  was  immediately  suc- 
**''}' a  thin',  ,,'  ich  traversed  the  western  part  of  the  town,  with  ang- 
Itury.  By  this  last,  a  liandsomo  brick  edifice,  desigmid  for  tuition, 
'•ii'^n  down,  ill  con  equcnee  of  having  a  cupida  disproportionatt!  to  its 
'Ji<l  various  minor  injuries  of  property  were  sustained  —  but  the  in- 


i." 


11,1 


y^.- 


*f*r.  Kain  in  Amer.  Jour,  of  Science,  Vol.  XXXI,  page  252. 


*:  s  i 


mwh'-\..^'r-i  f- 

-Si /"in  I  !  ■•-''■•; ,'  ■      •   . 

lift' i»,f!. ■■''■•''..;':  ■,.'•'■■■■ 
H*."-  rr'  r  '■■^  ■.■■■  ■.■..;-   % 

4:|;,  ■ '#:-,•  ^  >■■:■■  , .; 


i' I'S '■■■''''■'».«"■"■  •  ■.'•■.■■   ^   ^    ■ 


IJ 


■i,  : 


■<^\vir.::  .■■;::.;::'. 


^  i,'-*' 


'f  «;.'■;  ^-.■.■v^  'v,..:..  •,•:..:  .'■■'■•■. 


r-.  -^ 


,  5'  ■  >■"  ■•■'.'■••  ■ 


m 


m 


.\ ' ,  ,■■  V'. 


I;»w|»!u,fcrw!v;4j,:,     ■■■.■;■    .    ■   ;•     '•r^..  ' 


|;r|-..';i ,...., .\;*^  :-.  ; 


0:20 


THE  PRINCIPAI,  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[ BOOK { 


imbitant.s  escaped  unhurt.     A  ci)[»ious  sliowcr  (if  rain  and  bail,  v.ith  tlitn 


Jvadi  of  tiij 
uriiiiii'r  a  fra^ 


and  liglitning,  increased  the  terrifK;  grandeur  of  the  t^rcno. 
tornadoes  ascended  tlio   hill  to  the  north-east  of  the  town,  f 
fhrough  the  forest,   wliicli    remained    visihlo  for  more  thai;  a  yoai.     Sovo»l 
veins  of  a  .similar    kind    passed   over  the  adj  lining  country,  hoth  S'nit'i  'n 
iiortli,  to  the  distance  of  a  hundred   mil  s.     Tlie  same  huriicane.  as  ;ipi 
from  the  public  journals,  csi.'ended  the  Alleghanies  during  tlio  afternodii  a 
made  its  exit  from  the  continent  about  eight  or  nine  o'clock  in  the  cvim 
To  the  soutli-wcst  of  this  place,  as  far  as  tlie  state  of  Teiiiie.s,«e,  it  fi'i- ^^ 
have  occurred   nearly  at  the  same   hour   that  it  C(numen(ed  here.     1! 
thut  r.tato,  I  liavc  not   been  able  to  trace  it.     Mr.  Henry  IJochtlc  wli 
'.i;  the  Missis.?ip|)i,  in  latitude  thirty-three  degrees,  fult  notliiiiL'  ni  it  i 
■J'^tli,  but  experienced,  on  the  preceding  day,  a  brisk  sonthei  ii  g'do :  and  1 
informed  by  Covernor  Sargent  that  in  tlie  vicinity  uf  Natchez,  the  "J^tli 
fair,  with  moderate   southerly  lireezes,  which  was   the   case  fur  niaiiv 
before,  and  several  days  after  that,  on  which  tlie  storm  occiirred. 

•'  From  the  history  of  this  hurricane,  although  very  imperfect,  it  iiin'iiu! 

"1.  That  it  commenced  to  the  windward.  * 

"  2.  That  it  traveled  about  eighty  miles  an  hour. 

"3.  That  it  was  not  derived  from  the  Gulf  of  3Iexieo. 

"4.  That  it  was  formed,  about  the  same  time,  in  the  western  pr'sif 
Oliio,  Kentucky,  and  Tennessee,  by  t''0  collision  of  two  winds,  tlio  rik 
and  west;  which,  when  combined,  of  necc-sity  moved  toward  shuio  i  jil 
between  north  and  east,  with  increased  vehjcity  and  power.'"* 

In  referring  to  ray  meteorological  register,  for  1800,1  find  a  few  aiMi'iioil 
facts,  which  seem  worth}' of  being  introduced  in  connection  witli  tliis  lirii:  arf 
defective  history.  First,  the  haze  for  two  nightc  before  the  stnriii,  w;i«  -aefc 
as  to  generate  a  halo  round  tlie  moon;  second,  notwiHistanding  this  el  .JoBi 
condition  of  the  atmosphere,  as  to  vapor,  there  was  no  dew  on  the  ni  ::i«|g 
of  the  28th;  t/iii-'l,  this  happened  from  the  high  temperature  of  that  imH' 
ing  —  75°  Fahrenheit  —  which  was  15"  above  any  other  innrniiig  ' '  tiie 
month ;  and  20°  above  the  three  preceding  mornings.  This  ri«e  of  t' ::  ;!•• 
aturc  began  with  a  south  wind  on  the  afternoon  of  the  day  bcfnro,  \vl  :  tk» 
mercury  rose  to  8;]. .5;  fourth,  it  is  noted  that  windows  were  blown  ir-iti, 
and  nothing  is  said  of  an  outward  blast.  Fifth,  wherever  ci)iife!:t:atl4 
veins  of  this  hurricane  passed  from  the  interior  of  Kentucky  to  the  i;i;ci 
of  Ohio,  there  was  liail.  A  few  miles  north  of  C'iiiciiniati  there  ^'er 
falls  of  that  meteor.  The  first  consisted  of  small,  smooth,  opako  gl'' 
the  second  of  irregular  lumps,  as  large  as  a  hen's  egg,  having  tlie  !i|fe;ir: 
of  common  ice.  Sixth,  in  several  places,  lying  as  it  were  between  the 
nado-currents.  there  was  a  thunder  shower  with  hail,  but  soarecly  any 

In  connection  with  this  hurricane,  I  nuy  quote  from  the  same  wirk. 
114,  a  short  account  of  a  limited  and  not  very  violent  storm,  wliieli  pr ' 
on  the  leaves  of   plants  an  effect,  almost   identical  with  that  desmuo| 
Natchez,  by  Doctor  Tooley. 

*  Pict.  of  Ciuciunati. 


!^"^K3 


V 


i-n 


THE 


[BOOKJ 


i 


1  and  liail,  v.itli  tliiiud 
!  s«.'L'iie.  Kacii  lit'  ».ii6 
le  town,  funning  a  fra^ 

0  tliiii;  a  ycai.  Sovor? 
Knintry,  both  S'inth  a( 
no  hnnieane.  as  Jijiji.'a 
Inriii;^  the  arU'i'i'.iinii,  aw 
c  o'clock  in  tlif  t'Vcn  n* 
ot'  Tennc?.^c,  it  .•^I'lm-i  ll 

muicm-cil  licre.  r>'y)ii 
Henry  Boclitlc  wIm  \t|^ 
,  felt  notliin;:  of  it  nn  iHH 

sontlicm  ir'ilo:  anil  1  4| 
ut'  Xatdnz,  the  ll^tli  .tm 

tho  case  for  niaiiy  <hjt 
.orni  oceurreil. 
iry  imperfect,  it  a[ii>o:u**» 

p. 

Icxieo. 

c,  in  the  -n-cstiTn  prtsrf 

1  of  two   winds,  the  i')i* 
iioved  toward  sniiie  pi 
hd  power.""'*'" 

•(".),  I  find  a  few naa;-; imI 

mcction  with  this  hrit':  sd 
before  the  storm,  vra?  -oA 
itwithstanding  this  ol  vidtf 
■as  no  dew  on  the  ni'  viiBg 
tcn-.peratnrc  of  that  ]!;■«• 
hor  niornin?  ' '  »* 
„<YS.     This  rise  of  t^  i:  i* 
f  the  day  befnre,  w'> :  *• . 
ndows  were  blown  i'-«4' 
//,,  wlierever  coiici':!-;i>«_ 
f  Kantncky  to  the  in'-o^ 
Cincimiati  there  ^or-' 
,  smooth,  opake  liM' 
errg.  having  the  A\r'^^'- 
.'  it  were  between  tin 
lail,  but  scarcely  any  ^^i 
from  the  ?aiiio  w^'k.  li 
olent  storm,  fflm'M"'" 
ieal  with  that  ae.^cnl:o| 


[IS 


idTlI.J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


Cl21 


111  tlic  aftcrnoor  of  the  4tli  of   .May,  1^11,  wo   c.xperiencc'l,  from  the 

re  iiuarter  with  tlic   burricaiio  just   doscribtd,  auntlicr  of  Ic^.s  viidcnco; 

1  (vas  attemU'd  wicli  sonio  poculiarities  worthy  (d'  record.     The  weather 

;  vii  ch;iMgcal)le  throughout  the  earlier  part  (d' the  day,  and  in  the  after- 

,  inTc  was   a  fall  of  bail,  with    but  little  thunder  or  rain.      The  liail- 

•  iit  t!iis  place,  althougli   misshapen,  were   of  the  ordinary  size;  but  in 

v.jteni  part  of  the  county,  sume  of  thcin  were  lA'  siu'|»rising  nnignitude, 

;  iiiaiiy  angular   forms;.     Several   weighid    from  eight  to   ten  ounces 

;m1  measured  l)etweeii  iifteeu  and  sixteen  incdies  in  cirrnmference.     It  was 

■  ;;,  raliu  when  they  tell,  or  nnndi  niisidiief  woidd  tin((estionably  have  been 
,  Tlie  hail  storm  was  fidlowed  by  a  Mn)derato  shower  of  rain,  and  a  powerful 

,.; fn'iu  the  south-west,  in  whieii  many  ])crsons  at  Cincinnati  felt  currents 
v!,^  uf  air,  heated  to  a  very  unusual  degree.  On  the  next  day,  the 
■■  ..f  various  plants  was  found  to  be  destroved.  Tt  was  cliieHv  the 
.  wiiieh  grew  to  the  windward,  and  were  (Minsc(|uently  most  exposed, 
-iffv^red.  They  wero  neither  lacerated  nor  wiifcd,  loit  sustained  an 
:  .  uiiirh,  upon  exjjosure  to  tlio  sun  the  ensuing  day,  caused  them  to 
;.    Ill  Some   ca.ses,  only  the   tip  of    tiie    leaf  jierished  ;   in  others,  the 

■  was  destroyed.     ^Vhether  this  extraordinary  effect  should  bo  ascribed 
;t.  iir  to  a  noxious  (piality  of  the  wind,  is  uncertain.     I  could  not  per- 

'  ;i)at  one  species  of  plant  was  more  aii'ected  than  another;  and  of  indi- 
■lai?.  growing  near  the  same  spot,  it  was  connnoii  to  find  only  a  jiurt 
•A" 

'iamr  Loomis'*^  has  given  an  acount  of  two  tornadoes  which  occurred 

:;  iiurth-eastern   part  of  Ohio.     The  first   passed  over   the  vilijige  of 

.  before  daylight,  on  the 'i(»th  of  October,  1>^:{7.     The  latitude  ui'  that 

:;is41°ri',  N.  —  its  elevation  above  the  sea  about  eleven  liuiulrid 

In  the  evening  there  was  a  thunder  shower.     About  three  o'clock  in 

:.Tniiig,  a  whirl   wind  formed,  ami  moved  rapidly  i'r(nn  west  to  cast,  for 

miles,  with  a  breadth  varying  from  forty  to  eighty  rods.     It  produced 

aal  devastation.     The  trees  on  its  outer  parts  had  their  tops  directed 

l.H'liile  those  near  the   center  of  the  track,  had   them  turne<l  more  to 

i-t.    Many  things  were  carried  almost  per)iendicularly  upward. 

'  N.eond  toruiido,  occurred  in  the  same  region,  especially  all'ecting  the 

"'ill  of  Mayfield,  between  four  and  live  P.  31.,  February  4tli,  l>-42.    It.s, 

•-ni  E.  N.    E.,  ami  its  length   en  land  twenty-five  miles,  when   it 

-I  Lake  Erie,  and  left  no  further  traces  of  its  progress.     The  sky  was 

I't  with  a  dense  canopy  of  black  clouds,  moving  with  great  rapidity. 

(prngress  of  the  tornado  was  nnirked  by  a  huge  column  of  a  dull  yel- 

r  suuiky  tinge,"  the  lower  part  of  which  was  dark  and  opake  —  the 

■  ^emi-transparent.     It  lightened    several  times,    and    one   tree   was 

JUt  the  rpumtity  of  rain  and  hail  which  fell,  was  small.     Houses 

■'"'cdup,  and  many  things   carried  to  a  great  distance.     An  elaborate 

Miou  of  their  distribution,  and  of  the  position   of  the  fallen  trees, 


^  1  r . 


'i 


J? 


i\  il 


■*  American  Journal  of  Science. 


■!i. 


T-i;);^ 


ii'^JWef^r^^-  iff. "'  r^vi'vr  • 


i^  '^i'm^k 


.£-,  ,««Jf,  4^v        ..,,  .  .  ■  •   ■  ,  ,  ;• 

K'1^i■^   "  .■■■'.■■  ■'•■•-■■■ 


:.;:■;:.,, 


.■.ft  4  ,•'•.'•«*?'   ■■  ■'.      . 


::'i-;; 


■■ :  ■?    {.  - 


'  • .?    ■  •■■    . 


t  Hi       X  i'.i  :.:■■:   ^  ■  ■     ;  •  .,  •    ■■■'■■   .   : 


t'X':.'-'-"i 


l  ■  r 


■m 


*■■':".{ 

'■'•"^.o; 


i^ 


'^''>:. '  ;;■  ,^'.'-':  ■       .■•;.■.■  ;■■:.  ■:■,  »-•  .• 


C22 


TIIH  rULNCIPAL  DISKASICS  OF  TIIK 


[rooi 


batislk'd  Pnifessor  Looniis,  and  Professor  St.  Joliii,  of  W(>ti[ii  IlrNri* 
College,  that  a  whirl  wind  really  existed  in  this,  as  in  tin;  otlicp  (it,.,.,,,  » 
cannot  i^o  int'i  their  details;  hut  I'roin  tlie  distance  of  tins  turiuiJi)  ii(,rtl,  rf 
the  (lulf  of  Mexico,  and  its  ooeurrenco  near  mid-winter,  a  noticf  ( f  Ij 
seemed  neeessiiry,  to  :diow  the  wide  range  of  distrihutiuii  wliieb  vi^.lui,i  ta 
nudocs  have  in  the  Intcsrior  Valley. 

Professor  Loomis*  ha.i  given  a  tabidar  view  of  tweiitv-ono  tnriiad 
vliieh  fourteen  were  in  the  \'alley  ;  and  has  added  the  lollowini;  iiitcrt.-lite 
geiK  ralizi.tions.  f/rsl,  that  no  season  of  the  year  is  excnint  from  iLfH; 
but  that  they  are  mueh  eonuiioner  in  warm  tiian  in  eold  weather,  lim  qh 
of  the  whole  ha|)[)ened  in  winter,  and  imt  two  in  autumn.  Of  tin;  fnuite^i 
vhich  occurred  in  our  Valley,  oim  was  in  Feliruary,  three  in  .Miuili,  i.i;eii 
April,  si.v  in  .^lay,  one  in  June,  one  in  July,  and  one  in  (Jetoher.  It  will  kl 
reculleeted  that  the  Cineinmiti  tornado  oeeurred  in  ]\Iav;  ami 'il'toi' .s  lafc 
ing  of  that  which  visited  Nate'iez,  on  the  Tth  of  May,  T^lH,  J'riil'i>. 
sl'.ay  makes  the  fidlowing  remark  :  '•  I  tiiul,  hy  investigating  Sdiiicwliat,  tli 
strange  coineidenets  have  been  leipiiening  here,  in  regard  to  iuuTiiaiii,-: 
that  we  live  in  a  region  very  mueh  ex[)osed  to  them.  Jn  May,  \^'1.\. 
18"21,  tornadoes  traveled  precisely  the  same  track,  with  an  iutenal.  txa 
of  a  year.  It  is  here  confidently  asserted,  tliat  they  al>o  oecurruil  mi 
Tth  day  of  tluj  montii.  In  18:5'J,  on  the  same  day  of  the  same  niuntli.  tli^ 
w;  s  one  at  Kingston,  fifteen  mile;"  from  Natehe/.  The  prohable  cohiura'i 
of  the  fair  storms  is  very  eurinus."'!" 

This  cnncurrenee,  however,  is   not   more   rcmarkalde,  than  tlu;  aim  ::;  ri-, 
turn,  at  Cincinnati,  on  or  near   the  same  day,  of  rainy  and  stuniiy  wiatl 
generally  followed  hy  frost — the  last  of  the  spring.     Friini  l>(''.i  tu  isl 
seven  successive  years,  there  wi's  rain  in  Cincinnati  between  the  s-uuinl 
sixth  days  of  May;  generally  aeeompaniid  with  thinider  and  liglitiiiii:; 
sometimes  with    very   violent  wind.       Occasionally,   this   spell   «(  .-t 
weather,  is  posponed  to   the  second  week  of  the  month.     In  tlic  i;iU 
thunderstorms,  by  Ductor  Engelmaiui,  we  see  that  the  i'  'idjcr  tur  ^i  '1 
greater  than  for  any  other  month,  except  June.     Prom  all  these  ;;i  ■ 
perceive  that,  when  the  sun,  in  returning  from  the  south,  attains  tl;at  i.loi 
tion  at  noon,  which  belongs  to  the  month  of  May,  its  power  of  excitiiii: 
mospheric  agitations  is  very  great;    and,  in    reference   to   some  of  i! 
continues  to  increase  to  the  summer  solstice. 

A  seco/i(l.  generalization   from    Professor   Loomis'    table,  is,  tliat  a  . 
majority  of  tornadoes  occur   in   the   day  time,  and   es|ie"ially  betwui'ii  in 
and  sunset.     A  /////•'/,  that  they  are  always  preceded  by  a  h'gli  tciniioititi 
A/onrlh,  that  they  are  invariably  accomjianied   by  ligh'.ning  nml  i:iii:. 
frequeuily  with  hail.     A  Jij'ili,  that  they  always  move  tastwnrdly,  tlii' in 
of  the  whole  being  about  twelve  degrees  north  of  cast.     A  sii!/i,  tliut  tl| 
average  breadth   is   about   one  hundred  and   twenty  veds ;   leiigth,  l 
miles;  velocity  of  progress,  when  violent,  about  thirty  miles  anliuur; 


*  Espy  on  Stornii. 


t  Ibid,,  p.  298. 


i'«>M 


INTERIOR   VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


C'23 


|.r  if  (l"Stra'?tivi)  vii)lonf!o,  forty-fivo  sccdiids.     A  S''rni>/i,  tliat  liglit  Ixidies 

■ 'ri'iiiiently  tni'isporti-'il  from  three  to  twenty  mile?".     An  n'^lith,  that  very 

T  iiiium  livr^  are  lost      A  ////////,  that    leeward  routs  are  .-(MieralK  taken 

:' •ifcMU'e  to  windward.     A  /■///■,   that    fowls   are    fro((uoiitly    picked 

4  i.t'tlii'iv  feathers,  anil  liavo  their  hones  hrokei).  An  »'rVrc/(///.  that 
.  ..i,i- iiver  |ionds  or  rivc.s,  water  is  invarialtly  raised  in  considcrolde 

;;v;  showing  tiiat  tornad'ios  imkI  waterspouts  are  ussctially  the  same. 


nvestii'atnifr  soiiiewliai 


k,  with  an  inteival,  ix    tly, 


SECTION  11. 

CLIMATIC  DISTRIRUTION  OF  I'J.ANT.S  AND  ANIMALS. 

',.  Hknkuu,  A'liiws, — Tlio  distribution  of  ,  i.iiits  and  animals  over  the 
-  nf  a  hniad  enntiiient,  with  its  lakes  and  rivers,  may  justly  be  re;.'ar- 
••tho  most  unerring  indieati'ii  of  its  climate;  yet  the  state  of  tlic 
.  '^-irfaco  is  not  without  its  inlluein/e.  Tn  beginning  this  investigation, 
•-'111.' ailv.'Uitagoous,  briefly  to  enumerate  tlie   various   kinds   uf   ellmatic 

;;;:•  •..;i|)I)ieal  Inr.ucnco. 
)[:iii  toni|)orature   determines  tlie  limit  to  the   soutli   and   north  of  many 

|::.':zi'l  bodies ;   but  the  extremes   of  winter  aiid  sununer,  exert,  perhaps, 
!:iv:itcr  iiiflueueo;   the  duration  of  the  latter,  esjieeially,  proving  favor- 

l;:-  r  uiifavm-alile  to  the  developnumt  of  oei'tain  species. 
T::' liuinidity  or  dryness   of  a   climate   d(;termines   the   limits  of  a  great 

piUr of  both   plants  and   animaL>^,  and  often  overrulis  the  effects  of  teni- 

IKIU'.    Winds,  clouds,  and  sunshine,  doubtless  have  an  influence,  but  not 

Iti.-.  [icrliaps,  very  appreciable. 
EI  viitiim  above  the  les'el  of  tlie  sea,  by  its  influence  on  tem])erature  and 

|;.:..'i;ty  limy  cause   a   deflection  of   the  line   of   limitation;     but    there  is 
to  suppose  that  it  nuiy  act  in  other,  not  very  obvious  modes,  in  attraet- 

|;.' rrcjii'lliiig  l/otli   plants  and  animals.     The  course  of  mountain  chains, 
;-•'' 'ii'b.survoil  to  exert  an  effect :  thus,  when  they  run  from  north  to  south, 

MMiifliionce  is  greater  than  when  they  range  from  cast  to  west. 
lU' Sil!  has  a  manifest  agency  in  the  distribution  of  organized  b(idies,  es- 

r'av  [limits;  which  may  be  seen  miicli  fu  ther  south  or  nortli,  wiiere  the 

li:.:-niiigoiiial  to  them,  than  where   it   is  not       On  a  similar  principle,  tiie 

r-v;i:e  (ir  absence  of  their  appropriate  food,  may  determine  a  greater  or 

iKi'bsomination  of  animals. 
i'.  'inir.se  and  the  character  of  tlie  waters,  of  great   riveis.  often  extend 

IfHtrain  the  dissemination  uf  lioth  plants  and  animals,  particularly  birds 

Itilislios. 
fi'i%,  the  art  and  enterprise   of   man,  carry  many  ]ilanls  and  animals 

I-'  'wcongenial  clinnites,  where,  by  being  protected  and  elierished,  they  at 

I    .'"t  aeelimated ;  and,  undergoing    certain  modiflcatiuns  of   physiology, 

!•<  iuqiermanent  denizens. 


f 

'  .' 

,    ^         . 

»;'5i    - . 

'1 

.       1 

*'    ^ 

I 'if 


mi 


I 


»p™35r«wHi^£].'.'  ■■ 


'■(■ 


■■  ..y 


■?-.:':' r 


^1  V'.-'^i  :••■ 
m^  ■  ■■■■•' 


^j' 


■<  ^:^  .^t;':  :■ 


>  .   ■  ■tc!' 


'  Vt-'P.  ''I       * 


■■    :iK 


"'■<K, 


Ill' 


!•?..  ^ 


It     '        .1    -,1  •■.■  .    .    • 


;  ■>•  <  • 


r   r,    ■ 


-,.•■>• 


*;  .  '. 


■  M>  ■•■■  ■■ 


out 


THE  PRINCU'AL  DISEASES  or  THE 


I'' 


ml 


Tims  the  rjlatiniis  of  orr^aiiizcil  bciiirrH  to  soil,  clini.itc.  .-irid  t'(„,(l 
a  pruhlt'iii  ol'tcii  (lilVii'iiIt  to  sulvi;;    but  always  of  tluliirlitful  ihtfrcsi  1 
tlie  iiliv.^idlofrist  and  patluilogist. 

II.      Ol.niATIC    (iKOCKAl'HV   OF   OUK    NatIVK    Pi.ANTS.— 1.    On    t|;o\vi..f 

sitlt!  of  tlio  (luU'  of  Mt'X'       tt  belt  of  low  I.nid  htrfti-hcs  fi-i m  tl,,.  ,„,. ; 
of  Yucatan,  to  tlio  (b'lta  c         '  !Mi.>isissi|(|ii,  (riadiiallv  widoninjr,  as  tl,r  li 
coast  tnMids  to  tlit'  iiortli-c.  .       iiid  leaves  tlic  CurdiJIeras.     This  wit],;, 
limits  of  tlio  r('iiulilic  of  Mexico,  is  called   the   liirras  C(ilinile<  m' h,  t 
mates.     Tlio  souflierii  pavt  of  tliis  belt,  iireseiits  all  tlic  j,'raiid  aiid  lux 
evor'."Teii  vegetation,  t\i  the  tro|iii'al  regions      This  |i(.rt!on  of  ttie  ■/,., 
is  (diisely  pressed  by  the  nmnntains,  in  the  midst  of  which  stamLs  tln'ijtv 
Mexico.     As  we  ap|irnacli  tlio  mountains,  the  vegetation  undrrirncs  a  cl;;,!, 
similar  to,  but  much  more  rapid  than,  that  wliicli  occurs  in  traviliiv  ihH 
In  the  language  of  tliat  great  observer  of  nature,*  "  TInrc  are  tew  r. 
in  the  new  continent,  where  tiie  traveler  is  more  struck  with  the  asscinli 
of  the  most  opjiosite  climates.      All    the  western    part    of    thi!   intci 
of  Vera  Cruz,  I'orms  the  declivity  of  tlie  Cordilleras   of   Aiialiuac     ! 
space  of  a  Any,  the  inliabitants  descend  from  the  regions  of  eternal  sikiw  ^ 
pbiins    in    tlio  vieiinty  of  tlie  sea,  wliore  tlie  most  suffocating  lujit   iiii  . 
Tlie  admirable  order  with  which  different  tribes  of  vegetables  rise  ;i1im 
anotlier  by  strata,  as  it  were,  is  no  where  more  perceptible  than  in  ;b 
inf;  from  the  port  of  Vera  Cruz  t(t  the  table-land  of  I'eroto.     AVc  so  ■ 
the  ])liysiogrioiriy  of  the  country,  the  aspect  of  the  shy,  the  fi.nii  of  | 
the  figures  of  animals,  the  manners  of  the  inhabitants,  and  tlio  liii.il   : 
tivatioii   followed  by  them,   assume    a  different   appearance   at   cvn; 
of  our  progress. 

"  As  we  ascend,  nature  ajipears  gradually  less  animated,  the  hcaiitv 
vegetable  forms  diminishes,  the  shoots  becomes  less  succulent,  and  tin  : 
ers  lesscidorod.     The  aspect  of  the  jN'Iexican  oak  quiets  the  alarms  df  i! 
ers  newly  landed  at  \'era  Cruz.     Its  jircsence  demonstrates  to  liini  tl  a: 
has  left   behind  him  the  zone  so  .justly  dreaded  by  the  people  uf  tla' m 
under  which  the  yellow  fever  exercises  its  ravages  in  New  Spain.     Tlii-  inl 
rior  limit  of  oaks,  warns  the  colonist  who  inhabits  the  central  tal  le-hiiid.lii 
far  lie  may  descend  toward  the  coast,  without  dread  of  the  mortal  tlisi;i>o 
the  rnmilo.     Forosts  of  liipiid  amber,  near  Nalapa,  anuouiue  by  the  In 
ness  of  their  verdure,  that  this  is  the  elevation  at  which  the  chnuls,  sii-| 
dcd  over  the  ocean,  come  in  coniact  with  the  basaltic  sumniit.s,  of  tlio  ('>  r 
lera.     A  little  higher,  near  la  ]3andarilla,  the  nutritive  fruit  of  tlio  lai,; 
tree  comes  no  longer  to  maturity.     In  this  foggy  and  cold  region,  tlit'iv!' 
want  spurs  on  the  Indian   to  labor  and  excites  his  industry.     At  tlio  lii 
of  San  Miguel,  pines  begin  to  mingle  with  the  oaks,  Avhich  are  found  liy 
traveler  as  high  as  the  elevated  jilains  of  Peroto,  where  he  beholds  tlif 
lightful  aspect  of  fields  sown  with  wheat.     Eight  liundrc:!  metres  liiglior, 
coldness  of  the  climate  will  no  hmger  admit  of  the  vegetation  of  oaks; 


tin 

m 

m 

\ 
4 

tep 

tbi 
f» 


«  Pol.  Essay  on  the  Kingdom  of  New  Spain  Vol  II,  p.  165.— Amer.  ed. 


riir. 


[  Bi  >0| 


I 


iinmtc.  {iiid  toml,  |.rii.( 
lightful  iiiluri'sl,  li,tli| 

s'Tfi.— 1.  On  till)  \\(.te|| 

■tflll'S  tVi  111  tllU  Jil'llili.lll 

lly  wiiU'iiiiij;,  us  til'  lidf 
illiTUs.     '1  Ills,  witliiii  ti 
rras    Cnli  iilc\  dV  In  t  i| 

1  tlio  ;:niiul  ami  liixuriaii 
s  j)nrtiiiii  lit'  till'  /...III'  liA 
f  wliicli  htaiids  til.'  litvip 
utiiiii  uiiilrrL'iiL'H  a  i!;:iii^ 

(H-riivs  ill  tr;ivflii;-'  i,  itk, 
*■   "  Till  ri'  arc  tew  rij 
tnu-k  with  the  a!-siii.l.|iii 

jiavt   of    till'   iiitt'i.iL'iH 
'vas    of    AiialiuiH'.     in' 
:ioiis  of  otenial  simw,  i   tt 

siifl'iicatiug  huat   [iiv.  i]| 
[■  vi'gctaliU'S  rise  ali.  \. 
pen'optilik!  tliaii  in  ii>.Tiil 
I  (if  IV'rotc.     AVf  Mil! 
be  >'l<y,  th^.'  f"i'iii  1.1'  I'laiH 
taiits.  and  the  hii.il 

a[i[ieai'aneo   at   evii\  -tip 

iiiinatcd,  the  heawty  .;! 
^s  sueculeiit,  and  the  fiuJ 
iiiuiets  the  ahirnis  ot'tnvj 
eiiionKtvates  tu  liiiu  tl  :it 
by  the  iieoidc  uf  the  ii' 
ill  New  Siiaiii.     Thi^  ii| 
the  eeiitval  taUe-hnnl 
ead  uf  the  mortal  Jise;i>ej 
hia,  amiouiiee  hy  the  tv 
whieli  the  clouds,  sn-' 
lltic  summits,  of  theC'iJ 
Itritivo  fruit  of  the  lai  a 
\  aiul  cedd  region,  t\)CK-'<\ 
lis  industry.     At  the  li 
|iks,  wliicli  arc  found  hy 
_  whore  he  hohohl^  t!..' 
hundred  metres  higk'r.  i 
he  vegetation  of  oaks 

II,  p.  165.-Amer.  ed. 


INTKRinil  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMHKFCA. 


«25 


.  Imo  there  cover  the  rueks,  whose  summits  enter  the  zmu;  id'  eternal 
t  Thus  ill  a  few  liuurM,  the  naturalist,  in  this  inirai'ulnus  {(iiintry.  as- 
.  the  whole  sealo  of  vo,:;etuti.iii,  fr.iiu  tlo'  lo'Iio'iiiia'^  ami  the  liamiiia  [datit, 
„  jiliissy  leaves  swtdl  out  into  extranrdinary  dimensions,  to  the  ."-tuufeiJ 
!uiim  of  the  resinous  trees!" 

Ar  iiiiid  the   niirtlnrii  eurvc  of  the   (lulf  of  Mexien,  fniiii  the   Hiu  Jcl 

•  tu  Tainiia  IJay.  wi;   have  a  native  veiri'tatinu  of  a  dill'oroiit  hiiid,  and 

;siri"iis  growth,  where  cverirreens  ami  dcoiiliinus  trees  ami  shnilis  arc 

:  1  tiL'i'tlii'r.     Many  of  the  plants  of  this /mie  are  limiteil  to  the  euast, 

'J iri'ViTiiii,'  its  saliiK!  soil  ami  atmiis|iliere.  rather  than  from  the  necessity 

teliiuate;  liut  others  advamte  into  the   Interinr  A'alley :  and  hy  the 

.11  which   they  extend,  indieatc  the  elimatie   influence.      I   will   rite  a 

T    i)lv  fiiiind  near  the  Mississi|i|ii,  or  in  the  ri'iiinii  to  its  east. 

1 1./ Iiiii'- leaved  pine  (I*/niis  aw.s7/v///,s)o\eisliadiiws  all  the  dry  and  sandy 

Ijj  .111'  I'Tirida.  and  reaches  to  a  certain  distance  into  the  interinr  of  Ala- 

imi  Mississippi,  and  Loiiisiuna.     I  have  not  seen  it  altove  the  thirty-third 

L-M;  hut  as  it  appears  mi    the  Atlantie  euast  as   hiL'h  as  the  tliirly-sc- 

a  I'liaiiii!!'  in  soil,  rather  than  of  climate,  arrests  its   higher  extiiisiun 

•hiteriiir  Valley. 

■livi'iiak  {  Qi/n-ri/s-  rirci/s)  which  dcli'.'lits  in  a  wet  and  fertile  sidl,  has 
litr'iiility  fur  the  sea-enast.  Along  the  Mississippi  and  Alahania  Ivivers,  I 
|ji  i.t  met  with  it  above  the  latitude  of  tlorty-two  and  a  half  or  thirty- 
ID  'L'irroos. 

:  'ivpross  (Ciiprrssim  ilht'irha')  constitutes  the  governing  tree  in  all  tlio 
-M.f  the  northern  curve  of  the  (julf;  and  ascends  its  rivers,  ln'cmning 
-.  iilly  hleiided  with  mure  northern  trees.  In  the  thirty-third  parallel,  it 
►vsseareo;  but   occasionally  shows  itself  to  the  thirty-seventh,  wherf 

iiiiis  the  iMississippi. 
I  '  \lnu'ii"li'i-  isrdniiillwn,  abounds  in  the  rich  soils  wdiich  are  frei-  from 
jtiiii:  and  is  found  from  the  (lulf  to  the   thirty-thinl   degree   of  lati- 
k-;l;utif  protected  from  the  winter,  while  ymiiig  and  tender,  it  will  grow 
iiri.ea.s  far  north  as  the  thirty-eighth  degree  of  latitude,  and,  perhaps, 
•itr. 

"i'-^viwi  ^\\m  (Jjiqind'imher  sfjirncllJiia^  imi\  the  pecan  {Curi/n  ulircr- 
f'').irohoth  southern  trees,  which  abound  in  liouisiania  ;  but  decrease  in 
"'tr,  become  siditary,  and  are  rarely  seen  above  the  thirty-ninth  parallel. 
fr^jnooimeiis  may  serve  for  the  tree  vegetation;  lut  I  must  intrnduco 
i*''f  a  (lift'erent  kind. 

":4.'tiie  ( '/jsc«'/i    ?"cr/Jc?"//'?///7«)  abounds  on   certain    trees   around    the 
('.Mexico;  but  is  not,  I  believe,  found  to  the  north,  beyond  the  fortieth 

m-i'i 

'■  ■"  (Mii's^ia  mai'rncarp'i')  overspreads  the  rich  and  wet  lands  of  the 
"'•  Mississippi,  whore  it  attains  the  liigho  of  thirty  feet.  Up  that  river  to 
FWy-sixth  degree,  it  forms    impenetrable  brakes  beneath  the  lofty  cot- 


.*.. 


.:l 


•  Michaux:  Hist,  des  Arb.  For.  d  L'Am.  Sep.  Tom.  I. 


Ir 


irij  •  i'  •  .^  i  ■  •" 


,Jf:-:^' 


■    i.       .. 


.■;■ 

..M    ' 

'■..':'       '     '■ 

. '    > 

'Ilit'i'  '-' 

\  ■  ' 

• 

IH*^^'-'" 

-'i.A  ---:■.  ^. '  ■•     ■ 

¥r 

';'■■;'■>■ 

ft]*Sl': 

.;<-.*■....    '.:    .. 

'.    r   .*"   .^■'. 

ifesai'^.^i 

*•'       ■      ^     '         '    »     '■ 

Hlli 

•"  ■';  -■:■ 

^liiij|if:'f..-vi  ;. 

*»' 

G20 


THE  PRIXCirAF,  DISRAHKS  OF  TIIK 


tiiii  tri'i's;  ami  oxtcnds,  with  (liiiiinisliiiig  size,  iicurly  t(»  tlio  tliirty-nintli, 
furtlirst  [mint  lit  wliicli    I   liavc  seen  it,  in   Miiysville,  Kentucky,  in  .\  |   , 

ys'^  J.')'. 

Tlio  liiiig  iiKiss  (l'i//iiiiilsi(i  iisni'dl'/i's)  JH  Iniiig  ill  sdiiilicr  fistonns  fr,  t„  |!,i 
lliulj.s  (jf  tin' cyprc.'S   ami   many  (itlior  .soiitlicni  trt-i-s,  \\iii(;Ii  ^\;,w  \u-itt  \\i 
rivci'rf,  III'  ill   swamps,  '[iiitc  (Lwn    to  tln^  (iiilf  nf  Mexico.     On  the  rjv.r. 
Aluhania,  I  liavK  ml  m'I'ii  it  aliovc  tlio  latitude' of  tlility-tlirue  tlc^'rut's  nurtijl 
but  111!  tilt!  Mississiiipi,  lialt  a  dc^'ifc  lii;.'lMT. 

Tlu' "^outli  (lillVrx  iVoiu  till!  iiitt'iior  in  liaviiij.'  ft'WiT  annual  ilowcrin^MlniJ 
in  jtropiirlioii  to  tlio  numlicr  of  its  flowcrii;^'  slinihs  an  1  vini's.  It  als.j  iiJ 
fiL'iits  miirli  less  of  grassy  surfnco  tliaii  we  liiid  furtliev  to  tlic  iwirtli. 

55.   Wi-  cuiic  now  to  till'  iniddli'  latitudes.      A  zone  cniniiiiscd  lirtunntB 
parallels  of  tliirty-six   and  forty-two.  a  mean  tem|ierature  wliicli  raiii.'is  !nj 
ti^ty-ei^llt  degrees  down  to   inrty-eight   degrees,  I''alireiilieit,   is   tliat  will 
cinlM-ai-es  tlio  greatest  variety  of  forost  troes ;  and  witliin  wliicli  tl:c\  :.'J 
orally   attain    Mie  Inl'tiest  magnitude.      'I'lii!  most  eoiimioii   and   (■iiiiSMriiil 
aro,    several   kinds  of  oak  (Qucrcus),    ash   ( I'la.nnvs),  walnut  (.///:' 
hickory  (C^iriia),  dogwood  (Cor  mis,')  elm  (  I'lnn/s),  Iniekeye  ( .7vi'//(,>i. 
honey   locust    {(l''''li/siii),    w'lite    flowering    locust   ( liol  in'm),    liackli 
(C('///,s^),  niaples  (Acn),   heeeli   ( la^iis),  tho  yellow   poplar  (ir  tiili|i  ti| 
(Li ' /■I'/eiiil niii),    and    the  I'nttoii    troo    (I'djiii/i/s).      These   ticcs   ainl  tli 
associates,     are     all    deciduous.      They   separate    the  magnolia   gianl.'I 
live   o;ik,    pecan,   cypress,   cane,    and    long   moss  of    the    south,  t'luin 
pines,  firs,  hemhu-ks,  hirches.  and  certain   oaks,  of  the  north.     To  t!ic  >  hi 
Borne  of  iheiii  do   not    advance   t'lirfhcr  than  the  thirty-third  parallel;  iilJ 
are  found  in   hummocks  as   far  as  the   thirty-second,  and   others  rcadi 
Gulf,   through  the  delta  of  the  Mississippi. 

At  the   eastern   e.vtreniity  of    the   zone,  where   it  nicels  tlio  A]|al;i 
i\rountaiiis.  these  trees  are  replaced  hy  .several  species  of  pi:,e  and  i  ak 
other  t!'c(^s  which  flourish  in  ciol  and  rocky  Incalities.      To  the  west,  it  |'. 
the  Mississippi,  and  stops  at  the  margin   of  the  desert,  with  tlio  exinU 
that  a  few  sneeios  ascend  the  rivers  of  that  irreal  reiiion. 

To  the  north,  the  forests  of  the  temperate  latitudts  extend  to  the  find 
coasts  of  Lak(;  Superinr  ;  and  while  all   the  species  do  not   liuWoutt' 
latitude,  others  ailvaiiee  far  heyoiid  it. 

Ohservations  have  not.  however,  heeii  made  iu  a  snflicient  iiunilicnf  | 
Ces,  in   that   inhospitaljle  wilderness,  to   reveal   the  limits  of  all  tin' -; 
The  buckeyes  (/T^^rn/x^)  are  among  the  most  limited  in  northern  v\u 
I  have  not  seen  them  beyond  the  valley  of  the  Cuyahoga,  in  N.  but.  ^1 
but  Wright  enumerates  one  species  as   a  tree  of  Michigan,*   wliiih  A 
Uion^  iiiirtheru   limit.      The  white  flowering  locust  {linlinia}  has  iiitui 
northern  extension.      Tt   is   not  mentioned  in    the  flora  just  quetcil 
Banie  is  true   of  the  blue  ash  (rrrixi/nis).     On  the  other  hand,  tlic 
tree   (Ai-rr  snrchirinuni)    increases  iu  size  and  number,  after  ffc  ]i;i: 


*  Geological  Reports. 


Till. 


>f|f«»  ufi 


•  to  till!  tliirty-iiintl.  Tli 
le.  Ki'iituiky,  ill  N.  l,;i 

siiiiilicr  f('st<i()i\H  frmii  t'lj 
•I's,  wliieli  ;;r'i\v  iii'nr  tli^ 

ycr  aunualflowcrin;.' I'l.iiitj 
)rt  an  I  villi's.     It  ;il>''  [r^ 
rtlicr  to  tlu>  imrtli. 
;iiiu!  I'liiniivisi'tl  lii'twciii  ili 
iporiituri'  wliich  ran|.'*ii 
Falireulicit,  is  tlmt  wli^ 
uihI  witliiii  wliii'li  tl'i'v  '■ 
t  r(.niiuiiii  ''I'l'l  c.iiisi'KiKii 
<tr/.//»/s')-  w:>lii"t  (./":' 
7s),  Imclii've  (.■7:w'-/i,- 

,cust  (K"/ (■"'").  ^""''^'i 
yellow  ].oi.lar  or  tuli|.  tr| 
7.s),  TIh'SC  tvirs  ami  I'lij 
:e    tlio  inajrnolia   jrvaia' 

,i;3     „f       the      SOUtll,    tVnll 

of  the  lu.vtli.  Tn  t!,.' « III 
.  tliivty-tliii-a  V!>''alVI'.  'I'l 
,.,•.,,1(1,  ami  "tt'^'V^  '■''"■'' 

,,.,.   it  meets  the  Apval:' 
^,„-.-iesof  vine  ami  .  uk,  \^ 
laities,     Tntliexvost.itr. 
„,  assert,  Nvith  the  cxi-i: 

.,(  veiiiiiii- 
,,,it,ui.sexteiultotktni-l| 

„L.cii'S  do  not  hul.l  out  i  • 

i„  a  suffieient  iiumkTof 

the  limits  ..f  iillt^'^'^1' 
I  limit  ed  ill  northern  .^itr 

|('uvaho-a,  !'>>'■ ''"*•'' 


■if  ".J 


lot'  Mii;liig«i> 


the  f^nva  just  qui 


till 


INTKRIOR  VALI.KY  OF  NOIHII  AMI'.IMCA. 


c-n 


t)H  the  Other  liaiul,  tl>t"  ^'^ 
■and  uunihcr,  after  wc  ^ 


,,,,!' iiieau  tei'iperaturo  of  thu   Nalluy — wliieli  is  lil'ty  di';rrfes   I'aliroii- 

ly:  ;iiiil  ruii;.'e»  liitweeii  tlie  i'orly-lir.if  mid  forty-.^et'ond  paialli  Is.     Aiound 

;•  Liki'.".  ii|'  to  liakc  Sii|iriii.r.  it  i.s  one  of  tlio  most  conmioii  frees,  ining- 

iivlf,  ill  thu  fertile  s.'ils,  witli   hinlics,  pines,  and   liciidocks;   Imt    Major 

;.im'Siiot  ineiitioii  it  anion;,' tlie  trees  olistrvi'd  on  Kainy  Kivir,  liotweeii 

irtyi'i;:litli  and  forty-ninth  decrees  of  latitndf.     The  syianiorc  (  l*'iitii- 

|i,  ii;is  iierliaps,  nearly  the  saiiio  northern  limit  vvitii  the  siiuar  tree.     Tho 

IcMi  Wdiid    [I'lijiiilus'j,   wliieli  crows  at   the   month  of  the   Mississippi,  was 

vjv.^lajor  lioii;:.  on  lied  Uivcr,  near  the  forty-eii^hth  parallel.      I'mally, 

|H;. hniiiiiiioinl,'^  who  spent  .some  time  at  (hiinlierland  House,  on  tlie  Sas- 

|uyi,:iwaii  Kiver,    N.   Tiat.  ^i->°  >u\  has   driven  a  catalnirno  „t'  the  tree.s  ob- 

Ip  1  iirniiiid  that  I'nr-tradiiii,'  po>.|,  in  whifh.  of  all  heloii^dn^'  to  the  fmests 

l!'l:'.'t.'iiijit'rnte  region,  hu  mentions  only  aii  ash  and  an  elm;   adding,  that 

liiv||i"SC(l  he  was  there,  at  the  higlie,>>t  northern  liiiiit  of  tlie  genera  to  which 

IvhTliijiin!:.     The  animal  nu.'aii    temperature  of  that  latitude  eaninit    lie  far 

btiiiiiy-two  degrees   Fahrenheit,  which  may  lie  that  which  limits  the  ar- 

IVrMiit  fliiru  of  the  middle    latitllde^i:    while   a    mean    tciii|ici  aliire  of  sev- 

: -rAi  ili'grees   impo.ses  a  southern   limit;  thus  giving  to  the  divei.«.ilied 

l;>!>iif  tho  middle  latitudes  a  range   of  forty  decrees  of  mean  tcniper- 

h.  The  triH's  which  eharaeterize  the  nnrthorii  regions,  and  are  I'onnd  iiiter- 
.'"Initli  those  of  the  temperate  eliniates,  at  the  jniiction  of  these  /.laie.s, 
•..:>  fnrty-fourth  to  the  forty-eighth  parallels  of  latitude,  are  ihiefly 
:,ij  (/i/«/ '> ),  the  lialsaiii  poplar  { l*o/)iiliis),  arlmr  vitio  or  white 
|nir  (7'//«/f()>  juniper  (,l"n/]irnts),  larcdi  (Lmii),  red,  white,  and 
tmi'l;  ]iiiic  (/*/«'/>),  and  several  kinds  of  spruce,  lir.  and  heinhick 
1.1  1.  .Must of  these  are  evergreens;  and  thus,  after  traversing  the  zone 
I'lmis  tree.s.  we  come  in  the  north  to  forests  of  evergreens,  which  wo 
fil:!  ill  tlio  south,  'i'lie  northern  arhoresceiit  llnra,  cciiimeiicing  alioiit 
i  1  rty-tliird  parallel,  marly  ceases  before  wo  reacli  the  pnlar  circle. 
ill lii'luw  tho  sixtieth  degree!  of  latitude,  the  nuinhcr  of  spiM-ies  is  greatly 
KM  and  those  which  remain  are  stiuitcd.  l)r.  liiclianlson.r  near  tho 
|ii:iiif  XoLsoirs  River,  about  N.  Lat.  r)(l°,  where,  at  tho  depth  of  a  few 
I"-,  the  soil  13  perpetually  fnzeii,  found  few  other  forest  trees,  than 
wi'yi.  liirclios,  and  jioplars,  all  of  a  reduced  size.  About  I'ort  JCnter- 
P-N.  Lat.  (j-l°  '1^'  he  saw  stunted  spruces  and  a  few  birches.  Tn  tlieso 
f-fi'irean  regions,  however,  there  is  some  variety  in  tho  decline  of  vego- 
f".  Aliiig  Mackenzie's  Uiver,  near  the  IJocky  .Mountains,  trees  are  found 
l-f'T  latitudes  than  they  grow  further  east.  On  the  alluvial  banks  of 
F  "I'T,  the  spruce  fir,  which  Dr.  Richardson*  regards  as  the  most  northern 
■  itlie  Valloy,  reaches  the  latitiulo  of  sixty-eight  degiees,  the  canoe  birch 
hiji'.aring thirty  or  forty  miles  before.  Willows  are  found  at  the  very  mouth 
'-'  river,  as  willows  grow  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi.     On  the  ii.vuuen 

iHo-Ws  Rotniiical  Miscellany,  Vol.   I.,  p.  180. 

j-'Mive  of  a  Jo':rnpy  to  the  Shores  of  the  Polar  Sea,  paj^e  'IIG. 


Itl. 


mmm 


I 


r  il'i  ■•  '  ■  j|vi..-  ■■  ■  •••'■■>  -..■■  v-  ....  . 


•  ;  ■•<     V. 


«..*■- 


•  I        .%-■'. 


'•:-,-W:  ■:..■■ 


'    '"4    '-,1     ■'.  -    ■■*'■■■■     ■■  •",:.  I'H     .       .' 


;>    V!  V 


,j,i  .,  .J- 


•■»  .  V    ',■'•' 


i  i-l*i4    ^  ■ "  '  ■■'  '■  ■'  ■  '^^  ^'  ■'"' 


■  .'ii  •  ■  '.'t  ■',- . 


</:■.■;•• 


.'■. 


•i>.. 


628 


THE  PRINCIPAL   DISEASES  OF  THE 


[  nooK  i 


GROU\n3,  to  tlie  oast  of  ^racketizie's  Rivor,  tlio  tree  vogotatidn  was  pi, 
itctl,  that  Captain  liack*  :iiul   his   ]iarty  iiad   to  depeiid   iikiImIv  on  iimv,  fJ 
fuel.      Still,  even  within  the  ])olai-  circle,  there  are  many  small  >])nilis,  wMA 
affoid  horries ;   and,  alsr,,  a   snnnner   herhaceons   vegetation,  ecu. .sii^tinrr  i,f 
liuiitci'  number  of  .s[)eeies,  which  come  to  maturity  by  a  rapid  I'ruwt 

I  must  refer,  for  a  mnment,  to  the  desert  beyond  the  Mi.ssii^.^ipiii.    'f; 
aridity  iif  its  climate,  and   the  very  une(jnal  distribution  of  rain  tlirnif'li 
the  year,  much  more  than   a  dilferenec  of  temperature,  ,<:ives  tii  this  i-n 
region   its  vei^etable  peculiarities.     To   these  meteorohioieal   infiuencts. 
mav  ascribe  the   comparative  absence  of  many  forest   trees  ai;d  swc-v 
herbaceous  plants,  which  flourish  in  corresponding  latitudes  on  the  i  ,i 
side    of   the    Mississippi;     and   to   the  same   conditions  we  nniy  ro!i  :■ 
presence  of  the   numerous  artimesias,    sonu)  of  which   are   sutrruticusr. 
constitute  the  fuel  of  the  Indians;  and  of  all  the  eactaeea},  except  ,'i  v 
species —  the  common  prickly  pear  —  which  are  found  in  the  Intovinr  Va 

Having  taken  an  imperfect  and  rapid  view  of  the  rclatim's  between 
climates,  and  a  few  tif  our  native  plants,  I  will  proceed  to  say  suwcii.; 
those  which  are  cultivated. 

111.  Ci.niATic  (Jkockai'U.'  op  ova  Cultivated  Pi.axt.s.  —  We  In. 
before,  within  the  tropics  : 

The  banana  (^}[//sa  parmliHaca),  constitutes   the  leading  artirlo  nf 
ration   on   the  t'erras  ca/ienti's  of  tropical  3Iexico.     I  cannot  sneak  ' : 
northern  limit. 

Coffee   has  not,  as  yet,  been  introduced  further  north  tijaa  tlie  i;! 
of  Cuba. 

Sugarcane,  which  attains  its  greatest  develojnnent  in  the   tiinil  zone, 
cultivated  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississipiii,  as  high  as  the  tliirty-ijr.>t  ik- 
of  lititude. 

Rice  is  chiefly  [ilanted  below  the  thirtieth,  but  would  succeed  in  a  li. 
latitude. 

Cotton  is  a  prolitablo  crop  to  the  latitude  of  thirty-six  degrees  tli 
minutes,  and  will  sometimes  ripen  a  degree  and  a  half  further  north. 

INFaize,  or  Iniiau  corn,  produces  three  crops,  in  tlie  course  of  the  v 
between  the  tropics.  Its  accommodation  to  climate  is  greater  thai:  that  if 
of  the  plants  which  have  been  mentioned.  In  the  latitude  of  tliirty-niiio.  il 
sometimes  bitten  by  early  frosts  ;  but  will  bear  cultivation  ton  il'.' 
further  north.  On  Rainy  River,  in  latitude  t\irty-eiglit  degrees  tl' 
minutes,  and  at  Pembina,  on  Red  River,  in  forty-nine  degrees,  Majer  L' 
ascertained  that  it  had  ripened,  but  the  yiehl  was  small.  At  Fort  Ga 
a  degree  further  north  than  Peinl)ina,  I  am  inf  irmed.  by  Captain  Li!i 
it  will  not  oonie  to  n\aturity.  The  mean  annual  temperature  'if  l\'nil 
canunt  1)0  far  from  thirty-eight  degrees  Pahreiduiit ;  that  of  suuiiiitr, ' 
sixty-four  degrees. 


^'11    fl:>: 

thi  a,:.. 

•d    Mfil 

olHl^M 

:Tmm 

Ixt 

H  fl  hi 

mb 

•ti-  a^'ha 

itill> 

^H'iiire 

1^1  lie 

^Kt:i..Ie 

i^B.'i^r. 

Arctic  Land  E.vpoditiou,  page  3J6. 


1  Second  Expedition. 


ftev  .f 
:airt-, 


?  OF  THE 


[nooK  ] 


'ir-ii] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERIC\. 


G20 


!  tree  vogetatinn  vras  so  limjf 
(I  ilepciid  mainly  <n\  iim^,  fol 
avo  many  siuull  >hrulis.  wMd 


IS   vegotutinii.  c(i\.i<i;-tiiig  i 
ivity  by  a  va]iid  grow'li. 
Dcyoiid  tlio  Mississiinii. 
listribution  of  rain  ll  r  i\il 
ipovatviro.   gives  i''  tlii>  ; 

nictc'iivdlngieal  inilueiici  ■ 
y  f<>roi*t  trees  and  ?uiM-i 
iding  latitmles  cm  tlie  im 

conditions  we  may  ren  i 
)1:'  ■'.vhich  are  suffruticusc 
11  the  par-taeecc,  except  a  ~ 
no  found  in  tlie  Interior  \ 
t'  (if  tlie  relations  lietwv, 
ill  proceed  to  say  suineii,'. 

nvATED  Plants.  — We  W-r 


tes  tlio  leading  artiile  nf  i;]| 
Mexieo.     I  cannot  speak  ct 


I 

t 

:^4 

n 

tin 

^> 

■'7' 
•« 

J 


further  north  than  tl 


ir   bla 


veloimicnt  in  the  torrid  zmiej 
s  high  as  tlie  thirty-Srst  'hd, 

1,  but  would  succeed  in  a  liiJ 


uc 


ml 


do  of    thirty-six  degrees  tliij 

and  a  half  further  north. 

rops,  ill  the  course  of  tlio  y« 
liniate  is  greater  tluintliat.;! 
n  the  latitude  of  thirty-i.ir.'.  i| 
11  bear   cultivaiion  ten  '1'; 

Itudo    forty-eight    degree^  tn 
forty-nine  degrees.  Maj-r  h 
ield  was  small.     At  F^rt  l.aj 
,n  informed,  liy  Captain  h-ttj 
annual  temperature  m1  IVn.li 

'.aircnheit;  that  of  siuum^' ' 


Second  Expedition. 


T.'jffPL>t  potato  (Conrohmlns  bal/atax),  belongs  to  the  soutli,  but  may 
,  ;;iiv;ited  in  .sandy  soils  to  the  fortieth  or  forty-first  parallel. 
',;  Irish  potato   (S'lhiniim  /«/)«''y;>//ot),  although,  jierhaps,  a  native  of 
u'lth,  has  a(M|uired  a  northern  acclimation.     Tiiward  the  sliores  of  the 
i'.it'Moxieo  it  is  inferior  in  size,  and  amylaceous  development ;   but  improves 

th  as  we  go  north,  and  in  the  latitude  of   furty-threo   or  forty-luar 

;  it?  highest  perfection. 
'Viiit,  according  to  Iluinboldt,  cannot  bo  profitably  cultivated  below  an 
-iiiimuf  four  thousand  feet,  in  the  latitude  of  1'.*'-"  N.  In  the  states  around 
iliilf  of  Mexico,  ten  or  twelve  degrees  further  north,  a  toleralile  yield 
obtained,  but  the  flour  is  inferior.  As  we  advance  into  higher  lati- 
;;.\this  cereal  improves  both  in  the  (pianlity  and  quality  of  its  grain,  and 
.i>tH  attain  its  most  perfect  deveio[»mont  in  ."Michigan  and  western  New 
:k;  where,  in  the  forty-third  degree  uf  latitude,  the  mean  temperature  is 
".t t'irtv-six  degrees  of  Fahrenheit.  It  has  been  successfully  cultivated, 
irV'jr,  at  Fort  Liard,  on  .Mackenzie's  Kiver,  in  the  sixtieth  degree  of 
rile,  lis  I  am  inforiiied   by  Captain  Lofroy.     Thus  it  has  a  wider  range 

Ii;  "range  ti^o  is  sometimes  destroyed  below  the   tliirtieth  parallel ;  but 
\h  ripens  a  sour  fruit  to   the  thirty-first,  where,  however,  it  is  but  little 

I'Utfll. 

1/  fiir  produces  well  up  to  the    thirty-third    degree,  beyond   'vliieh    it 
|>:'.;iO;  winter  protection. 

laqiridc  of  china  {Mel.ia  n-ederac/i),  flourishes,  as  a  shade  tree,  to  the 
iti'le  uf  thirty  three  degrees,  and  might,  perhaps,  be  introduced  to  still 

I!iep''ach,  which  l)ut  partially  sheds  its  leaves  in  winter,  around  the  (Julf 
iDI'iic'i,  ripens  its  fruit  as  far  north  as  the  forty-third  parallel,  but  ullords 
!;ia'rtaiu  crop. 

T^;';  apple,  on  the  other  hand,  attains  but  little  perfection  below  the  thirty- 
t'llogree  but;  improves  as  we  advance  northerly,  to  the  limits  of  existing 
itivatiiin. 

;>iitations  which  have  been  made,  indicate  the  thirty-third   degree  of 

Jfvdeasone  which  constitutes,  more  than  any  other,  a  climatic  limitation 

'lit!,  both  indiijenous  and  cultivated.     Thus  the  white  flowerinsj;  locust, 

ti>^ye,  sugar  tree,  honey  locust,  blue  ash,  and  apple  tree,  arc  rarely  seen 

'f  that  degree  ;    and  the  long-leaved  pine,  live  oak,  magtudia  grandi- 

jriileof  china,  fig,  cypress,  and  long  muss,  are  as  rarely  met  with  above 
't:arallel.    Tliese  facts  indicate  a  sudden  change  of  climate  which,  Imw- 

5'lmit.s  of  explanatii  n.     The  Cumberland   3Iountaiii,  an  outlier  of  tho 

Maeliian  chain,  when  it   reaches  the  northern  jiart  of  Georgia  and  Ala- 

BitMiiithe  n(H-th-east,  turns  to  the  west,  and  traversing  tlie  upper  part 

'j- latter  state,  sinks  to  the  general  level  of  the  country,  in  the  north- 

'■■''iciirnor  of  the  State  of  3Iississippi ;  thus  forming  a  ranqiart  of  hills, 

■  '  ivhioh  are  more  than  a  thousand  feet  in  higlit,  which  ranges  between 

■^•fty-third  and  thirty-fourth  degrees  of  lati'iJe.     On  the  opposite  or 


•  f 


■■■i! 


Ml 


!■■     1 


...■  'f 


I 


>\-': 


■<'   ■  I'  #  '  ''■•  '  '  '■!!^  ■  ■ ;  ■•■■    '   I.---*  ■...':    '■.    ■  1 


k  r.f  :■,^^■t■■xy■■y•■■y'■■r■■ 
W^'-:t    •■^■■;■;  ■,•■.■;:/■••'• 


.  ■■'' 


G30 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I 


1 


wostoni  side  of  tlic  Mississi|)|ii,  in  tlie  same  latitudes,  are  tlio  Ozark  Mmh 
tains,  wliii'li  travi'rsLi   sdiillicni   .Missdiiri,  cross   (lu;  ^^tatc  of  Arkansas 
tliroiigli  tlio  iiortlii'ni  jiart  of  liouisiaiia,  and  Iosl;   tiieinsclves  in  the  I  |i 
(.'Sta'-ad  1,  or    the  I'oc-ky    Mountains,  of  wliiuli   tlioy  may  be  reiiardnl  .i^  &; 
lateral    shoot.      Many  of  tlio   O/arks  liave   an   elevation  «jf  fifteen  !      i  X 
foet.      Now  the  distance  hctwccn  these,  and  the  last  cxtreniitv  uf  tl.    ('nn^ 
licrland    Moimtaiii   on    the  eastern  side  of  tlie   Mississiimi.  does  nu\  .  K,»#f 
two  hundred  miles;  and  tlius  the  northern  curve  of  the  (luli'is  hack' ij  ui 
parallel  range  of  highlands,  through  which  there  are  no  other  oneiiinL's,  tl 
t!iose    whirh  give  passage  to   the   Mississippi  and  Arkansas   Jiivers.     Ti 
country   soutli    of  this   range,   fr<  ui    the   western   edge  of    Georgia,  ti 
soutliern  boundary  of  Texas,  eudiracing  the  states  of  Louisiana,  Mi^-i•,l||| 
Alabama,  and   part  of  Florida,  consists  of  an   aniphitlieatrio    .series  <>['  al 
vial,    diluvial,    tertiary   ami    cretaceous    jdains,    having   a   gentle,    si.ii'' 
declivity,  which  constitutes  the   licn'^is  ra/iniirs  of  tlie  nortlierii  are  nf  tl 
Gulf.      It   is  not  until   the   traveler  from   higher  latitudes,  has  pasM-1 
nortiieni  boundary  of  this  ampldtlieater,  until  ho  has  descended  heljw  Miig 
phis,  and  tlio  moutli  (d"  the  .\ikansas   IJiver,  that  he  realizes,  b,  a  clian.'i 
the  aspect  of  vegetation,  that  he  has  entered  a  new  climatic  region. 

Thernuimetrical    ol)servations    have    not    yet  been   made,   wit!i    siiffi'i 
exactness,  to  detornune   tlie  extent  of  this  change  of  climate;  whirh,  hot 
ever,  is   made   manifest,  almost   a 


niu-h   by  disease  as  by  vegetatinii. 


every  feitile  and  wcdlii, habited   porti  n  of  the  country,  to  the  S'lntb  irf  t| 
hilly  rampart,  the  diseases  have  more  of  a  southern  character,  than  t^ 
nortli.     Passive  congestion    largely  takes  the   place  of  inilanmiatiiiii>: 
malignant  intormitteuts  and  renuttents  iiccur  with  gr  atei*  freipiencr.     V  !fli| , 
fever,  whicdi  has   repeatedly  prevailed   in   alnuist  every  town  up  the  .M  ■■ill 
sippi,  to  ^'ieksburg,  in  N.  Lat.  3::'*  124',  has  never,  but  om-e,  roaelnil 
phis,  in  latitude  :>.J^,  and  has  not  prevailed  at   any  intervening  town, 
its  limits,    on  the  whole,  have  been   those  of  the   live  oak,  cypress,  iinilla 
moss;  and  it  will  not,  any  more  than  they,  bo  found  among  ap[)lo  eivL;ii 
wheat    fields,  and  groves  of    blue  asli,  sugar  uiaple,   and  tlie  arhim-' 
buckeyes. 

IV.  Climatic  Distribution  of   ouh   Animals. — The   inflncnee  of 
mate  on  auimal  life,  constitutes  the  end  for  which   a  physician  stmlies 
meteondogy  of  the  country  in  which  he  labors.     To  understand  tiiis  i'H 
ence,  it  is   not  ,-unicient  to  consult  his  thermometer,  hygnnueter,  ami 
insfrmnents  of  science;  but  he  must  also  look  at  the  species  and  li;il'itu 
of  animals  which  live  upon  its  surface,  or  in  its  seas,  lakes,  river.-;,  ami  aiii 
phere.     In  doing  this,  he  will  find  that  climate,  in  addition  to  itsdii'iet,  !,ij 
indirect  effect  on  the  distribution  of  animal  forms;  through  its  iiifiiiciic 
the  growth  a  d   dissemination  of  plants,  which   constitute  the  foml -! 
greater    number    of  animals,    especially    those    which    arc   the  prey  "1 1 
carnivorous. 

The  limits  of  this  worlc  do  not  permit  a  full  exhibition  of  tlie  m' 
tions  of  animal  form  and  physiology,  which   the  different  cliniati'* '-! 


|tl't:it'ree 

IS-.: mi  01 

:  riie  ,, 

i;  llivor  { 

'i-tutllS 

■MiKiiiy 

|Ei  iNllfillCt 

|L;:it!:cy\V( 
Tlie  va.^ 

Ii=  ^'Ttl',  t.i 
llcT':;;  ii*'  ' 

■-"Id:  an 
riiie  vi' 
'^  'Jiie  va; 

;le.  t^gut 

W'-'SM]  of 
!»;.'.  ;vr;iii( 
!':■■  :^«  dry 
-itteiii|iti 
.•Vall,y, 
Gitrii  perl 
■•  '''it.  for 
i'v  of  iiii 
J.'i.  nor 
f^'-r  Cullcar 
'  'Miia,  a 
ilied;  fill 
'"t'l  relate 
'0  iiioa'T 
iffinialia, 

»si 


'  f  1)1 


:iiE 


[rook 


■,r  "•. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


G31 


,  ave  the  Oz;irk  Miuij 
•tiitc  of  Arkiiiisii^,  jiai 
loniselves  iu  tlu'  l<laq| 

may  1)0  rcgavdoil  as 
itiun  uf  fifteen  ! 

oxtveinity  of  tl.    t'nn 

llie  (luir  is  liiu-k-1  \f 
i  nil  (itl'.i-v  ('iieuiiijis,  lb: 

Avkaiisas  Hivrrs.  T 
.(lg(>  (if  Goiivgia,  l<  t^ 
of  Louisiana,  Mis-i->iii|| 
)liitlifatvu!  series  cf  ;:',ltt- 
iviiip;  a  geiitU',  si.i'.t'.a 
f  the  i\Mrt!iern  ari'  > '  tht 

Luitudrs,  hiis  i>;i>-'  1  ibl 
las  ilcsi'ended  Ix.'l  I'v  M  % 

lu'  veali/i'S  li,-  :'  e!ia;:..:« 
w  cliniatie  regiim. 
)een  uuule,  wit'.i   s^u!.   ««» 
go  of  climate ;  wlii''!;.    '»• 
Jliso  as  by  vegetation,   h 
finntvy,  to  tlio  south  w'  tli 
liern  "draracter,  than  i  ^  th 
dace  iif  i\iilauimatiiii;>;  ;il| 

21-  aterfveiincncy.     ^^  Iw  : 
every  town  up  the  ):  ' 

.,>v.  but  onre,  roa.;hc>l  .^1*1 

my  iutervoniiig  town. 
live  oak,  cyi-res^,  an^l 

omul  auuuig  applo  Hvliaii 
|uaplo,   and  the  arhuv-'S 

j,s.__Tlic   itiflucnei'  of 
|ioh   a  pbysinun  s^tndies 

To  understand  tm-  !'i^ 
Uotor,  bygrouioter,  aiiA  " 
(at  the  species  and  hM^ 


kea?,  lakes,  rivers 


ami  atq 


[„  addition  to  its  direct,  lial 

l-n,s  ;  througli  Us  ioA";'";^ 

,   constitute  the  fo"J -; 

wbich   ave   tl.cpvertl 

11  exhibition  of  the  w'\'-^ 
Ithe  different  climates  .'.  I 


VW  present ;  while,  on  tlic  otlior  hand,  it  wuiikl  be  imperfect,  without  the 
.,,;  wliicli  I  am  about  to    introdr.co. 

lif.Johii  liichardson,  in  hisadmiralde  jiaper  on  Xortli  American  Zodlon-y/i" 

.;;i.ullv  pointed  out  the   great   geograiihical  and  hydrographical  features 

,1  liiiitincnt,  wliich   cooperate  with   climate,  in   extt'iiding  or  restricting 

;;i!ii'e,  or  determining  the  species  of  our  animals.     Vt'itli  tliese  a.-pect.s 

.  rii'l-'i"  is  already  .so   well   acquainted,  from  the  ih.'seriptions  of  7*'//  7, 

itiliU'C  enumeration  of  them  will  Ik;  .sulTieient  for  our  present  jmrpise. 

1.  Tlio  general   eour.so  of  cnir   mountain   chains,  is   from   south  to  north ; 

l-:,aiiiuli  it  results,  that  the  quadrupeds  of  the  Valley,  liy  (diliqucly  a.-ccnd- 

.■iitir  slopes,  ir'y  continue  tlie'r  migrations   to  u  murh    lower  latitude, 

...wuiild  otherwise  be  practicable;  while  those   whi'di  inlialiit    tlic    iiniuu- 

,;:iiv.  also,  invited  into  southern   latitudes   by  the  same  reason,      'liiis  is 

;i!udiigiius  to  what  we  observe  o*'  various  plants,  as    the   apple,  wl'cat, 

...  I'icr cereal  grains;  which,  passing  by  the   plains  that  surround  the  Gulf, 

: ;  i;:iil  iiM  the  terraces  and  talile  lauls  of  ^lexim,  within  the  tropict:. 

:  The  course  of  our  great  rivers,  the  Mi.-^si>,--iiipi,  the  Nel,-on  (im  ludiiig 

River  of  Lake   Wiiinij)eg),  and   Ma(;ken/ie's   liiver,  the   Orst  of  which 

l.^tiithe  south,  the   two   otiiers  to   the   north.      1'hese   rivers    n(it    only 

.•'imuiy  fishes  beyond  the  latitudes  to  which   they  wi.uhl  othcrwi.^c  have 

iCMiifiiiud;  but,  also,  promote  the  migration  of  certain  Ijirds  into  climates 

L.  I  they  would  not  have  eiiicred. 

,  The  vast  grassy  plains,  which  stretch  from  near  tlie  moutli  of  tlie  Rio 
1.  y Tti',  to  the  mouth  of  ]Ma(dcenzie\s  Ivivcr,  through  more  than  forty 
sn''  latitude,  without  being  interrupted  by  a  single  deej)  ani'  impassa- 
".'L',  an  herbless  desert,  or  a  transverse  range  of  mountains,  greatly 
1.  rtiiLMii'le  lango  of  our  quadrupeds. 

I'.ie  vast  number  of  lakes  which  lie  above  the  forty-second  parallel  of 
L:  le.  tngether  with  the  inland  sea,  called  Hudson  I'ay,  favor  the  northern 
mJ.tin  of  birds  of  passage  ;  and,  no  doubt,  increase  the  number  of  those 
K.L«riild  traverse  the  continent  from  soutii  to  north,  if  its  whole  surface 
I.:  '-ilry  as  the  plains  to  the  west  of  the  Mississip|)i  Kivcr. 

ittinipting  to  indicate  the  climatic  distribution  oftlie  animals  of  the  Tntc- 
'•alky,  I  find   the   stock   of  materials  exceedingly   deficient.     For   its 
Uni  portions,  the  observations  of  .Dr.  Ilichardson  are   suflicientlv  ain- 
•  Ut,  for  the  middle  and  southern   divisions,  there  is  no  corresponding 
-'■  of  iufurmation.     Neither    the    Fauna  Anicricana  of  tlie   late   Dr. 
tan,  nor  the   Amerlmii  Natural  Ilistorj/,  of  niy  lamented  friend,  and 
H  culloaguo.  Dr.  Godman,    supplies   the  facts   \Nliich   are   needed;   the 
'iMiia.  attached  to  our  state  geological  surveys,  are  but  few,  and  they 
i'li«l;  finally,  the  books  of  scientific   travels,   which   have    been   pub- 
pi  relate  chiefly  to  the  middle  and  northern  latitutles  of  the  A^illey. 
J mlic  meagre  notices  I  am  about  to  give,  I  shall  commence  with  the 


•^ixtli  Annual  Report  of  the  Briliiih  Association,  pago  ];21. 


l: .  i 


'l 


■i 


r  ■. -.1     1  .  ,  ,* 


i     .^    li   !         .'       / 


t  ;■  1...  :■, 


iy| 


^♦..^■*. 


n^'^y-    ; 


':.!.]:: 


/-    i .  ■  .'■' 


Mi  '1 


G32 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I. 


or  tlio  aiiiinals  wliich  are  classetl  iioxt  to  niuii,  a  single  snccies  of  moiiko 
was  f'wuiid,  oil  the  westuru  yido  of  the  Gulf,  as  far  north  as  the  twoiuv-iiiiitlil 
degree  of  latitiido. 

01'  till'  l)at  tril)c,  one  s])et;i('S  ran.cro3  from  the  Arkaus^as  lliver  to  tliu  tiict 
Slave  J<ake.     I  cannot  give  tlie  range  of  t!ie  other  t-jieeies. 

Of  bears  wo  have  three  species.  The  blaek  hear  {  I'rfus  A?ncncnniis\ 
is  found  as  a  resident  of  every  climate  of  the  A'alley,  frdin  si.uth  tu  iihrtli 
The  grizzly  bear  ( U.  korrU/Uls),  inhabits  the  lloeky  Muuntaius,  inTliai,! 
through  tlieir  m'IioIo  extent.  The  white  or  polar  bear  (C.  maniii,i,h\ 
lives  on  the  iees  of  the  Polar  Sea,  and  the  coa.st.s  of  the  adj  'inuig  cipiitinuiit, 
This  animal  is  the  most  northern  of  all  our  quadrupeds,  having  been  si'cn,  I 
Captain  Parry,  as  far  north  as  the  eighty-second  degree  of  latituik',  an 
never  coming  further  south  than  the  fitty-lifth  degree,  on  the  cumt 
Labrador. 

The  raccoon  (Procyon  lulur),  ranges  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  tu  tin 
sixtietli  degree  Oi  latitude. 

The  badger  (Mtles  Lahradorla),  is  found  on  the  prairies,  up  to  thi  d'tv 
fifth  parallel.     Of  its  southern  limit  I  cannot  speak. 

The  common  weasel  {^Mustcla  cimlma),  the  mink  (M.  li/trcuiu),  and  ti 
skunk  {Mephitis  Americana),  arc  found  from  south  to  north. 

Tiie  otter  i^LiUra  BrasUicnsis),  inhabits  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  tu  t 
Polar  Fea. 

Tlie  Wolf  (Canis  lupus  of  Lin.'),  resides  from  Florida  to  the  aretic  cirol 
The  red  fox  (C.  fulnus),  is  found  in   every  latitude.     The  swift  fn.x  ( 
velnx),  does  not  live  further  north  than  the  fifty-fifth  jiarallel.     Thu  :'r 
fox  (C  ciiurius),  is  found  from  Canada  to  the  south.     The  arctic  fos  ( 
lagnpii.^),  ranges  as  far  south  as  the  fifty-eighth  parallel. 

The  cougar  or  panther  (Fc/i.;;  co/ic//o/oA,  7j.),  inliabits  the  soiuIrt!.  a 
middle  latitudes  of  the  Valley,  extending  north  to  Upper  Canada. 

The  opossum  (DidcJphis  Virginiana),  ranges  through  the  same  latiti 

Tlic  beaver  (Crts/o/-  fiber),  ranges  from  the  latitude  of  thirty-five  or  iLiiti 
six  degrees,  to  the  most  northern  woodlands. 

The  prairie  marmot   or  "  prairie  dog"  (.Irf/owy/.s-  hidoi;icianus),\\\\Yi!o\ 
the  great  plains,  in  their  southern  and  temperate  latitudes. 

The  common  gray  squirrel  [Sciitrus  Caroliaensis),  is  found  from  the  lal 
to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

The  common  rabbit  or  hare  {hcptis  Aiiinricanus)  is  seen  from  the  Gultj 
T'lcxico  to  the  limits  of  the  northern  woods. 

The  mountain  goat  {Capra  Americana)  and  mountain  sheep  (Ovist 
moil)  inhabit  the  Rocky  Mountains  throughout  their  entire  range. 

The  antelope  {A?iti/ope  furcifur)  ranges  on  the  plains  near  tlic  I'  ' 
Mountains,  from  the  Saskatchewan,  in  N.  Lat.  54°,  perha[is  to  the  I'm 
Norte. 

Our  common  deer  (Ccrrus  V/rginianus'),  is  found  from  the  gulf  sin  ro 
thoae  of  Lake  Su[)erior.  The  elk  (C.  Wapiti)  ranges  as  high  as  tlic  te 
fourth  parallel.     The  moose  (C.  alces)  lives  high  iu  the  north,  and  i'^'^- 


''^:.  oi,ioi 

'  •^f's.soui 
■"P'o  grl 


M 


[■HE 


[book  1. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA- 


033 


ngle  species  of  niouljoyl 
vtU  as  tlie  twenty -hiuthj 

usa3  llivcr  to  t\ie  Uveab 


ar  (IVi'ws  Anwmnii-\ 
ey,  I'vtiiu  SlAlt\l  tu  lU'ril. 
,c.ky  MuuuUiius,  V''i'^'"!» 
,r  bear  (L'.  marcd-.s.  s 

t'  t\ie  aAj  'i'>i"g  ^*^'"^""  ' 
nods,  luiving  been  seen  i; 

d  decree  of  latitudr, ;, 

,U-vee,  on  the  cou-i 


.^rrato  IjuIjW  the  Iiitltiulo  just  nieiitioiicd.     Tl'.o  reindeer  (T.  iamn.lus)  is 

,;:ciiat  noi'tlieru  of  i,M  ruinliuitiiig  qiuulrupcils — being  fuund  iti  suminor  on 

Stisind?  of  the  PoLir  Sea;  in  winter,  in  the  valley  of  the  Saskatehuwau, 

liju  ''liii  same  latitude  with  tlie  mouse. 

'..■:  luiibk  OS  {Il>s    7/wschalua)  inhabits,  and  is  peculiar  to,  the  Darren 

,/<  between  lludrfon  Bay  and  the  C"pperuiinc  llivcr.     ]n  sunanier  it 

;;Me5  north  to  Parry'.s  Islands,  iii  latitude  scventy-fuur  degrees. 

i„  biion  or  bufTidij  (/Jcs  Americanus)  formor'y  inhabited  Florida.     ]( 

.'i5  noith  to  the  sixty-second  degree  of  latitude.     Is  ahnost  oontined  to 

ir;;irios,  and  docs  not  range  nearer  tu  IIud.->ou  B.iy,  than  six  hundred 


I   >. 


le  Gulf  of  :Mcxico,  to  till 
.l>ci>vames,urtotkfii'.yj 

mtli  to  north. 

a  the  Gulf  of  M™  tola 


,  Tlorida  to  tbe  avdic  cue 
'I  he  ^wiit  tiix  [ 
urallel.     The  ^. 


titudo. 


tY-fifth  V''^"^ 
imtb.     The  arotv.t.K.' 

inhabits  the  sovuku,  a^ 
[o  Upper  Cauaaa. 
.through  the  .an,oh^i 
titude  of  tbirty-hvo  o.  t.uH 

te  latitudes.     ^^_^^r^ 


^s 


,t.- 
Us^s),  is  found  from 


Lius)  is  seen 


from 


the  Gult'l 
(Or 


La  mountain  slicep 
t  their  entire  rani^. 
u  tbe  pUius  near  the  ^ 


;aijiarsfrora  these  citations,  that  a  largo  proportion  of  our  quadrupeds 

;  a  wide  climatic  r.ingo  across  the  continent,  the  result,  no  dnibt,  of  the 

ii.-ikon  continuity  of  the  Hoeky  ^fountains  and  the  groat  plains  whiuh  lie 

.ircast.    Animals,  which  might  have  begun  in  the  tonipLTate  latitudea, 

padmlly  advanced  and  become  acclinuited  in  niirre  southern  or  nioro 

irn  climates.     The  latter,  especially,  liavc  invited  them,  and  given  to 

11  regions,  a  fauna,  richer  in  large  quadrupeds,  tlian  the  warm — thus 

■;rj  the  order  of  our    arborescent  fiora,     Th.Is  truth  is  made  slill  mor© 

;-.  wiicinvu  refer  to  the  marine  nianmialia  of  the  south,  and  north.     In 

'j'llt  of  Mexico,  there  is,  I  believe,  no  species  larger  than  the  common 

; [Ddphimis  fhocana),  which  may  be  occasionally  scun  vaulting  up 

;«•■:>■,  or  ultimate  mouths  of  the  Mississippi ;  but  the  Polar  Sea,  which 

:']stho  northern  extremity  of  the  Valley,  abounds  in  .seals,  dolphins, 

:S'«,  and  whales  of   the    largest  size.     The  first,  supplies  the  chief 

Icsof  food,  clothing,  and  fuel,  to  the  tribes  of  Esquimaux,  who  inhabit 

ffejlate  regions.     Tlui.?,  so  great  is  the  range  of  our  climates,  that  at 

sircmity  of  the  Valley,  man  draws  Ids  subslsteneo   and  comfort  from 

'vKtablo  Idtigdom  —  at  the  other,  from  the  animal. 

■J i^liat  relates  to  the  climates  sought  by  the  following  birds,  I  am  in- 

".1  Doctor   RiclKirdson,  Mr.  Nuttal,  and  the  distinguished  American 

'  tjist,  Audubon.     ]Most  birds  are  migratory,  \  ndor  the  combined  in- 

't'  food  and  climate.     In  autumn,  there  is  a  mo\  emont  to  the  south  — 

-:.  to  the  north.     Some  species  migrate  througli  a  few  degrees  of  lati- 

v  — others  quite  through  tlio  Interior  Valley.     Those  birds  which 

''■Mgo  their  latitude  to  any  great  extent,  wander  from  place  to  place. 

Kvf  sustenance.     It  is  extremely  difficult  to  ascertain  the  j)rcci.se 

•  migration,  wltlch,  in  fact,  may  dliTer  in  different  years,  accnrfling  to 

|ti--snow!i  annual  variations  of  climate,  and  the  food  on  which  diliercut 

;iiij>ist. 

'"'1  turkey  [Mehagris  g-alhpavo)  is  essentially  a  blrtl  of  our  middle 
5;  being  rare  near  the  Gulf  of   Mexico,  but  formerly  abuiidant  in 
'^!'"lil(i,  and  the  states  lying  to  their  west.     Tt  ranges  the  Mlssis- 
1  Missouri,  in  the  woodlands,  as  liigh  as  Lat.  41°  N. 
['iiple  graklo  {Quinculus  versicolor)  is  found,  all  the  year  round,  in 


"ii;  m  summer,  on  the  shores  of  the  Lakes,  and  beyond  to  Lat,  57°  N. 


t  ' 


■te 


^yO 


H.  ,■■■ 


3  «  -*jf j'^ 


rii' ., 


„:•■;[ 


)  , 


.        , '    ■  .■■"•'•  ,;   ■,'~,t,*'  :  ■■'  << 


:^'^&•■v,; 


Pals   '.""^Ir'   ■.      a.  •   .»    „t..       '     .     P^-    ,. 


(531 


THE  FRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  TIIR 


The  turtle  dove  {Cnfumha  Ciro/innisis)  hrooils  in  Louisiann,  and  h  •,», 
mor  spreads  dvcr  llie  couiilry  to  the  Lakes,  in  Lat.  42°  N.  ^ 

The  mocking  bird  {Ti/rdii^  poli/v/ollus)  is  found,  throni^hont  the  v-rW 
Louisiana,  and  in  i-niinnn.T,  makes  its  way  as  far  north  as  the  Lakes  i'   f^ 

The  piir|de  martin  {llinnulo  2'>nrpurca)  arrives  nt  Xew  Orloaii?,  fr  i '  j^ 
south,  in  t!ie  first  week  of  indn-uary,  and  reaeh(>s  the  banks  of  the  oh:  •  I'lte 
tho  L")th  of  Martdi  to  tlin  Llth  of  April,  according  to  the  nnoninu'  ot'^'iBf- 
advaneinu^,  with  the  hot  weather,  up  to  the  fifty-seventh  decree. 

Tiie  hummiiii];  bird  (  TrorhUus  co/uhrh)  appears  in  lioulsiaiia  from  tli  ■  ing^ 
distant  s  luth,  between  tho  fil'toonthof  April  and  tlie  first  of  May.     It  in*' 
rcaciies  the  fifty-seventh  parallel. 

The  wild  [lii^eon   {Colum'xv  vii.ffra/oria)   miajrates   over  a  wide  r.r  i^  i 
country.     In  autumn,  descending  to  tlic  tropical  reginus  —  in  siirii.  ^  i  fjit 
62°  N. 

Tiie  wild  gjose  (Anscr  Canal-'. ■isls)  migrates  from  tho  Gulf  (.f  M.'.'.ooto 
Lat.  ()S°  N.  The  same  h  true  of  tlio  great  heron  (Ardm  IterndUm  nM 
tho  south,  but  it  goes  no  higher  iinrtli,  than  Lat.  50°. 

Tho  ox-bird  {Trinsra  u/pii'i)  ranges  from  the  south-western  coasts  ri; 
Gulf  of  3Iexieo  to  Mellvi'dc  Island,  Lat.  74°  N. 

The  woodcock  ( lliallcola  viiitcr)  comes  up  from  the  south,  anJcxton 
migrations  to  the  St.  Lawrence. 

Tho  rail  {R'lHus   Carol iiius)  ranges  from  the  .south  to  the  sixtv- 
degree  of  latitude. 

The  coot  [Fur'-':  Amcricinu)  extends  its  migrati</ns  to  Lat.  .JO-  .\ 

The  parakeet  {PiUlacus  Carol  in"  nsh)  is  a  bird  of  the  south.  T!ii> 
latitude  to  which  it  migrates  is  about  fVn'ty-ono  degrees  north,  on  tiie 
lliver,  where  I  saw  it  in  the  month  of  August. 

The  snowbird  [rri:i^'/llu  /ii/r.malis)  and  the  snow  bunting  (Kmh-- 
voJis)  are  imrthern  birds,  which,  in  severe  winters,  make  their  way  f;i 
the  south.     Tho  former  ranges  botween  rir)°  and   oO^N.;  tlio  latt'r  1 
Lat.  (10°  and  30°  N. 

The  raven  {Cor^-ut  corax)  is  found  from  near  the  Tropic  of  Qv.'v.: 
74°  N.  The  erow  (C.  Americaiins)  resides  throughout  the  yua;',  i 
latitude,  up  to  the  fifty-fifth  degree. 

The  kingfisher  (  AlctuJo  alcjjoii)  inhabits  every  latitude,  from  the  ti- 
the sixty- seventh  parallel. 

The  (piail  {Orlyx  Virf/iivava)  resides  permanently  from  the  Guli' 
48°  N. 

The  blue  bird  {Si'ilia  Wli^njiil')  is  found,  in  mild  weather,  from  t 
pics  to  the  forty-eighth  parallel. 

The  meadow  lark  {S/i/rnvlla  ludoviciana)  is  found  from  tlic  litfti 
gions,  up  to  N.  Lat.  0!]°. 

Of  our  reptiles  uiul  amphibious  aninmls,  I  mu.st  say  still  less,  t!iM 
birds.  As  a  general  fact,  our  venomous  .snakes  are  chiefly  in  ^"■' 
The  banks  of  every  marsh  and  hummock,  around  the  (■rulf  of  MexiC", 


■h 

I:'''iin( 
l'-n:ii 
•of 
|::l!io 
■',m 

r 

■  ')!  .  .1 

-i.'liol 

f.ifir 

■•■ppi, 

iatit 

VJ] 

':  is  a 

■  rill. 

ri':'io 

::/>:;itOi 

■-•  iv.'iieli 

-■■■ '1  .'m;ii 

fj:.i'53  Jo 

■■■'1  ntiti 

• ;  'Ilia 

;•';.  are 
■■■  li'Siiit 
■■■''■  a'l, 
'-  ''lass 
'.•'!  aiif 
!'.;>  I 
"'  ill 

■■"I'ltuii 

■•■  limit 
■'^'  aii'J  t, 
'   If  th 
••3!=frilr 
fbt  a  nl 


i' 


■T  words 
'■''"iiesfid 


»•  the  1; 


■^ 'fist,  a: 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


035 


■vatos  over  a  w'vlo  n  lft«f 

[jvgi'uis  — iuspiT,,:.^   tit 


the  ?outh  to  t'ao  .i^ty- 


loartlicTroiMCui'C;v.'e.v 
ostl:vouglinuUl>cywv.ml 

Levy  latitude,  from  tktroj 
Lnmncntly  from  tk  Guin 
L  in  mild  ^^•catber,  from  tl 
|a)  Is  found  from  tk  l.'j 

|Tnmstsay.tiU^ss.J 

«naUos  arc  chiefly  r;^ 
Lound  the  Gulf  otMovv- 


I  with  tliom ;  wliilo  tlioy  arc  not  tliouglit  of   by  the  traveler,  who  cn- 

.  n  the  sluircs  of  Luko  Superior;  yet  sevcnil  snalvos,  diiofly  imxixions, 

r.ilas  lii,i:li  as  tlio  liity-<il'tli  parallel.     Jjizzards  reach  only  tho  littieth; 

riiiufrnjrsaiKl  salaniaiulors  are  fo,.ndon  MatACU/.ie's  lliver,  in  the  lat- 

if  sixty-seven    degrees.     The    alligator  {A.   hicins),  which    ahuuuds 

•  :';ii estuaries  around  tho  Gulf  of  Mexico,  aneends  the  Mi.ssissi|i|)i,  and 

•i:;ii's  tnuiid  ill  the  Arkansas  lliver,*  as  hieh  as  the  thirty-fourth  de- 

;  .titii'le.     Thus,  its  niii^ratinn  tennitiates  near  the  line  which  bounds 

:,:iiolia  grandiflora  ami  the  long  moss. 

-iOflistanccs  to  which  the  fishes  of  the  Gulf  and  tho  lower  Mi.s.si.ssiiipi, 

•;r  annual  numerations  into  tho  interior,  I  caniuit  .«peak.     The  brook 

SJino  fnntuialis)    is  not  found  in   the  .south.     {\\   traveling  n[)  iho 

...'I'pi,  it  is  not  met  with,  T  believe,  until  wo  pass  the  forty-fourth  jiar- 

.  latitude.     Above  that  parallel,  in  the  country  arouml  the  mouth  of 

•  >'  River  iind  the  I'^ill-;  of  St.  Anthony.  I  am  informed   by  l)r.  Sliu- 

!:!-;  abnmlant :  and  becomes  still  more  connnon  as  wo  advam-e  hii^hcr 

Mtli.    The  elev'ation  of  the  str(;ams  above  t!ie    sea,  wliere  tho  trout 

>  ro'.'iou  begin  to  make  their  appearance,  is  about  eight  hundred  feet. 

>;;Uo  ot'  Ohio,  according  to  Doctor  Kirtland,:;:  they  are  found  in  two 

|i.- v;!iieh  fall  into  Lake  J'lrie,  from  table  lands  which  have  an  elevation 

.■'i hundred  feet,  in  the  latitude  of  forty-one  degrees  thirty  minutes. 

localities   eastw.vrdly  to  tho  niiiuntaius,  trout  are   taken  Avnn 

t;!;ro;v.ii?.  at  anelevnti m  of  tvixdve  or  thirteen  hundred  feet.     The  most 

t:-:a  lutitmlc  iii   Vv'hich,  s)  far  as  T   have  lieeu  informed,  they  have  yet 

!;'*lis  the  thirty-ninth,  at  an  elevation  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  hiunlred 

.vine  of  tho  tributaries  (;f  the  Monuiigahela  lliver. 

|::>'''';i!)  ft,'H''i'/;//s/''.':,  or  ]\Iackinac  trout,  and  tlie  Corrcgonus  (ilhu^,  or 

>;.  ;u'0  found   as  low  as  the  forty  first  jiarallel  in   Lake    Krie,   and, 

:yi'5iiitcly  to  tho  north. 

It.  !;-t  nnimal  of  which  1  sliall  speak,  and  tho  only  one  taken  from  tho 

f::i> class  of  insects,  is   the  musquito  (.St/;i///i/.>«J.     Aloi.g  the  lower 

•wi  and  its  tributaries,  especially  below  the  latitude  of  thirty-three 

'is  notorious    little    infccot  lives  and  multiplie.«i,    throughout  the 

'"Intin  tho  middle  regions  of  the  A'^alloy,  it  appears  only  in  summer 

f-y autumn.     It  was  once  puppor>ed  that  these  regions  constituted  its 

limit;  but  wc    now  know,    that  travelers  to  the  .sources  of    the 

and  to  the  mouth  of  Macken:-ie's    lliver,  find  them  a  great   an- 

If  tiio  same  species  extends  fro)n  tlie  tropics  into  the  polar  circle, 

^'■.> a  striking  example  of  animal  accommodation    to   climate;    but  it 

I- tut  a  new  species,  in  tho  north,  is  substituted  for  that  of  tlio  south. 

T-Twordsmust  suilice,  in  this  place,  IVtr  the  relatimis   between  climato 

(■•■'bir,L'stic  animals.     Both  the  flesh  and  the  milk  of  the  cow  dogoner- 

■^  tlie  latitude  of  thirty-three  degrees;  that  is,  where  the  mean  an- 


i 


I: 


,  n 


'■|i' 


'■' Hist,  and  Geog.  Miss.  VuUoy. 
•j?')!.  Reports. 


t  U.  S.  Assist.  Geolo^^'i^t. 


V  . 


C3a 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASKS.  ETC. 


m-Ui' 


jj|!;-sf;**i.'t,  ■■•. 


"«    i^*.*, 


.***  •■* '     ■   »*'*    ■      ■      ■  ■  .»       ■  ■    "   ■'  •  , 
wf  .•''.■,«>■  il".  V'  :•.■'■..,'■-■. 

;<       ■(?:."  *■  '',3  •    J    i     •%  -   .■:(.'    .     ^- 

■>,!■*,,'■     •:    V       .  <'      ,  1  •■.'■    L--*      ■"■.■■•■ 

:■   ,     ij'  ^.,    -i    "...  V^      ^'  -.^/;  :   >    ?*;      -   .     .■ 


*      .  "  1."  >.- 


I 


nual  heat  is  sixty-five  degrees,  or  al)ovc.     The  mule,  talvcn  into  tlio  si 
region,  maintains  a  constitution  unimpaired.     The  Iiorsi-,  liowcvor,  undc 
an  acclimation  ;  and  for  tlio  first  year,  is  weak,  and  has  but  littlo  ciidm 
If  lie  live  through   that  period,  his  health  and  strength  hcconio  tjoid. 
horses  bred  around  the  (iulf,  r.re,  in  general,  small,  but  hardy.     fli'.,.Mv^ 
run  wild    on  the    southern  iicrtions    of  ♦he   great    desert,  arc   coivau  uyii/ 
smaller  size,  than  the  domesticated.     "When  sheep  are  taken  into  tlio  -..jk 
em  part  of  the  Valley,  their  wool  degenerates.     The  hog,  however,  tl ,  :iiAii 
jn  the  south,  not  less  than  in  the  temperate  and  northern  latitudes.         i 

It  remains  to  speak  of  the  dissemination  of  the  huiuan  raoo  thr  "  -hon 
various  and  opposite  climates;  but  that  will  fall  more  p''opcrly  into  tl.i  jim. 
ing  chapter  of  Part  III,  for  which  we  arc  now  prepared ;  and  I  will  •  Ijn. 
mark,  here,  that  man  has  accommodated  himself  more  eiTectually  t  .11  oq 
climates,  than  any  other  member  of  the  animal  kingdom  ;  being  a  iia  ;aimt 
inhaliitant  of  the  whole,  from  the  soutiievn  shores  of  the  Gulf  of  Mcaii 
where  the  mean  annual  temperature  is  eighty  degrees,  to  the  latitmlc 
cnty  degrees  north,  where  it  is  but  five  degrees  of  Fahrenheit.  It  ;ii>plni< 
then,  that  he  may  become  a  permanent  denizen  of  any  region  that  will  alH| 
him  sustenance. 


Imerk 
'  'A  into  w 
'0  ti.  the 
J.'i,  tlic 

TLo  thr 

;  i'Jipoi'tl 

prreiit  race, 


'     ■,     "i 


^ '  jw^'v?,  ..-.i  •  V  i\ 


m 


■      '."1      .■■.■.■'■>'  s 


PART  TniRD. 


lie,  lalvcn  into  tlio 
iiirso,  howoviT,  uiiikrj 

lias  but  little  ciuluu 
ugtli  become  giMjil. 
but  hurtly.     TI/j.-^"  wli 

dcsuvt,  are   comuion^ 

lire  tukcn  into  llio  :o| 
lie  bog,  liowcvcr,  tlouiilw 
a-tbern  ktitndcs. 

,0  bumn  vaoo  tWighfpr  |nYSI0LOG  I  CAL     AND     SOCIAL    ETIOLOGY. 

lore  y'-opcrly  into  t\ie  u|Mr 
cpavcd;  and  1  v.-ill ' nl^H- 
[  miiro  offK-tually  t'-  all« 
ingtlom  ;  being  a  j^cr  iimt 
ores  of  tbo  Gulf  of  Mclk^ 
rri-ccs,  to  tbc  latitude  '  f  !«• 
"if  Fiihrcnbcit.  ItappaiH! 
3f  any  region  tbat  vill  afod  i 


CHAPTER   L 


POPULATION. 


SECTION  L 
DIVISION    INTO    VARIETIES. 

:  Interior  Vaij.kv  of  North  A.mfuica,  embraces  four  of  tlio  five 
.;,  into  which  naturalists  have  commonly  divided  the  human  race.  In 
eto  tlieir  numbers,  civilization,  and  interest  to  tlic  j)hysiulogist  and 
iin,  tlicy  stand  in  the  following  ordci- :  Firsl,  the  Caucasian  ;  Second, 
;'.iCAx;  Third,  the  North- American  Indian;  Fuurl/i,  the  Mongo- 
TLo  throe  former,   existing  in  contiguous  or   intermingled   masses, 

iportunities  fur  studying  the  comparative  physiology  and  diseases 

'rent races,  which  we  should  not  neglect.     The  last,  known  under  the 

I  Esquimaux,  arc  but  a  handful,  compared  with  either  of  the  other 

•and  live  contiguous  to  but  one  of  them  —  the  Indian. 

Caucasian  races  aro  found  in  large  numbers,  within  the  tropics, 

latitude   of    forty-seven    degrees    north.       Beyond    that    latitude, 

re  met  with  but  in  trading  establishments,  missionary  stations,  and 

■sail  settlements,  on  the  rivers  and  shores  of  Hudson  Bay,  and  Davis' 

'  up  to  the  flfty-eighth  or   sixtieth   degree.     TJie  most  populous  zone 

■c.atlio  tliirty-fourth  and  forty-fourth  degrees;  the  line  of  greatest 

-ml  density  of  population  being  near  the  latitude  of  thirty-nine  de- 

'■  A  great  majority  of  the  whole  reside  east  of  the  Mississippi. 

■African,  or  Negro  variety  —  nearly  all  of  whom  aro  natives  of  this 

•t.  though  many  were  born  out  of  the  Vallky —  have  a  more  southern 

- '     Extending  upward  from  /lie  tropics,  they  gradually  become  more 

•1' ill  proportion  to  the  whites,  to  the  latitude  of  thirty-two  or  tbirty- 

'Jrgroes;  when  they  begin  to  decrease,  and  ab(jvo  the  thirty-ninth  degree 

'I diiofly  ill  large  cities;  thougli  single  families,  or  small  settlements, 
^^  met  with,  beyond  Lake  Eric  and  Lake  Ontario,  as  far  north  as  the 


fi- 


.  I 

i 


I  .Sin 


';  'Hi 


■(  Mii 


i  ■  ->  ■-  -    I  v«  ■■  ['  '■ 


I  ,■!»■'  •■-■-■    iV        .  - 


,  .1 


4     ..■ 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISRASES  OF  THE 


[DO'jK  2^ 


llUJi. 


latituih.'  of   forty-four  do^rocs.     L'lkn  tlic  wliiK'.s,   tlicy  arc   most 
ous  ou  tlio  eastern  side  of  (lie  Mis.si.s.-tipiii. 

Tlio  Noivtm-Amkhican,  or  Indian  variety,  on  the  otlur  l.a.id.  inar!' 
rosid(!  west  of  tlie  fiulfof  Mexico  and  of  tlie  Mi.s.sissi|)[ii,  up  t  .  tli(':'!t 
fourth  degree  of  latitude;   beyond  wliieh  tlioy  arc  fiund  over  tin'  intdj  r 
the  eo.itinent  generally,  luit  are  niuidi  inire  niinuM-uus  to  {\\<;  wc-t  ti:;i'i 
After  pas.sing  tlic  fiftieth  paralhd,  the  nunilier  diminishes  rapidly,  aii ! 
few  are  found  within  the  l'(diir  (linde. 

The  ]NIoN(ioi.iA\  vari(!ty,  of  which  the  l']H(|niniaux  are  the  roprcS'i.t 
.succeed  in  the  n(jrth  to  tlio  Indian,  and  arc  ioniid  on  the  entire  pdlurii 
of  the  Valley. 

Intending  to  niako  the  diseases  of  the  African.  Indian,  and  I'sfpiima' 
rioties.  respectively,  the  suhjccts  of  spceial  dissertations,  I  shall  diniiii-,- 
until  the  history  of  the  diseases  of  the  Caucasian  races  is  linibhtd. 


V*. 


'J-  III. 

-.■.-jti 

F.iuce 

t  ff  ill 

Jri'aiii. 

I  jm'iK 

:;  ;iii 


|i.::ii,  at 
■il.'Ii 


( '  ■'• 


•  ■•■'•:  ■  -^■.:  4^. '.^ 


i^-;  ■•.■•;: 


,>  ■  i' 


^  .:^ 


4|..'-  vl- 


;■•■  ' .  . 


SECTION  11. 

CAUCASIAN  VARIETY.  — IIl.'^TORICAL,  CHRONOLOGICAL,  AND 
GEOGRAPHICAL  ANALY.-<IS. 

I.     Ci'UVKS  ov  !\Ii(iRATiON-  FKOM  EruoTK.  —  M'estern  Kuri^po.  cltkrj 
rectly  or  indirectly,  has  given   onr  Valley   its   Caucabian  pppulutini. 
emigrating  zone  of  that   continent,  extends  from  the  south  of  .Spain,  in  i 
tude  thirty-six  degrees,  to  the  middle  of  ywedeuand  Norway,  in  tlio  «ixtl 
parallel;  and  the  emigrants  from  it  have  settled  chiefly  hetwcen  tlnci 
teenth  and  forty-eighth  degrees.     The    princij)al  emigration,  however, 
been  from  the  region  lying  between  the  iiirty-iil'th  and  lil'ty-lil'th  paralkl 
that  part  of  this  continent  comprehended  between  the  thirty-fifth  audi' 
fifth  degrees.     Thus,  the  curve  of  emigration  bends  southwardly,  andiiitj 
crsing  the   Atlantic    Ocean,  has   sunk,  on   an  aver.ige,  ten  degre  3  t'jj 
south.     The  different  lines  of  emigration,  have,  moreover,  not  oiicneroj 
each  other;  and  hence,  those  who    resided  furthest    north  in  l']iirii|;i.. 
reside   farthest  north   in  America.     The  greatest  exee])tion  to  tlii.*  nH 
was  the  ci.nigration  of  the  French  to  Canada,  while  the  English,  freiiiaLi 
latitude,   were   emigrating  to  Virginia  and   the   Carolinas.     On  tln.> 
hand,  tnc  Spaniards,  from  the  southern  shores  of  Europe,  settled  ai'iu!: 
Gulf  of  3Iexico;    and  the  existing  emigration  from  beyond  the  M 
to  the  j-egions  west  of  Lake  jMichigan.     Let  us  now  look  at  these  uiign 
in  the  order  of  their  occurrence. 

IT.  The  FiiEN'oir. — The  beginning  of  the  settlement  of  our  Valley  m- 
North,  and  the  first  imn)igrants  were  French.     As  early  as  loOtJ,  oukl'' 
years  after  the  discovery  of  America,  they  had  made  aniap  of  thoGuli 
Lawrence,  and  in  15'34,  Carticr  entered  the  St.  Lawrence  .Iver.    Inl'i 
ascended  it  to  tho  island  of  Montreal,     After  a  long  period  of  suq 


-■/i'l  was 
'"■'J;  an  J 
iry  of  til 

■•■;'■  tiiroi: 

•''iiaiits 

'■'■ir  sott 

PStt'Mi 

"^^tliomso, 
'•f'-it  of  iji 


m 


I 


r    THE  >n   I  I. 

tlii-y  iiro  most  mi    > 

the  tit^KT  •'»•"!•  '"■'>''  ^ 

issUsipiii,  Kji  t  •  t'.''  •  :'• 
I  ruiiiHl  uvcr  llio  iuKi';    of 

IMllS  to  thv.  w<'^■t  tkui  it 
luiiiislic'S  nuiiilly,  iuul     tj  ' 

uix  aro  tln^  vo|ivei>"i;i  •   lii, 
1  i)\\  tl\c  oiilivc  iiulir  iii  rji 

,  liiiVuin,  aii«l  V:s(inim:ui>; 

ill  viiccs  is  liiiislic'l. 


■j;-"!.] 


INTERIOR  VALLLY  OF  NOUTII  AMKRICA. 


G3i> 


CHRONOLOGICAL,  AND 

—  AVestcvii  Euvopo,  cukrj 
•  Otiucabiiiu  p.'imhitirn. 
,m  the  si.uth  uf  ^y'mi  h 
en  aiul  X<n-\vay,  in  tk  <ixt| 
.tied  .Vi.'ily  l^etwecu  tku'^ 
final  emi-vation.  lunvcvir, 

nrtk  and  iirty-iifti>  F«i'"^ 

Locnt\ictlm'lY-iillli'ii"l'i 
L-.uls£outlnvaraiy,amlmti 

L   .average,  teu  dosr.  a  t. 
Ive,  moreover,  i."toucn  CD 

[uvtlie.st    north  in  Kurovo, 

patest  cxeoi-tion  to  tins  rn< 

[,vhi\ctlieEi>gli«1i-fi-^'Yi 

til..  Caroliuas.    On  ll.o  f 

.s  of  Europe,  sottka  ar*i 

5on  irom  beyond  the  W 
L,s  now  look  at  tbesc  uugr. 

ttlementofourValkyv:^-^ 

AsearlyasloOGouyH 

uUnadeanun.oftheOulP 

(st.  Lawrence.  Aer.    1" 

Iter  a  long  pcvio'l  ot  .u^i 


:iii)iis.  Queheo  wa.s  I'uiuulud  by  Cliainplaiii,  in   lii't-i.     l]iiiii.'ratioii  from 
;ivi;  was  then  reeoiuineiu-eil,  and  continued  throu;^b  the  St.  Lawrciiee.  for 
:i  than  one  hundred  and  liftyyear.i;  tluit  is.  till(!a!iada  was  coded  tu  Great 
y 'iiii,  ill  17l>').     Tlie  settlers  plaMtod  tlicni.selvcs  on  citlier  bank  of  the  Ht. 
.iiviu'C  and  its  trilintarits  ;    and  cxtondod   al'Miir  the   Jiaki's,  chiofly  njion 
.; iiurtlievn  ylion.'S  and   intervening  atraits,  to  Mackinac  and   l.iku  Hn|ic- 
•:;  always  arranging  themselves  in  oiieii  villages.     In  1G74,  Father  .^lu^- 
,;U'.  iuulM.  Joliet,  a   trailer,  entered  tlio    iiasin  of  tlio    iMississi]t]ii,  by 
.  i,i>iii  lliver;   and  soon   afterward  tlicir  couiitrynien   began  settlcnn'iitH, 
|i,;.'i.  at  length,  spread  as  far  south  as  the  latitude  uf  thirty-eight  d''greea. 
;,;ii,  Calidkia,  and  Kaskaskia,  in  tln^  western  part  of  tlie  State  of  Illinois; 
'>  :i'li'k't.  St,  Cluirlcs.  and  St.   ljuui.<,  on  tin-   opposite  side  of  the  .^lissis- 
liriii. in  the  State  of  Missouri;   Vini'cnncf,  in  the  State  <if  Indiana,    and 
::i  ih  Quesno  —  now   I'iitsbnrgli  —  are  among  the  fruits  i/f  this  early 
,;vr|i:i>i\  among  the  up|)er  and  eastern  trihutaries  of  (he  great  river. 
At(!W  t'aets  connected  with  this,  the  earliest  colony  of  our  \'alley,  belong  to 
I'jsmi.'diL'al  history.     J''/rst,    The  pursuits  and  modes  of  life  of  the  immigrants 
Ldtheir  de.secndants,  have  always  been  rcniarkal)ly  simple.     Scccnil.    Tlicy 
lii:;not  ilisperscd  and  intermarried,  to  any  great  extent,  among  the  iinnii- 
|n:it>fr'iui  otlier  j)arts  of  E\irupe.      Tliiril.     Tiieir  long  canoe  voyages  up 
1;:;  jat  lakes  ai\d  their  tributary  streams,  gradually  jiroduced  a  jicculiar 
-•-if  men,  generally  called  Voyagcur?,  of  whom  more  hereafter. 
Aitlio  present  time,  the  chief  jiortioii  of  our  northern   French  jiopulation 
Ij:  rail,  as  indeed  it  has  always  been,  in  Jiov.-er  (.'aiiada. 

hlijs;),  i>e  La  Salle  underto.dc  to  desecnd  to  the  month  of  the  Jgreat 
pr.  disco  a'red  by  Father  3Iar(piette.  This  ho  ceeoniplished,  and  returning 
fei'iiosame  route,  departed  for  France;  where  he  promoted  asouthern  enii- 
Ap[ioii>tod  to  the  comnland  of  the  first  expeilition.  he  missed  the 
rat!'!  of  the  Mississijipi.  tlie  objeet  of  liis  voyage,  and  landed,  in  IG'-a,  on 
^« sWos  of  Matag(n-da  J>ay,  in  Texas,  where  he  built  Fort  St,  Louis.  In 
l''Vl;'j  was  assassinated  by  one  of  his  own  men,  and  no  permanent  settlc- 
a  tulljwcd.  In  the  same  year,  Tonti,  from  Canada,  descended  the 
fesippi  to  Arkansas  lliver,  on  which  he  cstabli.shed  a  ])ost.  After  the 
!>ij\s.<'ul  expL'ilition  of  Ln  Salle,  nothing  more  was  done  by  sea,  until 
wk'u  a  sotiloniont,  luider  31,  l)"lberville,  was  effeetofl,  on  liilo.xi  IJay, 
tev  cxeursioiis  were  made  into  the  interior.  In  1717,  New  Orleans  was 
pklliy  the  same  leaJer,  Colonists  continued  to  arrive,  and  the  IMis- 
pvl'i  was  asocndod,  until  the  settknuents  on  the  Illinois  lliver  were 
S-'ii'd;  and  thus  a  curved  zone  of  French  population,  extending  from  the 
pry  iif  the  St.  Lawrence  to  that  of  the  Mississippi,  traversed  the  great 
pv.  til  rough  seventeen  degrees  of  latitude;  before  any  other  Fku'opean 
H'Uaiits  hud  entered  it,  except  a  few  Spaniards  in  the  sinitli.  In  addition 
"'  sottlemonts  on  the  Mississippi,  the  French  made  others,  to  a  more 
'extent,  on  the  Arkansas,  Red,  and  Mobile  Rivers;  in  all  eases  con- 
piL' tlimselves  to  the  banks  of  the  streams.  A  .small  and  often  interru])ted 
pnt  of  immigration,  continued  until  17G0 ;  when  Louisiana  passed  into 


''■;.  If','  I* 


t.i'^-1'y 


^M^^^'■' 


i*i^ 


•'! 


'  .»■ 


it 


.•I '■#'••■:»'■  v|.-'.. - 


f-**;v 


r^^-f.rv 


010 


TIIR  PRINCIPAL  DIRRARES  OF  TIIR 


[•(II  IK 


tlio  possession  of   Simin.     Sevoral   jcarM   bi'fore  that   event,  a  cfiisi.l,.*, 

altlo  colony  of  I'Vciieli  nii;^ratc(l  from  Arcadia  —  Nova  Hcutia hikI  ,,.iti 

on  tliut  |i!irt  of  (lie  Mi.-).'<is.'-i|if)i,  whirli  is  eallcil  the  Arcudiiin  Coai^t. 

Tilt!  P'roiich  tif  the  hiwiT  Mis>is.sij»[ii,  and  their  (h't'ceiid;iiit.-i,  callnl  Vw>\t 
like  their  brethren  on  the  St.  Jiawreiice,  Icaii  simple,  and,  in  the  iiKiin  t(i 
pcralc  lives;  tlieir  piu'snits   arc  chieily  agricultural  and  coiiinmciul'  iL 
intermarry  with    tho  surrounding  population  rather   moro    than  these 
Canada. 

It  would  he  intcrc.stinii;  to  traiM)  out  tho  iMfluencps  of  elimatcs  sn  di.-taiil 
and  soils  so  dill'ercnt,  as  those  of  (Juehec  and  New  Orleans,  on  peniilt.  nf  tl 
.same  national  blond;  but  my  intcrc(jurso  with  tl'oni  iiua  y>een  tuu  limited 
justify  the  attempt. 

lir.     Tin:  Si'ANiAKit:-. — Tn  l.'t'JS,  the  Spaniards,  under  Narvpoz,  cfficto 
a  landit)'^  in  Appalaclioc  IJay,  Middle    Florida,  and  niado  an   iiicin>in;i  ini 
the  interior,  comioi;  out  to  tho   (Inlf  of  Mexico,  at    i'eny.icihi  I!;i\,  We 
Florida,  of  whii  h  they  were  the   discoverer.^  :  inii   ihey  lelt   no  pcnnaii.i 
settlement.     In   l!')'.)^,   Do  Soto  cdVectcd  a  lahd'":;  .-it  Spiritu  Siii.tn,  k 
Tan)pa  'Jay;  and  wmdored  into  tlie  interior  as  Tar  as  the  Mississippi,  di'v.lijd 
lie  was  the  diseovcrer.     I'a.ssing  fur  west  of  that   river,  he  retiniicil  tu 
buried  beneath  its  waters;  and  left  no  permanent  settlement  in  the  ci  mi'r 
In  15-10,   Pensaeola  l>ay  wms  again  visited   liy   the  Sjjar.iards,  frmii  (' 
after  which,  for  a  liin,u:  period.   West   Florida  was  neglected.     Mcimwl 
however,   Spanisli  settlenvnts,  in   tho   ch;iracter  of  Ilonian   (''atli^lji'.  Mid 
sioriary  station«.  were  extended  from  Mexico,  through  Texa.s,  to  I'u  1  l!ive| 
of  wliirh  Xacoirdoches  and  Natchitoches  wore  the  most  ini]iortnnt. 

In  KiS!),  attention  was  again  turned  to  Pensaeola  Bay,  and  a  F'-rt.  lall 
the  Barrancas,  was  built  near  its  mouth.     This  was  followed,  in  liil''!,  Ir, 
settlement,  where  the  town  of  I'cnsacola  now  stands.     Thus  Sjifinisli  imu 
gratioii  into  West  Florida  was  licgun,  atnl  (!ontinued  until   17(t''>,  v,\m\  tlj 
whole  of  Florida  was  ceded  to  Great  Britain  ;   nn  event  which  Wiis  Inlliirl 
by  the  emigration,  to  Cuba  and  Louisiana,  of  a  largo  portion  of  tlio  inhil] 
tants.     After  the  lapse   of  twenty  years,  it   was  restored  to  Spain;  w!i^ 
these  people  returned  in  considorablo  n';.iibcrs  ;  but,  on  the  sale  of  i"!  ril 
to  tho  I'nitod  States,  in  IMJI',  the  grc;iter  part  of  them  left  it. 

The  Spanish  immigration  to  tho  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  and  its  tr:i)l 
taries,  began  with  the  transfer  of  Louisiana  to  Sj>ain,  in  170'.*,  as  iilnaj 
mentioned.  The  new-comers  extended  their  settlements  up  the  grr;itri^(rl 
the  Missouri:  but  on  tho  retrocession  of  the  country  to  France,  i)'.  1' 
and  its  sale  to  the  United  States,  in  1803,  most  of  the  Spanisli  pri|iiila;i^ 
again  emigrated  to  Florida,  Cuba,  and  ^Mexico.  Thus  the  Spanish  CiV' 
at  last,  make  but  a  feeble  olenient  of  our  population.  In  modes  of  hvi^Wiri i;i,  jn  !> 
and  physiology,  they  resemble  the  French,  much  more  than  thoy  il"  t^Bt: .\'f ly  Vr, 
Anglo-Americans;  and  have  intermarried  with  tlie  former  moro  exti'i)Mv^B!l;'i;,t  ,jf  ' 
than  with  tho  latter.  If  wo  pass  from  West  Florida  and  Loui.siana,  ''''^BiSv'ttloiiioi 
Valley  of  the  Bio  del  Norte,  wo  find  a  larger  Spanish  population  e.Ktoiiii^Bsnli.iyest  ■\ 
up  to  Santa  Fe  and  the  A'alloy  of  Taos,  and  westwardly  to  the  Sicrrit  -^I-'i^BIaejniajor 


<4'Cv 


F  THE 


[HOOK   H 


that  event,  a  cfiit-i.l n, 
idva  f^ootiu  —  anil  mh  4 
Arcuiliiiu  Collet. 

I'fCL'IKliUltS,  calll'tl   ClI       '^ 

lie,  niul,  ill  ll'.o  iiiiiiii.  t>  m, 
ml  uiiii  ((iiiiimrii;!!;  t  ^nj 
,ber   rnuro    tlum  t!,i  ■    4 

CPH  of  cVlllllltCS   Sil  di-'  ;.ltj. 

I  OrK'aiiH,  oil  iiL'iiiilf  '  111 
:vij  iuifl  '>cuii  tuij  limit   ,  t« 

Is,  luulcr  Narvi'vz,  ('tv  4 
1(1  iiKiilo  an  iiiciiiMi  ,t4 
,  at    I'l'iiy.iciila  15:i}.  \\  * 

111   iiicv  l<'i't  nil  ii'Vii  ■    nt 


off 

n 


ut  Siiivitu  Hiii.ti'.  n: 


as  the  ]Mis.<i^siiiiii.  i4'v.lii(| 
!»t   vivcT,  lie  rttuviiud  tn 
t  scttlonu'iit  in  tlio  cui!i!> 
till'   Spai.iards,  tVciii  (.'  1 
vas  neglected.     Mi'ni "    1^ 

of  ll'inian   Catli'.li", 
f)\vA\  Texas,  to  lit  1  Hive 

ni'ist  imiiovtant. 
;ola  Bay,  ami  a  I'-rt.  'all 
,vas   fidlnwid,  in  ll'i'.'"-,  ''Jl 
inds.     TlniH  Siu'iuish  imi 
iniecl  until  ITti;),  wlioii  tl 
n  event  wlii'di  was  t'lll'^^ 
ai-LTO  iiortimi  of  the  iulull 
s  restored  to  f-'pain:  v\\{ 
but,  on  the  sale  ul'  Tl  n| 
yf  tlieni  left  it. 
3  Mississippi,  nnd  its  Iribl 
Spain,  in   1T(V.>,  as  iilnaj 
_U  nients  np  the  groat  rivirl 
Rountry  to   France,  i".  1' 
St  of  the  Spanish  popiibtij 
Thus  the  Spanish  Cn-1 
Illation.     Tn  modes  of  livij 
■li   more   than  they  'I' tj 
1,0  former  nn)re  extensive 
'l.iridaand  Lnui.^iai.a,  to ' 
paiiish  population  extci'iil 
twardly  to  the  Sierra  )b'l 


.jnii.] 


IXTERIOn  VALLKY  OF  NORTH    AMF.RIC.\. 


641 


[V,  TiiK  Unnisii. — Tlio  next  imniigrntinij  Into  our  A'alley  was  IJritish, 
;;  <k  |ila(!e.  hnth  on  its  northern  and  M>utliorn  borders.  Immediately 
;rilic  ecision  of  Canada,  in  ITtllJ.  tlio  Kn^'li.^li,  Seolch,  und  IiiMh  liei.'aa 
;,'  !•  it  by  the  St.  Laurence,  and  tlies;-  f-treanis  of  immi^rralion  have  eon- 
.,li.v.'r  .sineo  ;  that  from  Ireland  bein^',  in  the  latter  years,  much  ;.'ieater 
,  intli  the  others.     In  Canada  Ka.st,  tho  immij^rants  fruni  (iruat    liritaio 

.;!:  kind,  Avith  their  desoendants,  inaku  :i  lar;,'o   proportion  of  the   wholo 

liitim;  and,  in  ('aiiaihi  West,  there  arc  fi-w  ollicr.s,  except  iiiinii^rants 

I'V^riiited  States.     They  have  spn.'ad   out,  in  detached  trading  estab- 

.tiitf.  to  tho  utirth-west,  as  far  a.^  Lake  Winnipc;,'  and    lIii(i.>oii  I5ay;  iu 

;i  the  west  of  both,  up  to  the   llocky  Mountaiu.s.      JMorn  enterprising 

.1 'i'.vr.«i(ied  in  their  pursuits  than  tho  (Canadians  —  as  tho  I'reiieh  aro 

;  1  — tiny  are,  at  tho  f;amo  time,  nunc  addicted  to  a  full  diet  and  intcm- 

■.■j'l'iliiiiking. 

I  •  llritish  einii^'ratioti  to  Wc.«t  Florida,  during  the  twenty  yenrfl  which 

I'jiA  lield  that  I'rovinee,  was  not  very  great.     Vet  Pensaeol.i  and  .^Io|lilc 

|r  uMco  Kiiirli.sh  tov.'iis :  and  tho  lirst  uotioo  wo  have  of  the  medieal 
|i!iy  and  tV'vers  of  thoso  jiicalitics,  i.s  to  be  found  in  tho  \V(ll-kuo\vn 
nil  the    Diseaso.s  of    ILjt  Climates,   by   Dr.  Liiid,  an    Kiiiilisli   naval 

It';'  n.    After  tho  restoration  of  Florida  to  S[)ain,  in  178-,  nio.st  of  tho 

Ifcivipitpui  •til  n  withdrew. 

1 1fv'i:  tlms  traced  out  the  onlyw/i?vc/;  onii;^ratiiin.s  from  Europe  to  our 

|.i  :,  \v!ii"ii   proecdeJ    the    inllrccf,    or    that    of    I'lurojioar.s    and    their 

lii'iilants  from  tho  Atlantic  .states,  wo   arc    now  brought   to  tho  latter 
'!i.  aMvc  shall  see,  make  up  the  mass  of  its  ])npulation. 
'.  lMMiau.\NTi    FHoM   TIIK   ATLANTIC    State.s. — Ueforc    jtroceediiig   to 

fciiuf  t!io  peopling  of  our  ^^•llloy,  by  emigrants  from  the  Atlantic  States, 
proper  to  give  the   dates  of  tho  setthnnents  of  those  .states,  which,  in 
:'1',T  of  time,  are  as  follows  :  Virginia,  1U07  —  New  York,  I'tl;')  — New 
Uv:.i  Wm  —  Didawarp,  H;::0  — ':Maryland,  1(;;12  — Pennsylvania.  Hi-lIJ 

l-y-u- -Torsny,   1050  — N(n-th  Carolina,  IGliO -_  South  Carolina,  1070  — 
('r:i;i,  17;l3. 
lii"  lirst  advances  of  population  to  this  t^ido  of  tho  Appalachian  MtAin- 

fiR  wore  from  the  colonies  of  North  Carolina,  Virginia,  and  I'ennsylvania, 
Mroiion  extending  from  tho  Tennosseo  llivor  to  Lake  Erie.  Pernia- 
t"  stttKinonts  were  begun  in  East  Tennessee,  as  early  as  17(.'l ;  in 
'■:'rn  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania  soon    afterward.       Tho  settlement  of 

p'l'kv,  then  a  part  of  Virginia,  began  in  1771;  that  of  Ohio,  by  iinmi- 
I't-  from  iMassaehusetts.  in   171^8 ;  that   of  Indiana  and   Illinois,  about 

||'':  that  of  3Iississippi  and    Alabama,    at  a    still  later   period  ;  tiiat  of 

p!;i,  ill  lS-2-2;  of  the   states  beyond  tlic   ^Mississippi,  in  iNOt;  of  Wcs- 

p  New  York,  including  the  coasts  of  Lakes  Erie  and  Ontario,  about  17S8  ; 
'■'lat  of  Texas,  by  Americans,  in  182'2.  Thus  tho  oldest  Europo-Amtr- 
isttloiiieats  in  tho  Valley,  aro  those  of  Eastern  and  iMiddlo  Tennessee, 

l!n;i-wcst  Virrrinia,  South-west  Ponnsvlvania,  and  Kentncky. 

p^..' [majority  of  the  people  of  Western  New  York  aro  citlicr  from  the 


iJ 


...I 


V'-:],''^}} 


i  ■  f 


CA: 


TIIF.  rUINCirAL  DISEASKS  01'  THE 


ll!«OK  1. 


,-  ■■■■  ',.  .V,>!  ■ 


'ti\- 


t     ■■■  r   ' 


^'*f/'  :■:.•■  ?!. 


,•:•  i' 


f  .«• 


pi^\l''!r--^ 


si- '  ■■■ 

■■.  . 

'L:       '.' 

'  n  ■* 

5i'  V,f 

,-■     ' 

iL''  m 

J-4?. 

ami 


1 1" 
and 


castoi'Ji    pci-iidiis  of  (Iiat   yiixtv,  ov  iVoni  Now  l']ii-luii(l ;  tlin^,.  of  Wi-trrali-i 
IViuis',  Ivaiiia.  iV.iiii    the   iiiiildli'    |Miitiiiiis  nt'  iliat    slate,  ciiiliiaciii'   ^  \;y.     ' 
j)ro|rii;i!,ii  (if  Iri.sh,  Scotdi    tiiid  (JcriuaiiH  ;   thnsi'   of   \\'i'sti.'ni  ^':r"iiii;i  am 
Kciitiicky,   'Viiiu   ttio  casLiTii   and   iniddKi  rt'^i(/ii,s  tit"  the  I'uriiiLr,  ;ii;il  ;V,  i*. 
JManhiiid  ;   th.so   ot"   Toiiiu.v^.'^co,   i'rom   North    (.'ai'(.liiia  :  th(j6(!  of  Ala! 
and    I'hirida,    iVmii    South     Carolina     and    Clcoruia;  those   of    Mi<,.i^;,|| 
liOii'b-iana,   and  ,\rkansas,   from  North   CaroHiia.    \'ii'ginia,    Kciitu 
'ri'inicss.'c  ;     thdse    of  'i'l'xas,    from    all   the   states  just    naniril:    tli'isu 
Missonri,  from  North   Carolina.  Kentiiekv,  Tennessee,  and  ^'il•_li]i;| ;  tj, 
of  Ohio,    from  New    Jersey,    Massachusetts,    Connecticut,  and  ntlur   \ 
Endand  States,    New  York,   ]*ennsylvania,   Marylaiul,  Virudnia,   ;ii,i|  ;;,;,. 
tuidcy  :   those  of  Indiana,  from  Oiiii.  Kentucky,  and  Pennsylvania:  ti,      ,^ 
lUiuiiis,  from   Ohio,  lventu(d<y,  a.ud   New  York;   those   of  Ljwa.  IViia  i.  > 
tueky.  Ohio,  Indiaiui,  and  New  J']nglaiid;  tllo^e  of  MichiLiaii  and  Wis...;,. 
from  New  York  and  New  l']nalaud. 

These  siatenu'uts  must  lie  received  in  the  iimst ^iicneval  sense;  fi.r,  tLmi 
various  ri';ri"ns  have  a   i;reat   )iredominaiiee  of  |ieo[ile   from  sou-.e  i.|  {]•>■  ,^ 
states,  still    thj   iutermi'.i^din!.'  iu  every  part  of    tlie  ^'alley  has  hwn  vti 
great.     South   of  the   Olnu   lliver,  botii  east    and  west   of  the  Mis-iv'; 
the  chief  element;;  of  ihis  inti'rnuxture,  arc  from  the  slaveholdin;;',  Ai:  : 
states,  south  if  I'eiinsylvania  ;   while  nortli  of  that  river,  they  are  uiri'. 
from   tin.'  uon-slaveholdint!;  states,   iuciudint;  the  one    just  iianinl.    .\- 
advance  westwardly  from  tiio  AUoiihany  Mountains,  iriio  tiie  newer  tta;- 
tho  \'allev,  t!'.(!  elements  of  variety  display  a  i'e;.rular  increase  ;  and  tl!;:-i 
later   the  sctth-uiont  of  any  portion  of   the    \  alley,    the   more   is  it  i 
pounded;   wliiv-h    is    esjieeially  true  of   the   miu-slaveholdin;:   st;iie<.    It 
scarcely  nece.ssary  to  add,  that  these  innnigrant.s,  together  with  ihr'n- i\ 
(lants.  constitute  the  greater  part  of  *iur  population,  from  the  J.;iki>  i 
Ciidf  of  Mcxit'o.      There  are.  however,  many  immiirrants  from  Kunin.  ifl 
have  reacheil   us,   and  are  still  arriving,   through    the  Atlantic  A:i 
deserve  a  passing  U(.tlce. 

AT.   L.VTi;  .VM)  I'liKSKNT  iMMioKANTS  Fiiovf  Euiiopi:. — For  the  I'l.st  ijiai 
of  a  century  tiiere  has  been  a  direct  and  increasing  iumiigration  nf  ii^ 
Europeans  into  tlio  A'allcy  ;  the  majority  of  whom  have  settled  iiuitii 
thirthy- ninth   degree  of   latitude.      Nearly  ali  have  come  from  kin 
nortii-east  of  France,  that  is,  above  the  litiieth  degree  of  latitmie. 
order  of  their  niunbers  v/o  may  begin  with, 

1.    77/1'   (I'cfMJtti.s.  —  Tiiey  arc  from  various  jiarts  of  Clermany,  .'li.i 
immber  the  immigrants  from  any  other  part  of  Europe.     ]>ut  few  if 
settle  in  the    slave   States,  with  the  the   exception  of   ^Missouri.    T''} 
most  numerous  between  tho  Lakes  and  the  Ohio   FuNcr.     AVhilo  iikiiv 
Miain  in  the  larger  towns  and  cities,  the  majority  disperse  into  tlu' >    • 
where  they  amalgamate  readily  with  the  existing  po])ulation. 

L*.  Th'  Irish.  —  Tn  number  they  stand  next  to  the  German  iiniii.. 
More  disposed  to  inhabit  cities  than  the  couotry,  and  less  olleinh''! ' 
very,  they  are   found  in  large  numbers  iu  New  Orleans  and  31ulilo.  i. 


:n:i!!aily 
C:-:^  li'rl 
^•:.  ivre 

'll'"  !"  tl;(| 
'^i\  f'f  I  '(■ 

IMIIil 


orioil 


THE 


[dodu  ,. 


nsi  HI'. 


ol'    Wt'i-ti'Vii  Viv;:u.i;i   a  ,d 
;  of  tlie  I'oniiL'V,  ;ir,i'i  /.  ;n 

rol'uUV  ;    tlldic.    ol    Al,.':  .iiiHg^^^ 
fia  ;  t.lii>.s»!    ut"    Mii^.-ii.-i]  ,i. 

Vh-Hlnia,    Ki'iilucky,  ;m(| 
OS   jubt    iraiiiiMl :    tli'^se 
.oi*s(.'(\  i>iit^  Vii',;.r.ii;i;  tii' 
innct'licut,  tuul  "tliu-r  N\i 
■yland,  Virtiinia,   lunl  lv,n«, 
ami  L'cunsylvaiiia-.  tii    • 

th.u-L"   lit'  li'wa.  iVMi\  Kv 
ol'  xMiflii^^.iii  uud  ^\i^'•> li- 
st gcneval  sfuso;  iVr,  ilnn^ 
^leoylo   IV. im  Si)mo  .-t  tli.;  .J 
f    tiie  Valley  las  Ih.-.i  vtV 
aiu\  west  of  the  MbM..;; 
,m  the  hluvolK^Wiii;:.  Ati^ 
f  tlnit  viv(;r,  tiny  uri'  tkh 
llu'  onu   just  namal    A^ 
tai.i.^  into  tiie  newer  stiii.=  l 
•,...iulav  inevoLif^e  ;  ami  lli;-.-t| 

Valley,    tlie  1"^'^'*^   *'"  '"' 
„„-sl:iYehniaiu-r    Matts.    It] 

t^.  togotlier  with  thi'ir '!  • 

|llali'll^  from  the  Lal<i>  i 

iuiiui'iraiits  from  Kuv^v^'-  ^1 

Ligli    the  Atlantie   ^t 

EuuopK.— l^orthcbstH'!^ 
U\A\v-  immi.-Tatinu  nf  n.' 
u l„.m' have  settled  unm^:^ 
.,1,  luTVC  como  iVoiu  l\^'^i 
letli  degvce  of  latiluao.    l: 

L|'«i-t^  ^'f  Germany,  mi 

of  Kuvoi.e,     l^ut  fe^v  |;1  II 
Jeoi.tiuuof    ^llssouvi.     i- 
fohio   IVuer.     AVhiloiu:nv 
Lrity  elisiievse  into  tli 
Ltiiii^  popvxlatum. 
L-t  tJ   the  C.evmaii  iv.nn.jH 
lui.'tvY,  aualeSr^oliVa.lrli.' 

;ew  Oi-leiuis  and  MohiK".  i. 


INTERIOR  VALLKY   OV  NOIlTir  A:\IERICA. 


Gl?> 


.  ,,  ja  St.  Louis.  Ldiiisville,  Cim  iniiati.  i'ittsbur;.'li,  ]uifl;ilii,  ^Montreal, 
jjil  (jiiobee.  Ill  tlie  two  lattiT  Lilies,  niid,  freuerally,  uoilh  id'  the  J.ahes, 
;t^.v  ;iro  niii''h  iiiuvc!  mimci'ous  tliu.'i  tlie  (jfriuaiis. 

;;,  TliC  L',iigii!i!i.  Tliey,  no  doubt,  rank  next  i;i  iiiiniher,  luit  hcatlcring, 
0I I  oaring  a  chi.^o  resemlilance  tn  their  brellircii  of  the  Valley,  arc  suon 
Mtiiiimled  with  them.  In  Oanada  and  t!ie  lead-miuu  retriuns  of  llliu^.i.s  uiid 
feiiiisiii,  they  are  numerous. 

\.  The  Scolc/i.  Les3  nuiiien.us,  perlKi|is,  than  the  Eiitrlisli,  and  f(juiid 
jita  ill  town  and  eumitry.  They  are  chiefly  from  the  Luwland^j.  3Ioro  nu- 
2er"i!H  in  ('a;iad:i  than  the  rnited  States. 

,■  77'"  Wi'h/i.  !More  elauuisli  than  the  last  two,  they  have  settled  chiefly 
jit'iiaiiiiiali,  and  in  the  Koulh-eastern  portieiis  of  Ohiu;  where  many  of 
;!itiii  arc  employed  iii  its  iron  mines  and  coaV'ries. 

il.  '/'//('  X;jrirrs<'i(tns,  These  make  a  new  stream  of  immii.ratioii.  Its 
leniiinatiuii  is  in  northern  Illinois,  AViseons-in,  and  Juwa,  about  the  forty- 
iifiltli'L'i'ce  of  latitude. 

T.'ic  PiiU'<.  The  revolutions  of  J'oland,  have  dispersed  a  eonsidi  rablo 
iKiiiljorof  the  people  of  that  country  over  the  Valley.  They  are  chiuHy 
|r>:i  and  abide  in  towns  and  cities. 

Titr.  .Jars.  ^Mostly  iMiglisli,  (iernian,  and  IN  li.-h  ;  they  jirefertlie  cities, 
I ifrl  lire  found  from  (^)uebee  to   Now  Orleans.     They  are,  perhaj  s.  more  nu- 

feriisiii  (Cincinnati  than  in  any  other  city, 

VII.  Natioxal  (Ik.nkai.ociks. —  Such  arc  the  jirincijial  cli.'niei,!s  of  our 
Ij'Tii'.iiti'in.  AVe  have  seen  that  a  va.-'t  majority  have  been  derived  in  in  the 
Lltijiitic  States;   and   it  I'emains  to   impure,  whence  tlicy  or  their  am  I'.stora 

ri-'nially  emigrated  to  those  States.  'J"he  answer  is,  almost  entirely  Ironi 
liiMt  Britain  and  Ireland  —  above  all,  from  England.  ]']migrants  from  the 
Ik,  wre  :ihiio.-;t  the  exclusive  settlors  of  New  Iviglimd;  eo!;tribi'.tcd  liber- 
liilyi'1  tlio  .settlement  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  still  more  largely  to 
ptfif  I'cnnsylvaiiia  and  Maryland,  and  cnnipesed  nearly  the  whole  pipnla- 
|:jri iif  Virginia,  the   Carulinas,  and   (iCorgia.     I'nt   there   were,  I'.morg  the 

rAiiiimigrants  into  the  Atlantic  coLmies,  sovcial  eiinmunities,  whi.di  dc- 

|l*rve  t'l  he  mentioned,     'j'he  most  numerous  veie  the   L(  \v  Puteh.  ii.  New 

irk  and  New  Jersey;  Swedes  and  Germtms,  in  rcnnsylvai.ia;    and  French 

Sarienots,  in  South  Carolina. 
*\!i.n  wo  trace  n\i  these  streams  of  iMiropean  emigralinn  to  their  sources 
ili-taut  in  point  of  time  and  space  — wo  have  tlie  fidluwing  results.     /V/-v/. 

[k  Iiidi,  Welsh,  Highland  Scotch,  Ni;rmans.  Low  Dutch,  and  French,  land 

panirtng  the  Kimmerian  or  (Vltie  nations  —  the  earliest  kice.vn  inhabitants 
if'-tiTii  Europe  ;  and  distinguished  by  diii'erent  apiicllations   ui  dillerent 

|!'"itnes,  ai5  th<>  Kelts,  Kindu-i.  Ibdgiv,  Erse,  Cimbrl,  IJiitoii.s,  Scobs,  Caledo- 

p<.  and  fiaids.     Sccrnil.      'i'he   J-]nglisli,  Lowland  Scotch,  French,   lligdj 
'■''''■  '^wU^,  Danes,  Swedi'S,  and   Norwegian;;,  eairy  ns  to  the  Scythian  or 

l''i:ii';' natims;  of  which  the  Saxun.<:,  (.iermans.  Angles,  Jute.«,  and  ]''i'anks, 

*fotlie  principal  tribes. 
.a'joricus  researches  have  convinced  the  cthuogreidiers,  tliat  belli  these 


,   Mi 

■  y 

■4 


i! 


r' 


i-'-i* 


.i 


t, 


r\m. 


In'-/'?.  y.-K'\.^  :■'■'■ 


','  "■'*'. 


■    •  . 


I-  '■.: 


,  ■  i  ■  V  , 


'':    .        ■  .  ..   •'■■■;.  \:-'     ■■     T-  ■■'■  ■        ■    V    ■ 

•'         ?  \  '■•  J.-  .'.■    ■•   V,- ... ;  ,v  • 


ti:*}- 


•.■';i^ 


■'I' 


||:';' 


•tavi 


j.'iins. 


4  ",('  Ji'^vf* ' 


•r     ■■ 


■1-. 


■«  i 


g-. 


•.\.    > 


644 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book 


classes  of  nomadio  barbarians,  ontcrod  Europe  soutli  of  tlie  Baltio,  from  be- 
yond the  Euxiiic  ur  Blaisk  Sea;  and  were,  in  fact,  wanderers  frorn  the  (';,u- 
casian  .Mountains,  and  the  plains  of  Asia  lying  nortli  of  tlicni;  but  that  tl'e 
migration  of  the  Celtic,  was  many  centuries  before  that  of  the  (i  nliic 
hordes. 

Let  us  change  from  analysis  to  synthesis,  and  thus  obtain  a  fuller  virw  of 
the  composition  of  our  society.     The  amulganiation  of  tribes,  by  which  tlie 
main  stock  of  our  j):ipulation  was  formed,  began  in   I']ngl:ind,     Ihniii'  tie 
time  tliat  Island  was  held  by  the  Konums,  the  Celtic  popidation  nui-i  have- 
reoeived  an  infusion  of  Pelasgic,  or  sijutliern  ]']nropean  Idood,  nut  less  tliaal 
of  civilization.     Then  came  the  conquests  by  the  >Sa.\ons  and  An^lo,  andi 
the  establishment  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  nation  —  with  which,  however,  the  Ciltio 
{)0pulati  ju  must  have  become  more  or  less  blended  —  although  many  wero  de- 
stroyed, and  many  driven  into  the  nnjuntains  of  Wales.     The  conipiest,  ami- 
long  occupation  of  the  country  by  the   Danes,  contributed  anotlicr.  thmiL-b 
kindred  element;  as  th.cy  had  descended  from   the  Jutes,  a  (luthic:  rai.c, 
liastly,  the  Nornum  con([uest  introduced  another  element,  which,  frmn  it3|.| 
magnitude,  must  have  greatly  ch;inged  the  blood  and  national  cliaracti.To| 
the  con((uered.     Thus,  we  see  that  the  compound  term,  Anglo-Saxon,  is  mi''\ 
an  accurate  expression  for  the  present  English  race;  but  an  arbitrary  ejiitliek: 
for  a  compound  of  Celts,  Romans,  Angles,  Saxons,  Jutes  or  Danes,  amlX.r- 
mails;    in  which  the  predominating  elements  are  those  M'hicli  have  iiiipiiS'i 
their  names  upon  the  mass.     Emigrants  from  tliis  nnus,  jieopled  the  Atlaiitid 
States  ;  where  they  al)sorbed  a  ]Kn'tion  of  Swedish,  Lew  Dutch,  French,  (li.r- 
man,  and  Trisli  blood  ;  tlion  ascended  the  Alloglumy  Mountains,  sproail  — aiid 
are  still  spreading — •over  t!ie  great  Valley,  and  constitute  the  basis  and  bulk; 
of  imr  population. 


SECTION  III. 

PHYSIOLOGICAL  CHARACTERISTICS. 

Tlio  modifications  of  physiidogy,  conscfiuent  on  the  immigration  and  inter- 
mingling of  western  iMiropoans  in  America,  may  be  considered  as  pp.*) 
tivc  rather  than  present.  Eaccs  do  not  cli  mgo  their  type  in  a  siiidi 
genenition.  and  some  preserve  it  for  long  and  indefinite  periods;  thmigii 
placed  under  conditions  which,  a  priori,  nught  be  expected  to  work  'jU^ 
rapid  changes.  Tn  coni[iaring  the  circumstances  which  surround  the  po'ipl^ 
of  tlio  Tntiu'ior  Valley  of  North  America,  witli  those  which  siu'rouiul  ti 
Eurnjif'an  lirethrcn  at  home,  wo  may  refer  th(Mn  to  several  distinct  hoaiisj 
and.  although  not  able  to  appreciate  the  exact  influence  of  cither,  they  imiji 
be  regarded  as  causes,  of  which  the  efl'eets  will,  in  due  time,  he  >• 
(lcvclopr>d,  as  to  nu'rit  the  attention  of  tlnj  practical  physician.  The  caiifcl 
to  whicli  I  refer,  may  bo  inidmlod  uiuler  the  following  heads  :  /'/«/. — Inters 
raarria";a:  Scconl. — Chan";o  of  climate:    Third. — Change  of  Food:  foiirni 


mi:-' 


iF  THE 


[book 


til  of  the  Baltic,  from  Ije- 
,  wuiulorers  from  tlio  Cau-; 
rtli  of  them;  but  tliut  tliej 
jt'oro  that  of   the   G.jlliioi 

■  I 

hus  obtain  a  fuller  virw  of; 
)n  of  tribes,  by  whiiih  th»|: 
ill   Englaml.     l>nriii:r  tliaf 
jltie  pi)[)uhilioii  mu.>i  1kiv9: 
•opoan  bloiif],  not  loss  tliaa- 
I  Saxons  anil  Angles,  audi 
li  which, however,  the C'lltiat 
—  althou^fh  many  were  d<>. 
Vales.     The  oounuest,  andt, 
ntribnted  another,  tliuUL'h:'' 
the  Jutes,  a  (luthie  rai;e, 
r  clement,  wlueh.  I'miu  it3,s 
I  anil  national  eharacterofc 
term,  Anglo-Saxon,  is  iioi" 
o;  but  an  arbitrary  I'j'itliii:": 
i,  Jutes  or  Danes,  ami  X'.r--', 
those  which  have  v.ny    i 
i  nmti,  jieoplcil  the  Ati.i.uo 
1,  Lrw  Dutch,  Troneh,  Gcr->, 
ly  ^Mountains,  sproai.l  — and 
)nstitutc  the  basis  and  bulk, 


:ristic«. 

the  inunigration  and  inter- 
be  cone-itlered  as  pn'Specrl 
ire  their  type  in  a  sini-l^ 
indefinite  jieriods;  tliuii;ll| 
bo  oxpeetcil  to  work  miI^ 
whieb  surr(unid  thr  \'y 
those  which  siu'ruut'.d  ti'*| 
I  to   several  distinel  hcaiba 
fluenco  of  either,  they  imiif 
ill,  in   due   time,  be  ^o  fill 
ical  pbvsician,     The  cau^el 
wimi  beads :   /•V»'.s7.-l"t'd 
-Change  of  Food:  Fourl^^ 


rtUT  rii.. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


G45 


-.rhaiifc  of  political,  moral,  a)id  ;;ocial  condition.     Let  U8  consider  thcni 
i«r;u-atcly. 

I,  Lntermauiuage. — Ar,  western  Europe  was  peopled  by  iioinauio  and 
hrbrous  tribes,  of  a  warlike  .spirit,  eivilizati(.n  found  them  divided  into 
jar.v  kingdoms ;  between  v.'hich,  until  within  thu  last  thirty  your.-,  ti:at  i.s, 
iini.etlie  downfall  of  Napoleon,  there  was  but  little  iiitereourse,  and,  eonso- 
mci.tlv,  hut  little  intermarriage. 

Ilic  density  of  population,  has  even  p.rcvcnted  mueli  intestine  chaMgo  of 
race,  by  the  pcoplo  of  the  same  kingdom;  who,  in  its  ditVerent  counfits  or 
.itfartmcnts,  have  continued,  through  a  long  period  of  time,  to  intermarry 
rlili  each  other;  and  thus  perpetuate  their  characteristics,  corporeal  and 
Bcntal;  which  i)crpetuation  has  been  negatively  promoted,  by  the  Mibsistenco 
[foach  nation,  for  many  generation.';,  on  the  same  kind  of  diet;  in  climates 
j'liieh  continued  witliout  alteration  from  time  ;  under  the  inlluence  of  t\)rms 
ff  ciivernuient  that  underwent  no  important  modification,  and  wiili  u.sages 
srlminncrs  which  varied  quite  as  little.  In  sb.ort,  from  the  remote  period, 
fc'.i  the  (\dtic  nations  were  conquei'cd  by  the  later  Asiatic  hordes,  cLicfiy 
k'M  under  the  names  of  Gotlis,  Saxon.H,  (lermans,  and  Franks,  down  to 
',k  present  century,  all  the  circumstances  favored  the  full  development  of 
fdl-defincd  varieties  of  constitution,  in  the  different  kingdoms  of  that 
continent. 

Ik  history  of  the  settlement  of  our  Galley,  as  .sketched  in  the  preceding 
KCli'in,  shows  how  much  its  people  differ  from  their  brethren  of  the  old  world, 
indcvon  of  the  old  states  of  the  Union,  on  the  subject  of  intermarriage. 

1.  Our  frontiers,  from  Quebec,  round  by  the  Lakes  and  nud.son  Hay,  +o 
'lie  Gulf  of  IMexico,  beyond  the  llio  del  Norte,  present  a  mixed  race  of 
wtites  and  Indians ;  wbiLdi  is  g'"adually  lost,  in  the  population  residing  inmie- 
Wy  (CiV/ini  that  boundary.  Thus  Indian  blood  is,  as  it  wore,  absorbed 
^;  il.c  surface  of  the  new  nation.  The  readiest  amalgamation  with  the 
[*o[i!e  of  that  race,  is  by  the  northern  French,  and  the  southern  Spanish 
Creoles;  but  the  Anglo- American  inniiigrants  from  the  Atlantic  States,  and 
tlieir  descendants  have,  at  all  times,  when  war  did  not  prevent  it,  shown  a 
propensity  of  the  same  kind. 

-.  Wherever  there  is  a  negro  population,  bond  or  free,  the  same  coales- 
ccBce  is  displayed  ;  so  that  in  all  our  towns,  from  Mobile  to  Montreal,  and 
from  Pittsburgh  to  St.  Louis,  the  streets  arc  more  or  less  thronged  with 
malattocs,  cpiadroons,  and  other  mixed  breeds ;  all  pressing  upward,  that  is, 
imbitious  of  intermarriage  with  those  whiter  than  themselves ;  and  thus  our 
Caucasian  blood  is  constantly,  though  .slowly,  acquiring  an  African  element. 
In  tlie  willingness  foi  this  commingling,  the  Spanish  Creoles  of  Florida,  Lou- 
isiana, and  Mexico  st.ind  first;  next  come  the  French  Creoles  of  the  Lower 
"issl.'-sipjii ;  then  some  of  the  classes  of  the  modern  emigrants  from  Great 
Britain,  Ireland,  and  Germany;  lastly,  the  native  Anglo-Americans. 

^-  In  Canada,  intermarriage  between  the  French  and  British  population, 
Wlioiigh  limited  by  the  prejudices  of  race,  and  the  aversion  of  the  con- 
ilueroJ  toward  their  conquerors,  is  by  no  means  uncommon,  especially  in  the 


■•ii 


^11 

I 

1' 


■.I  I 


i'Li'^lt'^l 


1 »)  '* 


»,  • 


'     ,      i« 


•«  'I 
i 


-    •l  ■  '     >'    7 
"'1 


I?" 
J' 


M'' 


>r:- 


'      ;  -^'i      ,  s 


,.»ll;., .it! t ■,'•!.;.  ■-.:  ■::-  ■ ::  ■■,.■■::■:.■  '• 
illll4tj."i::  ^  .<^i.:f"  v.::,"  •:■■'■' 


G4G 


THE  PRINCU'AL  DL-^EA?ES  OF  TIIK 


Fe<. 


towns  anil  cities,  ami  lieuco  tlio  |  ■.•occss  of  assimilation  is  goiii'v  ,jh  ;  ;,, 
west,  as  aloiiy  the  luiiMle  piirtioiis  of  the  3Ii:ssis,<ijipi,  iiianiii"i.s  (;[ 
Freiich  witli  Anglo-Americans  arc  so  common,  that  the  former  I'ldin  ' 
fast  disa|ipc!iring.     On  the  lower  .Mississippi  ami  the  nortliurn  ci  ;isi.-,  ,■[ 


the  sami^  union  lias  l)oen  occurri)i!f  over  !-inco 


tliU  (IS* 


Calf  (.r  .Me.xirn 

Loui.-jana  ;  and,  as  tliC  ratin  is  on  tlic  increase,  a  cupiuus  inrusiun  of  I'liii,.  ,.• 
American  1»1m..i1  into  the  Anglo-American,  will  mark  the  final  als.  im!  !i  if 
the  French  Creole  race. 

4.  In  tlio  same  regio'.i,  we  have  Lnig  boon  receiving,  directly,  or  iiidir:  ,':y 
through  tlie  Frenclj,  a  tincture  of  Spanish  bhx.d. 

5.  Intermarriages  by  the  J'^nglish  and  Irish  immigrants  witli  the  iiiuiL'Oh.u 
population  (jf  the  Valley,  are  familiar  events ;  and  if  the  langiueiu  "i' tii  J 
German  immigrants  o[ip!  sc,  for  a  while,  the  same  kind  of  union,  the  w  rkl 
(if  aiiKilgamatiMu  is  only  deferred.  In  otlier  words,  they  are  nut  iJi.'.^iiunl  t 
form  distinct  and  permanent  comnninities  any  where  in  our  Valley,  as  t! ci 
once  did  in  Pennsylvania.  It  will,  no  doubt,  turn  out  in  tlie  saiun  way  v:li]i 
the  Norwegians,  now  pouring  into  the  regions  west  of  the  groat  Lalu's. 

G.   Finally,  immi;rrants  and  tli.  ir  descendants,  IVi.ni  all  the  Athnuic  Stutos 
liere  iiitermarry,  unrestrained  liy  a;iy  kind  of  prejudice;  for,  on  reaclant,' tiii 
V^alley,  tlieir  sectiunal  feelings  arc  soon  moderated,  and  many  tA  their  luitiiw 
atliii.'S  bcc!>nic  extinct.     l']vcn  in  the  extreme  south,  anmng  t\u:  iunnir^rai.ta 
from  the  Oarolinas  and  (ieorgia,  tlio  introduction  of  Ncv/  England,  .Vv 
Yolk,  i\ misylvania,  and  Ohio  blood,  is  constantly  going  on.     A  large  iiro, 
porti'in  of  the  emigrants,  of  both   .sexes,  from   tliose  states,  nv^  in.iiK 
persons — young  men  who  go  out  as  ovevseers  or  superintendents  of  pl;:ntaH 
tious,  clerk.s,  nn;chanics,  watermen,  merchants,  teachers,  physicians,  lawurJ 
and  divines ;  and  young  women  who  teach,  or  act  as  govornesrcs.    The  mari 
riagos  of  these  classes  are  not,  in  gem  ral,  among  t'aemselvcs,  b;;t  witiii':: 
children  of  the  resident  ])opulatiun;  and  thus  the  north  mingles  ^viill  t'l 
south  in  tlie  lower  parts  of  the  Valley  ;   wdiile  i)i  tlie  up|icr,  the  iiami^'rnti  i 
of  families  from  '\'irgii;ia,   Tennessee,  and  Kentucky,  brings  out  ti:e  muij 
result. 

Fi-iim  all  t:iis  it  follows,  that  the  world  has  not  before  witnessed  si;.;!i  a| 
comuiinglinii-  of  races.     Those  of  Fngland  and  the  Atlaidie  Slates,  the  iii'.-tl 
complete  of  modern  times,  bear  no  compiarison  with  ours;  and  if  we  r.scen( 
to  tlie  earliest  historic  jieriod,  no  case  of  c([ual  complexity  is  met  with.    Hk 
Roman   I']nipire,  it  is  true,  was  greatly  compounded;  it  was,  hovavii',  ;t!i| 
assemblage  of  distinct  nations?,  between  which  there  w^as  but  litde,  ia  I'.uaij 
cases  no,  social,  nor  even  connnoreial  intercourse.     It  was  an  aggregate ;  eur^ 
is  a  living  compound,  as  yet  in  tlie  forming  stage.     Three  out  of  five  v;uio-j 
ties  of  the   human  species,  with  all  tlie  important   races  whieli   belong  to 
one  —  the  Caucasian  or  overruling  element  —  cannot  i'ail  in  the  end  to  givol 
a  new  [ihysijlogieal  and  psychological  development. 

In  their  western  migrations  fr.un  the  sources  of  the  Tigris  andFajilirnii'?.  ti 
the  banks  of  the  .^FlS'<issij)pi,  and  tlie  shores  of  the  (Julf  and  Lahes,  tri'insariJI 
nations  have  been  governed  by  a  law  of  increasing  social  aiualgaiaatiinj 


TIIK 


[book 


tion  Is  going  uii ;  in  il:| 
s.^ijipi,  iiianiiigi's  of  thd 
,t  the  iuruK.T  duiiciit  \i 
lie  norlliuni  c.  aai.s  ut'  \l^ 
;  ever  ninoc  the  ccjsii.u  i,f 
ipious  iiifusiuii  t.r  I'ui:/  ;- 
k  tliu  liiial  iil.s.  rj.ii:  i;  ^f 


ng,  Jircctly,  or 


i"  iinlirc- 


■y 


grants  witli  the  imriL't.':, 
d  it'  tlio  laiiLinatiC  ni'  t 

Idiul  of  luiioi),  the  v 
,  they  are  unt  J^^tillM! 
re  ill  our  ^'aiI(•y,  as  i 
out  in  the  £:'.iin;  w.iy 

of  tlio  great  Lakes 
,111  all  the  Atlaniie  Si. 
iliee  ;  fur,  on  rraelji!, 

aiul  many  uf  tlieir ;,:, 
th,  amonii'  tlie  iminiri- 
n  of  New  England,  ' 
■  ccinu  on.  A  lavic  ; 
ose  fitatc!^,  are  ui.ni; . 
suporintendentM  of  [1 
ehers,  |ihysiciai!i!,  lav  ^ 


k 

y 


s  "oYornesre?.    Tlie 


;  tlieniselvcji,  bv-t  wi;', 
e  math  nilii;:los  uu':; 
le  up|icr,  the  inimip'i:  • 
cky,  brings   out  tla-  ^.^ 


t  before  vltncsf-ed  srJi 

Atlantic  Slates,  the  m- 

]\  ours;  and  if  \Ye  r.scrii(l 

[ilexlty  is  met  Avitli.    'Hi! 

ded ;   it  was,  liiAvevcr,  an 

re  waa  but  Utile,  in  imaij 

It  was  an  aggregate ;  eur^ 

Three  out  of  five  vaiic-i 

;t    raecfi  whieli   helor..'  w 

not  i'ail  in  the  end  lo  rival 

e  Tigris  and  I'Jii'hrntc.'.tl 
Culf'iuidLahes,  tri!n>ai.J| 
iiiif'  social  auialg;i:!iatii'!i.' 


laiW'j 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


C47 


[30  |io;i(l  of  the   ]\Ieditorrancan   Sea  presented  greater  divcr;-ity  than  the 

liiin*  ef  riialdea  —  (jreeec  still  greater  —  I'lome  went  bcymid   l:cr  —  tlio 

KwiLitiiiii   "f   western    I'lnropo    is    >till    nua-e    ci.iiipnundL'd — that  (f   (jur 

|i;i:iiitie  States,  diverf-ifiod  in  a  ilcgreo   yet  higher  —  tlac  of  'ur   ^'al!ey 

:,iall.     Thus  the   uiii'iii  and  living  eualesceneo   of  natidns,  havi;   been 

:t;:c'ilii'eet  ratio  of  lime  and  dis-tance,  from  the  birth-jiluee  of  the   .<jierie3. 

".(•nirso  has  been  westward,  bending  to  the  north  in  Euri'j-e,  but  again,  as 

;  hivo  .seen,  inelining  to  the  south,  to  rcaeli   America.     J)r.  llil  v'rt  jM. 

I^jivrs^ia,   of    the   United  States    Mint,   .riiihideliiliia,  has  iiive.-.tig!iled  its 

,  :i  e,  iii  the  United  States  fur  fifty  years.     In  17'.!"  the  renter  e^f  |ii  pula- 

•;  was  near  J»allimnrc,  Maryland ;  and  in  1  "-!••  it  was  in -Mergan  eounty, 

i'lVria,  both  in  the   same  latitude.     1'hus   it  npjiear,^,  that   the  eurve  (.f 

lijrati'iu  for  the  United  States,  still  runs  nearly  i'n  ni  ea>;t  to  wc-t. 

;i;;t  tiio  influence  of  the  latter  eh  iii'.'nt  is  not   at  an  end.     The  (Ii;i;\t 

;\;r,Ai.    A'ai.i.iov   op    North    Amkuica    is   the    /,/v/   erueibie    into  w'''jh 

-::::;aterial.-',  in  great  and  diversiii''d  .'-tieaiiis.  can  be  jioiin  d  *'(  r  amiilga- 

|i;;:i.    The  doulde-  range  i>f  mountains  which  ."^ejiariite  it  fn  .n  the  J'acilie 

'i.r.i,  leave  too  little  spaee   fe.r  an  ein[nre  on  llio  shores  i.f  that  i-ea:  and 

::; 'ii.'taehcd  eonunnnities  wiiich   may  there  gi'ow  uji,  will  be  but  ihii\alives 

:: 31  t!ie  homogeneous  millions,  with  which  time  will  jiei  pic   tlie  great  region 

:nrii  the  Ap[)alachian  and  Riudcy  [Mountain.'^,  ^\hiell  is  thus  destined  to 

•:'>e;'.t  the  last  and  greatest  development  of  society. 

:I,    CiiAN'OK  Of  ('MMAin.  —  W'h.ih'    wo    recognize   inlermarriage  as    the 

|.-a;.-t  agent  in  transforming  the   races   of  mankind,  wo  should    m  t  (iver- 

1;  external  influenees,  of  which  climate  must  bo  regarded  as  one.     Nor 

:j-:  we  reject  it   because  some  naturali.'-ts,  in  their  attempts  to  explain  too 

|v;i'i  hy  it,  have  assigned  it  an  iiiflucnce  tm)  liniiti  d.     Tlio  immense  pre- 

. .,'. .p.aeo  of   a  dark   or    black   skin,  eyes,  and  hair,   in   the   inter-lr' ]  ii-al 

:i.;;:-of  Africa  and  Asia,  with  the  equally  unifi  rni  prevalence  of  the  two 

j:i;'.  ill  connection  with  a  swarthy  ccmplexion  in  tlic  south  of  Uurrpe  and 

|u''.';Tes[i()ni!iiig  latitudes  of  Asia,  Vi'hile  tlie  middle  ami  nurthern  parts  of 

"Homperatc  zone  present  an  cijual  predominance  of  fair  comph'xions,  and 

..:':it  Liuv  and  eyes,  would  seem  to  leave  no  diubt,  as  to  a  g^r.cial  influence 

i'ii'iiatc  on  those  parts  of  the  body;  but  to  sujiiiose  its  ;igei;ey  iimilid  to 

'ase.  would  bo  a  most  unphilesophieal  restriction,  for  many  other  ]ihysio- 

lial  iiimliiications  may  escape  our  observati  ni. 

.\>we  have  already  seen,  the  neep.le  of  wesierii  Ijirope,  in  emigrating  to 
•'irtli  America,  have  generally  made  ten  degrees  of  southern  la.,tu(le.  If 
i:e mean  annua',  heat  of  this  country,  and  that,  on  the  sam(>  parallels,  were 
hi'ijlt'ai-;  vrould  be,  as  an  emigratii  n  iVi  in  rhihub  Iphia  or  Cincinnati  to  New 
'.'r!.:ins:  but,  in  fact,  they  live  in  an  average  yearly  temperature,  so  much 
j'S'iuiio  as  that  to  which  tliey  bad  been  u.-cd,  i,.,  but  liule  inibieiieo  can 
■■■iijorikMl  to  this  element.  There  is,  however,  a  striking  diiierei.ce  lietween 
i:^' j'lmmcr  and  winter  teinjioraturcs  I'f  western  Uurope,  and  these  ol'  the 
.\tiantlt'  S'tatcs  ar.d  the  great  ^'alley  of  the  Interier;  the  extremes  of  tlio 
•Wican,  being  far  greater  than  those  of  the  European  continent,     fc'udden 


%u  . 


:3 


■  u 

Ltl 


M 
•  I 
.  I 

4 


:ff 


i,  * 


u 


1"?' 


f-:l; 


.  '    .     .-1    "l,   -■  -H     ....'  ,     ','.■.'.      .f 

"  <  .     .  -3  .'•7.  "         ,>k,1       ■.  .     ; 


' '    ;''  •. 


jif  ..W-    •;^;^    .•■•     .\l-  :.,    ,•   V        . 

hCi.  .  :•:■'•  -'.'.■■•■    -■  •    .  ■   ■   ; 


?«■  '  1 


if:i'V;:,,' 


^  ' 


!■•';*■ 


•■4 


MS' 


!.      ...    ■"       ■ 


CIS 


TUF.  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OE  THE 


[book  u 


ami  extreme  variations  of  tompcraturo  aro,  moreover,  far  more  cfiiinn  i   ' 
this   ijcrtiou  of  tlie  dow,  tliuu   in  tliat  part   of  tlic  old,  '•-  •Ul,    Laj-tK-  -,■» 
have  a  ih-yer  climate,  and  a  iiKirc  electrical  atinospliere. 

'I'o  those  cHinatie  coiiditioiu-;  v,e  arc  bound  to  admit  a  niodii'vin'f  Iif 


uume 


which,  i;"  I  luist.i'ce  not,  is  perceptible  in  the  loss  of  a  ruddy  eomplcxiun,  n  a 
diminution  uf  th>e  capillary  and  cellular  ti.«sues  of  the  face,  and  a  coiL-ciiuuii 
reduction  of  the  convexity  of  the  cheek;;,  with  an  iiicrea.sin".  tenduncy  ti 
darker  hair,  in  i-iiort,  the  production  or  further  development  (if  a  hiliru 
tenipcn'inent.  Wilhout  ir.sisting  on  the  accuracy  of  these  fijieclul  d.-trvi. 
tions,  I  am  e-iuvinced  that  whatever  tendency  exists,  is  nut  in  the  direct!  u 
of  the  Kanj^uino  tem[)eranient. 

III.  Cm.v.nuk  of  Food.  — As  a  general  fact,  the  inhabitant.,  of  Aiiiericafi 
and  espeeially  those  of  the  Interior  Valley,  live  on  a  fuller  diet,  tbu  thi 
masses  of  Europe.     Their  food  ditl'ers  in  two  respects:  fir!.l^  it  is  here,  'h 
more  complex;  5'.'co«r/,  tlie  animal  portion  io  nuieh  greater.     The  wheat 
Enghr.id,   the   oats  of   i^cotland,  the  potatoes  iif    Irehuul,  and  tlio  rjc  of' 
Germany,  are,  in  this  country,  represented  by  wheat,  maixe,  rye,  and  Im  ■ 
Tvhe;tt ;  and  our  hot  .summo"s  [lermit  the  cultivation  of  a  f;vcat  mniilir 
culinary  vegetables,  and  some  fruits,  which  those  countries  cannot  prulue 
The  abundance  i  nd  comparative   cheapness  of  animal  food  —  beef,  imitt  : 
and  pork  —  in  the  great  Valley,  originates,  however,  the  greatest  dietetic  di.'i 
tinetion  between  the  two  countries.     Of  the  natural  desire  for  animal  fo 
no  observing  man  can  entertain  a   doubt.     It  is  among  the  earliest  prel'.f 
cnces  of  infancy ;  and  the  inuiiigrants  irom  ICurope,  who  niight  have  sold'; 
tasted  it,  begin  to  indemnify  themselves  for  their  pa.st  privation,  as  soon  as  ti;ei 
arrive  among  us.     Whether  .'^low  or  fast  to  adopt  other  customs,  tl.cy  iiev 
fail  ta  come  into  this;    and  like   the  indigenous  inhabitants  of  the  Vallc; 
very  generally  cat  it  three  times  a  day.     This  inordinate  indulgence  is  o!i; 
injurious,  on  their  first  arrival.     Thus,  Professor  l>rainerd,  of  Chieagi),  Lasi* 
formed  me.  that  the  Norv;egian  innnigrants,  on  landing  at  tliat  city,  ol'tei 
sicken  under  the  combined  intlueneo  of  meat  and  whisky.     As  the  tiiiu'ii 
indefinitely  remote,  when  the  density  of  our  population  will  limit  the  supi 
of  animal  food,  it  will  long  continue  to  enter  inordinately  into  our  diet;  ar 
mingled  with  a  great  variety  of  vegetables,  unskillfully  cooked,  iiuli.~crinii 
inately  mixed,  imperfectly  masticated,  and  rapidly  swallowed,  will  coiistitu 
our  national  feeding.     That  such  fullness  and  crudeness  of  diet,  tliroiigl 
successive  generations,  must  work  out  peculiarities  of  constitution,  and  ti 
deneies  to  some  forms  of  disea.se.  while  it  gives  protection  from  others,  cai 
Gcareely  bo  doubted ;  but  these  things  have  not  yet  been  made  subjects 
accurate  observation. 

IV.  Cn.vNGE  OF  Political,  Moral,  and  Social  Coxditio.v  — In  Lar 
baroua  states  of  society,  the  influence  of  the  mind  over  the  bod}-,  is  vo 
Braall.  In  civilized  communities,  it  becomes  great,  and  bears  a  proportion  ti 
the  degree  of  refinement.  As  our  immigrant  ancestors,  not  less  than  tii 
people  arriving  from  Europe,  were  civilized;  and  as  the  arts,  if  not  tli 
science  and  moral   sentiments,  which  should  animate  and   dignify  civilui 


'■%::\  .:.,':;v- 


n^ 


THE 


[bookiJ,       lijTIlI.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


G49 


rcr,  fur  move  ccmiiK  ;i 

i    oia,  •■      la.      L;;-.lly, 

icrc. 

lit  11  moilii'vin"  ii  llui,'. 

a  vudJy  connilcxiiH!,  i 
he  i';u:c',  .'iml  a  ccum'Ij, 
1  iiicreasiii!^.  tcndcii';, 
dcvolopiUL'iit  of  a  111!: 

of  tlitbc  fipccial  cUi . 
5ts,  is  pot  in  the  dirL 


.a 


a 

I- 
n 


be  iuhahitaut,?  of  Ai:i'.','  x, 
on  a  fuller  diet,  tl;i;;:  i ;« 
pccts:  first,  it  is  lin-'.,  .,ir 
ill  greater.     Thv  \v!;r. :  of 

Irchuid,  aiul  tlic  vy. 

icat,  maize,  rye,  and  Im^ 

ition  (if  a  grout  mauljir 

countries  oaanot  pr  ida  • 

niraal  food  — hcef,  muttu 

cr,  the  greatest  dietetic  dii 

iral  dusirc  for  animal  foi 

among  the  cavliest  ircf.r 

ipo,  who  might  have  stU' 

t  privation,  as  soon  as  ti;e 

t  other  custom?,  they  nev 

iiihahltantR  of  the  Vnllc 

lordiiiatc  ir.dulgence  is  ofte 

Jraincrd,  of  Chicago,  has  itt 

hnidlng  at  that  city,  ofte 

:ul  wliishy.     As  the  time  J 

hlatl'in  will  limit  the  sui.i" 

Idiuatcly  into  our  diet;  an 

killfuUy  cooked,  indiscrimi 

,-  swallowed,  will  constitv.' 

crudencss  of  diet,  tlivoiigl 

lies  of  constitution,  and  ted 

protection  from  otlierj.  c;ii 

yet  been  made  suhj'jct< ' 

IcTAr,  Condition  —h\  br< 
Inind  over  the  body,  is  vor] 
It,  andhoarsaproiiortioutj 
lancestors,  not  less  tbau  til 
land  as  the  arts,  if  m>t  dij 
limato  and   dignify  civilu* 


-.  arc  increasing  among  us  ;  we  must  not  overlook  the  modifying    influ- 
,  ,it'  nmral  cau.ses  on  ournational  physiology.     If  these  were  the  same,  in 
M  and  the  new  world,  no  change  of  constitution  would   result  from  a 
■  •i(if  cdutinont;  hut  thoy  are  not. 

!,  Transplanted  from  the  dcptiis  of  a  compact  population,  to  one  of  great 
niarativc  sparseness,  the  innnig'-ant  has  experienced  a  change,  not  unlike 
I'lif  the  individual  who  escapes  from  a  crowd,  to  associate  with  a  small 
;. pen  company.  His  feelings,  of  both  mind  and  body,  undergo  a  modi- 
/;  u  hy  the  change. 

:,  lie  passes  from  the  midst  of  ancient  works  of  art,  to  a  new  country, 
•ro  natural  objects,  scenery,  and  events  replace  the  artificial. 
;,  Instead  of  being  compressed  on  every  side,  and  limited  to  a  small  spot, 
■■hvliich  he  seldom  passed,  he  finds  ample  space  for  locomotion,  and, 
,r;!ie  influence  of  sliglit  motives,  makes  long  journeys  or  frequent  rcmo- 
.;;  thus,  seeing  many  new  objects,  and  forming  new  associations. 
;  Leaving  a  state  of  society  whieh  doomed  him  to  one  and  the  same  pur- 
::urf'Ugh  life,  he  finds  himself  where  freedom  and  facility  of  change  arc 
Irntoil, and  extensively  practiced;  where  new  plans  of  business  and  cxci- 
:; intci'prises  call  him  out,  and  inspire  him  to  adventurous  and   novel 
in  wtiich  he  engages  with  a  fearlessness  proportionate  to  the  facility 
twhioh,  in  this  countr\',  failures,  which  in  an  old  state  of  society  would 
iiii'iu?,  may  be  repaired. 

'.While  in  his  native  country,  his  thoughts,  in  reference  to  property, 
i'tnoviT  have  risen  above  his  daily  bread;  but  he  here  sees  many  ways  to 
ill  laid  open  before  him,  and  has  the  love  of  property,  with  the  comforts, 
:i"5.  and  influence,  of  which  wealth  is  the  instrument,  awakened  or 
".hcnod in  his  heart. 

?  Wlion  ill  his  native  land,  he  saw,  perhaps,  but  a  single  aspect  of  Chris- 
ty—one  form  of  public  worship,  and  one  variety  of  worshipers ;  but  he 
Ms  himself  surrounded  by  many.  Freedom  from  legislative  ?.,.cric- 
pormits  an  uiu'cstraincd  manifestation  of  his  opinions  and  feelings  ;  he 
^iuvsympathizes  in  some  form  of  religious  worship,  and  fiisds  himself  under 
;in:'n''o  of  more  lively  religious  feelings;  or  drawn  into  tlic  controver- 
:»iii';h  inevitably  arise,  in  proportion  as  the  superincumbent  weight  of  an 
■sastieal  cslablislimr/d  is  thrown  ofl'. 

Bat  alinve  all.  in  relation  to  the  young,  and  to  men,  the  immigrant  from 
-j  is  born  into  a  political  existeuce,  in  becoming  naturalized  in  Anier- 
lliore  lie  was  governed,  here  he  assists  in  governing  ;  there,  in  feeling, 
•■  1  in  opposition  to  the  government,  here,  in  practice,  he  seeks  either 
-  lify  or  preserve  its  administration.  In  ordinary  circumstances,  he  was 
-.'  and  obedient,  he  is  now  active  and  aggressive ;  he  connects  himself 
a  party,  barkens  to  its  tocsin,  rallies  to  its  standard,  listens  to  exposi- 
■''■'■  its  dot'rines  and  objects,  yields  up  his  heart  to  its  exhortations,  and 
i-'his  will  to  its  dictation  ;  the  servant  becomes  a  civil  officer  —  the  pea- 
''I"ty  politician.  The  variety  and  amount  of  emotion,  the  excitement 
^i  11.  and  the  activity  of  thought,  developed  by  this  new  condition,  are 


■^:- 


(  ) 


■4^ 


■  1^1  i 


>  Pi'  >  '  ■ 


■i] 


!-fV., 


-,*;'V»'«iS.    ,.v.»  •.  -'       v•^•■  '  ■  •    . 


'  ■  8  ■  •'  !'■' '"   ■'•  ..■;■  ' '•    ■.  ■ 

I  k|'^    '  ir"-'''''ii''  ''■•,■  ■    '■  '''■''■  ■-■' 

''Xf-'.VA  ■•■:>^f"'-/"-^';':;'u';'  ^■;^'■" 
V"l'^  I    .*  ■  ■   ■'^ ''  '  •*  'V     •  ■  -. '  • 

■    J:' 1 1  V  '  >'i     ''.■■■;'■     ••  ./i*"f,     i    ■■* 

'■'  '■•  -ii    'n   '-' ''■'  ■' ■■     '.  '    '•:■      ■.■  '■--■•    ■■•  '■•■    ■ 


m'^  -■ 


'^*"  "T  ;■.>  \v  i;  ;  , 


■i        : 


;!■'■.•.>•; 


''■■.  'I-.'    .•>  ■•     " 


■  *    •'  * 


'i.i.:...:.'  '_  :■    r  iJl'.  ;;.; 


\  A  '.■:,•.    '"        ,      ■     ■  ■  ■     ,  .     ; 


■•f  ♦"' 


050 


THE  PRINXIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


['■■' 


great  ill  proportion  to  liis  previous  torp(jr  —  as  vegetation  advainos  i. 
luxuriantly  after  a  cold  than  after  an  open  winter.  Tlii.s  is  the  true  n,, 
wliy  our  immigrant  population  arc  no  eager  to  plunge  into  tlie  imrty  >u 
wliieli  are  forever  heaving  the  bosom  of  our  Hociety. 

Sueh  are  some  of  tlie  new,  social  eircunistances,  under  wliicli  the  tr, 
planted  popidatioii  of  western  Europe,  live  in  our  great  \'alley ;  and  tin  ; ' 
siohigist  cannot  doubt,  that  tho  mental  states,  intellectual  and  cm  .ti 
generated  and  permanently  sustained  by  them,  will,  in  successive  <w<, 
tions,  work  out  changes  of  innervation;  and  coilporate  with  the  iiV,., 
causes  which  have  been  discussed,  in  creating  a  typo  of  coiistitutinn  dii'.u' 
from  that  of  Europe,  or  any  that  has  gone  before  it  in  any  country. 


'ilT  III 


Ide 


SECTION  IV. 

STATISTICAL  PHYSIOLOGY. 

For  this  portion  of  the    physiological  history  of  tho  Valley,  curst  '.: 
materials  is  very  small.     Tliey  cannot  be  collected  to  any  great  extt;  . 
the  ordinary  practice  of  medicine,  and  no  societies,  or  even  indiviiliiaL<, !« 
as  yet  instituted  the  i-eqnisite  courses  of  observation  and  cx]iei'iiiii'  t. 
will  give  a  few  facts,  under  several  difl'erent  heads,  in  tlie  hope  of  piuiiiit 
those  who  have  time  and  opportunity,  to  more  extended  inquiry. 

I.     Stature  and  AVeigiit.  —  When  upon  the  Northern  Lakes,  in  iM'lj 
was  enabled,  tlirough  the  accommodating  politeness  of  the  late  Major  .Mai 
Scott,  of  Fort   3Iaekinae,  Captains   Lynde  and   Thompson,  of  Fort  Giati 
and  Captain  Drain,  of  Detroit  Barracks,  to  ascertain  the  stature  of  t 
hundred  and  sixteen  soldiers  of  tho  United  States  Army,  which  I  liavi 
dcnsed  into  the  following 

TABLE. 


•f. 

W  It  s 

i 

:(:i  pi 

.btl 

■* 

:.;of 

■.:  read 

■¥ 

•••vctiv 

oifl 

ttreciiii 

iS 

r::  cad 

H 

:>  ml 

^■: 

:xr.  ivi 

Hi. 

itiioG 

!■'' 

:iar(!  c 

am 

He  full 

no. 


NATION. 


MEAN     niGHT.    MEAN  WT. 


TAI.r.EST. 


IIFAVI- 

EST. 


155  American, 
8-i  Irish, 
17  Enghsh, 
10  Scotch, 
45  Germans, 
7  Danes  and  Poles 


SlG'Tlio  whole, 
J155'A  IK  ricans, 
.100  Islanders, 
52, Continentals, 


iFt.  In.  Lns.  Lbs.  Oz.    Ft.  In.  Lns 


^ns. 

Lbs. 

G 

ISO 

0 

m 

1^8 

0 

107 

0 

17ii  1 

](i.) 

102 

G 

1^0 

VJ-1 

G 

17(1 

:i;'jcli 


iriu 

'rri:i, 
(Scot 

U'.'lltil)S| 

■I'.'-iiual 
'  I'ivoeiliij 
pe:  thcl 
p.  kimv 
cieJtlis, 
l;i.,.t!;ir,ij 

•:.  in 

■■'llcren(| 
'■Jy  coinj 
'■'•'f  and  J 

JcortJ 
"j  v,  mi._ 

'.-  ah^ 
•  ■  and 


'•'•'')' one  ; 

?"SK-itli  til 

"'■t'Ciiuiivl 
l^-'''  ninlti|[ 
[■■■'Mo  oil  if 

■■-■''  or  M-,L 
p-»iiole  ml 


Oz.    Ft.  In,  Lns.    Us 


MT  111.1 


INTERIOR  VAI.LHY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


G51 


].,•  nuinbcrs  in  tlii.s  tabic  arc  too  .siiiiill  to  justify  .1113'  general  coneliisioiis; 
litshouKl  be  rccollectoJ,  luoroover,  in  roffix'ucu  to  wci;:lit,  tli.it  most  of 
,..  persMii.s  were  not  yet  of  niidille  i\'^n.* 

A.>;lio»o  .sulilicrs  had  vcaeheil  their  full  .stature,  tlieir  hight  represents 

,;,.!' the  nation.s  to  which  tliey  belong,  so  far  as  tlieir  number  goes  ;  but 

•:  -t  (if  tliem  were  between  twenty  and  thirty  years  of  age,  they  had  not 

■reached  their  full  weight;  and  e.iU  only  serve  as  representatives  of  their 

[■,   live  nations  in  early  maiihood.     Xevertheh  ss.  as  the  diHorcnt  groups 

'    u  mposed  of  persons  in  the  .sanie  periods  of  life,  th.-y  may  bo  e.jnijiared 

.t:;c!i  other.     In  bringing  each  class  to  the  standards  or  mean   tvrms  of 

l:.Mi'i"]e,  we  find,  in  referonee  to  stature,  tliat  tlie  Americans  are  at,  or 

Irk  within  one  line  below  it ;  the  English,  f^eotch,  and  Irish  ri.^c  above  it; 

litltbo  riormans  and  other  continentals  fall   below  it.     In  reference  to  the 

liaaktl  uf  weight,  the  Americans  arc  above,  the  rest  below  it. 

I  Ilie  following  statement  nf  tlic  relation  between  stature  tmd  weight,  shows 

|i:iniuf!i  of  the  latter  is  duo  to  an  inch  of  tlio  furnicr  : 

TABLE. 


ifiiu  whole, 
jAiiiericans, 
jKn-lish,  - 
[lish, 

llennans, 
.Scotch,     - 


one  inch  give.i    - 


(I 


-  ;;  t.liU  oz.  avd. 

-  ;i:..i7     - 

-  ;]4.4r)     '• 

-  :i:).!<s     " 

-  nn.-n    " 

-  34.;58      " 


F::u  tills  table  it  ajtpear.-.,  that  the  Engli.sh  and  .Scotch  approach  within  a 

■idmals  of  the  standard  of  the  three  hundred  and  .'■sixteen  individuals  of 

iivoidlng   table,    in   the   weight   which    belongs    to  an  inch  of    tlieir 

m."M:  the  Irish   fall  seventy-two  hundredths    of  an  ounce,  or  two  per 

.k'k'W  it;    while,   on  the  other   hand,  the  Americans  rise  fifty-seven 

:::t]t!i.s  or  one-sixth  per  cent.,  and  the  Germans  eighty-one  hundredths, 

I'.i  •thirds /vt';-  cent,  above  it.     Thus  the  Germans  are  the  heaviest  of  the 

fi''.  ill  projiortion  to  their  bight,  and  next  to  them  stand  the  Americans. 

p  litl'crenec  argues,  cither  greater  development  of  flesh,  or  a  longer  trunk 

jy  compared  with  the    lower  extremities.      The    ratio   between    the 

pe  and  weight  tif  difTercit  races,  in  tlio  corresponding  periods  of  life, 

t:  .iscertaincd,  the  weight  of  any  considerable  number  of  individuals  of 

pn  c,  iniuht  be  inferred  from  a  kiuAvledge  of  their  stature,  c(  rice  rcrsa. 

■  tno  absence  of  more  conclusive  statistics,  I  may  say,  that  3']rigliyh, 

I'.. and  Irish  immigrant,-,  are  so  near  the  stature  of  the  native  inhabl- 


I .::!;'.;■  one  inuko  such  inquiries,  he  shoiihl  he  aware,  tliiit  ho  shoiiM  not  comhinn  liis 
T-.'-iwith  tiiose  of  tiiu  IuIjIo,  and  1;ike  the  mean  term  of  tlie  two  suni«,  unless  the 
J-fof  indivi.Uuils  were  the  s^iiae  as  in  the  tahle;  for  the  result  would  be  erroneous. 
I"''!  niMJtiply  the  nuniher  of  i;iilividiia!s,  cniuposinpr  the  class  in  the  table  which 
T'.-'lo  cnl;irge,  by  the  mean  higlit  or  wi-i;,''''!  '""'  ^'^  •''''  i>''0'hict  add  the  anrnrre- 
l''.;:itor  wcigiit  of  those  he  lias  examined  ;  wlien,  on  dividing  the  whole  amount 
*''lioie  luunber  of  men,  lie  will  obtain  the  desired  result. 


'B 


1i>t^-:sm^  M^,.- 


Kl.,„ 


r.>i  „'''.'  '>*i. 


o  i 

I ' .  ■\-^f-"^-'w-''  ■    ■    v- ■■■•  •  ^"^ 


?■•>'     '  ', : 


|r4-ro-:-^:' 


.r.yir.,  ■  „.: 


652 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[Boot 


tants  of  tlio  Valley,  as,  in  that  [)artioular,  to  bo  identified  with  tlicup  (U 
the  rJcruians,  'ho  Jews,  and  the  I'Vcnch,  both  of  Loui.-»iaiia  ami  Canuda 
regarded  as  smaller.     The   Norwegians,  whom  I  saw   in  Illiiioi.s  aii(l  Wj 
consin,  appeared  *o  Ik.'  taller  than   the   (lennans.     It  is  a  eiirroiit  oiiiiiiij 
that,  of  tlie  nalivci'  of  the  \'alley  deseeiided  fron)  Jhiti.'-h  iii)d  Irish  an' 
tors,  the   largest  nnn  are  those  of  western   Virginia,  and  the  (.astorii  ag 
middle  portions  of  Iventueky  and  Tennessee;  where  they  breathe  a  saluUiy 
air,  abound  in  sustenance,  and  take  cxcreise  enough  to  preserve  lualtli:  bJ 
do  not  perform  sunirient  labor  to  carry  out  of  the  system,  hy  eopinu.s  inrsij 
ration  and  increased  pulmonary  exhahitimi,  a  great  amount  of  solid  initt^ 

In  our  towns  and  eitics,  many  young  men,  who  grow  up  without  \\.\ 
exercise  or  labor,  and  sjtend  their  time  (jhicfly  within  doors,  fail  to  roaili 
standard  size;  but  those  who  follow  laborious,  mechanical,  or  nii.scellai.ol 
employments,  have  a  larger   development  of  the  system,  and,  coibi'iiM 
greater  bulk.     On   the  whole,  however,  the  people  of  the  country  ati;.;; 
greater  size  than  those  of  our  cities. 

Family  and  individual  eccentricities  of  size  arc,  of  course,  not  iincniii 
among  a  people  so  diversified  in  origin,  and  advanced  in  civilizatinn  — a.-ii 
Avhich  develops  greater  anatomical  and  jdiysiological  varieties,  than  t!i( 
of  barbarism.  In  different  parts  of  the  Valley,  families  of  rciiiarkaj 
stature  are  met  with  ;  and  occasionally,  a  single  member  of  a  family 
above  the  rest,  and  overreaches  the  tallest  aroi;nd  him. 

II.     STUioNfiTii.  —  No  experiments  on  thj  strength  of  the  native  or  iai 
grant  races  of  the  A'alley,  have  yet  been  published.     It  is  i  <  urrcnt  (ipiai 
that  as  we  advance  south,  from  the  middle  latitudes,  it  diiniuLshcs;  iinl 
words,  is  inversely  to  the  mean  temperature.     Comparing  all  the  iiikiliij 
of  one  of  our  towns  or  cities,  with  an  cf[ual  number  in  Ihe  sunvw 
country,  the  aggregate  strength  of  the  latter,  would,  I  have  nn  didt 
found  mueii  greater,  except  in  nuilarial  districts.     In   a  C{juntr}'  I'l;.'  I 
thickly  settled,  where  the  labors  of  the  people  consist  largely  in  .«tiirii  J 
loose  soil  Avith  the  plow  and  hoe,  in  pruning  hedges  and   oreharils,  t:;;.i 
vines,  gathering  in  crops,  and  in  the  care  of  domestic  animals,  this  nii.'!it| 
be  the  casi.;  but  in  a  now  country,  where  overshadowing  forests  aro 
subdued,  shruLi3  and  bushes  grubbed  up,  fields  inclosed  with  lioavv 
mauled  out  of  the  trunks  of  trees,  log  houses  erected,  stone  quarried. 
opened,  bridges  built,  and  canals  excavated,  the  labors  arc,  in  kind  :d 
gree,  well-fitted  to  develoj)  large,  compact,  and  powerful  muscular  >;.'.■ 
Such  from  the  beginning  of  immigration,  have  been  the  labors  of  a  n:.ijl 
of  our  people.     In  the  older  settled  regions,  they  aro  less  than  formcrljl 
in  all  the  new  States,  they  still  continue. 

IJut  in  hitter  years,  a  great  number  of  men  have  been  called  to  new  1 
requiring,  and  therefore,  developing,  great  muscular  power.     I  iiKiyl 
enumerate  some  of  these:     The  erection  of  cities,  such  as  Toronto,  Bi 
Chicago,  Pittsburgh,   Cincinnati,  Louisville,   St.   Louis,  and  Now  Or.j 
the  preparation  and  embarkation  of  the  agricultural  staples — floiu,cir;!. 
beef,  licmp,  tobacco,  and  cotton — the  lumber  trade  of  Canada,  of  thci 


OF  THE 


[booi 


hiriii'I 


INTERIOR  VALMIY  OF  NOHTfl  AMERICA. 


C53 


)  identified  witli  tlipui;  tlij 
I  Louii'iiitia  and  Canada, 
[  saw   in  lUiiii>i'i  and  W'l 
18.     It  is  a  nirront  (>]^\h\^ 
im  Ihiti.sli  and  Irisli  aii': 
iviuia,  and  tlic  eastern  aJ 
licro  tliey  bruatlie  u  salulirii 
m<t\\  to  iircscvvc  lu'alth; 
lie  system,  liy  c(>iiinus  i...r« 
Ti'at  amiiunt  id'  siJid  miti 
who  grow  uji  \Yitliuut  im< 
witliiii  doors,  fail  to  roiul 
f4,  inccluiuieal,  ov  inisctlla!.'i| 
the  system,  and,  Cdiisniiionr 
jcople  of  the  country  attain! 

arc,  of  course,  not  uncmv.n 
IvaiiuL'd  incivili/atiun  — ;id 
loj^ical  varieties,  than  tli^  ^li 
'aUcy,  families  of  rrniaikaj 
iii<do  member  of  a  family ' 

,,und  him. 

stiTOglhof  the  native  or  la 
dishi'd.  It  is  I  'urrontoii: 
atitudes,  it  diminishes;  iu' 

Comparing  all  the  inlial'tj 
lal  number  in  '.he  mvw-f 
vY,  would,  I  have  nn  duuh 
tvicts.     In  a  country  k^ 
de  consist  largely  in  ftiirii  ,j 
;  hedges  and  orchard?,  tni 
domestic  animals,  this  niiJtj 
overshadowing  forests  aro  ij 
fields  inclosed  with  liciivy 
;es  erected,  stone  .luarrioJ. 

the  labors  arc,  in  hind  ai 
and  powerful  muscular  M 
ive  been  the  labors  of  a  nil 
,  they  arc  less  than  formcvlyl 

cu  have  been  called  to  nc^vlij 
muscular  power.     I  i":'y 
cities,  such  as  Toronto,  M 
c,  St.  Louis,  and  Now  Or:J 
icultural  staples-flour, car- 
er trade  of  Canada,  of  thci 


•X5>uf  ^o\v  York,  and  of  tlic  cypress  swamp.s  of  Louisiana;  the  preparation 
Ijiiid  for  our  five  or  six  hundred  steamboats  between  New  Orleans  and 
L.ln.1.'.  and  the  laburs  upDii  tlmse  vessels  of  lirenieii  and  decKli.inds;  lastly, 
|;;(iiKi'.>sant  use  of  tiic  oar  or  paddle,  and  the  carrying  of  heavy  burdens 

;:ira|i[it'rs  and  vni/u^curs  on  the  rivers  of  .he  mjrth-west. 
}I;iiiy  other  classes  miglit  be  named:  but  these  will  .servo  to  show  that 

,;:  ("Uiitry  abounds  in  oniploymeiits,  which  eaiuiot  bo  prosecuted  without 
Ivvii.ping  great  muscular  strength. 


CHAPTER   1!. 

MODES    OF    LIVING. 

?Evn;.\L  things  which  properly  belong  to  tliis  liead,  have  alreaily  been 
^minicd,  when  treating  of  tlie  causes  which  work  out  changes  of  ccnstitu- 
':i:i  European  enngrants,  or  develop  size  and  strengtn  in  our  nati\('  poj)- 
ir.fl,  We  now  recur  to  thcni,  and,  including  many  more,  eonsid.r  them 
r.f'.i'L'Meo  to  the  productiiju  of  disease.  ]\lodilioations  were  all  that  we 
p  studied;    that  whieli  remains  for  this  chapter,  is  more  obviou.sly  ctiolo- 


SECTIOX  I. 

DIET.  — SOLID    FOOD. 

Tne  custom  of  the  laboring  classes,  of  both  town  and  country,  througli- 

|it ibo  Valley,  is  to  eat  three  meals  a  day;  the  first  not  '"ar  from,  but  gen- 

pLy  after  sun-rise ;    the  second  at  or  soon  after  noon ;  the  third  at  or  not 

fnt'tor  sun-down.     Taking  ilio  year  throughout,  this  would  give  an  aver- 

if  si.K  hours  between  breakfast  and  diiuier.  and  the  same  jjcriod  betvreen 

jirierand  supper.    Now  it  appears  from  experiments,*  which  the  feelings  of 

CfiJuals  verify,  that  about  five  hours  are  noccssarj  to  the  digestion  of  a 

¥'  of  an  ordinary  kind,  the  person  being  in  good  health  ;  and  the  cstab- 

■liiplniou  of   the  profession  is,  that  the  stomach  should  remain  cmjity 

''It  rest,  for  an  hour,  more  or  less,  after  it  has  decomposed  and  dis- 

k'od  its  contents.     The  customary  hours  of  the  people  would  seem  to  be 

P'-t.    But  this  is  still  further  evinced  bv  a  reference  to  the  time  for 


,;,.! 


^ili 


I 


I.  ,1' 


V 
•I* 


!\     1 


•Dr.  Beaumont. 


'%■: 


'3V  ■■;-:  l.';:v  -ii 


,    f.^: 


mi 


ft..  H'lr;-     V*' 

■J  ■      ^       •    .,  '  .• 


Mr  {/)(  * ,  ,t  x 


J  ■  ■ 


'I 


r.'i' 


■  f  'fi '  I 


.|.'f    •  ;'.•■'• 


liii' 


f^'l^ 


'  ;  •  ■  1 


•,  •  I 


V:    >  3   :         ■■    '  • 


v.!  * 


■'3  'i^fiiii. 


J 


054 


TFin  PRINCIPAI-  I)I?^KASF,S  OF  THE 


slcc]).     'I'liis.  ti)  sjicjilc  ns  a  |iliysi(iliij;ist,  is  the  nij^lit.  niid  {lie  si;.'ii,  1  l',r ;'  '•.] 
is  tlio  n'turii  of   day.     -N'uw,  wlicii  tlio  stdiiiaeli  lias  Ijccii  I'luptv  1' r 
hours,  it  ilfmnmls  the  stiiiiulns  of  Ibiid,  mid  many  |)or.si)iis  fed  j^reat  \\\zu\_ 
VcMiioiico,  after  rising   i:i   the  iiiNriiiiiir.  till  tlicy  take  it.     T[i'iicu  it  ri  mi1:J 
that  I'uily  l>rcakl:i>l.s  aro  iiliy.'-iido;.'ical  and   .'•aliitary,  lucau.-o  cailv  ii>iii'l 
accnrdiii;,'  to  tlio  natural  laws  of  uiir  cdnHtitutluii.     IJiit  tlicsc  luiMts.  J 
tlion^h  coiLsonant  willi   liur  |»liy.si()lo;.'y,  am  oftt'ii   vii'latfd.     Maiiv  iioi^ 
rise  and  l)ri.'akfa.-.t  Lit'-,  tliiio  late,  and  iiialcc  a  .sli^rlit  meal  in  tlio  (■\ii;ii. 
Otlicr.s  du  not  dine  until  near  tlio  sn)i|i('r  Inmr  nf  the  jiei  pic,  hut  lum  li  !i!j,|j 
their  dinner  luau',  iiniking  (hreo  meals  a  day,  coming  hick  toward  theiuit  ;:^ 
times,  liut  making  the  evening  meal  the  iuiiu'i|  al  one.     Uther.s  nguin  dl ;, 
two  or  (hreo  o'clock,  suji  lightly,  and  make  a  lie.'irtliT  meal  at  i/me  i  r  t.> 
Thousands  may  lie  found  wlio  enjoy  go(jd  health  under  these   diviiv-;:i| 
of  time;  hut  they  are  all  dc[)arfures  iiom  the  j)laii  of  nature,  and  tlidiisiJ 
might  1h'  found  \\'\u\  snU'cr  fn.iiii  them.     Tiic  late  su[i])er  has  heon  chikIuh!, 
as  nnhc.ilthy  and  even  dangerous,  sis  to  certain  (•'■n.-^titiitinns  it  ciit.ii:!,- 
But  if  tlio  iinlividual  .sit  up  till  the  la.^t  meal  is  digested,  he  will  .-lt.e[i  ii; -i 
qi'.ielly  to  take  a  slight  ri'jiast  of  digcstihle  focd,  avoiding  all  diuretic  ilrii. 
for  diaphoresis  sliould  jirevail  over  all  other  soerotions  during  sleeji. 

Among  the  laboring  classes,  wh.o  follow  nature  more  clcsely  than  t]:i.' ■  n 
crs,  tlu'  three  meals  of  the  day  do  n.t  diP.Vr  so  nun  h  in  (juaiitity,  as  aui' 
the  more  cultivated  and  artificial  classes.  1  am  jiersuaded  that  tlio  I'. ra 
aro  riulit ;  and  would  go  still  furi'ior,  and  express  the  opinion  that,  ni'tl 
three  meals,  lirealvfii-it,  and  not  dinner,  should  ho  the  principal.  Aftirl 
repose,  iii  the  coid  oi'  tlie  inoridng,  when  the  feeling-  of  hotli  hody  anil  i,i:( 
are  trar.((nil,  the  stcmaeh  can  receive  with  impunity,  and  digest  a  l.'n'L'o  ii:^ 
Letter,  than  in  the  heat  of  the  day;  or  in  the  mMst  of  lie  labors  audi  rJ 
real  and  moral  irritations  whieh  it  may  bring  forth.  A  hearty  hivakfi 
seldom  produces  oppression  and  drowsiness,  like  a  hearty  dinner;  on  tlioeol 
trary,  the  hour  which  i'ollows  it  is  generally  one  of  pleasant  and  eiH' 
excitement;  Avhile  that  whieh  succeeds  to  a  full  dinner  is  ehar.acterizt'l 
dullness,  taciturnity,  sleep,  and  very  often  a  considerable  degree  of  feviru 
ness,  from  all  of  which,  T  may  repeat,  tho,«c  who  make  hearty  broakfaM^ 
slighter  dinners,  arc  exempt. 

The  practice  of  rapid  eating  is  univor.sal  among  u.s,  that  is,  prevails  cv. 
where,  t'lough  not  adopted  by  every  individual.     Two  objections  liu  r.L'ai 
it:  firsl,  the  food  is  imperfectly  masticated;  scron/l,  too  much  is  taken:! 
a  little  time  is  necessary  after  food  is  received  into  the  stomach,  to  ciial''' 
to  remove  the  feelin;i  of  hunfrcr. 

As  a  general  fact,  the  people  of  the  Valley  cat  t(.o  much.     Pucliani 
cess  is  the  natural  effect  of  living  in  a  country  whose  greatest  natuia! 
aeteristie  is  productiveness  of  su.stenanec;  and  until  the  ahiuidaiicc  l' I 
latter,  in  jiroportiou    to   the    population,  shall  diminish,  the    jiracti/e 
continue. 

II.     \\'c  come  now  to  the  composition  of  our  diet ;  and  the  first  (K-'l 
tion  I  make  is.  that  tlie  quantity  of  animal  food  consumed  in  the  Vil:,l 


■  till.'  |ie'i,|il<',  bill  h]\< 


long  lis,  tliat  is,  prevails  ov.ij 

il.     Two  olijectioiis  lio  r,L',v.i 

iC'OH'l,  too  iinicli  is  talci'ii;! 

into  the  slomacli,  to  cr.al. 

i.y  cat  ti.o  much.  SudianJ 
•y  whoso  greatest  natuvaUr.! 
ml  until  the  iihinnlaiico ":  I 
l11  aiuiiuish,  tlio    pvactioe 


•ilNil'J 


IXTMIUOII  VAMJ:V  cV  XOflTII  AMI'.IIIi  A. 


oor* 


•  fTjrriMt,  compared  with  tho   vogcfuliliv     Iiulccd,  it  ni;iy  he  aflinucl  that 

|.;oi.<cutoii  than  l)y  any  ('ijual  nninlur  of  p(Mi|,li3  In  the  whnlo  worM.    With 

Liiuiti'il  ninnher  of  cxccptinns,  meat  irf  nn  tho  tahlo  lliivo  time-*  a  day,  and 

Ib  :'ioii  eaten  hy  the  groat  maj 'vity.     Kvrn  children,  in  must  ramilie.-i,  arc 

;;t.  I  tit  cat  it  at  every  moal.     Onr  meats  present  ((nito  a  varii'ty.  hut  the 

till,'  ox  nud   hug  greatly  jiredominate ;   the    t'l  rnn  r  eaten  IV  ui  the 

|p;;,!ilt'Uinieli  more  than  frnin  tho  tnh  —  llie  latter  tunvertcd  into  pickled 

:ri;,  li:it'<iii,  and  saiisagrs.     Veal,  nn  the  whi  1",  seems  to  he  a  greater  fav.r- 

■  •\:i!niiiitton,  which  is  no  where  in  the  N'alley  eonsunied  in  large;  (]uanti- 

I'liultiy  is  consumed  in  lihcral  ipiaiitities,  and  wild  galliiniccous  birds 

Liotorfuwl  arc  eaten  to  !i   cunsiderahli)  extent.     Kggs  are  used  in  great 

haUrn.    It  Is  niily  on  tlio  shores  of  the  Lalce.s  and  the  (iiilf,  that  li.-h  make 

L:ii![iiirtant  article  of  diet.     In  the  country,  laeon  and  pi'rl;  predominate — 

|:ii;e  larger  towns  and  cities,  fresh  beef,  and  other  fresh  meats,  sire  more 

l(S'e::«ivL'ly  used.      IJutter,  often  of  an  inferior  ipiality,  is  uscil   in   liberal 

Ij-jitities,  ami   tho   taste  of  our  [lopulatinii  is,  to  cat   bmter>(l  liread  with 

|;„'.iriiicat. 

T','.',  whalrver  nvidiriealio:!  fif  jihyslnlngy,  cr  jiredisjiosition  to   disease, 

|:r  1'.  prolni  iblo  by  excess  nf  animal  fund,  is  experienced  by  the  people  of 

V;i!lov;  Imt  1  am  in. t  prepared  to  delineate  them.     The  praclicc  nf  ab- 

.;;i'i:' from  animal  fnod.  recnminonded  on  purely  theoretical  grounds,  and 

•r,irv;ith  the  cunliguration,  instincts,  and  experience  of  or.r  race,  has  niadi> 

lb; Ii;tlo  progrcsss  in  tlio  A'alley,  and  is  not  likely  to  fuid  many  advocates. 

P'l'jH'd'uvt  shnuld  diminish  the   ([uantity  i-onsumcd  by  each  individual,  it 

ril'i:},a  iniblle  benefit;  but  if  it  should  uiilv  reduce  the  a'iQ-regalo  bv  the 

iliilistiaence  of  a    few,  no  good  will   result  to  them  or    ho   e:inununity  at 

P'.    A  liberal  consumption  is  not  confined  to  the  cool  v,-eat1icr  and  heal- 

|i:v>.;isiins  of  tho  year,  but  prevails  in  pimuuer  and  autumn,  not  less  than 

piiiies  to  which  it  wnuld  seem  tu  be  better  ada['ted. 

^Vheat  flour  and   Indian  covu-mcal,   variously  prepared,   constitute  our 

I'l-. "tun's."     rei'UK'iited  wheat  bread  is  far  from  being  universal,  and 

t:. niiloavcncd  biscuit,  with  fat,  is  a  favoriie  article  on  the  bniddast  and 

|-'|r tiilile,  es[)ccially  in  tho  snuthcrn  half  of  the  Valley.     They  an;  eaten 

'I'lutter,  which  is  always  melted  by  their  heat,  and  thus  prepared,  becnmc 

kafcniujianiment  of  animal  food.     It  is  undoubtedly  trr.e.  that  thi-s  national 

hip'aml  eniliarrassos  the  stomach  of  tho  dyspej.tic;  but  the  general  aspect 

liie  majority  of  tho  people  would  seem  to  indicate  that  they  find  it  digcs- 

1^:'  liinl  nutritious.     In  tho   cities,  fermented  mils,  v.'itlioiit  fat,  but  eaten 

"Liy  commonly  replace  the  unleavened  biscuit  of  tho  country  and  smal- 

^■t  wn.s.    Tho  fashiun  in  tho  A'alloy  is  to  use  the  finest  bolted  fhuir,  liut 

al  mmlo  from  that  which  contains  a  portinn  if  tlse  fioe  bran,  is  sujieiior 

">|.Tvthing  l)ut  whiteness  —  a  quality  of  no  veal  value. 

^"opi'.Ip  of  Indian  curu-meal,  but   slightly  susceptible  if  fermentation, 

'I'-vally  baked  in  small  rolls  or  cakes,  and  eaten  hot.     Nearly  destitute 

-i'ltoM.  it  is  move  pulverulent  thaT  hot  wheat  bread,  and  docs   not,  by 

■■^••i.ution,  become  compact  and  claK;my.     It   is  more  aperient  than  the 


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BliiiMl^y  .'■:.  ....     -. 


G5G 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book 


latter,  but  persons  unaccu.stonicil  to  it,  arc  a]it  to  experience  acidity  of  ihJ 
stomach  from  its  use.     Of  its  nuiuisliing  qualities  there  can  Le  nu  <louU 
it  enters  extensively  into  the  diet  of  large  portions  of  our  population,  iv.  ,J^ 
cially  those  which  attain  the  greatest  development. 

Rye,  barley,  potatoes,  riec,  and  pulse,  are  seldom  eniplnycd  in  the  fabriia^ 
tion  of  bread.  iJuckwheat  is  in  more  general  use,  and  always  proiiuixJiij 
the  same  manner — that  is,  in  fermented  pancakes,  eaten  with  uhuudaiai;  ofc 
butter. 

Culinary  vegetables  arc  abundant  in  all  parts  of  the  Valley,  c.xiai.t  jn^ 
certain  tracts  bordering  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  which  are  too  sterile  tn  i.ru/ 
duee  them  i"  any  l)ut  limited  (piantities.  Difl'erent  varieties  of  pulao  url 
abundant  everywhere.  The  same  is  true  of  cabbage,  but  the  finer  varictid 
are  not  extensively  cultivated.  The  turnip  is  generally  disseminated,  'J'lji 
sweet  potato  (convolvulus  luttald)  comes  to  great  perfection  in  thf  si.utL.r^ 
zone  of  the  Valley,  whence  it  is  exported  to  the  north.  l>ut  tlic  coniiiKi 
potato  (sola/nan  liibcrosum)  is  scarcely  worth  cultivating  in  tlie  soulli,  uliJ 
is  supjdied  from  the  middle  parts  of  the  A'alley,  and  frdui  the  north,  wlcr 
its  qualitv  and  quantity  are  excellent.  The  tomato  (snlanum  tomulu)  i-, 
recent  introduction,  and  lias  become  a  universal  favorite,  being  cultivated  aim 
consumed  from  the  Gulf  to  the  Lakes. 

-A  groat  deal  of  fruit  is  consumed.  In  the  direction  of  the  Gulf,  uran.' 
chiefly  imported,  are  abuuda'it,  and  figs  and  peaches  are  cultivated  ;i,i 
abound.  The  ajiple,  however,  has  r?  't  been  much  cultivated  south  uf  tli| 
thirty-third  degree  of  latitude,  from  which  to  the  Lakes,  it  is  aLunda..t, 
great  variety,  aii'l  of  excellent  quality;  furnishing  large  snjiplies  (or  liaal 
consumj)tion,  and  for  exportation  to  the  States  resting  on  the  Gulf.  TliI 
peach,  cherry,  and  pear,  come  to  good  perfection  in  the  middle  latitudis.  aiJ 
the  two  latter,  with  plun;.^  in  abundance,  arc  found  high  in  the  iiurtli,  fuiui 
ing  considerable  articles  of  consumption.  The  strawberry  is  widely  di,-si.ia| 
inated,  and  bears  luxuriantly.  ^^lrious  kinds  of  grapes  are  grown  ii 
abundance,  south  of  the  furtieth  degree  of  latitude. 

It  would  bo  tedious  to  extend  this  enumeration  of  our  indigenous  .*oiiiee( 
of  vegetable  fond.     All  that  I  have  enumerated  are  consumed  in  large  i|U';a| 
titles,  and  show  that  while  we  use  a  great  deal  of  animal  food,  we  alsiie;,ti 
great   deal  of  vegetable;  in  other  words,  that   our   diet  is  liberal,  dive:;i| 
fled,  and  nutritiou.-'.     It  ilifl'ers,  therefore  from  the  diet  of  some  i!atiiin.>\vl.i 
is  delicieut,  or  innutritions,  or  consists  of    one   or  a  few  artielcs  rej.i,i;' 
through  tlie  year.     It  wuuhl  rcijuire  a  very  careful  comparison  lo  deieiii.ifl 
the  physiijhigical  effects  of  these  national  diirerences.     1  shall  only  say,  ti.a 
I  suppose  a  mixed  diet,  varying  at  different  times,  to  be  must  favorall 
the  full  corporeal  and  intellectual   development  of  man ;  and  that  rej.kiijj 
produces  fewer  diseases  than  inanition. 

The  euliiiary  arts  are  but  little  understood  by  a  great  majority  of  tlie  poj 
pie  of  the  Valley;  who  find  in  (piantity  and  variety,  a  substitute  for  qu;i!i:;i 
■.vhieh  depend  on  skillful  cookery.     I  cannot  attempt  to  enumerate  al 


«:,i, 


jF  THE 


[book 


lliJTllH 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


G57 


3  experience  aridity  of  luj 
,'S  tliere  cuu  Le  no  fluuLt, 
JUS  of  our  popuktioii,  csjn;* 
it.  ;; 

ioni  ciiiploycil  ill  tlie  fulniia^ 
use,  and  always  i)r(:|)avfd  ii( 
CCS,  eaten  with  aljunduimj  i)( 

•ts  of  the  Valley,  cxoiiit  iii;| 
wliicli  arc  too  s-tovilu  tu  [-iv 
jvent  vavietios  of  pul.<e  :.;9 
bbage,  liut  the  finer  vuritii.j 
generally  disseniiuated.  Tiii 
eat  perfection  in  the  st-utliiii 
:hc  north.  l>ut  the  cmm 
altivating  in  the  soulli,  \v!ie 
y,  and  from  the  north,  wl.cn 
)niato  (^snlaniim  tomuli)\> 
I  favorite,  Leing cultivated;! 


iliroetlou  of  the  Gull',  uraii; 
I  peaches  are  cultivated  u. 
much  cultivated  south  uf  tm 

the  I.akcs,  it  is  ahiinda.,!, 
shing  large  s\ipplies  I'or  Vw 
,03  resting  m  the  Gulf.  Tlii 
[,u  in  the  middle  latitudes,  am 
found  high  in  the  north,  fan 
strawberry  is  widely  dl.s 

nds  of    grapes  are  grown  ii 

itudo. 

tiou  of  our  indigenous  fo-aic 
A  are  consumed  in  large  ijum' 
.  of  animal  food,  wealrine;! 
,t  our   diet  is  libcrtd.  dive- 
the  diet  of  some  nations  wU, 
e   or  a  few  artieles  rcinaw 
iireful  couiparison  to  deteuux 
^•onces.     1  shall  only  suv.  ti. 
iincs,  to  be  must  favuniU.' 
itof  man:  and  that  repku 

,y  a  great  majority  of  the  IK) 

liriety',  a  substitute  for  ^^^^ 

uttempt  to  enumerate  all ' 


ri.i-iiis  modes  of  cooking  that  \iiay  be  supposed  to  exert  an  influence  on 
jijlih,  but  will  glance  at  a  few. 

1  With  the  mass  of  our  population,  bread  c.f  every  kind  is  apt  to  be 
i'jd  too  soon  after  the  flour  or  meal  has  been  wetted — tiu;t  is,  bof  lo  there 
■j;  liccu  sufficient  maceration.  IJut  what  is  still  worse,  it  is  scarcely  ever 
;;Ke.l  enough. 

t  Biscuits,  as  they  are  called,  are  baked  in  close  ovens,  by  whieli  process 
•'.■uttliey  contain  is  rendered  oinpyreumatie  and  indigestible. 

:;,  When  the  dough  for  leavened  bread,  by  excess  of  j)anary  fermciitatiun, 

•  lien  charged  wiih  acetic  acid,  that  product  is  not  in  general  nttutralized 
r  c'arl)unate  of  potash  or  soda,  but  the  bread   is  eaten  sour. 

I  Pastry,  instead  of  being  flaky  and  tender,  is  often  tough  and  hard, 
ii:„  ;imos  almost  horny. 

,1.  Moats  are  often  baked  and  fried,  instead  of  being  roasted  ur  broiled, 
li:,:v!)V  they  become  impregnated  witli  einpyreumatic  oil,  and  not  iiufre- 
Witlv  oliarred  on  tlie  outside.     In  gei'.eral,  they  are  overcooked. 

;.  Fii'sli  meats,  and  especially  poultry,  are  comnKjnly  cooked  too  soon 
Icr'liatli. 

!.  Suup  is  often  prepared  from  parts  defielent  in  gelatine,  and  al)oundiiig 

k  wliicdi  swims  upon  the  surface,  and  is  mneh  more  indigestible  than 
t; meat  would  have  been,  if  eaten  in  the  sidid  fdrni. 

■.  Eiv'S  are  generally  boiled  so  hard  as  to  render  them  tough,  and  many 
eati'ii  fried  in  fat.  to  a  still  greater  degree  of  induration.     Fried  bacon 

l:.':s,  eaten  with  hot  unleavened  biscuit,  containing  lard,  and  then  but- 

-lis  a  fa''orite  breakfast  in  '"-Miy  parts  of  the  Valley. 

5,  Vegetables,  abounding  in   feeula,   si  eh    as  pitutoes,  rice,  and   puho, 

M'toiilmiied  so  little,  that  all  the  starch  grains  are  not  Inirst  open  ;  wliile 

t-fCi'iitainiiig  albumen,  as  eitbbagc,  are  boiled  until  that  element  is  firmly 

ICibted  and  deposited  in  the  structure  of  tiio  leaf. 


SECTION  IT. 

LIQUID  Dirrr,  and  tahle  drixk^. 

Mu.K  is  abundant,  in  the  northern  and  miihlle  zones  of  the  A'alloy ; 

ir  and  [luorer  in  quality,  in  the  southern.     Tliat  of  the  cow  only  is  in 

I  know  of  no  experiments  to  determine  the  difl'ereiu'e  in  the  comjio- 

i  "i  tli(i  milk  of  the  sontli  and  the  north.     The  butter  and  cheese  uf 

iM'ia'jrare  chiefly  importeil  from  the  latter,  or  fnun  other  parts  of  the 

l;l  States.     In  the  southern  zone,   milk   is  Hot   a   standing  article  o 

liut,  in  the    middle  and    northern,  great  ((uantitii's    are    consumed, 

t;i!ly  ia  the  country.     In  no  [)art  of  iho   Valley  is  milk   used   more 

p'ly  than  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,   where  it  enters  nmre  largely 

|t!ie  diet  of  men,  tlian  of  women  —  the  latter  consuming  more   ten- 


^■• 


I  ■ 


w&^ 


y'i 


V£-^t-'  •: 


'^mH    '-;, '  .i.'.t,A'.  ••, ■.■'■'— 
■■,!■  , '  »>■-••.,•   '    ■'.-.  '■    •  A  ••.'■       .     ,     .    ' 


5  »   '■.••*>■,•-•  ■-*'  •'  ■■■■  'i''-5;.-  ^  ■■ 

<  f    a  ■■•'■• "  ,    ."•■   ■■-       •'....■'..■.'■•-     •' 

•   t'  'S  '  '.'  1  ■■   ;<•■•  .  ".i-  '•  '  '■-■'■    "■''*■/  ■  •  ■ 

[:  -''fi  ''^^'T^v  ':ifv"^-V'  '^.T^■•■•  •  _■  ^i^'  \-" 

'-if   i-'^ '■■•'■"'!■.  ■'<■  :"-^f  •'.'.:.;>■-  ' 


i  .y. . 


r4r:l:.,fl 


.» '■■.  ' 


■  i,- 


t::1- .'. 


1^' 

■i  ".          ' 

A 

■Iff    S       ' 

'•'?'-  ■■'■  . 

•   ^        ■         . 

K..' 

S^''"'-'  lj'1-j'  >' 

-   -.  "r               •             J 

1'  'Mk^- 

-    1      .  "      ' 

a'tMMBg  ^^^ 

,■■            .'*■•. 

IM 

^i:A;"  '■*  •■! 

r558 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


LI"^'^!-.    I.. 


Now,  it  is  ill  these  states  tliat  the  cali-uljus  diatlie.si.*,  anioiu'  in;iV^ 
prevails  to  a  greater  extent  tlian  in  any  other  portions  of  tlio  Yallfv.  tj 
the  soutliern  zone,  ■\vberc  milk,  from  its  (hificivni-}-  and  irileriniitv.  \<  \  ij 
little  nsoJ,  caleuljus  dis^inlers  are  rare.  In  tho  northern  zone,  wIm  i-..  j^ij 
maniiracturo  of  butter  and  ehceso  for  exportatim  are  ohjocts  (<(  r  J 
oconnniy,  it  is  less  u>ed.  Is  it  not  possible  that,  iii  t1ie  states  just  i::  i- 
tioned.  the  phosphate  of  iime,  contained  in  tl;o  milk,  cuitrilnit cs  to  nr.  ■'  g 
tlie  phospliatic  diathesis?  The  eni'il  furnird  in  tho  stonv.ielis  of  dv<;  i.;!  4 
fViim  cxecss  of  acid,  is  often  oppressive  to  them. 

li'itlcr-viUk  is  decidedly  nr.tritiovis ;  and,  after  haviii;,'  licea  knt.  ii 
warm  v/cather,  until  it  heenmes  slightly  sour,  from  the  dovelnpnieiit  nf  !  j 
acid,  is  a  cooling  and  saluhfinii,-;  ilriiik,  wliidi  is  freidy  usi'd  in  s  aiie  iii.v:'  j 
of  tlio  country;  but  nut,  on  t'lO  whole,  to  the  extent,  referring  to  «;:ii::: 
health,  that  it  merits. 

U.     Tc!'.  CuKAM. — The  consv.m|itit)n  of  iec  cream  has  bien  illeroa^:;;.• 
tlio  ^'alley,  for  the  last  (piarter   of  a  centni'y  ;  previ'iusly  to  wliirli  its  \ 
was  quite  limited.      At  pn^^'Mit,  it  is  used,  in  summer,  in  all  enr  litli  •:.  :;■ 
th.o  Lakes  to  t!io   Gulf  of  Mexico;  ami  makes  an  iinp.'rtuHt  part  > .' ; 
luxuries    provided    by   tho    wetilthier    classes,    for    their    oveninir  jn 
thron-ilniut  the  vear.     I'^or  a  lona;  time,  manv  persons  rcu'arded  it  asdr 
ous  in  hut.  and  absurd  in  culd  weatlier;  but  these  prejudices  are  11  .v;  \ 
extinct.     T  have  not  had  occasion  to  observe  any  injnrinus  e'lects  IV 
that  might  not  be  traced  to  two  h.eads:  Jlr^',  swallowing  it  befcre  tl 
has  dissolved  in  the  mouth,  v>-Len  it  sometimes  raises  an  acute  paiii  i.i  t| 
pharynx,  and  .'••ives  a  sense  lif  coldness  and  sinking  in  tho  stumncli: 
eating  it  when  the  stoma -'lis  t  rjiid  and  ina'-'ive  frcm  dysjiepsin, 
individual  is  inclined,  at  t'lO  time,  to  sick  h.eade.che.     The  cmp'tsin'"!'. 
less  than  the  Ci/ldness,  e mtributcs  to  the  injiU'v  in  this  case.     I'liil 
other  circ;nTistane"S,  ice  cream  may  bo  regarded  as  eipially  sahihii'i> 
pleasant.     When  its  coldness  produces  bad  effect;!,  they  are  l)est  cnn 
by  a  diiTusIblo  sllinulant,  .'::uch  as  annu'jnia,  wine,  ardent  spirit,  or  ;i  - 
hot  tea  or  coilee. 

in.     ]j;moxadi;  is  ciiiefly  drunk  in  our  citie.^-.  and  on  steainbcaf?. 
cooling  properties  of  all  the   vegetable   acids,   is   an  cstaldishcd  f;ut: 
there  can  be  n  >   d  mbt  that  in  sunnuer   tliis  is  a  salubrious  d'.-iiilc.    I: 
however,  generally  made  too  ri'-h,  tliat  is,  into  a  pleasantly  acid  siiT;]i;  v. 
it    exerts   but   little    influence    in    ([uenching    thirst.     These   who,  i'l 
weather,   are  inclined   to   fever,   or  (>]ipre,ssiiin   of   the  brain,   derivo  . 
benefit  from  this  beverage,  when  properly  prepared.     It  is  only  tin-' 
labnr  under  mni-inflamniati'ry  dy«[»epsia,  witli  liability  te  attacks  •: 
headache,  that   are  injiu'cd  by  it.     The   fre-li   I'lnon,  aif-Tilin;;'  i-:!ri'  :ii 
.should  alwaj'S  be  xised  in  tlio  pi^'paration  nf  leiuonade,  as  tlic  Iciu 'ii  ■ 
so  called,  is  generally  acidulated  with  sulphuric  acid. 

IV.  Ti:.v  is  used  in  every  jiart  of  the  Valley,  but  m<irc  genenilh  ir 
north  tlian  the  S'u-.th.  (!rccn  tea  is  preferred  to  black,  tiinO'di  tlu'-: 
Increasing  use  of  the  latter.     It  is  c-imnmidy  drunk  \vilh  niillc  anl  ■ 


>■  r.ii  ii'o 

'Bik.pt 

'•^m-  -'l'-"'!^ 

I^K'  !:i  wli 

|*Hl    M,t;| 

^B'''  I'OSSC 

flt!:.' .< 

^■-■'"'Iraw 

■  ''     COF 

B  I'^'oii 

'^Hir.Ju.vo 

M.VT''' 

^V'l'.'l 

l'''"i> 

W'"'l.  too 

W'^  of  h„ 

^mi 


■f(\ 


^  TIIK 


[rook  I.. 


INTERIOR  V.M.LCY  OF  XOIITII  AMRRICA. 


669 


lions  of  tlie  X-Ah-x.  'a 
:-y  and  intVri»iity,  i<  !  it 
nortlu'vn  v.nw.  \\h  V"  •'■9 
ti m  avo  I'lijocts  i.f  v  \ 
t,  ill  tlio  stiUes  jusl  iir  1^ 
ilk,  (•ontrilHito.<  t:>  i'V"Vi':^ 
\o  stomuL-lis  of  '\v-^;:-i.i;' 

itM-   \vA\\v.[;  lioi'U  h'\\.  ia 
11  tlu;  (lovclnpnu'iit  oi  K''" 
■v(>cly  used  in  s'.iuo  ynTti. 
■^;tont,  rcllrriug  to  sv.iiiiu^ 

roam  Ims  li^on  iufvoar^i 
i>vovi'iiisl,v  tii  ■\vliii-li  ii:*  111 
imncr,  in  nil  ..nr  <;itirs,  ir. 
^  an  iniji.'Vt:r:;t  jKivt  ■ .'  ; 
f,,r    tlu'ii-    cvcniui;  y^vA 
:r«ons  rc^iinloA  it  as  (li;i::ol 
-so  projuili'M'S  are  n  .w  >  .;ir 
any  injnripus  oilVets  Iron 
swall  win-  it  bof.ive  tb/ 
raises  nn  a<n'.to  pin  i;i 
Iciiitr  ill  tlio  sti.nuiclr,  -  •" 
•  ivo'tVoin  dys[H^iiHi;i, ;-  ' 
laclie.     Tl'.e  .•■■mi.-ni  ■■, 
;;vv  in  tlii<  caso.     Vi^  '' 
,,,,{  a«  c'l'vUly  salul.vii  '>  ;i| 
IxvA.;  tlu'V  ;ivo  l)(^st  cun. 
lino,  :ir<k-nt  s^.ivit,  or  ;i  '-pj 

io.   an.l  on  .toainl)^'at^.    i 

i,   -n,  e>talAi^lH.a  ia-t;- 

lis  a  saluln-i-u^  'l-'"'^'    '' 

,  i,L.a<antlv  !i''l'l  sirH-:  v 

tliirst.     Tli^'se    wlio,  n 

^,j   „f   the   1)n'5"-   '^^''•'"-  • 

>|,aml.     It  is  only  ill-; 

1,  liabilitv   t>.  ntta.:l<s  >■. 

|l,   l.non,  i.I^V'i";;  '■'^''■: 
l,.mnv,a>le,  as  tlic  lem  ".i -I] 

he  ariil 

lUov,  iHitni.'VC-ononillyi.i 

,rtoMa.l<,  ti.un:rlitW":^| 
y  .Ivui'k  villi  luilli  ai 


'.■■(if  the  country  people  ii.se  ten  in  tlio  morning  as  vrcll  a.s  the  evening; 

•  rsiii  the  latter  only.     Ta  tlie  eities  and  larger  towns,  it  is  confnutl,  by 

: iiKiiority,  to  the  evening,  nr  third  meal.      All  the  v.ovId  kni.vs.  that  tliO 

■•;  as  kinds  of  greoii  tea  aro  stimulating,  but  do  ii"t  prudueo  either  iiitox- 

■; ,;i.  fovor,  or  inf!ammnti(m ;  tliat  their  influence  is  e.speeially  felt  in  the 

;■;;";!  fuiictions,  aiul  by  the  shin  ami  kidneys,  aocording,  in  rel'ereiiee  to 

;;,;■,',•,)  latter,  to    the  season   of  the  year  —  bi-ing  sndorilio    in  hot,  and 

:;ri.tie  in  C'old  weatlun*.     The  exeitii'g  eifects  of  black  tea  are  mr.i-h  less; 

iit  is.  therefore,  at  once,  less  iiijurioiis  to  health  and  less  n.sed.      1 1  is  eom- 

::ti?nv,  that  tea,  apart  from  the  milk  and  sugar  mingled  with  it,  ailV.rds 

mislinient ;  but  the  analysis  of  tinkler '■'•  shows  that  it  is  not  destitute 

irrrilive  principle.^,  as  it  eoiitaiiis  gmn  aiid   alhunien.  iu   addition   to   tho 

leHar  principle ///(■/;/.     Of  all  kno\Mi  stininli,  T   re.rard   tea  as  the   most 

:\;i!.i:i  reference  to  the  intellectual  functions  and  tlio  moral  feelini's.     Its 

.virias  effects   come  from  two  causes:  ,/'■■.■-■/,  the  excess  of  hot  watur  with 

lr:i-!;itis  prepared,  diluting  too  mnrli  th(!  solid  contents  of  the  sfniiiach; 

!,  ilniiking  it  too  strong.      Tii  the  \'alley,  these  almses,  esperialiv  tho 

r,  aro  far  from   being    uncommon.   os[iccially    ani.  iig    females.      Thus 

Iti-  1.  tea  produces  e,r  increases  dyspep^i.a,  acidity,  .^iek  hcadaelie,  morbid 

IrJ'ility.  hysterical    aifections,   and    muscular    tremors.     A   di^linguished 

'iT  lif  tlie   banks   of  the    Oliio,  was   aceustouied.   nia'ht   and   m"ruin!r, 

li::i.''i  ]i!i\  to  drink  froiu  eiglit  to  twidve  cnps  of  gi-ceii  tea.     He  atta.incd 

'.J  a^ro,  with  an  luiimjiaircd  intellect;   but   for  many  years  was  affected 

;:::trcaiors  of  the   mnsdes,  es|)ecially  of  the  arni.-<.      Ilis   death  was  from 

&T  of  the   lip.      Did   tlie   application  of  so  ni;:<-li  liot   beverage  to  his 

''.  liave  any  effect  iu  awakening  that  di^f^aseV 
KiHren  and  young- persons  should  drink  tlulr  tea  weak.  Tl;i>  aped  aro 
p.k'/pt  iVoiu  sl(K'ping,  by  tea  of  no  gn'ater  str'oii'rth  than  wliat  l!iey  had 
Si;i.''U.stoined  to  drink  for  many  years  liefore.  The  middle  part  of  life  is 
b" !;i  vdiieh  the  injurious  effects  of  strong  tea  are  least  jnn'ccptibh'. 
I  I'litaiii  the  exciting  [U'operties  of  tea,  it  is  neeessary  to  prejvire  it  in 
ve<-;els,  with  boiling  water,  and  to  drink  it  soon  after  the  water  is 
^""  '  I'll.  Tt  is  not  generally  uiMler.-tood,  that  tho  stinudatiiig  cpudity 
cliiL'fly  in  a  volatile  oil,  and  nut  iu  the  astringent  matter  which  by 
I-.'" ilrawing "  is  givtni  out. 

p.  CoFFi-a-;  —  of  whirh  that  from  Tlio  Janeiro  is  in  nn -^t  eomnion  nse  — 
'"'U  craduallv  banishiuLf  tea  from  our  breakfa;;t  tables,  and  is  now  in 
"1  use  at  that  meal;  in  many  families,  at  su[iper  als).     With  many  of 
'^^  iintry  people,  however,  who  aro   scarcely  ever  without   tea.  coffro  ia 
I'd  rather    as    an    occa.-ional    lu.\nry.      l>y    them,    and,    indfcil.   tho 
IJ'ify  of  our  people,  tho  preparation  of  ei'ffeo  is  not  will  uiulerstood.     Tt 
■'"11  badly  toasted,   kept    too    long    after    that    proci  '^.>;,   not    pi'operly 
^■■'':>i  tuo  much   Ijoiled.  and   then,  very  eoinmoidy  weal:encd  with   cold, 
'■^luf  boiled  milk  or  cream.     Tho  Creole  Fremdi,  from  Xew  Orleans  to 


■   'i 


I.    li' 


J.-  ■ 


■^  rureira  on  Foo.l  anil  Diet. 


t!  J-fn  ■»•$'■  -ii'''-' 

(■•  i-'-i.M^-'.r  i"  ■•■■  ■■' 
Infill ':!»•:"'■  ■■ 


f- 


;:^>H'%;'|'f  ^M  v^C  ;■:;•  '■■■ ' 
■Jt'A'm^vHl  ■:'■%■.  :./*:r'- ■■■■ 


I 


■  V; 


,■-•■. 


<  i    -.■  .''       ;     ■  ^   .        ■   ■  ;'*•   .»    /j.  ' 


Is'":'' 
lilt 


'.'f     • 


Af.  '' 


GGO 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nouK  I 


Qiioboe,  use  coiToo  to  tlic  exclusion  of  tea;  and  tlie  poorest  anions  t'ni* 
iinclerstund  how  to  prepare  it.  Tlii.s  knowledge  appears  to  Le,  with  .^nm..  J 
them,  a  test  of  eivilizutioii.  Thus,  an  Eno•li^^il  traveler,*  wlio  siMke  iie 
French  hui^'unfre,  in  pas.sins  through  the  State  of  Indiana,  callod  im  -.  ,ii| 
old  Cre(do  families,  at  Vincctnies,  settled  by  tlie  French  from  Caiiiula  ij 
lloo,  and,  in  the  course  of  hi.s  visit,  was  oilered  eofi'ee  by  an  old  luilv,  wiit 
in  speakijig  of  tlio  Americans,  said,  "Us  sont  si  Ix'ics  Us  nr  saminii  a* 
/(lire  le  ctift.''  Many  of  the  French  drink  eofi'ee  on  rising  in  the  iiinriiinf 
and,  also,  after  dimicr;  and  the  latter  is  done  by  a  few  Americans. 

The  composition  of  eofi'ee,  before  being  toasted,  h;is  a  resenihlancc  to  t!.a| 
of  tea,  whicli  never  could  have  been  suspected,  seeing  tliat  one  is  a  >uk 
and  the  otlier  a  leaf,  from  plants  gcnerirally  difi'erciit.  Caficin,  thij  ijccul 
principle,  is  identical  with  thein.  Coflfec  i.s,  per'  aps,  more  nutritimis,  ;i 
certaiidy  more  pernKinont  in  its  stimulating  '',\  :cts,  than  tea.  But  'A 
influences,  on  the  whole,  are  less  genial.  Taken  in  large  (piantitii>.  4 
once,  it  not  only  produces  morbid  vigilance,  but  afi'ects  the  brain,  »i  u-  to 
occasion  vertigo,  and  a  sort  of  altered  consciousness,  or  coiifusiuu  of  jila^ 
not  amounting  to  delirium ;  which  I  can  compare  to  notliing  so  well  ;;- ;!« 
feeling  when  one  is  lust  amid  familiar  objects,  which  look  strange,  aiiil  >  <% 
to  have  their  positions,  in  reference  to  the  points  of  the  conipa.^s,  cli;.:  .li 
I  liave  experienced  tliese  feelings  myself,  after  a  cu[i  of  cnjc  a  la  Fi-r/.^  /j^ 
early  in  tlie  morning,  in  New  0' leans;  and  the  late  I'rofessor  Diuwii, rfj 
Traosylvania  University,  infi)rmed  me  that,  when  traveling  in  >V 
Alabama,  ho  was  thr(»wn  into  the  same  condition,  which  la.sted  fur  iKan 
half  a  day,  by  drinking  a  large  qvxantity  of  strong  eofi'ee,  on  an  ciiip 
stomach,  in  the  morning.  lie  afterward  died  of  ajioplexy.  There  caiia 
be  a  doubt  tliat  sucli  coifee  produces,  on  the  brai,i  and  nervous  systuiii.! 
more  ileleterious  eft'ecfc  than  strong  tea.  Like  that  beverage,  it  cxfiteil 
mental  powers  and  moral  feelings.  Palpitations  of  the  heart,  ^\\il»■\ 
pain  and  tightness  about  the  bead,  muscular  tremors,  and  various  uurlj 
sensibilities,  follow  its  habitual  abuse;  and  continue  until  it  is  laid  asiik 
proves  fatal.  Its  diaplioretic  and  diuretic  eff'ects  are  less  than  those  if 
The  disorders  produced  by  tea  arc  more  common  in  women  than  nn  ".i  flj 
use  less  of  it;  but  tliose  from  colTee  are  found  equally  among  the  twu  nxJ 
the  greater  susceptibility  of  the  female  constitution  compensating  for  :i  iiij 
limited  use  of  tlie  beverage. 

There  is  mucli  reason  for  believing,  that  an  early  cup  of  eofi'ee,  in  sui:;a 
and  autumn,  is  protective  against  the  fevers  of  the  southern  part  ' 
Valley.  Certain  it  is,  that  the  French  population  arc  less  liahh;  t 
tlian  the  Anglo-American;  but  as  they  occupy  the  oldest-settled  p"ni( 
of  the  coimtry,  which,  cccleris  paribus,  arc  least  aft'ected,  allowance  mm 
made  for  that.  In  various  ])arts  of  the  Valley,  eofi'ee  is  heginiiii.'j 
supersede  ardent  spirits,  as  a  means  of  support  and  protection  under  l':ii:j 


Tit 

'Ofnr 

li'iidit 

::;ront 

[K-eiits, 

-it  are  i 

Is  t!iem 

It  preset 


*  Feathcrstoiihaugli's  Excursion. 


-/prions 
''■'T  from 
•■^%(lc 
'fe':->  iiiji 

i'i^-Hit  an 
ffiitiire  ot 
pvnrabl 
'"'•no, 
piporatur 
ms  nea 
FbJ; 


)•  V'H 


■111 


II  i 


F  THE 


[bo.'K  1 


tlic  poorest  amon2  tooj 
[i|)c:irs  to  1)u,  Nvilli  s;iiiui;  o| 
traveler,*  wlio  sjx.kc  ili^ 
if  Tnduuui,  calkil  dii  -  .ui 
3  Vrcnch  from  Canmla,  iif 
cutToo  1)}'  lui  old  Lidy,  wiiol' 
/>(7t's  ih  IIP  sari'i'f  ,at 
c  on  risking  in  tlie  iiMiruini 
a  few  Americans.  |- 

1,  lias  a  rescniljlauce  to  tlijj^^ 
sceiii"'  tluit  one  is  a  ^'tl^ 
jrcnt.     CaiTein,  tlie  iicculia|^ 
r'  ips,  more  mitriti ms.  ;in| 
.'fi  ;cts,  tlian  tea.     I'm  i|| 
.ken  in  lart^e  (inaiilltir^  li 
it  aflocts  tlic  lirain,  so  a.  to 
liqiess,  or  confiisiun  of  iil  ai, 
iro  to  nothing  so  well  ;;« ;be 
vliich  look  strange,  aiul  ^■ « 
.nts  of  tlic  compass,  tlia'.i.ei. 
■  a  cup  of  ciiji'  u  III  f''' '"  'Wi 
the  late  Professor  IJivwii.rfj 

XN'hen    traveling    in    N 
Ition,  wliieli  lasted  fur  nail 
strong  coffee,  on  an  ciiip 
(,f  npoidexy.     There  cann 
[braia   and  nervous  svsl.iii,j 
that  beverage,  it  exch^ 
ions  of  the  heart,  ^x^yf 
tremors,  and  vurinus  in  il 
intinuc  until  it  is  laid  asi.k-,| 
cts  arc  less  than  those  of 
fm.ni  in  women  than  men,  i 
equally  among  the  tvfo  kx| 
.utioii  compensating  fur  a  ml 

early  cup  of  coffee,  in  sui.ii 
Is  of  the  southern  part  ' 
Illation  arc  less  huhle  to  t  J 
Iny  the  oldest-settled  i.tuI 
last  affected,  allowance  um^i 
./alley,  coffee  is  hcgir.iui^-;] 
|rt  and  protection  uudor  l;uf 

scursion. 


JiST  HI.. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA 


GGl 


ii-](:roat  exposure  to  the  elements;  for  which  purpose,  all  who  have  made 
..;expei'i"'cnt,  regard  it  as  preferable. 

VI.    Chocolate  is  but  little  used  in  the  Valley,  since  the  departure  of 

•;Ni,;iilsh  populatioii  from  the  (lulf  coast.     It  is  justly  regarded  as  more 

l:;iritious,  and  less  stiuuilatlng,  than  tea  or  colfeo.     The  discovery  in  tlio 

Ijjrnels  of  the  cocoa  of  a  peculiar  principle,  thcobromin,  nearly  identical  in 

laipn.-ition  with  theia  and  caffein,  is  certainly  a  curious  fact,  and  seems  to 

r;jest  a  reason  why  these  three  articles,  above   all  others,  have   become 

•  jeral  among  mankind,  as  nutritious  and  pleasant  tabic  beverages.     The 

:;,.;i,ilatc  consumed  in  the  Valley  generally,  is  very  much  adulterated,  and 

I ;' an  inferior    quality.     Its    use    is    too    occasional  and  limited,  to  have 

|!r:iUi.'lit  forth    results    of    any    kind,    on    the    health    or    constitutions    of 

•.jviikib.     In  general  it  is  complained  of  as  promoting  drowsiness.     Its 

I;.;:/,  even   with    every    adulteration,   is    acceptable,   and,    therefore,   it    is 

:-:.erally  classed  with  our  luxuries. 


S  E  C  T  I  O  N    III. 

WATER. 

[    TiiiR-ST,  or  tlic  desire  for  water,  must  not  be  confounded   with  the 

i-o  fnr  *itimulants.     Its  final  cause  is  the  due  preservation  of  the  vtu  imc 

Liquidity  of  the  blood;  and  the  supply  of  a  solvent  and  a  vehicle,  for 

hiticrs  which  must  be  conveyed  out  of  the  system.     The  taste  and  effect  of 

ji'ront  kinds  of  water,  do[icnd  on  tlieir  temperature,  and  the  matters  whiih 

|l;v  bo  dissolved  or  suspended  in  them.     The  Valley  of  the  Mississippi 

|i:;-':nts,  in  regard  to   both  these  sources  of  variety,  m!arly  all   diversities 

pure  to  be  found  in  all  other  countries.     In  a  preceding  chapter  wo  have 

l>^!thcra^orth,  and  it  now  onlv  remains  to  consider  them  in  connection  with 

It.'  preservation    of    health,   and    the    production    of    disease.     The    first 

iKiim  is,  what  are  tlie  bad  ctTcets  of  water,  resulting  from  its  tcnipera- 

p.'   I  am  not  aware  that,  except  in  summer,  cold  water  produces  any 

isrious  effects.     In  the  northern   and  middle  zones,  where  the  drinhing 

|'j:rfroiii  springs  and  wells  varies,  in  temperature,  from  forty-five  degrees 

j'.sty  degrees,  Fahrenheit,  persons  when  heated  are,  at  midsummor,  sonic- 

Ifcs  injured,  and  even  killed  on   the   spot,   by  large   draughts  of  water. 

i-;-  iliiutly  happens  at  deep  wells,  when  great  quantities  are  suddenly  drunk 

pAout  any  stimulating  admixture.     In  the  southern  zone,  where  the  tein- 

ptiire  of  the   springs  varies  from  sixty  degrees  to  seventy  degrees,   this 

pvnrablc  effect  is  seldom   experienced.     The  majority  of  the  people  of 

p  ?.ir.e,  ospncially  those  wlio  reside  in  the  country,  drink  water  of  the 

moraturc  just  mentioned;  but,  in  New  Orleans,   Mobile,  and  the  smaller 

N<  near  the   Gulf  coast,   ice  has  become  a   regular  import  from  New 

■vWd;  and,  throughout  the  summer,  is  made  a  constant  addition   to  the 


•  ••  ■;-n&,^ 


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TiiM  I'lMNcnwr,  nisMASKs  or  Tiin 


[''•'J'lK  \A 


Watrr  (Iri.i;;!;  I)}'  iiiiilliliiili  s  ;it  lioiiii',  aiul  in  all  llio  Inttcls,  ami  dram  siuiis 
]Jy  t'lis  uiMiti'iM    till'  water,  wlii-li   imlividuals  diiuk  in  In.t  vautliiT,  i.^  (.;t. 
conK'il  (l.iwii   (')  li:'ty  (li'Lrrt'i'S,  a  tciiijiriatinx-  wliirli  iVcijiunllv  in'nvi  s  fatiiji 
tlic  liiirliur  latitiid'.'S.      i^till,  1  cnulil  not  loam  (liat  injury  it  ilcatli,  iVom  th.  < 
(mIiI  draughts,  is  el'  tVviiui'iit  ccciirn-iiee  in  tlio  luwiis  ol'  the  (Julf.     Im!., 
Dv.  I''rarii  assiiiv  d  iiic  that,  in  .M(diili',  tlio  inti'i'dnclicn  (if  ice  hail  uil  ! 
folhi\v>'d  liy  t'lai.  I'.Ti"  t.      If  tJiis   lio   a   lart,  it   ^-immhs  In   aniiiil  rf  hu* 
('.\lilaii;;t!nii,  whirh  i-,  that  wlitnx'    lhi\sc   euld  waters   arc   hcj.t  and  ilriM  !: 
houses,  eitlicr  private  nr  pulilii',  they  ari.;  (Minuiiunly  taken  with  ardnit  ,-•; 
or  wiiii'.  tho   stiauilus  id"  whii  h   curreels   (lie   cll'eets  id'  a  hiw  triniKi;,! 
whiL'.  ill  the  towns  so  Car  north  as  ti  allord  eold  ))nni[i  water,  il  i.s  ilna  1,    y 
lahorers  in  the  .-Ireet,  uiiniiiii.de(l  with  a  sliuiidaii!,  and,  thereiuro,  si  im,!!ii..'| 
proves  fatal. 

I  [irnceed  now  to  nidiec  tho  dlflVreiit  kinds  of  water  drnnk  aiul  v.-d; 
doiuestie  imrposes,  in  the  vur'nns  parts  of  the  ^'allcy,  be^iiining  with  tl 
of  rivers. 

IT.      IliVKii  ^VArl■.u — Til  most  id'  the   lai\irer  tnwiis  and   cities,  as  i'l:; 
buryli,    Detroit,   Ciininnati,  St.  Louis,  and   Mew  ( >rleaii,s,   the  jici  ]■!(:  ilrii; 
river  water.     Tt  stands  in  reservoirs  exposed  to  the  air  and  sun,  niilil  it  L 
deposited  a  part  of    the  earthy  matters  suspended  in  it;   hut,  in  fl... Ji 
when  the  ipiaiitity  is  i.';reat,  it  is  sometimes  di.-'lrihutcd  and  driiidc  \vi/;lr  i: 
yet  turbid.     JJesides  tho  matters  thus  suspci;iled,  hut  heavy  eiKU:.li  t" 
deposited,  there  arc  traci's  id'  muriate  id'  soda,  and  carbonate  and  .'uli':; 
of  lime,   in    solution;  and,   from    tlie  vast   amount    of  dead  vegetahks  .; 
animals   '..n  their  banks,  it  can   searec'y   be   doubted   that   thoy  ceiitai:i, 
suspension,    or   solufioii,   in*  Ijoth,   a   minute    (puintily  of   oriianic  ni;it; 
Still,  while  somo   constitutions   may  never  becomo  rceoiieiled  to  tliu  u- 
river  water,  1  am  in)t  in  pos-esslon  of  facts  to  show  that  it  produces  cr  ;iv 
any   serious  disease.      'J'ho  water   in   St,  Clair,   Detroit,   ^Niagara,  and 
Lawrence  llivers,  is  stiirtly  tliat  of  tlie  lakes,  and  approaches  nearer  tj 
character  of  rain  water  than  that  of  our  rivers.     Tho  water  of  the  311.- 
aud  lower   ^lississippi,  again  differs,   as  wo  have  seen,  from    that  it 
Upper  31issi,ssippi,  of  tlio  Ohio,  and  of  their  tributaries,  in  tho  great  an; 
of  suspended  materials.     iS'otwithstanding,  but  rather  in  consequuur-.  i 
universally  regarded  as  salubrious,  and  even,  by  many  jievsons,  alterative; 
medicinal;    especially  in  chronic  ailments   of   the   abdominal   viscera. 
produce  any  otreet.s  of  this  kind,  it  should,  no  doubt,  bo   drunk  iniiDCtli '. 
from  the  river,  and  before  it  has  undergone  clarilication  by  depo.siti.ii,  a 
any  aitiiicial  process. 

III.  \\'i:ll  anu  Si'iuxi.^  Watkk. — Tho  wells  and  springs  in  or.r -. 
stone  formations,  especially  tho  springs,  afford  a  tran.sparont  water,  v;h<- 
nearly  free  from  mineral  impregnatiim.  and  is  supposed,  on  that  aceuirt-MJ I nv  tei 
be  higiily  favorable  to  health.  As  these  districts  are  never  very  lu:Mf:vors  or 
their  population  is  not  dense,  and  1  have  not  been  able  to  collect  facts  i'Mflicd  by 
comparison  of  the  eflects  of  this  kind  of  water,  with  that  which  ceiitraBtonatc  o: 
greater  amount  of  foreign  ingredients.       What  has  been  said  on  tie ;.'  -^g'  iliu  se 


Mir 
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I  iliLi- 
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I  illl|i.''0i 

ui'iii ; 

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Juiiii; 
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rlonati 

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fi'jtablc. 

iisuf  t 

Sivv     'J 

liisivj  an 
fc^ii  ii  tl^ 

V  (if 

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vrtlic 
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iiErm.. 


INTERIOR  VAIJJIY  OF  NORTH  AIMKRICA. 


GGo 


liuti'ls,  aiiil  tlvam  slidiisj 
ik  ill  li<'t  wiiitlior,  is  'It- 

lVt'4Urnll_y  pvnvi,-  fat  i! 
injury  uv  iloiilli,  iVtmi  I'h. 
AMIS  of  tlio  (luU".     lr,-l"l,^ 
(•tioi\  ul'  iit'  l.iiil  lu'l  1    II 
LHMllS   li>    utlinit.  I't'  lilt   '  '.'flij 
M-s  ;iri'  l.i'i't,  iiml  drunk  iif 
ily  taUoii  with  iivdriit  sjiril 
cts  of  a  low  t('miuvaluvo| 
piuiii)  \YatLT,  il  is  ilvniik  lii 
,1,  ami,  tliorri'uro,  ^oiii;tlii:o| 

f  Avati'V  (liunk  uuJ  v,-"lt'') 
A'alk-y,  bouiiiuiiig  will'  il^ 

tuwu.s  a\i(l  ••ili^'J'-  :'^  ^''''] 
V   Orloaiis,   tliv  lieij^k:  'l'-'. 
,  i\w  air  ami  ;Min,  luiiil  It  1 
.nika  in  it;   I'lit,  in  i'.-'^lj 
vil.utca  and  .Ivvuik  \sUV'  i'^ 
l,.a.  l.nL  lu'iivy  fiiuigli  t^^  ' 
:n,(l  cai-ljouatu  and  ^w^M 
|,u„t   (d'  dead  vi-g^lidiks  •■^ 
Hl,tcd   tluit   iliey  contar.i. 
Huaiitity   oi'   ^^vganli-  niutte 
,,l„e   vocimrUcd  to   tliO  U^: 
i.Avtliatit  I'VoduecsiTav; 

r,   DetiHiit,   Niagara,  a;ul 

and  apyrnaclics  I'.cavu't".! 

Thc'wator  d  ll't'  >'i'^-  i 

.tiYC  bccn,  from   tliat  a  '-j 

nitavios,  in  the  gvout  m_ 

rather  in  oi)nso(iut"^.;f,  I'l 

,y  niany  iicvsous,  alterativeaj 

■  ilio'  abdominal  vis'-cra. 

doubt,  bo   drunk  iu.mcai 
.viru'atiou  by  di'lM.siti.ii.^rl 

•ellrf  and  springs  in  our-^ 
a  trauBparcnt  Nvator,  w1:k:^ 
Hipvosod,  on  that  accotv.-j 

,cricts  arc  never  very  1^>'' 
H..,u  abk  to  collect  l;K't=;' 

or.  xvith  that  Avhiai  crt^^ 

at  lias  been  t^aid  ou  the  p- 


•  tlic  Valley,  will  hhow  wlierc  the  |.riiiei|ial  .saiid^-tmie  traets  are  (uIk;  iiuiiHi. 

|i!;!iMiigli  the  rocks   dl'  this   fiiniialiiiii    alhird  ii  jiure   water,   the   ei.al   and 

i.j!ii:iiiiu.s  shales,  so  often  iif-socialed  \\ith  tlieiii,  imL  nnfreijuenlh  impart  an 

jijirogiiatiiin  of  sulphate  of  liuie,  iron,  or  aluniin  and   pnla.-h  (uhiin),  giving 

i;..!!!  a  !<ligl:t  mineral  taste,  oee;!:-ii.iially  modiiied,  wlien  no   iron    i>  pnsenl, 

;  .iillilau'etted  hydro;j;en  i;'as.     This  kii;d  of  water  is  nnaecepfaldu   to   the 

;i;;i.  and  not  usv;il  when  olhiM's   can  he  obtained.      It  has  b.'en  eonjeitnred 

|;';it  tliu  use  of  this  water  produces  goitre;  and  some  of  the  localities  of 

m;  i]i.<i;ase  seem  to  favo'.  tlie  liypothcfis :    liiit  T  shall   reserve  llie  (juestion 

Li;]  wc  ciiino  to  iii([nire  into  the  origin  of  tliat  niahidy. 

la  tlie   great   linieslone  tract,    wl.icli    extends,   with   i\'\y    interrnpfions, 

:  11  Montreal  and  the  southern    jiart  ol'  .Miciii_;^an  to  tlie   northern   juirt  of 

ksliaiiia, including,  (»f  oourse,  the  eastern  half  of  Indiana,  the  western  ]iartof 

r;  I,  llie  central  section  of  Kentucky,  and  middle  Tennessee,   tlie  watered' 

.;iu]iriiigs  and  wells  is  k/irJ ;    that  is,  abound-  In  salts  of  lime,  ehldly  the 

■•:;,ite.     its   (pialitics,  jiowever,  ar(!   not   the  s;ime  throuLchout   the  whole 

,:  •: '111;  fornnition.     J>etwceu   the   Ohio  lliver  a!:d  the   lake   there  are,  as 

ItvLave  seen,  extensive  deposits  of  diluvinm  on   the   surface   of  the   rocks, 

Ll  liio  f^prings  and  wdls  whieli  ai'O  fomnl    in  it,  allbrd  water  less  pure  and 

liii'uiljlo.     The  same  is  true  of  that  obtained  by  sinking  wills  in  the  bi.ltini- 

|ii:;>i,it' the  river&,  or  by  resorting  to  springs    which  burst  out   frnni  their 

|:ij>.    The  best  kind  of  hard  water  is  that  of  springs  which  issue  IVoni  the 

|k;\suiid  scams  of  limesfone  rscks,  or  is  drawn  from  wells  siiiJv  in  them. 

lia is  tlic  water  drunk  by  the  people  of  the  mcst  populous  parts  of  the 

].y  of  the   Ohio  .River  ami   its  tributaries.      Their  ample   development 

kl  LiiiiiTul  good  he:;li.h  demonstrate,    that    it   is   a    saluiirious    beverage. 

BiTertlieless,   there    i.>    much   dyspepsia   within    the   specihed    region,   and 

il:duus  allections  appear  to  iirevail   more  than  elsewhere      On  the  other 

y,  giiitro  occurs  niueli  less  fre(|ueiitly  than  in  sandstcuic,  slate,  and  coal 

krictN 

I  la  the  cretaceous  and  tertiary  formations  of  the  south,  much  of  the  water 
[iffipiii'o  —  some  of  it  excellent.  In  all  eases  wdien  it  percolates  through 
pi  miiy,  it  is  soft,  and  varies  but  little  from  rainwater.  Mobile  and 
pacula  are  supplied  by  springs  of  this  quality.  ]''urther  in  the  interior, 
p.' argillaceous  formations  prevail,  and  a  decomposalde  or  rotten  limestone, 
teeenus  or  tertiary,  is  found,  the  water  is  oilensivo  to  the  taste,  and 
pltd  by  the  people  as  insalubrious.  Here  it  is,  that  wo  find  artesian 
V  and  cisterns  of  rain  water.  The  latter  arc  beeonung  numerous,  nnd 
f.nter  is  preferred  to  any  other  within  the  reach  of  the  inhabitants. 
Ktijtcrns  are  as  deep  as  shallow  wells,  and  closely  covered.  They  are 
t'ltVijin  the  cold  rains  of  winter,  and  the  water  jireserves  what  is  regarded 
h iff  temperature  throughout  the  summer.  This  water,  purer  than  that 
('■vers  or  sandstone  formation.s,  constitutes  the  ojiposito  extreme  from  that 
|'!&d  by  the  slate  and  limestone  region."?.  b'till,  it  contains  traces  of 
■luite  of  lime  and  muriate  of  soda,  the  latter  of  which  is  more  abundant 
¥  tile  sea.     It  also  contains  carbonate  of  ammonia,  carbonic  acid,  and 


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■    V«r '-'T  •  *i-  i-  1  r«-  ■     •••■  '     ■  ■  •■'■■  - 
;l'ifn^^ >'■■'■: ■{'i^\->  ■■■■:  :•-;■  ,; 


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GGJt 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nrH'K  u 


atmospliorio  air,  with  excess  of  oxygon.  "Wliilc  in  tlio  cistern,  it  iimluU 
augments  the  quantity  of  its  curbuiiie  acid  liy  absorption  —  that  gas,  trjm 
its  wciglit,  sinking  into  (loop  [thiccH. 

IV.    The  quantity  of  water  drunk  by  us  varies  much  more  tliim  thi 
quantity  of  fixid  wliicli  wo  take.     If  not  tlio  solvent  of  our  fnnj,  it  js  imi  ^. 
pensablo  to  the  dilutiitn  of  it  into  chyle,  and  to  the  constitutinu  of  the  !,!    J 
of  wliioh  it  makes  about  seven  hundred  and  eighty-three  parts  in  a  tlioMv,  ,!• 
it  is  also  a  constituent  of  all  the  solids  of  the  bi)dy,  and  makes  a  jariie  m' 
portion  of  all  the  sceretinns  and  excretions.     Thus  it  is  incessantly  recuiv 
into  the  stoinaeli,  whence  a  portion  of  it,  mingled  with  the  chynm,  j,;,.. 
the  pylorus,  while  a  lar:^er  part,  a1)sorbod  by  the  gastric  veins,  makes  i 
way   directly   into   the  circulation;  to  permeate  the  system  and  p;is>  oi 
through  the  organs  and  surfaces  of  excretion.     Thus  the  living  body  prcsenl 
a  ceaseless  circulation  of  water,  as  necessary  to   the  manifestation  nf  i 
phenomena  of  life,  as  the  circulation  of  the  same  fluid  through  tlio  at:ii 
phere,  and  on  the  surface  of  the  earth,  is  to  the  support  of  organized  nat 
generally. 

Sevi'ral  circumstances  or  conditions  influence  the  quantity  of  water  wlij 
we  take  at  different  times. 

First.     In  proportion  as  it  is  discharged  more  copiously  through  tlic  ski 
tliirst  is  increased,  and  we  drink  more  freely.     Thus  the  heat  of  suninnr. 
augmenting  pers[iiratiou,  causes  driidiing ;  which  is  greater  in  the  suutln 
than  in  the  nortliorn  part  of  theA''allcy;   in  summer  tlian  in  winter:  i 
dry  than  a  humid  atmosphere,  as  the  latter  retards  exhalation  fn  ni  the  -ki 

Siconi.     Exercise,  by  increasing  perspiration,   and  still  more  l)y  aii| 
menting  exhalation  from  the  lungs,  leads  us  to  a  more  liberal  use  of  water, 

Third.     A  liberal  use  of  salt,  such  as  a  diet    of  animal  food  rcr(ni 
excites  thirst,  and  prompts  us  to  drink  more  freely  ;  the  salutary  cfi'nt 
which  is,  to  dilute  the  solution  of  muriate  of  soda,  before  it  enters  the 
of  which  it  is  a  constituent.     Animal  food,  moreover,  containing  hut  lil 
moisture,  requires  for  its  solution  a  good  supjdy  (jf  water ;  and,  rcijuiii 
it,  promotes  thirst. 

Fourth.     On  the  otlicr  hand,  a  vegetable  diet,  embracing  but  littl 
and    much   water,    diminiohes   thirst,    because   drinking  is    coniparativ 
unnecessary. 

Fifth.      Several    medicines,  by   increasing    secretion,   render  drinki 
necessary,  and  prompt  to  it  by  augmenting  thirst.     Thus  saline  liyJri'i' 
cathartics,   diuretics,  and  diaphoretics,  promote  drinking.     One  reason  »i 
a  large  dose  of  opium  produces  the  same  cfl'cct,  is  the  increase  of  iiiscnsil 
perspiration  which  it  occasitms. 

Si.rlh.     Several  morbid  states  of   the  body  promote  thirst,  f  )r  rca>i 
which  arc  quite  obvious. 

1.  In  diabetes,  when  the  secretion  from  the  kidneys  is  profuse,  tlicthi 
is  great.  B' 

2.  In  diarrhea,  which  tends  to  drain  the  blood  vessels,  the  same  dcsirW  "■™  ^oi 


generated. 


t  witliou 
43 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OK  NORTH  A:\IERICA. 


fl 


•■ri,: 


.  tl\c  ([uautity  of  Avater  wl: 


;l  In  ilropsy,  when  incessant  secretion  in  the  celhilar  texture  is  ;  • 
[■jr,  i<  niucli  tliirst. 

I  III  (ly.«itO]i!sia,  oonnectcd  with  acidity,  tliirst  is  generated,  that  the  iicid 
..niiiili'i'go  dilution. 

;,  In  fevers,  the  heat  increases  thirst,  and  l)y  jironipting  to  copious 
k;;alitg,  wliicli  circuhitc  freely  throughout  the  system,  the  tcnipcriiture  and 
likilo  excitement  arc  luwered.  If  ice  bo  taken  into  the  stomach,  under 
lircinnstunces,  it  will  not  hriii<r  down  the  heat  of  the  hody  like  ;i  great 
Iruntity  of  water,  although  twenty  or  thirty  degrees  above  the  freezing 
\yx  1)Ccauso  the  volume  of  the  former  is  small,  while  that  of  the  hitter  is 

re,  and  is  carried  to  every  part  of  the  budy.  Should  an  individuiil  be 
Lis-iail  with  fever  under  eircnnistiinees  which  precluded  medical  ussistnnec, 
IxD.i.'lit  save  his  life  by  taking  incessant  draughts  of  water ;  which  should 
li !.  Iwwcver,  bo  so  cold  as  to  chill  the  stomach,  and  make  it  necessary  to 
lii'tlic  quantity.  Tlie  teniporaturo  most  favorable  to  these  salutary  efVects, 
|j;:!ii>isty  to  seventy  degrees  of  Fahrenheit. 

Ilo  various  kinds  of  water  v,-hich  I  have  enumerated,  have  their  resj)eetivo 
liv;;  but,  as  that  lii{uid,  when  absolutely  pure,  is  tasteless,  it  follows 
]:;:  I'.ic  particular  sapor  of  each  kind,  is  derived  from  the  matters 
|i;J.i  it  holds  in  solution  or  suspension.  Those  who  have  been  long 
liswtunKMl  to  one  kind  of  water,  cease  to  noti(;c  anything  except  its  teniper- 
\y.  but  immediately  recognize  a  dilferent  kind,  when  it  is  taken  into  the 

(Sill,    In  general,  the  new  kind  is  unpleasant.     As  this  is  reci])rocal  with 

(rs  inlividuals,  who  exchange  the  kinds  to  which  they  have    been  accus- 

►e1.  it  only  proves  that  in  drinking  we  prefer  the  water  which  imparts  no 


!)■ 


*.: 


.1- 


diet,  embracing  but  httk' 
sc   drinking  is    compantivl 

2;    secretion,   render  ilm^ 
liirst.     Thus  saline  hyi-h-g^' 
,tc  drinking.     Oncvoasou^ 
2t,  is  the  increase  of  i"Sfn--ir 

,dy  promote  thirst,  for  rca=i 
kidneys  is  profuse,  the  t'aj 

lood  vessels,  tho  same  dosirj 


iWi  is  paid  by  the   people,  on  the  eomj)arative    salubrity  of  difl'erent 

fe'l>  of  water.     In  this  dispute,  tlie  fact  should  not  bo  overlooked,  that 

a:iv  every  sidjstance  dissolved  in   the  water  diunk  in  any  2)art  of   the 

liiisv.  is  a  constituent  of  healthy  Idood,  or  of  the  solids  formed  out  of  that 

i:    Thus,  he  who  drinks  hard  water  from   wells,  or  from  springs  which 

■lit  in  limestone  formations,  takes  in  scarcely  anything  that  dues  not 

!ii' a  component  part  of  his  food,  and  that  is  not  a  necessary  clement  of 

Hod,    Now  it  can  scarcely  be  admitted,  that  such  substances  can  be 

p:  us  to  health;  or  that  it  can  nnike  any  difference  whether  tliey  arc 

pill  into  our  .systems  with  our  food,  or  our  drink.     A\'hen  any  (jne  of 

rv  iiiLTctlicnts.  as  iron,  .sulphur,  or  common  salt,  from  existing  in  large 

i'*;ti's,  imparts  its  peculiar  taste,  the  water  thus  impregnated  is  called 

pal.  and  is  not  much  drunk,  exce[)t  fur  the  cure  of  diseases.     Xever- 

p>s,  it  is  possible,  that  water  nut  thus  rendered  re[mlsive,  may  sometimes 

jt3i  vcliielo  in  which   certain  substances,  necessary  to  the  constitution  of 

i''!MnJ,  nmy  be  introduced  in  such  (|uantities  as   to  prove    injurious; 

iriiing  which  I  shall  have  occasion  to  inquire  when  treating  of  our 
P>'*.    Meanwhile,  this  is  the  place  to  remark,  that  when   an  individual 

itii  long  accustomed  to  one  kind  uf  water,  a  change  to  another  is  not 

I-  without  temporary  inconvenience.     The  conserpienco  sometimes  is,  a 

•10 


1i  .n 


.•■::^i^::^- 


•  ■;  ■  x'/-": 


«,  ••■ 


J  ■  ;  'h  •».  '•.'  .s"  4r  :.■•  .■.    ;\  ■••  , ;  ■   - 


Win-:----  ■;■■.■  "^'V^' 

'l^fS' 'i'ft"    •->■•'  '4  ■■■■■  ' 

Wi;  ■■.'  ■  Vt-'-       ;,■.■■!'' 


CGG 


THE  rRINCIPAL  DISK  ASKS  OV  TUE 


[hook  I.'] 


dcraiijjcd  state  of  digestion ;  but  moro  cninmoiily  diarrlica  or  costivcnc-, 
gc'iicially  tlic  former.     This,  liowever,  prove.s  iiotliing  illative  to  tlic  absoluti 
Balulirity  of  diircreiit  waters;   as  llie  opposite  eliaiige,  ))y  another  iiidiviihcd'^ 
may  lie  foHowed  iiy  oD'ccts  ('(pially  unp'  'isaiit. 

V.  It  eaunot  be  douljtud,  that  wai,  ■  -ionietinies  holds  in  siispensiuti  nr 
solution,  matters  positively  injurious  to  -alth;  but  these  an'  special  and 
limited  eases.  Thus,  when  it  has  percolated  from  marshes,  it  niay  |.|,r|.. 
witii  it  malaria,  dead  organic  matter,  or  animalcules,  which  may  or  niav  i.jk 
bo  injurious  to  health.  An  instaneo  of  the  last  was  mentioned  in  >p(;ikiii 
of  tlio  medieal  topograjjhy  of  Jaekson,  in  the  State  of  Mississippi.^^  .\ii 
wells,  sunk  in  alluvial  grounds,  whiuh  abound  in  decaying  vegetable  renuiin 
may  art'ord  water  impregnated  with  insalubrious  matters.  Finallv  a 
eireulates  through  the  earth,  water  may  dissolve  arsenic,  or  some  of  tlii 
Baits  of  lead,  copper,  or  barytes  ;  and  thus,  without  diselosing  its  pns' 
by  a  characteristic  taste,  act  as  a  slow  poison.  T  am  not  aware,  Imwi  voii 
that  any  part  of  the  Valley  has  yet  presented  a  case  of  tliis  kind.  It  ]■■:% 
curious  and  interesting  fact,  that  \ve  so  seldom  find  these  and  other  pi)iMii,,ij| 
minerals,  dissolved  in  the  water  of  springs  and  wells,  whih;  earhonati;  ai; 
sulphate  of  lime,  sulphate  of  magnesia,  nuiriato  of  soda,  oxide  of  iron,  a 
suljihur,  all  constituents  of  the  blood,  and  all  liarndess,  so  far,  at  kast, 
any  immediate  eiTeet  is  concerned,  are  connnon  ;  and  often  exist,  in  pt'mii 
ible  rpiantities,  in  water  used  for  culinary  piurposcs. 

IMany  springs  and  wells,  containing  a  slight  impregnation  of  .sulplmivt 
hydrogen  gas,  are  used  for  drinking  and  culinary  [uirposes.     I  am  not  awiri 
that   they  exert  any  deleterious  influence.     Saline  water,  strongly  imi'i' 
nated  witli  the  same  gas,  is  sent  in   large  (quantities,  from  the  IMue  Li'ks  S||| 
Kentucky,  to  tlie  States  of  the  south-west,  where  it  is  drunk  freely  in  thl'i 
morning;  and  it  seems  to  bo  a  .salutary  beverage. 

y.I.     AVater  that  Hows  through  leaden  pipes,  in  which  it  often  staii 
a  time,  or  is  kept  in  cisterns  lined  or  covered  with  lead,  is  liaUc  to  a 
a  poisonous  (juality.     This  will  not  ha[)pen,  if  it  be  free  from  air,  !e 
atmos[»hero  be  excluded  ;    but   such   cases    do   not  occur  in  the  c^ 
operations  of   families   and  communities.     "When  it  contains  air,  wliirh 
always  the  case  uidess  it  be  driven  oft"  by  art,  the  metal  will  become  curr 
and  a  portion,  in  the  form  of  a  salt,  will  be  dissolved  in  the  water.    Xi 
this  occurs,  most  certainly,  where  the  water  is  very  pure,  thai  is,  free  fn 
all  saline  substances;   such  as  that  which  falls  in  the  form  of  rain  or  ?; 
or  issues  frciUi  strata  of  sand  which   have  no  others  above  tluia.    ^^ 
saline   substances,  such   as  muriate  of  soda  (common  salt),  or  suljiliatc 
lime   (gypsum),  are   present,  the   empoisoning  of  the   water  is  prevoi;ti 
They  promote  the  formation  of  an  insoluble  and   impermeable  film  of  v 
lead  (carbonate),  on  the  surface  of  the  pipe  or  cistern,  and  tlie  water  rem; 
pure.     These  salts  are  present  in  all  our  river  and  well  water,  and  in  all 
flpring  water,  except  that  from  beds  of  sand  supplied  by  raii'S.     Hence  till 


•iiT  n, 


:;  fi  ff 
■;;:it 

•  MOt 

.■.rr  n 
:  lift: 

..,,'.  tl 

:3i)litii 
hj::i,  (1 
.vlead 
;.;  nk' 
■■"  Iron 
;i  ami 
i:<  s'|i( 
nmltii 


VI 


fll 


•  See  pago  201. 


o 

'■  >omnti„ 


•■'ifistison 


'%\ 


THH 


[hook  1. 


■,»TI1I.] 


INTERIOR   VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


667 


ivrlu'ii  or  cohtivciif.'S 
vt'lativc  to  \\w  uIjsdIuIi 
!,  l)y  another  individual, : 

;  lidlds  ill  suspcnsi'iti  mt 
it  tliL'sc  iiro  special  iiiid 
1  iiiav-^lics.  it  iniiy  ciary 

s,  \\\\'k\\  i"!'y  "''  '"''.''  '  '* 
IS  iiKMitioiifd  in  >i»  aVi  5 
to  of  MisMs>i|iiii;'     Ad 
I'iiying  vcgct;iVdc  rcuw;  % 
iiiattors.      I'inaily,  :i-  i| 
i   :irsenic,  ov  some  nf  th| 
,ut  discdo/mg  its  |)Vi  ^  !io| 
[  uin  n<it  uwavi',  linw.v.f, 
?aso  id'  this  hind.     1'  ;  I 
[  ihcst!  and  dthi'V  pni~  :  =11 
wcdls,  whili!  cavhonat.  ,::id 
„f  KO(hi,  oxido  of  ir"i   :iu4 
midoHS,  so  far,  at  h  ■'  al 
uid  (d'ton  exist,  in  v^ix.  ;,t. 

mi-vct^natiou  of  sulphuivte 
,,ur  poses.     Tamiiotavrar 
„c  N\-ater.  .strongly  m^' 
ics,  from  thu  r.luo  Li'l;> 
■re  it  is  dvunli  freely  in  tlj 

'i„  which  it  often  ^t:ina-f^ 
I  lead,  is  li"hlc  to  anni;' 

t  Ijc  free  from  air,  a'.!  tl 
not   ocrnv  in  tlio   cmnni 

,,1  it  contains  air,  ^vll 
metal  will hccmiecurrHkl 

.solved  in  the  water.  >f 
verv  i.vu-e,  thai  is,  free  tr 
in  the  form  of  rain  or  ^1 
,^tlicrs  ahovo  them.  \\l 
>nimou  salt),  or  sulrluitc 
„f  tlio  water  is  l'vcv.'>t( 

a   i,npermeal)1c  film  "'  '' 
i.tcrn,  and  the  water  ronn 

and  well  water,  ami  n,  a 
.plied  hy  rail  s.    H'-^"^^'''' 


rfittle  danger  from  the  use  of  pipes  and  ••isterns  of  lead,  oxcojtt  in  cnniicc- 

;;!iwith  rain  water,  or  spring  water,  flowing  from  roeks  or  depositH  of  sand. 

",;;it  has  been  ascertained,  that  the  presence  of  carlionic  acid  in  water, 

•  V,  ,ti'.s  the  fniinatioii  of  so  great  a  i|uantity  of  carhonato  of  load,  that  tlio 

-;rr  niav  heeomc  j)oi9oiioiis      'I'his  will  chiofly  h(!  found  in  wells  that  are 

,•  little  rf'sorted  to,  and  in  cisterns.     Tn  tlio  fnrnier  case,  the  snlphato  of 

the  nniriatc  of    soda,  and  otlicr  salts,  arc  generally   in   such  great 

jDtitics,  that  the  danger  is  small;   l.ut  in  cisterns  filled,  as  i.s  done   in   ihc 

,  ,'1.  (luring  winter,  for  use   the  ensidng  summer,    tin?   danger,  if  there   ho 

liu  J  connect  ted  with  their  lining  or  covering,  or  with  the  jiump  l»y  whidi 

water  is  drawn  up,  may  bo  considerable;  for,  as  this  water  Is  ahnost 

I  •   from  saline  substances,  and  contains   atmospherie  air,  (>ntanglcd  in  its 

..:,  ami  carbonic  acid  gas,  absorbed  afterward,  all  the  conditions  favoruldc 

speedy  action  on  lead  are  present.     As  the  the  planters  of  the  south 

I,:  Kiultiplying  their  cisterns,  thes'^,  facts  ought  to  be  univer-ally  IcnoAvn.''- 

VII,    I  have  already  stated,  that  the  water  collected  during  tlic  winter, 

!':'.i>e  eistern.s,  is  preferred  to  that  wdiich  falls  in  summer,  because  the  pco- 

<;iv  it  is  co(der;i'  but  T  do  nut  km)wthat  this  alledged  lower  temperature 

...fait,     In   tho  latitude  of  thirty-one   degrees  Ufty-two  nunutes,  T  fcjund 

;;;l',i'at  of  one  of  them,   in  the  month  of  June,   seventy  degrees  of  Fahr- 

i .  it.  and  the  rains  of  that  season  could  scarcely  be  warmer.     It  seems 

•  iiUo,  that  tho  true  but  unrecognized  reason  is,  that  the  water  which  hiis 

I. i.";'l  ill  the  cistern   for  several  months,  has   absorbed  carlxmic  acid  I'as, 

Ir.ltlms  become  lighter  and  fresher  to  the  taste.     The  more  air  a  water  con- 

If,:. all  other  circumstances  being  equal,  the  more  acecj)table  it  will  prove 

•:it)  the  palate  and  the  stomach.     Thus  the  boiled  water  which,  in  limc- 

|;r'' regions,  some  persons  drink,  is  never  pleasant,  as  the  atmospheric   air 

:  itlie  carbonic  acid  are  driven  off.     The  lime,  held  in  solution  by  the  latter 

:ij"iMtC(l:  but,  althf)Ugh  the  water  is  rendered  flat  to  the   tast",  it  does 

iil'oome  entirely  soft,  as  the  muriate  of  soda  and  sulphate  of  lime  remain 

;=  lilt  ion. 

VIII.    Artificial  mineral  waters,  made  by  forcing  carbonic  acid  gas  into 
h'j.'  or  river  water,  to  which  a  small   (piaiitity  of  carbonate  of  soda  had 
lajiroviously  added,  are  consumed  abundantly,  in  all  our  towns  and  cities. 
r  .  are  always   drunk  at  a  lower  tenijieraturu  than  our  spring  or  well 
I'&r,    These  beverages,  unquestionably  saluljrious,  may  offeml  the  stomach : 
I'''. hy  being  too  cold;  Sccontl,  by  distension  of  the  organ,  Mdien  no  por- 
f  the  carbonic  acid  is  thrown  up  by  eructation ;    77(^/7/,  by  the  sirups 
|'-''^!i  are  commonly  added   to  render  their  taste  more  agreeable.      Bad 
pyjuences  from  these  waters,  are  most  likely  to  fall  on  those  who  labor 
I-'-  r  that  form  of  dyspepsia,  which  is  unaccompanied  with  inflammation, 
f!!)  them  only.     Such  persons  should  take  them  not  very  cold,  using  a 
dilating  sirup,  and  an  excess  of  soda. 


>omo 


otimes  happens,  in  summer,  that  drinking  the  largest  quantities  of 


111 ,. 


IL    •■. 


M 


l^aristison  on  Poisons,  Chapter  17. 


t  Page  206. 


-   k 


■wj;  I  -I.''   !•■•■'        i        ''     .      ^■■.    ■  ;  ;  -  *. 


:  i-^^-.i 


668 


THE  PRIXCIPAL  DIPHASES  OF  THE 


(nooK  I. 


cold  wnt<r  will  not  nllay,  )iut  rather  incri'iisc  thirst.     I'lulcr  sudi  (lr(  uni- 
.stances,  whisky  or  lirandy  will  jufivc  relief;  but  tea  or  cofTco  is  iircfiTalli'-,] 
the    hfiit   almost   instantly   removing,'   a  sinsatioii   wliicli  eulj  scotiial  to! 


augment. 


SECTION  IV. 

ALCOHOLIC    nEVI.RAfiKP.  f 

T.  ]MouNiNa  I1itti:k3  and  Mint  Juleps.  —  From  the  first  .^ottlemcut  of 
the  Valley,  until  within  lil'teen  or  twenty  years,  tlie.«o  potations  were  alim  .i| 
universal.  They  were  generally  coni|io.se(l  of  wlii.slcy,  and  were  virv  e jin. 
inonly  druidc  by  all  the  nienil)i;rs  of  the  family,  old  and  young,  nialij  ;;ii4 
female.  The  custom,  originating  cast  of  the  mountains,  and  sustained  Lj 
habit,  and  the  love  of  stimulation,  was  justified  by  its  alledged  ailvanta"es  al 
a  preventive  of  autumnal  fever.  Although  not  yet  entirely  broken  ii[i.  i|{ 
has  been  diseontiiiued  by  a  large  majority  of  its  advocates:  and  iiuitli 
autumnal  fever  nor  any  other  disease,  lias  increased  in  eonseiiuonre  of  tb^ 
reform.  In  any  and  all  cases,  wlicre  a  morning  stinudiis  is  necossarv  tt 
fortify  tbe  stomach  against  external  iiitiucnces,  it  cannot  bo  doubted,  thatt 
small  eup  of  strong,  hot  eoflue  is  altogether  preferable. 

n.  (I uod.  —  The  praetieo  of  drinking  whisky  or  brandy  and  water,  1  i'  r» 
or  inunediately  after  dinner,  was  once  general.  The  whisky  or  lirandy  l^  [:'.i, 
especially  the  former,  was  as  regularly  transferred  from  the  sidelioard  t  t!n 
dinner  tabic,  as  the  vinegar  cruet.  ]>ut  this  practice  is  now  nearly  ob.s  !  <■; 
and  if  the  bottle  still  find  a  place  on  tbe  tables  of  ni.iny  of  our  .steaial  ,,t| 
and  hotels,  none  but  those  who  are  strongly  prone  to  intemperance,  Iiavc  tin 
courage  to  touch  it.  Formerly,  nicu  drank  before  dinner  to  wLet  t'eji 
appetites,  and  after  dinner  to  assl.<t  digestion.  The  fa.shion,  as  I  have  .-.'.i, 
has  passed  away,  and  still  tliey  eat  heartily  and  digest  well.  In  tliis  k;  '.  i 
drinking,  womtMi  and  ebildren  never  participated  to  the  same  extoiit, ;,  ij 
the  dram  driidung  befi.tre  breakfast. 

ITT.     Wink.  —  Tho   consumption  of  wine  lias,  in  latter  ycar.«,  gi  :,'l)f 
decreased.     It  was  once  a  regular  forenoon  entertainment,  presented  tutL 
who  called,  especially  ladies,  and  was  served  up  witli  cake;  it  was  a!.- 
tho  dinner  table,  and  was  held  to  be  an  indispensable  adjunct  of  h  -jii;: 
ty  and  good  cheer,  at  evening  parties  of  ladies  and  gentlemen.    Atiircn 
it  is  rarely  seen  in   the  forenoon,  is  drunk  sparingly  at  dinner  pal■tie^  :ii 
often   omitted  at  evening  entertainments.     In  general,  the  wines  dru:.!c 
most   parts  of  the  A'alley,  have  been  sherry  and  3Iadeira,  adulterated  iJ 
rendered  highly  stimulating  with  brandy  —  itself  a  factitious  compound 
Louisiana,  and  other  parts  of  the  .south,  especially  among  the  Crooks— ( 
the  whole  the  mo.st  temperate  piVit  of  our  pfipulation 
is  consumed. 


•Jill 


ill.    '1 


•  a  great  deal  uf  clan 


v:tion, 

i;  until 

V    .Ma 

liuliledr 

r*j,  tlieir 

riuer 

ar.ii. 

sai.'raiit 

'.'•Ciitios 

'«tno  plae 
■'■\":!tllolng 
-.''  cannot 
-^%  fu 


l'< 


'I'lIK 


[nooK  I. 


.JT'II.I 


INTERIOR  VALLKY  OK  NORTH  AMERICA. 


OGO 


•   I 


t.     Viitlcr  sui'li  cinum- J 
•r  cofTi'o  is  jirelVralik'  —  j 
^vbich  cold  scumcd  Id  )' 


liEP. 

rom  Uic  first  .scttlonuiit  'if 

cso  potations  wen-  ulur  \ 

i.sky,  and  were  vory  t  :u- 

old  and  yming,  nudi;  ,aii 

untains,  and  sustained  ly 

itri  alU'dj-'tnl  advantui' '^  iil 

yet  entirely  brokuu  \\\  it 

s  advocates;  and  m;'   r 

it'cd  in  cunsci|uenre  nt  nil 

'  stimulus  is  necessary  t» 

cannot  1)0  duubtwl.  tkit^ 

raldc. 

ir  brandy  and  water, li'f -rl 
lie  wbisky  or  brandy  b"Ui( 
d  from  tlie  sideboard  to  tl 
tioc  is  now  nearly  obsHloto|| 
many  ol'  our  htcaud)' ;itl ' 
to  intemperance,  have  tl* 
furo   dinner  to  wlii't  t!ie 
bo  fasbion,  as  I  liave  saii 
gestweU.     In  tins  kind 
tu  tbc  same  extent,  aJ 


:i 


s,  in  latter  years,  gvoatljj 
ainmcnt,  presented  tutl^lj 

^vitll  eake;  it  was  nk 
sable  adjunct  of  kc^ti'J 
,„d  gentlemen.  Atprc'ca 
ingly  at  dinner  iiartie-.  ui 
gc'iieral,  tbc  wines  druiii 
d  3Iadeira,  adulterated  aj 
,  a  factitious  couipouud. 
ally  among  tbc  Crooks -< 
itiou- a  great  deal  clclail 


Jho  successful   eultivation  of  tlio  vine,  in   difl't-rcnt   parts  of  tbc  Valley, 

,1  vo  all,  ill  tho  e(juiitiy  around  (!iiiriiinati,  luia  originated  tbc  niauuliicture 

nine  —  not  frnni  various  ingredients — but  fnjin  tlie  unadulterated  juice 

:  1 II..  srapo.     The   cxpeiiment  lias   been  curried  so  far,  as  to  justify  tbc 

r  it;iliiiii,  that    tbo    produetioii    and    eonsuniptinii    of  iialivo  wines,   will 

iiK' extensive  and  pirniaueiit.     In  tlii^  aiitieipatinn,  wbiidi  carries  with 

■i.tlier — an  abutenient  in  the  use  of  adulterated  and  artilieial  winos  and 

:,ii-tilleil  spirits  —  it  will  lio  prnpcr  to  say  sonietliing  of  tbc  cbaraeter  of 

■    uiiies,  wbieh  tlii^  soil  and  (diniatc?  of  tbo  Valley  nfiord.     lly    Niidndas 

1  .'Wiirtli.  Ksf|,,  whose  efforts  to  cultivate  the  grape  and  niaiuil'aetnic  wino, 

.:•  ■  lieen,  without  regard   to   exjiense,  eontiiiuod  with  unabating  zeal  for 

.  iriv  thirty  years,  T  learn,  that  every  attein[»t  to  make  wino  from  the  grapes 

I'Jwfdd  world,  has  been  a  failure;  and  that  ho  and  all  others  in  the  West 

riiw  limited  to   two  native  vines,  one  called   Catawba  and   the    other 

ii;:'i'.riiiiint.     I  cannot  give  their  botaiiieal  iianies.     I-'roni  these  grapes,  and 

■llytliu  former,  two  or  three  varieties  of  wines,  resein!)ling  the  (ierinan 

;  k.  and  an  execlleiit  ehanipagnc,  are  manufactured.     It  is  estimated  that, 

|-:.iii  a  radius  of  ten  miles  from  (jineiiinati,  five  hundred  acres  arc  planted 

viiicyards,  and  tho  cultivation  is  rapidly  increasing  on  both  sides  of  tho 

J)  river,  as  far  down  as  Jjouisville.      It  will  bo  interesting,  at   a  future 

I  no.  to  observe  tho  results  of  an   extensive  .substitution  of  these  ndhl  and 

I  isj  Ic  win(.'S,  for  tho  niori!  ardent  beverages  now  in  general  use. 

IV.    I^VR  liOO.M  DuiNKiNT,. — While  family  and  Imspitulde  drinking  have 

nvk'C'liiicd,  l);u'  room  drinking,  in  many  parts  of  the  ^'illley,  has   iudd   its 

i:i.    Ashamed  to  keep  intoxicating  drinks  in    their  houses,  men   resort  to 

hill  skips,  and  guzzlo  draughts  of  brandy  and  water,  with  loaf  sugar,  mint, 

Iciiice.    Fortunes  have  been  made  by  many  who  have  kcjtt  these  establish- 

-  in  .ill  our  larger  cities.     The  times  for  this  kind  of  drinking  are  the 

|::;.ui,',  the  forenoon,  the  afternoon,  and  the  night.     Here  it  is,  secured 

hill  imblic   observatb)n   by  screens,    that  a  representative  from  half  tho 

l:.:.;!ies  of  every  town  in  the  middle   and  southern  zones  of  the  A'alley  may 

'.rkad;  hero  it  is,  that  otliers  pledge  themselves  to  oppo.«e  tho  municipal 

.vl;;tion,  wbieh  would  suppress  tlio  fnuntains,  at  which  they  continue  to 

|.:i  until  various  diseases  are  generated  and  their  eonstiiutinns  destroyed. 

V    M.vi.T  Liquors  and  Cidmu. —  These  were  formerly  in  extensive  use, 

I iinl'k  drinks,  in  tho  middle  and  nnrthern  parts  of  the  Valley.     In   latter 

r-ir?.  their  consumption  in  families  has  decreased ;  but  large   (piantities  of 

|-.lbrmer  are  drunk  in  the  beer  bouses  with  which  all  our  towns  and  cities 

lijund.    They  are  tbc  cherished  beverages  of  our  flerman  and   lOngli^h 

-J!.Tunt  population.     Cider,  formerly  manufactured  and  consumed  i;i  largo 

'/Jitities  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  is  now  in  less  general  u,se. 

H.    Xecessitv  and  Effkcts  ov  Alcoholic    Duinks.  —  This  seems  to 

'■'■V:  place  for  inquiring  into  the  physiological  necessity  of  driidcing,  and 

■^':;tliiilogieal  effects  on  the  health  and  constitution. 

»"  cannot.  I  think.be   doubted  by  any  physiologist,   that  human  nature 
-i'iires,  for  its   full  corporeal,  intellectual,  and  moral   development  —  its 


i: 


'U,\ 


I    1 


.1 


'      '.      1 


.?"...• 


.s-lj  .  ,1 ';  J 


I.    ii'i  ■'■%'■  "^  !• :       .      '       r      '■  > 


'•A'-r- ^''^■;; 


G70 


THE  rRiNCir.AL  diseases  of  the 


[book  ; 


•iST 


jCdil 

i.thi 

Iti 

Iriiik.'j 

1  IR'W 

ik  pr; 

in  Od' 
iti-O  c 
tare  5 
irevoiil 
:!;■;  est 

(f  tllllSi 


activity  and  oiriciciicy — soiuoiliing  nioro  tliau  the  cleniunts  tliat  suiiiilv  th'' 
waste  (»r  tlie  bluml,   which  is  perpetually  exhausted,   of  eerlaiu  ]iriiiei|)lo>i  by 
iiutiltive  seciM  lion  and  the  I'uiietioii  (jC  respirati(jii.     Hence,  there  is  iinplanttjil 
iu  the  phvf^ical  ,sy.>tciii,  a  desire  for  stiniulaiits,  as  well  asu  desire  fur  fi^od  ainj 
water.     Tiio   question  is,   whether  this   want  cannot   be  sujiplied,  ami  tlic 
desire  gratified,  without  a  resort  to  alcoholic  drii.ksV     This  (picfttiim  uiay  l- 
conclusively  answered,  in  either  of  two  ways  —  the  a]>rtoil  and  ti.e  ,/  vjv- 
irriori,  of  higicians.     If  alcolndic   drinks  had  been   necessary  to  tliowi'ii- 
being  of  man,  (hey  would  have  been  made  produetions  of  nature;  hul  iLiy 
are  not  the  jiroduetioiis  of  nature;  and,  therefore,  they  are  not  noce.s.sirv, 
i^o  'iiueli  for  the  ci  juiori  viewtif  the  matter,      if  we  resort  to  the  u])i/sl(rt'jiV' 
ariiunient  —  il'  wo   turn   to  experience,  and   that,  too,    the   nin.st  cvtcmld,' , 
diversilied,   and    accurate,  we    liiid  that  thousands  of  individuals   attain  to 
full  bodily  and  mental  vigor,  without  the  stimulus  of  ah-oholic  drinks;  anj 
tlius,  by  their  eoincidcnee,  tiie  two  uuides  ol'  proof  establish,  beyond  tlio  im  ,-<i. 
bility  of     doubt  or  cavil,  that  such  drinks  are  unnecessary ;  at  least,  wlicii  tWfl  Jj^u- 
stimulants  whiidi  nature  has  provided,  can   be  obtained.     These  latter  slim 
ulai.ts  are  com:uon  salt,  an  element  of  the  blood,  not  less  than  a  stiiiiulu- 
the  various  aromatic  and  acrid  substaiu'cs,  which  nuin  has  sought  out  aiijj 
instinctively  mingled  with   his  food   and   drinks,  under   tlie   name  of  (.n 
merits;  and,  lastly,  tea  and  cofl'eo.     These  are  all  the  j)hysical  stiiiiulanti 
wliich  his  system  demaiuls  for  its  full  pcrfectiori  —  all  that  are   nuccssarv  tofl 
satisfy  his  desires,  when  kept  unperverted.     Adaptetl,  by  inunile  wisJiiiu,  ti 
man's  wants,  not  less  than  to  his  instincts  and  appetites,  he  seldnm  i!>ei 
them  to  excess;    and  when  he  does,  their  injurious  etfects  bear  no  assigiiaU^B/ 
proportion   to  those  of  the  artificial  substitutes,  which   his  ingenuity 
manufactured  out  of  sugar,  now  known  to  be  the  only  source  of  aicnlml. 

The  (piestion  here  arises,  why  has  man  substituted  this  faititiuiis  mi 
baneful  stimulant,  for  those  which  the  hand  of  a  beneficent  Creator 
scattered  around  him  ?     The  answer  is,  because  the  excitement  wlii 
raises  in  him,  is  of  a  more  intense  kind,  than  that  which  they  pruduco;  a 
evidence  that   its  use  is  both  unphysiological  ami   pernicious.     Jt  uiay 
asked,  however,  whether  alcohol  may  not  be  taken  in  such  small  quantitiJ 
as  to  be  made  a  sale  and  salutary  substitute  for  the  natural  stin  •Jaiitsl 
I  answer,  that,  theoretically,  it  may;    but,  practically,  it  cannot;  fur  it' 
natural  stimulauLS  be  withheld,  tin;  desire  for  this,  as  soon  as  its  effects  aij 
cx[)erieuced,  beconu^s  ungovernable,  and  it  is  taken  to  excess.     This  i.-  ill 
case,  as  we  shall  hereafter  see,  with  the  Indian.     All  attempts,  theiv: 
to  replace   the  natural   stimulants  by  alcohol,  without  using  tjio  lattii' 
excess,  must  necessarily  fail.     The  stimulation  which  it  im]iar'.P,  nn'Ruvii 
is  not  of  the  same  character,  as  that  raised  by  the  natural  agents,  ai.'l 
individual   would   enjoy  the   sound   health  of  body  and   efli'ienoy  of  iiii:)ML''all  Jr, 
under  its   cxchiaii^c  dominion,  that  he  would  enjoy  under   the  iiifluciia'  Htriiiojvii 
those  stimuli,  which  the  bounty  of  nature  offers  to  hira.  B'io.s:  tl 

The  resort  to  alcoholic  drinks  is,  then,  gratuitous,  and  the  injuries  t!:H  ;||,j|, 
inflict  on  the  hunuhi  race  are  not,  like  those  from  idianges  of  weatlM.  ^r,  (j,,g  ^ 


K  Hut 

dmtai 

r:.:-ky,  i 

inning 
rall.y.  i 

Kiik  III! 
iivaieiits 
v.::'e  is 
;  'i  nr 
i..''.Mily 
if  iiii'M : 
Tims 
li.vliolio 

lliiy  are 
Tliat  a 

pit  liijiK 

lErnl,  aris 

hi  liavc 
(111 )]( 


*.' 


,.  !■■-■ 


H' 


^'  ;-i' 


TIIK 


[book  : 


-iKT  m.. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


071 


clomenta  tliat  suyijAy  llio  t 
I,  uf  certain  jiriiieiiilcs  Ijy 
llcucc,  tluTo  is  impliuitod 
■I'll  a.sa  (lo.-ii'c  fnviooil  and 
not   bo   KU]ii»lii.'il,  ;uiil  tin; 
,s7     Tliis  ([wcMtidu  limy  \k 
ic  a  ]>  I  lor  I  and  tliu  a  jkj^- 
•en   iioii'Stfary  tu  tliu  \vt!l- 
utions  of  nature;  Imt  thij 
•0,  tlioy  are  not  necessary.;  i 
wc  resort  to  tlie  « />"S/(  /c/V 
t,  too,    the    nMst  exteudud, 
lIs  of  individuals   atlain  \<\ 
us  of  alcoliulie  diiulis ;  and 
establisli,  beyond  tlie  jc ■^?i.| 
\eees.'«ary  ;  at  least,  wliiu  tie ' 
jtained.     These  hitler  slim-:; 
1,  not  loss  than  a  slimul':-;" 
eh   man  has   sought  out  iriij 
;,  under   the   name  of  n  ml 
;  all  the  j)h_vsieal  stiiimliuitlj 
,  —  jili  that  are   necessary  tj 
laptod,  by  iniinite  \vi<Ji  lu.  to| 
id  ai>itetites,  ho  soldmu  \\4 
ous  effects  boar  no  assigualilf 
OS,  vhieh  his  infreimity  b 
le  only  source  of  aicnlud. 
)stitutod  this   fiu-titiuus  an! 
of  a  benoru'ent  Creatoi- 
use  the  exciteniont  \vl)';  :!i  ^ 
that  which  they  prndtico ; 
aiul   |tcrnicious.     It  may 
von  in  such  small  quaiitiiiti 
for  the  naiiircJ  stiiir.lautsj 
etieally,  it  cannot;  f ir  if  tb^ 
this,  as  soon  as  its  elVccts  aj 
taken  to  excess.     Tins 
an.     All  attempts,  tliciv-rj 
,  without  using  tho  lutt.r 

which  it  imparls,  uieicuv^ 
,y  tlic  natural  aL'Oiits,  ai.d 
body  and   eiVedencv  of  i^i 
enjoy  under   the  iuliucna' 
s  to  him. 

uitous,  and  the  iiijm'ies  t.ij 
from  changes  of  wcutliu'. 


aftidciital  violenoo,  inovilaldo,  but  avoidable.  Yet,  liow  can  they  be 
itiduJ?  The  answer  is  obvious.  ]}y  refraining  from  the  use  of  what, 
iVHrdiiig  to  iKilural  laws,  is  not  re({uired;  and  ailliering  to  what  is 
j,  ;li  (k'liiaiided  and  provided.  Tlic  cause  of  mischief  being  obviated,  the 
:.ir[  wmild  cease. 

It  is  argued,  however,  that  there  arc  circumstances  under  wliieh  ah'ohidic 
iriiik.s  are  specially  bonelieiul.  J  may  grant  this;  but  it  puts  their  use  on 
J  iiiw  principle,  that  of  hygi(.'nie,  or,  ratlier,  mediiinal  influence,  and  lindta 
tkiiractieo  of  taking  them  to  the  assigned  eondition.s ;  i'or  to  be  effi'ctivc 
(a  occasio/ia,  they  must  not  l)o  used  iKihitimlhi,  But  let  us  inquire  into 
ii<o  eiiiorgoncies.  First.  It  has  been  lield,  that  neirning  bitters,  which,  1 
■ave  already  said,  were  formerly  in  gemsral  use  in  iamilies,  tended  to 
;r;vriit  tlie  autumnal  fev(,'rs  wlii(  li  prevail  in  all  parts  of  our  country.  15ul 
'.j; OAtoiisive  discontinuance  of  tin;  iiraclioe,  without  any  (d)served  increase 


I  111  ISC 


diseases,  shows  that  tlie  tlieurv  was  err 


(ilieo 


us.      Scrand.    It  i 


s  wt 


II 


h  wii  to  tlic  physicians  of  New  Orleans  and  .Moliilo,  that  the  vic-tims  of 
ii.ff  fever  are  chiefly  ihoso  who  drink  freely.  Aleolml  has  no  prc- 
.:ivc  ])o\ver,  then,  over  that  disease;  nor  docs  it  diminisli  the  mortsility 
.  iiir  those  who  aro  attacked.  Third.  It  is  otpial'v  well  known,  that 
vr  suiimicr  and  autumnal  oj)idemics,  as  cholera  morbus  and  dysentery, 
t  warded  off  by  iilcohol,  whatevi  r  may  be  its  value  in  tlie  tretitment 


•:.■:  Ill 


icrtaiu  cases  ot  those  diseases 


■dur 


iJi.  If  a  moderate  use  cf  brandy  or 


:-kv,  1 


KKI 


any  preventive  eiheacy  in   hpule 


jmic 


Choi 


era,  it  was  t;Teatest  in 


;i;  vMvlie  had  previously  drunk  least,  and  only  useful  wiieii  the  disease  waa 

felling  ill  the   system.      Ffth.  It  is  known  to  all  the  medical  men  id'  the 

Valkv.  that  drinking  has   no  power  to  keep  off  rheumatism,  pneumonia, 

;;  jrisy,  hromdiiti-*.  iind  other  winter  inflammations  ;   nn>l  that  those  wlio  have 

rak  must,  are  most  likely  to  die  w^en  attacked.      Si.rlh.  Exposure  to  the 

I ii' aiuiits,  is  an  assigned  condition  requiring  tlie  use  of  aleohnl.    ]}ut  the  evi- 

■e  is  against  its  use,  especially  as  coniiiared  with  food  and   coffee,  under 

lor  wet.  and  with  leinonado  or  tea,  under  great  heat.     Of  this  wo  have 

|i'.Mdy  said  something,  in  speaking  of  the  cmp.  yments  u\'  difl'ereiit  elas.ses 

li'iin-'ii;  and  shall  furnish  additional  proofs,  when  treating  of  our  di^ea;- 

Tims  it  appears,  that   neither  the   habitual    nor   the    oceasii  nal 
jii'ludic  drinks,  is  necessary   or  beneficial;  and  I  come   now  to  show 
i'.y  arc  pernicious. 


use   0 


f 
that 


lliat  a  man  might  drink  a  moderate  quantity  of  distilled  spirit,  wine,  or 
liijuor  daily,  and  attain  to  old  age,  without  infirmity,  cither  of  liody  or 


Ikiiit 


pid,  arising  from  that  hal;it,  is  undeniable;  for  in  the  \'alley,  as  elsewhere, 
I*';  liave  such   examples.      The  sound  health,  serene  mind,   and  advanced 

V-:'-  f'"  not. 
all  drunk  uin 


However,  eon 


10  from  the  drinking;  are  only  imt  ju'evented  by  it. 
ler   such   restrictions,  the   evils  of  intem|,. ranee   would   be 


Known.     Unfo.  innately,  but  a  jiart  of  those  who  drink,  thus  limit  tliem- 
!<'>os:  the  rest 


go  into  excesses,  tliat  are  pernicious  to  health  in  proportion 
degree,   and  to    the   liability  of  the  constitutions  of   those    who 
ptico  them  to  become  im[)aired  by  iuordinato  Indulgeiico.     Now,  there 


;iicir 


f; 


.f 

.1  ■ 


\ 


i^  i'i''   '.    '•  ''.I      . 


^W""-I>" "". 


^i^^i=^'^^  :^■•■•^'■• 


i.#{r-'nf:i. 


U.*i.. 


■\  .'■',■ 


f'ffri:\.yf';^*v.  ■■  v^-^^- 


'■'•>■.  .■ 


';i  "M:- 


•■•■',/ ■■'•»'■>■   ■  • 


X  ■  -     IS 


672 


TIIF,  riMNClPAr,  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[  "001  i.j 


must  1)0  ;i  iiliysidlojric.al  reason  for  tliis  f:it:il  tornloncy  to  excess;  ami  wlrti 
is  it?     T(i  iinswor  this  iii(|iiiry,  we  must  ri'for  to  tlic  cll'oct.s  (ifak'o)i(.l  i,;,  tul 
nervous  system.      'Piicse  are  two-fold — stiiiiulatini^  and  narcntic,     J''(,r  tlie^ 
salce  of  the  former  elfeetH  only,  is  it  used  as  a  beverage;  but  tliiy  caimi.t  ba^ 
obtaineil   apart   from    tlio   latter.       Sliii'Iit   stimulation,    it   is  true,   niuy  bai 
followed   liy  a  nareotism  so  sliirlit,  as  not   to  afl'eet  the  consciousness  of  tk 
individu:d  ;  but  still   his   nervous  system  rc'ceives  a  narcotie  or  stio 
ir.ii)re>s,  eonforiuably   to  the   ir;reat   law  of  relation   botweeu  '.iircotic  sub. 
stances   and  that   system.     IJy  repeateil    indul^irence,   the    nervous  silscod. 
tibility   loses    somewhat    of    its    acuteness,    and    becomes    iiriiiiortiniiablyi 
insc'isible.      Hence  (he  necessity  for  augmenting  the  diis(>.  wlicii  the  ilMtctl 
of  the  individual   is  excitement.     But    its    increase    works  out   a  furtlh'ri 
reduction  of  sensiliili*y   and  renders  new  augmentation  ncccvsary.     In  tl,ig4, 
manner,  a  signal  [i:-  In  :  igical  change  is  wronglit  out  in  that  iioition  cf  tiio^ 
system;  which  not  i-nly  presides  over  the  rest,  but  is  the  seat  of  ;ill  t!io 
senses,  appetites,  and   desires  of  the  body,  and   the  innnediate  in.-truiiici;;  (,f 
the    miml.     Tims,   while    the    individual    may    not    be    conscious,    en  imy 
suceeeding  da}-,  of  higher  stimulation,  from  n(it  feeling  greater  excitciiivnt 
than     ho    felt    the    day    l)cfore,    his    nervous    system,    through   altiTiKito 
paroxysms  of  excitation  and  stupefaction,  is  brought  into  a  state  of  .'irmal 
and  peculiar  diseaije;  for  which  lie  fmds  no  palliative,  but  in  a  new  ri'snit  to 
tho   1  arcotie  stinudant  which  produced  it.     Thus,  the  habit  of  driii];i!:,:  to 
excess,  is  not  like  the  habit  of  an  awkward  niovcnuMit  of  the  hand  or ,.  t, 
of  taking  tlio  same  scat  at  the  taldo,  or  of  seeking  the  company  of  a  ],;ir;;. 
enhir  person  on  the  return  of  the  same  day  of  the  week  ;   it  is  rot  ;i  hmo 
ac([uircd  peculiarity,  within  physiological  limits;  but  —  condjiiied  with  wbt 
maybe  called  an  alcoholic  diathesis  —  an  actual,  inveterate  cachexv.    la 
this  constitutional  disorder,  the  nervou.s  system  is  not  alone  involvril:  !> 
the  blood  is  deteriorated,  and  all  the  functions  of  the  b(jdy,  with  tho  facultie* 
and  enmtions  of  the  mind,  are  more  or  less  implicated. 

I  shall  not  afhrm,  that  in  this  condition,  tlie  individual  is  more  liahlc.  fliia 
in  sound  health,  to  be   seized  with  prevalent  and   e]>idemic  di.'On>;cs;  lut 
experience  has  demonstrated,  that  when  attacked,  he  is  nnich  more  liiiHot 
die.     l''r(nn  this  diathesisi,  moreover,  scverjil  foriuidable  diseases  are  .set  ii 
inde])endent  of  external  causes,  and  advance  nu»re  or  less  rapidly  to  a  t';i 
termination.      Tlie   most  serious    of   tliem    are,   dyspepsia,   eombiiuil  wit 
chronic    gastritis;     diarrhea,    comiected    witli    ulceration    of    tlie    lii'Wiis 
iuHannnation  of  the  liver,  and  jaundice;  dro})sy  of  the  extremities,  alidiiiic! 
chest,    and    pericardium;    sore    eyes,    atrophy,    pal[iitations   of  tlio  li'arl 
tremors   of  the   limbs,  convulsions,  palsy,  delirium    tremens,  and   suitiJ; 
monomania. 

Every  physician   of  tho  ^'alley,  must   have   met   with   several   of  tliei 
diseases,  as  the  ctmscquenco  of  intemperance  in  the  use  of  anient  .'■|iint 
Of  tho  peculiar  maladies  generated  by   wine,  we  know  but  little,  as  tin 
number  of  wine  liibliers  is  iinall.     Nor  can  I  speak  decidedly  if  tlio  dk 
produced  by  malt  liquors;    which,  however,  liave  been  observed  lion.'.  31 


Ii'iflvlK'l 


».':o  coil,? 
'i'\  „f 
n-reforc 
^mihitioi 
iiec,  is 
'•:'■  aiij 
li'an  fro 

'■'^'loston 

nwiij 

teeth 

^."iiiash  it 

ml.  tiiei 

•  the  n 


ei 


V   -i. 


THE 


[nooiu 


j'llTl"'. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AIMKRICA. 


073 


icy  to  excess  ;  ami  wliat^ 
!  otTocts  of  iikiilii.l  mi  tliel 
;  niul  iiiircntic.     l'"(.r  tlie: 
;ii'C  ;  but  tin  v  caiunit  ba? 
"mil,   it   is  true,  may  Lqe 
till!  cduseidusiiess  of  tin 
a  iKirciitie  or  stiiiii!\in| 
1   lictwoeii  iiH'Cotic  sub' 
iCo,  tlio    nervous  suscop. 

becomes    jirdiinvtiniialily] 
lie  (b'se.  wlo'u  tlie  I'l'jtcl,, 
ISO    works  out   a  fui'tliitf 
atinn  necessary-     bi  this^v 
ut  in  that  imrtinn  I'f  t'uo^ 
lut  is  the  scat  of  all  tli6'. 
■  innnediate  iii>trui:iri:t  4 
it    bo    eonscious,    on  iiiiyi; 
feebuf:  trrcater  excitoiinnfe, 
;ysteiu,    Mirougli   altorii;it9|; 
o;lit  into  a  state  of  mmm 
tive,  but  in  a  new  rcsdrtK 
^.  tlic  Inibit  of  driiil<iii_' ti 
nient  of  tlio  lianJ  or  fnul 
u<r  the  coiniiany  of  a  inirti' 
Te  week  ;  it  is  r.it  a  luiK 

„it  —  combined  with  vlnt 
inveterate  eaclicxy.    In 

s  not  alone  involvid:  1  if 

ic  body,  with  the  facultij 

:itcd. 

i\  idual  is  more  liahlo.  tba 
,1  epidemic  di.^cnses;  hi, 
he  is  much  more  liaMeti 
liable  diseases  arc  ?a  u] 
or  less  rapidly  to  a  fat; 
dyspepsia,   CiUiluncil  "it' 
ceratiou    of    the    h"^^'' 
the  extremities,  ahd'  meH 
palpitations   of  the  \''<"A 
uiu   tr(,'mcns,  and  ^uicidd 

,ot  with  several  of  tli.sj 
,1,0  use  of  nrdent  ^I'lnt^ 
ve  know  but  little,  n>^  tin 
.ak  decidedly  <  f  the  dlol 
vo  been  observed  hero,  al 


ii( 


wivlicrc,  to   bo  fullness   of  liabit.  a  kiml   of  hypertropliy   of  thi;   cellular 
■ay,  (Iropsv,  slug^'islinoss,  (h-owsiiiess,  and  apoplexy. 

\I(iihiilic.  beverages  are  much  more  pi-rnicious  to  tlio  constitutions  of  trie 

a',  than  of  tiioso  in  middle  or  advaiu  eJ  life.  Very  few  youii;^  men,  with 
.,i,iis  (if  exccKsivo  drinkiiiL',  rcaidi  the  meridian  of  life  ;  lieiiig  cut  oil"  by 
fiiviilsioiis,  apoplexy,  or  some  diseaso  rendered  incurable  by  tlieir  alcoholic 
j/Li'XV.  Very  few  women,  except  the  abandoned,  or  the  lower  classes  of 
V!i  emigrants,  fall  victims  to  iiitemjierancc ;  for  excessive  drinkiiiL'  by 
53;i!"S.  is  cxccediiiirly  rare  in  every  part  of  the  \'^alley.  J  have  known  but 
•{Wiiiiaii  to  die  with  delirium  treme:'s,  and  she  wa.s  from  EnirhiiKl. 
mm' the  hygienic  moans  of  averting  the  haliit  of  exce.s.sivc  drinking,  I 
rj.ii'noiie  e(|ual  to  the  use  of  tea.  To  this  we  may,  in  part,  attribute  the 
s,viMif  our  female  iiopulation  from  intoxication;  and  I  hav(!  rarely  seen 

:  11!:'  tea-drinker  of  the  male  sex,  become  in  later  years,  the  victim  of 
,:  lii'  stimulation. 

V't' may  presume,  I  think,  that  the  efiects  of  alcoholic  stimuljitlon  arc 
;i:ial  by  climate,  as   we  know   them  to  be   by   the   tenipcramonts   and 

iKiicrasies  of  tho.-ie  who  drink,  anil  also  by  the  compo.sition  of  the  drinks 
^^s-ilves;  but  these  diversities  can  bo  best  .studied  in  connection  with  the 
Wii?  they  produce.     In  this  place,  1  shall  not  attempt  even  an  c'lunura- 

::'f  the  maladies  which  alcohol,  as  a  predisposing,  exciting,  or  aggra- 
p::;i:Mausc,  is  known  to  generate  or  render  fatal;  but  in  tlu!  jirogress  of 

ijsrl;,  they  will  be  pointed  (jiit;  and  it  will  then  appear,  that  thrniighout 
pliiteriiir  Valley,  notwithst'inding  a  decided  amelioration  in  the  habits  of 

[lO'jple,  this  poison  continues  to  be  a  prolific  .source  of  disease. 


S  E  C  T  I  O  \    V  . 

T0I5ACC0. 

hlio consumption  of  snuiT  in  the  Valley  of  the  ^Mississippi,  except  by  the 

|h  !i  (if  Ijouisiana  and  Canada,  is  ijuite  limited.     Coarse  snuff  is  geiior- 

l-;;refcrcd  to  fine;  and  hence  the   nasal  twang,  which   results   fi'om  the 

pii!il;uion  of  the  fine  pijwder  in  the  [losterior  nares  and  the  sinuses  of 

p:»',  is  not  often  heard.     Snuff  is   moro  used   by  the  aged  than   tho 

r~.'.  and  by  men  than  women.     When  a  dry  and  not  very  coarse   article 

Mi:\]  freely,  it  may  bo  seen   adhering  to  the   pharynx  :  ami,    de.-cending 

■iic  stomach  of  the  dyspeptic  and  nervous,  it   contributes  to  aggravate 

bilisordors. 

'■many  parts  of  tho  south,  women  and  girls  have  a  fashion  of  rubbing 

•Moetli  and  gums  with  snuft'.     They  chew  the  end  of  n  green  twig,  until 

Riiiasli  it  into  a  kind  of  brush,  which  they  dip  into  the  snuff"  box,  and 

■f'lih  their  teeth  with  it.     This  O|)eration  is  known  through  that  ri'gion 

F-'  tlic  name  of  "  dipping."'     The  ])ractice,   like  that   of  eating    slate 


'•iV 


it 


vMI 


.4 


I 


mM 


|?>---^,4t'  ■■•,-: ■■■,■, V ■■■'■■  ■ 

''i'x'fi"''}  ■;  • '   ■'     S-     .■•■*■•.-•?'.■.■■■»     '■■;". 


•  T    T  I      ■ ,    '      » • 


, .     If  •'■;.■■  t  ■  ■    ■ 


't'',-:- 


?-'lf*; 


t'f.^.i 


-  '•'» ,' 


•»!  ■>.: 


C71 


Tin:  rRiNciPAi,  diseases  of  the 


[nooK 


pencils,  clinllc,  or  day,  often  spreads  tlirougli  faniilios  iiiul  female  sclioi.ls ; 
a.s  to  constitute  u  serious  and  disirnsting  evil.     No  doulil  much  of  tlie  iioi 
der,  liiuiing  its  way  into  tlicstoniacii  and  lungs,  coiitrihutes  to  disorder  W 
and  to  derange  tlie  nervous  system  generally. 

Smoking  prevails  to  a  great  extent.  In  our  towns  and  cities,  cigars  arc  nsi 
almost  entindy  ;  in  many,  indeed  most  parts  of  tlie  country,  the  iiip,.  ,||.,iJ 
tains  its  ancient  supremacy.  If  tlie  same  one  be  repeatedly  used,  it  hfcoiii 
fo\d.  with  a  deleterious  empyreumatic  oil,  which  contrilmtes  to  the  eiitr"oi 
ellect  which  t(d)aeeo  exerts  oil  the  .system  ;  it  would,  tliereforc,  ],(•  ma 
pcrnicioMs  than  cigars,  were  not  the  constitutions  of  the  cimiitry  in 
lirmer  than  those  of  the  city.  Our  (jlermaiis  arc  great  sm(d<cvs,  ami  wvij 
the  pipe  ;  but  most  of  them  are  hard  laborers,  Avith  constitutiim.s  of  litl 
susceptibility.  In  our  towns,  and  (dder-settled  ))arts  of  tiie  coiintrv.  hut  fj 
Women  smoke;  but  in  frontier  and  thinly-])eopled  places,  inhabited  liv  imn 
grants  iVuin  the  old  southern  states,  the  custom  still  prevails. 

Cigar  smoking  in  our  towns,  has  beiMi  charged  with  promoting  ali'iina 
intemperance.  They  are  undoubtedly  associated,  but  may  be  the  m 
offspring  of  idleness,  fasliion,  and  conviviality.  Still  it  is  true,  tliiit  v 
men  Sdmetimes  se(dc  in  whisky  or  brandy,  relief  from  the  peniieious  elioi 
of  tobacco;  and  it  may  be  useful,  therefore,  to  tell  them,  that  a  i:Ia-s| 
lemonade,  or  any  other  acid  drink,  is  a  far  bett(T  corrective. 

Cliewing  is  still  more  prevalent  than   smoking.     Some   individiial.-;  f.l 
both,  but  a  niajurity  only  one.     Chewing,  1  believe,  is  tdniost  eiitinlv  cfl 
fined  to  the  male  sex.     The   cheapness  of   tobacco    in  every  part 
Valley,  resulting  from  its   extensive  cultivation,  no  doubt,  contributes  toj 
excessive  use. 

Our  boys   bee;in   the  use  of  tobacco,  by  cliewini!;  or  sniokiiiir,  at  an 
age;  many  as  early  as  seven  y^ars;  a  largo  number  beture  puberty;  :i;i| 
great   majority  of  all   who  ever  u.'5e   it,   ac(|uire  the   habit  before  tiny 
twenty-one.      But  few   persons   engage  in  its  use  after  their  fortiutli  \« 
At  whatever  period  the  habit  may  be  formed,  it  generally  cimtimies  tlr 
life;    and  the  earlier  it  is  established,  the   more   inveterate  is  its  eliar;: 
The  predisposing  cause  of  this  custom  is  the  constitutional  de.>ire  fur  1  i 
oxcitenieiit ;  concerning  which  I  need  not  repeat  what  was  srid  whm  na 
of    ale(diolic    drinks.     The    most    efficient    exciting   cause   is  fa.«liiuii. 
instinctive  imitation  of  our  senio"s  and  companions.     The  sustaiiiiiiL;  iJ| 
is  a  permanent  modilicatiun  of  the  nervcms  system.     It  is  coiiinmu  tn 
the  custom  of  using  tobacco  and   that  of  alcoholic  drinking,  spoken   fj 
nearly  the  same  language  of  reprobation;  but  physiolngy  rei'oguizo?, ; 
with  tlie  analogies,  several  diversities  of  action  and  effect. 

F'.r.^t,  Tile  first  impress  of  toliacco  on  the  nervous  .system  is  far  r:i 
than  that  of  alcoludic  drinks.  It  is  characterized  by  great  nuiscular  ili'l 
feeble  pnlso,  nausea,  vertigo,  and  tremors.  While  it  stimulates  ami  in:!! 
the  mouth  and  throat,  it  produces  general  prostration.  The  een^titut;! 
effects  of  alcolud,  on  the  other  hand,  are  those  of  excitement,  fnll.iw- 
glight   narcotism.      Second.    Tobacco    does   not   raise   cxcituuiont  in 


.tft  m-J 


INTERIOR  VALLHY  OF  NORTH  A.MKRIC.A. 


075 


ics  1111(1  female  seliodls ; 
I  (louhl  iiuiili  ul'  tlic  Y4 
lutributcs  to  disordur  ]"X\ 

IS  ami  cities,  cigars  arc  n^aj 
lu>  cuuiitvy,  tlu!  jiiitf  11  liQt 
repeat ciUy  used,  il  In  r,  mi^ 
•uulri1)utes  to  the  eiRr^i;lj 
■would,  tlievefnre,  1  c  moi 
)iis  of  the  oouutrv 
c  great  smokers,  and  ii-ftt 
V'itli  constitution;-  et  litH 
(arts  of  till!  country.  Imt 
d  idaees,  iulialiited  I'V  iuin 
still  prevails, 
red  with  promoting  ak'hliol 
itcd,   but    may  he  tln'  tfl 

Htill  it  is  true,  that  y 
[  from  the  pernieious  etlV 
to   tidl  them,  that  a  gli-s] 
i>r  cfu-reetivo. 
iiT.     Homo  individuals  Mil 
lieve,  is  almost  entirely  cO] 
fbaeco    ill   every  jiart 
1,  no  doubt,  contributes  to| 

wiiij^  or  snudxing,  at  an  >'- 
miber  before  juiherty:  :i;il 
ro  the   habit  before  tiny 
use   after   their  fnrtidli  \« 
t  cenerally  cmitiuues  ti;i'/ 
.vo^  inveterate  is  its  elinv;:' 
.(.ustitutioiial  desire  tnr  1 
it  what  was  sr.id  when  tiv;iti 
eitiiig    cause   is   fasliimi. 
nions'.     The  sustaining  la 
,stcm.     It  is  coinnioii  u 
^ohidic  drinking,  spoken  -fj 
physiology  reeognizoN  uP 
iind  ctTcct. 
,  nervous  system  is  far  v".j 
zed  by  groat  niuseular  ik'^l 
iiile  it  stimulates  and  initi 
ostration.     The  ci.nstitutj 
ISO  of  excitement,  f '11"«-^'' 
not   raise   csciteuicnt  in 


,,r;;,!  and  moral   faculties,  but  the  reverse;  while    both    are    transiently 

J  ;,il  and  disordered   b}'   aleolnd.       Tliiiil.  Tlio   abuse  (d'   tobacco    docs 

■.•■•iieruto  iiiilamniaiioti  of  the  stoiiKKdi,  liver,  or  brain — a  conniion  clfect 

•  ".;  excess   of    drinking.      Foint/i.  It    does    not,    like    alcolml,    lead     to 

;;,<v,  apoplexy,  and  jialsy.     rif//i.  It  docs  not   produce  the  ilmpsical 

f.iiiis  which,  sooner  or  later,  make    their    appi.'aranco   under  abuses  of 

_  i,„l,     Sirl/i.    It    dues     not    originate     dcliriuiu    tremens    and    snieidc. 

>;,/(.  It  docs   not,  like  ah-oludic   stiinnlatinii,  gi\e   fatal  effect   to   other 

lauscs.      7w\;,'7////.   It  dilfers   l'r"in  aleolod  in   this,   that  the  habit  of 

|w rliiii.' to  the  latter  may  be  fdrnied  after  middle  life.      IS'uilli.   As  a  fact, 

: IV  mention,  that  fewer  lenve  idf  the  use  id"  tobacco  than  id' alenlidl ;  but 

t::!!ii|i  of  this  is  purely  physiidngieal.  and  how  much  nmral,  or  a  result  of 

,;  r.T|ition  of  the  evils  of  tlio  latter,  I  cannot  say.      Tnilh.  After  both 

,  >  !i;ive  become  fixed,  the  cinitinnaiiee  of  the  use  of  tobacco   seems   to 

:  :;1  iii'ire  on  the   demand  of  tlie  jmrl  on  which  its  makes   it   imjirc.ss  — 

;[  alcohol  on  the  re(|uiiome!its  of  the  wlude  constitution. 

VC'imist  niiw  turn  to  the  admitted  evils  to  health,  resulting  from  the  use 

•.I;u;c(>:     Firsl.  It  is  most   iiijiirious  to  those   of  a  •  ilious  or   nervous 

iiiraiiicnt ;  less   to    the   saiigninc,  and   least   of   all    to    the    phlegmatic. 

y    '.  its  viideiit  elVeets  upon    tlio    nervous  system,  in  early  life,  grow  IcsS 

|r,:.;i;.'L' and  the  continuance  of  the  habit:   but,  in  a  great   number  of  per- 

inaintains  permanent  weakness,  and  irritution  id'  the  nervous  system. 

It  iiiipriirs  the  functions  of  tiie   stomach,  giving   rise   to  iiidigestioii 

iity,  with  attacks  of   sick  lieadaeho.      I'ourlli.  It  sometimes  arrests 

rinm.  and  keeps  the  individual  in  a  state  of  comparative  emiieiation,  with 

laity  of  the  muscular  system.     1  kiio\    a  gentleman  who  chewed   tobacco 

iclialiiiig  life,  and  was  always  remarkably  .  an.     When  about  scventy- 

V' ir.-i  of  age,  lie  discontinued  its  use,  and  in  tlio  course  of  a  year,  became 

y. ami  even  rather  corpulent,  tiiongh,  in   everything   else,  he  lived  as 

li'"rll't'ct  of  koe]iing  down  the  fle.sli,  is  generally  attributed  to  the  drain 

ii'iiva  wliieli  it  occasions,  and  this  may  sometimes  be  one  of  the  modes  in 

i  it  operates ;  but  its  greatest  influence  is  on  the  nervous  system.     This 

f!  is  universal,  but  not  always   injn?-ious.     Certain   eon.'^titntions  disjilay 

1  times,  but  others  only  become  sensible  of  it  wlici;  the  drug  is  with- 

Tliore   then   arises  a  nervous   irritability,   accompanied    by   a  desire, 

F''ff!iicli  the  habit  is  resumed. 

|\.'0!itIeinan  who  had  followed  the  sea  for  many  years,  and  jiractiecJ 
i.' the  wliolc  time,  determined,  when  he  becanu'  a  landsman,  to  break 
'■*  of  the  habit ;  but,  after  abstaining  for  two  years,  during  which,  as 
'>>urcd  me,  the  idea  of  tobacco  was  never  absent  from  his  mind,  lie 
[''''■'  1  it,  and  his  nervous  system  became  pacified.  Such  facts  conform  to 
F-w.  tliat  the  difii'^ulty  of  breaking  in  upon  a  physical  habit,  is  inversely 

'■l;icility  of  forming  it, 
'^tliiiig  in  the   present   state  of   society,  justifies  the   expectation,  that 
•  I  will  go  out  of  use.      Its  universal  adoption  indicates  a  universal 


1 


\  I 


f  !  , 


f'lt,-- 


k 


■  ;■■ 


'I 


wM. ''  >' '  '  !•  • 


•'1>  .^"l    <*  li'  T    '■■    ■      '    ■  ; 


r.' J:  '  ■  •.•"»'        r       ■■■.■■, 


•;    J^ii^/ ■•..-'r    ;«'-^-:-'  ;?^'*  •  ■*    ' 

I         i**     -4  '^    *,  .     ■  -  --    '.■  ■  .•■■■...       '  ■  ■  •'  •  . 


if,  .'■< 
i     '■■■•. 


.<    S 


G70 


THE  PRINXIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


LE'i')K  u' 


jiropcnsity.  wliicli  it  gratifies.  Wlion  tlio  liabit  is  <inL'c  formod,  the  motivn 
for  breaking  it,  are  generally  insufficient  to  s\v;:y  tlie  ■will  of  the  iiidividiuill 
and  tliiis  he  at  l;ist  lioeonies'  a  venerable  oxani[ile  to  the  risiiiff  foiRTatiiJ 
Thus  the  jiractieo  is  made,  as  it  were,  hereditary.  NotwitlihtMiidinr  dj 
discouraging  view  of  the  evil,  it  should  be  resisted  in  every  prai'ticuldt;  w^i 
Commencing  in  youth,  it  ought  to  be  mot  by  the  discipline  ajiprnjuiut,. 
that  jicriod  of  life.  Parents  should  forbid  it  in  tlieir  sons,  masters  in  t|;,j 
apprentices,  and  all  literary  institutions  in  their  ]iu[)ils.  ^laiiy  wuul.j 
this  course,  bo  Icopt  from  fDrming  the  habit,  until  tlic}'  wouhl  pa.s<  tlic  und 
in  wliich  it  is  generally  established;  and  their  example  would  exert  an  ii,| 
enco  on  the  succeeding  generation.  In  this  way  the  evil  niiglit  be  iliiaij 
ishod,  but  not  eradicated.  3Ieanwliilo,  it  is  the  duty  of  medical  men,  tn 
out  the  injury  whieli  tlicy  may  oljscrve  it  to  be  exerting  on  iiidiviiiuu!-  ail 
insist  on  its  discontinuance  ;  (jr  la^'  such  rcslrictions  on  its  use,  as  to  diniiiij 
its  pernicious  effects.  One  restriction  is  to  lessen  gradually  the  (juai.tij 
consumed;  another,  to  use  weaker  tobacco  ;  a  third,  not  to  use  it  wlicii  t| 
stomach  is  empty. 


CHAPTER   III. 

CLOTIIINCr,  LODGINGS,  ILVTIIIXG,  HABITATIONS,  ANKi 

SIIADE-TllEES. 


SECTION    I. 

CLOTHING. 

The  male  population  of  tlie  Valhiy,  tln-oughout  its  whole  extent,  iV' \ 
crally  well  clothed,  as  far  as  respects  protection  from  cold.     Linen  inx: 
skin  is  rare,  except  in  summer,  and  is   tlien  almost  limited  to  the  vi;  .:| 
classes.     Muslin  is  in  general  use.     In  winter,  fiaunel  next  tlio  .^ur-i 
the  body,  is  more  extensively  worn  than  formerly.     Some   individiiii!-  > 
it  througliout  the  summer;  but  a  greater  number  substitute  muslin. 
the  woolen  and  the  cottun  fabrics,  tend  to  ])reserve  the  skin  from  tlio^il 
reductions  of   tomjierature  by  the   action  of  wind,  when  the  iiidiviild 
pers[)iring;  while  linen,  from  its  readier  conducting  power,  permits  lii.| 
heat  and  m<iisturo,  to  bo  more  rapidly  carried  off.     There  arc  skins,  lio«*i 
so  irritable,  and  others  so  prone  to  perspiration,  that   linen   is  preferii' 
them  throughout  the  year.     At    all  seasons    of   the  year,  the  flai* 
muslin,  or  raw  silk,  that  is  worn  next  tho  skin,  throuch  the  day.  !?'"'"l 


^iai;^'^:'i.'-: 


is  (ivicc  furmcil,  tlic  motive 
J  tlio  ■will  uf  tlic  iiiiliviiluall 
[o  to  tlic  rising  geiRTali) 
xry.      Nutwltlihtiuidin^;  tlil 
oi  in  every  ju'iictitubk'  waj 
ho  tlisc'iplinc  ai.iirnpriuti; 
their  t^i'ns,  masters  in  tli(| 
.iv  pu|)ils.     Many  wouW. 
il  they  wuuhl  pass  till' n-ru 
xaui\)lc  woultl  exert  an  'n,fi 
•ivy  tlio  evil  mlglit  he  ilimii 
(hity  of  »><-''li'^'il  nien.tni;' 
exerting  nii  iiidivliiuulv  ad 
jtiousoiiits  uso.astn  diimni 
lesson  graauuUy  the  (luaiitil 
tliir'-l,  not   tu  use  it  \v!;c; 


III. 

\,  HABITATIONS,  AM'I 


'.riii. 


IXTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


11  ^ 


iS. 


1. 

.hout  its  wln.lc  extent,  avo  J 
inn  from  cokl.     Lino»  mxt 
nhnnst  limited  to  the  ^vc:.. 
,ter.  Haunel  nest  tlie  sur;a 
,,„crly.     Some   indiviaiuu- 
umbcr  substitute  muslni. 
.,scrve  the  skin  from  tl.o  ^ 
,f  wind,  ^vllen  the  inai^'l. 
ducting  po^vor,  permits  V't^ 
a  off.     Tlieve  arc  skins,  iH* 
tion,  tkat  linen  is  rvefe"  ' 
,g   of   the  year,  the  fla"'" 
.kin,  through  the  day.  ^l''^^ 


ns 


jj.a  nfFat  night;  and,  hy  being  turned  inside  out,  be  allowed  to  exhale  tlio 
iirtions  of  the  skin  with  which  it  ha.s  become  impregnated;  a  practice 
j;  generally  observed,  though  decidedly  salutary.  The  moccasons  of  buek- 
jit so  common  fifty  years  ago,  havencarly  disa[)pearcd ;  and  sub.>3tantial  shoes 
jjlmots  of  tanned  leather,  are  now  in  universal  use.  They  are  seldom  made 
n;cr-prouf,  or  worn  double,  except  in  cities,  and  there  by  a  small  numlier. 
[io  former 'juality,  makes  the  feet  damp  i'rnm  tlitir  own  perspiration,  and 
iSiisthcm  so  —  tho  latter  custom,  subjects  the  individual  to  the  daiiger  of 
liia"  cold,  whenever  he  happens  to  be  exjxised.  with  only  a  single  pair. 
I'lerc  can  bo  no  doubt,  that  the  cuinmim  method  of  protection  is  most 
ilalrious.  The  b(jys  of  the  country  run  barefoot  for  eight  months  of  the 
Lsr. until  they  are  twelve  or  fourteen  years  old;  a  custom  well  calculated 
lu'iiirikii  their  constitutions. 

liie  dress  of  the  female  poptdation  of  the  "N'alley  is  not,  in  general,  as 
"ahiitod  to  the  preservation  of  health,  a-s  that  of  the  male.  It  abounds 
MUiire  in  cotton  and  silk  ;  which  in  winter  are  often  insuilieient.  The 
:iie  of  wearing  flannel  next  the  surface  is  not  so  universal,  and  th*"  want 
id'.se  adaptation  of  clothing  to  their  lindis,  whereby  they  are  exposed  to 
be  ?Uitdi'U  changes  of  a  variable  ehmatc,  is  no  doubt  often  a  source  of 
L*iv?.  For  several  3-ears  past  an  amelioration  in  this  respect  has  been 
:;;iin.  and  fashion,  more  governing  in  female  apparel  than  in  any  other 
:;i  of  tlie  world,  soems  likely  to  render  tho  use  of  nuisli)i  or  flannel 
:>  universal.  So  many  obvi<  us  eonsideratiiins  uni*  >,  in  favor  of  this 
;iuii  to  female  raiment,  that  the  hope  may  be  cherished  that,  once  iutro- 
slit  will  become  permanent. 

Ik' use  of  corsets,  though  not  universal,  has  been  very  general,  but  is 
it'i  be  decHning.  In  the  country,  the  exceptions  are  more  numerous  than 
!>' towns  and  cities,  even  among  women  who  labor  equally  hard.  ]>luch 
pirn  !it,  declamation,  and  raillery  liave  been  directed  against  this  article  of 
;«1;  hut  it  has  maintained  itself  in  spite  of  all.  The  truth  is,  that  the 
[fri  r  muscularity  of  the  trunk  of  the  body  in  females,  and  the  greater 
mi  of  cellular,  adipose,  and  glandular  matter  covering  the  iiiu-'^cles, 
:  in  males,  seems  to  suggest  the  corset  as  a  natural  and  necessary  sup- 
A  requirement  mucli  less  urgent,  on  the  ])art  of  tho  other  sex,  sug- 
daiul  mahitains  in  use,  the  waistband  and  closely-butt(jned  vest.  The 
'i'joetions  to  tho  corset  do  not  involve  its  use,  but  its  abuse.  Fin^L  It 
nil  put  on  girls  before  they  have  gotten  their  growth.  Second.  It  is 
slivays  fitted  to  tlio  form.  Third.  In  many  instances  it  is  worn  so 
-as  to  displace  the  abdominal  viscera,  restrain  the  due  action  of  the 
ratory  muscles,  and  jirevent  the  full  inflation  of  tho  lungs.  These 
lst>liave  their  origin  in  the  tastes  of  individuals;  and  do  not  spring  from 
liiiidianism  of  the  jacket  itself.  It  is  certainly  more  feasil)le  to  correct 
■  t!mn  to  banish  it  —  easier  to  raise  a  public  opinion  among  women 
last  tight  lacing,  than  against  an  article  of  dress  winch,  |)roperly  used, 
find  comfortable,  supporting,  and  in  no  wise  injurious;  wiiile  it 
bl'S  them  to  fix   and  adjust  tho  other  parts  of  their  apparel ;  as  the 


IK. 


f-    •    ' 


:\  ■ 


•*  ,f 


;l; 


".;'<. 


li 


"r\.- ' '. 


078 


Tin;  PRINCIPAL  disi:asks  or  the 


[dook  I 


.^t§|fi:'1''-  ^:"•^".v^■ 

I'i!PI'-v%-;  -'.  ■  ■■•■..'.  ■■■-..■■■■ 
mH^4'-v  ■'■■:■?:■:■'  - 
,7  't.f  :•■'»■-  i     :  li.-»'  "  .    ^    '     .•        ••■•. 

*^y''■••■■■•^  ;':1''%.^''^v''"  ■■-■ '  ' 
i'Kj^y  }^f'' .■•.':'■  V  :'     V;'''. ;, 

'f  v.?"*  .r.'-  -s-v.  «'■'•.'    ^'^ ■•/'«.  ^■■, ", 


■t 

--f  _' 

■f'  l:.-   ,.■ 

.  1 

• 

,'      ;   ■     T, 

trunk  of  tlie  body  cunstitutcs  llio  point  Wajipui,  of  .-ill  the  movcmcnt.s  of  th 
lieatl  and  oxtrciuitics. 

Till'  .sillies  of  our  womun,  Imtli  in  town  and  country,  but  <sj)cpi;il]y  in  t| 
f'lriucr,  art'  far  from  constituting  an  ado(|uato  |ir(.tection,  oxccjit,  in  the  si  '.tj 
or  duriii,i;  hot  and  dry  wi'atlier.  They  cover  too  small  a  part  of  the  i  i 
and  tho  materials  of  which  they  are  coniiioscd,  are  goiiorally  Um  tliiii  inj 
pernicablo  to  water.  I  am  tiuitc  convinced,  tliat  where  one  has  sutlVrcil  .rm 
the  nianiu  r  of  usliij^  a  corset,  many  have  sulVerod  from  the  form  ami  UKitg, 
rial  of  their  shoes.  Their  liosinj.',  also,  in  the  middle  and  nortlieni  baitxjj 
tho  A'alley.  is  (|uitc  insullieient ;  being  generally  of  cotton  or  silk,  when  ;  4 
of  wofil,  a3  .1  greater  non-conductor  of  heat,  is  iiidis|ioiisa1)lc  to  the  wanud 
of  the  feet  and  lower  extremities.  In  the  country,  woolen  stoekiiiLfH  are  jj 
more  gener.-il  ii<e;  but,  still,  cotton  is  very  often  worn  under  circiiinstanci 
whic^'    hp'ild  vorbid  its  use. 

Tl.  '  'li  ;  of  oecasionally  exposing  tho  neck  aiid  u|i]>cr  part  ef  ti 
chest,  V  eh  tno  iamo  individuals  ordinarily  protect  from  the  action  nf  eo 
air,  is  injurious  ''  'o  health  of  the  lungs :  and  re(|uires  a  remuval  ef  tj 
dress  from  t!ie  top  of  tho  sh(Uilders,  over  which  it  shmild  be  susiiciulu 
the  deltuid  muscles;  where  it  is  kept,  by  a  tightness,  which  materiallv  iiitei 
fores  with  tho  action  of  those  muscles,  and  tho  movements  of  tlie  ann 
Thus,  while  the  modesty  natural  to  women  is  violated  by  this  fasliioii,  it| 
equally  repugnant  to  souml  jihysiidogy. 

The  dress  of  our  children  is  often  liable  to  objections.     AVliat  T  liavo 
say  relates  to  the   colder  parts  of  the  \'alloy,  and  more   to  cities  tlian 
country.     In  the  latter,  children  spend  much  of  their  time  in  the  ii\"\\^ 
and,  by  common  consent,  are  held  to  bo  hardier.     Tn  town,  they  remain  imj 
in  close  and  heated  houses  thnuigh  the   cold  weather,  and  when  tiny 
sent  out,  are  often  inadctpiately  clothed.     The    fashion  of  exposing  t:i| 
arms  and  the  superior  parts  of  their  chests  during  youth,  is  often  injurii 
Man  was  not  made  to  have  his  hands  and  face  clothed,  but  he  was  nia'l 
have  the  other  parts  of  the  body  covered.     Animals  and  birds  have  a  vi 
ural  protection  of  hair  or  feathers,  and  man,  in  all  climate-  and  all  staiij 
soeietv,  has  shown  an  instinct  to  clothing.     These  two  facts  demonstrate. tli 
clothing  is  physiological;  and,  if  so,  it  slnmld  extend  to  all  parts  iftl 
body  which  can  be  covered  without  interfering  with  their  fuiiclinir: 
the  only  exceptions  are  those  just  mentioned.     It  is  physiologically  ai- 
to  say,  that  by  exposure,  the  whole  surface  of  the  body  would  cunie  t^  1 
the  cold  as  well  as  the  face,  which  must  of  necessity  be  exposed.    V-.vw 
then,   should  not    expose    their    children    without   protecting  what  i::i;il 
rerpiires,  and    her  Author  intendeil,  should  bo   protected.      Tlio  pra'tij 
moreover,  of  allowing  the  clothes  of  little  children  to  fall  off  their  shnul!/ 
and  be  kept  up  by  compression  over  tho  shoulder  joints,  is  still  more  ul'j^ 
ticmablo   in  them  than   in  young  women,  as  it  interferes   with  the  pr 
develo|)ment  of  their  arms.     The  secret  of  .success,  in  forming  tlio  C'Hi-ni 
tions  of  children,  as  far  as  clothing  is  concerned  is,  First,  To  cover  tlienhj 
surface  of  their  bodies  and  their  limbs  separately.     Second.  To  see  tliat  t.i 


»  v. 
■■',  'i 


.  /* 


^  THE  [boo«  i 

(f  uU  the  uiovcmcnts  of  tli 

lutry,  hwi  cspcoially  ii\  tW 
oction,  oxpojjt,  in  tin-  si'Ut|| 

0  small  a  jiiivt  of  tin'  t'"i»f 
aro  goiierully  tijn  tliiii  ;ia4 
wlicvo  Olio  has  sufforoA  Iroi 

1  tViiiii  tlic  form  ai)il  ni;it8» 
idillo  ami  imrllicni  parts  of 
(if  cotton  or  i'Wk,  when  tli^ 
luVispousalilc  to  till!  wai'iulf' 
try,  woolen  stoekinirs  aru; 
11  worn  nndcr  ch\uiiistaiie< 

leck  and  "I'pcr  part  cf  tlj 
itcct  from  tlm  uition  (.f 
ul  VLMiuiix'S  a  n'miival  if  tlj 
1  it  kIiouIiI  he  suspouilnl, 
ituoss,  which  materially  m4 
ho  movonients  fif  tlic  anrf 
k-iolatc(l  hy  this  fasliioii.it 


10 


.ariii.j 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


679 


l^;3  is  warm  in  wliiti.T.  Third.  To  tako  care  that  no  part  of  it  com- 
[■(jjii'S  tlicm.  TIiuH  protocti'd,  they  should  Lc  cnconragt'd  tu  go  into  the 
Iwair,  frci^ucntly  and  freely,  oven  in  the  coldest  weutlier. 


(ihjeetioiis.  AVhat  T  li;iv«^ 
•and  more  to  cities  than 
if  their  lime  in  the  oi.m 

Tn  town,  they  roinaiu  iiw 
^veathcr,  and  when  tlu'v 
ic  fashion  of  exiiosing  t'n 
liua  youth,  is  often  injurv 
cln'thcd,  hut  he  was  m^^ 
ninials  and  birds  have  a  w 
,  all  climates  and  all  stato! 
so  two  facts  dcmonstrat.'.t 

d  extend  to  all  parts  ' :  tl 
injrwith  their  fimctim.> 
It  is  physiologically;* 

the  body  would  c  mic  t^ 
cccssity  1)0  exposed,  r;'"'-' 
hunt  protecthig  what  i:.i'« 
be  protected.     The  pv;> ' " 

Iron  to  fall  otr  their  slW. 

Idor  joints,  is  still  move  M 

it  iiitcrferer,   with  the  pi 

icocss,  in  forming  the  C'imt, 

.dis,Fu-.^/,  Tocoverthouhi 

■ly      Stcond.  Toscetbatt.1 


SECTION    II. 

J?ATniN(J. 

Miiiig  is  far  from  being  general  in  any  part  of  the   N'allcy.      On  the 

Ijw  if  the   Half,  and   at  the  watering  places  of  tli(t  int(rior,   there   are 

kin:  houses,  to  which  a  number  of  people  annually  resort    in  summer. 

Lio  who  live  near  our  rivers  and  the  shores  of  the  Northern  Lakes,  occa- 

|r-i'!v  bathe.     Tn  most  of  our   larger  cities,  there  aro   bathing  cstablish- 

|:,:;:  fur  both    sexes,   to   whieh    individuals,    chiefly   of  the   more   wealthy 

L-v.-.  have  reeoursc;  and,  linally,  many  individuals  have  family  liathing- 

:.3i>.  both  hot  and  cold.     Still,  an  overwiielming  majority  of  our  jiopula- 

i:.;.!iliim  bathe  at  all.     Of  the  efticacy  of  daily  bathing,  in  the  preservatioQ 

:-jiiil  health  and  a  hardy  constitution,  there  can  be  no  doubt;  and  it  i 

;. ;.  1.1  be  regretted,  that  the  practice  cannot  bo  made  more  general.     A  very 

|;;a'.iilnot  inconvenient  substitute  for  immersion  or  showering,  may  be 

.1  in  sponging  or   siirinkling'tho  surface  of  the  body,  on  rising  in  the 

;iiig.  all  the  year  round ;  or,  in  the  winter,  standing  at  the  window     nd 

i.'aii  air  bath,  which  should  not  be  prolonged  after  a  slight   slunhleniig 

;onimcnced.     In  all  cases  the   skin  should   be  well  rubbed,  immediately 

It.:  t!io  application  of  the  water  or  the   air,  with  a  coarse   towel.     Our 

p cities,  from  Now  Orleans  and  3Iobilo,  to  Pittsburgh  and  Montreal,  ought 

lave  public  cistern-baths,  fur  the  gratuitous  accommodation  of  the  jioorer 

k;riag  classes,  so  many  of  whom,  when  sick,  are   supported  at  the  public 

fei;  in  our  alms-houses  and   hospitals.     "Whatever  tends  to  presiTve 

liealtb,  diminishes  the  poor  taxes,  not  to  refer  to  higher  motives,  which 

hvbvious,  but  do  not  come  into  the  jdau  of  this  work. 


SECTION    III. 

LODGINGS. 

Ihiiy  persons  in  the  middle  and  northern  parts  of  the  Valley,  sleep, 
'^\  winter,  in  rooms  warmed  by  stoves  or  open  fireplaces,  but  a  greater 
'^■•rludge  without  lire.  The  general  opinion  is  In  favor  of  the  latter,  as 
^nioalth  is  concerned.  If  lire  be  nseil,  the  open  chimney  is  better  than 
'='■  vo,  as  favoring  ventilation.     If  a  stove  be  used,  a  screen  should  be 

pn-iscd  between  it  and  the  head  of  the  bed,  to  intercept  the  radiating 


r.-^- 


r. 


'i| 


i\ 


I  J?-. 


'li' 


jiiK^;'I|;i;f'4 


•      »:        ■  •        -if         -     . 


Jr- 


?'■ 


■■■'  v'  '• 


-^-^ 


<■»;-- 


'l<1 


i  Kl;:    '.:.:-'^  :•■.:':.  v-'H:. 


f;  -■<i  ■'.1 :-"  '.".:■.  ■ 


080 


THE  rinNCTPAL   DISCASKS  OF  THE 


[»occ  I 


hcnt,  and  evaporation  slioiilJ  Iju  niaintaincMl.     It  is  bi-ttcr  tu  Imrn  W'  i.d  tl' 
coal  ill  t!io  l)e(l-t'liainl»or;  fur,  as  tlio  latter  is  'Ijiii?^  fiway,  and  tiie  (lr;iil  n 
the  pipe  lius  Hourly  ncn.^t'd,  a  (luantity  of  carbonic  oxide  is  apt  to  rsiain 
coiitamiiKitc  tlio   air  of  tho  rouni.     Tims  many  persons  \vlio  sleCMii,,,,^ 
room.-!,  witli  stoves  supplied  with  coal,  have  trouhlod  dreams;  and  awuki 
in  tlic  nioniing  v.'ith  lieadirdio.     Tlic  peoplo  of  tiio  zones,  of  wliich  I  ;  y| 
spoken,  and,  indeed,  of  almost  the  whole  N'allc}-,  arc  less  divided  in  't'     ■ 
as  to  tlioir  bed.-;,  than  they  arc  in  regard  to  fire  in  the  bed-roinns.     IVai ; 
b;jds  are  almost  universal — indeed,  are  met  with  nearly  down   to  t'x  (iui: 
and,  in  most  of  the  A'allcy,  the  people  lodge  upon  them  in  suuiniir  :i    •,- 
as  winter.     Kvcu  children,  not  less  tlian  older  jiersons,  arc  often  snljcit 
to  this  kind  of  lodging.      In  mild   weatlnr,  feather  beds  should  nivtr 
used;  and,  in  winter,  tliose  who  keep  lire   in  their  rooms,  and  thoM!  uhu  11 
in  tho  south,  should  not  f<lccp  on  them.     A  hard  bed,  of  curled  hair,  stva 
husks  of  Indian  corn,  or  long  moss,  is  much   to  be  preferred,  as  pi m    i* 
the  density  and  strength  of  tho  nuiseles,  and  hardening  the  skin,    IV:-  % 
who  have  been  lodged  on  hard  beds  from  their   infancy,  greatly  prefer  t    % 
\\\\\i  are  called  "weakly"  children  sIkjuM  sleep  on  no  others.     3Ictluii 
pressure  is  the  natural  stimulus  of  tho  skin  and  nmscles  ;  and  cannot  be  wit 
held  at   liight,  without  detracting  from  their  firmness  and  vigor.     TLl'  r 
shoidd  be,  to  resort  to  feathers oidy  for  warmth  ;  and  under  all  eireinu^ta:; 
•which  admit  of  that,  in   an   ade(|uato  degree  witiiout  them,  they  KhuiiM 
dis])cnsed  with.     This  rule,  rigidly  observed,  would   banish  them  cutin 
from  the  southern  zone  of  the  A'alley,  and  limit  tliem  to  the  wintLi-  i,i 
middle  and  northern. 

The  extensive,   and  especially  the  summer,  use   of  feather  beils,  in 
Valley,  may  bo  traced   back  to  the  practice  of  our  Englisli  anccstoM 
family  customs,  not  less  than  nursery  talcs,  aro  traditional.     I  Jut,  in  (Jri 
Britain,  the  summers  aro  proverbially  co(d;    and,  hence,  what  may  tliire 
very  well,  may  be  prejudicial  here.     It  is  necessary,  however,  that  we  sb 
lodge  warm.     To   f:loep  cold  is   exceedingly  injurious  to  health;  fir  ii 
natural,  that  is  physiological,  for  tlie  pcrsi)iration,  sensilde  or  insciLsiliL. 
flow  freely  while  we  are  asleep.     Ivepose,  silence,  and  tho  absence  of  ni 
emotion,  favor  it ;  and  if  it  be  suppressed  by  cold,  injury  to  health  cii>J 
It  is  particularly  injuriou.^  for  the  surface  of  the  body  to  be  uncoviroJ  tl.r 
the  niglit,  and  especially  during  the  latter  part.     Hence   it  is  huneli-;:.' 
.summer,  to  sleep  in  such  night-clothes  as  will  protect  all  parts  of  the  sui: 
notwithstanding  the  automatic  and  instinctive  movements  which  lake  ] 
during  sleep.     All  this  is  still  more  necessary  for  children  than  Ibr  aJ 
In  winter,  sleeping  cold  may  bring  on  a  catarrh,  sick  headache,  er  an  n;; 
of  rheumatism ;  in  summer,  may  be  the  exciting  cause  of  cholera  uiurl 
diarrhea,  or  dysentery;  which  often  commence  in  the  latter  part  of  tlio  i.:: 
as  did  epidemic  cholera,  and  for  tho  same  reason.     All  our  physicians 
familiar  with  the  attacks  of   cholera  infantum,  which  occur  at  tlie  ? 
period  of  the  night ;   and  I  have  often  seen  croup  produced  in  June 


'urii 


'.'ilr, 


I  woe, 
U, 

;.irtl 
:,[  tl) 

:  liie 

■  .'•Inn 

iFii."  rii, 

Mrst'S, 

|i':'i  till 


.1  v;i.st 
p  X  evil 

ijliiie. 

ai'tinii  ( 
r-S'iiiiM 

illVk  UX 

'■nil'  fi 

Mli  I;, 
l!l.I  HI 

li  ilie 
f*r  en 

capaci 

is  t 

i  are 

(ioi'av 
•*  or  ni; 
H  rivc 
'■■rs  (,(• 


III; 


I.  aiK 
r  de 


iirv, 


e.^:ci 

aiid 
'and  ci 

't>  of  vo, 

^f  iilthv 
41 


p  THE 


[.. 


;•  111. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


081 


1  better  to  lairnw.i.d  i  a 
iir;  uwny,  nml  t\ic  dr  r/  f 
(ix'ulo  is  ni^tto  esuji',    i 

,cr9i»us  \\\w  Plvci.'m   ,  3|t 
IlmI  (Ircaius ;  and  iiwuko  ij 
he  y.om;s,  tsl"  wliicli  I  'm 
arc  less  divlikil  i\i  'i^.u 
1  llic  bfil-vcKjius.    IVutl: 
ncavly  Juwn  t')  lie  (lull 
on  thL'in  in  i^ummor  sn  w* 
^icvrtons,  are  often  suljoitj 
tlier  beds  ^hlmlll  iicvir  ' 
ir  rooms,  iiml  thc-o  wlio  li 
I  boJ,  <'f  i-'iivU'd  liuir,  s-tvu^ 

bo  vi'^i'^'"'^''^'  "^  Vf""'^''"! 
iriU'i>'u:g  tbo  skin.    V.  ■-  i|j 
infiincy,  gvcatly  ia-.t\:v  t.  H.! 
;p  „n  no  others.     Mo'la;, 
miscles  ;  tiud  euiuiot  bo  wliljj 
i-iuness  aiul  Yig"V-    '^''^  '' 
;  and  uiubv  all  circuuistui:( 
rt-itlu.ut  them,  thoy  HliuuU 
,  would  banish  them  ciit;r« 
it  them  to  tho  winter  i.i ' 

uso  of  feather  heils,  in 

,t:  our  Kuglish  ancestry: 

•0  traditional.     15nt,  m  ur 

nd,  hcneo,  Yvhat  may  tkru 

i^^ary,  however,  that  v,o  s.'. 

h,jurious  to  licalth;  f.rn 

tlou,  sousible  or  in^ensiiaJ 

Lee,  and  the  absence  ut  iih.i 

cold,  injury  to  heaUh  en- 

e  body  to  bo  uncovered  tu^ 

,,t      Hence  it  i3  Ij^'nf*^'': 
,,voteetallFrtsoftk.M.^ 

„u.venn-nts  wVa^li  talcc  i^ 

l.y  for  children  than  l.r  ;'- 

■vh,  sict  headache,  or  an  :.. 

iting  eause  of  cholera  uk. 

Icintho  latter  part  01  U.m 

,ason.  All  ouri)l.y^>'^J««^^ 
ium,  which  occur  at  the  .. 
I  croup  produced  m  Juu. 


',  trim  th'3  H.amo  osposuro,  when  children  who  uro  more  carefully  lodged, 

yA\  ever  contract  it. 

Lnl.'ii^'  rooms   sliould,  tliroiii^hout   tlio  \vho](>  year,  bo  thoroughly  aired 

,;ro  tlii'ir  iiiniate.s  retire  to  tlieni.     If  a  current  of  wiiid  can   lie  made  to 

,« timiigh  them,  HO    iiuich    the  better ;  but,  in  .suninicr  or   antmiui,  it  is 

l-^iit  ti  let  down  tho  sash,  or  otlier\vi,so  close  up  tho  windows,  before  wo  go 


,  sleep. 


Two  otfects  result   from   this:     first,   tlio  cxcln.sioii  of  malaria. 


;iiir  iiui'dii  wliiidi  produces  antnmnal  fever;  sicoiu/,  tlic  exdn.-idii  of 
IsL-turf,  wiiicli,  in  tiie  latter  part  uf  tho  night,  ofti-ii  chills  the  body. 
Ipji*  rule  i.s  es])ecially  neeessary  in  tin  south,  and  along  our  great  water- 
hmi.  where  had  air  and  lotis  so  uuieli  ahuund.  In  very  dry  localities,  and 
lirntbo  north,  it  is  less  re(juired. 


si:cTio\  \y. 

II  A  li  I  T  A  T  n )  \  S  . 
Av,ist  niajority  of  tlio  inhaliitants  of  the  Valley  live  in  wooden  hmses, 
Iri'i. (.veil  in  nmst  uf  our  towns  and  cities,  predondnatc  over  those  of  brick 
jtme.  In  tho  s  mtli,  tliese  Imusi'S  arc  very  cniiinionly  protected  from 
bietioii  of  the  sununor  sun,  by  porches  and  veraiulali.s;  wiulo  tlio  wintcns 
mill  that  tho  ininites  do  not  sulfer.  In  the  nortli,  thin  walls  arc  an 
i'k'|n:ite  protectinii  from  the  seven*  cnhl  of  January  ;  and,  in  the  aliseiico  of 
iulis,  from  the  burning  heats  of  July.  In  the  sprin<r  of  the  year,  walls 
ihiik  nr  stone  are  often  cdvered  witli  condensed  vapor;  the  rooms  have 
nii'lilleil  with  warm  air  from  withnut,  wiiieh  seems  dry,  because  it  cou- 
>i! Ill  inure  va[)()r  than  it  can  kecji  in  S(diitioii;  but  when  it  comes  in 
Bta.t  with  the  cold  walls,  its  temperature  is  reduced  to  the  dew  point;  and, 
h  the  same  ahso/ulc  (piantity  of  water,  it  becomes  a  moist  air.  The 
»[«  enrrectivo  is  a  fire,  which  restores  the  dryness,  by  increasing 
c;i|i,ieity  of  the  air  for  nmisture.  An  objection  to  wooden  dwel- 
'  ij  the  rotting  of  their  foniidatioiis,  when,  as  is  too  often  the  case, 
t;  art'  built  without  an  adcipiatt;  under-jiinning  of  stone.  AVhen 
jei'ay  commences,  the  family,  by  night  and  day,  breathe  whatever 
>  IT  malaria  may  be  generated.  Tn  some  of  the  villages  along  om* 
k:j1  rivers,  which  oceasimially  overflow  their  bank.s,  all  the  sills  and 
MS  (if  the  houses,  although  so  recently  built,  are  already  in  a  state  of 
:•  This  is  especially  the  case  in  the  south,  where  heat  and  moisture 
fi'l.  and  most  of  the  timber  used  is  of  a  soft  and  perishable  kind. 
*'5:i.r  defect  is  the  absence  of  cellars,  which  are  seldnm  met  with  in  the 
Wy.  except  under  the  best  houses;  and  are  omitted  in  building  the 
niid  temporary  houses,  which  make  u])  the  greater  nunilier  in  our 
'-and  cities.  Even  when  cellars  are  dug,  there  is  a  neglect  of  the 
'>  "f  ventilating  and  drying  them.      All  such  foundations   are  apt  to 

*  iiltliy  ;   and  perpetual  decay  and  decomposition  go  forward  throughout 
41 


•    h 


li 


:.iM 


i  i 


■.  .ttlf' 


,.■  'I' 


f\  -n 


:\  ,    '.\ 


^'r'mM 


!  Km 


Ut-af.jf"  -.      .in' (  ■    ■  .'  ■  <    ■ 


If'  ■.;,.■  '  • 


T.i!Va^^*"ii-    ,-'    'y  -    ■■■■•■■ 


682 


TIIK  PRINTIPAf,  niSKASRS  01'  THE 


[•>"•«  u" 


tlio  summer,  oven   wlu-n    the  atmiif<|ilicro  is    dry,  tliiiH  m'Tiprntinif  a  fmil   lir 
wfiilo  tlip  lower  Mtories,  nr  fjrciuiiil  \\<>i>rn,  are  ot'tcii  rciiderej  uiilieiililiv  lit 
their  (lampiiesH.     A  I'lirtlier  difect,  is  the  want  (if  the  iiieaiis  (.f  uiiiii-  thd 
different  a|iartinenfs,  es|iecially  tlmse  oeeiipicd  as  h)ili;iiiir  riirHH,     \  ^\ 
wiiiilnw,   witli  a  doi-r    (i|M'iiiii;j;  into   a  narrow  entry  —  itself,   [icrliniis, 
adniittinj»  nl"  sntlieient  venlilati'in  —  nceessarily  j^ives  an  ini|inn'  atuKi-iil.ira 
Its  iiimafes,  from  eustom,  may  imt  detoet  the  f'nnl   air;   Imt  flu-  senscH  of 
atranser  instantly   feel   its   impress;    and  every  physician   knows,  tluit  jh 
chronie  action  on  the  eoiistitntioii  is  had.     in  the  newly  settled  iinrtH  nf  tli 
noiintry,  this   fanlt   in  linilding   is   earried  to   its  greatest  hi^'ht.     Tlif 
cabin,  resting  direetly  on  tlio  pround,  and  made  tight  hy  danliinL',  "cudul 
has  hut  one  small  window,  sometinu'S  none;  and  yet  all  the  t'aniilv  live  .ml 
lodi.'!'  in  it.      Of  course,  throughout  the   winter,  in  th((  colder  nart'^  uf  thi 
Valley,  there   is  mi  ventilation,  e.xeept  of  the  spaee,  hetween  the  finer  ;iiij 
fireplaeo.      In  better  ami  larger  houses,   having  halls,  and  several  r'nini 
there  is  still  another  defect,  whieh  is,  that  no  provij^ion  is  made,  in  hk-i  ^ 
them,  for  warming  the  apartments  that  are  not  in  constant  use;  nml  vtt  t\$i 
inmates,  even  small  cliihiren.  with  clothing  adapted  to  tlmse  wliicli  nri'iro*' 
pcrly  heated,  wander  through  the  whole,  and  often  sustain  injury.     Tl.i-  dj 
particularly  prejudicial  to  small  children,  inclined  to  croup  or  scrol'u!;i  ;i| 
t(j    girls    and    young    women,    predisposed    to    consumption.     The   y],-   gf ! 
warming  large  houses  with  heated  air,  recently  introduced  into  sonio  i :   .v< 
larger  towns,  is  well  calcidated  to  remove  this  ohjection;  but  care  sin  i,  i  In 
taken,  to  guard  against  the  dryness  of  the  currents  which  the  furn;ire  -  i^j 
up;  otherwise  discomfort,  and  even  injury  to  health,  may  result.     Hi'    rlij 
our  houses,  especially  in  the  country  —  wliere  the  jiractice  is  likely  to  li  Kg., 
manent  —  have  been  win ined  with  wood  tires,  in  open  chimneys:    in  ttiui   ii 
close  stoves  are  coming  into  use  ;  and.  near  all  the  larger  rivers,  niinenil  ui  a! 
superseding  wood.     This  kiiul  of  fuel  has  the  advantaire  of  nKdutainiiig  a  mi 
equable    temperature;    but    it    throws    out    exhalations,    which   sonuti 
affect    the  head    and  lungs.     AVhat  maladies  may    ccaso  or  be  prulii 
by    the    increasing    stone-coal    snmke    of    our   larger,   and    especially 
manufacturing    towns,    remains   yet    to   bo    ascertained.     Very   latfly 
"air-tight"  stove  has  made  its  way  among  us.     In  this  we  have  the 
combustion  of  wood.     AVhile  admirably   calculated  to  maintain  a  iiiii!'( 
temperature,  it  jircsents  two  objections  :  frs/,  it  is  unfavorable  to  a  cliai 
of  air;    scoiuJ^   it   renders   the    air    too   dry.     The    former   is  not  a 
remedied,  because  of  the   small   and  feeble  current  created  hy  siuli 
combustion;  and  may  require  openings  near  the  ceiling  of  the  riKiin,  It 
escape  of  the  long-retained  and   rarified  atmosjdiere,  while  other  aport 
near   the  floor,  allow  a  correspondin;.'  supply  to   enter.     The  latter  4'! 
may  bo   supplied   by  evaporating  pans,  which   should  always  be  hnad 
sliallow,  and  not  made  uf  metal,  nor  of  earthenware  enameled  with  h' 
a  decomposition  of  the  water,  by  the  oxydation  of  tlio  metal,  will  lil'd 
hydrogen  gas,  whi<di,  in  passing  off,  may  dissolve  a  portion  of  the  nK't;i 
thus  vitiate  the  atmosphere  of  the  room.     Finally,  the  practice  of  ot"-.'a«Mttrtj.    jj^J 


I!'.''urri 

T'.IIill''  ? 

■  lliu  lat 
-:;ii»iifss, 
>■'>:  and 
:;  jed  ti 
■.'rt't  lie 


'  n 


THR 


[lUDKI 


MIT  I"'. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NOkTII  AMERICA. 


C?3 


us  frt'iiprntiiifT  a  f'lul  »ii 
rciiilii-fil  uiihiuUiiy  hi 
tho  iiu'itiis  lit'  uiiiti^'  thi 
(nl^iiiir  riK'iiiH.     A  Mii'.'l 
ry  —  iidclt',  jktIuhis,  iiii 
cs  !\ii  imimrt!  utm('C|il.ir« 
jiir ;  Imt  tlu'  siMis(.'!*  uf 
(liy^iH'ian  knows,  tliut  Itj 
,„.\vlj'  scttl.'il  juirts  (if  til 
jrri'iit.'sl  h\'M.     Till'  In 
i^rlit  \>\  (hniliiuir,  pt'iHT! 
yet  uli  tlu!  ftunily  liw 
in  till'  ('..IiIt  pvt-i  i.t  tin 

^.^i^^^,      llCtWCfll        till'      'I'H.r       l.^ 

liall-*.  ami  scvonil  r-  n^ 
ovisimi  is  inmli',  in  ui'  -t  i 
,  ciiiistant  use;  mi'l  }'"1» 
;c(l  to  tlxiso  wliii-li  »t<'\:> 
vn  sustain  injury.  Tl  '■-  ip 
(\  to  cvoui)  or  scrofula,  ui 
lonsuuiption.  Tin-  vlini 
i„trudufe«l  into  si.mo  "f  ' 
i.jfctiou;  but  can!  slii.uia 
,'„ts  wliidi  tl\(!  funiii.o  m: 
oaltli,  may  result.  Hit!' 
c|.ractifoisliWytnlH|. 

HMi  clnmuoys:   intluM.' 

l:n-iior  rivcr.s  luiiiL'nil  «•  a 

,,„t!rL'i;<ifuiaiiitainin!ram 

K.latious,    wl>i<'1i   suiiiiti 

may    pea  so  or  be  lir^lu 
la"r<-ov,   anil    especially 

.,,,t.;i„od.     Vory  lately 

1„  this  wo  bavp  the  s 

.,t,Hl  to  maintain  a  uiu! 

i  is  nnfavorablo  to  a  eb 

Tlu'    former   is  not  tti 

^,,reut  create.l  by  suil. 
,,  ..ciling  of  tl.e  riiem.  t-  r 
iH.re,  Avbilc  otlier  aporr 
I  ,„tcr.  Tl.e  latter  Jel 
cboniaahvnys  be  W' a  ^ 
„varo  euameleil  with  h.^ 
,n  (,f  tl.e  metal,  wH  l'^;^' 
ve  a  portion  of  the... ^■f.>' 
ally,  the  rractiec  of  eeoa. 


.'. 


illTwariniu;^  chambers  with  pans  of  biiniinf^  oharcoul,  18  more  pomnutn  than 
jgi'iicrally  Mupposcd;  uml  every  now  ami  then,  oceu-sions  death,  by  tho 
>ratioii  (if  earboiiic;  oxide,  or  earbonio  aeid. 
In  every  country,  tho  a^piit  of  a  hou.se  deserves  attention,  and  sluiuld  bo 
iiteniiii.eil  by  a  roferenee  to  tin,'  sun  and  winds.  As  far  as  pnssilih',  tliey 
li'uld  lihino  and  blow  upm.  it.  In  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi,  this 
jkral  union  is  ([uile  practicable;  for,  as  we  have  seen,  its  prevailiiip; 
iiiulj  arc  fnun  soullierii  points  lietwcen  south-east  and  south -wot.  If, 
i'li,  a  ilwelling  havi!  its  front  to  the  south  —  as  is  ^rencrally  tht!  ease  in  the 
Vjlli'v— it  will  bo  better  liijlited  and  ventilated,  than  if  its  end  should  be  in 
:it  dirtc'tiuii. 


SIXTION  V. 

R  H  A  I)  i;-'l'  It  E  E  R  . 

Ilfirring  to  health,  how  near  .shoidd  sliadc'-trees  bo  phmted  to  a 
ii.lliiij; ■.'  Their  effect,  when  so  near  as  to  over.»lia(liiw  the  roof  and  walls, 
;rlln!  latter  only,  is  no  doubt  to  keep  tlicni  cool;  but  they  increase  tin; 
iimpness,  by  preventing  the  drying  effect  of  the  sun,  after  rains  and  heavy 
•x;;  and  in  the  sotith,  its  umst  observing  physicians  and  planters,  are 
'I  R'd  to  them,  and  prefer  the  verandah;  which,  I  have  no  doubt,  is  a 
:.rri.'Ct  Jecision.  It  is,  however,  a  great  advantage  t(t  have  trees  near 
ii;  usi!,  so  that  they  may  shade  the  ground  around  it,  and  thus  prevent  tho 
:4ilioii  and  radiation  of  beat  against  its  walls.  On  the  northern  side, 
it"  may  be  planted  nearer  than  on  the  southern,  as  they  cannot  there 
'craiuuluw  the  building.  Trees,  in  the  neighburhoud  uf  a  dwt  lliiig,  when 
;:ttw  near,  not  only  do  good  in  tho  manner  just  pointed  out,  but  they 
irt'dtlie  family,  when  they  go  out  for  recreation,  or  the  ordinary  business 
: 'ii;  l.iiuse ;  and  everyone  must  regret  their  wanton  destruction  around 
:;t  of  the  country  houses  of  the  Valley.  "With  the  motives  for  their 
fftsorvation,  which  good  taste  and  the  love  of  beautifid  scenery  would 
Kjgcst,  this  work  has  no  concern;  but  I  find  enough,  of  a  purely  hygienic 
sill,  to  justify  a  protest  against  the  destruction  of  what  nature,  in  licr  wise 
Muiny,  has  provided,  to  shield  tho  earth  and  its  inhabitants,  its  tender 
jn-saiid  delicate  flowers,  from  the  scorching  rays  of  a  summer  sun. 

.Niude-trees  should  be  cultivated  in  our  towns  and  cities  more  extensively 
pill  they  now  are;  but  those  which  grow  to  a  great  bight,  should  not  be 
k-™,  because  they  rei.  ler  tho  walls  and  roofs  damp.  The  object  is,  to 
"lo  the  side-walks.  Very  broad  streets  or  avenues  should  have  rows  of 
k;tr  trees  in  their  center.-  :  for,  at  such  a  distance,  they  do  not  pruduco 
"« injury  just  mentioned,  while   they  keep   down  tl.e  heat  of  the  surface, 

ii'iish  radiation,  and  protect  those  who  are  passing.     The  towns  of  tho 
itb  arc  generally  well   shaded,  either  witli   sheds  and   awnings,  or  with 
N.    The  Pride  of  China  i^Melia  azcdarach)  is  tho  favorite,  up  to   the 


,v 


■:M 


'  ••''•  ' , 


^■>/i.-f 


.,.„yfe'  ^  : 


_^::   '.-1  ■  ^ , .  r  .  ■ 


■.^*':^-: 


.'"*"' 

.»,■  ••• 

'   '  .V  .. 

**: 

•  ^'  ■,■ 

*'4 

;V  •,    • 

.'■'^  y' 

•]• 

,  ?»*•    ",  .'•    * 

m 

■  * 

■  ;,. 


l!i>:'.f.v*.i,. .'■■:■; 


G84 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I  BOOK  1,1 


latitude  of  tlilrty-throc  dogrces,  above  wliic-h  it  does  not  bear  tlio  colder 
winters;  tbcn  tlie  resort  is  to  tbe  wbite-flowcring  bjcust  {Roliinia  pseuda-l 
cacia),  with  wliicli.  in  liiL'lier  latitudes,  arc  Mi'uJed  tiic  water  iiiaiilv  {  I'-'t 
ruhrum),  wliito  elm  (^l.'lmus  pi'iiiliilii,),  eutalpa  (  Bli^nionia  catalpaj,  a;;! 
sycamore  (  Platinius  occiilcnlalix  ),  all  of  wliieli  g.ow  too  largo  fur  narrow 
streets.  But  within  tlic  last  few  years,  the  aiUintlu's,  a  fureigii  truo,  lia,' 
been  intro(lueed,  and  become  a  general  favorite. 

The  jdaiiting  and  cultivation  of  trees,  on  tiic  public  squares  of  our  titi  •> 
has  not  received  the  careful  attention  which  their  value  demands.  The. 
maintain  a  cool  jdacc,  to  •which  resort  may  be  had,  by  tho;^e  who  suffer  froiut 
excessive  heat,  either  in  the  streets,  or  in  badly-constructed  houses;  aiidl: 
should  be  regarded  as  among  the  means  of  healtli  and  comfort  for  tlie  nooiilji 
of  every  city. 

To  conclude,  trees  should  be  left  standing  between  ponds  or  marshes  anif  j 
the   family  residence.     There  are  many  evidences   that  they  exert  a  iiro- 
tecting  summer  and  autumnal  influence  ;  especially  when  the  source  of  disease 
is  to  the  south  or  west  of  the  town  or  dwelling. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

OCCUPATIONS,   PURSUITS,    EXERCISE,   AND    RECREATION'.! 


SECTION  I. 

AGRICULTURAL    L  A  H  O  R  S  . 

I,  In  the  non-slav('holding  colonies  and  states,  that  is,  in  Caraiial 
western  New  York,  Michigan,  Wisccjnsin,  3iinisota,  Iowa,  Illinois,  lniliani| 
Ohio,  and  western  Pennsylvania,  including  the  northern  half  of  the  p' 
tion  of  the  Valley,  tho  prevailing  occupatifm  of  the  male  sex,  is  uiisiTb'J 
neons  agriculture,  or  farming.  Most  of  th'.'ir  time  is,  therefore,  spent  in  til 
open  air:  where  they  are  exposed,  more  or  less,  to  rain,  morning  do\v>,  a i 
the  noonday  suns;  while  their  joints  and  muscles  are  heavily  ta.xcd,  tutb 
bad  end  of  breaking  down  the  health  and  strength  of  some ;  and  tlie  g- 
end  of  giving  great  firnniess  and  endurance  to  others. 

In  these  labors,  boys  often  begin  to  jiartieipate,  as  early  as  the  ^•• 
seven  or  eight  years ;  but  girls  and  women,  e.xecpt  among  the  immigrants  iw 
Germany,  are  seldom  seen  as  laborers  on  the  farm. 

II.  In  tho  slave  states,  from  the  Appalachian  Mountains  to  tlie  Kio 
Norte,  there  are,  i.i  reference  to  agricultural  labor,  two  classes  of  white  m^ 


I.  I-,. 

u'ltei- 

'':.l'ly  J 

V'  f  luiil 

•-IpS  t 


•h''^\n 


F  THE 


iBOOK  I. 


. 


';.V' 


Iocs  not  bear  the  colder  | 
y  lucust  [Hobinia  ]ii'!utla-k 
.■(I  tiio  water  niaiilo  (.I'-crl 
(  fViirnonia  calalim),  and^' 
g:inv  too  large  IViv  narrow* 
mtlivs,  a  foreign  tree,  has 

uLl'ic  s(iuares  of  our  titi'3,^ 
L'ir  value  cleiiiaiuls.     Tht;; 
il,  by  liiosc  wlio  suffiT  friiiiif 
y-c-o\ir;trui'tecl  liousos;  ai;df 
I  and  conifort  for  tlie  pcopliji 

twcon  iionils  or  marslios  and; 
■OS  tliat  tlicy  exert  a  pi- 
ly  wlicn  the  source  of  ilinei,-e 


m. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


685 


^> 


AND    EECREATION'I 


V  n  o  R  ^J . 

states,  that  is,  in  Caiia^ 
.isota,  Iowa,  Illinois  Indian^ 
northern  half  of  the  V"V^^ 
[•  the  male  Bex,  is  m^^'l'^l 
MO  is,  therefore,  sp'nt  m  -ij 
s,  to  rain,  morning  aews  aij 
,'les  arc  heavily  til xe.l,  t^'JJ 
,ngth  of  some  ;  and  the  • 

thers. 

,„to,as  early  ns  the  a?^ 

,t  among  the  immigrants  tr-'^ 

irm.  . 

,.an  Mountains  to  the  U' 
,bur,  two  classes  of  vhito  mi 


f  r,/.  Those  who  own  a  sulTK.-ient  numhor  of  slaves  to  perform  the  rc(juired 
i,;'iof  the  plantation,  as  it  is  tlioro  eallel ;  and,  thorofuro,  do  not  labor 
T;;!i  tliL'ir  own  hands,  but  leml  lives  of  superintondeuco.  recreation,  or  idle- 
•«;;  .<pendi;ig,  it  is  true,  murh  of  their  tinu;  in  theojion  air,  but  often  with- 
•jt  adeipKite  provision  against  all  its  inelemonejcf; ;  and  without  taking 
r-ttniatic  e.xerciso,  for  the  sake  of  its  hygienic  effects.  The  further  wc 
;  iouth,  the  greater  is  the  proportional  number  of  this  class.  Strand. 
J':  >t>  wlio  cither  own  no  slaves,  or  so  few,  as  to  bo  under  the  necessity  of 
;  :;id|iating  in  the  labors  of  the  field.  No  poriion  of  the  .'slavehoMing 
i.K'S  is  without  thi.s  class ;  but  they  are  most  numerous  in  western  Vir- 
;';:.'i,  cast  Tennessee,  Kentucky,  and  Missouri;  that  is,  above  the  cotton 
::/.  ill  the  latitudes  which  priuliice  wheat,  hemp,  tol)aeco,  horueil  cattle, 
■>■<.  and  .sheep.  The  hardest  ami  heavi(!st  labors  of  this  das.s,  consists 
:ittiiig  down  the  forests,  and  opening  the  farm.  In  the  south  they  do 
;:w.rk  iimeh  among  sugar  and  cotton  :  but  in  miscellaneous  agriculture  — 
\_:\-  arc  fanners,  not  planters,  in  the  discriminating  vocabulary  of  the 
yauy.  It  was  formerly  believed,  that  white  men  could  not  bear  the  surn- 
Krlioat  of  the  field,  below  the  thirty-third  digree  of  latitude;  but  thhs 
:;i:;iiin  is  not,  at  present,  strenuously  maintained  by  any  one.  ')n  the 
.itrary,  it  scorns  probalile,  that  those  men.  wlio,  in  the  smth,  work  regu- 
JrK'ia  the  field,  enjoy  bett(M"  health,  and  live  to  a  greater  age  than  those 
f"  1 'ad  lives  of  idleii(>ss,  with  its  sinister  accompaniments. 

It  amiot  be  doubted,  that  agricultural  labor  is  favorable  to  health  and 
'^.^liic;  notwithstanding  its  fatigues  and  exposures.  Aninng  tlie  ('.isease.s 
'..Tviiiidi  it  gives  birth,  or  generates  a  predisposition,  arc  rheumatism  of  the 

':'-,  lumbago,  sciatica,  bronchitis,  iilcnrisy,  pneumonia  and  acute  fevers; 
:,•  fruits  of  violent  musevdir  effort,  -r  great  exposure  to  foul  weather. 
I'v>|io[isia  is  not  unknown  among  this  'dass.  but  occurs  from  other  causes, 
dill  spite  of  the  salutary  influences  ol  agricultural  lite.  Nor  is  coiisump- 
|:kiuiiciiimnon ;  though,  apart  from  hereditary  predisposition,  it  Iocs  nofi 
:i;en  occur;  and  a  life  of  agri<'ulturnl  lubor  is,  perhaps,  one  of  ili(>  best 
I E^iis  for  correcting  such  a  predisposition. 

As  autumnal  fever  is  a  rural  disease,  those  who  f(dlow  agricultural  occu- 
ki'ms  are,  of  course,  among  its  most  fre((ucnt  victims. 


S  E  C  T  I  O  ?v'     II. 

c  0 :\i  M  F,  i;  ('  1  ,\  I,  ? V  R s  u  its. 

i  riulor  this  head,  T  propose  to  treat  of  those  who  are   engaged  chiefly 

^>ator  transportation.     It  is   impossildo   to  estimate   their   number.     It 

''t'ly  e.toocds  one  Immlred  thousand,  ;,nd  is  every  day  inereasiiig.      The 

'■;■'■'  part  arc  men,  before  middle  life  ;  a  great  number  arc  boys,  and  a  few, 

ips  two  per  cent.,  are  woiiieu.     On  ai.d  around  the  (lulf  of  Mexico,  the 


i-   - 


■  ti  i 


•  f' 


.1 


'     i     ' 


f 
1       1 


*  Wl 

W'it  '  «." 

>1 

If"'   *  '' 

i' 


G86 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book 


lal)nr,i  ,)f  tliifl  class  continue  tlirougliout  tlic  year;  but  furtlier  nurtli  tlicra 
are  lung  jioricids  (if  huspchsiun.  Uri  tlie  lakes,  navi^'ntion  is  intciriiiiKi'' 
tliruu;^ii  lour  of  the  eold  niontlis  ;  and,  for  as  many  of  tlie  hot,  hut  tcvr 
watermen  are  roq..ired   to   descend  the  3Iississi]i|ii  to  New  Orloaiis.     TIm  re 

arc,  in  the   Valley,  fuur  difl'erent  jirovinees  of  eonimercial  oneratiou tba' 

Gulf,  the  rivers,  the  lakes,  and  the  prairies.  | 

ir.  TiiFK  rroN  Tin:  Gti.F.  —New  Orleans  is  the  empuriiuu  nf  tli»' 
commereial  marine,  of  the  (Julf  of  Mexico.  Of  tlie  other  jiortti,  the  ihief 
are  C'liaj^rcs,  Vera  Cruz,  Havana,  Tampicc*,  Galveston,  Peiisaeola,  ai.d 
Mobile.  The  voyages  between  these  port.s,  or  between  any  one  of  tin m  imii 
New  Orleans,  are  never  of  sueh  duration  as  to  generate  any  form  of  (li.M;ast 
peculiar  to  the  sea.  They  are  made  in  steand)oats,  and  .^^chooners,  nr  lii's. 
In  wiiatever  craft,  the  .sailors  and  operatives  lead  expo-cd  lives,  wliili'  tLej 
move  in  an  atmosphere,  tiie  mean  anniuil  temperature  of  whicli  varies,  ig 
different  latitudes,  from  seventy  to  eiglity  degrees  (.if  Fahrnenheit ;  wliil.;  it 
i.s  nearly  saturated  with  vapor.  Their  exposure  to  suddi-n  sliowers  i.s  fre^ 
qiient — to  that  of  a  sun  of  intense  ])ower,  liabitual,  for  at  least  ten  nioutlus  nut 
of  tw(.'lve;  at  night  they  often  lie  in  the  open  air;  lastly,  in  eertaiti  S(.'a<Mii 
of  the  year,  tliey  are  subjected  to  the  chilling  influence  of  the  AV//',.  j, 
Most  of  them  use  ardent  spirits  daily  ;  and,  while  in  port,  where  tlie\  spi'iii 
much  of  their  time,  many  of  them  dip  into  dissipation.  Tn  adrlitimi  tu  tliij 
das.-^  of  soanuMi,  there  are  the  sailors  and  marines  of  the  United  StatiV 
Navy,  who  cruize  in  tin;  Gulf,  and  undergo  the  same  exposures,  Imt  .in ' 
more  restricted  in  the  use  of  ardent  spirits.  A  large  pruportion  uf  al 
the  seamen  of  the  Gulf,  are  natives  of  more  northern  latitudes.  In  (-;!• 
mating  the  efleets  of  the  life  they  lead,  upon  their  health  and  con.-tit;''  !i, 
we  must  deduct  the  efl'ects  of  intemperance,  with  its  exposures,  wliili  •  j 
are  in  port  :  and,  also,  the  action  on  their  systems  of  the  deleterious  atn,  j. 
phere  of  commercial  towns,  in  hot  climates;  and,  ha\ing  dune  so,  w  );  ly 
tmy,  that  they  are  liable  to  diarrha>a,  cholera  morbus,  dysentery,  iic|  i'  .3, 
and  roup  de  folc.il,  \\\  summer;  and  to  rheumatism  aiul  pneunmnia  in  \. 
While  at  sea,  as  on  a  schooner  voyage,  from  Vera  (,'ruz  or  Havana  ti  >  w ; 
Orleans,  they  are  often  invaded  by  yellow  fever;  and  the  same  disease 
times  breaks  out  in  our  national  vessels,  when  they  have  not  lately  tcuiuji 
at  any  port,  ^uch,  however,  is  but  seldom  the  case  with  autumnal  '\<x<: 
mittciits  and  remittents  ;  the  former  of  which  sometimes  cease  spontaiie"'j.-li 
during  a  protracted  voyage. 

III.      LiFK  IJI'ON  ouK  KiVKits.  —  1.   Ill  the  latter  part  of  the  last  com iir] 
and  for  the  first  fifteen  or  twenty  year«  of  the  present,  the  commerce  "f  til 
Interior  Valley  was  carried  on  in  flat  brats,  which  floated  with  the  ciirivnl 
and  in  keel  boats,  and  barges,  which  were,  by  oars,  setting  poles,  andcirik 
propelled  against  it.     Flat  boats  still  continue  in  use,  but  the  others  arc 
lunger  employed.     The   pri  icipal  voyages  were  frcm  the  Ohio  River  tu  .Ncl 
Orleans  :    and   the  waternien   who    perfornu'd  them,   constituted  a  |htii1i 
class:     Fir^f.   They  were,  for  a  long  period,  exposed  to  a  river  atni' qilii.™ 
Second.  Their  exposure  to  the  weather  was  incessant.     Thud,  llicirilil 


tHiilg  tl 


'  THE 


[book  I J 


pjr 


II..] 


INTERKJR  VALLEY  OF  xNOliTIf  AMEfMCA. 


087 


Imt  further  nortli  tlicraf 
iiavifzatioii  is  iiit(rni]itt# 
ail}'   of  tlie   liot,  imt  t'cvr' 

to  Now  Orleans.     Tl;i  re 
mincrcial  operation  —  the 

is   tlio    einj)ori\ini   uf  the 

tlic  otlier  jiorts,  the  iliiuf 

alveston,   Pcnsai'dla,   a'.d 

ffcen  any  one  of  tliciii  and 

icratc  any  form  of  iliM.ase 

.s,  and  sdiooncrs,  nr  lai^s. 

I  exposed  livefs,  wliili'  i!ioy 

ratnro  of  wliich  varies,  ig 

of  Isilirnenheit ;  wliilt;  i( 

to  sudd(,Mi  showers  is  fre- 

for  atloasl  ten  montlis  nut 

;  lastly,  in  certain  seasuiil 

infliieiieo  of  the   .YcW'c-i, 

1  in  port,  where  they  sponj 

ation.     Tn  addition  tn  tlii| 

ines   of  the  United  StatcV 

;  same  exposures,  hut  ar| 

A  largo   proportion  nf  air- 

rtliern   latitudes.     In  ejti»-| 

ir   health  and  eon.-titutii 

its  exposures,  wliile  tliej 

of  the  deleterious  atnii 

d,  ]ia\ing  done  so,  wins 

Kirbus,  dysentery,  heiiatitif 

n  and  pneunnmia  in  vviiitel 

■a  (Jru/,  or  Havana  tn  Nol 

and  the  same  disease  Mrn 

ley  have  not  lately  t"i.''. 

easo  with  autunnml  ;!:;■. 

iietimes  cease  spoiitantnU! 

tor  jiart  of  the  last  eontur 
•osent,  the  eominercc  ^f  vi 
■h  floated  with  the  cuimiI 
i,  setting  poles,  and  ciTikll 
1  use,  but   tlie  others  aii'i 
r.in  the  Ohio  Eiver  to  .Vj 
lein,   constituted  a  yf''M 
Kised  to  a  river  atni' ^ph'-r^ 
eessant.     Third.  Tlnir 


(,a?i;ted  ehiefly  of  bread  and  meat,  luiirlh.  They  drank  whisky  to  excess. 
[  ■'/,  Those  who  reiurned  by  the  livt'r,  were  couipLdled  to  labor  in  the  iiii>st 
;  ;,  nil!  niannor,  and  wiTo  ufteii  ill  the  water.  Si.i/h.  Tho.se  wiii>  traviled 
[jck  by  land,  perl'ormed  a  jnurnoy  nf  a  thousand  miles,  on  horsebaek  t>r  ou 
;■  ;,  eiii'aiiiping  at  night  in  the  open  air. 

Ill  this  oeeupatiiiii  many  dit'd  of  fevers,  contracted  I'rom  lying  thrnngli  the 
rijiit  at  the  river  banks,  or  at  New  Orleans  ;  and  rheiiinatisin  or  |iulnionary 
•::r;iM'S  were  the  hit  of  otliers;  but  the  inajurity  wore  stnnig  anil  lianly  — 
:  hi' being  more  Ho,  than  tin  se  who  pirrmnied  the  long  overland  journey 
i  ill  New  Orleans,  to  tlio  middle  pDrtimi  of  the  Ohio  liivcr,  on  foot.  lr>inco 
i':,c  .'eiieral  intriidiiction  ol'  steambnal!-,  the  Hat  boat  hands  no  longer  return 
V,  l,iiiil;  but  on  tlie  lnwer  dorks  of  tlmse  boats,  where  many  of  them  yield 
•.Hli.s.«ipation,  and  the  mortality  is,  I  jiroumi;,  ijiiite  as  great  as  among  those 
..:' tMriiK'i'  times. 

•..  The  number  of  men  and  boys  I'liiployod  in  navigating  our  numerous 
;;  aiiib^iats,  amounts  to  many  thousands.  Tlie  most  e.\iHi,;i  d  and  n.'ckless 
i:.  till' liremeii  and   doukhunds.      The  diet  of  the  ojnTatives  is  chiilly  bread 

Tlioir  labors  are  hravv.  and   reiiuiro 


neat,  with    eofl'ee  in  the  lltorilill'^ 


I,ii.' perlornied  by  night,  imt  less  tiiuii  day.  They  are  uiueii  exposed  to  all 
itikiiieueies  of  weather,  and  are  often  in  the  water.  The  tiremen  pass 
aiiiili  uf  their  time  in  a  heat  of  (jiie  hundred  and  twenty  degrees,  and  some 
il'it.  iu  a  heat  of  one   liundrod   and    fil'ty    di-groes,    rahreiiiieit,  as    I  have 


i-id'tUll 


led  by  the  therniomoter,  when  their  pulsi.'s  rise,  in  frenneney,  t 


o  one 


bidrod  and  thirty  or  one  hundred  and  forty  in  a  miiiuto.  JJoth  ela.Nses  arc 
iniiic  habit  of  throwing  themselves  on  the  liow  of  the  boat,  wliere  they  arc 
eX[ifiseJ  to  a  wind  cijual  to  the  velocity  of  the  bdat.  I'o  counteract  the 
effects  of  tacse   various  exposures   and  irregularities,   many    of   them   drink 


ircdv  ij 


illlT 


f  ardent  spirits  ;  and  the  iiremen,  especially,  nigard  such  drinks  as 
sary  to  the  maiiitenaiiee  of  that  perspirati  m.  which  cools  their  bodies 
a|)proaeliing  the  furnaces,  which  they  feed  with  fuel.  The  experience 
ot  the  most  observing  Com maiider.s  is,  however,  that  these  and  every  other 
(ks  of  steamboat  operatives,  enjoy  better  healtii,  and  iiave  greater  strength 
rieii  they  refrain  from  di inking.  As  to  tiie  diseases  to  which  they  arc 
&ijt  liable,  if  1  may  judge  from  wliat  I  have  seen  in  the  Louisville  .Marine 
H'is|iital,  and  the  Cnmmen  .il  Hospital  of  Ohio,  at  Cincinnati,  they  are 
lii.'tiy  diarrhiea,  and  intermittent  fever,  witli  its  <<('//i/rlfr,  ilisorden.'d  -spleen, 
iriJ  dropsy,     lllieuniatism  and  pulmonary   iiifiamiii.itioii    are,    however,  not 


micumiiion.     Fiiiallv,  a  lar 


.10  nuiiilier  are  suod 


'ly 


destroyed   l)y  meclianica 


loiiilents  drowniuir,  or  sealdinij; ;  ami  a  still   lart'or  number  are  driven  froia 


'n  ' 


tmpliiymeiit,  to  die  a  lingering  death  from  the  diseases  produced  by  inteui- 
peraiiec  and 


river  ex po.su re. 


The  steamboat  river-piloti  have  a  peculiar  duty  to  perform,  which  might  be 
«|iected  to  atl'ect  their  eyes  unfavorably.  For  twelve  hours  out  of  every 
twi'iity-foiir,  they  are  kept  in  a  state  of  active  vision;  at  night  straining 
tin  ir  eyes  to  see  objects  by  a  dim  light,  or  through  the  fog  —  in  the  day, 
caving  them  directed  upon  a  watery  surface,  wliicli  often  reflects  an  intense 


G88 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


I  BOOK   I 


li^'lit.     Ojilitliahuia  iiiid   aiiiiiurofsis  niiglit  be  .fiippnsetl  fo  rcsuli  fr.,m  sr,(i;  ■ 
life  ;  but  I  am  imt  aware  tliat  tliey  bave  (jl'teii  been  pniduoed 

IV.  Liri:    ON  tiik    N(i..tiieun    Lakks. — Our   i'resii-w.;<:i      il!  rs   i  ,.^ 
tlioir  n^rtive  lives  iu  a  mean  temperature  of  al)i)ut   fnrty-dve  tlr^rjos,  '■  -tc  1 
of  seventy-five  (leu'rce.s  like  tliese  of  the  (lulf  (<f    Mexii'u.      Tlii.ii'   vi,,„,,^ 
are    made    in    scliuoiicrs.    steamboats,    and     piiipolli'''.s.       Tl;-)    niuviiiT  .  f 
operatives  is  larpe  —  quite  onual.   jierhaps.  to   tlie   mimlicr  eniplyeil  r,|n;i 
tlie  (lulf,  if  wo  except  those  coming  iu  Eunipean  vessels      The  lake  V(l^,|_•  s 
arc  ceuerallv    sbi  rt  ami,  therefore,    nnu'li   of  the    time    of  the   Wiitcriinii  '.■ 
passed  iu  purt.     Tliey  expose  tbemselves  less  tluni  the  sailors  of  \\w  fnilf. 
and  are  more  temperate  iu  aleobolic  iudnlgeuces.      Most  of  these  ni"i'eijvi.'r.  ^ 
are    natives  of   tlie    climates   iu    wliieb    they   lal)or.      Tims   the  t  I'lscs  ..f ^ 
disease   to  wbicli  tliey  arc  exposed  are  fe\v(  r,  and  tliey  oiijoy   better  liciihlr 
tban    tlieir    liretbreu   of  the   (julf  of   Mexieu.     The   buwid  eonq'iint^  aii'! 
fevers  of  the  CJulf,  cspeeially,  are  mueli  rarer  bere  ;   but  iuterinittciits  cunio-j 
times  attack  those  wbo  fref[uent  (he  snutlierii   sliores  (jf  Lake  llrie  :  and  a!!' 
are  liable  to  pulmonary  inllauiinatiou  and  rheumatism. 

V,  LiFi  ui'o:;  ouu  ("'axai,s.  —  It  is  a  popidar  opinion  that  tlie  exiava- 
tion  of  canals,  in  siunmcr  and  autumn,  is  an  uuliealtby  emplnynnni :  ar.j] 
the  lii>tory  of  that  wliieli  leaves  tlie  west  end  of  Lake  Erie,  at  .M:nmiec  liav.j 
for  the  Ohio  lliver;  that  of  tlie  Erie  and  Heaver  canal,  in  mi  stern  lVllll^\i■ 
vania,  and  that  of  tlie  new  canal,  connecting  Lake  Poucliartrain  with  .\iw| 
Orleans,  seem  to  gi\e  snppoi't  to  this  opiiiinn.  Indeed,  as  •■;o\als  ai'e  irrn- 
crally  exeavated  thro\igh  soils  —  alluvial  or  diluvial  —  \\\\x'\\  alumiid  ial 
unde'-dniposed  organie  matters,  the  first  exposure  of  tbem  to  the  sun  and 
rains  would  seem  likely  to  favor  the  pi.rduction  of  a  deleterious  atniesplicre. 
Nevertlieless,  we  must  be  on  our  guard  against  error  in  *bis  eonelusieii :  fir,! 
Firs',  Tanals  are  generally  dug  tlirnugli  low  and  flat  laods.  which  are  kiiinvnl 
to  be  jiroduetivo  of  autumnal  fever;  thus  there  was  a  marsli  along  the  siJel 
of  tlie  .Maumee  (filial;  and  that  of  Xew  Orleans,  was  dug  (bn-ugli  a  cv]in':5| 
swamp.  S^'coin/.  'i'he  operative-*  are  unaeellmated  Irishmen  and  (leniiaiLv 
cliielly  the  for  ler;  who  lodg-'  '  "  h'm[iorary  shanties,  often  directly  mi  tLe| 
ground,  ami  indilge  largely  i  ■■.  lisky-driiiking.  Thus,  if  they  had  >|ii 
the  same  seasons  of  the  year,  u.ider  the  same  circumstances,  without  stirriiigj 
up  the  surface  of  the  earth,  they  /no;///  have  suffered  in  an  eipial  (Iririvo.l 
But  I  need  not  dwcdl  on  this  point,  as  it  must  come  up  under  future  head: 

The  ejfri'ls  of  canals  on  the  health  of  the  inhabitants  living  near  thciii.! 
have,  in  several  instances  been  pernicious.  A  great  increase  of  aiituiiiMl 
fever  followed  on  the  com|detiou  of  the  Erie  and  Beaver  (anal  just  niun- 
tioned :  esjieeially  about  the  snnuiiit  level,  between  Lake  P^rie  and  the  Oliiol 
liivcr,  M'liere  a  basin  to  afford  water  was  contracted,  by  throwing  danisj 
across  the  outlets  of  ruun-'aut  Lake.  Some  of  the  surrounding  neigldrr- 
hoods,  previously  exenipt  from  any  fatal  prevalence  of  autumnal  fcvir.  «.'■•?. 
as  wc  have  already  seen,  in  treating  of  the  topography  of  that  region,  aim  --tl 
depopulated.  It  is  a  common  practice  to  draw  off"  the  water  fn  in  onr  >  ;:i  a!' 
ill  the  month  of  Juno,  after  the  spring  navigation  is  over;  and  the  c.\i""i- 


IXIl 


THE 


! BOOK   I 


'.IT  "•'• 


INTERIOU    \Ar,Lr:V  OF  NORTH  AMMRICA. 


C89 


isod  t'i  result  frimi  sr.cb  !\%| 

i'rc'Sii-vv.;t:i     ;iil  irs   |  ass 
forty- live.  clfgr-cH,  i-  -tcud 

Moxi<'u.  Tlii.ii'  vi'w.irosii 
,oll,.vs.  Th;  imi>:l),T  ..f^ 
'  minilicr  cniiiliyfil  r.pnu  S" 
:c.-.sc'ls  Tlio  laki'  vii\  .il'^s  p 
time  of  tliu  watcnmn  ij? 
Ill   the   r^ailuvs  of  tlif  <'iulf, 

Most    (if   tllcSi;   Ul'VcuViT,  J 

lor.  Tims  tlic  c  i'is(.'s  <i 
I  tliev  etijuy  liettcr  liwiUh 
riie  liowel  eiiiuii'iints  and 
.;  •  but  inteniiittciit.s  some- 
ores  of  L;iko  J'^^rie  :  uml  all 

tism. 

11-  oiiinidn  tliut  the  cxrava- 
iiihealthy  CMiiiih'yiiH'nt :  inA 
Lake  Erie,  at  MauiiK'c  li:iy, 
canal,  ill  mm  t^ti'i'ii  IViinsyl- 
ike   Poiichavtvain  with  N\w 
Tiuleed   as  <;(>uils  are  :vn- 
\\]n\u\\  —  wlii'-h    ahiiUiid  ia 
of  them    t  >  the   sun  ai.ii 
,f  a  deleterious  atuw^pliorc: 
rroi-  ill  'his  eouelusioii ;  k, 
Ihit  la. Ills,  whieh  are  known 
hvas  a  u'f.v.-'u  along   tlir  siJe 
wa.s  du.Li-  4hr«aigh  i\  cyytvn 
I'd   Irishmen  and  (ieviiKi'.i- 
Mties.  often  directly  <'ii  tk 
:      Thus,  if  they  had  1*"'^ 
cumstances,  Nvithout  Mirniij 
irr.Mvd   in  an  eciual  dcgM, 
,1110  up  under  future  hiad^, 
.ahitants  living  near  tlKUi 
rrreat   increase  of  autiuuMl 
Id   Beaver  Canal  ju-t  m\>\ 
cu  Lake  Erie  and  the  (»W. 
.tracted.  hy  throwing  -lanis 
If  the  surrounding  neigll'-r- 
lice  of  autumnal  fcv.r.  who. 
kraphy  of  that  regi"n,  n!"' -t 
If  tlie  water  fr<  ni  our  <;;i  .il^ 
I,  i,  over;  ar.d  the  exp' m;h1 


of  :!ie;ri;i'(d  bottoms  Wiiiild  seem  likely  to  goiiorato   fcvi'r=<;  yet.  T   have   not 

•jpi]  ahlo    '•'    '>  ■ii'u   that    sin-li   has    been  tin;  (fleet,   at    least,  to   anv  gr(.'at 

:5tt,.'      X  large  munber  of  biatsrun  ou  our  canals,  ami  as  thi  v  c.ti.iuo  ia 

utidii  all  night,  in  summer  and  autumn,  .•! ,  well  as  in  other  seasons,  tlunugh 

^jiaiis  whieii  f'reijueiitly  abound 'ii   iM.-irslies,  if  migiit   be  cxjiected  that  tlie 

yritivt'S  would   be  often  d  iwu  with  fevers;   still,  the  result  of  my  ini[niries 

■;i.tli;it  tlicy  arc   less  liable    to   tlhise   diseases,  than  the  j)eoi)Ie  who  live  on 

;;.;liaiiks  of  fliesc  fhoroiiglifares. 

VI.     LiFK  OF  TUK  VovAcKLUS.  —  /.I'v//'.'.   The    N'ovageurs,  who  ascend 

;rli:ig  rivers  to   the   Rocky   Mountains,  ;mil   [lass   over  the  A'alley,  from 

Lili'' .Superior  to  Hudson  IJav.  and  the  lakes  and  rivers  to  its  west,  merit  a 

:re extended  notice  than  either  of  the  classes  enumerated.* 

T!ii<  class  or   cr;.>.7c  of  watermen,  consislini^  chiefly   of  l-'rench,   and    their 

■"■"•inlants,  began  to  form  soon  after  that  ,,eo]de  eanii'   upon  tin;  continent. 

f; HI  tii(!  earliest  period  (.f  settlement  in    Canada  and    IiOiii>iai)a,  the  atten- 

pii'tlie  immigrants  was  turned  to  the  Tnteri^r  of  the  A'alley,  whirh  they 

jyiriH.k  to  traverse   l)y  its  vast   lakes  and  rivers,  in  canoes,  and   skiffs  at 

;;..;!i  (.ailed  Ma(kinac  boats;  which,  of  course,  were  worked  by  hand,  with 

pu- ]iad(lles,  and  often  propelled  against  strong  and  unrelaxing  currents. 

ik  the  conf[uest   of   Canada,   in    17<»-!,   immigrants   from   (Ii(al     Ibitain 

;r,i  til  ininglc  with  the  Canadian  Voyageurs:   and,  on  the  cessi'  n  <if  Lou- 

i:.a,  forty  years  afterward,  a   new  addition    was   made  fVciin    the    Ciiited 

[■,j;i>:  hut  the  greatest  reinforcements  have   been  their  own   offspring,  by 

ian  women;  which,    half-breeds   or  mestizoes,  make,  according  to   souic 

Ejiitatinns.  nearly  one-third  of  the  whole.      M.iny  of  tin  se   people   spent 

iifiiiije  period  of  their  active  lives  in   this  .servh  c  ;   to  \vl;ieh   tiny  became 

n;!y  attached.     The   romantic  scenery  of  the   lakes  and   rivers,  and  the 

f;iri«i[iic  appearance  of  savages,  and  wild  animals,  roaming  through   deep 

liit'i'k'?,  invested  this  new  branch  of  eomim  r((' with  aeharni.  wliieh  faseinated 

'  ('iiiaiiian   imaginatinn,  and   drew   thuu.-ands    into   this  jieeiiliar  sei'\ico. 

■raling  tim(>,  their  voyages  were   performed  in  cano(  s   and    pirogues,  of 

"Murk.     Cradually  the    a'lveiiturers   became  familiar  with   the  western 

r^  of  Lake  Superior,  ascended   the   river  St.I.Miis;    and,  traversing   a 

".  roaclied  the  highest  waters  tA'  the  Mississip,ii,  or  sjiread  themselves 

;■  tlie  distant  north-west.     Others  took  their  departure  from   dreen   JJay, 

p'iscondiiig  the  Wisconsin,  floated  out  upon  the   ^Mississippi,  in  a    lower 

kI'-':   while    others   «till,   departing    fror.    the    southern    end    of     Lake 

pbn,  passed    down   the   Illinois,   and   ascended   the    Missouri.      Their 

Kiiijs  were  spent  in  suKdcing.  garrulous  talk,  and  singing.     They  hidged 

ivr tents,  or  beneath    ih'Mr  inverted  canoes.     ]Many  of  them   spdit    the 

t"'!!!  those  desolate  rejrions.  unwilliriLT  to  return   without  full  car^'ocs  of 


P'i<iii'iikiiig  ol  'luMii,  I  fio  not  r.  iVr  to  urint.-d  iuitlioritic ,  —  leiviiiir  li:ol  ainpio 
riiili.s  of  convjrsiiij;  willi  nentliMi  en  wlio  li.ivi'  Ii'imi  fiuiiili.ir  wiili  ilo'ir  li.iliils.ol' 
'  i!>;iy  nii'iirui  1  .Mr.  .'^.■inue  ;  Viliolt  ;iii(l  .Mr.  Willi. uii  .lulinsun,  if  .M  icliiuae, 
U:.,-n  ,<tr\v;irt,  of  1).  Iruil,  aiiJ  (  oloii-'l  .Mik-licll.  of  St.  Loiii-.  I  liav-',  also,  litut 
r'Tsoiul  opportu.'iities  of  seeing  iIkmii. 


'  t 


.■r«^y^»: 


I 


T^^"-*^:ai.^-.f.' 


.■■J-  >:.  ■.    .:^-'t-'    ■   :■■  i-:W:'' 


J-.  ■  s  -  ■■' 


;".   I 


I 


GOO 


THE  PK(NCIPAL  DISKA.SES  OF  THE 


[book  ; 


those  furs,  wliieh  wcvo  tli  •  uhjects  tlicy  sought.  At  all  times,  while  sittini 
ill  their  t-iiiioos,  they  were  cx)»()Hfd  to  every  inclemency  of  weather,  and  wiri 
often  iiM'ler  the  necessity  of  waging  in  shallow  water.  They  iiiiii;:hMl  iiiui'h 
with  tile  native  trihes,  and  adopted  many  of  tlieir  customs;  iiitinnariiol 
with    tliem,    and   reared   up  a  race    of  half-breeds,  to   becouiu,   as   aheadl 


I 


stated,  tiieir  associates  and  successora. 

In  the  use  of  aleoholic   drinks  they  were,  of  necessity,  teiiipprato,  (xcetl 
when  in   port.     Tidiaei-o   they  never  dispensed  witli.     'J'iieir  (het  Cdiisistal 
CKSentially  of  nuiize  or  Indian  corn;  the  variety  ealled  wiiite  ilint  hcinir  y^^ 
forred.      it  was   boiled   ii;  a  ley  of  wood   ashes   until    the  outer  iiitei'iuiu'dj 
could  he  ruhhed  off,  and  tiien  put  in  sacks.     A  quart  of  this  corn,  witlimlj 
ounecs  of  tallow,  or  hard  fat,  boiled  through  the  night,  constituted  tiie  ratij 
of  a    Viiiiogevr  for  tlie  ensuing  day. 

Free  from  care,  and  alive  to  tlic  exciting  novelties  through  wlmli  tlii 
passed,  no  despondency  came  over  them,  and  the  fj;aicti  r/// ((////•,  and  vivurjl 
of  the  Freucli,  never  slione  witli  finer  radiance,  than  on  the  slmrci  »i  hj 
Huron,  or  tiio  rivers  which  meander  through  t!ie  boundless  prairies  Ictwei 
Lake  .'Superior,  Hudson  15ay,  and  tlic  lloeky  Mountains. 

I  have  .spoken  of  the  Xdyagcurs  \\\   the   past  tense ;   but  the  race  ].. 
extinct,  though   it  has  lost   much  of  its  origiiud,  racy  character.     In  lattj 
times,  steaud)oats  and  schooners,  by  ascending  our  great  rivers,  or  travir.«i| 
Lake  Superior,  tend  to  keep  the  Ynya^iurf  in   the   distant  wilderiio.s , 
also  to  limit  their  number;   so.  that  tliey  arc  nolonger  constant  visiters  in  i 
Louis.  Mackinac,  Detroit,  Kingston,  and  Montreal,  as  in  past  times. 

The   Vinjagcurs  arc  generally  below  the  ordinary  Anglo-Ameriean  staiiJd 
in  liiglit;    but  are  muscular  and  very  strong,  i'rom  being  compelled  tu  caa 
Lcavy  br.rden.s,  including  thei    canoes,  aroiuid  the  shoals  and  rapids  ul 
rivers  on  winch  they  run.     Tiie  pack  of  furs,  weighing  eiglity  puunds.  rel 
upon  the  upper  part  of  the  back,  and  a  broad  strap,  passing  across  tlic  foi 
head,  keeps  it  in  its  place.     At  the  portages,  as  that  around  the  falls  of 
llivcr   St.  Louis,  west  of  Lake  Superior,  the  common  burden  for  a  iiiimi 
two  jiai'ks.  eipKil   to   one  hundred  and   sixty  pounds,  to   be  carrieil  a  ui 
but,  Mr.  William  Johnson,    of  IMackinac,  assured   me,  that  he  saw  a 
breed,  Skauret  (for  his  name  deserves  to  bo  recorded),  carry  four — iTib 
hundred  and  twenty  pounds,  through  that  distance  without  laying  tlieiii ' 
The   V<)f//i^i-:ini  arc   not   only  strong,  but  healthy.      Those  on  the  .Mi->o| 
Hiver  sometimes  experience  ague  and  fever,  from  which  tliose  further  iia 
arc  cxemjit.     They  occasionally  have  rheiuuatism.     Mr.  Samuel  AbbuttJ 
a  vc'sidonee  of  nearly  twenty  years  at  Mackinac,  had  seen   but  two  ease 
consun;!)tion  among  the  nniny  who  had  nuide  that  island  their  headiiuari^ 
and  wheilier  they  were  exam[des  of  true  phthisis,  or  only  chronic  liDiieii 
I  Could   tiot   learn.     Mr.    Johnson,  who    liad    ppeut   a  year   aiunnL'  tl 
observed  that  under  all  the  exposures  of  their  voyage   from  Lake  r^np 
to  Locch  Lake,  they  were  healthy ;  but  when  they  came  to  winter  in 
aud  eat  fresh  meat,  they  wen;  subject  to  catarrhal  affections. 

Since  tlie  cession  of  Louisiana,  in  1 803,  many  American  young  men  i 


-iMia 


F  THE 


[BnoK  r| 


At  all  tlmea,  while  slttini 
iiency  of  weuUier,  iuul  wurt 
■utor.     Tlicy  iiiiiij;k'd  mucl- 
licir  custnins;  iiitcniuinief 
;tls,  to   become,  as   alriaJ| 


n'x. 


MT  III'J 


INTERIOR  VALLKY  or  NORTH  AMERICA. 


GOl 


li 


necessity,  temperate,  exec; 
with.     Tlieir  tliet  coiisst 
callrtl  while  Hint  \m\\i:  \::i 
until   the  outer  iiitej;niiiL'( 
(inart  of  this  euni,  wiiii  nt| 
uii'ht,  constituted  the  ruii(| 

uvelties  through  wliii-li  tli^| 
>  oaleli  (hi  atur,  ami  vivmil 
than  on  the  slmres  I'f  \:i 

10  LouniUesri  iiruiriis  IaUvi 
Iduntains. 

st  tense  ;   but  the  raee  i,- 
lal,  racy  eharaeter.    In  lati 

our  great  rivers,  or  travcr.-ii 

11  the   distant  wihlerncs-, 
»lon"cr  constant  viMlurs  in 
;real,  as  in  past  times, 
larv  Anglo-American  standi 
from  being  eomjielU'd  t.i  e;ii 

the  shoals  and  raimls  "t 
weighing  eiglity  puund,-.  lel 
strap,  passing  across  the  U' 
as  that  around  the  falls  ^>i 
common  burden  for  a  iii;i!ij 
pounds,  to  be  carried  a  ii 
ured   mo,  that  he  saw  a  :  i 
recordod),  carry  four— '  r  " 
ance  without  laying  tht'UPW 

,Uhy.     Those  on  the  Mi> 
rum  which  tho.sc  furtl.eruc 
.ism.     :Mr.  !>amuel  Al>WtJ 
ac,  had  seen  but  two  caaj 
that  island  their  hoadiiuarif 
.isis,  or  only  chronic  l>r.nieiii 
i   spent  a  year   amoiiL'  ti 
.r  voyage  from  Lalic  Mil' 
n  they  "came  to  winter  in 
.rrhal  affcctinns. 
imy  American  y.'ung  mon 


^viinc  hunters   and    trappers,  in  the  region  between  St.    Louis   and  the 
ijpvsi'f  the  Missduri  and   Yellow  Stone,  and  have    been  mingled  with   the 


!lj 


nirf,  or,  uf  thomsL'lves,  penetrate  to  tlie   sl<irts  of  the  iu.cky  Moun- 

Ij,:..  where  they  snJMuni  a  great  part  of  tlieir   itme.     The    ilesh  of  the 

I  "ill  makes  a  oonsiderable  part  of  tlicir  food. 

VII.    Sant.v   Fio  Tkaokks.  —  Wo  come,  in  tlic  last   place,  to  a  class  of 

•>krswiio  tra*i[»ort  their  goods  entirely  l)y  laiul.     They  leave  the  ^lissuuri 

|P,:;vr,  not  far  from  the  mouth  of  the  Kansas,  and  cross  the  prairies  to  Santa 

IvaiiJ  Paso  del  Norte,  thence  t)  ('hihuahua,  and   in   the  northern    part  of 

l)[;siiii,  a  distam-e  to   the  first  of  sevtMi   hundred  and   seventy  mih  s.      The 

Il^•llHrtntiou  is  in  wag(jns  drawn  by  oxen,  and  on  mules.     The  time  occupied 

•    ill;:  out.  is  lieneraliv  from  two  t  i  three  months  —  in  returnin<;,  less.     The 

;;.;  5(>asons  for  tliese  trips  are  May  and  June,  and  August  and  September. 

«  .  i.f  the  caravans  have  with  tliem  two  hundred  men.      Their  dii't  is  uen- 

I (r.ilv  composed  of   cakes  of  Hour,  liaenii,  the  flesh  id'  the  bison,  and  ci.frec; 

ff.iili  heans  and   crai-kers  are   sometimes  addud.     They  (<ften  sufl'er   for 

iKt  "f  wafer.     At  night  they  lodge  in  or  beneatii  their  wagons,  or  in  tents; 

I',,:  a'ter  [lassing  the  one  hundred  and   first   or   second   dogrce  of  west   lati- 

lij.  there  is  so  little  dew,  that  no  shelter  is  necessary  at  night,  except  from 

Ik'i.  which,  however,  does  not  fall  very  often.     The  Santa  Kc  traders  gener- 

Irilv  enjoy    excellent    health.     Although   their  trips   are    often    nnide    at 

lifj-'is  of  the  year,  when  various  parts  of  the  A'alley  are  scourged  with 

|i.Mmual  fever,   they  are  searcely  ever  attacked:  an   exemptiuu,   however, 

l«..  I  connects  itself  less  with  tlieir  occupation,  than  the  peculiar  region  of 

iMntry  through  wUich  it  is  carried  on.''' 


SECTION    III. 

MINING    AND   SMELTING. 

Coat,  IMinino.  —  As  our  lu'd-*  of  (mal  lie  horizontally,  and  the  more 

Iw-rfiiMul  arc  not  yet  exhausted,  our  miners  arc  not  compelled  to  descend 

|»::i into  the  earth.     It  sometimes   happen  that  they  tunnel  a   hill,  ;iMd  by 

I'jtinf;  out  on  the  opposite;  side  from   that   at   which   they  entered,  as  at 

'nwroy,  on  the  Ohio    Kiver,   establish    a  current   of  air   through   the  drift, 

1  carries  off'  both  vapor  ami  the  gases  which  may  be  developed.     When 

B'li  thorough  perforation  is  not  practicable,  the  drift  or  horizontal  .shaft,  has 

■advantage  over  the  vortiiial.  that  water  does  not  accumulate  in  the  mine. 

'inercase  the  humid  atmo.spln.'re :  and  by  sinking  tunnels  or  perpendicular 


*i.ii.sha  Stanley,  Est].,  Booneville,  Missouri.     Gregg's  Commerce  of  the  PrairieB. 


.■ii 


i    !' 


|1' 


'4  , 


rr  .:■:..■ 


y 


T-^  t; 


002 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISKASKR  OF  THE 


[BOOK  ll 


I  <■<-■ 


•  ,■  (. 


sliafts  (Inwii  tu  tlio  liori/diital,  at  |i(iiiifs  (li>(aiit  rniiii  tin;  outer  imiiiiic  n,,i 
maintaining  lire  in  tliuni,  artifi''ial  vcntilatiMii  is  oH'ci-tcd.  Notwitlistiiinlii  • 
tlii'so  ndvaiitagt'S,  T  fnuml,  when  cxiil'  ring  tin-  I'dnicrny  iniiics  tlmi,  in  lU 
pldo  drifts,  tlio  raudlo  siinit'tinics  Imrncd  witli  a  dim  liglif,  inilii;iii\  .,  .ipfi 
liaps,  fif"  tliG  |iroscnc('  (»f  carlmnii'  auid  gas.  I  do  not  kiidw  tliat  an  cxii^J. 
siiin  lias  a.s  yet  occurrod  in  mir  cnalcrii  s.  TIio  (cniiicralnrc  in  wliiil,  t!ii 
niincrH  work  is.  of  coursr,  that  of  tlic  earth,  and  varies  lnit  liltlo  tVi  m  suml 
iner  t.'  winter.  Most  of  our  mines  lie  lietween  ■>~°  and  Vl'^  of  N.  I,;,!.,  ;,iij 
(;on.se(|uent]_v  tin-  heal  of  tlie  earth  ranges  from  sixty  degrees  to  iiftv  ih  ,;nf 
of  J*'ahreniieit'.s  thermometer.  'I'hat  of  the  I'omeroy  miiios.  in  N.  I,;i| 
39  °r)',  T  found,  in  the  month  of  July,  to  be,  in  diflurent  parts,  freiii  ti.iv« 
eight  to  sixty  degrees. 

The  miners  at  I'omeroy,  as  in  our  ro;il  ilrifts  generally,  work  with  iiirki 
and  aro  often  eoni|ielled  to  assnme  and  maintain  tliemselves  in  verv  inMintiiri 
pnstnros.  Sometimes  they  stand  ereet.  tlieii  stoop,  then  sit,  tlierr  rei-li::!' ol 
the  left  sh'Piil  Im'.  l''rom  tlie  degriM!  in  whi-h  their  faces  lieconn!  sniji-l.  it 
obvious  tliat  tho}-  deta<'h,  and  must  inhale,  a  gieat  deal  of  eoal  dnst.  'flioi 
wear  woolen  shirts.  Tlieir  dinners,  eaten  in  the  mines,  consist  of  )iii':i|  ;;;ij 
meat.  'I'hey  breakfast,  sup,  and  lodge  at  lioine.  in  the  morning  tli  v  ni 
t'offeo,  and  most  of  them  driidc  beer  or  whisky.  They  aro  cliieliv  Uiljj 
English,  and  <!erin:in  immigrants. 

Now,  what  is  the  t'tVeet  on  health  of  tlii.-^  kiml  of  life?     To  the  evo,  t!.( 
men  appear  as  sounil  and  well-ileveloped  ;is  other   laborers.     Tliey  infmiK 
iiie,    that   they   sweat    a  great   deal,   which       suppose  is   n(it   the  vm-i' 
from  the  damjmess  of  th.e  air  in  which  they  work,  the  in.sensible  )ter.-piniti( 
dot'S  not  esca[)e  freely,  l):it  sull'ers  eoudensation   on    the  .^l;in.     Their  il;.'i 
tiun  is  good,  but  they  aro  prone  to  constipation  and  h;emorrhoidal  nfxi\i 
Dr.  Thonnis,  who  bad,  when  T  visited   this   coalery,  in   ]>"47,  been  tin'  ji 
sician  of  many  of  the  operatives  tor  three  years,  told  me  that  he  .^aw;ii;i| 
of  constipation,  whicli   lasted   for   two  wet^ks.      'J'lie  abdomen  of  the  jafi' 
was   bard    and    swollen,    though    not    painl'ul:   but    after    the    opcrati  i; 
cathartic  medicines,  consideralde  pain  was  develo[ied.      In  another  ea^c.  :ift( 
the  constipation   liad  lasted  a   week,   the   ])atient   died,    and   a^'".''''  * 
cxamin:iiion  disclosed  a  great  aeeumulation  in  the  e(ueum,  colon,  ami  .< 
of  dark  brown,  ami   dry  scybalous  matter.     Tbo  same  physician  iiilnniif 
1110  tliat  bo  bad  seen  among  them  several  eases  of  orchitis,  which  lie  aMii' 
to  their  reclining,  while  at  work,  on  the   lelt   side.     ^Vliile  min-lii;L'  ni 
tlieni  T  licard  no  one   couirli :  and  the  oldest  miners,  tot'ether  with  "nr  .  t  II 
bigbly  intelligent   ami  reliable  proprietors,  V.  H.  Ilorton,  Esq.,  assuiti!  ni| 
that  consumption  is  almost  unknown,     Khoumatism   and  lumliago  lui 
rare  ;  and  they  are  lesn  liable  to  autumnal  fever,  than  those  who,  in  tlii' : 
locality,   work  in  the  open   air.     The  miners  hold  the  opinion,  tlmf 
omployment  is  a  healthy  one,  and  yet  they  say  that  but  few  who  fullw 
attain  to  old  age. 

At  the  Kenavb.a  Salines,  the  coal  diggers,  who  arc  chiefly  negrecf.  olil 


le. 
ffiituto 
."ill -Mis 
EO  of  t 
i't  ill  gcii 
ii.tiiniil 
o>ed  to 
If  iHm\ 
h  a  vi.si 
Krai  aj 
■ti'es,  th 


W'-fi 


-^  rt» 


'ir 


F  THE 


[BOOK  i; 


nmi  tlu!  outer  >']\v\\\\  i;,  nii« 
oirt'ftcil.  Ni(t\\itli>t;ii;,rnii 
I'diiicriiy  iniin'S  tluit,  in  ihl" 

dim  liir'it.  imlii'iitiv-',  ]icr<; 
(I  not  Iviiiiw  tlmt  an   rxhlol. 

tciiipcraturc  in  \\liiili  t!i# 
varies  Imt  little  t'n  ni  miiuI 
!T°  ami  11°  ofN.  L:it..  am 
ixty  (k'griH'S  to  fifty  ili  'irfc 
•(iiiieroy  iiiiiu'S.   in    N    La§''^ 

dilTereut  [i;irts,  IVi  in  ti.tyl 

'l 

fjoiienilly,  \V(ivl\  wiili  ]iii!.:: 
tlieiiiselvi's  ill  very  unn;it;iri 
II. |i,  tlioii  pit,  tlieii  rei!i:;c  m 
•ir  I'aees  liee.mne  snii'- 1,  it 
;at  deal  of  cml  dust.  Tlio; 
■  niiiu's.  consist  oi"  Ineiul  uni 
•  .  in  tlio  iiioriiiii!.'  tbi  V 
y.     They  are  eliielly  \\\1«! 

„f  life?     T(.  tlio  eyo,  tl;f3 
cr   laliiirers.     Tliey  inl'uinel 
ipjidse  is   iHit   tlie  eiisf:  l.a 
•k,  the  insensible  jur.-piiatii 
(in    the  skill.     Their  il'.'-SI 
and  Invinorrhoidal  alleiti 
ery,  in   1^17,  heoii  th.'  '■'' 
fold  me  that  he  saw  a  ^  n 
The  alidunien  of  the  jati' 
but    after    the    operati  u 
iiied.      In  another  ease,  a'.tj 
nt   died,    and   a  j"'^'  '" 
he  C(L'eum,  (Milen.  and  ■■•  tni^ 
he  same  physieiaii  iiil^niiSl 
,F  orchitis,  whieh  he  asni 
/ido.     AVhile  min-Tnig  "ij 
ners.  together  with  eiio  .ttl 
5.  llurtun,  Esq,  assurcu  iiij 
;itisni    and  luniba-ro  an   a 
r,  than  those  who,  in  tl.c  >;i 
hold  the  oiilnion,  that  t!i 
y  that  but  few  who  f 'H  w 

ffhn  are  ehicfly  ncgvoo?.  o::j 


INTHFaOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


003 


vino  atlc'cted  witli  coughs;  and  Dr.  Street  lias  seen   tlicni   e\-|ioctoratc  !l 

,:  lIlMi'IlS. 

.\;  l'ilt>hiirgli,  where  eoal  has  lu'eii  dug  for  a  longer  period  tlian  in  any 
■  ,:  jiicality  (jf  the  liiteiior  N'aUey,  thi."  o|)eiatives,  as  l)r.  IJruce  informed 
;,.  aruas  healthy  as  those  who  hibur  above  ground  ;  and  in  ten  years  ho  had 
-. l,ijn\vii  a  ease  (d'  eonsumption  among  tlo'in. 

11.  liio.N  iMiM.Nti  A.M)  S.MKi/ri.Ni;.  —  .NJueh  of  our  iron  ore  is  dug  up  in 
..luaiiiier  that  stone  is  (juarried,  the  operatives  working  in  the  open  air.  In 
.mo  [ilaces  drifts  or  liorizonta!  shafts  ari'  made  beneath  the  surface,  and 
j.  [irncess  is  like  that  (»f  eoal  mininir  In  1^17,  1  visited  the  /'//'/•  I'lmnce 
:.  ir(///i,v  of  F.  11.  Oliphant.  Msfp,  six  miles  .•^outh  of  [.'niontowii,  iV'iin- 
.V:v:t!iia.  one  of  the  oldest  establishiiieiils  in  the  \'alley,  at  wideh  aliont  one 
:::Jrc(l  and  twenty  operatives  are  employed.  The  men  who  work  in  tho 
:::ziiital  drifts,  some  of  whieh  are  four  iiumh'ed  yards  in  length,  are  even 
xskiiier,  as  that  respectable  gentleman  informed  me,  than  tho  men  who 
jir in  smelting  and  forging;  those  who  work  in  the  latter  braiudies,  are 
:!!  ;i.l  imieh  of  the  time  to  an  atmosphere  varying  from  ninety-tive  degrees 
■,:^:ie  liuiidred  and  tiiree  degrees,  and  sweat  profusely;  wluidi,  perhaps, 
ra'araots  tho  efleets  of  llie  ardent  spirits,  which  about  .a  fifth  of  (honi 
i::,li  t'rocly.  Their  appearance  confirmed  the  deilaration  of  .AIi.  Olijiliant, 
■:i;tlu'y,  not  less  than  those  wdio  had  [treeeded  them,  are  a  healthy  set  of 

Irj. 

The  ore  is  roasted  by  being  thrown  into  tho  top  of  ;i  chimney  with  cliar- 

m!,   When  suflicicntly  heated,  it  is  broken  with  a  hammer.     Fumes,  which 

K i'llpliurous  to  the  snudl,  ami  may,  perhaps,  be  .slightly  impregnated  with 

Kail.'.  i.s.sue  from  the  ciiimney  ;  and  tiio  man   whom  1  found  working  (jver 

1  iiifurmed    mc  that  lie  sometimes  felt  ii  sen.se    of    sufl'ocation,   and  had 

i'ii' uiuhilical  pain,  wit';.)i;t  constijiation.     lie  added  that  lie  had  declined 

|:f.«li  from  tho  time  he  entered  on  that  occu[iation.     I  have  not  enjoyed 

K  ppnrtunity  of  making  imiuirics  at  any  other  iron  works. 

ill.    Lkad  JMiNi.NG  A.Nn  S.MKi.TiNG.  —  Tiicso  are  chiefly  carried  on  in  the 

!i.rn  edge  of  Missouri   and    Iowa,  the   north-west  corner  (tf  Illinois,  and 

SJ'Utli-west  of  Wisconsin  Territory.     The  number  of  miners  is  unknown. 

liv  arc  chiefly  FjUglish   and  Anglo-Americans.      Their  manner  of  life  is 

e.    Bread   and   meat,  with  a  moderate  supply  of  milk  and  vegetables, 

s'itute  their  food.     IMu(di  of  the  ore  is  quarried  near  the  surface,  espcci- 

iii  Mii-souri,  and  but  few  shifts  have  been    sunk   to   any  great  depth 

(E3 of  them  strike  upon  veins  of  water,  wdiich  rccjuire  to  be  pumped  out; 

!, in  ^'ciieral,  the  miners  do  not  spend  a  great  deal  of  time  in  deep,  dark, 

ILiiniid  caverns.     They  who  work  on  tlie  surfa(;e  of  the  ground,  are  often 

f  jod  to  iuclemoncies  of  weather.     Most  of  them  drink  whisky,  though 

Jtustom  is  on  the  wane. 

bi  visit  to  the  mining  ditricts  of  "Wisconsin  and  Illinoi.s,  T  found  the 

Krai  appearance    of  the    miners  healthy.     From  topographical    cireum- 

■;.  lliey  are  not  very  liable  to  autumnal  fever.     (j(jvcrnor  ])odge,  who 

'H  resided  among  them  for  several  years,  thought  rheumatism  their  most 


'4 


f  1 


X: 


W 


^';- 


094 


Tin;  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  TIIR 


(»00k  I, 


i-^'f--.-',-    ■■•■■ 


i^i 


■■r:. 


■■"■  t-  j    ';  ;  :      '  •■  ■■■'    ■•■■.• 

■a"-;  ■■  -    ■■■:  \.  ■■"    •'■    • .'.    ■■■■ 


■:t,'i'^  ' '  V 


prcvak'iit  (lisoa.so,  and  iioxt  to  it,  plciiiis)-.  Otlicrs  liail  dbsiTvcd  a  nn  \  i- 
loiicu  uf  clirDiiii;  lic|iatitis  aiii'iii^  tlie  Miiylish  iiiim.T.-',  tin-  iilipaix'iit  ctirrt  i,l 
their  f^rcatcr  drinking  for  tlio  fir.it  yoar.s  at'tcr  tlieir  arrival.  Tlicy  dt  uut 
seoiri  ti)  111!  oIl'iMitod  in  any  manner  \>y  liandling  tlio  ore.  \ 

Several  yeans  agn,  wlien   i^nielting  was  [lorftirnied  in   rnde  log  furnaiijL 
colic  was  ciininion  ;  but,  binec  tiic!  infrodnctiou  nf  tlii  ho  of  u  ln'tter  ((nistruo 
tioii,  w!iii'l>  carry  <>[]'  the  fiinms,  it  lias  heoomi.'  rare.     In  visiting  unt!  uf  i'k 
l)est,  I  |ii'rceived  a  jiecnliar  taste  in  tlie  air;  but  its  [inijirictor  assurcil  m 
that  non(5  of  his  operatives  over  ex])erieiieo  attacks  of  colic   or   iianilvsil 
Tlios(!  who  dwn  tlieso  establi.shiiu'nts  encourage  ablution   before  eatiiii»,  an 
the  use  of  oleaginous  diet.     It  is  a  popular   opinion   tliat  the  man  wli.;  ::,J 
oat  tlie  greatest  (|Uantity  of  fat  meat,  is  safest  from  the  diseases  |,   4 
liy  had.     Tin.'re  is,  int  d.ubt.  a  portion  of  arsenic  vohitilized  aluug  with  ,<^\ 
carbonate  of  lead,  in  these  establishments. 


SIXTION  IV. 

SAIiT    MAKINO. 

1.  At  Pvuac'Use.  —  T  have  already  (}i(igv    104)  Fpokcn  of  the  digne 
which  autumnal  fever  prevails  at  this  place.     It  remaii.s  to  say  st.nii'tliiii;.'( 
other  diseases,     'i'he  water  is  evaporated,  buth  by  solar  heat  and  culiii! 
fire,  and  the  atmosphere  is  so  im[iregnated  witli  saline  vapor,  that  all  kiaJ 
of  polished  cutlery  rust  with  great  rapidity. 

Dr    Iloyt,  who  had  resided  in  Syracuse  for  fifteen  years,  when  I  was  tl.'; 
in  1!S17,  together  with  Dr.  Daniels,  who  had  lived  thirty-two  years,  a'lil ! 
Lovejny,  who  had   practiced  ton  years  in   the   adjoining  village  ef  ^kvA 
affirmed,  with  great  eonfidcnco,  that  the  venous  blood  of  the  salt  boilur>,l 
nearly  as  fl'^rid  as  the  bloml  of  the  arteries ;   and  that  the  complexion  ot'tiiol 
operatives  arc  ruddier  than  those  of  the  surrounding  popidation.     Dr.  Tr' 
bridge,  on  the  other  hand,  after  a  residence  of  four  years,  had  not  seen  tlid 
appearances.     Dr   Daniels  and  Dr.  Lovojoy  declared  that  phthisis,  as  origij 
ating  among  the  kettle  tenders,  was   almost  nnkiuiwn ;  that  patients,  in 
incipient  stages  of  that  disease,  had  been  relieved  liy  visiting  the  ovaponiiil 
houses  and  iiduding  t!ie  warm  saline  vapor;  and  that  luenniptysis  was'li 
cured    by  it.     These  observations  were    in   acccrdanco   with  tho?u  ot  .^ 
WoixlrufT,  the  inspector  of  salt,  who  had  resided  on  the  spot  where  Sali::] 
now  built,  f(tr  forty-five  years;  who,  moreover,  referred  to  many  curi-:| 
what   he    called    consumption;  but    the   experience  of  Dr.  TrowbriJg^ ' 
adverse  to  these   conclusions.      Scrofula,  according  to   Dr.  Iloyt  aud 
Lovejoy,  is  a  rare  disease  in  this  locality,  and  neither  of  them  had  soon  aol 
among  the  salt  boilers.     Of  maladies  apparently  jtroduced  by  the  saline  atml 
phere,  I  could  learn  but  little.     Dr.  Lt»vejoy  thought  tiie  kettle  tentlcriiiij 
subject  to  diarrlnjca,  than  other  persons.     Having  had  some  reason  to  buiJ 


^II  to  a  1 
11.    .Mi 


r  TiiK 


INTEIUOR  VALLLY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


005 


rs  liiul  oliscrvcd  a  \itv\h1 
ULTS,  the  iii)i(iireiit  LtiVci  o«  j 
loir  urriviil.     Tiny  ilj  nj 
0  ort'. 

Died  in  rude  lug  f\irnai.'ti 
th'  sc  (if  a  liotlor  cdiistruo 
re.  Ill  v'nitiii;,'  one  ot'  t!n 
t  its  iiriijirii'tor  assurcil  m 
acl\S  (if  eiilic  or  li!ir;il}sid 
iililutiiin  lieforc  eating,  ani 
iii(in  tliat  tlif  iiiuii  wliu  ■■.i^ 
from  tlic  (liseasfs  \.  kIik"? 
ic  vohitilized  along  with  .n 


104)  H'olicn  of  tlic  (lofiroo: 
[t  nu'.aii.s  to  say  sinii'tliii;; 
11  l.y  solar  lioat  and  culiiis 
li  saliuc  vaitor,  tliat  all  kiuj 

fifteen  years,  when  I  was  tl 
vcd  tlnrty-two  year;*,  a-ul 

adjoining  village  of  ^Mi 
s  bio.id  of  the  salt  boilers,! 

.that  the  conii)lexion  of  tiio 
nding  population.     I'r.  'Ir' 

four  years,  had  not  seen  M 
elared  that  phthisis,  as  ori;:ij 
nknown;  that  patients,  in  " 
ved  hy  visiting  the  ovaiinni 

nd  that  hicnioptysis  wa>'tj 

(ervdancc  with  tliuse  ot  1 
d  on  the  spot  where  ^M 
r,  referred  to  many  cure-; 

rioncc  of  Dr.  TrowbriJgo' 

•urding  to   Dr.  Hoyt  ""'^ 
neither  of  them  had  seen  a  CI 

/produced  by  the  saline  atinj 

liought  the  kettle  temlcrsuij 

,-ino'°had  some  reason  to  belli 


Ljt  fungus  hajinatodes  is  more  conimon  in  .salini;  ntiuohplioroH,  tlinn  clso- 
laere.  uiy  iiii|uiries  were  turned  to  tliat.  puiiit  while  in  <'onver.''alion  with 
>.  lI'ivN  who  tnld  nn'  that,  iii  tifteeii  years,  lie  had  seen  twelve  eases  :  whieh, 
iiiiiiHjiiii:;  Ids  diaanosis  to  ho  eorrcMit,  was  a  very  remarkable  nunilier. 
[1  In  TltK  Kk.nawii\  Vai.i.kv. — Tlio  cnndilinn  of  the  atmosphere,  nt 
.,.<e  salt  works,  and  its  influeneo  on  autumnal  fever,  has  been  already  given 
,r  !(■'/•• -<)4.     The   furnaces   arc  not  iindosed   in    ho\i,<;e«,  as  at  the   Oiion- 

kja  salines,  but  under  slieijs.     A  large  proportion  of  the  kettle  tenders  and 
■i/r 'ipcratives  are  negroes.     Their  diet  is  chiefly  corn  bread  and  baeon. 

Ilijf  (iWrvatioiis  of  Dr.  Patrick,  I)r.  Street,  and  I)r.  Putney,  who  have  long 
v,;io(l  here,  are,  that  its  saline  and  earltonaeeoiis  atmosphere,  neither  presents 

ijr  iccrsions  any  disease  in  the  general  population. 
Wlii'ii  men  first  go   at   this   business,    they  are   a|)t  to   bo   afl'eeted   with 

liirrluca;    and,  in    the  opinion  of  Dr.  Putney,  bnwel  complaints  are  more 
vniinon  in  the  Valley  generally,  than   elsewhere.     The  physieians  whom   T 

liiii,' named,  do  not  believe  that  the   negroes  of  the   fiirnaees,  iilthougii  from 
•M aliscnee  of  houses  they  are   exposed   to  greati.'r  virissitudes  of  ti  inpera- 

|i;:i\are  more  subject   to  tubercular  cachexy  than   others;   perhaps  even 

|ir.  Putney  saw  a  negro,  who  suffered  from  nstlimatie  breathing  in  the 
;aliliil"ts,  cured  by  being  niach'  a  kettle  tender.  Dr.  Street  has  understood, 
|;:it  tliO  iteli  is  cured  by  the  same  employment.  The  various  eruptive  fevers 
li?.l  pertussis,  prevail  here  as  elsewhere ;  and  the  Kpidemic  Cholera  proved 
Itil  til  many,  in  its  former  as  well  as  its  latter  invasion.  Having  had 
IkvituI  |nitients  with  fungus  hiemotodes  from  this  valley,  my  ini[uiries,  as  at 
ISiliiia,  were  directed  upon  that  malady,  but  \  did  not  learn  that  it  is 
Itiiwially  frefiuent.  Scrofula  is  here  thougiit  to  be  about  as  common  as 
liw  the  country  generally.  Scurvy  and  hscmorrhagcs  are  not  frequent ; 
|jjJiioone  seems  to  have  noticed  the  florid  color  of  the  venous  blood,  said 
W  common  amonji  the  kettle  tenders  at  Svracusc. 


'4 


SECTION    V. 

MECHANICAL  AND  CIIE.MICAL  ARTS  AND   MANUFACTURES. 

I.  lu  many  parts  of  the  Interior  Valley,  most  of  these   are  unknown; 
1  the  introduction  of  them  into  other  parts  has  been  too  recent  to  admit 

!aciim|iarative  estimate  of  their  iniluenee  (m  health.  1  have  not,  more- 
Iw,  found  time  for  tho.se  minute  and  careful  inrpiiri.  •,  whieh  are  necessary 
otliecullection  of  relialdo  facts.  What  I  have  amassed,  will  appear  when 
fating  of  the  causes  of  different  forms  of  disease.  I  will  hero  limit  niy- 
il  to  a  few  general  observations. 

II.  Many  handicraft  employments  confine  those  who  practice  them  to  the 
hso;  and,  not  being  laborious,  do  not  atford  sufFicieut  exercise,  cr  tbey  call 


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Photographic 

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Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER  N.Y.  M580 

(716)  872-4503 


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GOG 


THE  rRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


V.  ' 
'.BOOK   I^- 


into  action  particular  portions  of  tlio  muscnlar  system  only.     Two  Mni^teiA 
effects  almost  invariably  follow  on  this  kind  of  lifu  :     J'irsl.  Tlic  iinliviilualf 
does  not  lireatlie  enon;j;h  to  depnrato  liis  blood  of  its  carbonaceous  inattiTl 
and  supply  his  system  witii  oxygon.     Scco/ul.  lie  becomes  costive,  aiid  1,1* 
liver  and  stomach  fall  into  a  state  of  inactivity,  accompanied  with  dvsihj-ij 
li;omorrhoid.>,  palpitations  of  the  heart,  and  siek  headache;  while  tlio.vi;  uiia 
iidierit   a    predisposition    to    consum[itioii,    are    apt    to   cxporioiH'^  a  \\a^V 
development  of  that  disease.     All  this   is  especially  true  of  youiia'  woiiicii 
who,  as  seamstresses,  sit  ten   or  twelve  hours  out  of  tlie  twenty-four,  avd  iri 
the  remainder  take  but  little  active  exereise.     In  conncelion  with  tins  1  n  ay 
I'cmark,  tliat  several  occupations  of  both  sexes,  keej)  the  trunk  of  tlio  l  -ly 
in  some   constrained  posture,  unfavoiablo  to   the  organs  of  the  thorax  iit 
abdomen. 

III.  Otlier  occupations  are  carried  on  -where  the  operatives  arc  conipoll.ij 
to  breatl'.e  an  atmosphere  impregnated  with  mechanical  impurities,  sui:Ii  as 
cotton,  hem]),  flour,  and  stone-dust,  whereby  the  lungs  are  irritated,  aui 
chronic  bronchitis  is  established,  or  the  deposition  of  tubercular  luautT 
promoted. 

IV.  Those  who  work  in  lead,  copper,  and  typo-metal,  are  liable  to  liava 
their  nervous  and  muscular  systems  emjxiisoned  and  paralyzed,  by  hrtatliiiij 
an  atmosphere  impregnated  with  those  metals  or  their  oxides. 

V.  In  the  manufacture  of  sul})huric  and  nitric  acids,  of  lucifet 
matches,  both  sulphurous  and  phosporous,  and  gericrally  of  what  are  tai>(i 
chemicals,  gases  arc  disengaged  which  are  higldy  irritating  to  the  lu;  _s. 
The  nnndier  and  variety  of  these  manufactures  has  greatly  greatly  ini;iT;i-  1, 
in  certain  parts  of  the  N'alley,  within  a  few  yeans,  and  may  ]ni  cxpccteil.  ae 
long  to  make  themselves  felt  as  etiological  causes.  Thus,  with  the  iiiultiiMi- 
cation  of  tlie  arts  of  an  older  state  of  society,  will  come  new  funii-  of 
disease. 


SECTION    VI. 

EXERCISE,  RECREATION,  AND  AMUSEMENT. 

I.  If  hard  labor  and  exposure  generate  a  few  diseases,  want  of  cxcrcisd 
and  recreation,  is  the  remote  cause  of  a  far  greater  number.  There  is  ii(| 
coiujtry  wliere  the  necessity  for  a  confined  ami  sedentary  life  exists  in  a  Icsi 
degree,  than  in  our  Interior  ^'alley  ;  and,  at  the  same  time  none,  iipvliap!-,  i^ 
which,  if  we  except  the  British  population  of  Canada,  the  value  of  sysl 
teniatic  exercise  is  so  little  appreciated.  In  every  epoch  of  life,  our  aiiat"nii 
and  physiology  demand  exercise  and  recreation.  In  childhood  and  ymit 
they  are  necessary  to  the  growth  of  the  nmscular  and  osseous  systnii?,  tnj 
firmness  of  the  nervous  tissue,  the  efficiency  of  the  organs  of  sense,  ;uid  tlij 
sound  and  healthy  development  of  the  lungs  and  chest.     Notwitbstaiidin| 


4iJ 


:  t;"j-,;  ■■ 


■'^':&n. 


V  '♦ 


[book  tS        flJI  "'•] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


697 


J   nitric    acids,    of   lucil'e^ 


orgiais  of  the  tliMux  oii 


.MUSEMKNT. 
U  diseases,  want  of  cxcvcis 
eater  number.     Tlioro  is  n 
ledeiitary  life  exists  in  a  los 
same  time  none,  povliap;,  i^ 
Canada,   the  value  of  sysj 
■y  epocli  of  life,  our  anatomj 
In  chiUlhood  and  y"V.t!r 
ar  and  osseous  systems,  tlij 
ho  organs  of  sense,  aiul  tlij 
,d  chest.     NotwithstaiiJin^ 


ijese  obvious  truths  our  children,  both  at  home  and  in  the  school  or  c^lleo'c, 
i;j  allowed  to  grow  up  in  bodily  listlessncss ;  and  consei|uently,  they  .^ufFer 
j3,]er  numerous  infirmities  of  health  and  frame,  from  which,  by  proper 
■ivsieal  discipline,  they  would  bo  protected.  The  time  they  du  not  spend 
;;tudv,  is  spent  in  loitering;  as  though  suspended  mental  appliealidu  were 
iiivaleiit  to  active  bodily  exertion,  in  the  midst  of  scenes  and  objects 
;;;eil  to  act  on  the  external  senses ;  as  though  leaving  the  schoolroom  for 

atcrnal  roof,  would  render  free  and  long-continued  exposure  to  air  and 
j;:t  imnocessary.  Duoilo  or  ambitious  children,  of  both  sexes,  often  study 
fv)  intensely ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  take  too  little  exercise.  This  is  a 
r:H  condition  than  that  of  mental  and  bodily  idleness,  or  of  close  confine- 
r.t  without  study.  From  this  compound  of  pfisitivc  and  negative  causes, 
ae  irritations  of  tlic  brain  and  spinal  cord,  headache,  epilepsy,  chorea, 
:t.irocephalus,  curvatures  of  the  spine,  scrofula,  dyspepsia,  consumption,  and 
i-jth.  Parents  and  teachers  ought  to  know,  that  a  child  cannot,  without 
:;ry  t'j  health,  study  a  great  deal ;  unless  it  be  required  to  take  much 
irive  exercise  in  the  fresh  air,  and  that  too  in  all  sorts  of  weather, 

Tiiroughout  the  efficient  period  of  adult  life,  those  who  pursue  sedentary 
ixoyments,  as  students,  shop-keepers,  and  artisans,  of  both  sexes,  take 
:.;'o  out-door  exercise.  Their  close  confinement  renders  the  stomach  and 
; Tils  torpid,  and  brings  on  dyspepsia;  softens  their  muscular  systems, 
jssiit  such  portions  as  may  happen  to  bo  exercised  by  their  business ; 
nbislics  perspiration  and  cxhalaticn  from  the  lungs,  and  thus  renders  the 
ibil impure;  finally,  imparts  an  uulaalthy  sensibility  to  their  nervous  sj's- 
as.  giving  rise  to  chorea,  hysteria,  and  hypochondriasis.  All  this,  in  a 
L«i  degree,  may  be  the  fate  of  those  who,  from  the  possession  of  wealth, 
ik  no  occupation,  and  yet  take  no  systematic  exercise.  Out  of  such  a 
JFJte  of  tlie  constitution  grow  up  various  diseases;  some  of  which  prove 
p.,  while  others  make  the  individual  habitually  infirm,  limit  his  usefulness, 
Ifilrondcr  the  duties  of  his  calling  burdensome. 

la  the  slaveholding  states,  and  in  our  cities  generally,  women,  who  are 
hciimpcUed  to  labor,  experience  many  infirmities,  which  arc  the  conse- 

iSffio  of  bodily  indolence  and  inactivity ;  some  of  which,  in  the  end,  prove 

k 

I)  tlic  aged,  exorcise  is  of  great  value ;  but  it  should  be  rather  passive  than 
tee.  Tliey,  however,  who  have  been  inured  to  active  exertion  through 
p. should  not  discontinue,  but  only  diminish  it  in  old  age;  and  when  they 
pi  it  irksome  or  impracticable,  should  take  that  which  is  passive.  Its 
bctagos  are  various :  First.  It  tends,  in  some  degree,  to  keep  off  the 
fi'tipation,  which  generally  increases  with  ago.  f^eco7id.  It  contributes  to 
at'ltho  corpulence  which  so  often  renders  old  ago  burdensome.  Third. 
rmiites  a  more  frequent  and  complete  evacuation  of  the  renal  secretion, 
lAus  prevents  the  formation  of  calculi.  Fourth.  It  dimhiishes  venous 
iWa,  and  lessens  the  danger  of  apoplexy.  Fifth.  It  aerates  the  blood, 
fable  to  become  highly  carbonated  and  black  in  the  aged,  and  thus  invig- 
'•cUlie  nervous  system.  Sixth.  It  excites  the  senses  and  keeps  the  indi- 
45 


•*1* 


;^^- 


I  i\i 


•■••h 


VI 


.m- 


'.-i'TJi'f  ■    \-      " 


•I  , 


'l.  ■*  '• 

<■•.'■' 


'...■,1    ■    ,":[;    ,  .  !.•.■  ■    ' 

.    ;    V-   -'     •      .  •■         . 


^.;.:-,.:|; 


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.■vr-i: 


.t^.'-^^',.- 


fj-. 


■:  r* 


'■'■■  h-'M"'      :  ■■■ 


ivl 


'■♦?.'■.•,    •• 


V- :•„■/; 


.'.  '■  -'.i::- 


G98 


TilE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  t^ 


viJual  in  association  and  sympatliy  -with  surrounding  nature,  and  tlmi 
maintains  cbccrfulncss  and  serenity  of  mind,  wliich  react  beneficially  ot 
his  bddy. 

Wal]<ing,  running,  atlilotic  games,  climbing,  riding,  and  swimming,  sill  ig 
the  open  air,  arc  proper  in  cbildliood  and  youth ;  and,  instead  of  boiiii:  'H* 
couragcd,  shoubl  bo  promoted  and  rcgubited.  It  is  much  easier,  liowivet 
for  parents  to  do  tlic  former  than  the  hitter ;  and  they  too  often  take  th| 
course  wlii(,'li  gives  them  the  least  trouble,  apparently  unconsciinis  ol'  the 
injury  that  may  fillow. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  the  art  of  swimming  is  so  little  taiioLt  and 
practiced,  as  a  part  of  the  education  of  our  children  of  both  sexes.    Unr 
numerous  lakes  in  the  north,  our  bays,  lagoons,  estuaries,  and  crescent  ];;];ei 
in  the  south,  and  the  rivers  which  intersect  the  interior  in  all   dircrti  iii^ 
afford  facilities  of  which  almost  our  entire  youthful  population  niiglit  r;\a| 
themselves ;  and  they  would  do  so,  if  aided  by  those  on  whom  they  diponi 
Swimming  exercises  the  muscles,  the  senses,  the  imagination,  and  the  fi'i,]in(»|| 
in  a  way  peculiar  to  itself.     It  is  valuable,  moreover,  to  the  skin,  as  l;it]iii« 
it  clean,  and  hardening  it  against  the  effects  of  rain  and  accidental  wcttiii*. 
But  parents  do  not  encourage  their  sons  to  go  into  the  water,  becauso  <<m 
get  drowned.     The  answer  to  this  is,  that  more  are  drowned,  in  the  com-'rfj 
life,  from  ignorance  of  the  art,  than  perish  in  ac(juiring  it.     And  tlnvjj: 
not  teach  their  daughters  to  swim,  because  the  requisite  arrangements  rannitj 
be  made  without  some  trouble  and  expense;  which  is  the  true  reason  wliv^j 
little  attention  is   paid  to  exercise  and  physical   education  of  every  h'^a 
But  the  physiologist  and   physician  will  insist,  that  the  formation  of  a  j:i)|j 
constitution  in  his  child,  is   the  first  duty  of  every  parent ;  and,  t!ioRt''ri| 
that  less  should  be  expended  on  other  things,  and  more  on  physical  disd 
pline,  without  which,  solidity  and  vigor  of  frame  with  sound  health,  taiii 
be  attained. 

It  is  not  uncommon  to  meet  with  parents  who  regard  dancing  as  affipiii 
sufficient  exercise,  especially  for  their  daughters.     But  this  is  a  great  uiistak 
Dancing  is  undoubtedly  a  natural  ainiiscnicnt ;  but   the  instinct  Vias 
implanted  in  us  for  the  purpose  of  prompting  to  that  exercise,  which  sin 
be  the  result  of  other  motives ;  moreover,  as  a  hygienic  method,  it  is  omii  xiq 
to  several  strictures.     FirH    It  partakes  too  largely  of  the  character  if  | 
amusenic.'t  to  admit  of  sufficient  m.uscular  exertion,  without  generating 
love  of  pleasure  ;  which,  once  established,  will  render  all  exercise,  not 
duetive  of  immediate  enjoyment,  tasteless  and  irksome.     Thus,  this  luiiJj 
exerciLj   may   be   said   to   be   self-limited.     Sacond.  Children  and  yoil 
persons,  when  prepared  fur  dancing  school  or  dancing  parties,  are  gciud 
dressed  in  a  way  that  is  unfavorable  to  the  free  action  of  their  liinijs;  aj 
what  is  of  far  greater  moment,  of  the  muscles  of  respiration.     Thinl  Vi 
arc  crowded  into  an  apartment  where  the  air  is  heated  and  impure;  al 
often  too,  at  night,  during  the  very  hours  when  they  ought,  accorJingj 
their  physiology,  to  be  asleep.     Fourlh.  Some,  who  have  frail  and  dclia 
nervous  systems,  are  injured  by  the  music  so  long  acting  upon  them,    m 


Vl 


F  THE 


[book 


>unding  nature,  and  tliui 
•Inch  react  benofioially  os 

ling,  and  f-wimming.  iill  la 
and,  instead  of  boiiiL'  iVi> 
It  is  much  easier,  iiuwi  \or, 
id  tlioy  too  often  taki;  th« 
larently  unconscious  uf  th^ 

mine  is  so  little  tauglit  anj 
ildrcn  of  both  sexes.    Ui« 
Dstuaries,  and  crescent  kkf 
0  interior  in  all   direitiuin 
hful  population  migU  t;\iJl 
those  on  whom  they  durcni 
magination,  and  the  feelingly 
iovcr,  to  the  skin,  as  kooiiin| , 
rain  and  accidental  wetting. ; 
into  the  water,  because  <<  oti 
are  drowned,  in  the  course  I 
aciuiring  it.     And  tliey 
•equisitc  arrangements  cannil 
lich  is  the  true  reason  wliy  " 
•al  education  of  every  kin 
that  the  formation  of  a  gofl 
ivcry  parent ;  and,  tbertfij 
and  more  on  physical  disii 
;e  with  sound  healtb,  cai.n^ 

0  recard  dancing  as  afforuil 
5.     iiut  this  is  a  great  wMf 
t;  but   the  instinct  v^as 
0  that  exercise,  which  M 
yglenic  method,  it  is  oun.  xio 
argely  of  the  character  d  I 
;e"tion,  without  generating 
render  all  exercise,  not  pi 
irksome.     Thus,  this  kind] 
Second.  Children   and  yna 
dancing  parties,  arc  gcmia| 
■c  action  of  their  linu's;  al 
of  respiration.     Tlnrl  Vi 
is  heated  and  impure;  al 
Hicn  they  ought,  accordinfj 
^  -.vho  have  frail  and  de  i< 
oug  acting  upon  them,    i 'J 


HIT  III-] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


099 


|.-:1, 


Ti;evarc  all  liable  to  be  injured  by  the  eating  and  drinking  which  too  often 

::evail.     Pancing,  in  fact,  is  much  more  a  means  of  disciplining  the  muscles, 

■  in  of  giving  them  vigor.     As  a  mode  of  exercise  in  childhood  and  youth, 

; :«  iiisutlicient ;    and  as  a  method  of  amusement,   in   after   years,   it    is 

■..vftcd  by  those  who,  physiologically  speaking,  most  require  it. 

Walking,  riding  on  horseback,  and  manual  labor,  are  well  suited  to  early 

:'j  middle  life.     A  daily  walk  of  several  miles,  by  young  persons,  of  both 

isfj.  wlio  arc  not  engaged  in  business,  would  be  of  inestimable  value  to 

;:;;r constitutions  ;  yet  who  among  us  lias  seen  it  practiced?     A  walk  of  a 

v.'k'inile  is  regarded  as  an  enterprise  to  be  remembered  with  self-conipla- 

aoj;  and  if,  under  necessity,  extended  to  twice  that  distance,  a  hardship 

;;be recounted  for  the  purpose  of  exciting  sympathy. 

h'Uh  exercise,  especially  since  new  modes  of  conveying  the  multitude 

:iTC'l!ecn  introduced,  is  so  much  neglected,  that  many  of  our  young  men  do 

•.'.iinderstand  the  management  of  a  horse;  whik  "  still  smaller  number  of 

:!ngwcmen  arc  taught  to  ride,  even  when   tiiuo  and  means  are  enjoyed 

-;:':iout  limitation.     Yet  nothing  would  contribute  more  to  the  vigorous  and 

:-;:ttul  development  of  their  frames,  than  equestrian  exercise. 

ij;;r  students  aiul  literary  men  might  greatly  promote  their  health,  and 

ajtli,  and  freshness  of  mind,  by  devoting  their  leisure  hours  to  some 

ivianical  labor,   when   placed   under    circumstances  which  render  other 

ks  of  exercise  incouveuient.     JMany  of  them  arc  put  to  study,  or  assume 

:k(auseof  their  infirmities  of  body.     To  adopt  such  a  course  indicates 

:.ii  sroater  infirmity  of  mind.     To  adopt  it,   and  then  neglect  corporeal 

stise,  is  fatal;  and  yet  such  is  the  prevailing  folly  of  our  people,  that  these 

ss  arc  of  daily  occurrence.     Many  attempts  to  establish  manual  labor 

:i|fniies  and  colleges,  in  different  parts   of  the  Valley,  have  been  made ; 

MJlliave  failed,  or  dragged  heavily  along.     The  cause  is  to  be  found  in 

::lceply      ■••cd  aversion  of  our  people  to  active  effort,  when  pecuniary  gain 

b't  to  be  it.s  immediate  reward.     A  young  friend  of  mine,  in   one  of  bis 

■  ha  vacations,  devoted  himself  to   carpentry ;  and,   without  instruction^ 

':'t(d  a  frame   tenement — he   is   now  an    able   professor  in  one  of  our 

■ra'oling  is  especially  adapted  to  the  aged  ;  and  no  portion  of  the  earth 
3-siu'h  facilities  for  it,  as  our  widely-extended  Interior  Valley.  A  voyage 
's Pittsburgh  to  the  Balize  in  cool  weather,  or  from  Louisiana  to  the 
and  ftt.  Lawrence  in  hot  weather,  or  from  the  banks  of  the  Ohio 
prtothe  mouth  of  the  Yellow  Stone,  or  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony  in 
"iJT  June,  would,  for  the  aged  of  either  sex,  be  a  good  substitute  for  the 
jiiiary  fountain  of  health  and  rejuvenescence,  in  search  of  which  Ponco 
Uon  sought  the  shores  of  Florida.  I  have  already  indicated  several  of 
« routes,  and  many  others  might  have  been  pointed  out. 
!!■  Amusement  may  bo  advantageously  associated  with  exorcise,  as  a 
■'-s  of  promoting  it,  and  indeed,  giving  it  greater  efficiency ;  for  that 
-!i  is  not  prompted  by  any  immediate  motive,  nor  accompanied  with 
'i'lrable  emotion,    is   less   beneficial  to   the   body  than   that  which  is. 


C^ 


I    I ' 


■  '■■  I  I 


)  i.^  r'.--  >■' 


•'  Hi   *'■       ■'       >    -'.  '      • 


Mm' 


'■,(./ 


, ,  ..   .  ■  I' 
■    •  .V^.•1• 


,     ■.,■  .,■    ■  -.  I;  .-'        ■     .(  ■  .•■•  ■•'         ■   V'  ■'      .       1       " 


I,   ■' J' .'j>i"5  '^^    /  .■■,-    ■•'.■  ■''    '  .     .•••   ^'     '.,'•''    ■  ■' 
;-|;    vfv  ■•    ^.^  ;  ■  .■     ■■■.      ^■■.  .    ,-.   ■  .■■-    ■  .■     '  ' 


[It  -  -ar'N;/-  v.Vr. '!■  .■■•'.•• 

.  ,-h'    .  :  s  ■.»>■•■.■.'.■■■  i  : 


1;  •   v.. 


SVi" 


I  .••■    V'j      ■■'.■'  '''  '-T-  .V,     •  /,    V    .-  •    ,■ 


.:-J^M  - .  ■ 


iM 


■  ',  •     '■      ■  ..':■       .       ■   ■    >v      kl  .*  ..  •    ■     •  ■  •    .   ■ 


•!•  ',.';   •'•.■,•    , ,  -r,    ."  '.I  ,. 


^■■■Illli&L     Hi       ■^■' 


700 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  q 


Amusements  arc  generally  sought  out  by  the  idle  as  a  substitute  for  oceu* 
pation,   ')!•  by  the  dissipated  as  administering  to  their  sensual  cxi:^tonefl^ 
To  both  classes  they  are  unneeessary,  and  serve  no  other  purpose  than  to 
confirm  them  in  course?  of  life  incompatible  with  firm  health,  vigor  of  iuli,! 
and  sound  moral  feeling.     Properly  estimated,  amusements  are  adajited  to 
the  physiological  condition  of  the  laborious,  especially  those  whose  vocatiuni 
impose  much  mental  toil  and  anxiety  of  feeling.     Under  such  lahcrs,  inany 
a  constitution  of  both  body  and  mind,  cs])ecially  in  our  larger  cities,  sis  Not 
Orleans,  St.  Louis,  and  Cincinnati,  is  prematurely  worn  out ;  simply  locnusl 
the  irritation  of  the  nervous  system  is  seldom  appeased  by  the  genial  ii:ll» 
ence  of  innocent  and  cheering  amusements.     Irascibility,  corroding  ;ui> 
and  a  shade  of  gloom  and  misanthropy,  are  the  kgilimate  fruits  of  over-attid 
of  body  and  mind ;  and  those  feelings,  reacting  injuriously  on  both,  coi.tiil  'it^ 
with  other  causes,  to  generate  various  nervous  disorders,  up  to  insanity  iinlt 
The  rivalries,  cares,  and  misfortunes  of  civilized  life,  re'iuire  to  he  nictuiAi 
recreations  and  amusements,  to  a  certain  extent,  their  true    physiolfificij 
antidotes.     It  is  well  known,  however,  that  in  the  Valley  this  is  not  thciasi. 
Hence  there  is  no  country  in  which  the  drudgery  and  perplexities  of  husiiiefj 
are   more  pernicious   to   the   constitution.      The  repugnance  of  tlic  iiiojif 
rational  and  moral  part  of  the  community,  to  any  and  all  of  our  fa.'^liiui;;,yej 
amusements,  is  founded  on  their  abuses.     IMost  of  them  run  into  some  foil 
of  dissipation,  and  become  repulsive  to  persons  of  pure  moral  ta.sto;  v.lij 
they  often  prove  injurious  to  the  health  and  morals  of  those  wlio  Lcfji 
devoted  to  them.     This  association  of  sensuality  and  dissipation,  with  sovcn 
amusements,  keeps  the  whole  in  discredit ;  and  repels  large  classes  of 
community  from  participation  in  any.     Public  balls  have  been  abaKdoiicdl 
thousands  who  do  not  regard  dancing  as  wrong,  because  of  the  dissipatio 
connected  with  them ;  our  theaters  are  shunnod  by  the  moral  portion  nf  I 
people,  on  account  of  their  licentiousness  and  buffoonery;  our  nine-pin  r.ll 
are  mere  appendages  of  drinking  houses;  our  evening  parties  are  sccnosj 
midnight  gluttony  and  drinking;  our  musical  soirees  are  of  feeble  and  liuiilj 
interest,  from  a  prevailing  want  of  relish  for   melody,  and  the  absence  of 
national  ballad  music  ;  we  are  deficient  in  galleries  of  painting,  and  a  taste 
the  fine  arts  has  not  yet  been  generally  awakened  among  us;   our  puli 
gardens  and  promenades,  few  in  number,  and  often  in  bad  order,  are 
erally  but  marts  of  intoxicating  drinks  ;  finally,  to  speak  of  the  Anglo-Aa 
rican   people  of  the  Valley,  they  have  but   two   patriotic  festivals  in 
year ;  from  both  of  which,  many  of  the  wise  and   temperate  have  hi 
repelled,  by  the  outbursts  of  vulgar  dissipation  which  so  often  attend 
celebration. 

It  results,  from  all  that  has  been  said,  that  tl  2  wearied  student  and  cs 
worn  business  man,   night  after  night,  retire  to  bed  without  having 
imaginations  and  feelings  diverted  from  the  pursuits  of  the  day,  by  any  s^ 
of  innocent  gayety ;    and  thus  their  very  dreams  prey  on  their  i:crv 
systems;   prcvcut  the  renovation,   which   sleep,   preceded  by  appioprl 


■iir  111. 


:j:;<eni 


cm 


''^c7.  nfl 


\  '< 


aim.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


701 


;,3-enionts,    would  naturally    produce;  and    the   rcinvigoration   wbii 'i   is 
jjircil  to  fit  them  for  the  labors  of  the  succeeding  day. 


tl  -  ^vcaricd  student  and  c3 
to  bed  without  havirg  ll| 
rsuitsof  thcday,■byany 
reams  prey  on  their  r.crvj 
eep,   preceded  by  arpvoprl 


CONCLUSION    OF    BOOK    I. 

i);ir  general  etiology  is  now  brought  to  a  close.  If  the  reader  has  found 
;  perusal  a  work  of  labor,  ho  will  bo  prepared  to  estimate  the  amount 
ill  lias  been  rer^uired  to  collect,  arranii;o,  condense,  and  give  unity  to  so 
•jiiv  diversified  facts,  connected  with  a  country  of  such  vast  extent,  and 
"/.!  of  people  so  various.  In  dding  this,  T  have  introduced  nothing 
■Jildid  not  consider  necessary  to  a  full  underst;Miding  of  the  diseases, 
'i;:bareto  como  under  our  consideration;  for  all  peculiarities  of  consti- 
-.•;:i,  both  corporeal  and  mental,  exert  a  modifying  influence  on  disease. 
;i!iis  country  these  peculiarities  arc  not  yet  largely  developed,  but  we  may 
r,iy their  causes,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  infer  their  effects;  which  our 
jia'.it  successors  will  see  in  their  full  development.  A  synthesis  of  vari- 
;■«  and  races  is  going  on  ;  and  the  result,  I  may  here  repeat,  must  be  a 
:;t national  constitution — physical  and  mental — of  which  the  Anglo-Saxon, 
iilf  a  compound,  will  be  the  basis  and  the  governing  element.  The  phy- 
•:;3ii>  of  a  future  day  will  see,  what  we  cannot  now,  a  prevailing  tem- 
:;rmcnt,  a  stature,  form,  complexion,  and  physiognomy,  characteristic  of  an 
L'onous,  but  greatly  compounded  race;  with  its  own  physical,  intellectual, 
tinwal  constitution  ;  its  special  liabilities  and  exemptions  from  disease; 
•  ntional  idiosyncrasies,  and  the  required  poculiarities  of  hygienic  regimen, 
i.itlicrapeutic  treatment.  In  the  course  of  this  development,  what  hered- 
:r.  diatheses  may  disappear,  and  what  new  ones  take  their  places;  what 
J3  maladies  may  arise,  or  old  ones  cease  or  become  greatly  modified,  under 
pjjint  influence  of  mingled  blood,  of  climate,  water,  occupations,  modes  of 
fe  customs,  and  moral,  social,  and  political  influences,  cannot  be  specified ; 
p'.afcw  predictions  may  be  hazarded  : 

1.  Autumnal  fever  will  decrease,  and  typhus  and  typhoid  fevers  become 

.:te  prevalent. 

■■  Gout  will  occur  oftener  than  at  present. 

I  The  diseases  produced  by  the  intemperate  use  of  ardent  spirits  will 
liainish. 

^  Consumption  and  scrofula  will  increase. 

•■  A[ioplexy,  palsj',  and  epilepsy  will  become  more  frequent. 

''■  Diseases  of  the  liver  will  become  less,  and  those  of  the  mucous  mera- 

w  of  the  bowels,  more  prevalent. 

'■  Lastly,  mental  alienation  will  be  more  frequent, 

^'e  are  now  prepared  to  enter  on  the  study  of  particular  forms  of  disease. 

tiling  so  I  shall  not  adopt  the  classification  presented  in  any  system  of 

-  ''5gy,  nor  invent  a  new  one ;  and  yet  I  hope  to   proceed  with  such  a 


: 


'''^. 


•^M' 


''.•..'•if  r.-f 


.» '* 


f!|p. 


•  -  •!*' 


'..-.l:  ill-  ■■■-". 


'■"?!■■ 


itr.i 


■:i; 


:'•  &V.  .1'-  ,"(  .         ..  i.;  .   ■•   ,'■''■  -'  '.r  ,  • 


:^V:-';^ 


V  -^ir  -'f -i-'- 


%t  -V- 


t-  ' 


.  I iffi/' "••-  .'^1 


yjtfi'r.i-':. 


702 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES,  ETC. 


[book 


degree  of  method  as  will  bo  found  sufficient  to  avert  confusion.  The  Pcconl 
Book  will  bo  dovotcd  to  febrile  diseases,  under  the  five  following  heads ;  first 
Autumnal  Fevkr  —  second,  Yki.low  Fevek  —  third,  Tyi-uous  Ftvni<-! 
fourth,  Eruptivk  Fevkks --/////,  Phlogistic  Fevers,  or  tlio  Pm.Ki;.MA;<i« 
The  transition  from  general  etiology,  to  that  fever  which,  in  its  orii-iii  has  ■ 
close  connection  wi^h  soil  and  climate,  is  natuial ;  and  the  transition  fri  ni  tlii 
phlc  .asia3  to  many  other  forms  of  disease,  will  be  found  equally  nuturaL 
and  iience  I  have  placed  them  last,  although  in  a  system  of  clcmciiturr 
pathology,  or  nosology,  they  should  stand  first. 


I.  X. 
'iii'h  w 

Re;  so 
Jnitliet, ; 
l'^  i!ie  sa 
|i\  othe 
II,  V 
li',  and 
Ifeiveen 
|-'?rcater 
■Mj  a 
Iti'iough 
If'jve  su 


■  v''# 


f  ' 


Book  Sccoui!^. 

FEBRILE    DISEASES. 


PART   FIRST. 

AUTUMNAL  FEVER 


CHAPTER  i. 

IWIEXCLATURE,  VARIETIES,  AND  GEOGRAnilCAL  LIMITS 
OF  AUTUMNAL   FEVER,  TOGETHER  WITH  THE  TO- 
POGRAPHICAL   AND    CLIMATIC     CONDITIONS 
UNDER  WHICH    IT   PREVAILS. 


SECTION   I. 

NOMENCLATURE.— VARIETY.— IDENTITY. 

Nomenclature.  —  In  dlifcrent  parts  of  the  Interior  Valley,  the  fevers, 

I'iijli  wo  are  about  to  stuJy,  are  known  under   the  names  —  autumnal, 

:.'us,    iutermittont,   remittent,    congestive,    miasmatic,    malarial,    marsh, 

:%:iant,   chill-fever,   ague,   fever  and  ague,   dumb  ague,   and,  lastly  the 

IFcTcr.    So  great  a  variety  of  names  suggests  two  facts;  first,  diversity  of 

h;.r,  second,   v;ide   geograpliical   range   of   prevalence.     I   shall   use   the 

jiptliet  autumnal,  as  involving  no  etiological  or  pathological  hypothesis ;  and, 

InLesame  time,  including  every  mod'''    ition;  but,  in  speaking  of  diversi- 

'.ii. other  terms  will  find  their  appropi.,;,     places. 

II.  Vauikxy  and  Identity.  —  The  varieties  of  autumnal  fc^'er  are  nuracr- 
i"-i,  and  often  seem  widely  separated.  Thus,  the  differe;ice  in  phenomena 
piwcen  a  simple  tertian  and  an  inflammatory  cr  a  malignant  remittent, 
pjreater  than  the  difference  between  measles  and  scarlatina;  in  some  years 
^iirlv  all  the  oases  that  occur  arc  intermittent,  in  others  remittent ;  finally, 
plough  the  former  seem  to  be  but  mild  grades  of  the  latter,  they  often 
ffve  suddenly  fatal ;  and,  that  too.  without  assuming  a  remittent  type. 
•'■  Jrtheless,  all  the  varieties  must  be  regarded  as  making  but  a  single 
iMcies;  as  appears  from  the  following  facts:     First.  They  prevail  at  the 


i\ 


■^f. 


.'.% 


1 ) 


.r,^ 


I 


I 


'■■im  ty^'P  •'■•>'.■',■!  -fc.:'  -•■■■•■.• 

;^:"rjfc  .l-T-V',,,..'.'    :  ■•  '*■.'.■     ■  '■■,\'«-'.'  •  , '     '■■ 
'- '•^' W-f^^'^i"'"/"-  '  ^"'    -■■:''  •'•1'^"'' •!■' ■'     ■'■ 

»Hvili«l1;Ki>'Vy"'  .;■'■    '■'.'''•' l.'\'.-''^'  ■•■ 
lsi«ii.".'v>'"'>.?:-F.)..!.:  .:•■•- 


^1  'V':   '•■•'.>>•■!.■■: 


\  r  V  : 


I  ill- vM^^-^i^fi''^'^  ^''"u  V  ■ .     " 


704 


THE  PRLN'CirAL  DISHASlvS  OF  TIIK 


[book  It  J 


Bamo  times  and  in  tlic  same  placoH.  Sfcnnd.  T'nder  mucli  vailoty  ofl^ 
aspect,  tlioy  jKissoss  niaii^'diiuit-si'ati'd  aiKdugiesand  idt'iititiL's.  'I'hiril.  They' 
fn'nueiitly  cliuiige  IVuni  (jiil-  tyjio  to  the  utlitT.  Thus  an  hitL'rmlttL'ut  turug 
into  a  remittent,  and  the  latter,  assuming  t!io  typo  of  tlio  foruier.  is  otirn 
seen  to  become,  first,  a  quotidian,  then  a  tertian,  and  finally,  a  ([u;n'tuii.  A 
Bimjile  i'ltermittent  may,  in  tlic  third  or  fourth  paroxysm,  taku  ou  thu  iliur- 
acter  oi'  a  fatal  cun^^ostive  ;  and  tliat  which  begins  with  an  aspect  of  iiiuli;:. 
nity.  sometimes  emerges  into  simplicity  and  mildness.  Fuurl/i.  Viinal 
a^ucs  attack  those  who  in  autunni  had  suffered  under  remittent  fovcr,  11  t 
less  tluui  those  who  had  experienced  tlie  intermittent  form.  /'///'/  Tho 
scqiirl'i:  of  all  the  varieties  are  almost  identical.  Slxlli.  Tlio  sairii;  treat, 
mcnt,  with  certain  niodilicatious,  is  aj^plicalile  to  tlic  whole.  Tims  thcv  aro 
manifestly  tho  offspring  of  the  same  specific,  remote  cause ;  and  when  uo 
particular  variety  is  in  view,  may  bo  designated  by  one  epithet. 


SECTION    II. 

GEOGRAPHICAL    T-IMITS. 

T?cing  an  endemic  of  all  hot  climates,  wo  need  not  look  to  the  shores  of  t'lO 
Gulf  of  Mexico  fur  a  southern  limit  to  our  autunnial  fever.  Its  hasc  is,  ia 
fact,  within  tho  tropics;  and  prevailing,  of  course,  in  Havana  and  Von 
Cruz,  it  is  found  wherever  there  are  inhabitants,  on  tho  northern  coasts  nf 
the  Gulf,  between  those  two  cities.  In  ascending  all  the  rivers,  wliicli  dis- 
charge their  waters  into  tho  northern  arc  of  that  closed  sea,  from  ('a|i9. 
Florida  round  to  the  Panuco  river,  it  is  still  met  with  ;  and,  sometimes,  as  ; 
wo  shall  hereafter  see,  from  the  influence  of  local  causes,  displays  gre:it  r 
prevalence  and  malignity,  than  it  shows  further  south  and  on  a  lower  Icvt !. 

In  every  other  direction  than  the  south,  this  endemic  has  its  geograiiliioj 
limits.     To  the  cast,  its  barrier  is  the  Appalachian  Mountains,  into  tlio  very  j 
gorges  of  which,  however,  it  ascends  by  tho  valleys  which  penetrate  t!i(.it.| 
flanks.     But  as  that  chain  is  not  found  south  of  tho  thirty-third  (logrcouff 
latitude,  it  has,  bebw  that  parallel,  no  eastern  limit  but  the  Atlantic  Occaa.! 
To    tho    south-west  tho   Cordilleras   of  jMexico,  and  tho    southern  Puckyj 
Mountains,  constitute  its  boundaries;  while,  in  higher  latitudes,  it  ceases  oaj 
the    great    plains    of    our   western    desert,  long   before    we   reach   tlie-i 
[Mountains.     From  what  can  bo  collected  out  of  the  travels  and  cxpcditi'iil 
of  Lewis  and  Clark,  Pike,  Long,  Catlin,  Fremont,  and  Gregg,  not  less  tliaa 
from  fur  traders  and   Santa  Fo  merchants,  it  is  almost  unknown  at  the  dis^ 
tance  of  three  hundred  miles  from  the  Avestern  boundary  of  the  states 
Missouri  and  Iowa,  and  above  tho  latitude  of  37°  N.     To  the  north  it  decj 
not  prevail  as  an  epidemic  beyond  the  forty- fourth  parallel,  and  ceases  td 
occur  even  sporadically  about  the  forty-seventh. 


!''♦♦ 


V  Tiir, 


[BOUKtl,< 


Uiider  much  variety  of 
idtjutitieH.  Thud.  Tlieyl 
Ills  ill!  intcnnittoul  tuni8| 
0  of  tlio  fonncr,  is  ul'lin-^ 
nil  liiially,  a  (luurtaii.  A 
DXysin,  take  on  tliu  ehar-j 
witli  an  asjicct  of  nmli;;- 
ilihiess.  Fourth .  Vivnal, 
.ukUt  ri'iiiitteut  fovcr,  ivit 
litteiit  form.  Fijlh^  Tl;o 
Sl.rih.  The  saiiio  treat. 
the  whole.  Thus  tlicy  aro 
note  ciniso  ;  aiul  wlieii  uo 
J  one  o;[)ithct. 


•ilT  I., 


INTCRIOR  VALI.HY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


705 


M  I  T  S . 

not  look  to  the  shores  of  tk 
innal  fever.     Tts  hiise  is,  ia 
arse,  in  Havana   and  Vorn 
on  the  northern  coasts  nf 
'.•  all  the  rivers,  whioh  dis- 
luit  closed  sea,  from  (':ii'8 
ct  with  ;  and.  sonictiiias,  as 
leal  causes,  displays  gveat'it, 
^outh  and  on  a  lower  levil. 
ndemic  has  its  gcogvapliicJ 
an  Mountains,  into  tliu  very 
,lleys  which  penctrutu  tlidt.; 
f  the  thirty-third  do.sirco  rf 
imit  but  the  Atlantii;  Oiian. 
and  the    southern  H'^el^; 
.agher  latitudes,  it  ceases  oij 
n_^  before   we   reach.   tV.-«| 
tlic  travels  and  cxpcaiti  nl;! 
,t,  and  Gregg,  not  less  t' to, 
almost  unknown  at  the  dis 
In  boundary  of  the  states  ' 
[JO  N.     To  the  north  it  dncl 
lurth  parallel,  and  ceases  tfl 


The  ohsorvotioiia  from  wliicli  those  limits  arc  deduced  Imvo  been  mndo  on 

ic  rosiilcnt  inliahitants  incliidcd  witliiii  them;  on  travelers  into  purtioiis  of 

tuuntry  as  yet   unscttli'd;  and  on  tlic  soldiery  of  the  American  and  Hritish 

;itj.    From  these  army  returns  I  have,  with  all  jiohsihle  care,  constructed 

I  tables,  which  may  properly  bo  introduced  at  this  place.     Tiie  Anicriciin 

Murns'*'  j)urport  to  be  fitr  ten  years;  but  this  is  true  of  a  few  only;  and 

-iiv  of  lh(!  others  vary  from   each  other,  in   the  number  of  years  through 

vk\\  they  run,  whereby  tlie  condusinns  deducihle  from  them,  are  entitled  to 

;.  loiilidenco  than  if  an  equal  nuniljcr  of  observations,  in  the  same  years, 

;iil  liecn  made  at  each  post.     As  the  number  of  troops  was  never  the  samo 

i; two  different  posts,  nor  during  two  years  at  the  same,  one  thousand  has,  in  tho 

•u;;riis,  been  assumed  as  the  mean  strength  of  tlie  whole;  and  the  niunbcr 

■'attarks  of  l'\'vcr,  and  tlic  actual  mean  streiisth,  have  ])oth  been  brought 

;  that  standard.     The  results  oflercd  in  the  table,  then,  are  not  what  any 

linlid  afford,  but  what  any  or  all  would  have  given,  had  the  actual  strength 

iHjp  at  all  times  one  thousand  men.    At  several  of  them,  it  will  be  perceived,  tho 

vaiixT  of  attacks  exceed  the  number  of  men,  implying  ihat  some  iiidividu- 

i-  experienced  several,  in  the  course  of  the  year.     The  returns  are  quar- 

K.y,  but  the  quarters  arc  those  of  tho  calendar  year,  and  therefore,  do  not 

laetly  correspond  witli  the  seasons. 

The  observing  rer  ^jr  will  perceive,  that  this  table  affords  a  variety  of 
::niiation;  such  as  tho  decrease  of  the  Fever  in  the  north  —  its 
Dtivo  prevalence  at  different  posts  in  tho  same  latitude  —  the  proportionate 
ritnkr  of  intermittent  and  remittent  cases,  aiul  tho  comparative  prevalence 

I'Li'tli,  in  different  seasons  of  tho  year. 

•Forry's  Statistical  Rpjjort  of  tlio  Sickness  nnd  ^lortiillty  of  tho  Army  of  tin-  T'nited 
j-'jtes;  prepared  under  tho  direction  of  Thomas  Lawson,  M.  D.,  Surgeon   Generab 

hsshiiigton,  18-10. 


,1^ 


;,.■>- 


,f 


^;i^X 


.■■•A., 


'V  li  4  -  >■     .  .  ,'•■  "   ■     .  ' 


H  *>*■•■  I  *  ' 


I  ■  .;.. 


..■- .» 


■■^..■■! 


,•■«■  ,  ■  ■»,.• 


'.m-'.:':' 

■.,   '■     H  »'■..«''•'•■ 

>-^---':.- 

■:'!.-/>:'^'--; 

'■  4i^'7" 

M;;'.?     ■    •■:r  - 

^ 

4   '- 

■'■■;n,  .--■■  ■■■; 

iiilitel'-'^ii----'^""' ■-■■■■' 


70(5 


TIIF-  TRINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  TllF 


TA1JLI-] 


[nuoK  ' 


SlIOWINO  THE  NUMBKU  OP  ATTACKS  OP  AUTUMNAI,  FeVKU,  IN  TOE  DIFFKRENt 
QUAIlTKIt.S  OK  TIIH  YKAll,  AT  T\VKNTY-.SI.\  Mll.ITAItY  Po.-^TS,  IJKTWKKN  TIlK 
ClJI.P  OF  MkMCO  AND  LaKK  Sui'KUlOU  —  THE  MKAN  TltK.NdTU  liKl.Si; 
loot).      AUIIANUKI)    ACCOUblNU    TO   TIIEIll   LATITUDES. 


Twcnty-8i.\  rosts. 

Autuin- 

niil 
Fever. 

Int'r'nt 
Ilom'nt 

Both" 

Int'r'nt 
Ilcm'nt 

Both 

Int'r^it 
Rom'nt 

Botii" 

Int'r'nt 
Hum'nt 

Both 

Int'r'nt 
llem'nt 

Both 

First. 
■  70 
11 

hi 

"^<0~ 
13 

93 

120 
G 

kllTEnS   01 

Second. 

~52'" 

00 

"52 

190  ' 
24 

214 

'  THE  Yt 

'I'l.inl. 
"  G 
0 

:An. 
Fourtli. 

51 

00 

51 

"Total" 

of    Iho 

Year. 

CulM|).(jf 

uiiniiiil 
"K'Kiitiii. 

Key  West,  N.  Lat- 
24°  'M', 

179 
11 

190" 

7(10 
S!) 

10(1 

G 

To  8^ 

28 

330 

4G0 
90 

550 

81() 

12S 

Kurt  llnidko.N.  Lat. 

.)70  .",-/ 

Furt  Kiii^,  N.  Lat. 
29°  12', 

24 

206 

4ir~ 

56 
470 

849 

Mil 

200 
41 

241 

148 

9 

157 

GO 
GO 

120 

1194 
193 

120 

1387  1  i;;s  i 

Fort     Jackson,    N. 
Lat.  29°  29', 

New    Orleans   Bar- 
racks, N.  L.  29° 
57'. 

b'2 
4 

307 
46 

413 

1413^ 

1^7 

16(10 

294 
250 

Miiii 

944 

100 
10 

50 

80 

84 
100 

l84 

12;^" 
16 

110 

~17(r~ 
3 

173 

28 
4 

130 

339~' 
218 

544 

.VI 1 

Fort  Wood,  N.  Lat. 

30°  r>', 

Int'r'nt 
llem'nt 

BoTh~ 

137 
55 

192 

771 

292 

557 

140 
31 

53 

107 
100 

207 

44 
12 

1063  ;  lUii:; 

Fort  Pike,  N.  Lat. 
3U°  10', 

Int'r'nt 
llem'nt 

Both 

50 
23 

40 

28 

155 

77 
232 

""7.22 
302 

i 

1!:!:' 

32 

79 

()8 

220 
100 

Jiat(jn  llouge,  N.  L. 
30°  30', 

Int'r'nt 
Ilcm'nt 

Both 

Int'r'lit 
Rom'nt 

Both 

Int'r'nt 
llem'nt 

Both 

71 
40 

111 

124 

02 

180 

320 

123 

33 

824 

,,,1 

Fort  Josnp,  N.  Lat 
31°  30', 

20 
G 

46 
12 

"239 
G3 

;;!(!:; 

32 

"30 " 
4 

34 

58 

150 

56 

302 

"143 

82 

Fort     ]\Iitclioll,    N 
Lat.  32°  19', 

20 

18 

GO 
43 

103 

33 
17 
50 

38 

225  i    'J:''J 

Fort     Towson,     N 
Lat.  33°  51', 

Int'r'nt 
llem'nt 

242 
16 

107 
37 

450 
114 

T6'9' " 
30 

1008 
197 

11^^) 

Both 

258 

144 

564 

299 

1265 

Fort  Smith,  N.  Lat 
35°  22', 

Int'r'nt 
Rem'nt 

190 
0 

150 
5 

445 

98 

543 

249 
24 

1034 
127 

Both 

190 

155 

1  278 

1161 

JUil_ 

THE 


[nuoK  u, 


I'eVI'.U,  in  the  DIFVKUENT 
AUY  POj'TS,  UKTWKKN  THE 
.;  MKAN  'rUKMJTlI  llKlNii 
IDKiJ. 


'  I    Totiil    Coiii|i,.if 

Ykah.  I  of    ,|,„    .iiiiiii;.! 

Fourlli.!    Yinir.    ,u£j|ule». 

i7jr|      , 

n  1_  I 
lou  1  \% 


•)8 


M 


■>:\ 


DO 


53 


riiT  I.] 


INTKRIOR  VAM.F.Y  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


707 


03 


824  :    >-4 

^230  I  " 
03  I 

lU)2'l    :iO^ 


220 


50       200 
14         30 

,04       290 

45       249 
98         24 

)43     i  278 

Twcnty-»lx  Pouts. 

Aiitiiin- 
nul 

Qr- 

IllKllS    l)t 

•    TIIK   Y 

KAH. 

'rolal     CoiM|i.u7 
of  lliu      iiiiiiiinl 

Fi'vor.  1    I'irdt, 

Fort    liiliHni),     N.,'"i'r'"t|  !•'• 

Lat.  35°  57',         Ht-'iirnt;     12 

liutli     I  103 

Sfcoiiil. 
211 
1!) 

17 
80 

151 
154 

loo  " 

"05  " 

0 

""07~ 

~2^<vr 

10 
"""290 

"To~ 

o 
"""42"" 

117" 

20 

"^137""" 

15 

0 

Thir.l. 
'4!»1 
101 

052  " 

152" 
70 

228 

200 
10 

"221  " 

'~if 

73 
l4o"" 

"^102"" 
4 

loo 

"333~ 
10 

"TU9" 

'140" 
32 

"172~ 

""52" 
<)2 

"ri4" 

18 

o 
.J 

21 

"70 "" 
20 

I'liurlli. 

3 10  " 
50 

390  " 

44 
119" 

143 
10 

153 

"  30 
17 
47 

"  00 
2 

08 

iTo" 

1 
111 

""07" 

7 

74 

Yrar. 

"1193 
242 

1435 

153 
"475" 

.»99 
30 

029 

^isT 

120 

307 

'"240" 
11 
251" 

"'"7"^  5^ 

28 

803 

"200" 
41 

301 

248 
120 
308 

, —  1 

iiy  i:iili'>. 
1435 

I.tliTsnn  Uiirraolis. 
N.  Lat.  3s°  28', 

Furt   Loavenwortli, 
N.  Lat.  39°  20', 

[iit'r'ntl     32 
UL'in'iit      10 

ButirT    48~' 

liit'r'iit    loo 
llciu'iit        1 

IJoth     1  101 

"'475^ 
"029" 

"307" 
""251" 
"803" 

301 
""308" 
03 
""25"5" 

Firt  Armstrong,  N. 
kt.  41°  2b', 

TniVnt 
Roi'i'iit 

""u 

0 

Firt  Dearbiirn,    N. 
Lat.  41°  51', 

Hotli 

I  lit' r' lit 
Hciu'iit 

Both  "" 

fntV'iit 
Ronriit 

Hotir" 

15 

"  ''"7~ 
3 

10 

'""40  ■ 
1 

~"47~ 
13 

"~"13"~ 

"22"" 

18 

40"' 
3" 

4 

7 

Frt    Gratiot,     N. 
Lat,  43°, 

Ftirt  Crawford,   N. 
Lat.  43°  3', 

1 

liit'r'iit 
llein'iit 

Both 

liit'r'iit 
Rem' lit 

Both 

Iiit'r'nt 
Rem 'lit 

Bo"t"h~" 

F"rt   Niiigara,     N. 
Lat.  43°  15', 

1 

"",07" 
20 

77 

""13"" 

7 
'   20 

"""'"35" 

8 

Furt  Winnebago,  N. 
Lat.  43°  31', 

49 
14 

03 

2ii7 
"28 

255 

"51" 
33 

84 

45" 

17 

02 

70 
13 

89 

ir 

3 

15 

""98"" 
0 

98 

)ljJison    Barracks, 
N.  Lat.  43°  50', 

fiit^'nl 
Rem' lit 

I^^tl~ 

""24^ 
0 

"24"" 

90 

""28"" 
22 

43 

""10"" 
3 

13 

11 
3 

F.rt   Howard,    N 
1  Lat.  44°  40', 

fjrt    Snolliiig,    N. 
;  Lat.  44°  53', 

int'r'iit 
llem'nt 

2 
o 

11 

0 

Both 

4 

17 

9 
3 

50 

84 

liit'r'iit 
Rem'nt 

•> 

0 

23 
11 

34 

10 

4 

02 

' 

Both 

Int'r'iit 
Rem'nt 

Both 

2 

12 

37 
4 

41 

10 
0 

14 

10 
4 

20 

t^'^rt  Mackinaek,  N. 
Lat.  45°  51', 

7 
1 

8 

20 

89 

fwtBrady.  N.  Lat. 
4G^  39',  ■ 

Int'r'nt 
Rem'nt 

Both 

1 

1 

""20"" 
0 

5 
0 



10 

22     1       5 

44 

44 

H 


-^.^  '  - 


l';^ 


^|f^r;)1^  *; '   ■■■'■■ 
%iM.r;  ■  ■.:■.■ 


1; 


i-i-'''?aAT:i^/'  ■*'*'  '■''■■'  ■•  '  ■■■•■■  ■   ' 


■1.7   :■ 


P-:'U    ■■. 


i';J%i^ui^r,  . 


itTsi 


.■(.-','» 


l£;-V«»  '.ii 


708 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nooK  II. 


Tlio  'British  returns*  arc  more  limited,  for  tlic  luimbcr  of  posts  are  smallor 
and  tlio  range  of  couiitrv  and  clinnxtes  less.  Tlioy  do  not,  niorodvor.  cive 
tlic  roliitivc  nunilior  of  cases  in  dilTcrent  season!-:,  or  at  tlie  seijnrato  stations 
and  tliLTefiire  express  tlie  prevalence  of  aut\innial  fever  in  Canada,  crciicrallv, 
not  in  j)artieular  localities. 

TA15LE 

ExiiiiiiTiNG  THE  Annual   Prkvalknck  of  Autumnal  Feyeh   amox(;  the 

]5urnsii  Troops  in  Canada. 

Ratio  of  cases  to  the  iiii'uii  strengtli  of  1,000. 


LOCALITIES. 


Canada,  between  the  latitude  of  42"  and  47°, 
from  IS] 7  to  16'M),  inclusive — "JO  years,  -  -  -  - 


liiler-     jliemil-    ,  Aiiiiiml 
mitlcnt  Iti'iit  Fc- ;i(T-r"ir'ie 


b'evpr. 


X'ppf'''  Canada,  tlie  principal  Posts — Kingston, 
East  end  of  Lake  Ontario,  N.  Jiat.  44°  8'— To- 
ronto, Nortli  side  of  same  Lake,  in  44"  ?}'■>' — Fort 
Gecn-go,  mouth  of  Niagara  lliver,  in  4.'>°  1;')' — 
Amhi'i'stberg  (^lalden),  West  end  of  Lake  Erie, 
ill  4li°  10'— from  1  SI 8  to  18-27,  inclusive, 


Lower  Canada,  principal  ))orts  on  the  River 
Rii'.helieu,  which  connects  Lake  Champlain  with 
the  St.    Lawrence,  latitude    from   45°    to  40° — 


178 


vor.      '  of  both 


100 


]Montroal,    latitude 
itudo  40°  47',  -  - 


45°   oV,    and    Quebec,   lat- 


20 


1 


2; 


This  table,  by  embracing  tlie  Peninsula  north  of  Lakes  Erie  and  Ontarioi 
together  with  the  b?nks  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  down  to  its  estuary,  ciiinpkte| 
what  the  other  left  ..  .fini.shed ;  and  enables  us  to  estimate  the  relative  \m 
valence  of   autunnial  fever,   through  every  parallel  of    latitude,  fnnii  tli 
mouth  of  the  jMississippi,  to  tluit  of  tlie  St.  Lawrence,  and  from  Cape  I'li 
rida,  to  Gros  Cap,  at  the  entrance  of  Lake  Superiror, 

"NVe  should  be  aware,  however,  that  the  numbers  in  the  tables  do  i!( 
always  express,  correctly,  the  cases  of  fever  originating  in  the  localities  will 
which  they  stand  in  connection.  Tlius,  Maj.  'I'ulloch,  the  compiler  of  thi 
British  Report,  informs  us  that  many  of  the  cases  of  fever  returneil  frof 
the  pi)sts  of  Lower  Canada,  were  relapses  in  patients  from  the  posts  of  Vm 
Canada;  and  in  the  United  States,  our  troops  arc  often  sent  to  more  iioitlierf 


*  Tiilloch's   Statistical  Reports  on  tlio  Sickness,  Mortality,  and  Invaliilizinjr  amoa 

tilt  Troops  ill    tlio  United  Kingdom,  the  Meditcraiiean,  and  Rritisli  America:  prepatej 

from  the,   Record.s  of  the  Army,   IMedical  Departments,  and  War  Office   ReliiriiSi  JJ 
command  of  Her  Majesty,  London,  1839. 


J  [book  11.   ^ 

l)cr  of  posti?  are  smallor, 
do  not,  nuirofivor.  ii'ue 
\i  tlic  separate  sUitifms, 
rcr  in  Canada,  generally. 


NAL   FeYEK     AMONC  THE 


1,000. 


Inter-     i  Remit-    ,  Aniiiwl 

Imitleiit    lent  Fe- H|:L'r'i.'"te 

Fever.    1    vnr.       of  biith. 


risT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


700 


j)(5t3  to  recover  from  the  fevers  of  tlio  south;  and  tliu.s  by  relapsing,  add 
5,jt  a  little  to  tlic  number  of  cases  at  posts  ^bieh  otherwise  mi^ht  have 
iresciitcd  but  few. 


,f  Lakes  Eric  and  Ontario^ 
ivn  to  its  estuary,  cninplitel 

0  estimate  the  rehitive  M 
lillel  of    hititude,  frmii  th| 

•renec,  and  from  Cape  Ho 
Iriror. 

Ll.ers  in  the  tables  do  r,» 
linating  in  the  localities  witj 

'ulloch,  the  compiler  tiMlij 

ises  of  fever  returned  ft" 
[cuts  from  the  posts  of  I'rpj 
often  sent  to  more  noitkrj 

|ortaUtv,andInv.lMi7.inK"'"« 
and  British  America :  \m^'^ 
3,  and  War  Oflice  Returns,  ^ 


SECTION    III. 

CONDITIONS    WHICH    IMPOSE    ClEOORArHICAL    LnilTf^,    AND    GIVE 
UNE(41JAL  PIIEVALEXCE  TO    AUTUMNAL   FEVER. 

I.    Foil. — Under  tliis  term  I  include  all  that  composes  the  surface  of 
I  lie  earth,  apart  from   its   waters.     The  luosc  upjior   stratum  of  our  A'alloy 
I  Misists,  as  far  as  its  mineral   elements  arc  concerned,  of  the  debris  of  the 
peks  beneath,  or  of  deposits  of  the  debris  of  other  rocks,  spread   over  the 
wface  by  ancient  inundations.     There   are  tracts  of  country,  however,   in 
;li;htlie  rocks  themselves  appear  at  the  surface.     None  of  these  conditions 
|;'/,or  tlic  production  of  autunnial  fever;   but,  on   the  contrary,  it  prevails 
/lit  where  they  are  most  perfectly  developed;  and  hence  there  is  no  reason 
I  ir  referring  the  disease  to  emanation.?  from  a  purely  mineral  surface. 
The  soil,  however,  may  have  another  element  than  the  mineral  —  dead 
frsinic  matter,  both  animal  and  vegetable  ;  and  this  is  its  general  character 
I t'iroughout  the  Valley.     The  amount  of  this  cl;ment  is  very  difl'erent  in 
iifireut  places,  for  its  production  depends,  first,   on  the  fertility  of  the 
nrface;   seco?id,  on  temperature;    and,  ihlrd,  on  moisture.     Where  these 
aulitions  are  all  present,  the  growth  of  organic  matter  is  redundant ;  where 
I  By  one  or  more  of  them  is   wanting,  it  will    be    correspondingly  limited. 
us  it  is  small  in  f^uantity  in  the  pine  woods  nf  the  south  (if  wc  except 
I  tie  trees  themselves),  from  the  sandiness  of   the  surface;  in   the  desert, 
Ikyond  the  Mississippi,  from  the  same  cause,  and  also  from  the   want  of 
)ibturo;   in  the  far  north  from   the   wnnt  of   heat,  yet   it    is    abundant 
I tven  beyond  the  linii's  to  which  the  Fever  extends;  on   the  Appalachian 
pl'imitaiiis   from   thai;  deficiency  in    part,   and  from    their   rocky  surface. 
{fed  organic  matter  is,  also,  unequally  distributed  ;  for  the  rains  wash  it 
'•'Wn  frum  the  hills,  and  deposit  it  in  the  valleys;   where,  adding  to  their 
Itrtility,  it  rapidly  augments  itself,  by  promoting  more  luxui'iant  crops  of 
I'egetation. 
^ow,  it  is  a  safe  generalization  to  affirm  that,  all  other  circumstances 
iieing  er[ual,  autumnal  fever  prevails  most  where   the  amount  of  organic 
ItiaUer  is  greatest,  and  least  where  it  is  least.     A  diligent  study  of  the 
[I'jpographical  descriptions  of  Book  /,  Part  I,  will  sustain  this  conclu,sion,  and 
jJeiiionstrate  that  decaying  organic  matter  is  07ie  of  the  conditions  nccossarj 
llotlic  production  of  autumnal  fever.     As  to  the  mode  in  ■•vhich  it  cooperates, 
P'opinious  may  be  entertained:  First.  It  may  supply  the  material  out  of 


*  i . 


Tr 


'X^ 


'!f 


I,   '■ 


■  I- 


ill 


WvWmm    ^^ 

ff*  'I ««  ^  im'rK  ■.'■  ■  ■     ■  ,>1 

'"■"■'..WJ:'.!--'    ■      .1' 


5 
»■■'■ 


'■:  V '  ,:•  >'  ■   /  —  .  . 

I     ,,   ••  ;.;.     .    .  ■  

■t,i  ,t».'""  .  '  •   •■ 


mm  ::mm: 


./,;'.    .   ■■  ."        '        ■•■■.*>' ,■1,.  •■  .  ■ 


•■'<,'-i*i.r..; ..  ■     . 


■U'.\ 


:%':.•■ 


:  '1'  ii  '     i 


A  .-^{i, 


^'  *  V*  ■  ^  '<■■■■••■ 


710 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nooK  11 


which  a  poisonous  gas  is  formed ;  and,  Srcoml,  It  may  be  a  nidus  or  liot-bed 
of  aiiimalculos  or  vegetable  germs.  In  cither  ease,  wc  may  presume,  tliut  all 
kinds  of  decomposing  organic  matter,  are  not  C(jually  favorable  to  the  pro- 
duction of  the  cause  of  this  fever;  but,  although  I  have  souglit  iur  t':ifts 
bearing  on  this  question,  a  sufficient  iiunil)er  has  not  been  found  to  justify 
their  presentation  hero.  I  hupo  the  subject  may  attract  the  attention  of 
others. 

TIio  first  breaking  up  of  the  soil  appears,  from  a  variety  of  observation 
scattered  through  our  topographical  descriptions,  to  be  frerjucntly  fdllnworl 
by  autuinndl  fever;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  long-continued  cultivation  ig 
accom[)anicd  by  diminution  of  that  disease ;  the  clement  which  contributes 
to  its  production  becoming  exhausted. 

II.     Livixa  Yeciktation'.  —  Forests  have  been  thought  to  modify  the 
conditions  which  generate  autumnal  fever.     Our  medical  topograjihy  sup- 
plies several  facts,  which  go  to  show,  that  those  who  first  penetrate  oar 
woods,  and  establish  themselves  in  cabins,  closely  surrounded  by  trees,  re- 
main comparatively  exempt  from  autumnal  fever,  till  the  clearing  is  cxtendeil. 
On  the  otlior  hand,  it  is  a  disease  of  the  country,  and  especially  of  ncwlv- 
scttled  parts;  where  tli.   amount  of  forest  is  so  great,  as  to  maintain  a  liifu 
degree  of  humidity.     Our  cities   and  larger  towns,  it  is  well-known,  scKkm 
suffer,  and  they  are  to  bo  considered,  as  in  some  degree,  presenting  tlio  very 
opposite   condition  from  our  woodlands.     Again,  trees  have  been  tlioudit  to ' 
arrest  tlie  spread,  of  that  gaseous  agent,  whatever  it  may  be,  whicli  is  srml 
to   be   the  true  cause  of  the  Fever;  but  in  what  manner  they  do  it,  no  one 
can  tell.     It  has  been  conjectured,  that  their  leaves  absorb  the  noxious  ex- 
halation; and  also  that   they  mechanically  arrest  the  dissemination  of  tlie 
aerial  poison.     In  harmony  with  the  former  hypoth.esis,  is  that  of  Dr.  Cart-*: 
wriglit  {see  p.  70),  in  reference  to  the  Jussicua  grandijlorn,  and  some  utlicrj^ 
aquatic  plants,  in  the  delta  of  the  3lississippi ;  which,  he  suitposes,  absorb^ 
the   agent  that  produces   autumnal  fever.     I  have  already  expressed  t!i9-| 
opinion,  that    tlie  facts  do  not  establish  that  hj'pothesis ;  and  must  liere,  i:r? 
conclusion,  remark,  tliat  living  vegetation  is  so  mixed  up  with  other  ciiidi- 
tions,  necessary  to  the  production  of  the  Fever,  that,  in  the  existing  stage,  1 
of  observation,  its  effects  cannot  bo  correctly  estimated. 

TIT.  Surface  Water.  —  In  the  maritime  parts  of  Florida,  Alabama, 
Mississippi,  Louisiana,  and  Texas,  surface  water  is  abundant,  for  one  side  of 
each  rests  on  the  gulf,  which  has  many  inlets  and  little  bays,  the  banks  of 
which,  arc  inhabited.  The  rivers,  moreover,  are  numerous,  and  as  t 
approach  the  gulf,  expand  into  broad  estuaries  or  deltas.  The  delta  of  tl;{ 
^Mississippi,  abounds  in  lakes,  lagoons  and  bayous.  As  wc  ascend  tliisJ 
and  the  smaller  rivers,  wide  cypress  and  liquid-amber  swaaips,  annually  re- 
plenished, skirt  both  sides.  The  intervening  plains,  arc  cut  up  by  snial 
streams,  which  have  wide  alluvions,  often  subjected  to  inundations;  andth« 
country  between  them  abounds  in  swamps;  from  which  even  the  sandy,  \m 
plateaus  arc  not  entirely  free.  This  continues  to  be  their  condition,  till  w^ 
reach  the  flanks  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  on  the  cast,  and  thc'o  ef  t!:( 


|"3i''ers, 

:m!io  pn 

Tor. 

Lot  lis 

■'•■  liiscast 

I'lnlo 

ping  a  hi 

\xvi\[  is 

■stliern  p; 
|i;st, 

•'  Surfa 

•J5t  \fiit(i 

fenipnsit 
=«of  the 
"ilj  have 


'HE 


[book  ii  P; 


fiRT  1.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


711 


y  Tjc  a  nidus  or  hot-bed  '■ 
,'c  may  pvesume,  tliut  all 
ly  favorable  to  tlic  jiru- 
liave  souglit  iur  I'luts 
t,  boon  tuund  to  justify 
iittract  tbe  atti'Utiou  of 

a  variety  of  obsorvatifn, 
,  be  fruriuently  followod 
contiiuK-'d  cultivation  ig 
lemcnt  wliicli  contributes 

t  tliougbt  to  modify  tlic 
tiled ieal  topograjiliy  sup- 
vt'bo  first  iionctrate  our 
surrounded  by  trees,  ro- 
dtbc  clearing  is  extended. 
,  and  especially  of  ncwly- 
•eat,  as  to  maintain  a  high 
5,  it  is  well-known,  scUl^m 
egrco,  presenting  the  very 
,rees  bavc  been  tlioudlit  to- 
er  it  may  be,  wbicli  is  said-;:! 
[manner  tbey  do  it,  no  m:'. 
.-cs  absorb  the  noxious  ex-;'' 
t  tbe  dissemination  of  tlie  * 
,esis,  is  that  of  Dr.  Cart-|j 
ajuli flora,  and  seme  utlicr 
wbicli,  be  supposes,  absorb 
avc  already  expressed  tlio^ 
jtbesis ;  and  nnist  bore.  ia| 
uixed  up  with  other  cnuai-' 
lat,  in  tbo  existing  stajio,- 

mated.  ^ 

„vts  of   Florida,  Alabama^ 
..  abundant,  for  one  side ': 
nd  little  bays,  the  banb  u 
ire  numerous,  and  as  tin 
deltas.     The  delta  of  th 
ous.      As  wc  ascend  tins, 
nibcr  swamps,  annually  re 
ains,  are  cut  up  by  suialb: 
.od  to  inundations;  andt; 
which  even  the  sandy,  I'ln 

0  be  their  condition,  tdl  v 
,n  tbe  cast,  and  thc^cett.; 


'izark  hills,  to  the  west.  As  we  ascend  the  ^Mississippi,  to  the  mouth  of 
;';e  Missouri,  we  find  it.^  annual  floods  leaving  small  lakes,  ponds,  swamps, 
pi  lagoons;  Avhich  in  the  aggregate,  arc  of  great  extent,  and  but  partially 
iraineJ  or  dried  up,  before  the  next  inundation.  Now,  as  we  have  seen,  the 
rjile  of  this  region  is  infested  with  autumnal  fever,  beyond  any  other  por- 
:;  n  of  the  valley. 

InXnrth  Alabama,  Tonnes.sce,  and  Kentucky,  swamps  arc  almost  unknown, 

aeept  along  the  few   rivers,  which   liavc  wide  bottom-lands,  most  of  which, 

■jreovcr,  are  cxenutt  from  inundation.     Tlie  rivers,  however,  are   sinuous, 

■d  in  summer,  slugghsh  and  pondy;  and  it  is  in  their  vicinity,  chiefly,  that 

•.;;iimnal  fever  prevails.     In  the  states  of  Illinois,   Indiana  and  Ohio,  the 

livers  generally  flow  tlu-ough  wide  valleys,  many  of  which,  are  liable  to  bo 

Ti'rtlowed.     Small  lakes,  ponds  and   swamps,  are  also  frequent,  in  certain 

'  rtims  of  those  states ;  and  it  is  precisely  these  localities,  which  are  most 

':';5ted.    To  the  east  of  all  the  states  mentioned,  as  we  climb  the  mountairs, 

;:e  surface  water  is  no  longer  found  in  basins ;  and  the  streams,  generally, 

iivearapid  current,  down  narrow  and  rocky  channels;  and  here,  autumnal 

;':ver  nearly  disappears ;  or,  when  present,  is  confined  to  the  valley  of  some 

i;!;nating  stream.     Everywhere,  west  of  the   states  of  Arkansas,  Missouri, 

,31  Iowa,  surface  water  is  scarce;  the  declivity  of  the  plain  which  stretches 

iin  the  Rocky  ]^[ountains,  fiivoring  its  escape;  while   the  subjacent  sand 

imst  absorb.s,  even  considerable   rivers.     Thus,  as  we  advance  into   that 

krt,  we  come  at  the  same  time  to  the  limits  of  .surface  water,  and  of  au- 

;:mal  fever.     In  the  north  there  is  no  deficiency,  for  the  whole  country  is 

i:i»atially  lacustrine ;  and  up  to  a  certain  latitude,  the  Fever  prevails.     Thus 

::e shores  of  Lake  Ontario  and  Lake  Erie,  with   those  of  the  southern  cx- 

::tiiiity  of  Huron  and  Michigan,  arc  infested,  and  sufler  far  more  than  the 

"ycr  lands  which  surround  them.     But  beyond  these  limits,  on  tbe  shores  of 

a  two  latter  lakes,   and  on    those  of  Lake   Superior,  the   Fever,   as  wc 

:"o  seen,  is  never  epidemic,  although  water  is  abundant;  and  still  further 

-Kii.  where  small  lakes,  and  their  connecting   streams,  exist  in  countless 

:;3i'ier,3,  the  disease  is  unknown ;  showing  that,  while  water  is  essential 

'■'■  the  production  of  this  Fever,  other  causes  must  coiipcrato  to  give  it 

■■iver. 

Let  us  inquire  into  the  moiiis  operandi  of  this  agent  in  the  production  of 
-■  ilisoasc  under  consideration. 

!.  Under  the  influence  of  solar  heat  it  impregnates  the  air  with  vapor, 
ping  a  high  dew  point ;  and,  other  circumstances  being  e(pial,  the  evapo- 
p'Jon  is  greatest  where  the  hert  is  highest.  This,  of  course,  is  in  the 
ptliera  part  of  the  Valley,  and  there,  as  we  have  seen,  the  Fever  prevails 

'm. 

Surface  water  not  only  contributes  largely  to  the  production  of  a  luxu- 

"45t  vegetation,  destined  annually  to  perish,  but  is  indispensable   to   the 

■'■niposition  of  what  it  has  aided  in  producing.     Ilenco,  without  its  agency, 

M  of  the  deleterious  gasscs,  whieli  are  supposed  to  be  thus  generated, 

'"Ihave  an  existence.     But  its  presence  in  any  or  all  quantities,  will  not 


ii 


\% 


% 


4 


r      1 


mm 


k 


i  ('li 


Hi?::'';"";:'/- 

J    't.-l  ^  '.,       » ■    ' , 

I        _,      *'      .„:       ,       .....         I,t 


W'  ■ .  ■.!'; 


'   S  .  ;=V  V  )i  ..<, 


f,- 


'        ■•; 


!'.-;h''» 


12 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[DOOK  llJ 


un 


answer  cipially  well.  If  there  bo  too  little,  tlio  molecular  inovcmont.s  of 
fcrineiitiition  are  arrested  for  want  of  a  solvent  —  if  too  mucli,  tlio  atnids- 
plicro,  indispensable  to  the  procCoS,  is  excluded ;  or  tho  evolved  casus  are; 
absorbed  and  retained. 

o.  lis  presence  is  essential  to  those  chemical  actions,  in  certain  .soils 
which  iirc  believed,  by  some  writerSj  to  generate  exhalations  that  occaiirn 
the  Fever. 

4.  It  is  equally  indispensable  to  the  production  of  both  animalcules  and 
microsci'pic  plants. 

5.  1>ol!i  evaporation  and  condensation  are  known  to  be  accompanied  Ijy 
electrical  [jcrturbations. 

Thus  water  is  a  ".ccessary  clement,  in  all  the  hypotheses  which  have  been 
framed  to  account  for  autumnal  fever. 

But  a  contrary  and  salubrious  influence  has  been  ascribed  to  water:  for 
it  is  hchl  by  many  tliat  this  fluid  absorbs  tho  noxious  gas  or  gases,  wiiicb 
tbcy  believe  to  produce  tlio  Fever,  and  thus  limits  its  prevalence.  Acciuiling 
to  tliis  opinion,  tlio  deep  waters  in  the  center  of  a  basin,  may  imbibe  amlreiaiu 
the  noxious  gases  which  the  shallow  waters  of  its  margins  have  coiitviljuteil 
to  generate  ;  and,  in  support  of  the  liypothesis,  it  has  been  affirmed  tl.at  tin 
vicinity  of  cataracts  and  rapids  is  more  unhealthy  than  the  banks  nf  t'ul 
rivers  in  which  they  occur.  The  absorbed  gases  arc  supposed  to  he  tlnrtl 
liberated  by  the  agitation  of  tho  water.  The  medical  topography  of  Bu::I, 
presents  several  facts  bearing  on  this  hypothesis.  Thus  "Wctunipbi. 
the  foot  of  the  long  rapids  of  the  Coosa  river ;  Louisville,  at  the  falls  nt  t 
OhioEiver;  and  Mauniee  City,  at  tho  termination  of  the  rapids  of  the  ]\Iii 
mce  River,  are  all  infested  with  autumnal  fever ;  but  other  towns,  on  t 
same  rivers,  are  likewise  scourged  with  that  disease ;  and  Oswego  Kivi 
which  drains  the  Montezuma  swamps  of  western  New  York,  has  at  itsnioul 
a  great  number  of  mills,  yet  the  inhabitants  sufl"er  but  little  frum  tlii 
disease.  It  prevails  still  less  at  the  Falls  of  Niagara ;  and  Onally,  at  Zane( 
villo,  where  a  natural  waterfall  has  been  augmented  by  artificial  nieai;s.  s 
on  the  Kentucky  lliver,  where  there  are  series  of  pools  and  dams,  ilmt 
no  special  prevalence  of  the  Fever.  Thus  the  facts  furnished,  by  our  VjI'i 
do  not  prove  that  waterfalls  eliminate  a  gas  which  is  the  cause  of  the  disc; 
under  consideration. 

IV.  Tkmi'ekature.  —  Tho  fact  that  autumnal  fever  prevails  perpciiiai 
and  virulently,  within  the  tropics,  but  ceases  long  before  we  reach  the  pil 
circle,  demonstrates  that  a  higli  temperature  is  one  of  the  conditions  nici 
sary  to  its  production.     Should  it  be  ascribed  to  heat  alone  ?     The  an 
must  be  in  the  negative;  for  places  having  the  same  temperature,  but  va; 
ing  in  other  conditions,  are  very  differently  aff'cctcd  with  autumnal  fovi 
Thus  the  people  on  jMobile  Bay  suffer  greatly,  while   those  who  live  en 
adjoining  oak  and  pine  terrace  escape ;,  and  the  summer  heat  of  the  seiith 
portions  of  the  great  desert  is  intense,  but  those  who  traverse  it,  and  t 
at  a  distance  from  its  water  courses,  pass  the  season  unaff"ected.    It  c:u: 
be  affii'med,  that  tho  direct  action  of  a  hot  atmosphere  on  the  body,  docs 


it  F 


'■'!!io 


THE 


[book  II.- 


molecular  movements  of 
if  too  mueli,  tlic  ulim  s- 
r  tbo  evolved  gases  avo 

actions,  in  certain  soils, 
L'slialalions  tliat  oaafci.n 

a  of  botli  animalcules  and 

xvn  to  Ijc  accomrauitd  by 

ypotliesos  vrliicli  have  bee*  j 

been  ascribed  to  wator :  foi 
,,xiou3  gas  or  gases,  v\k\i 
■  its  prevalence.  According 
bafein,  may  imbibe  and  retain 
s  ma'-gins  have  contviUitcJ 
t  has  been  affirmed  tLatlhl 
,lthy  than  the  bunks  ni  tu« 
3  are  supposed  to  lo  tlicij 
ledical  topography  of  Bv,l  ' 
lesis.  Thus  >VetunnAa. 
iLouisvillc,  at  the  falls  ott 

of  the  rapids  of  tuc  m 
cr-  but  other  towns,  on  t! 
Vis'casc;  and  Oswego  Klvi 
Now  York,  has  at  its  moui 
suffer  but  little  from  tlil 
agara;  and  finally,  at  ta 
nted  bv  artificial  niear.s.  a 
of  pools  and  dams,  tkic 
acts  furnished,  by  om-^  ill.' 
ich  is  the  cause  of  the  disc 


n 


>i',T  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


713 


i.triliuto  to   tliG  produetlmi  of   the  Fever;  i'or,  on  the  contrary,  wliero  it 
:cvails  as  an  epidemic,  exposure  tu  the  nouii-diiy  suiiiiner  sun   is  otteii  I'ul- 

,v  ■!  by  ail  attack ;  bat  sueli  cxjjosuro,  in  a  different  locality,  will  not  pro- 
;;:cit;  and,  theref(jro,  we  may  cniieUulo  that   in  its  direct  actiim,  heat  is 
U.rcly  an  exciting  cause,  on  whieli  it  is  not  iioeessary  to  exiiatiate  iu  this 
•'a-.e:  and  I  will  therefore  proceed  to  trace  out  its  indirect  effects. 

'W  army  statistics  t'uniish  some  instructive  facts  on  this  point.     The  posts 
|;,:,ii  lie  along  the  Mississippi,  are  jjlaccd  nearly  under  the  same  conditions, 

:tverythiiig    but  tempoTature,  which  varies   according  to  their   latitude. 

'iiv  arc,  therefore,  well  lilto'd  to  iudieate  tho  intluetice  of  this  climatic  con- 

,::  11  ill  the  [iroduction  ol'  the  l'\:ver.     Its  relative  prevalence  at  these  posts 
lull  extend  through  more  than  thirteen  degrees  of  latitude,  is  presented 
Liruiiootion  with  the  annual  and  ([uarterly  mean   heat,  iu  the   tlrst   part  of 
r...lill'iwiiig  table,  while  the  second  oilers  a  comparison  of  two  ])osts  in  the 
|:.:ijii  west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  the  third  of  two  on  the  Lakes. 

T  A  ]J  L  E  . 


POSTS. 

__• 

o 

-  0  ■'- 

80  30 

38  28 
41  32 

43  03 

44  5.3 

3  ~  "5  ' 

'''  =  -' 

=   i   r:    1 

J5  S  1 

<  s 

1 

52.08 
3:^.08 
25.15 
20. GO 
17.20 

If 

c  = 

V 

~o 

07.38 

54.38 
52.07 
48.00 
45.50 

..     Baton  Eougo,     -  -  -  - 
■  I    Joffei'sou  liarraeks,    -  - 
:ic  Fort;  Armstrong',    -  -  - 
i;_E  Fort  Crawford,    -  -  -  - 
'■'  Fort  iSnelling.     -  -  -  - 

1    o 
82407.50 
475  50.03 
307  50.05 
30147.35 
02  45.15 

0         j    1' 

08.72'81.48 
50.55,70.10 
50. 82*74. 57 
48.2572.38 
40.5(;i7l.l0 

:■;  V  Fort  Gibson, 

>i-2  Fort  Leavenworth,    -  - 

35  48 
30  23 

1435 

020 

01.07j42.50iG1.20  70.17  01.53 
52.34:27.00  53.38  74.00  54.30 

ul  Fort  Dearborn,   -  -  -  - 
■-j  i'ort  IJrady, 

4150 
40  30 

25140.14 
44  40.02 

24.31)45.39  07.80  47.00 
I8.00i38.17  02.14j44.13 

To  show,  by  a  comparison  of  localities,  the  exact  relation  between  tcmper- 

p  and  autumnal  fever,  tho  conditions  of  the  different  jilaces  should,  in 

jther  respects,  be  alike,  which  is  not  often  the  case ;  nevertheless,  the 

/id  topography  and  hydrography  of  the  posts,  ccniitarcd  tiigetlcr  in  tho 

going  tabic,  will  be  found  substantially  the  same,  and  they  sIhjW,  that 

i  the  decrease  of  yearly  and  summer  heat,  other  conditions  cor.tinuing 

aaiigcd,  there  is  an  abatement  of  the  Fever.     It  is,  however,  with  the 

i!'if  summer,  and  not  that  of  tho  year,  that  autumnal  fever  is     /iinccted ; 

-tlic  cp;ostion   iiorc  arises,  what  summer  temperature  is  necessary  to  the 

I'Ktion  of  the  Fever?     This   (jucstion   cannot  be  rigorously  answered ; 

.,„  v.nn*- nf  thcsoutli^:'.ionamher  of  observations  hitherto  made,  in  the  proper  recion,  is   too 
e  summer  neai  01  ,,Mv      .     .,  ,     .  ,      ^     ^  '  , 

,     traverse  it,  and  l^W^' to  justity  a  positive  conclusion;  wo  may,  however,   assume,  that   a 

unaffected.    !*■  i''1''W'"ilt  temperature  of  sixty  degrees,  is  necessary  to  tlie  production  of  the 

"^  '  i     B  on  the  body,  ^ocs  •"tr;  and  that  it  will  not  prevail  as  an  epidemic,  where  the  temperature  of  that 


1 

Ml  fever  prevails  r<^f  *"»^ 
oiv^  before  we  reach  the  [ 
,  o'nc  of  the  conditions  m' 
to  heat  alone?     The  a. 
■esamc  temperature,  hut  u 
affected  with  autumualfovl 
.  while  those  who  hvc  on 


I  : 


If 


*  4^ 


?  :  Ur, 

t,  {■ 


^|■ 


f   '■ 


.1 


'J  ' 


I 

'•b' 


Tm-' 


«P^*f^;'- "  ■■•■  . 


r   .<*  )"•■  ..'*.■■      >,     '."■.. 
I1SI    ■>     ti,   ir     .' 


i-:.i 


'■if   i- ■■■'■'  ■  : 


:  * 


'■''^:.  ^' 


■^j^rt: 


711 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I 


season  falls  liclnw  sixty-five:  finally,  tliat  if  fiic  otlior  condition.s  f'lvurin.f  i^. 
prodiictiuii  are  ikfieieiit,  it  will  cease  b(  'ore  tliuso  rtductiuiis  of  ttii  iieraiurt 
have  bci'ii  rcacliCLl.  i 

According  to  tlieso  eonclnsioiis,  tli."  Fovc*  will  occur  in  winter,  at  all  iilaroi 
wluTC  tliat  season  lias  a  nicaii  tiii'pcrature  ol'  sixty  dciirccs  or  npffr.r'I:  ;i| 
at  A'cra  ("ruz,  Tanipico,  Havana,  Key  West,  T:ini|)a  ]>ay,  :ind  Fort  Kino 
as  may  lu'  seen  in  tiie  talile  ( }i.  i^l ) ',  and  it  is  well  known  tliat  casc^  .Jj 
occur  at  those  {daces,  in  that  season;  but  at  the  two  latter  |)osts,  wliciv  thi 
winter  heat  harely  rises  over  sixty,  they  are  few  in  uuniher.  At  Nuw  Oj^ 
loans,  and  generally  under  the  thirtietli  jiarallel,  where  the  mean  winter  iiiaj 
is  as  low  as  fifty,  the  Fever  is  suspended.  I'ut  tl;c  seasons  are  niadr  iin  of 
months,  and  we  arc  hero  brought  to  considoi'  its  connection  M'ith  tliiir  rg. 
spective  temperatures. 

I'^[)  to  Tampa  Hay,  every  winter  month  rises  above  sixty  degrees:  Imt  i  i 
New  Orleans,  or  the  thirtieth  parallel,  only  the  nine  months  fn  ni  3!iirr'i  tj 
November,  have  that  temperature;  and  as  wc  advance  to  the  north.  i1h| 
number  of  months  having  it  coni^tantl}'-  decreases.     Thus,  at  8t.  Louis,  it 
attained  liy  five  months  only  —  from  May  to  September,  inclusive;  at  I'o| 
Snelling,  by  four;  at  Fort  Brady,  by  three;  at  3Iontre:il,  by  four:  at  <)iul 
by  three.     Tu  advancing  further  north,  June  and  September  fall  lelnwii 
and,  finally,  in  the  distant  north,  July  and  August,  or  the  entire  year.    I, 
before  this  ^-eduction  is  reached  by  those  two  mouths,  however,  tlio  Rv( 
ceases;  and  therefore  it  results,  that  a  continuance  for  more  than  twoiii-    If 
of  a  heat   equal  to  sixty  degrees,  is  necessary  to  the  development  i ;' 
Fever.  Hence  wo  can  understand,  M'hy  it  prevails  more  in  October  th:ni  A] 
although  their  mean  temperatures  are  nearly  the  same;  in  November t! 
June,  notwithstanding,  the  latter  is  much  the  warmer  month,  and  in  S 
tembcr  and  August,  than  July  —  [ha  hottest    month   of  the  year.    Tl 
greatest  prevalence  in  every  latitude,  is  indeed,  generally  some  week?,  afl 
the  hottest  month ;  showing  that  the  effects  of  temperature  are  ciumilati 
It  appears  from  all  that  has  been  said,   that  within  the  tropins,  autiiiiii 
fever  may  occur  throudiout  the  year :  and  that  as  we  move  nurtlioilv 
diration  of  its  prevalence  shortens,  by  its  beginning  later  in  spring. 
terminating  earlier  in   autumn.     March  and  November  first  escape;  t 
April  and  May  on  the  ono  hand,  and  October  on  the  other  —  lastly  Ji 
and  September. 

In  contemplating  the  olimrtic  relations  which  exist  between  raitr.nii 
fevir,  and  certain  aspects  of  vegetation,  wc  find  that  in  the  tropical  rei 
they  are  the  same  throughout  the  year,  and  that  when  wc  attain  the  t!i: 
third  parallel,  wliich  constitutes  the  northern  limit  of  several  southern  t 
and  plants,  the  prevalence  of  the  Fever  is  for  a  much  shorter  period;  tlat 
disappearance  is  nearly  at  the  same  curve,  at  which  the  miscellaiieeiis  ve, 
tation  of  the  middle  latitudes,  gives  place  to  the  terebinthinato  tree; 
birches,  of  the  north ;  finally,  that  maize  or  Indian  corn,  which  gr^v. 
the  year  round,  iu  the  tropical  regions,  finds  the  summers  too  short  lor 


:::  'iii 

luch 

!;■( 

:'  tiie 

;:;i;ni 

^icivii 

l.'kvifn 

'.':.<.  a 
:v:;iiit, 

■;:J  troii 
■  .'.'e  on 
:::::^thf 
:r:o  (loi 
!';:■!!  (los 

:i.ftli, 


'  decay  I 
It  drie^ 


'••-y^^ 


THE 


1 1;"  )U  ;i. 


r.r  1.; 


LVTERIOPc  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMEIIICA. 


15 


:::■!  dogi-oos,  I  witnessed   !i  frost,  (in  tlio  niglit  of  tlic  second   of  August 
::  !i  dostroved  tlio  Indian  C(Ji-n  ;  but,  on  descending  into  the  vtilley  of  tlio 


•  Mii'igof  its  _r_rvain,  in  nearly  tlio   same  curve  of  .summer  temperature,  at 
-jell  aiitumiial  fever  i.s  arrested. 

If  cliango  of  latitude,  by  diminisliing  flic  beat  of  the  atmosphere  and  tliat 
■t'l-;  earth's  surface  can,  as  we  have  just   seen,  arrest  the  producti'in  of 
;;.',m!i;d  fever,  an  increase  of  elevation  above    the  level  of  the   sea,   may 
.>.n-i;i3   do  it.      Thus    the    Fever    wiiich  scourges    tlio  Itnra    calimlc   of 
feioo,  near  the  level  of  the  sea,  is  almost  unknown  in   and  around  the  city 
: Mexico,  at  an  elevatiuii  of  seven  thdusand   four  hundred   and  fii'ty  feet, 
-imgh   the   latitude    remains    the    same.      The    inhabitants    amrnig    the 
ijecsof  the  Kcnawha  and  Tennesseo  Kiver.s,  on   the  Appalachian  Moun- 
■j.\  at  a  medium   elevation   of  nearly   three    tho\isand  feet,   are    almost 
::;iii[it.  whilo  those  who   occupy  tlie  valleys,  under  the  same  parallels,  are 
irti'il;  and,  further  north,  at  half  that  elevation,  where   the   Alleghany 
■,:!  Geiic'ssee  Pavers  have   their  sources,  tlie   disease  is   almost  unknown, 
1;  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Ontario,  directly  n<u'tli,  it  prevails.     In  trav- 
Ivincc  to  the  nnvtli.  tl|i.^'v:u- that  mountain  terrace,  which  has  a  mean  summer  temperature  of  sixty- 
■s.     Thus,  at  St.  Loui«,  it 
ontember,  inclusive  ;  !it  I'oi 

.1  i\..y..^m  iMjiee, which,  althcngh  a  degree  further  north,  is  infested  with  the  Fever, 
ilils  of  maize  were  uninjureil.  Finally,  t!ie  constantly  increasing  eleva- 
■  f  the  desert  to  tlic  west  of  the  3Ii.ssissippi  is,  no  doubt,  one  cause  of 
: ifefippearanee  of  the  Fever  under  the  same  parallels,  in  which  it  prcvailri 
il.o  banks  of  that  river. 

Il;i'.i:ig  establi.shed  tlio  paramount  influence  of  high  temperature   in  the 
hetioii  of  autumnal  fever,  it  remains  to  impiire  into  the  modes  in  whicli 
:.iiv  operate.     I  have  already  referred  to  its  effect  as  an   exciting  cause, 
.:;':-  view  is  too  limited,  and  others  must  now  come  under  consideration. 
1.  The  long-continued  imju'css  of  summer  lieat  upon  the  ,surf\iec  of  the 
;,  iicca.sioning  copious  porsjtiration,  and  through  the  nerves  of  the  skin 
ipit'ietically  affecting  the  internal  organs,  more  especially  the  abdominal, 
5;'|ir'jdispose  to  this  form  of  fever;    and  the  cool  nights  of  early  autumn, 
■".'on  the  same  surface,  may  still  further  derange  the  economy.     That 
ifiights,  and  occasional  sudden  changes  of  temjicratiu'c,  are  often  followed 
ri'.umcdiate  development  of  the  Fever,  is  well  known. 
■  Heat  promotes  great  evaporation  from  all  moist  and  watery  surfaces, 
'giving  to  the  atjnosphere  a  high  dew  point. 

■' It  favors  the  fermentative  decompo.sition  of  organic  matter,  and  the 
h'tion  of  new  compounds. 

1  It  facilitates  the    multiplication  of  minute    but  visible   animals,  and 

Mogamic  plants,  and  may  bo  presumed,  therefore,  to  multiply  the  micro- 

fx—both  animal  and  vegetable. 

\  •  ^^  t|-,c  miscellaneous  voK.  It  evaporates  the   superfluous  water  of  ponds,  swamps,  mar.shes,  and 

the  tercbinthinatc  ti'C'^  ■?:".,' streams  ;    thus  bringing  them  into  a  condition  favorable  to  the  more 

T   lian  corn,  which  gT'^V'^il  decay  of  the  organic  matters  which  they  contain  or  cover  over,  and 

t\  0  summers  too  short  l^'Bi^  promoting  the  oxtricalion  of  gases. 

"  It  dries  the  surface  of  the  ground  after  the  rains  of  spring  and  sura- 


cr  conditions  faviriv.;^  it| 
•eductions  of  ten  pcratur* 

n\r  in  winter,  at  all  iilar ei 
:tv  degrees  or  npw;.vr.  4 
pa  B:Vy,  and  l-ort  Kii.j, 
well  known  that  casrs  44 
wo  latter  posts,  wV.cr.-  \\\% 
in  number.     AtNcwOr* 
vhere  the  mean  winter  lira* 
th.e  seasons  are  m;i(h'  "p  of 
:s  connection  with  their  r» 

bovc  sixty  degrees:  Imt 
nine  months  fvem  ^biH'h  W 


l.mtreal,byi"""i--.nt()nM:al 
and  September  fall  lebval 
Ht,  or  the  entire  year.    I. 
months,  however,  the  l\v| 
ncc  for  more  than  two  111'.',  t] 
y  to  the  development  rt  i 
Is  more  in  October  tlr.o.  A; 
the  same:  in  Novcnikv t'J 
,varmer  niontlu  and  in  >A 
i   mouth  of  the  year.    IJ 
,1  o-enerallv  some  vccks,  atli 
f'  temperature  are  caraubtij 
^^.ithin  the  tropins,  autun-l 
liat  as  we  move  northerly. 
ocrinning  later  in  spun:.; 
November  first  escape ;  tlj 
the  other- lastly  <"< 


ler  on  tnc 


kicb  exist  between  antv.nii 
nd  that  in  the  tropical  vv;:^ 


bat  when  W'c  attam 


the  thii 


limit  of  several  southenj 


much  shorter  per 


iod;  tbt 


■'1' 


'Jk 


H 


,     '0 


i 


/I 


."■c.  »••  • 


4f 


■'■4, ■J':'- .■.■•"■■■ 

ybi-*<iri ■■[''''•,■.  •'•■  . 

•■•;s"a-  tr     ■  ■■  •■    ■ 
^W*<^t  'li.'     ■  '  ■' 

Wi  4i' ■■'■'''''  '■•'    ' 

v-'kW":  ■■•■■••••  ■"'■'■' 

mmv-'''''^  ■■'■ 

l.i'^'^Ar"  r-P-'  ■*-■■•■ 
bJ4'.     :  •■'J'h.Jf'  ,-■••       • , 


KvVj:    *-';c: 


'i. 


1 


Ku 


*■!.■■  ■>?.    ...  ,V 


ft'.! ? "li^'f  ji'f^'->""'i' ' '  ' .. '    '.  '■  •'  1  ■  '-  ■  ■  J  ■■  >'  ' 

l'>\'  -vaiST'"'   ■.■■..•    f).' I ;''>*■     ■■*:,■•;■■:   ■■■■!  '■■' 

I'  '    ^.'iSih-'l'    ,-'''■'*'  '•|i  'i- '  '  *J'  ',>.■•    ■  i''-i'  ' .  ■  ' 
I  ■     ■    WiVi'    ■!"»      (it:  J.     ••.V  v.'     •    .   •■   •' 

I' ■  ■  '  ^i'%i''f  ■'■'•' f^' *V  '  ■'••       ■   '"'    •  ■ '•'   •  ' 


•10 


THE  PRINCirAI.  DI^^EASES  OF  THE 


1  noor. 


nl 


mcr :  ami  may  (as  lias  1)0Pn  assorted)  cause  it.  in  thp  act  of  (lesicrtulon,  toj 
send  fortli  dolclerlnus  cxlialatluii.s,  dlllcrcut  from  those  gcnrfutod  in  deju.-iti 
of  decomposing  organic  matter. 

6.  Tt  disturbs  the  cquilil)riuni  of  the  electricity  of  tlic  ntmosplicrc;  hcnc^ 
summer  thunder  storms  are  of  almost  daily  occurrc'f'C,  on  the  con.sts  of  t';/ 
Gulf  of  AFoxico;  but  on  the  .sliorcs  of  Lake  Superiur  tliey  are  rare.  f 

Thus  solar  heat  plays  an  indispensable  part,  in  every  hypethcsis  wliieh  !:.'i{ 
been  proposed  to  explain  the  origin  of  autumnal  fever;  answering  equally 
•well  for  the  advocateri  of  combined  heat  and  mnisture  —  miasmatic  cxl,;,la» 
tions  —  microscopic  beings,  and  atmospheric  electricity.  {, 

■\Vc  have  now  reviewed  all  the  obvinus   conditions  which  seem  to  conei] 
in  the  production  of  our  autumnal  fever,  and  cndiavoredto  assign  tlie  m^.'M 
oneranili  and  influence  of  each.     We  have  seen  the  necessity  of  their     > 
c.irrencc,  from  the  fact  that  the  absei:ee  of  anj  one  puts  an  end  to  the  [iru^ 
alcnco  ()?  the  Fever.     These  conditions  are  dead  firganic  matter,  rcstii'jr 
or  blended  ,vith  the  mineral  elements  of  the  soil ;  water,  not  in  any,  biu 
certain  quantity;  and  temperature,  above  tlic  sixtieth  degree,  contiiniiii.' ; 
at  least  two  months.    And  here  T,e  might  stop,  but  for  the  instinctivo  ]r 
Density  of  the  human  mind  to  arrive  at  the  knowledge  of  a  single  cEid 
cause;  to  which,  therefore,  a  chapter  must  be  devoted. 


CHAPTER  II. 


SPECULATIONS  ON  1^^"]  EFFICIENT  CAUSE  OF  AUTUMNJ 

FEVER. 


SECTION  I. 

METEORIC  HYPOTHESIS. 
It  has  been  suggested,  and,  indeed,  is  believed  by  some  physiclar.5. 
while  the  three  conditions  rc'-ognized  in  the  last  chapter,  are  present  ivij 
ever  autumnal  fever  prevMls,  but  two  of  them  —  heat  and  moisture— ei 
an  influence  in  its  })roduotion.     Under  the  joint  influence  of  these  eleii:e| 
vegetation   will   of    course   flourish   and   decay;    but     not    contribute! 
the  production  of  the  Fever.     The  advocates  of  tins  opinion,  of  o' 
deny  the  existence  of  a  .special  poison ;  and  ascribe  the  disease  to  tbei 
combined  action  of  a  hot,  humid,  and  elec'-  ical  atmosphere.     The  discui 
of  this  hyprthesis,  necessarily  involves,  to  some  extent,  the  discussion  off 
question  of  a  special  agent ;  for  but  the  two  opinions  can  bo  helJ 


Fivor 
un  a 

i'lllOll 

i;pcinl 

Ilia^ 

l,Tetlii 

:".e<i!!  i\ 

1.  Ft 

Vims  1 

ii'jre  of 

:'.  Th 

J^ll  Ici 

rveral  t 
■;>ii.lera 


:  ;t  lllg 


'drift,  t! 

f'Scil  to 

£tC'(|uoncc 

'^eep.,17. 

't.'"V' 


^■w. 


THE 


[Boor.  nJ 


tV.c  act  of  (losicctvlioii,  [<L 
osc  gcnr  i-atoil  in  ilopu.^itf 

of  tlic  r\tnu>?phirc;  l.or.cf 
C'f'C.  on  the  cutists  of  t';? 
riur  tl\cy  arc  ravo. 
;Vory  liyiuithcsis  wliieh  hi 
fever;  answcviiig  ciiuallf 
^jm-i. — iniasmatlc  exl;J> 

ricity. 

ions  Avhicli  seem  to  comi 
savored  to  asfcigTi  tlic  mo(i 
t\\c  necessity  of  tlicir  cca 
inoputs  an  tr.cl  to  tlio  |H 
[  f.vganic  mattir,  resting  q 
[;  ^vatcr,  not  in  any,  but! 
xtictb  degree,  contiuuiiii' fj 
but  for  the  instinctive  pr^ 
owlcdge  of  a  single  dx^'A 
cvotcd. 


[I. 

CAUSE  OF  AUTONi 


THESIS. 

ieved  l)ysomorliy?icia'-J 
last  cliai.tcr,  arc  present  ^i 
ni_lieat  and  moisture -e: 

int  influence  of  tbesc  elcffiii 

,cay;    but     not    contribute 

tcs  of   tins  opinion,  of  cJ 

scribe  tlie  disease  to  tbedit 

pal  atmospbcrc.     The  dise«3 
nic  extent,  tbc  discussion  ot 

0  opinions  can  bo  held. 


'IJT  I.] 


INTEPIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA 


717 


Fiver  prevails  extensively,  is  often  epidemic,  and  is  not  cdntagious;  It  must 

ivc  a  cause,  and   if  tliat  cuiso  bo  not   some   conjunetiou  of  the  ordinary 

jiicnts  and  sensible  ([ualities  of  tlio  atinosphore,  it  miisl  be  a  poison,  dis- 

Ij'vcd  or  susjiended  in  it.     If  it  sliould  appear,  then,  tliat  tlio  Fever  docs  not 

iiKiid  on  tlio  furi.a'i',  we  may  aflirni  that  it  (hcs  depend  npnii  the  latter. 

Iliave  already  shown,  that   neither  heat  nor  moisture,  by  itself,  (an  pro- 

hcctlie  Fever,  and  v.'ill  now  jiroceed  to  state  certain  objections  to  the  hypo- 

I'jiisthat  it  results  from  their  condjined  influence. 

1.  It  is  well  known,  that  autumnal  fever  seldom  appears  on  boanl  of 
lii^cls  which  cruise  in  the  Gulf  of  3Iexii--o,  althongh  the  air,  at  the  tcniper- 
iiarc  of  eighty,  is  nearly  satnrated  with  vapour. 

i  The  inhabitants  of  Key  West,  who  breathe  a  simila-;   atniospliere,  are 
|:]cli  less  aftiicted  with  the  Fever,  than  those  on   the  Peninsula  of  Florida, 
sTcral  degrceir   "urthcr  north.     Now,  althongh   that  little  i.«land  supports 
::r,siJorahle  vegetation,  its  swamps  are  filled  with  tlic  waters  of  tlic  (lulf  in 
Iwy  high  tide,  and  when  strouf^  winds  prevail.-^' 
0.  The  sandy  hanks  of  i'cnsacola  Bay,  from  its  entrance,  np  to  the  town 
:ren.sacola,  suiTer  but  little;  while,  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  where  exlen- 
liv  alluvial  deposits  have  been  made,  the  Fever  has  been  so  constant  and 
jj.as  to  prevent  permanent  settlements.     Yet  the  temperature  and  moist- 
md  both  localities  are  the  same,  for  they  are  but  ten  miles  apart."!' 
\.  The  pine  woods  around  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  at  the  distance  of  only  two 
:  ilirec  miles  from  from  the  estuaries  of  the  rivers,  arc  places  of  retreat 
|:ji  the  Fever,  although  there  is  a  sea  and  land  breeze,  wliich  tends  to 
I.Tili'/.c  the  humid  atmosphere. 

■i.  The  inhabitants  of  the  Balize,  suffer  less  from  the  Fever  tlinn  those 
|i.:ij'  tlie  rivers  of  the  interior  of  Louisiana,  two  or  three  degrees  further 
liiii:  notwitl:^canding  they  arc  immersed  in  an  atmosphere  of  great  heat 
p vapour.  Vegetation  is  as  luxuriant  at  tlio  IJalizo  as  aliove;  but  wlien  it 
I-,  it  falls  upon  a  soil  impregnated  with  sea  salt,  and  is  often  wettod  by 
t:  waves  of  the  gulf. 
''.  Ill  many  jtarts  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  where  the  surface  is  dry 
riiigy,  and  the  streams  narrow  and  tortuous,  the  Fever  occurs  upon  the 
|:.:itr,  ulth.ough  the  atmosplieric  humidity  is  small. 

It  is  well  known  that  a  family  may  settle  down  in  the  forest,  and  culti- 
p.g  but  a  s.^^all  spot,  remain  free  from  fever ;  but  when  several  families 
pe,  and  an  extensive  breaking  up  of  the  soil  takes  jjlace,  it  ip-  i  ''•'tely 
fe.s  to  prevail,  although  the  heat  and  moisture  are  not  there]  >  i.  ■  .scd. 
!'•  br.  Winter  gave  me  t!ie  following  fact.  On  Cedar  Creek,  <-  ■  ..ntary 
Kimibcrland  River,  a  mill  dam  had  boon  erected  about  sixteen  lect  high. 
'''.r  twenty-two  years,  the  basin  above  having  become  filled  up  with  silt 
hJi'ift,  tlie  dam  was  torn  down,  and  the  perpendicular  face  of  the  deposit, 
'scd  to  the  action  of  the  sun  and  air,  in  the  month  of  August.  The 
li^tC'iluence  of  this  was,  that  nearly  all  the  men  who  performed  this  labor. 


jir 


■p. '17. 


tSeep.  52. 


1 


J 


If.  >< 


*. 


'^ifi^ 


!  ''  I'll ■''•'*'  ''*  ■'•'•*  ' 


i 


mr 


a'> 


fiCf-f.; 


Jj-iJ4^-'^'^'^' ■■;■■■.  -  -  -- 

^'^^^^■■■■■'-■■^■•-.■^•■':>*^-^'  ■■■■■■■■■• 

I  ^••J'  ¥,*->..'■       ■•..'    i    .:  ■  ■         ■■'    •        '      . 

r"  !#""  ••■■'^'  *'-■'■•  ■-■  ^    ■'■•■. 

■.  t    '  >    ■:    ."/    ■  *.    ■    ^    •   ■,/       ■  ..      *'    ':*'.  V 

I     V'' ■  ■    ;';j      ,.'  ::'  ';i:.'''   O' >   '  'V-  "  '*^' ■■  ' 

■:"■...  r,.^   '-^.:.:-i.i>. :.;-;-',  /,..   ,  ■■;■ 

:!■         a  ■'■^'i.H'^  •.•..*■*■'    .;■;-:•'    ■■;:•:■      '.   '■    ;' 
f\     -|f'-  ;■>■■'    *v''.^iv  ■».'*:■..  fv'"..,;-  -••:/■    ':    ■    . 

b  al9'    fc-**-  ••     ■.:.*  .1-'    •'■       :■'■■■.■ 
f*liiil.,■^f^•,;^^'!^,.•:        •..  .'    .  .     :-:■■ 

ffi'f  !».■«■;  vi"., ->''.!^  :"•'  i  v  .,  ••  •  ■•• '. ■  ■  ••>■ 

■ '  ;;•#■." ".if  -^••'':  ■■.■■.  •  . 


rriS^i  ■■■■-'■'■'.yf;    ■:  ■ 


718 


TIIK  rillNCirAL  DISKASKS  OF  Till:: 


[ll'liiK 


wcro  Kci/.cd  \\ilh  severe  autiiniiial   fever,  and  (mo  i<f  tlieiu  dicil.     TIicic  w,, 

no  jiiiiid  al)i)ve,  iior  any  marsh  in  tlie  iieiglibnrlmi d  ;  and  tlie  iicojilu  (;(i|,]. 

ally  were  liealtliy  at  the  time.     Here  tliere  was  im  eondiined  agemy  (if  In;, 

1(1  iimirftiirc;  and  hence  the  facts  afl'ord   strong  evidence  uf  ii  dcsiliinl 

'al  |i(ii.siin. 

9.  On  Paint  Creek,  Ohio,  a  niilljiond  was  generally  drained  the  lirst  (4'  .]iii,i.. 
and  the  rains  of  that  month,  washed  away  the  silt  and  dead  iiliiut)*,  niif] 
animals;  so  that  the  peniilo  of  the  ailjoinii.^  villa^'o  of  Washington,  sufiuru] 
hut  little  (Voni  the  Fever;  the  draining  was  pustponeil  till  July,  and  no  raiai 
fiillowed  to  Mash  out  the  basin.  'J'hen  tliere  immediately  I'nlluwcd  a!U|j4 
ideniic  autumnal  fever,  which  [irevailcd  most  on  the  side  of  the  vilhige  laxl 
the  pond.  More  than  a  fourth  (f  the  population  suifercd  an  attack,  a;.| 
nearly  three  per  cent,  of  the  wlude  number  of  inhabitants  perished.''' 

10.  It  has  frecpiontly  happened,  that  individuals  who  have  lod;:c(l  i\,\- 
hlnfrle  night  in  certain  localities,  have  after  s(;veral  days,  or  even  weeks.  Im 
taken  down  by  the  Fever.f  More  than  this,  per.sons,  living  in  jilaccs  \\h\ 
it  never  originates,  have  been  sci/cd  in  tlic  spring  with  intermitteuts,  al 
having  in  the  preceding  autunni,  traveled  where  the  Fever  prevailed.  .V) 
it  is  in  no  degree  characteristic  of  heat  and  moisture,  to  produce  /■'i;A 
cfl'ects.  A  catarrh,  a  pleurisy,  or  a  rheumatism,  comes  on  soon  afturix 
po.sure,  or  not  at  all.  The  development  of  the  disease,  at  a  distant  ;i;ii 
from  that  at  which  the  remote  cause  Mas  ap[died,  clearly  suggests,  tliattlj 
cause  was  something  else,  than  a  particular  condition  of  tlie  sensible  ]ii 
perties  of  the  atmosphere. 

11.  At  our  diilerent  salt  works,  the  operatives  spend  their  lives  iiialj 
atmosjdiere  saturated  with  vapour;  and,  yet,  on  the  Mlmle,  are  mure  oxeni 
from  fever,  than  the  surrounding  population  I 

12.  Lastly,  in  some  of  our  manufacturing  establishments,  the  in-ilm,:  aril 
sans  and  o])erative.s,  labor  in  a  heated  atmo.spliero  supersaturated  ivil 
vapor,  but  remain  free  from  autunnial  fever. 

These  facts  seem  to  mo  conclusive  in  their  bearing  against  tlie  iiR'tei 
liypothcsis;  except  so  far  as  certain  atmospheric  coiiditions  may  act  a.- oi 
citing  causes;  and  ive  arc  therefore,  throM'u  upon  the  alternative  —  a  Jii 
teriou.s  agent,  dilfiised  in  the  atniiisphere ;  tlie  positive  existence  of  wbi 
seems  to  me  to  be  established,  by  the  facts  Mhich  have  been  cited. 

Now  this  agent  maybe  either  one,  of  two  kinds  —  inorganic  or  organic 
and  both  have  a  yrlma  facie  advantage  over  the  iiypothesis  m'O  have  i> 
ined,  in  demanding  the  concurrence  of  all  the  conditions — beat,  Matir. 
dead  vegetable  and  animal  forms  —  \vhich  have  been  shown  to  hs  al^^^ 
present,  wherever  autumnal  fever  prevails  ;  while  the  last  is  left  nit  ifi 
count  by  the  meteoric  hypothesis.  AVc  must  first  in(|uire  into  tlit  m 
and  nature  of  the  inorganic  poison. 


»  Soo  p.  29 1. 


+  See  p.  370. 


i  Sec  pp.  261  and  -lOi 


''  m 


h'^i 


V  Tin: 


[li'iliK  \l. 


•iir  1.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


710 


(f  llicm  tUi'il.     Tln'H:  was 
,il ;   uiul  tht;  liCojili;  };(iia- 

If   cvUli-'l":^'  of  tt  ikvi-l'iMl 

fcill  ami  ilfiitl  vliul-.  ui.iy 
^ro  of  ^Vashillgt('ll,  sutkii 
,,,uc.l  tUMuly,  iinanovalm^ 
unufiUatL'ly  f.illoWiiUn  .p. 

the  s>'uU!  ul'  tlio  \ill;i;ii-'  uat 
,,„   sMllVifil  tin   attack, »'..( 
„lial)Uants  pevislieil'^ 
hulls  who  liavo  l.a-,Ml  fov 
r;il  ilays,  ov  uveiMVt'(.'ks,lM 

„.i„g  witli  iiitcrmittcut^.  afto 
e  the  Tcvur  i.vovailal.  N' 
n.oisture,  to  l«ruaucc  »■  ^^ 
isni,  c.uucH  on  soon  after  is 
th./  aiHcaso,  at  a  iVistant  tiij 
lif.l,  clearly  suggi'sts.tkittli 
cunditiou  of  the  soiibiUc  [r^ 

;es  spemUlicir  lives  in  a! 
,„  tlic  Nvla.lc,  are  iu..rL.  ounl 

i.tal.lislniuMits,thoin-annr5r| 
uospliero    supcrsaturatud  ^ni 

a-  Lcaring  against  the  mote 
nu-ic  cobtlitiuns  may  act  a^ 

unnii  the  alternative -ad. 

,,  positive  cxi.tenoc  ot  ^h 

lich  have  l)ceir  t-itcJ. 

,i,uls-in<.rgaiUCurovgai.i: 

the  l.yrotliesis  ^vc  have  .^^ 
,oon,ulitions-W!vt,^vatcY 

,avo  l)ecn  sliown  to  l''^^  ''^' 
^•hilctbo  last  is  left  >ut.. 
ust  first  iiuiulrc  into  t.'.^' " 


t  Sec  pp. 264  and' 


si:cTiox  II. 

MAI.AUI Al-  nvruTHESl5>. 

I,    It  is  uiiiieccssary  to  iii([uii'o  into  tlic  nature  of  tlie  j^n.'^fs,  wliicli  may 

.ixlialeil  iVoiii  an  eurlhij  .surfaco,  consisting'  of  iidi/iIh:,''  hnt   the  fra;:ni(iits 

i,il|iii\v(lL'r  of  tlio  hiilijacont  rtu'ks,  and  the  dillerent  salts,  or  oxjiK'S,  ti>rnicd 

vtlicir  deconn>ositioii,  under  the  inflnenco  of  lient,  water,  and  atinos|iheric 

;,:;  t'lir  no  sueh  surface  e.xists  in  our  \'alli>y.     "Whenever  tiie  rmky  strata 

v  thus  exposed,  they  heirin  to  erundile;  and  the  ])ulv(>rident  hiyer  then 

yu'ijiately    becuines    the    nidus    of    some    kiml    of    ]i!ant;    thus,    lielien.s 

,  i..[iread  the  hardest   rocks,  and,  by  their  deatli  and  tlecay.  add  to  the 

;.iii  layer  i»f  iMincial  matter,  an  organic  elrnicnt,  at  onee  vegetable  and 

I.v.imI  ill  its  composition.     In  this  way,  the  spot  becomes  prejtared  for  a 

:.:.tatiiin   of  a    hiu'hcr    order,  which,  in  turn,  augments    the    amount    of 

■;;iiii(!  matter;    while    the    rock    beneath,    liy    cuntinui.d    disintegration, 

>,.tii!U(:s  to  eoiitributo  now  mineral  substanees.     Tlius  it  is,  that  the  loose 

|;[|'(.r  crust  of  the  earth  is  necunudated;  and  the  nearer  we  come  tn  tlie 

I'lial  surface,  tlio  greater,  in  proportion,  arc  organic  elements,  or  those 

lii'.il  cnnipounds  which  arc  farmed  by  it.s    deeonipo.sition.     'i'lie  s  lil   thus 

l:t;i:iil  uiay  vary  exceedingly  in  its  depth;  for  where  th{!  rock  has  under- 

Ifcoiapid  disintegration,  or  the  dcliris  Ikivo  favored  a  luxiiriant  vegetation, 

t!5'jil  will  be  nuich  deeper,  than  in  opposite  circumstances;  l)ut  there  i.s 

liilaiiother  source  of  inecjuality.     The  soils  thus  formed  are  not  fixed,  and 

;'i«'i|uc'ntly  are  liable   to    be   drifted   al)out  by   currents    of  water.     In 

Kk'iit  times,  great  portions  of  the  A'alley,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Ohio 

;vci',  were  deeply  covered  with  this  kind  i     drift  or  dihivium  ;  and  down 

tlie  present    time,    every    considerable    rain    or    dissolving    snow,    but 

Koeially  the  former,  waslies  a  portion  of  the  snil,  with  its  supcrincunibent 

y  plants  and  animals,  into  the  valleys,  where  tliey  are  speedily  deposited. 

Bat  the  soil  of  every  inluibitablo  piirt  of  the  Valley  has,  at  all   times, 

•tiii^  on  its  surface,  a  layer  of  dead  and  decomposing  organic  matter: 

pais  abundant  in  proportion  to  its  fertility,  and  its  favorable  exposure 

mills  and  the  heat  of  the  sun  —  that  is,  to  those  conditions  which  cherish 

|;,;:i'i.wtli  of  animals  and  vegetables. 

[Nhv,  in  the  study  of  niodical  topograpliy,  with  reference  to  autumnal 
■:r,  our  attention  has  boon  generally  directed  to  this  layer  o;dy  ;  and  as 
I'K  may  be  some  pli  'sicians  who  even  doubt  the  cxistcsnco  of  those 
paizL'd  and  decaying  forms,  in  the  soil  beneath,  supposing  that  they 
-«  doconipositioii  avI'.cu  they  disapjicar  from  the  surface,  it  may  ))C  well 
piy  something  more  on  this  subject. 

p!:o  sjil,  of  which  the  analyses  are  given  at  par/'-s  75,  7G,  and  20;],  all 
pin  'Tganic  matters,  which,  in  one,  more  than  equal  all  the  inorganic 
istances.  One  of  the  specimens  examined  was  silt,  taken  from  a  point 
foct  bolow  the  surface,  in  New  Orleans;  and  Professor  lliddel  fiuiul, 
it  nearly  one  fourth  consisted  of  "organized  matters,  such  as  the  sporules 
IcOrms  of  alga;,  animalcules,  and  their  ova;"  and  at  the  depth  of  sixteen 


M:^. 


'.l-l 

(I. 


1 


:'f. 


720 


Tilt:  riMNciPAf,  oisnASF.s  01"  Tin; 


[nooK  II 


■mr 


^.'^.- 


■it   '  a.    .    Id  :Hf 


'*M  .„. 


■  ','■<.■ 
life'  :.? 


vr<i.  .  ■••■' 


■,■•.»■.-         •>  . 
h' It*- •!•■''•  ■■•■  ■.*''•-•  -V.  ■•;;., -if.  '■..  ■ 


>•„.'?-.■,■  ■   . 

(«>•'■■■     .     ■.,■    .  ''.  • 


...!|. 


'■■m  '.•^'  '■♦'••  ,'■:  J  :  ' 


.Ut.r.  ..*    ■. 


1 ' ' 


.  ■:  '^  -  i-^;  '■■■'■■  i!-  ■■/.       ...    -•■■  ■■■•■,..-, 

M      1'  .1  ^'.  -lA,;  ,.■■<,;,--  ••'..■   ■•:..  ;  ■;■ 

■d-    i»Jj.i       i'         1."    I.'     J  J    ■      W- '       <    '■      .'    •    • 

iliif##li- fa:*v^>;  ••  ■, 


r  i*2UK.:!  ''•  ^y.  ■■'"-■  •: 


iii'$j 


foot,  ill  piiilciPL'  tlio  ,cns  tallies  of  that   r-ify  (/'.  7<'>).  wik.c!  wns  fiiiiiid,  wiii-h  I' 
had  tlic  ti'xtiirc  it' cliccsc,  wlieii  tin;  f-|ia(lr  pas.sdl  tliioii;:li  it.     'J'lu'  luii'  |||  ,,(, 
time  r('i|uirf(l  fur  tlu!  MirtMiHsippi  tn  ilcpusit  tliu  nixtoMi  tV'ct  ol'  HMpciincuin.  ' 
bout  silt,  must  liuvo  been  iiiilftiiiitfl\  Ion;,'.     Ajraiii:   In  partH  crdliio,  \\1,,.|-,; 
there  is  ii  dicp  diluvial  or  p<»st -diluvial  deposit,  v.lieii  wells  art!  A\\>^,  pliintH) 
unkimwii  ill  tlie  iieiL'Idierliodd  ol'teii  appear  npmi  tlio   cartli  uliii  h  has  Imu; 
thrown  out,  and  doiilttless  spriii;.;  from  seedn,  which  had  lain  huried  li.r  an- 
iminonsc  Icnt'th  of  time.     Infill  I'lirtlier:  \\  licic  the  upper  cni.-t  is  poniti(.|.o(i*J 
of  sand,  hut  produces  the  kinds  of  veietatioii  that  can  j^row  on  smh  n  -•.,.. 
face,   the  deeavin:,^  ort;anie   madir   is   washed   into   the  ^'roiiiid    hv  niii;., 
Thus  it  is  (hat  the  manure'  or  mold,  that  is  spread  on  the  white  sands  nl't'  > 
gardens  of  the   navy  yard  at   I'ensaeohi   IJay,  rapidly  disappears.     In  :  ^ 
way,  a  spot  wdiieh  S'jcmhs  destitute  of  (h'ad  or'TMuie  matter,  m:iv  I;;i\'     i 
admixture  of  that  eU'inont  Itelow  the   surface.     From  tliese  facts,  \vi'    :■ 
warranted  in  reallirminL'.  that  the  soil  and  sv.hsoil.  of  all  parts  of  the  In;.:;  r 
Valley,  contain  or^'aiiie  matter,  in  every  sta^'u  of  decomposition. 

II.  Wo  come  now  to  consider  the  dead   and  decayiii!,'  or^'anic  m,    f 
deposited  (ill  the  surfaeo.     This  does  not  consist  of  vogetahle  fornix  n^    -^ 
as  wo  too  often  suppose,  hut  likewise  of  animal.     An  inspection  wii':    j 
naked  eye,  and  still  more  with  t!io  microscope,  reveals  to  ns  that  iniiiiin 
bio  insects,  and   other  minute  animals,  live  and   jierlsh  amonc;  veuct;! 
3Iaiiy   Irihes,   moreover,  find   tl'.eir   su:-lenaiiee  and  abode  in   the  di;e:i\i 
remains  of  plants.     iStill   further,  the  surface  and  sujierilcial  pints  of  tlj 
ground  teem  with  small  i[uailruiieds,  reptiles,  and  worms;  while  tlio  tir,!, 
of  every  fallen  tree,  in  a  certain  stage  of  its  decay,  abounds  in  Vi;rioib  ki:;. 
of  grubs  or  larv;o.     From  the  moldcring  remains  of  trees  and  other  vciv 
tables,  moreover,  spring  nuishrooms,  alira>,  lichens,  and  other  cry|itiiL'ii!i;i| 
plants,  which  aLxnuid  in  nitrogen  beyoml  the  higher  order  of  vegetalilis,  arj 
liave,  in  fact,  nearly  tlio  same  eli(>mical   elements  with  animals.     TiiijI! 
wherever  there  are  pools,  or  swamps,  or  running  streams,  there  are  li 
in(dusca\  and  crustacero,  which  multi[dy  and  perish,  and  whost!  1n.ilic.Mk'; 
float  and  dissolve,  or  .'r^ink  to  the  bottom,  or  are  thrown  upon  the  shun 
mingled  with  the  remains  of  land  animals  and  jilants.     Thus,  a  vol  ti 
animal  layer  overspreads  the  surface   of  the  country ;  and  wider  tln'  v 
bincd  influence  of  water,  heat,  and  air,  when  the  two  former  arc  in  tln'i:.-: 
proportions,  is   constantly  undergoing   decomposition,  and  originating  i.e 
chemical  compounds. 

III.  But  the  organic  covering  of  the  surface  is,  by  no  mentis,  if 
same  nature  in   every  locality.     AVc  cannot  tell  what  kind  of  plant- 
animals,  in  past  ages,  left  their  remains  on  what  now  makes  onr  siili< 
but  the  existing  forms  arc  subjects  of  observation,  and,  in  tlie  invi-!;. 
which  occupies  us,  should  not  be  entirely  overlooked. 

1.  Tlie  trees,  in  what  are  called  the  pine  woods  of  the  south,  aroi'i 
resinous,  ami  abound  in  hydrogen.  Vegetable  matters  having  suclis'. 
position  are  little  disposed  to  pass  into  fermentation,  but  are  decom[i'"i 
the   slow  combustion  of  several  of  their  principles,  by  the  oxygcii'.:: 


ivrgasci 
sbijiiiulii 
■(.  Ti 
Itntil,?,  V 
ibomid 

fl'C^  of 

5.  Th 
lie  nuli 
iiigredici 
!30  ];i.st. 

0.  Xn 

;:':aiiiio 
j'liiast  atl 
-'inio  Km 

ir. 

l!io  .<coil 
aattcr,  ] 
'lo  rc'sul 
J'Jttiniiia 
'aid  on  a 


Tiir. 


[book  II,  I 


vrni.d  wn;^  fmuul,  viikIi^ 
(,ii;_[li  it.  'I'li^'  '''ii^'li  "t"* 
tcin  loet  1)1"  liujuriiii'iai  ■ 

111  JiMVtH  dl'  Oiiii),  wlil'ltifr 

L'li  wrlU  live.  ihiL'.  I'liiiinf 
he  cavlh  wliicli  1ms  l,'.n* 
li  bail  lain  bv\rk'<l  1' .     i 
.  iiiiinT  ii'iii-t  is  c'oniiicccdt , 
{•:ii\  grow  oil  sui'li  a  fWX- 
;(,   till-   pviinuil    by  riiir.r 
„ii  tlu>  wliito  sauils  iil'tli^ 
u.lly  (lisuiUK'iivs.     Ill  t'.iis 
inic   iiKilti'V,  lUMV  liiivc  ;!iu| 
I'vnm   tliesL'  i'lU'ts,  wo  :md 
of  ill!  I'iivts  of  tliu  liiUii  r| 
hu'Ciiinio/itinn. 
I  ilci-'iiyiiii;  (.v;.'aiiii'  maiNfJ 
(if  vcL'i'talilo  fiivuis  iiifvilv^ 
1.     An  ir,sp<H'tioi\  witli  i. 
•veals  to  us  that  iummm-j 
I   |ii'visli  aiiiouir  Yei;i't;ilil'si 
uiil  alioil.;  in   t!iO  iWi 
nul  Hui.cvfifial  I'lU'ts  of  tlj 
,a  worms-,  wliile  tlie  ItoiT 
xy,  abounds  in  various  kii;.l 
,3  of  trees  and  utlicv  v('H 
lon?,  and  otber  cryiitu^nidj 
rlun-  .iv.levof  vejietal.U  anj 
'„ts  with  animals.    T\al] 
^,^  streams,  tbcvc  avo  tU: 
rTsli,  and  Avliose  budiistli 
tbroNYUuputbosliHrtSJij 
A  plants.     Thus,  a  vo-tj 
untry ;  and  uiulev  tin' 
,e  two  former  avc  in  tlioi-] 
,ositi.)n,  and  originating  i.e 

•are  is,  by  no  uioaiis.  ■!  tlj 
1,11  what  Ivind  of  plant- 
l,.,t  now  makes  our  d'^j 
ti„n,  and,  in  tbo  invc^ti:r.U 

(uihed. 

,oods  of  tbe  south,  arc  >>.^ 

nmttcvs  having  sw\y^'- 
tation,  but  are  de<-ouip^;J 
iciples,  by  the  oxygen 


l| 


riiiT  1. 


INTERIOR  V\I,T,F.Y  OF  NnilTII  AMKRICA. 


721 


;;nin.s[ilifro ;  and  if  tlio  ciri'-ieiit  oniiHr>  of  atitninniil  frvir  bi'  a  jraH,  formed 
iariiig  tlio  fornicntutivo  deeoiinKmitiini  of  nr^'anie  mattir,  we  Imvc  horo  ono 
;s]ilaiiatioM  of  the  comiiarntivo  nbHeiico  of  fliat  fever  in  those  woody. 

'.'.  Till'  ^f<im'ini'(r,  ei;iil.<e/'U'('ii  and,  indi  fd.  nil  kinds  of  ;,'ras-<o»,  ciiiidiin  in 
l!.dr  cnlniM  and  blades  n  great  ([naiitlty  of  silicate  of  |iiita.sl  and  in  their 
!(C(1  niui'li  jdiohidiato  of  magnesia  and  lime.  Tliey  undergo  dt'eumposition 
n-r  f^lnvly.  ami  the  result.s  eainiot  be  the  same  as  timse  of  jdaiits  wi.bly 
iitForiiig  from  them  iti  <'i,tnjHisitioii.  In  (h'seribiiig  tlie  medical  toiiogr;![diy 
.ftlic  ]5alizo  (iii',!^c  !•()),  tli«  extensive  and  luxuriant  growth  (.'."  tin.'  I'lirni;-- 
■  '•(iromiinivls,  Ti/iilm  IclU'o'i'i.nuil  >^''-'.riir:i  f(ir:i>li-ii,  was  mentioi:ed;  and  I 
bve  already  conjectured  that  their  falling,  wlien  dead,  iiitu  brackish  water, 
:i;iy  modify  their  mode  of  deenmiiositlon;  Imt  we  may  also  believe  that  their 

lujiiisilion  exerts  an  iidhnnce;  and  that,  on  ll;e  b\|M.tht.sI.s  that  the  Fever 
itlio  oirs|iring  of  the  di.compi.sition  of  organie  matter,  one  cause  of  itd 
aiilJor  prevalenee.  at  the  final  tenriinatlon  of  tlie  ^lissL^^sijUii,  than  along  the 
iaini.' river  above,  may  bo  the  peculiar  eompo.sitidii  of  its  reigning  vegetation. 
A'.'iiin :  the  vegetation  on  the  grand  prairie.s,  beyond  tlio  Missi.^sippi,  is 
;'jk-lly  gramineous,  and  to  this,  on  the  same  liyiiot!ie.»-is,  we  nii'lit,  perhaps, 
'insistently  attribute  sonni  portion  of  their  exemption  from  the  Fever. 

:!.  The  oak  tree  nbound.s  in  tanno-gallie  acid,  and  is  often  the  giiverning 
'.rwin  considerable  tracts  of  forest  ;  wlTn  h,  I  tl  ink,  are  less  iiirc:;ttjd  with 
'.i;c  Fever  than  localities  having  a  diversilied,  arbcreseent  vi'gi'tatiuvi.  At  all 
'vciits  the  c.nirif/:  of  such  a  lorest  might  be  expected  t.)  all'nrd  the  element.^ 
IT  gaseous  exhalations  of  a  dill'ereut  sort  from  those  of  pine,  or  of  trees  not 
ibuuiuling  in  that  acid. 

4.  Tlie  leffumhios(r,  including  all  kinds  of  pnhe,  as  pea.«i,  beans,  ami 
IfiitiU,  contain  very  little  pota.-h.  silica,  or  the  eaithy  phosphates,  while  they 
iVmiid  in  nitro^.^n.,  and  must,  therefore,  while  under  decomjiositiun,  yield 
jises  of  a  very  different  kind  from  the  gramhnur, 

5.  Tlio  extensive  natural  family  of  plants  called  the  '•rurifciy.^  enibvacing 
I'jo  riulish,  mustard,  turnip,  and  cabbage,  contain   sulphur  and  nitrogenized 

Ibrcdionts,  fitting  them  to  give  out,  in  dcconipt  sition,  gases  varying  from 
tie  last. 

C.  Not  to  pursue  the  subject  any  furtlier,  the  fungi,  hoJrti,  and  other  cryp- 
Itogamic  plant.s,  v,-liich  abound  in  dark  and  shaded  woods,  have  a  composition 
lahnost  animal,  and  cannot,  in  tlnm*  spontaneous  decay,  afford  results  of  tho 
lame  kind  with  plants  of  a  widely  ditferent  composition.* 

IV.  The  facts  which  have  been  cited  teach  us  that  there  is,  mingled  with 
lt!w  soil  or  resting  upon  it,  a  great  amount  and  endless  variety  of  organic 
lnjattcr,  both  animal  and  vegetable,  to  the  decomposition  of  which,  and  to 
Itiie  resulting  new  compounds,  the  malarialists  look  for  the  efficient  cause  of 
Isutnniiud  fever.  In  doing  this,  a  ;?peeial  stress  may,  Avith  great  propriety,  bo 
liiiil  on  a  few  uiujuestionablc  facts. 


r 


■    ■M 


fl  i: 


*  Liubig;  Cheni.  applied  to  Agricul.  and  Pliys. 


W  ••    • 


>„■ 


f  +     'til        '  » 


722 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[nooK  II. 


1.  That,  allotber  circumstances  being  equal,  the  Fever  prevails  most  whi-re 
the  urganii;  matter  is  most  abuudaut,  in  or  resting  on  the  soil. 

2.  That  where  the  surface  is  not  moist  enougli  to  favor  the  deconini.sitioii 
of  organic  matter,  the  Fever  has  but  little  prevalence. 

3.  Tliat  a  temperature  of  sixty  degrees  vi  Fahrenheit,  or  above,  is  necessary 
to  fermentation  and  putrefaction,  and  tliat  the  Fever  ceases,  in  goinf  nurtli 
when  we  reach  a  summer  temperature  l)ehiw  that  degree. 

4.  That  particular  localities  have  experienced  the  Fever,  in  an  cpidcniii; 
form,  Avhcn  a  surface  abounding  iu  organic  matter  has  been  newly  exposed 
to  the  actiuu  of  the  summer  sun. 

f).  That  under  long  cultivation,  which  exhausts  the  organic  matter  of  the 
soil,  and  prevents  its  aceunudation  on  the  surface,  the  Fever  alninst  ceases  to 
appear. 

\'.  These  facts  undeniably  establish  a  connection  between  a  certain  con- 
dition of  the  surface  and  autunnial  fever;  but  they  do  not  prove  the  exis- 
tence of  malaria,  or  a  gas,  whicli  is  the  efficient  cause  of  the  Fever,  and  to 
this  pidnt  we  must  now  give  attention. 

1 .  The  observed  aeriform  products  of  this  decomposition  are  ciu'lionic  iici'l, 
carbonic   oxide,  carbureted  hydrogen,   sulphureted  hydrogen,  and  carboiuite 
of  annnonia.     Now,  there  is  not  a  single  fact  going  to   show  that  cither  U 
these  gases  can  produce  autumnal  fever.     On  tlic  contrarA*,  as  tlie  rcsul;  of 
experience,  it  nniy  be  safely  anirmed,  that  they  do  not;  for  the  c1Te!ts  wliii'i 
follow  on  exposure  to  them  are  of  a  dilVerent  Idnd.     Ijut  it  can  be  said  tliut, 
in  tlie  endless  variety  of  new  compounds,  wdiich  i.atiu'C  may  form  out  of  tliC 
ultimate   elcnienls  of  plants  and   aninnds,  tlicre   may  be  nur.iy  which   liave 
not  yet  been  detected,  and  tliat  .vjme  one  of  these  is  the  efficient  cause  of  the  . 
Fever,  and  this  cannot  be  denied.     Uut  we  must   not  forget  that  it  is  an  0'J 
assertion  witliout   proof  —  a  merj  suggested  hypothesis  —  a  proposition  to  i  J 
be  proved. 

2.  Tt  is  well  knov.n  to  us  all,  that  there  are  sickly  and  healthy  seasons  at 
the  same  ])la!;e,  and   sometimes  over  large  portions  of  our  A'alley,  while  the  ,,  | 
amount  of  organic  matter  remains  luichanged;  and,  as  yet,  it  has  nut  bocul; 
shown  tliat  tliis  can  bo  oxjdaiiied   It}'  a  reference  to  varying  degrees  of  heat  |v; 
and  m  .isturc,  though  the  subject  has  not  received  sufficient  attention  tu  show  |i 
that  it  cannot.  M 

3.  The  Fever  occasionally  appears  in  limited  localities,  from  which  it  isiii*! 
general  entirely  afiscnt;  tlie  surface  meanwhile  renuiining,  to  all  observatiuii, 
precisely  the  same. 

A,  All  the  known  gases  are  cither  simple  bodies,  as  hydrogen  and  clilorine,  t| 
or  binary  compounds  of  two  simple  elements,  as  carbonic  acid,  ammonia,  aiiu^ 
carbureted  hydrogen,  ami  their  princi|des  arc  united  iu  dcliiiite  proportions, 
giving  to  each  a  uniform  and  peculiar  character.  If  we  may  dcjtend  uii  1 
analogy,  the  assumed  undiscovered  gas,  called  malaria,  must  be  of  the  samoj 
character;  and,  therefore,  at  all  tinn'S  and  places  be  productive  of  tl;o  saiii''' 
effects.  Now,  although  autuiiuial  fever  is  a  disease  of  intrinsic  unifeimit}', . 
it  shows  modi licatious  which  ha, -e  not  been  cx[dained  by  the  assigumcnt  uf 


A  Pr 


THE 


[book  II.    fi 


MRT  I-, 


LXTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


720 


:vor  prevails  uiot-t  where 

I  the  soih 
favur  the  deconnjnsitiim  W 

:\t,  or  above,  is  necessary 

r  d'asos,  ill  gniiig  lua-th,  f 

irce, 

)  Fever,  in  an  eiiidemii; 

bas  been  uewly  exposed 

le  organic  matter  of  tlie 
le  Fever  almost  eeases  to 

II  between  a  certain  con- 
y  do  not  prove  tlio  exis- 
use  of  the  Fever,  and  to 

lositioii  are  carljuiiie  iici'], 
bydrogen,  and  eailior.ute 
IT  to  f-how  that  either  (>{ 
contrary,  as  the  resuli  of 
II it;  for  the  ell'i'its  wliit-h 
15ut  it  can  be  said  tliut, 
turc  may  <'orni  out  of  tlio 
ay  be  many  whieh  have 
;  the  ellieiont  cause  of  the 
t  not  forget  that  it  is  au  ■ 
thesis  —  a  propusitioa  to 

ly  and  liealthy  seasons  at 
uf  our  Valley,  while  the  , 
as  yet,  it  has  nut  hoeii ' 
varying  degrees  of  bciit 
uilieieiit  attention  to  sliow 

•alities.  from  which  it  is  in 
laiuing,  to  all  observutluii, 

as  hydrogen  and  chlorine, 
rljonic  acid,  ammonia,  and  i 
ed  ill  definite  proportions,  ^ 

If  we   may  depend  "» | 
laria,  must  be  of  the  same  | 

productive  of  tl'.e  sanv'  >' 
ase  of  intrinsic  unitVviiiity. 
ined  bv  the  assignment  li 


aijJifying  causes  ;   and  without  such  causes,  its  diversities  constitute  an  objoc- 
ijjii  to  the  exis'Lence  of  a  single  agent  of  an  unchangeable  character. 

On  the  winde,  therefore,  I  must  repeat,  that  while  the  conditions  under 
iliieli  our  autumnal  fever  appears,  are  sufficiently  clear  to  observation,  the 
existence  uf  a  special  gaseous  agent,  resulting  from  them,  remains  to  bo 
proved. 


SECTION  III. 

VEGETO-ANLMALCULAR  HYPOTHESIS. 

1  have  united  two  words  to  express  an  hyjiothesis  •which  ascribes 
[.ruiiiiial  fever  to  living  organic  forms,  too  snuiU  to  be  seen  ■with  the  naked 
cv:  and  which  may  bvlong  either  to  the  vegetable  or  animal  kingdom,  or 
y,i';t.i];e  of  the  characters  of  both. 

hi  tlie  year  IS'ol,  I  published  in  the  "Western  ^Medical  and  I'hysieal 
.Miriial,  of  wdiich  1  was  tiie  editor,  a  series  of  papers  on  J^pidemie  Clmlera, 
r.iili  were  afterward  collected  and  enlarged  into  a  snuill  volume; "'  in  wdiieh 
iiiuttompt  was  made  to  show,  that  the  mode  in  Avhich  that  disease  sjireads, 
T>;i5  more  fully  explained  by  <he  animalcnlur  hypothesis  than  any  other 
niiich  had  been  proposed.  The  brief  investigathm  then  given  to  the  sub- 
i.et.  reinspired  my  respect  for  the  opinion  long  before  expressed,  that 
.'j'uiiiiial  fever,  and  many  other  forms  of  disease,  might  be  id"  aniinalcular 
■,:ii;iii;  and  the  discoveries  since  made  by  the  Ehrenberg  schiMd,  have 
•allied  to  render  that  doctrine  stilt  »;iore  probable.     ]3ut  I  have  neither  had 


nor  means  for  experimental  or  bibliographical  impiiry;    and  do  not 
>o  to  dwell  very  long  upon  the  subject  in  this  jdace. 
As  ap[ilied  to  ICpidemie  Cholera  I  regard  the  hypothesis  of  animalcules 


aine 
\:>  no, 


a-  mure 


P' 


lusible    than    that    of  vciretablo    jrerins;    but    in    reference    to 


■.itumual  fever,  either  may  be  assumed;  and  in  support  of  the  assumption 
inncced  to  make  the  followinsc  observations: 


T 


le  microsco 


)o  has  revealed  the  existence  of  a  countless  variety  of 


jr.'aviic  forms,  wdiich  surr(;niid  and  jionetrate  the  biddies  of  larger  animals 
-il  plants,  whether  living,  or  dead  and  decaying,  inhabit  all  wator.s,  salt 
lid  fresh,  and  swarm  in  the  atinosplierc;  buoyed  up  and  moving  by  their 
■;wn  organs,  or  sustained  by  their  levity,  and  wafted  al  .  t  by  currents  of 
-'■!'  The  difficulty  of  detecting  them  in  the  ;ttmospherc  is  greater  tlian  in 
^'filter,  or  when  attached  to  solid  substances;  but  to  my  own  mind,  it  seems 
^B  fi'jliable  that  they  exist  in  the  aerial  ocean  in  greater  multitudes  than  elso- 


ulior 


e.     For,  jlf^l,  minute   particles  of  matter,  organic  and  inorgaiiii 


are 


liall  times  floating  in  that  ocean,  and  may  serve  as  their  food  or  resting 
pWs;   and,  second,  as  the  surface  of  a  body  becomes  greater,  in   com- 

'A  Pruclicul   Troatisi-   on   tlic   Histcry,  Piwaloiicf",  niul   Treatnieut    of   Epidemic 
''.oka.    By  Di.niel  Drake,  IM.  1).     Ciac'innati:  1^'3^.     Pp.  ISO. 


,     ■  Il  .\ 

■     . 


"1 


- ','{'      • 


:> 


;..! 


7-24 


THE  PRINCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  u. 


',  >< 


:?ir^'!S-..':.^ 


'"1    ■'      "-i     ••       ••        ■!■■ 


v.;  i 


k  V.V 


V.   -.f    •' /    '.i  ; 


*:-.-liV.iri' 


'"•^1  ii'- 


•.A  ■>'  ■  ■'  V'  -•■■,■  .■•      .■ 

'J  ■'»' '  si' ''^'■■''''  **t  •■'•'"      .'*  f 
tr.'.r    «.iiF„#.». .,»,    ,. . 


v^rt. 


:>^i-v 


parison  \vit1i  its  woiglit,  tlio  iiinro  it.  is  rccliicccl  in  sizo,  it  follows  tl.at  living 
organic  forms,  both  animal  and  vegctaLlo,  may  be  of  snoli  si;:o,  as  to  flnat 
perniaiK'ntly  in  tlic  air.  Tlie  power  of  ropioiluctidn,  possessed  Ly  the-c 
niicrusciipic  croatures,  is  still  more  wo;:  ''rial  than  tlioir  minuteness.  It 
exceeds,  indcfiiiitoly,  all  examples  presei  ed  by  the  visible  orcrauic  kir.'filoiii* 
where,  hnwevcr,  we  see  the  ^overiuneiit  f  the  same  law,  fur,  in  liotli  plants 
and  animals,  tlie  small  multiply  nmrc  r;ii»iilly  than  (he  large,  lu  csii.tcm- 
plating  the  invisible  living  wii.ld,  in  which  the  visible  is,  as  it  v.ere. 
immersed,  the  mind  beeomes  bewildered,  as  in  meditating  on  tlie  ialiiiiio. 
and  rc((r,ii'es  to  fall  back  upon  olivinus  faets.  Nnw  one  of  these  "acts  j.- 
that  v>linle  roek  formations,  of  great  thickness  and  extent,  have  I'.eon  f  unil, 
under  the  microscope,  to  be  composed  entirely'  of  the  silicious  shells  er 
coverings  of  animalcules.  In  such  beings,  tlio  increase  seems  to  be  mere!,- 
by  secretion  from,  or  division  of  the  ])arent  body. 

'2.  Amr.ug  visilde  ])lants  and  aniniah'.  there  are  species  that  form  no 
poison,  and  eithers  which  secrete  that,  which  apjilieel  to,  (jr  inserte<l  iu  mir 
bodies,  jiroduccs  a  deleterious  effect,  which  is  generally  of  a  ilelinite  kiiid. 
Thus,  tlie  venom  of  the  rattlesnake  prnduees  a  disease  of  defniito  ferni; 
cantliarides  another;  certain  fish  arc  poisonous  when  eaten;  wasps  an'l 
bees  instill  a  venom;  and  the  snndlest  visible  gnat,  as  that  whirli  inluil:;:- 
the  forests  of  the  middle  latitudes,  and  that  which  is  known  uneler  the  naiiie 
of  sand  fly  on  the  shores  of  tliC  Gulf  of  .Alexi(!0,  inflames  the  skin  ;  while  tho 
juice  of  stramonium,  the  exhalations  of  the  rhas  t(;xicodendron,  and  ibj 
fungus  whieh  grows  beneatli  its  shade,  excite  peculiar  diseases.  It  seems 
justifiable  to  ascribe,  by  analogy,  to  microscopic  animals  and  ])lant.s,  tlie  , 
same  diversity  of  properties  which  we  find  in  larger  beings,  differing  from 
them,  as  wo  ma}'  presume,  in  nothing  but  size  and  complexity  of  org;u:i- 
zation.  We  may  suppose,  tlien,  that  wliile  many  species  of  this  minute 
creation  are  harndess,  there  are  others,  which  can  exert  upon  our  systems  a 
pernici  ins  influence.  This,  moreover,  is  in  accordance  with  what  we  kiio^ 
of  gases,  some  of  whi'.-h,  as  nitrogen,  arc  inert,  while  others  are  dehteriuus. 
Under  this  head,  moreover,  we  nuist  not  forget  the  fact,  th.it  nearly  all  tlie 
animals  and  plants  wliich  secrete  a  poisonous  fluid,  grow  in  the  siuitiiern 
rcgio'.iS,  and  we  nmy,  analogically,  sujiposo  that  the  microscojjic  bciiigs  in 
those  regions  are  more  pernicious  than  tliose  of  higher,  latitudes.  Xiav  it  is 
iu  tlie  warmer  portions  of  our  \'allcy,  tliat  autumnal  fever  has  its  greatest 
prevalence. 

3.  We  Icnow  that  water  is  essential  to  tlie  support  of  those  animal  and aj 
vegetable  f(jrms  which  are  matters  of  observation  by  the  unassisted  ey;  1 
and  may  eon;dude,  therefore,  that    it  is   ei[ually  necessary  for  the  tribes 
which  are  invisible.     Indeed,  it  is  known  of  many,  a.s  tho  rotifif(r.  that  if'l 
deprived   of  moi.-,ture,  they   seem  to  die,  but  may  bo  revived  many  years 
afterward  by  the  aiiplication  of   water.     Now  we   have  seen  that,  in  i!.o 
western  part  of  tho  N'alley,  wliere  great  aridity  prevails,  the  Fever  is  almost 
unknown ;    while   it   prevails   with  greatest  fre((ueiicy   and  violence,  other 
conditions  being  the  same,  wdiere  there  is  adequate  humidity. 


'  .■;'  '   '■  -J: 


THE 


[book  II. 


'.0,  it  follows  tliat  living: 
it'  siioli  size,  as  to  flnut 
on,  poKscssod  by  tliesc 
1  tlu'ir  iiiinntoiKss.    It 
,-isil)le  ovii'aiiic  kir.jrdoui ; 
law,  \\iY,  in  Lotli  jilants 
t1ic  lar^'c.     Ill  c'Mitom- 
viHiblo   is,  as  it  wcw,  j 
ditating  on  tlie  infiiiilo,  •' 
v  one  of  tlieso  facts  i-,  f 
extent,  liave  lieon  iVuiid, 
f  the  silii-ious  j-liells  i,r 
ease  f:eciiis  to  bo  uwvi\j 

vc  i^pceies  tliat  form  no 
al   til,  or  inserted  iu  niir 
erally  of  a  deiinite  kiiid, 
disease  of  defniito  i'criir, 
^Yllen   oaten;   wa?]>s  iiml 
t,  as  tluit  wlili-li  i!ilial)i*.<  , 
is  known  under  tlio  iiavue 
lames  the  shin  ;  while  tlu; 
s  toxicodendron,  aiul  ihj 
diar  diseases.     It  seems 
animals  and  jihuits,  die 
a-or  beings,  dilVeriiig  from 
d  complexity  of  orgai'.i- 
y  species  of  this  minute 
exert  upon  our  systems  ;i 
;\neo  with  what  we  kiiu'sv 
ilc  others  are  delcteri-ius. 
,c  fact,  th.it  nearly  nil  tl-.e 
ud,  grow  in  the  snutiiern 
10  microscopic  bciiigs  ni 
j;her.  latitudes.     N"\v  '"  i^ 
inal  fever  has  its  greatest 

pert  of  those  animal  xvl 
n  by  the  unassisted  c\v; 
necessary  for  the  tiilKS 
y,  as  the  rolift:rtr\  that  '.1 
be  revived  many  years  • 
have  seen  that,  in  tl;o 
>vails,  the  Fever  is  almon 
lency  and  violence,  otlirr 
;e  humidity. 


■e 
'e\ 


FiRT  I., 


INTEUrOR  VALI-EY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


72.3 


4.  A  high  temperature  is  favorable  to  the  development  of  animal  and 
vc'etable  life.  In  the  snutlieni  [  arts  of  the  A'alley,  animal  f  ^rnis,  especially 
,ft!ie  lower  order,  are  greatly  multiplied,  and  vegetation  is  luxuriant.  If 
•his  be  true  of  the  visible,  why  may  we  not  conclude  that  it  is  equally  true 
ufthe  invisilde.  Now,  it  is  precisely  iu  those  regions,  tlnit  tiie  Fever,  otlier 
lireumstanccs  being  cfjual,  disjdays  its  greatest  prevalence  and  malignity. 
Wiiou  we  loidc  to  the  nortli,  wc  find  that,  after  reaching  the  parallel  wliicli 
ias  r.n  isotheral  curve  of  sixty  degrees  Fahreiiheit,  the  amount  of  visible 
ii^anic  life  is  much  diminished,  and  continues  rapidly  to  decrease ;  we  may 
tiiorcfure  presume,  that  the  same  is  true  of  microscopic  plants  and  animals. 
!l;;t  Avo  have  already  seen,  that  where  the  summer  temperature  fulls  belov/ 
■ixty  degrees  Fahrenheit,  autumnal  fever  is  unknown. 

5.  In  the  visible  orgaiue  world,  v,-e  find  animals  subsisting  on  plants,  or 
■n  other  animals  that  have  fed  on  vegetables.  Again :  tlie  decompusing 
rmalus  of  one  generation  of  plants,  favors  the  growth  if  another;  and  tluis 
;'ie  s  .lil  gradually  ae([uires  the  abilit}  to  bring  forth  a  nu)rc  luxuriant  croj). 
Organic  matter  is,  tlicn,  the  pro[)er,  though  not  sole  nutriment  of  organized 
kings.  Fuch  being  the  law,  we  uiay  presume  that,  ccrtcrls  paribus,  where 
Ji-ail  organic  matter  is  most  abundant,  microscopic  tribes  will  be  most  mul- 
liilied.  It  is  a  familiar  fact,  that  such  matter  abounds,  througli  almost 
■  very  stage  of  its  decomposition,  iu  visible  beings,  which  subsist  upou  it. 
Thus  flesh  has  the  larva;  of  the  green  and  many  other  flies;  rotten  wood  its 
;rulis;  vinegar,  as  the  result  of  decomposition,  its  eels  —  sometimes  visible 
tjtlio  naked  eye;  cheese  its  visible  and  invisible  iidiabitants;  and  bread  its 
Bold,  a  cryptogamic  plant.  Finally,  all  vegetal  le  infusions,  when  exposed 
t')  tlie  air,  have  their  infusoria.  It  is  impossible,  then,  to  doubt,  that 
myriads  of  microscoi)ie  beings  swarm  around,  and  cuter  the  interstices  of  all 
Jcad  orfjanic  matter ;  and  thus  avc  have  reason  for  believin"-,  that  thev 
frcvail  most,  where  such  matter  is  most  abundant ;  and  it  is  iu  the  same 
localities,  other  circumstances  being  ei^ual,  that  we  find  the  greatest 
frevalence  of  the  Fever. 

0.  By  the  vegcto-auiraalcular  hypothesis,  we  can  explain  the  concentrated 
['Tcvalcnco  of  the  Fovor  in  certain  places,  as  rationally  as  by  the  malarial 
Dvpothesis.  Thus,  its  virulent  reign  at  the  head  of  Pensacola  Bay,  where 
tliore  are  extensive  deposhs  of  river  alluvion,  maybe  referred  to  the  multi- 
flication  of  animalcules  or  germs,  where  they  find  abundance  of  iu.itrimcnt[; 
and  in  the  case  of  the  exposure  of  the  face  of  a  deep  stratum  of  silt  by 
tlie  removal  of  a  mill-dam  on  Cedar  Creek  (p.  717),  we  have  only  to  suppose, 
tliat  tliey  immediately  began  to  multiply  upon  the  denuded  surface. 

7.  It  has,  often,  been  observed,  that  the  Fever  has  suddenly  'icreascd 
ifter  rain ;  and  this  miglit  have  arisen  from  the  resuscitation  o.  organic 
torra.s  rendered  torpid  by  previous  drought. 

S.  It  may  bo,  that  cold  produces  a  state  of  suspended  animation  in  these 
»sin  many  larger  animals,  and  in  luuuerous  plants;  and  that  the  first  warm 
ifoather  of  spring  revives  and  sets  them  to  muhiplying;  M"hen  they  generate, 
ivliat  are  called  vernal  intermittcnts  (or  at  least,  a  part  of  such  cases);  the 


^m 


I, »' 


.  t 


1  1 


I       Hi 


h  ^1 


:} 


n' 


■  *     '■i 


r.** 

* 

■/ 


li 


•*'      '   ■ 


■"   I 


'  i  < 


a 


III'     ?1f 


'•if  "'  ^"' 


i*«f  JsJii 


T2G 


THE  niiNcirAL  diseases  of  the 


[book  II. 


origin  f^f  •R-liieh  cannot  bo  rationally  ascribed  to  malaria  develuptHl  nt  t'  'it 
time. 

0.  IMicroscojilc   ubscrvatinn  and  analo;^}-  render  it   probaljlo,  tluit  in  tlic 
iiivisildo,  as  wuU  as  tho  visible  jirovince  of  the  organic  kiii^i^dmi.  there  aro 
distinct  fapecies,  which  constitute,  by  their  uni<in,  natural  families  or  onle.j. 
Wo  know  that  in  each  natural  a^sembl;;gc  of  tlie  larger  plants  and  animals 
the  species  resemble  each  other  in  mai;\"  internal  qnalities,  as  well  as  in  (licir 
forms.     Tims,  an  astringent  princijjle  pervades  the  various  kinds  of  Oidc- 
a  re.--:inous  principle  the  linear  evergreens;  an  aromatic  cdl.  tlie  pepperininf, 
and   other  didynamous  herl)s  ;  a  poisonous  priueijde,  the  dHTere.it  species  fif 
rhus;  and  tliat  a  mircotic  principle  pervades  a  large  assemblage  of  phnits. 
We  know,  alsi>,  that  these  various  active  principles  in  each  group,  are  in 
general   analogous,  but  not  identical:  v>diethcr  we  examine  them  by  tlieir 
sensible  properties,  witli  chemical  reagents,  or    observe   their  effects  upon 
t'le  living  body.     Now,  nniy  it  not  be,  that  two  distinct  species  of  the  same 
natural  order  of  microscopic  beings,  may  produce   rjitunnud  fever?    ]\Iiiv 
not  one  be   tlio  cause  of  iutcnaittents  —  tlie  other  of  remittents?  nmy  not 
both  act  on  tlie  system  at  the  same  time?  and  may  we  not  thus  explain  di- 
versities, whi(di  aro  inexplicable  on  the  malarial  hypotiiesis?     Every  practi- 
cal physician  knows,  that  while  tlie  juice  of  a  variety  of  plants  will  pi( diiie 
the  patholngical  condition  called  narcotism,  tlie  .symptoms  of  that  state,  wbrn 
induced  by  dilTerent  agents,  differ  as  widely  from  each  other,  as  the  symp- 
toms of  the  different  forms  of  autumnal  fever. 

10.  In  discussing  the  metcorio  hypothesis,  it  was   .'=aid,  that  the  pat'io- 
logical  effects  of  a  certain  condition  of  the  principles  of  the  atmospl:cre,  arj 
always  immediate;  and  it  might  have  been  remarked,  when  treating  of  t!io 
malarial  hypothcsi.s,  that  as  far  as  we  know,  the  cflects  of  gases  are  likewise 
immediate;  but  we  arc  certain  that  autumnal  fever  often  begins  many  dny?, 
and    even  weeks  or  months,  after  an  exposure  to  its  remote  cause.    Now ; 
we    know,   as  a  general   fact,  tliat    many  animal  poisons  do  not  develop  "^ 
their  effects,  till  after  tho  lapse  of  a  greater  or  less  length  of  time      Tim?. 
two  weeks  may  elapse  before  small  pox  will  appear,  after  exposure;  and  two 
years  have  passed  away,  before  hydrophobia  ha.s  followed  on  the  bite  of  a  | 
mad   dog.     On  this  point,  then,  the  vegeto-animalcular  hypothesis,  lia.s  an 
advantage  over  both  the  others. 

11.  It  has  been  already  stated,  that  autumnal  fever  prevails  very  une- 
qually in  different  years;  and   'hat,  in  the  same  locality,  it  may,  ia  o!i'?  J 
autumn,  bo   malignant   and  e[iidemie,  and  in  another,  mild  and  sporadic. 
This  can,  perhaps,  be  better  explained  on  the  hypothesis  we  arc  now  Jisou.-- 
sing,  than  on  either  of  tliL-  others;  for  we  know,  that  throughout  the  visiMc 
organic  domain,  reprodm.'tion  is  by  no  means  uniform.     A  year  of  great, 
abundance,  may  be  followed  by  one  unproductive,  in  the  vegetable  kiii^'- 1 
dom;  and  in  tho  animal,  one  summer  and  autumn  will  be  infested  by  iiii^cctSi 
far  beyond    another.     It    has  often  happened,  that  rnusquitocs  havcliei"il 
alisent,  from  the  banks  of  tho  middle  portion  of  the  Ohio  river,  for  a  year. 
and  in  tho  next  appeared  in  immense  numbers.     We  have  but  to  suppose  i 


I  liun 

I  :rif.s  111 

_'ir;itiv( 

nc'CP.'sf 

I  "''t  dfsi 

From 

:^t.;ry 

-siaialc 

tadie. 
=a:!y  ad 
IV. 
fr,i:n,- 
'I'tlie  (•' 
I  •■'  'li>eu,' 
-fivietio 

■'.'iiollrirs 
"■•ich  I  ha 
i!iiost  irrt 
■liiers  into 


i:' 


H| 


HE 


[book  II. 


TAST  I.. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


r27 


laria  (levdopoi.1  nt  tint 

;   liro^uljlo,  that  iu  tlic  i 
mio  kiii^^il'iiii,  tlu'vo  arc  ! 
.tural  families  or  cvdi'V*. 
rgor  plants  ami  aniiiKil?, 
lltios,  as  well  as  in  tlicir 
;  vai'iiius  Icinds  of  niik; 
^tic  oil,  tlic  popiipnm;:t, 
,  tlic  clifFevent  species  of 
re  assomblago  of  plants.  ' 
s  in  each  group,  are  in 

examine  tlunn  l)y  tlioir 
serve  tlicir  effeots  upon  ■ 
tinet  species  of  tlic  sar.ie 

autumnal  fever?  May 
:  of  remittents":  mny  ii'.: 
r  wo  not  thus  explain  di- 
potiicsis'?  Every  pra.ti- 
L'ty  of  plants  will  pvediuc 
,ptoms  of  that  state,  wlirn 

eaeh  other,  as  the  syrap- 

:as   r-alil,  that  the  pat^io- 
les  of  the  atmospV.cre,  ar.^ 
■hcd,  when  treating  if  tli" 
focts  of  gases  are  likcvijc 
r  ol'tPTi  i.>ogii;s  many  dny?,  ^ 
its  vomotc  cause.    Now  ^ 
poisons  do  not  clcvclup 
s  length  of  time     Tim?, 
after  exposure;  and  two 
fallowed  on  the  bite  of  a 
aleular  hypothesis,  has  an 

fever  prevails  very  imr- 
;  locality,  it  may,  iu  n-.v: 
ther,  uiihl  and  sporadic 
ithesis  we  are  now  diseu?- 
.at  throughout  the  visH'C, 
iniform.     A  jc-iv  '^f  .f  ^^ ; 
■e,  in  the  vegotahlo  kun'- ' 
will  he  infested  by  insects  j 

,at  musquitoes  Imvc  k'on 
the  Ohio  river,  for  a  year,' 
We  have  hut  to  suppose) 


jpjoet  forms  of  a  parallel  size,  to  live  under  corresponding  laws,  and  the  liy- 
fiithesia  now  before  u.s,  Gfror.s  an  explanation  of  sickly  and  healthy  seasons. 
li.  It  is  well  known  that  the  long-coiitiiuied  cultivation  of  the  soil,  and 
lie  building  of  towns  and  cities,  diminishes  the  prevalc'ice  of  the  Fever. 
Wtliis  cultivation  implies  the  c^rying  up  of  a  great  deal  of  surface  water; 
t'no  burning  up  of  the  natural  vegetation,  and  tbe  gradual  deconi|'iisition  of 
aat  wbieh  has  been  mingled  with  the  soil.  Sunnncr  crops,  as  tbo.'-e  of  wheat 
iwl  bay,  arc  also  removed,  and  not  suffered  like  the  natural  herbage  to  accu- 
iiulate  on  the  surface;  and  those  of  autunni  are  either  remijved,  or  in  the 
coiirse  of  the  winter  consunud,  to  prepare  the  fields  for  new  planting, 
Tbiis  the  food  of  microscopic  beings  is  destroyed,  and  their  reproduction 
irrcsted. 

]:}.  AVe  are  familiar  with  the  fact  that  many  persons  nevev  sicken  with 
s'ltuumal  fever,  while  others  around  them  will  have  repeated  attacks.  This 
i; ascribed  to  difference  of  susceptibility,  and  of  exposure  to  ex(itini>;  causes. 
J'jeli  ascription  is  no  doubt  correct;  but  tiic  vegeto-animalcular  hypothesis 
fjirs,  from  ann.logy,  an  additional  explanatinn.  It  is  well  known  that  cer- 
tain visible  insects  prey  on  .some  individuals  much  ni^re  tliau  others  —  seenr 
:i  be  attracted  by  one  and  repelled  by  another  —  and  we  have  but  to  grant 
In  tbe  invisible  the  siinio  tastes  and  instincts,  to  luiderstand  that  some 
rcvsnns  may  always  draw  swarms  around  thcni,  while  otliers  escape  ^Ir 
t|irodations. 

14.  People  who  inhabit  houses  built  on  the  liills  adjoining  valleys,  are  said 

:'«ulTer  more  than  those  who  reside  below.     Now  every  breeze  niay^  waft  and 

'.  l.'C  in  sucli  habitations  the  microscopic  beings  which  nuiltiply  in  the  rich 

:. Ibuniid  valley-soil.     It  has  also  been  observed,  that  a  grove  of  forest 

::'.cs  l)etwcen  an  inhabited  house,  and  what  is  called  a  sickly  spot,  gives  com- 

[arativc  immunity  from  the  Fovcr;  and  may  not  the  leaves  of  such  trees  as 

fvcpssfnily  arrest  animalcules,  or  vegetable  germs,  as  tliey  can  absorb  a  sras 

■.t  di'signed  for  their  nourishment  ? 

From  what  has  been  said,  it  appears  obviously,  I  think,  that  the  etiological 

I'-t'iry  of  autumnal  fever,  can  be  more  successfully  explained  by  the  vcgeto- 

^'iiiialeular  h^'pothesis,  than  the  malarial.     But  both,  in  the  present  state  of 

:irknii\vledgo,  must  stand  as  vicrc  Jnip'^thcfes.     Neither  can  claim  the  rank 

:'atl!cory;  nor  will  it  be  entitled  to  the  confidence  of  the  I'rofession  until 

Miiy  additional  facts  are  brought  to  its  support.* 

IV.    Yat.i:k  of  tiir  Discovery  of  the  efficient   cause  of  Autimxal 

n:M:n.  —  I  cannot,  a  priori,  attach  much  practical  importance  to  a  disco  cry 

■'the  ffficjit  cause  of  autumnal  fever;   and  have  devoted  several  pages  to 

■'s  discussion,  from  deference  to  my  brethren,  much  more  than  from  my  own 

i'nviction,  of  the  value  of  the  discovery  to  which  so  many  mind.^  arc  directed. 

'Wlion  this  articlo  was  about  to  be  sfut  to  the  prcsf:,  a  friend  iiandcd  mo  Professor 

piilclifU's  Lectures  on  the  '^  CniptO(i(imoiis  or'vjin  of  Malnrinns  and  Jyiilmiir  Ffvcrs,'^ 

'iiicli  I  had  not  before  seen.     Tlio  array    of  facts  luado  by  the  learned  autiior,  seeing 

iiii'jst  irre.sistible;  and,  from  his  (listin^iiished  reputation,  it  will,  no  doubt,  lead  ui'.uy 

tilers  into  new  courses  of  observation  and  exi)eriineut. 


!■' 


ij' 


mmm 


v' 


■' 


«        4 


I  ; 


* 


^1-  "V?..»j 


V 


f  ' 


iKjiiliThi*  ,'* 


*r 

V 


r28 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES   OF  THE 


[book 


II. 


Did  w'c  know  tlio  iinrlii/ular  meteoric  coinlltion,  the  gas,  or  tlic  orr'aniziii 
niIt'ro«ciipi(;  species  avIucu   iiroducds  tho  Fever,  v;q   sliould  nut  prul.ulU  ho 
able  to   defend  ouiso'.vcs   agiiinsfc  it,  liy  any  precautions,  Lut  those  wliidi  i 
experience  has  already  c,-;tabli,slied ;  nor  should  wo  be  able   to  destroy  thf 
cilieient  cause,  v.'itbout  anniliilatiii^' tlic  conditioi:sund(!r  wliiehJt  is  fi-encratcii.  I 
Those  conditions  are  already  well  known.     The  individual  exposed  to  llicu:  * 
is  liable  tu  an  attack  —  he  who  keeps  away  remains  exempt.     The  people  of '■ 
the  country  escape  the  vesicular  eruption  produced  bv  the  rlun  (■ixicudcndi'ii. 
or  the   /7i '•;  vcniix,   by  kec[iing  beyond  the   sphere  of    exhalation.    TIic-, 
know  not'ing  of  the  nature  of  the  poi.sonous  emanation,  ar.d  yet  their  mcaiis 
of  j)r(itection  arc  as  jterfect,  as  those  of  the  chtnihst  would  be,  who  )iii:;-!i; 
analyze  the  pui.jin  and  glvo  it  an   appropriate   name.     Nor  is  it  pvohaliL' 
tliat  the  discovery  of  the  efiicicnt  cause  would  throw  any  liglit  upmi  t:,e 
treatment.      It  was  jiot  a  knowledge  of  its   caus„   that  taught  us  the  culn 
treatment    of  small   pox;  —  wo  know  the  cause    of  hydrophobia  and  vt: 
cannot  euro  it;  — wo  do  not  know  the  cause  of  goitre,  but  have  discovered 
that  iodine  is  an  oflieiout  remedy. 

Ignorant,  however,  as  we  arc  of  any  definite,  efficient  cause  for  autumi,;i; 
fcvpr,  I  ain  a  full  believer  in  its  existence,  and  shall  speak  of  it  as  a  spciiai- 
agent,  known  only  by  its  eiiects  on  the  living  body.     These  effects  coustltiitjf^ 
the  disease  we  have  been  studying  in  its  etiology;  and  are  now  to  contem-^i 
plate  in  its  S3'mptomatology,  pathology,  and  tlurapeutics.     In  procecdiug  tol| 
do  this,  the  first  inrpiiry  naturally  is,  into  the  manner  in  which  the  a.-.^uiiiL  1  :.\'! 
agent  makes  its  impress  on  the  system.     In  duing  this,  I  wish  it  understo'jd. ' 
that  if  I  shoidd,  at  any  time,  use  the  Vv'ord  malaria,  it  is  merely  to  dcjigiiato 
the  remote  cause,  whatever  it  may  bo. 


m 


K        »       1      •■ 


* 


H 


"1      \ 


\. 


IJr 


\T>: 


,^' 


%nk 


B.-         I   ' 


'mm. 


I 


CHAPTER  III. 

MODE  OF  ACTION  AND   FIRST    EFFECTS  OF   THE   REMOTEJ 
CAUSE  OF  AUTUMNAL  FEVER. 


SECTION  I. 
APPLICATION   OF    THE    POISON. 

Assuminp;  the  existence  of  a  poison  concealed  in  the  atmosphere,  wc  nrfl 
led  to  inquire  on  what  surfaces  it  makes  its  primary  impression. 

I.     Action  on  tiik  Skin.  —  Se veral  known  gases  act  with  such  energy  <:aj 
the  cutaneous  surface,  that  when  they  are  applied,  for  soknc  time,  they  pr) 


.    \ 


1'  f 


H 


THE 


[book  It. 


»RT  I.J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


r2!) 


gas,  or  tlic  orfiunizLMl 
should  not  ]iri)liully  lit 
itiuns,  but  tlio^f  wliieli 
Ije  able  to  destroy  the 
lev  ^vlucli  it  is  generated, 
ividual  exposed  to  tliem 
exempt.     Tie  people  of 
.)V  tlie  rhir:l'Jxicuik)iili'on 
•0  of    exluiUition.     Tuc;,  ■. 
tion,  nr.A  yet  tlieir  meuns  t 
,st  would  bo,  wlio  mijibt , 
mc.     Nor  is  it  pvobalile 
brow  any  ligbt  upon  the 
that  taugbt  us  the  culd 
of  bydropliobia  and  yet    m 
litre,  but  have  discovcrcil 


ficicnt  cause  fov  aulumiiai 
lU  speuli  of  it  as  a  spci;i:io  - 
r.     These  efl'ects  constitute  ■ 
;  and  arc  now  to  contom- 
;peutic3.     In  proceediugt. 
nncr  in  whieh  the  arsuiULi; 
i  this,  I  wish  it  undcrstooiV 
ia,  it  is  merely  to  deiigua'.o 


ts  of  the  remoti 
Ifever. 


POISON. 
11  in  the  atmnsphcve.  wc  nr 
juary  impression. 


ases  act  with  such  energy  raj 
[icd,  for  soiuc  time,  they  p- 


laoo  decided  effects.'*'     IJut  can  this  be  afiirnied  of  the  cause  of  autumnal 
lixn'i     Does  it  modify  the  vital  properties,  and  pervert  the  functions  of  the 
:tia;  and,  through  sympatliy,  the  organism  generally'.''     Does  it  penetrate 
■iat -iitcgumont  'ind  mingle  witli  the  blo(jd'/     There  are  facts  which  seem  to 
iror  an  athrniative  answer,  to  at  least  one  of  these  questions.     First.  Ex- 
jisiire  of  the  surface  of  the  body  io  the  night  air,  in  early  autunin,  is  often 
:iowed  by  an  attaclc  of  the  Fever.     Sc-oml.  Tlie  functions  of  tlio  .skin, 
itli  perspiratory  and  caloriflc,  are  signally  impaired  in  the  forming  stages  of 
;m  Fever.     In  opposition  to  the  first  of  these  facts,  it  is  well  known  that  a 
:(arty  meal,  a  debauch  with  wine  or  whisky,  tlie  action  of  a  hot  sun,  or  the 
ilent  operation  of  a  cathartic,  when  the  Fever  is  epidemic,  may  invito  an 
i;;ack;  and  the  exposure  of  the  body  at  niii-ht,  may,  like  them,  bo  only  an 
Si'itina:  cause.      In  opposition  to  tlio  second  I  may  say,   that   the  other 
nactions  of  the  body  are  impaired,  as  early  and  extensively,  as  tliose  of  the 
ilia.    Proof  is  wanting,  then,  that  the  remote  cause  acts  upon  or  penetrates 
;:eskin,  to  the  production  of  this  fever,  thougli  the  opposite  cannot,  in  the 
mmt  state  of  our  knowledge,  be  cstablLsIied. 

II,  Action  on  the  Stomach  and  Bov.ixs.  —  The  remote  cause  has 
kn  supposed  to  exert  its  primary  influence  on  the  gastro-intestinal  mucous 
anibrano,  or  to  enter  the  circulation  through  that  surface.  The  facts  in 
ii'Mt  of  tins  opinion  are:  First.  The  eurly  derangement  of  the  functions 
:tlie  stomach,  liver,  and  bowels,  evinced  by  loss  of  appetite,  nausea, 
srcascd  or  suppressed  secretion  of  bile,  and  constipation,  or  diarrhoea. 
k-'iil  The  actual  development,  in  many  cases,  of  gastro-enteritis.  Third. 
;e  alleged  necessity  of  admitting  the  latter  condition,  as  re(iui,sito  to  the 
iluction  of  the  Fever. 

But  these  facts  arc  inconclusive,  and  tlie  objections  to  the  hypothesis  many. 

Jt'jo  first  place,  as  I  have  said  of  the  lesion  of  the  functions  of  the  skin, 

•be  of  the  digestive  organs  have  no  priority  over  lesions  of  other  functions. 

■'I'Jsciilar  langor,   impaired  perspiration,  diminished  heat,  heaviness   of  the 

»3.  reduced  activity  of  the  mind,  and  pain  in  the  back,  or  several  of  these 

Snptoms,  are  as  early  in  their  appearance  as  the  disorders  of  the  digestive 

-cms  —  sometimes  earlier ;  for  every  physician  has  met  with  cases,  in  the 

i-aiing  stage  of  the  Fever,  in  which  he  found  it  necessary  to  prohibit  the 

3'ient  from   eating.     In   the   second  place,  both  the  symptoms  and    the 

ppirod  treatment  of  numerous  cases,   show  that   gastro-enteritis    is  not 

pKent.    Indeed,  splenitis  is  oftener  present  than  mucous  inilamniation,  and 

?ititis  is  by  no  means  uncommon ;  but  the  cause  of  the  I'ovor  cannot 

pAcitlier  of  those  organs  without  penetrating  others.     And  if  they  can 

mo  inflamed,  without  being  directly  acted  on  by  the  poison,  the  existence 

i' ?istro-enteritis  is  no  evidence,  tln^t  it  has  made  its  lirst  impression  on  the 

JBaeh  and  duodenum.     In  the  third  place,  the  influence  of  a  hearty  meal 

■leases  in  which  the  appetite  has  not  been  destroyed),  in  exciting  the 

*''er,  and  even  developing  gastritis,  does  not  prove  that  the  cause  had 


'Elwi^rds  on  Physical  Agents. 
47 


Mullor's  Physiology.     Christisoa  on  Poisons. 


-( "" 


■  'ti, 


I 


•>■  H. 


! 


!.'. 


,  .  -,..-V  •■•'."'  ''  '■>■    }'■<■■%.. 


a^'&o*^'- 


[.wn 


^ij.-V 


■■■■  '''^''.^t  ;■' 


■»S'«JRH')  f.'..  .■    ,  .- .^>■ 


.■w-*, 


■;-)f.- 


(!■.'. 


730 


THE  TRIXCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  II 


actoil  on  tlio  stoniacli ;  for  il'  the  organism  at  largo  liad  fi'lt  its  iiiflnciifol 
througli  wliatcvor  clianiiol,  and   tho  stuniacli  liatl  then  been  irritatuil  liy  a- 
niCcil,  which  it  could  not  digest,   tho  syniiiathctic  relations  between  it  aiidl' 
tliL  wliole  system  niiglit,  at  once,  arouse  inflammation  in  tho  ionuer,  ani^ 
fever   in  the  latter.     In  addition   to   tlieso   olijectioiis  it  may,  in  tliu  Jouri, 
place,  be  asked  how  an  agent  so  subtle,  as  to  have  hitherto  escajjcd  detuftionj 
con  (ind  its  way  into  the  stomacli,  in  such  quantities  as  to  [irove  injuriniH, 
cither  by  its  action  on  the  mucous  membrane  or  its  passage  into  tlic  bluui!? 
It  could  only  reach  there,  by  being  mingled  with  our  fuod  and  water;  wliirh 
for  aught  we  know  to  tho  contrary,  may  be  the  case,  but  I  know  not  of  a 
single  fact  in  suppurt  of  this  opinion. 

III.  Action  ox  the  Luxas.  —  If  the  cause  of  autumnal  fever  be  niiiii.'lc(l( 
with  the  atmosphere,  it  must  be  received  into  tlic  lungs ;  for  universal  c.xpo-< 
ricnec  shows  that  it  is  not  one  of  those  gases  whicli  provoke  a  closure  of  tlirf 
glottis,  and  tliereby  oceasiuu  its  own  exclusion.  Does  it,  then,  make  it| 
primary,  morbific  impression  on  the  ])ulmonary  mucous  membrane'.'  In  ,nip* 
piirt  uf  tlie  afhrmative  of  this  question,  it  inay  be  stated,  Firsl.  Tluit  the 
area  of  that  membrane  is  suihcient  to  admit  of  an  extensive  contact  of  ti;9 
aerial  poison.  Second.  That  its  susceptibility  to  the  action  of  gases  is  faf 
greater,  than  that  of  the  skin  or  ga;-tro-enteric  membrane;  and,  therefi 


oroi 


as  compared  with  them,  it  is  more  likely  to  be  tho  surface  on  which  acriforni 
poisons  make  their  primary  impression.     It  may  bo  objected  to  this  hypot!!* 
csis,  however,  that  tho  function  of  respiration  is  less  impaired  in  the  eavlj^ 
stages    of  this  fever,    than    most    of  the    other    great   functions,    and  tlial 
bronchitis  is  but  seldom  developed.     Tho  former  is  entitled  to  consideratiii^ 
but  the  latter  is  not,  inasmuch  as  all  morbific  agents  do  not  necessarily  cxcitij 
inflammation  in  tlie  parts  upon   which  they  act ;  and,  it  has  not  yet  bocj; 
shown,  that  the  cause  of  autunmal  fever  is  one  of  those  which  do.     Xovtri. 
theless,  I  cannot  regard  the   opinion  that  autumnal  fever  has  a  pulmonarj|| 
origin,  as  anything  more  than  a  hypothesis.     As  nitrogen,  oxygen,  and  Sijiii(fe| 
other  gases  have  been  found  to  enter  the  circulation  through  the  skin,  it 
possible  that  the  cause  of  this  fever  may  be  introduced  in  the  same  m^ 
Should  it  be  introduced  into  the   stomach  and  bowels,  it  might  thence  inle 
the  blood,  as  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  certain  gases  do.*     But  pa?-iii| 
by  these  surfaces,  as  altogether  subordinate,  we  may  turn  to  the  pulmoiiaij 
as  that  through  which  most  gases  pass  into  the  circulation.     Of  the  rcalitj 
of  this  absorption,  no  pliysiologist  can  entertain  a  doubt.     In  fact,  it  socii 
to  be  almost  as  much  a  function  of  the  pulmonary  membrane,  to  absorb  cor 
tain  gases  and  odors,  as  it  is  of  tho  gastro-enteric,  to  absorb  liquids.    Tli 
Dr.  Edwardst  has  demonstrated  tho  absorption  of  oxygen,  azot,  hydrogen 
and  aqueous  vapor,  by  the  lungs.    Others  have  confirmed  his  observations,  anj 
rendered  the  absorption  of  other  gases  highly  probable ;  finally,  all  the  woili 
is  familiar  with  the  fact,  that  a  great  variety  of  odorous  exhalations  arc  lika 
wise  absorbed  —  often  rapidly  and  copiously.     Such  being  the  penetralilitj 


:;:vita 
■vaction 
::rii)g 
i'(T  of  1 

■''.n  arrc 
^■3  aljsoi 
^tliat 
iireadj 
■3  aiiiou; 
e;e  vic^ 

-:'jt3  CO 

nlicyb 
•cap 

f  libera 
insen 
tmic 


\v-. 


»Christison,  pago  6D8. 


tEdwards  oa  Phys.  Agents. 


1:'^ 


I  If 


THE 


[book  II  \ 


HRT  I', 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


731 


(TO  bad  folt  its  infliicncow 
iheu  been  irrilatLd  liy  a| 
relations  ljct\vocu  it  am] 
atioii  in  tlio  former,  andf 
ions  it  may,  in  tlie  Jourlh^ 
hitlicvtu  cseaiiod  detoftion,! 
OS  as  to  prove  injuviMiH,. 
a  passage  into  the  Wood?' 
ur  food  and  water ;  wlii'li, 
;asc,  l)ut  I  know  not  of  a 

autumnal  fever  be  mingkjt' 
lungs ;  for  universal  expc^ 
ell  provoke  a  closure  of  'M 
I)ocs  it,  tlien,  niako  it», 
ucous  membrane';     In  Mip< 
be  stated,  First.  That  tin 
uu  extensive  contact  of  t!:^ 
0  the  action  of  gases  is  fui 
membrane;  and,  tburi'fnroj 
10  surface  on  wliicb  aorilorni 
•  be  objected  to  tliis  liypoth* 
s  less  impaired  in  tlie  earljl 
groat   functions,   and  dial 
r  is  entitled  to  considcrati^.nj'^ 
outs  do  not  necessarily  cxcitil 
t;  and,  it  lias  not  yet  bceip 
of  tboso  wbicli  do.    Xovtrfel 
nnal  icvcr  lias  a  pulmonari 
5  nitrogen,  oxygen,  and  simi| 
ation  tbrougli  tlie  skin,  it  i| 
ntroduccd  in  tlie  same  ot 
,owels,  it  might  thence  unt 
ain  gases  do.*     But  pa?.in 
may  turn  to  the  pulmoiuiv 
eirculation.     Of  the  roalit 
a  doubt.     In  fact,  it  sec 
.•y  membrane,  to  absorb  coi 
Ac,  to  absorb  liciuids.    Tli' 
n  of  oxygen,  azot,  hydros 
confirmed  bis  observations,  ani 

.■obablc;  finally,  all  the  ^^•oli| 
odorous  exhalations  arc  likr 
Such  being  the  penctralilit, 


ar 


'die  pulmonary  membrane,  there  is  no  anatomical  or  jihysiidogicnl  objcc- 

ifl  to  the  theory,  of  the  passage  of  the  effieiont  cause  of  autunnial  fever, 

yuugh  that  tissue    into   the  blood;    still  this  does  not    prove   that  it  is 

;'';jrlied  —  only  that  it  may  bo.     IJut  are  there  no  procjfs  of  the  fact?     I 

how  of  none,  wliicli   do  more  than  render  it  jirobablo.     First.  "\Vc  have 

m.  that  there  is  no  evidence,  tliat  the  morbiGc  impression  of  this  cause  xa 

•.i.lc  on  the  skin  or  mucous  membranes  with  which  it  is  in  contact ;  and  yet 

>  action  on  the  system  is  a  reality,  hence  we  may  conclude  that  it  penetrates 

riugh  some  surface  to  tho  blood.     Srcnml.  As  various  gases,  vapors,  and 

':  rs  penetrate  the  thin  parictes  of  the  vessels  of  tin;  pxdnionary  niombrano, 

-  may  conclude,  from  analogy,  that  the  efficient  cause  of  this  fever  may  do 

isanic.     Third.  Dr.  Stevens  has  shown  that,  in  the  endemic  fevers  of  the 

I'lst  Indies,  tho  blood  suffers  deterioration  before  the  phenomena  of  fever 

.iTo  manifested  themselves  in  the   'unctions  of  tho  solids.     Fourth.  Tlio 

.iivirsality  of  functional  lesion,  and,  in  most  cases,  its  eipality  among  the 

ilimnt  organs,  in  other  words,  the  involvement  of  the  constitution  would 

siu  to  indicate,  that  the  remote  cause  has  acted  throughout  tlio  whole 

::;uii.sin  at  the  same  time.  Fifth.  A  prominent  and  most  dangerous  condition 

:ar;tumnal  fever,  is  the  impaired  state  of  tlie  calorific  function,  found  in  its 

ijiii'Kt  degree  in  algid  interniittents.     As  the  blood,  evidenlly,  plays  an  im- 

;:rtant  part  in  this  function,  may  wo  not  conclude  that  in  these  remarkalde 

HS,  it  has  undergone  a  change  in  its  composition  or  constitution,  which 

ifits  it  for  the  development  fif  calorie?     AVliatevcr  may  bo  the  agency  of 

::e  iicvvous  system  in  this  function,  it  is  undeniable  that  t!ie  blood  is  immc- 

iiatd)  and   deeply  concerned ;    and,  highly  probable,  that    its   agency  is 

gilding  to  chemical  princiides.     Should  it  then  be  altered  in  its  constit- 

Hit?,  or  their  mode  of  union,  an  alteration  in  its  calorific  agency  would  bo 

citable.     It  must  not  bo  forgotten,  however,  that  in  the  stage  of  febrile 

::iction  there  is  increased  heat.     Nevertheless,  there  are  cases  in  wliicli, 

i'Jting  that  stage,  the  extremities  continue  cold.     Sixth.  An  argument  in 

'm  of  this  hypothesis  may,  perhaps,  bo  found  in  the  well-known  fact  that  a 

r.ppression  of  perspiration,  by  lodging  in  tho  open  air,  tends  to  excite  the 

■t;.se,  and  that  a  copious  perspiration,  effected  by  art  in  the  f  jrming  stages, 

:':i.n  arrests  it.     While  the  function  of  perspiration  continues  active,  tho  poi- 

a  absorbed  by  the  lungs  may  pass  off  through  the  skin ;  but  being  arrested 

:  tliat  exit,  may,  by  its  accun\ulation,  prov3  mischievous,  and  when  it  lias 

liteady  begun  to  do  barm,  a  copious  sweat  may  relieve  the  system  of  such 

a  amount,  that  fever  may  be  averted.     Seventh.  Nearly  connected  with 

iese  views,  and  tending  to  the  same  point,  is  the  fact,  that  as  long  as  the 

j'jlits  continue  warm,  the  disease  docs  not  become  epidemic ;  but  as  soon 

btlicy  become  so  cool  as  to  check  the  functions  of  the  skin,  by  diminishing 

j-^  capillary  circulation,  and  surrounding  it  with  a  damp  atmosphere,  from 

pliberation,  by  the  reduction  of  temperature,  of  a  portion  of  vapor  which 

N  insensible  at  a  higher  degree  of  atmospheric  heat,  the  Fever  assumes  an 

r-lemic  character. 


.  f 


:U 


\  I 


M.i 


-  'ij. 


Phys.  Agents. 


'fmt 


1 1* 


<''•■ 


hwrJi  V-  .■  r  ■■•■ ' '     '>'•'•  '.",■".'•••■.    ., 


W"J< 


Hi,'  S    ■     -     V  ■)   '"'.'■  •  ■'    '  ■  f  ■ .  .  .  .'  ■*.•■'.. 

i  M,'M  •.■■:■.  .<-.  .■  V,. 


^      '^Jlij, 


■i: 


782 


THE  rULN'CII'AF,  DISKASESor  THE 


[book  II. I 


SECTION  II. 

MODE    OE    ACTION. 

Supposing  tlio  ngont  wliicli  prodiu'cs  the  Fever  introduced  into  tlio  lili  i4 
tlirougli  tlie  luii^s,  what  may  bo  ita  niudo  of  action".''  Kxpi'vinicnts  ],j 
various  pli ysiologista  and  clieinists *  have  sliown,  tliut  in  ret'oreni'u  tu  tlnir 
effects  upon  the  living  body  when  inspired,  tlio  known  gases  may  be  diviilcj 
into  the  inert,  the  irritant,  iirid  tlic  narcotic.  Of  tlie  lir.st  class,  are  u/ ,i 
and  hydrogen,  which  prove  injurious  entirely  or  chiefly  by  excluding  atim  s- 
jdicric  air.  To  the  second  chuss  beluiig  nitric  oxide  gas,  nitrous  acid  ViiiH-r, 
muriatic  acid  gas,  elduriiic,  sulphurous  acid,  and  ammonia;  all  of  wliiilj 
irritate  in  a  sensible  manner,  or  inflame  the  aerial  passages,  and  sunio  of 
which,  in  a  very  dilute  state,  if  inhaled  for  a  considerable  time,  jiruva 
narcotic.  Im  the  third  group  arc  comprehended  sulphurcted  hydiogui, 
carbureted  hydrogen,  carbonic  acid,  carbonic  uxide,  nitrous  oxide,  cyaiKp^ui, 
oxvgcn,  ether,  and  chloroform,  in  which  the  narcotic  greatly  prcd(miiaatc|i 
over  the  irritating  property. 

Judging  by  its   first  effects,  as   found  in  the  early  stages  of  autiiiiir.: 
fever,  to  wliifh  of  these  classes  should  we  refer  tlio  cause  of  that  ftvcr! 
Not  to  the  inert,  which  destroy  life  simply  by  excluding  the  atniospluro,  fji 
it  causes  no  such  exclusion ;  not  to  the  exclusively  irritant,  for,  as  wc  liav| 
.reen,  thoy  inflame  tlic  respiratory  membrane;  nut  to  the  entirely  narrotiau 
for  somnolency  is  not  a  prominent  symptom  of  the  early  stage  of  tliat  luvei^! 
Eelying  on  its  effects,  to  guide  us  in  an  estimate  of  its  character,  )vc  iii;ij^ 
say,  that  the  efficient  cause  of  this  fever  is  a  peculiar  poison,  of  a  sedativil 
and   irritating   quality,    somewhat   like   the   narcotieo-irritating  gases,  ofi 
certain  solid  and  fluid  bodies,  which,  in  large  doses,  destioy  life  .''luldenlvi 
by  reducing  power,  and  in  smaller  portions,  weaken  while  they  pervert 
functions.     Asiuvung  this,  let  us  inquire  concerning  its  action,  first  on  tli 
blood,  and  secondly  on  the  solids. 

1.  In  reference  to  the  blood,  we  can  only  regard  this  agent  as  sonictliin 
absorbed  and  mingled  with  it :   a  foreign  substance  united  with  tlic  wate 
in  which  tlie  saline  and  animal  ingredients  are  dissolved'  or  suspended, 
its  effects  on  these,  or  the  manner  in  which  they  arc  prciuccd,  wc  arc  prd 
foundly  ignorant.     Still,  as  the  introduction  of  a  foreign  ingredient,  iiitoj 
fluid  so  compounded,  cannot  be  made  without  disturbing  the  equilibrium  i 
its  affinities,  and  changing  its  isometric  character,  we  are  bound  to  admit  j 
deteriorated  condition  of  that  fluid,  if  the  absorption  be  a  reality.    Fr' 
the  physiological  relations  between  the  blood  and  the  containing  solid*,  frol 
the  moment  this  condition  is  established,  the  action  of  the  former  upon  tl; 
latter,  must  be  different  from  what  it  is  in  health ;    and  the  change,  howerl 
brought  about,  is  to  disease.     The  influence  of  such  a  blood  ou  the  nervoij 
system,   and  all  the  organs  ot    secretion,  not  less  than  on  the  heart  aa 
vessels,  being  different  from  what  that  influence  is,  when  the  blood  is  in  i 

*Christison,  d.  069. 


i.iti-:v, 


If;  I 


THE 


[DOOK  II. 


'llT  l.J 


INTERIOR  VAIJ.KY  OV  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


733 


iiitroiluccti  into  tlic  lldod: 
iicliun'.'     Kxiii'viniLMits  liy 
,  tluit  in  ri't'orciu'e  to  tlnir 
own  gases  may  l»o  divided:, 
If  the  lirst  class,  arc  azo^ 
■liieily  by  exduiling  ntiiins- 
ide  gas,  nitrous  acid  viii"ir, 
il  aiuuioiiia;   all  of  vVk\t 
rial  passages,  and  sumo  uf 
V  consideraUc  tlmi\  icnvs 
led    suli>lmrotcd  liydvogciv 
do,  nitrous  oxido,  cyain.-tn, 
rcotio  greatly  prcdou\iuate^ 

e  early  stages  of  autuiiira 
or  tlio  cause  of  that  I'tvcrt 
xoluding  the  atmosi>liiTO,  fjy 
,'oly  irritant,  for,  as  \ve  liavH 
uot  to  the  entirely  narcoti(^ 
the  early  stage  of  that  kv4| 
ate  of  its  character,  wc  inujl 
eculiar  poison,  of  a  scdativlf 
arcotico-irritating  gases,  o| 
doses,  destxoy  life  f^iuldenlj^ 
akcu  while  they  pervert  till 
ierning  its  action,  first  on  tlif 

gard  this  agent  as  somctliiii 
tance  united  with  tlic  watcj 
dissolved  or  suspcnOcd.   ' 
ey  arc  prc-aiced,  wc  arc  pro 
f  a  foreign  ingredient,  iutol 
disturbing  the  equilibrium 
iter,  we  are  bound  to  admit  | 
sorption  be  a  reaUty.    I-i^ 
nd  the  containing  soUd?,  N 
action  of  the  former  upon  tl^ 
Ith;    and  the  change,  hom>v^ 
f  such  a  blood  ou  the  nervoil 
less  than  on  the  heart  n 
fee  is,  when  the  blood  ism 


;rnial  condition,  the  functions  j)crfornicd  by  those  ^'rcat  .structures,  are 
ycessarlly  altered;  and  hero  niay  bo  the  origin,  in  part,  of  the  first 
;:ni[iti)nia  of  the  fevers  we  are  considering. 

•J,  Hut  the  nirent  which  has  jKissed  into  the  blood,  may  retain  it.-s  integ» 

•■;;v,  and  jiroduco  cffocts   peculiar  to   itself,  by  acting  on  the   parts   with 

dch  it  is  brought  into  contact.     Thcso  are  the  entire  internal  surface  of 

:■.>  art'.'rios,  veins,  and  heart.     That  this  surface  is  of  vast  extent,  wo  are 

■milt  by  anatomy ;   and   that  its  arterial  portion,  at  least,  is  extpiisitely 

;>  to  the   impress  of  foreign  matter,  has   been   equally  demiiustnited  by 

IP  rimental  iilivsinloffy.     That  the  Iieart  is  cndnwed  with  a  hi;;!!  dc;:rce  of 

:-:;;ilii!ity,  was  shown  lung  since  by  llallcr;  and  tliat  it  p'issesbcs  iierve.^, 

:i<  been  proved  by  Scarpa.     That  the  smaller  arteries  and  eai)illaries  are 

,'v',viso  endowi.'il  with  nerves,  has  been  demonstrated  by  Lueae; '■  that  they 

;■  t'lo  seats  of  the  liveliest  seiksihility,  is  obvinus  to  every  observer;  and 

;;,ttlie  nervous  system  exercises  over  their  eircidatory  and  secretory  I'unc- 

\:,u-,  a   constant   and    decided    iiiiliicnce,    has    been    cstabli^'ied    by    the 

iperimcnts  of  8ir  Wilson  Pliil'p  and  others;  if,  indeed,  it  has  not  forced 

yf  upon  the  attention  of  every  obseiving  physician,  in  the  modifii-ations 

::5ecrction  and  calorification,  whi'-h  result  fnim  varying  states  of  the  inner- 

itiiiii.     Such  is  the   surface  with  which   the  absorI)ed   and  undecompDsed 

:  i-oii  is  brought  in  contact.     A  surfiie'c  not  jirotectcd,  like  the  shin,  with 

;:!ii'le;  not  limited  to  a  group  of  organs,  and  defended  with  mucus,  liko 

■.lo pulmonary  or  gastro-intestinal  membrane;  but  undefended;  more  exten- 

sTo than  the  whole  of  those  taken  together;  found  in  every  organ  of  the 

;  k,  and  most  developed  in  tlioso  which  perform  the  most  vital  functions. 

!.  If  wo  concede  to  the  cause  of  autumnal  fever,  a  peculiar  nai'cotico- 
.litating  quality,  its  necessary  efi'ects,  in  such  a  mode  of  apjdication,  will  be 
:::!0  wliich  constitute  the  first  stage?  of  that  fever  —  reducti',n  of  vital 
aijy,  obtuseness  of  sensibility,  suspended  or  perverted  secretion,  and 
ijniuished  calorification  ;  and  from  an  eiptal  necessity,  they  will  be  felt  in  all 
sarts  of  the  boil}',  because  the  agent  which  produces  them  travels  with  the 
MJation.  Wc  may  assure  ourselves,  that  its  first  effects  will  not  bo 
rcase,  hut  depression  of  excitement,  by  referring  to  the  constitutional 
limKQ  of  foreign  matters,  liquid  or  gaseous,  when  introduced  into  one  of 
lie  serous  membranes  (as  th^  peritoneum,  for  example),  which  are  always 
is^o  nf  depression  as  well  as  irritation.  If  we  suppose  such  matters  to  bo 
smaltancously  introduced  into  all  the  serous  sacks  of  the  body,  we  sliould 
spect  immediate  reduction  of  the  vital  powers,  and  early  deati. ,  though  we 
•iii  conceive  of  the  quantity  being  so  small,  that  the  system  would  react, 
i-J  fever  and  inflammatiou  ensue.  I  can  see  no  logical  objection  to  this 
ualogy. 

h  It'  WC  combine  these  effects,  with  those  supposed  to  be  produced  by 
'faltered  state  of  the  blood,  and  witli  the  whole,  those  which  must  necessa- 
'.^and  immediately  result  to  that  fluid,  from  the  reactive  intiuence  of  the 

*Boclard's  Anat.  Gen. 


■if. 


l-    I 


.,iv: 


mi 


Tin;  riilNCIPAL  IJISKASES  OF  THt: 


[■OOK  ll.  ; 


(liseasiMl  hulMs,  wc  liuvo  befon!  us  tliu  patli  iligical  stato  wliicli  constitutes 
the  linst  fflVct  of  the  roiiiutu  causo,  uiid  tlic  lir^t  st;igu  of  tlic  IVvii" 
a  alato  wliicli  tin;  liyputlii'sis  (for  it  cannot  Ijc  roj^'ardt-d  as  an  ostalili.ilnil 
theory)  set'iiis  atlo(iuuttly  to  oxidain  ;  and,  liy  cxi)laiidii<^,  to  coninifiid  iisdf 
to  our  eonsidi'vatioii  and  confidonee.  Having  now  Ufeoni[ili.shcd  the  objuct 
prnposctl  in  this  clia[itui'.  lot  us  jn'occod  to  iu'iuiro  into  the  duvchiimiunt  ifl 
the  lA.'vor. 


.'..• 


Ill^ '■■■■: 


»> '." 


LvI't 


JT*^ 


"A' 


1 


CHAPTER  IV. 

VAIUKTIKS    AND   rEVELOl'.MENT    OF  AUTUMNAL   FEVEI!, 


SECTION  I. 
V  A  R  i  E  T  I  E  f^  . 

The  first  eflects,  or  morbid  impressions,  produced  by  the  remote  cause  i)f 
our  autumnal  fever,  arc  so  nearly  the  sane,  wliatover  may  be  the  subfctjutut 
typo,  tliat  in  many,  indeed,  in  most  cases,  that  type  cannot  be  seen  tiii(nn.'lf 
them.  In  their  incipient  stages,  the  difTeront  forms  of  this  fever  are  uut,  ia 
general,  to  oe  distiognislied;  but  as  thoy  advance,  a  difference  in  tyjio  iii;ni« 
ifosts  itself;  and  as  a  first  division  we  separate  them  into  iutermitteuts  and 
remittents.  ?'■ 

I.     Intkrmittf.n'TS.  —  The  intormlttents  of  our  Valley,  are  generally  qiioJ 
tidian  or  tertian,  oil  oner,  I  think,  tlic  latter  than  the  former.     Now  and  tlioii 
a  double  tertian  challenges  the  acumen  of  the  physician,  in  distinguisliiiiL'  iltJ 
by  the  hour.'^  af  recurrence,  or  the  violence  of  the  alternate  paroxysms,  t'luiij 
a  quotidian.     An  original  quartan  I  have  never  seen  ;  but  quotidians  ncoa^ 
sionally  assume  that  character,     "Whatever  may  be  its  type,  as  to  pori;iJi(it_v 
our  intermittent  fever  presents  several  varieties  or  modifications,  fouudal 
pathological  causes,  or  conditions. 

1.  It  may  be  mild,  simple,  accompanied  by  a  perfect  intermission;  andi 
not  combatted  by  art,  may,  still,  not  prove  dangerous ;  though  it  n:ay  cuu| 
tinue  to  the  impairment  of  the  constitution,  which  is  true  of  both  quotidiinj 
and  tertians. 

'2.  It  may  exhibit  a  deep  or  protracted  cold  stage,  witli  imperfect  reaction  I 
and  in  the  first,  second,  or  some  subsequent  paroxysm,  prove  fatal;  and  tliil 
also  may  be  true  of  that  which  recurs  daily,  or  every  other  day.  Tliose  ar 
the  malignant  or  congestive  cases;  the  former  epithet  for  which,  should li 
preferred,  as  not  involving  a  hypothesis,  or  directing  the  attentiuu  ot  taf 
physician  upon  a  single  pathological  condition. 


'!. 


F»IT  I.] 


INTr:itI()R  VAIJ,KY  OF  NORTH  AMMRICA, 


785 


AUTUMNAL  FEVKR. 


3.  It  may  iishuiiio  an  iiiflamiiiiitury  fliiinu'tcr,  witli  a  (liininislied  ould,  and 
jprdloiigod  hot  stiiKc,  niiiiiiii^  at  loii^tli  into  a  rcinittitiy  *}!"'• 

II.  llEMriTENTS. — 1.  TlicMo  aic  goiRTallv  clianit.'tori/rd,  in  tlielr  vnriellea, 
livtho  Baino  lan^uago  as  intcrniittonts.  Many  of  tlicin  an*  .siin|ilo,  and 
nthoiit  inuL'li  ai'tivo  treatment,  after  running  a  course  of  eiirlit  or  ten  days, 
[vriiiiiiato  in  lioaltii,  or  in  fsiin[ile  intermittuuts.  This)  li  oftener  tlio  case  in 
;:r  middle)  tlulii  tlic  soutliorn  latitude.-'. 

■J.  Otiicr  cases,  from  tlio  Iteginning,  or  in  tlieir  jirogress,  dis|day  a  dcci- 
icilly  [)Iilogistie  character,  with  signs  of  intlannnatiun  in  some  organ,  and  a 
wleiicy  to  a  continued  tyiic. 

3.  In  various  localitie.x,  cs|)eelally  to  the  south,  a  Ibrm  of  this  fever  has 
rreoivod  the  name  of  congestive  or  malignant.  It  apijcars  to  dillor  fr<jm  the 
:ulignant  intermittent,  in  tlie  absence  of  a  regular  a[iyrexia;  from  tho 
fiaiplo  remittent,  in  the  mixed  up,  ataxic,  and  threatening  character  of  its 
!'.ni|itunis ;  and  from  tlic  inllammatnry  remittent,  in  the  sign.s  of  great  pros- 
;r;uiuii,  and  the  absence  of  an  open  inflannnatory  aspect.  Cases  of  this  kind 
ire  much  rarer  than  cases  of  malignant  intermittent. 

4.  The  first  two  varieties  of  remittent  fever  often  terminate  in  intermit- 
;i.t.  Tliat  the  last  does  not  so  fre((ueiitly,  may  be  ascribed  to  the  amount 
;,:;il activity  of  treatment  v^diicli  is  necessary  to  the  recovery  of  tiie  patient. 

5.  Tntermittents  left  to  themselves,  rarely  ccaso  till  they  have  continued 
:ralong  and  indefinite  time.  But  they  may  be  made  to  cease  at  any  ]>e- 
:;i  of  tlieir  duration.  It  is  not  necessary  to  defer  the  means  of  their  arrest, 
lill  a  number  of  paroxysms  have  returned,  as  sonic  physicians  have  inia- 
:i:icJ.  Iloniittents  of  a  simple  character,  on  th(!  contrary,  as  I  have  alrcaily 
iitimatcd,  will  ccaso  of  themselves ;  and  cannot  so  certainly  be  cut  short  in 
ujir  early  stages,  as  intermittents.  I  have  not,  however,  seen,  or  been  able 
•0  collect,  evidence  of  critical  day.s  in  this  fever.  Its  duration,  very 
xnimoiily,  is  a  week  or  more,  rarely  a  fortnight,  except  when  complicated 
»itli  manifest  inflammation  of  some  organ,  or  when  they  manifest  a  typhous 
Mractcr. 

'j,  "Why  is  it,  that  the  cause,  whose  effects  wo  arc  considering,  produces 
kors  of  a  periodical  type?  I  know  not  that  any  answer  can  be  given  to 
'.lis  ((ucstion.  It  is  the  specific  effect  of  the  remote  cause.  It  results 
:rintlic  relations  between  that  agent  and  the  living  system  on  whirh  it  acts. 
I'iieu  we  can  tell  how  tho  variolous  poison  produces  cutaneous  pustules,  tho 
aorbillous  a  rash,  and  mercury  a  salivation,  we  may  be  able  to  tell,  why 
I'ltumnal  fever  is  essentially  periodical,  and  not  before. 

'.  Nor  is  it  plain,  why  the  same  remote  cause  will  occasion  an  intermittent 
:'.  ''lie,  and  a  remittent  in  another;  why  one  shall  have  a  quotidian, 
iaother  a  double  tertian,  and  another  a  tertian ;  or,  why  several  shall  have 
siuplf,  and  one  a  malignant  intermittent,  when  all  inhabit  the  same  locality, 
ffriaiiji,  however,  varieties  of  constitution  and  exciting  causes,  with  unknown 
2' 'lifii-'utions  of  the  remote  cause,  may  be  looked  to,  for  a  solution  of  thi.^ 
ii'.ult  problem.     On  the  last,  my  late  colleague,   the  learned  Professor 


.!• 


fl^' 


IV' 


'ii' 


^    I     v.    .  i     ■  '  ■'. 


m 


i;ti 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOK  II. 


fill 

•?.*'rf-' 


1  ;i'. . '!    ' 


.iW'^f-'n  ;■'■■■.'  --.^i-  ■'■  ■■■  :■ 


•v'  ■ 


.'   ::.f     ■..■,.■;, 1. 1 
■'■■:iK'1'.--  •   :  iV. 

■  "^  1-''    '* 


>:%' 


''  ■'«' 


I    .i.i.»„..  .  ....1.  ,,,.      a,      \..   -%.  .,   .,,-       ;. 


(!aldwL'lV''  lias  laid  a  Jogrco  of  .-^tres.;,  wliich  nuf_''iL  avrost  our  iittcntion  if 
tliD  cause  of  tli'.-so  fevers,  in  any  of  tlieir  varieties,  liatl  been  (liscuYcreJ  • 
and,  if  tlioy  did  not  all  prevail  at  the  same  time,  in  the  same  plaocs. 

It  might  1)0  presumed  that  tlie  statistics  of  these  varieties  of  fovor  would 
throw  light  on  this  subject.  The  table  at  ;;.  TOG  presents  tlie  relative  pro- 
portions of  iiiteruiittei'ts  and  remittents  at  twenty- six  military  posts.  If 
these  be  divided  into  southern,  middle,  and  northern  gmups,  we  find  that  fir 
the  southern,  the  remittents  make  twenty-one  per  ocnt.;  the  midillc  fourteen 
per  cent.,  and  the  northern  twenty  pc  cent.  Thus,  it  docs  not  appear,  that 
temperature  exerts  an  influence  on  the  relative  number  of  intermittent  ami 
remittent  cases.  ]>ut  may  not  humidity  V  Let  us  consult  the  table  (jii  tliij 
point.  Si.K  posts  around  the  Gulf  of  3Iexieo,  give  for  remittents  twenty  pur 
cent.;  and  seven  on  the  Lake  shore,  give  thirteen  per  cent.;  while  cii'lit 
along,  or  west  of  the  IMississippi,  where  the  atmosphere  is  dryest,  give  only 
ten  per  cent.  From  these  numbers  it  would  appear,  that  humidity  in'-ri:pj(s 
the  proportinn  of  remittents.  l>ut  can  wc  adopt  this  conclusion"''  1  tliii;k 
not;  for  ordinary  observation  has  shown  that  remittents  arc  even  wi/v 
common  than  intermittents.  on  drj-  ridges,  while  in  deep  valleys  and  otlur 
humid  loc'iilitics,  intermittents  jjvcvail.  It  must  be,  then,  that  while  tlio 
army  reports  may  be  correct  as  to  the  aggregate,  they  are  not  to  be  relied 
on,  for  the  relative  number  of  intermitting  and  remitting  cases.  The  mean  ■ 
of  the  twenty-six  jiosts  is  about  eighteen  per  cent,  of  remittent  fever:  but 
from  several  yearly  reports,  kindly  connnunieated  to  me  by  Dr.  Silas  Ames, 
of  jMontgomery,  on  the  high  blutTs  of  Alabama  River,  in  N.  L.  o'l'^',  the  pru- 
portion  of  remittent  cases  is  about  forty-three  per  cent,  of  the  whole,  occur- 
ring in  his  practice.  Since  these  statements  were  prepared  for  the  press, 
I  have  met  witli  a  transcript  of  llic  records  of  the  Charity  Hospital,  New 
Orleans,  for  icven  years,  by  Pr.  FeViiier,"!'  which  presents  the  proportion  of 
remittents,  at  but  ten  per  cent,  of  the  whole!  Such  discrepancies  slinw  linw 
little  reliance  can  be  placed  on  the  attempted  classification  of  autumnal  fcvi:r 
into  intermittent  and  remittent. 


SECTION   II. 

DEVELOPMENT  AND  PATHOLOGICAL  CHARACTER. 
Having  studied  the  tiiodiis  agetidi  of  the  remote  cause  of  autunmal  fcvor,| 
and  enumerated  the  varieties  of  type  under  which  it  appears,  we  arc  pro- 
pared  to  in([uire  how  the}'  arc  developed.  In  doing  this,  we  shall  rei:!ii'il| 
them  as  constituting,  essentially,  one  pathological  state:  and  in  studyiii;: itsj 
modifications,  we  (shall  become  acquainted  with  the  causes,  of  some  of  t 
modifications  presented  in  its  symptoms,  and  the  varieties  of  treatment  wliiolii 
they  render  necessary. 


*  Prize  Dissertation  on  iTlalaria. 


t  N.O.  Med.  and  Surg.  Jour,  July,  l-'^ 


THE 


[UOOK 


risTi.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


(37 


arrest  our  utrcTitiim,  if  iv 
i,  liacl  been  discoverud ;  ,'/ 
tlio  same  places. 

varieties  of  fever  would  f 
resents  tlie  relative  pre-  )■ 
f-ii\x  military  iiusts.    If 
1  irrdups,  we  fmd  tliut  fur 
cut.;  tlie  middle  fouvtceu 
!,  it  docs  not  appear,  that 
mlier  of  inteviuittent  and 
1  consult  the  tulde  on  tliii 
ii)V  remittenta  twenty  per 
>n   per  cent. ;  wliile  eight 
pbore  is  dryost,  give  only 
a;  tliat  humidity  nfrcn^cs 
this  conclusion''     1  tliir.k 
cmittents  arc  even    w-/o 
in  deep  valleys  and  otki' 

be,  then,  that  while  tlic 

they  arc  not  to  be  reliid 
nu!tti;)g  cases.  The  moan 
\t.  of  remittent  fever;  but 

to  nic  by  Dr.  Silas  Ames, 
vcr,  in  N.  L.  o'i^  the  pvu- 
•  cent,  of  the  whole,  occur- 
■rc  prepared  for  the  pros-, 
:lic  Cdiarity  Hospital,  New 
ircscnts  the  proportion  of 

ich  discrepancies  shov;  linw 
sificatiou  of  autumnal  fcvir 


lL  CHARACTER, 
te  cause  of  autumnal  fcvor,j 
lich  it  appears,  we  are  pro-  '■ 
doing  this,  wo  shall  vo.L'iirdj 
state  :  and  in  studying  m 
the  causes,  of  some  of  tlicf 
varieties  of  treatment  wliiolij 


d.aud  Surg.  Jour.,  J  Illy,  ISl-*' 


I.    Ok  tiih  Forming  on  Coi.d  STA(iE. — Thi.s  comnienccs  with  the  initial 

aiorhid  impression,  which  wo  have  already  considered;  and,  in  simple  or 

;;iilammatory  cases,  terminates  with  the  access  of  the  hot  stage,  to  bo  rcpro- 

jueed,  on  t!ie  next  or  some  subsc(|uent  day.     This  paroxysmal  character, 

sot  less  than  the  symptoms  Avhich  characterize  this  stage,  shows,  that  tho 

■'inction  of  innervation  is  deeply  involved  aiul  emJjarrassiMl.     ^^^•  may,  in 

:aet,  admit,  that  it  is  the  iirst  i.fVccted.     The  state  of  the  circulation,  ei^ually 

ladicates  that  the  forces  which  maintain  it,  are  reduced.     The  lieart  is  cn- 

vi'blcd,  and  the  cooperative  action  of  the  vessels,  however  it  may  bo  exerted, 

li5f:ulcd  in  a  corresponding  degree.     Hence  the  blood  nn  longer  flows  in 

jjmial  quantities,  through  tho  more  exterior  or  peripheral  portiiius  of  the 

jody,  but  retreats  to,  or  rather  remains  in,  the  organs  of  the  cranium,  chest, 

iljjijinen,  and  pelvis.     Under  this  condition  of  the  two  great  functions  of 

jaorvation  and  circulation,  the  secretions  become   still  further  impaired, 

ian  at  the  bogiin\ing.     Tho  pcr.spiration  is  suspended  ;  and,  in  many  cases, 

ie  exhalation  from  the  lungs  is  reduced,  because  the  respiration  i*  brought 

Im;  and  the  blood  seems  not  to  favor  the  extrication  of  what  is  exhaled 

;;i  health.     The  urinary  secretion  is,  also,  reduced  in  quantity ;    ami  tho 

owels  are  not  in  the  soluble  condition  which  indicates  a  duo  seerction  of  the 

'/.rifjr  hdrsliiialis.     IJut  of  all  tho  secretions,  that  of  the  liver  is  most  af- 

kted,  or  at  least  the  signs  of  biliary  derangement  are  greatest.     A  yellow 

{[\m  of  the  urine,  skin,  and  eyes,  is  often  among  the  earliest  of  the  morbid 

i[ipearances.     In  many  cases,  especially  the  more  simple,  the  liver  pours 

it  turronts  of  bile  ;  wtiich,  in  part,  ascend  through   tho  pylorus,  raise   a 

iittijr  taste  in  the  mouth,  and  impart  yellowness  to  the  otherwise  white  fur 

:[')n  the  tongue.     In  other  cases,  the  secretion  of  bile  is  nearly,  and,  in 

niiiy  of  the  more  violent  cases,  entirely^  suspended  ;  or  what  is  thrown  out 

ivtho  gland  is  of  a  vitiated  quality.     It  was  this  disturbed  condition  of 

;'ic  hepatic  function,  that  procured  for  autumnal  fever  the  name  of  biliou.s, 

al  has  so  often  suggested  its  treatment.     IIow  are  wo  ti)  ace-aint  for  tho 

Mistancy  and  prominence  of  these  symptoms  in  this  form  of  fever?     Shall 

« say,  that  a  plethoric  state  of  the  jiortal  viscera  is  their  proximate  cause  ? 

lamuiiy  other  fevers,  we  have  an  equal  concentration  v^  blood,  in  the  iuter- 

al parts,  without  an  equal  increase  or  perversion  of  tho  hepatic  functions; 

".'.■vortheicss,  wc  may  admit  turgcsccnee  as  one  of  the  pathohjgical  causes  of 

.screasod  or  even  suspended  secretion  of  bile ;  according  to  the  degree  of 

;"j'orgement  and  tho  reduction  of  energy  and  activity  in  the  solids.     But 

i'liiiuthing  must  be  sought  beyond  this.     We  may  admit,  that  from  tho  sym- 

wihy  between  the  skin  and  liver,*  the  great   heat  of  the  preceding  summer 

tas  raised  tho  liver  into  high  and  deranged  functional  action.     We  may, 

1150,  conjecture,  that  the  action  oi  the  remote  cause,  wherever  it  may  impress 

•iself  first,  is,  from  its  nature,  determined  upon  the  liver  ;  as  the  virus  which 

jrodueos  scarlatina  or  erysipelas,  doterminos  its  action  upon  tho  skin,  or  tho 


*  Johnson  on  Tropical  Diseases. 


■'^ 


!•■ 


7^' 


r. 


I'     ,>] 

*1 


■  V 


(.1 


'rt*    ,f  )';  •',  .r'  ♦,'  ' 


•V^!^:' 


l^'l 


•I 


-tk,  .■■:.•>■.<.    .'  . 
'y-s '&'r'.\-'  "'•■,:- 

#fi{^..  ■  .    ,r\'^i  .■'■■ 


lifers  ;•.'■,•;^A^^^■^;' 

pVi^»'»:    '        ...   ■■*",• 
y^  ;r" '■''*-■  ■■■   ■  ,        ;■.  '■■. . 


itM',|>7. ■:';-;••, ■■4/';:,  ,;■;;■'.>  v",  ■ 
f'''l4^'';'-   :■■'•■  ■-i'ff ■^•* ■■■;■■'■■  :V 


738 


THE  nilNCirAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  I. 


mucous  incnibranos  of  the  throat.     Wc  may  assume,  that  if  the  remote  cause 
1)0  received  into  tlie  blood,  tlic  constitution  —  vis  conscrvatrix — makes  an 
effort  to  convey  it  out  of  the  system,  through  the  liver,  as  phos|)horus  iia^std 
out  in  the    slate  of  phosphorus  acid  from  the  lungs,  when  injected  into  a 
vein;*  sulpliur  through  the  skin,  and  various  saline  substances,  through  tbe 
kidneys.     In  all  these  cases,  the  foreign  matter  excites  the  organ  upon  wlmh 
it  directs  itself  or  is  directed,  into   increased  secretory  action ;  and  in  like 
manner  the  cause  of  the  Fever,  in  circulating  with  the  blood,  may  be  concen- 
trated on  the  liver,  and  promote  the  secretion  of  bile.     Finally,  we  may  iicr- 
haps  admit  as  a  possibility,  that  this  foreign  material  contributes  to  the  do- 
velopnient  in  the  blood,  of  the  elements  of  the  bile;  which  it  is  the  function 
of  the  liver  to  combine  ami  excrete.     But,  casting  aside  every  attempted  cs- 
^ilanatiun,  we  must  receive,  as  an  established  fact,  that,  even  in  the  first  stai'o 
of  evei-y  variety  of  autumnal  fever,  the  biliary  function  is  signally  deranged. 
Another  equally  characteristic  feature  of  the  Fever,  is  the  derangement  of 
the  calorific  function.     This  extends  not  only  to  the  actual  heat  of  the  patient, 
but  to  the   sense  which  takes  cognizance   of  temperature.      The   caloriiic 
function,  in  many  cases,  seems,  in  the  more  external  parts  of  the  body,  tul" 
almost  annihilated.     Potential  stimulants  will  not  rei"xcite  it;  and  tlic  ex- 
ternal ap[)lication  of  heat,  is  actually  less   efficient  in  warming  the  limbs  .f 
tile  patient,  than  in  M'arming  an  equal  bulk  of  dead  and  dry  matter ;  beeaiiio 
the  exhalation  that  is  constantly  guingon  from  the  moist  tissues,  whieli  s-cm 
to  be  l)riiuglit  into  a  condition  which  favors  the  escape  of  vapor,  cool.s  tliem 
In  many  of  these   case^,  the  patient  dues  not  shivci*,  nor  complain  of  culL 
because  the  functions  of  his  nervous  system  are  too  deeply  smitten,  to  admii: 
of  tlieir  action   on  the  muscles,  or  of  his   taking  cognizance  of  the  L.si  ijf 
caloric.     In  others,  of  less  violence,  the  muscles  are  affected,  and  he  shakes, 
complaining  at  the  same  time  of  the  sensation  of  coldness.     Finally,  I  liave 
seen   cases,  in  which  these  symptoms  were  p"'^"-'^nt,  while  the  heat  of  tl.o 
surface  was  not  below,  or  was  even  above  the  standard  of  health.     Siuli 
anomalies  show,  that  both  the  califacient  function,  and  the  sensihility  t; 
caloric,  are  in  a  disordered  condition.     It  would  perhaps,  be  in  vain  to  in- 
quire, Avhy  this  functimi  is  so  preeminently  affected  in  this  fever;  cspeciallj,! 
in  many  of  its  intermittent  forms.     Tlie  fact,  like  that  of  periodieity,  wuiiiilj 
seem,  in  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge,  to  be  idtimate.     We  mu.st  rcl'ori 
it  to  the  rcmoto  cause,  and  await  its  explanation  in  the  progress  of  tk'I 
science. 

Let  ns  now  turn  our  attention  to  the  dangers,  and  the  causes  of  death  ia| 
this  stage  of  the  disease. 

As  already  intimated,  the  cases  in  wliicli  a  sense  of  coldnes;  with  a  rigorj 
or  a  shake,  is  most  developed  are,  in  general,  least  dangerous  TIic  vtd 
existence  of  the  feeling  and  the  muscular  contraction,  shows  that  the  viialj 
properties  have  been  less  scathed,  than  in  eases  in  which  those  phenomoiKij 
do  nut  appear,     lleaction  soon  manifests  itself  in  such  cases,  and  a  slai'i.'' 


Nysten,  Die.  do  Sciences  Modicales. 


HE 


[BOOK  1. 


that  if  the  remote  cause  k 
conservalrix — makes  an 
vci",  as  phosphorus  passoa 
igs,  when  injected  iutn  a 
3  substances,  through  tbo 
ites  the  oigun  upon  Nvhicli 
i-ctury  action ;  and  in  like 
Lhc  bhjod,  may  bo  concen- 
11c.     rinally,  vrc  may  per- 
rial  contributes  to  the  dc- 
}•  -which  it  is  the  function 
aside  every  attempted  cs- 
that,  even  in  the  iiri<t  stage 
ictiun  is  signally  deranged. 
ivcr,  is  the  derangement  of 
c  actual  heat  of  the  patient, 
mperature.      The   calorilic 
lal  parts  of  the  body,  to  b« 
ot  rei'xeite  it ;  and  the  ex- 
ut  in  ^Yarnling  the  limbs  .■! 
1(1  and  dry  matter  ;  bccau-u 
ic  moist  tissues,  wliich  secra 
escape  of  vapor,  cool.s  tlum 
iiivcr,  nor  complain  of  culd, 
,00  deeply  smitten,  to  aibit 
<r  cognizance  of  the  h'ss  uf 
are  affected,  and  he  shakes, 
coldness.     Fhially,  I  luivc 
:out,  ^Yhile  the  heat  of  tl.e 
standard  of  health.^   SuA  ^ 
ti(jn,  and  the  sensibihty  t^  \ 
i\  perhaps,  be  in  vain  to  in- ^ 
.ed  in  this  fever;  especialld 
;e  that  of  periodicity,  vi^dil 
,e  ultimate.     AVc  must  refer 
tion  in  the  progress  ot  t^je 

and  the  causes  of  death  ial 

nsc  of  coldness  with  a  rigor! 
least  dangerous      The  v^ryj 
faction,  shows  that  tlio  vu; 
iu  wliieh  those  phenoiucu;^ 
in  such  cases,  and  a  stage 


faut  I. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


r39 


edicales. 


[icn,  perliaps,  violent  excitement  follows,  to  be  succeeded  either  by  a  remis- 
ji-iu  or  iutcnnission,  and  then  to  be  renewed.  But  in  more  dangerous  cases,  a 
(liSfoi'cnt  series  of  events  is  encountered. 

1.  The  vital  powers  may  be  so  reduced  that  the  patient  will  die,  as  indi- 
vi'luals  die  under  tlie  influence  of  prussic  acid,  or  some  other  jioison  of  a 
'ike  kind.  His  snsccptiliility  to  the  various  sustainers  of  life  is  annihilated, 
and  lie  sinks.  Or  if,  according  to  the  laws  of  relation  between  this  aerial 
[nison  and  the  living  system,  a  reaction  take  place,  it  is  feeble  and  partial, 
:iid  he  perishes  in  the  access  of  the  next  paroxysm. 

2.  During  the  time  that  the  forces  which  maintain  the  circulation  arc  thus 
kpresscd,  the  blood  may  stagnate  in  the  brain,  or  accumulate  in  the  lungs, 
iu  heart,  or  the  portal  circle,  in  sucli  quantities  as  to  sn>-]»end  the  action 
i  some  of  these  great  organs,  and  Ijy  its  apoplexy,  occasion  the  death  of 
tk  whole. 

:;.  Tiie  blood  itself,  under  tho  combined  influence  of  an  absorbed  ])oison, 
i'l'L' retained  elements  of  the  excretions,  defective  aeration,  and  the  reactive 
bSuenec  of  the  morbid  solids ;  may  become  unfit  for  the  support  of  the  great 
faiietions  which  depend  upon  it,  and  death  be  tlie  necessary  consequence. 

But  these  various  pathological  conditions,  are  not  to  bo  regarded  as  having 
a  separate  existence,  for  they  are  combined,  and  although  one  of  them  may 
iredoniinate  in  one  case,  and  some  others  in  another,  according  to  idiosyn- 
rasios,  predispositions,  and  tlio  influence  of  accidental  causes,  tliey  may  all, 
k  certain  cases,  contribute  to  the  same  fatal  termination. 

II.  Of  the  hot  Stack,  ou  stace  of  excessive  Excitement. — Xatu- 
:a!lv,  that  is  according  to  the  laws  of  reh'tion  between  the  remote  cause  and 
•}.]■•  living  system,  if  tho  patient  should  n.it  die,  in  the  stage  whicli  lias  just 
l.eiii  described,  it  is  succeeded  by  that  now  under  consideration,  of  whicli  it 
'•tlie  patlndogieal  cause.  Tho  morbid  action  has  taken  a  turn  —  the  vital 
irccs  have  risen  from  their  depression,  and  excitement  is  rcjiroduced  ;  but 
;,  is  morbid.     To  what  cause  are  we  to  ascribe  tliis  change? 

1.  It  is  a  physiological  law,  that  after  depression  there  slu.ll  be  elevation. 
Fpia  mere  lapse  of  time,  if  not  too  strongly  depressed,  the  organs  recover 
!iieir  vigor,  and  begin  to  react.  A^'arious  functions  are  restored  ;  but  they 
ire  morbid,  in  proportion  as  the  cause  wiiich  depressed  them  was  foreign  in  its 
taturo  from  the  agents  which  maintain  life.  To  this  tendency  —  tliis  spon- 
iaiieous  revival  of  irritability  and  sensibility  —  we  may  ascribe,  iu  ])art  at 
'east,  the  revival  of  excitement,  and  tho  production  of  the  hot  stage.  If 
tte  constitution  be  vigorous,  this  revival  is  more  likely  to  take  place  —  if 
freviiiusly  feeble,  it  may  be  sunk  below  the  point  of  spontaneous  reaction. 

-.  Wiien  the  blood  is  not  too  much  vitiated,  its  ceiitriitetal  accumulation 
may  provoke  the  lieart  into  reaction. 

•i  AVe  may,  perhaps,  admit,  with  Sir  "Wilson  Philip,  tliat  the  retained 
sanguineous  excretions  may,  sometimes,  irritate  the  heart  into  reaction;  but 
!'.'.is  Would  probably  only  hajipen  in  the  milder  cases,  in  which  that  fluid  had 
It  become  deeply  altered. 

b  bh'^uld  the  vital  properties  of  any  internal  organ  have  suffered  less 


*'■■ 


fflv 


1 


I,  ■' 


::,!■ 


1 


I-   i 


feU 


mil 

l;!.M'! 


'.'1'      '<•• 


iU!l'  .f:-^    ' 


t'.y     .■'  .» 


i    i,.M  {;  ;-■■■'  r      ,  ■       ; 

lite'--' 

.'.•!''  -if''..'  ' 


/t 


i?K'r4r-  ■/?••'■.■„..■■■'■ 


B..:t 


4^:^^-'^v 


tViiii.    ■■■■    ■    '.  '^ 


I  .•fl<.att,#i.  i  ^■ «"'  ' 


■•';.':ft':' ■.■■■■. 


.M 


740 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book   I!, 


tlian  tlio  rest,  the  hyporPL'Tnia,  into  wliioh  it  is  thrown,  may  at  an  early  iicri.  d 
cstaljlisli  inflammation  in  it,  tlic  very  coinmcncenient  of  wliich  would  t"ml  to 
raise  the  excitement  of  the  system. 

5.  Lastly,  the  external  and  internal  stimulations,  to  which  ^^c  suhjtct 
oiir  patients,  contribute  to  the  same  result. 

]3ut  in  whatever  way  it  is  brought  about,  when  death  docs  not  happen  in 
the  stage  of  depression,  liigh  excitement  ensues,  and  other  plieiioiueiia 
indicating  new  pathological  conditions,  offer  themselves  to  our  notice. 

1.  The  blunted  sensibilities  of  the  patient  become  morbidly  acute  —  raiii 
occurs  in  parts  not  previously  affected,  or  becoming  sharp  where  before  it 
was  dull. 

2.  The  heart,  in  most  cases,  acts  with  unwonted  force,  and  the  blood  is 
thrown  toward  the  periphery  of  the  body ;  but  circulates  with  u  rapidity  whitli 
brings  it  speedily  back  upon  the  viscera. 

n.  The  calorific  function  is  not  only  restored,  but  becomes  excessive,  anl 
the  intolerance  of  heat  is  augmented. 

4.  The  liver  acts  with  uncommon  energy,  and  the  secretion  and  cxcreti'in 
of  bile  arc  correspondingly  great ;  at  the  same  time  the  bilious  hue  may  hocoir.  ■ 
deeper  than  before,  indicating  either  return  of  l)ilo  into  tl'o  blood  fium  tb. 
liver,  or  extraordinary  devclo])mcnt  of  its  elements  in  that  fluid. 

5.  After  the  lapse  of  a  few  hours,  in  the  intermittents,  and  of  a  longer 
portion  of  a  day,  in  the  remittent  form,  this  excitement  abates,  ind  an  inter- 
mission or  remission  is  declared  by  the  tranquillity  of  the  patient,  the  alat!:- 
mer.t  of  force  and  frequency  of  his  pulse,  and  the  occurrence  of  nioio  cr 
less  perspiration. 

0.  It  may  happen,  however,  that  when  the  stage  of  excitement  comes  <:?.. 
some    organ    or    organs,    will    remain    in   a  stute  of  hyperemia,   and  passj 
into  inflamniation.     These  arc,  generally,  the  vi.^cera  of  the  abdomen,  cbieliv 
the  sjdeen,  liver,  and  gastro-cnteric  mucous  membrane. 

a.  Splenitis  is  so  common  an  accident  in  our  autumnal  fever,  eypocia!!;;; 
our  inflammatory  intermittents,  as  to  suggest  that  we  can  nowhere  look  fori 
the  true  anatomical  character  of  that  fever  more  successfully  than  in  the  spleen, 
Why  it  should  be  so  great  a  sufferer  cannot,  perhaiis,  be  told,  except  that  it] 
becomes  greatly  engorged  in  the  forming  stage  of  the  Fever. 

/;.  Next  to  the  spleen,  or  equally  with  it,   the  liver  is  liable  to  fall  intoi 
inflanimatiiin  upon  the  access  of  the  hot  stage;  but  this  is  more  cspceiallv 
the  case  in  the  remittent  type. 

r.  The  mucous  membrane  of  the  stomach  and  duodenum,  with  that  of  t!;ej 
common  gall  duct,  arc  liable  to  pass  into  the  same  condition. 

Thus,  all  tliosulidiaphragmatic  viscera,  except  the  pancreas,  are  subject  toj 
inflammation  in  this  fever.  Sometimes,  however,  from  idiosyncrasy,  or  t'.iej 
coiiperative  action  of  certain  causes,  inflammation  arises  in  other  parts.  Tlmsl 
an  iiifhunmation  of  the  brain  or  its  envelops  may  lia]ipen  ;  and  when  the  I'Wj 
rnalvcs  its  attack,  late  in  autumn,  the  combined  action  of  vicissitude?  < 
temperature  and  that  of  the  specific  cause,  developed  at  an  earlier  period 


'W 


\\i- 


;  11,., 


mE 


[nooK  n. 


may  at  an  early  pcriid 
if  wliich  would  t"ml  to 

to  wliicli  Mc  suVijoct 


[itl»  iloos  not  liappon  in 
and  other  plieiiomciia, 
cs  to  our  notice. 
5  morbidly  acute  —  paiu 
r  sliarp  where  hcforc  it 

force,  and  tl;e  Wood  is 
itcs  with  a  rapidity  \7liic'ii 

t  becomes  excessive,  ami 

!  secretion  and  cxcrcti'in 
;ie  bilious  hue  may  heconv; 
into  the  blood  fromtk- 
in  that  fluid, 
mittonts,  and  of  a  longer 
Licnt  abates,  ".nd  an  inter- 
of  the  patient,  the  akto- 
c  occurrence  of  move  c: 

.  of  excitement  comes  w.. 
of  hypcrtpniia,  and  iia>'i 
•a  of  the  abdomen,  cliiifiy 

ano. 

utumnal  fever,  espcoiallj 

wo  can  nowhere  look  ft: 
;ossfully  than  in  the  spleen,  \ 

s,  be  told,  except  that  it  I 

10  Fever, 
[vor  is  liable  to  fall  intol 
ut  this  is  more  especially! 


no 


ri 


denum,  with  that  of  thi 

condition, 
c  pancreas,  are  subject  t) I 

from  idiosyncrasy,  or  tlnj 
ses  in  other  parts.  Tksl 
pen  ;  and  when  the  FKtrl 

[  action  of  vicissitudes  'fl 

ped  at  an  earlier  pcvicd 


P,iRT  II.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


741 


may  determine  the  inflannnotion  upon  the  lungs  or  pleura.  WLercvor  the 
iiiHiuiimation  may  bo  seated,  it  cnmplicates  tho  case,  and  creates  a  new  kind 
of  danger.  iMthough  it  may  abate  with  the  subsidence  of  the  hot  stage,  it 
ilocs  not  cease.  Tlie  affected  organ  shows  signs  of  sulTcring  during  the 
apyrexia,  which  it  renders  imiJin-lect.  The  suor-  ling  csascerbation  may  bo 
pilongcu  by  it,  and  an  iiiturniittcnt  may  thus  be  tonverted  into  a  remittent; 
wile  the  latter  not  unfrequcntly.  as  already  said,  passes  nearly  into  a  con- 
I'liucd  type,  from  the  same  pathological  cause.  But  the  most  dreaded  coni- 
liiiation  of  this  kind,  which  we  meet  with  in  the  Valley,  is  that  in  which  an 
iaflaunuation  of  an  organ  is  associated  with  such  de[)ress-ion  of  the  general 
Lrces  of  the  system,  that  but  a  feeble  reaction  occurs.  That  this  is  a 
pjality,  both  the  symptoms  and  post-mortem  ajipearanccs  have  sliown, 
hch  inflammations  arc  never  very  acute.  The  organ  is  greatly  engorged  : 
hi  the  actions  Vv'liich  con.stitutc  inflapim.ati<.n  are  feeble;  and,  after  death, 
a]i[iearances  which  indicate  congestion  or  passive  hypera:mia,  are  more  con- 
snieiious  than  the  vestiges  of  trie  inflammation.  Between  these  cases  and  mere 
fijiiiestion  of  the  organ,  there  is  often  but  a  shade  of  anatomical  difference. 
Having  considered  the  origin  and  mode  of  invasion  of  the  remote  cause  of 
iutuinual  fever,  th''  rjiitnre  of  the  morbid  impression,  and  the  conse([uences 
;f  that  iuipres.sioii  in  the  production  of  the  cold  and  hot  stages  of  the  various 
f.rnis,  we  have  continued  our  generalization  to  its  legitimate  limits,  and  must 
Eijw,by  analysis,  resolve  what  we  have  treated  as  one  pathological  state,  into 
i.veral;  that  the  peculiarities  of  cacli  may  be  presented.  In  doing  this,  wc 
jkll  recur  to  the  varieties  euumeratcd  in  a  preceding  chapter. 


CHAPTER    V. 

LXTEPtMITTENT  FEVER  — SIMPLE  AND  INFLAMMATOEY. 

Much  time  has  been  devoted,  by  the  nosologists,  to  the  division  of 
hntermittcnts  according  to  their  '  eriodicity.  Begarding  such  classifications 
Us  of  little  practical  value,  I  shall  pass  them  by,  and  adopt  that  which  seems 
\kit  fitted  to  suggest  the  variety  of  treatment,  wdiich  in  this  country  they 
jrefiuirc.  This  classification,  as  already  made,  is  into  simple,  inflammatory, 
had  malignan  ^hich  terms  do  not  represent  three  diff'erent  diseases,  but 
hradcs  or  modifications  of  one,  which  often  presents  intermediate  shades,. 
Iltat  obscure  the  lines  of  distinction.     I  shall  commence  with  the  first. 


/- 


'  I 


M 


»(• 


iU 


Ki.'    ''. 


m 


h 


#:'.-': 


J". 


fSV':".' 


fe.i,1'^^-'-"^i^.-'^^^'^  ■■■■  ■■, 


-  „■'.  t' 


■^H^IP,- '.■• --^  vv*  ■  ..  :\::.^'.   :  •' 

^.4affl'""'j  ■{;>■  •'  !^ ''  '  '-    ;■;■. -'V  ■■,■    -•^'     '^ 


(>■■■!,  -•,  ■;.  • 


m.'.  V 


1»  IF' •■*■'■'•-     •  ■'• 


742 


THE  PRINCIPAL  PISEASES  OF  THE 


[lOOK  II, 


►.ECTION  I. 

SIMPLE  INTERMITTENTrf  — HISTORY  AND  PATHOLOGY. 

I,  IIi.<TOKV.  —  It  is  (juito  uniioccssary  to  give  an  elementary  clescriiitlou 
•jf  this  variety.  Fnmi  suiitli  to  north,  its  symiitoms,  prngrcs.s,  re([uirufl 
treatment,  and  se(|iu'hv',  have  been  fuiuul  substantially  the  same,  and  (juitu 
identieal  with  those  of  all  otlicr  times  and  countries.  Persons  of  every  a^c 
arc  liable  to  it;  tho  young  rather  more  than  tlie  old;  and  oven  infants  at 
the  brea.st  are  by  no  moans  cxemjit.  I  have  not  seen,  Iiut  have  heard  of  one 
congenital  ease.  lis  attacks  arc  generally  jireceded  by  an  exciting  causo; 
such  as  irregvdarlties  in  diet,  or  a  debauch  ;  abijvc  all,  getting  wet  and  culil, 
or  sleei)ing  exposed  to  the  night  air.  A  long  ride  through  the  dews  if 
night,  or  under  the  hot  sun,  of  an  early  autumnal  day,  will  alike  excite  it. 

II.  PATiiOLony.  —  I  shall  not  dwell  on  the  ^'athology  of  simple  inteniii;- 
tcnt  fever.     My  firm  belief  in  the  existence  of  a  specitie,  remote  cause,  L;;,- 
been  already  expressed.     The  simjdest  morbid  condition,  which  results  frum 
the    action   of  tliat    cause,  is    tlio  variety  of  autumnal   fever   now  under 
consideration.     To  its  cause  it  bears  a  relation,  not  unlike  that  of  small 
pox,    scarlatina,    or    epidemic    cholera,  to    the   agent  which  produces  tliat 
malady.     A  stage  of  reduced  and  perverted  excitement,  ending  in  a  cLill. 
witli   sliivering  of  the  muscular  system,  is  followed  by  a  reactionary  i'l'vor, 
which  ends  in  a  pors[)iration,  to   be  succeeded  by  a  state  of  comparative 
health ;  the  whole  concluded  within  twenty-four  hours.     The  disease  luav, 
in    one    sense,   be  said  to  have  run  its  course,  when  the  first  paroxysm 
terminates ;  and  to  bo,  therefore,  essentially  an  ejdiemera.     In  this  rospL.jt, 
it  might  be  compared  with  epilepsy,  which  has  its  forming  stage  (often  viiy 
short),  its  convulsive  stage,  and  its  sleeping  stage;  immediately  after  wliih. 
the  patient  begins  to  enjoy  his  usual  health.     But,  unlike  the  epileptic  fit,  tL'; 
paroxysm  or  lit  of  fever  returns,  every  da}',  or  every  other  day,  or  at  mere 
distant  intervals.     In  many  cases,  this  repetition,  which  at  the  beginning  was  i 
daily,  comes  to  bo  every  other  day,  or  every  seventh  day,  or  every  fifteenth: 
each  paroxysm  being  shorter  than  the  last.     But  as  each  has  added  to  tlie 
disturbance  of  the    constitution,   M"hen    the   disposition  to  recurrence  I:a!J 
ceased,   certain  consequences  may  remain.     First,   an  anemic  conditiun '  f  j 
the   blood;    second,  enlargement  of  tho   spleen;    third,    anasarca;  fourthA 
neuralgia.     During  the  time  the  pai'osysms  arc  thus  recurring  at  stated 
periods,  it  may  be  reproduced  at  irregular  intervals,  by  exposure  to  cold  and 
moisture.     When  suffered  to  recur  until  it  ceases  spontaneously,  the  patient  j 
not  uufrequently  remains  ever  afterward  free  from  the  malady;  aUlioiigiij 
continuing  exposed  to  tho  action  of  the  remote  cause.     But  ■whether  treated 
or  not  with  medicines,  he  may  experience  future  attacks  of  neuralgia,  with  a  J 
(|uotidian  or  tertian  recurrence. 

Simple  intermittent  fever,  never  proves  fatal  but  by  the  lesions  wliieii  the! 
long-continued  repetitions  of  its  paroxysms  occasions.  Tho  most  iuiportantj 
of  these  have  been  enumerated.  Such  being  the  case,  we  know  nothing  <tj 
a  particular  anatomical  character,  invariably  present  in  its  early  stages.    ^^<^\ 


niE 


[book  II. 


?iRT  1.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NOR'ixI  AMERICA. 


■'S 


743 


n  rATIIOLOGY. 
1  I'loinciitary  tlescrijition 
turns,  prngrcs.s,  \xi[mw\ 
ially  tlic  suuie,  and  t[mU: 
■i.     PcTFOUS  of  iivory  a;:C 
:)1(1;  ami  even  infants  ut 
jn,  but  ba-^^e  beard  of  one 
edby  an  exciting  caupo; 
all,  getting  wet  and  cnW, 
ride  tbrougb  tbe  dcvrs  i.f 
day,  Avill  alike  excite  it. 
lobigy  of  simple  inteniiii- 
;pecific,  remote  cause,  \va> 
iditiun,  wbieb  results  fmiu 
tunnial   fever    now  luiik-r 
not  iinlike  tbat  of  small 
rent  wbicli  produces  that 
itement,  ending  in  a  e!,ill 
od  by  a  reactionary  kvcr. 
by  a  state  of  comparative 
bours.     Tbo  disease  moy, 
wben  the  first  paroxysm 
diemcra.     In  tbis  rospc.t, 
furming  stage  (often  vmy 
immediately  after  wlii-k 
unlike  tbe  epileptic  fit,  ti.- 
;Yery  otbcr  day,  or  at  mere 
wbicb  at  tbe  beginning  Av;,3 
..tb  day,  or  every  fifteenth; 
it  as  cacb  bas  added  to  tlio 
losition  to  recurrence  l;a= 
;/,   an  anemic  conditiuu't 
ihird,   anasarca;  j'ourl 
tbus  recurring  at  stated  | 
s,  by  exposure  to  cold  and 
spontaneously,  tbe  patient  I 

,om  tbe  malady;  aHliougli| 

luse.     But  wbctber  trcato'! 

.ttacksof  neuralgia,  wtli  a 

lit  by  tbe  lesions  wbio'u  tlie! 

sions.     Tbe  most  impovtaut' 

ic  case,  we  know  nothing  *■» 

nt  in  its  early  stages.    ^^« 


tnowof  no  organ  affected  in  advance  of  all  tbe  rest,  and  radiating  a  morbid 
action  tlirongbout  tbo  whole.  We  see  a  disturlianco  of  the  whole,  in  which 
some  may  suffer  more  deeply  than  others ;  but  irilk  them,  not  Ifrj'nr  tbom. 
Wc  see  a  deep  implication  of  tbo  nervous  system,  from  the  first  to  the  last 
larosysm,  with  that  kind  of  involvement  of  the  sanguiferous  and  sccoruent 
;v5tcnis,  which  gives  us  the  phenomena  of  fever ;  but  avo  do  not  see  the 
jTinptoms  of  inflammation — above  all,  the  evidences  of  an  fi/z/^tw/c/i^  itiflam- 
aiition.     Such  is  the  disease  the  treatment  of  which  wo  are  now  to  con>idor. 


SECTION   II. 

TREATMENT  OF    SIMPLE  INTERMITTENT.'^. 

I.  I  have  met  with  a  number  of  physicians,  who  are  accustomed  to  make 
:  It  little  effort  to  arrest  simple  intermittents,  until  their  patients  have  expe- 
:::neod  several  paroxysms.     The  reason  assigned  for  this  delay  vras,  that  the 

I  .ailiev  in  its  course  tbo  disease  is  arrested,  the  greater  is  tbe  danger  of 
/'.apses.     This  may  be  true,  for  the  longer  time  from  the  apidication  of  the 

I riiniite  cause,  the  less  will  bo  its  impress;  but  as  the  habit  of  recurrence, 
periodical  diseases,  is  soon  established,  as  nmcb  may  be  lost  from  that 

I  :i'ise,  as  is  gained  from  tbe  other.  3Ioreover,  the  patient  in  whom  the  malady 
;•  pi'imiptly  arrested,  soon  lays  aside  every  remedy,  and  begins  to  expose 

liinisolf  to  exciting  causes ;  while  be  who  has  suffered  long,  is  disposed  tn  cling 
ijtiic  former  and  avoid  the  latter.  On  the  whole  I  see  no  reason  for  delay 
i:  resorting  to  remedies.     These  I  shall  include  under  two  heads — Prejiara- 

|::reand  Curative. 

II.  rKKrAU.\TiVE  Treatment. —  1.  Bloodletting. — In  the  beoinnincr  of 
I '''.iple  intermittents,  we  often  find  mucli  vascular  fullness,  and  during  the  hot 

:'.3.'e,  a  considerable  resistance  in  t^"*  pulse,  with  great  boat,  thirst,  jactation, 
xadache,  backache,  and  pains  in  vnc  periosteum  of  the  long  bones.  ?ucb  a 
|;::eourso  of  symptoms,  would  seem  to  indicate  a  phlogistic  diathesis;  but  in 
iKality  they  are  the  expression  of  a  febrile  condition  only,  and  in  a  few  bours 
jj'il  entirely  cease,  to  be  renewed  tbe  next  day,  or  the  next  but  one.  Shall 
I'l!  admit  tbat  in  this  condition  tbo  lancet  is  demanded  V  The  answer,  I 
I'jink,  should  bo,  that  whenever  the  constitution  is  vigoroui?,  and  the  physi- 
|"iii  is  called  to  an  early  paroxysm,  bloodletting  is  not  only  safe,  but  will 
Ifcth  mitigate  the  symptoms,  and  prepare  the  system  of  the  patient  for  other 
pieiMes ;  which,  in  many  cases  fail,  or  succeed  but  imperfectly,  from  the  tone 
pi  fullness  of  the  vascular  system.  The  blood  which  is  drawn  is  generally 
Y'x  from  buff.  It  bas  been  affirmed  that  liberal  venesection  will  of  itself 
pe  tbe  disease.  This  may  be  true,  for  sudden  and  copious  depletion  will 
t'  duce  great  changes  in  the  state  of  the  functions  ;  under  which  the  dispo- 
•'wn  of  the  system  to  return  to  the  morbid  condition  may  lie  lost.  A  prefer- 
Nlias  been  given  by  some  physicians*  to  bloodletting  in  the  cold  rather 

•Dr.  Mcintosh,  of  Edinburg,  and  many  practitioners  of  tlie  Interior  Valley. 


<•. 


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■'•.I  I 


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.1  l.-v  ,'.?'' 


744 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book   II. 


Uf 

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l«;^;.^^.-'•'4.1!^:!:•^■:v^;:-;v■:'■: 

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-^i?^^:f:tt;/f  :":p*^^/ 
ij^Hp!;'^  Wi.sV  .,^:■'■^^ .  '■'■.V,:"  ■vr-.Vv'-*. 


/■a*; 


than  tlio  hot  staqc.  As  far  as  it  relates  to  the  ])r(;pii ration  of  the  system 
for  sub.SL'(|uoiit  inoasuros,  it  jiorhajjs  makes  no  (lifTcrcucc  in  wliich  s^t.T't'  c; 
the  paroxysm  tlie  Wood  is  drawn;  but  as  the  cold  stage  is  often  cut  sluit 
by  the  operation,  it  may  be  well  to  resort  to  it  in  tliat  stage.  It  is  undciiiu- 
ble,  howeyer,  that  the  greater  iiunil)er  of  simple  intcrmittents  can  ho,  aiid 
arc  arrested,  in  '.'Vcry  part  of  the  Valley,  without  a  resort  to  the  luiicci. 

2,  Emelica.  —  Jn  the  early  settlement  of  the  states  bordering  on  tlic  Obic 
River  (constituting  what  was  then  called  the  AVcs^tern  Country),  wlicii  lut 
few  Aiiglip-Amerieaiis  liad,  as  yet,  immigrated  into  the  niirtlierii  or  si'Utlicin 
portions  of  the  Interior  Valley,  emetics  were  among  the  fashionable  rcuitdirs 
in  tlie  treatment  of  sinijile  iutcrmittents.     At  tliat  time,  it  was  the  custom  c  f 
every  physician  whom  I  knew,  to  administer  tliem.     IJut  for  the  last  twcntv- 
fivc  years,  they  have  been  discontinued  by  many,  and  but  seldom  prescribe'; 
l)y  others,  in  tliis  form  of  fever.     lias  tliis  disuse  arisen  from  the  dist'overv 
that  they  are   injurious,  or  even  useless?     I  think  not;  but  from  causu 
entirely  different.     After  the  estuaries  of  the  rivers  emptying  into  Lakr 
Krie  were  settled,  malignant  intcrmittents  mingled  themselves  with  the  sim- 
ple; and,    after  tlie  states  of  ^lississippi  and  Alabama  became  pccpleel.  i 
similar  cumbination  was  encountered;  and  it  was  discovered  tliat  emetics,  bv 
their  prostrating  influence  in  those  intcrmittents,  often  did  harm;  and  tbat 
in  the  first  paroxysms,  the  simple  could  not  be  distinguished  fn.ni  tlio  id;,- 
lignant.     Under  such  circumstances,  it  became  prudent  to  limit  the  aihiiiii-  : 
istration  of  emetics;  and  as  modes  of  practice  arc  diffusive  among  tlio  pliy- 
slcians  of  every  country,  this  limitation  spread  into  regions  wliere  it  w;i.s  i/t 
demanded.     ]iut  another,  and,  perhaps,  greater  cause  of  this  r'  sfrictiun,  v.ms 
the  theory  that  the  disease  we  arc  considering,  is  an  intermittent  gaftiit;.- 
in  the  treatment  of  which  emetics  could  not  fail  to  be  injurious.     To  tin  jj 
causes  we  may,  I  tliink,  ascribe  the  decline,  but  not  extinction,  ef  the  cuuti!  i 
practice. 

jMy  own  experience,  with  that  of  many  others,  leads  me  to  conmiOKdi 
emetics  in  this  form  of  fever.  AYhen  the  circumstances  already  recognizoilj 
as  suggesting  venesection  exist,  let  it  bo  first  employed — when  they  do  not,  ai^ 
emetic  may  be  the  first  remedy.  A  free  and  full  evacuation  of  the  stomatli 
is  followed  liy  a  decided  improvement  in  its  condition,  by  a  tendency  to  slcejJ 
and  an  abatement  of  the  dryness  of  the  skin,  if  not  an  actual  pert-piratiunj 
The  eaietic  may  bo  given  during  the  hot  stage,  if  the  arterial  system  sbou'.f 
not  bo  plethoric ;  or  it  may  be  administered  in  tlie  intermission,  or  at  t!;S 
access  of  the  chill,  which  it  often  shortens,  and  sometimes  averts.  In  factl 
when  the  disease  has  lasted  for  a  while,  a  powerful  vomit  just  before  \i\ 
shake,  is  one  of  the  successful  modes  which  the  people  adopt,  for  arrest;:: 
the  disease.  It  carries  into  the  system  a  perturbation,  in  -which  tlio  parcsj 
ysmal  tendency  i.s  lost.  Asa  preparatory  remedy,  an  emetic  empties  tl:l 
stomach  of  undigested  food,  and  the  acids  resulting  from  indigestion 
morbid  secretion.  Very  commonly,  however,  instead  of  acids,  a  liberal 
quantity  of  regurgitated  bile  is  thrown  up,  from  the  beginning,  or  at  thedotj 
of  the  operation.    Great  comfort,  and  much  abatement  of  all  manifestatii 


!■'' 


i 


THE 


[book  II. 


PART  I. 


IXTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMHRICA. 


MS 


epavatlon  of  tlic  sjstom  I 
erencc  in  -wliich  s^tagc  ol' 
stii'^c  is  often  cut  slii.rt 
it  stage,  it  is  uikLmiIu- 
iterniittents  t-iin  bo,  and 
resort  to  tlie  lanctt. 
;os  bordering;  on  tlio  ( >lii(. 
tei-n  Country),  wlicn  lut 

tlic  nortlievii  or  s^'Utlim 

;  tlio  fasliiunal'k  riuicdirs 

time,  it  was  tlic  custom  of 

But  for  tlic  last  twenty - 

ind  Tjut  seldom  iivcserik'! 

arisen  from  the  discoveiy 
luli  not;  but  from  causu 
ivors  emptying  into  Lak- 
A  tlicmselvcs  with  the  sim- 
labama  became  pccijlca,  a 
discovered  that  emetics,  bv 

often  did  harm  ;  and  tbt 
distinguished  i'ri.m  the  ni!;- 
prudent  to  limit  the  aihiii;.- 
ro  diffusive  among  the  pliy- : 
ito  regions  wlicre  it  v,-a.-i  i.- 1 
sausc  of  this  r^  slrictiuii,  wns, 

s  an  intermittent  gaftviti^J 
11  to  be  injurious.     To  tln-oi 

lot  extinction,  of  the  cmctio| 

ers,  leads  mc  to  comraer.ll 
[instances  already  recognizcl 
,l„^.cd--whenthcydoiiot,a 

11  ,vacuation  of  the  stomac 
Ui,n,  by  a  tendency  to  sloop 
f  not  an  actual  pcrspu-atKn, 
if  the  arterial  system  sboiil 
1  the  intermission,  or  at  t, 
sometimes  averts.    Tn  lact, 
iverful  vomit  just  before  t.: 
0  pcr,ple  adopt,  fur  arrestirl 
rbation,  in  which  the  par.^ 


if  disease,  generally  f(dlow  such  an  operation,  and  the  stomach  is  prepared 
for  tlio  favorable  action  of  other  remedies, 

:j.  Calharlics.  —  In  the  commencement  of  sim]de  intermittent  fever,  the 

biiwels  are  generally   sluggisli,   if   not    torpid,  and  charged  Avitli    feculent 

natters  iiiul  Ijile.     A  catiiartic  is,  therefore,  iiidispeiisalile,  wlietlicr  an  emetic 

ho  first  administered  or  nut.     (_)f  this  cathartic,  calnniel  shuidd  always  be  an 

xTodioiit,  as  a  C()ni|(leto  emulgeiue  of  iIk;  hepatic  ducts,  is  a  desideratum. 

Tin;  old-fashioned  dose  of  ten  grains  of  calomel  with  ten   of  jalap,  with  or 

without  one  grain  of  tartarized  antimony,  is  eipial  to  any  other  foriiinla  ;  but 

aloniel,  in  a  dose  of  ten,  fifteen,  or  twenty  grains  may  be  given  ahme;  and 

iter  its  alterant  action  has  been  exerted  on  the  liver,  its  cathartio  effect 

niav  he  (piickened  by  an  infusion  of  senna,  with  or  without  sul|)hate  of  mag- 

r.esia.     The  liest  time  for  tin?  operation  to  take  jdaie  is  in  the  decline  of  the 

tot  stage.     If  that  stage  should  be  intense  or  prolonged,  the  bowels  may 

cot  be  (d)edient  to  the  impress  of  tlio  medicine,  when  a  liberal  bleeding  will 

Iriiiir  on  free  and  full  ])ur;;iiig.     In  sonic  eases  the  liver  is  in  a  Iii<;l)  state  of 

I'lnetional  excitement ;  and  there  is  an  uncommon  development  of  the  elo- 

anti  of  the  bile.     Such  a  condition  is  indicated  by  yellowness  of  the  eyes,  a 

>allnw  Complexion,  and  a  tongue  covered  with  a  heavy  yelln  wish  fur,  large  (juan- 

liiios  of  bile  being  at  the  same  time  brouglit  away  by  the  operation  of  cathar- 

lic  medicines.     It  is  rpiite  possible,  however,  to  attach  too  much  importance 

I'tlie  removal  of  these  symptoms,  and  to  be   over  anxious  for  a  clea"  and 

ceahby  tongue  before  }iroceediiig  to  other  measures.     Tn  short,  T  can  sec  no 

ssffiiiont  reason,  for  a  continuance,  through  many  days,  of  a  treatment  whicli, 

ariiod  to  any  extent,  will  seldom  arrest  the  disease.     Indeed,  I  .suppose  it 

wiiiilJ  he  better  to  leave  the  patient  to  himself,  than  by  the  daily  repetition 

filrastic  evacuant,s.  to  reduce  his  strength,  and  irritate,  if  n(it  inflame,  th.c 

mucous  membrane  of  his  stomach  and  bowols ;  for,  if  brought  into  such  a  con- 

ikion,  he  would  no/  bo  prepared,  but  rendered  unlit,  fur  the  treatment  which 

i- essentially  remedial. 

III.  CuiiATiVK  Tjieatmkxt.  —  If  I  should  dwell  on  this  head,  it  will  not 
it' on  account  of  its  diflicnUy;  but  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  a  ihera- 
ipeutic'  principle,  and  the  mndii^  operandi  of  a  medieino,  ajiplicable  to  all  the 
variotios  of  autumnal  fever.  Tested  by  their  symptoms,  obvious  pathology, 
nd  the  treatment  found  most  successful,  these  fevers,  I  may  hero  repeat, 
tmtiot  ho  grouped  with  the  phlegmasiic,  or  inflammatory  fevers  de|)eiidiiig  on 
t'lninfin  causes,  and  curable  by  a  rouidne,  antiphlogistic  metlmd  ;  for  many  of 
Ml  will  not  yield  to  that  treatment,  and  others,  if  sometimes  cured,  are 
We  tractable  under  a  plan,  of  which  that  method  is  but  a  part. 
As  already  aiRrmcd,  autumnal  fever,  in  all  it.s  varieties,  is  in  fact,  a  pccu- 
■3r  disease,  depending  on  a  .specific  cause,  modified  in  its  nature  or  effects. 


„,,it;i>s  t'.H  ■  *^''*^>^-^is  whieli  arc  often  as  little  known  as  the  sijecific  cause  ;  and  altliouffh 
ledv.  an  emetic  empties  i.^  i  i  •  i      .  ,  ,•  , 

i'     •''.'  .  ^-jiocstion  oW''""y  cease  spontaneously,  or  be  arrested  by  various  means,  wlucli  establish 

^sul  mg  •  ].:°  a  liberaB^ '''(^  system  a  now  action,  at  tlic  expense  of  the  febrile,  it  does  not  fellow, 

■""^  ^^  ,     .  '  i.  thcelofB^^'  among  the  latter,  there  may  not  be  some,  whose  action  shall  be  so  anti- 

I  ^"®  o^g"^      fc'      „;/■,, gt^tiocB'^*''  that  of  right  they  should  supplant  the  others,  and  be  regarded  as  the 
latcmcnt  of  all  manitcstatui.^       48 


(  . 


M 


74G 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  II. 


{^'■r.h'f  [     ■■■■ 

mm: 


m^-  ■■i 


.  J^'  u  -     ■ 


V'^i"^ 


5i' 


fir' '"  i 


h*  ■ 


true  and  jtroper  remedies.  One  uf  these  is  the  cincliona  burk,  and  its  iiro- 
pavations.  Ueforo  the  discovery  (if  the  latter,  the  bark  was  in  gencrul  use 
thruughimt  the  Valley,  and  seldom  disaintointed  our  exjieetations;  but  the 
fashion  of  admini.sterin/^  it  has  pa.ssed  away,  and  one  of  the  ennipDUiuls 
formed  from  it  liaa  come  into  universal  u.sc.  That  com[)unnd  I  shall  take, 
therefore,  as  the  representative  of  the  einehona  and  all  its  preparations^,  in 
the  present  discussion. 

IV.     TnK  Sui.i'iiATE  OF  Quinine. — This  medicine  cannot  be  referred  tu  tlie 
clas.s  of  sini[ile  diffusive  stinmlaiits,  such  as  eaji.sicum  or  ammonia,  wliicli,  in 
largo  doses,  excite  inilammation  and  fever;  nor  tu  that  of  tonics,  as  gciiliaii, 
eolumba,  and  the  carbonate  of  iron  ;  for  although  in  minute  and  regularly 
repeated  doses,  it  will,  to  a  certain  degree,  excite  and  sustain  the  actions  aiiJ 
energies  of  the  system,  these  efiects  are  by  no  means  those  which  cliarac- 
izc  it,  as  a  therapeutic  agent.     It  has,  perhaps,  better  claims  to  be  admitted 
into  the  order  of  sudorifics,  fur  increase  of  perspiratimi,  generally  fulldW.siu- 
adniinistration,  if  the  system  and  the  regimen  of  the  patient,  be  favorable  to 
such  an  cflcct.     "With  greater  propriety,  however,  it  may  be  grouped  witlitlic 
sedative  and  antispasmodic  narcotics;  but  not  with   tlic  soporitic  divisihii, 
for  it  does  not,  like  opium,  produce  sleep.     Wlien  its  operation,  in  liboral 
doses,  is  noticed,  it  will  bo  observed,  tu  diminish  the  frc(|uency  and  spas- 
modic  force  of  the  heart's  contractions;  expand  and  soften  the  pulso;  in- 
crease  the  funct'jus  of  the  skin ;  and  tranrpiilize  the  innervation.     Its  min- 
ister effects  on  the  brain,  areverti^'; ;  on  the  organs  of  sense,  tinailus  nururnl 
and  temporary  hardness  of  hearing.     The  last  is  anah)gous  to  the  effect  rf'l 
some  other  narcotics,  as  stramonium,  and  belladonna,  on  the  pupil  of  the  eye. 
In    generalizing,  the  phenomena  Vt'hich  follow  its  exhibition  in  consideraUe 
portions,  we  may  say,  that  its  action  is  directed  more  on  the  great  synija' 
thetic,  and  the   muscular  system  of  the  apparatus  of  (irganic  life,  goiicrallj, 
than  upon  the  functions  of  animal  life;  another  point  of  distinctiun  bctwttal 
it  and  opium.     Two  opposite  conditions  of  the  system  contraindicatc  its  u;i 
1st.  A  high  degree  of  phlogistic  diathesis  vrith  arteri:il  luUncss;  lid.  Greal 
depression   of  the  vital  forces. 

The  eflects  which  have  been  ascribed  to  it,  characterize  it  as  a  niccliiiiio, 
which  produces,  in  the  innervation,  a  peculiar  change;  and  constitute  it ai 
alterant  of  a  particular  kind.     Now  this  effect,  as  experience  has  shown,  standi 
specifically  opposed  to  the  effect  produced  by  the  cause  of  autumnal  fovtr; 
and  on  this  accidental  opposition  depends  its  efficacy,  in  all  the  vari'.tiii 
(though  not  all  the  stages  and  complications)  of  that  fever.     In  rcfcreiici' t| 
iheni,  it  may  be  said  to  be  antiperiodical  and  antidotal .     It  is  not,  liowevei 
infallible;  for  its   curative   relations  to  autumnal  fever,  are  like  those 
mercury  to  syphilis,  or  of  iodine  to  goitre  and  external  scrofula.     If  they  sb( 
ceed  beyond  all  other  known  remedies  in  those  diseases,  so  does  the  sulji'iiai 
of  quinine  in  the  diseases  of  which  wo  are  now  treating:  —  if  they,  <Ki\ 
sionally,  require   preparatory  and  adjuvant  treatment,  so  does  it ;  if ''" 
sometimeo  fail,  so  docs  the  remedy  we  are  considering. 

I  have  said,  that  I  should  take  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  as  the  reprcsecj 


the 

10  gi\| 
iiidisJ 

feri'cd 

11  tlii.1 
'ovidejf 
■eon 

'ines  oil 
tlicl 

18  llOuJ 
i>Slrin 

•M  foj 
'>n  inJ 


■J^  - 


m 


THE 


[boos  II. 


'iRTI.] 


INTERIOR  VALr.EY  OF  NORTH  AMRRICA. 


cliona  buvk,  and  its  prc- 
bark  was  in  g'niona  use 
ir  oxi'i^^'tations;  but  llio 
,  one   of   the  (,M>ini.uuu>U 

id  all  its  i)roparuliuus,  in 

1 
;0  cannot  I.C  referred  tatlic 
•mn  or  ammonia,  wliieli,  in 
that  of  tonics,  as  gcutiiiii, 
in  minute   and  regulurly 
uul  sustain  the  actions  and 
ueans  those  wliich  chunic- 
,tter  claims  to  be  admitted 
ivation,  generally  fuilo^v.siu 

the  vaticnt,  he  favovahk.  t. 

,  it  may  be  grouped  \vitlitk 

with   the  suporilic  divbi>ii, 

on  its  operation,  in  lihoral 

sh  the  fre.iuency  and  spa- 

d  and  soften  the  pulso;  in- 

ze  the  innervation.    Its  sin- 

.ans  of  sense. /i/i'»/«.sram,-a_ 

'is  analogous  to  the  ciToctct 

.,nna.  on  the  pupil  of  the  cyo. 

s  exhibition  in  cinisuleral.le 

\  move  on  the  great  sympa- 

,s  of  organic  life,  gomrally, 

point  of  distinction  hctm^oi 

,-sl 

arterii'l  iuUncss; 

characterize  it  as  a  niediciw 
change;  and  constitute  it ai 
»s  experience  has  sho^vn,  standi 


:itivo  of  the  cinchona  bark,  but  it  seems  proper  here  to  remark,  that  their 
tffocts  arc  not  precisely  the  same,  though  donlitless  both  act  on  the  samo 
'rimiplc,  in  arrostiiig  the  paroxysms  of  the  Fever.  The  bark  is  destitute 
f  a  (liaphnretio  prop(!rty,  and  acts  as  an  astringent  and  tonic.  A  irrcatcr 
rediiu'tion  of  tlic  powers  of  the  system,  is,  tliereforo,  necessary  for  the  suc- 
ii.ssful  administration  of  that  medicine,  than  for  the  sul[)hate  prepared  from 
r.  while  on  the  other  hand  tlic  b^.  k  is  best  adapted  to  cases  in  whicli 
:':;?  vital  energies  are  seriously  impaiicd.  If  to  these  variations  W(>  add,  that 
Then  the  stomach  is  irritable,  the  sulphate  may  be  retained,  but  ''m;  bark 
I'rowu  up,  we  have  before  us  all  the  data  necessary  to  a  practical  estimate 
f  the  relative  value  of  the  two  medicines,  in  the  present  di.^case;  and  omit- 
::ng  a  further  reference  to  the  latter,  T  proceed  to  speak  of  the  cnrative 
;  wcr  of  the  former. 

1.    Oi/iisvon    of   Prfparatory    Treatment.  —  At  the   outset  it    may  be 

isljcd,  whether  the  sulphate  of  quinine  will  cure  intermittent  fever  without 

;i,c  preparato/y  treatment  which  has  been  recommended  V     The  answer  must 

a' that  it  will ;   for  in  the  south,  it  has  of  late,  been  frequently  administored, 

i>  the  first  medicine,  and  found  successful.     This  may  seem  ineredildi!  to 

;'i'i?e,  who,  adlierlng  rigorously  to  old  ideas,  regard  evacuation,  revulsion,  and 

;;aic,  as  curative  ;   and  llie  sulphate  as  a  tonic,  maintaining  and  carrying  on 

t!:,u  tliey  had  commciiced;  but  those  who  see  in  that  medicine,  a  jiower  of 

^•tahlishiiig  in  ti;o  system  t.  peculiar  action,  incompatible  with  the  febrile, 

rfil  have  little  difficulty  in  believing  tlie  report  that  it  has  often   succeeilcd, 

without  preparative  treatment.     Regarding  the  morbid  state  of  the  sccrc- 

im,  as  the  effect  and  not   the  cause  of  the  disease,  they  will  consistently 

nripose,  that  the  ])cst  corrective  for  that  state  must  be  tl:c  agent  wliicli  can 

iiporscdc  the  febrile  action  by  one  of  its  own.     Nevertlieless,  I  believe  tlio 

reliminary  treatment,  wdiich  has  Iieen  p'^inted  out,  generally  advisable,  and 

3  many  eases  indispensable.     This  remark,  however,  ap[dios  cliicfly  to  the 

prly  stages  of  the  disease;  for  in  relapses,  no  treatment  preparatory  to  the 

imiiistration  of  the  sulphate,  is  in  general  required. 

'L  Times  of  Admin'n^t ration.  —  In  traversing  the  Valley.  I  have  met  with 

spectahle  physicians  who  prefer  to  administer  the  sulphate  in  the  decline 

fthe  paroxysm;  others  ,' ho  choose  the  whole  period  of  apyexia;  others 

io  give  it  shortly  before  the  access  of  the  cold  stage;  others  who  exhil)it 

indiscriminately  tlirough    the    paroxysm  and  the    intermission ;  and   all 

^ fened  to  experience  as  the  test  of  their  preference.     It  seems  to  result 

of  that  fever.     In  reference  Wfij;  t[,|g  Jiycrgity^  thnt  it  signifies  but  little,  when  the  medicine  is  given, 

tidotal .     It  is  not,  howovtm.jyijgj  t|,g  gygtetn  bo  brought  and  kept  under  its  impress.     That  a  liberal 

mnal  fever,  are  like  those  Ki|;  q^  tlic  decline  of  the  paroxysm,  may  promote  the  sweating  wliicli  then 

TPi.       •!,     ^^^  ^^^  spontaneously,  there  is  no  doubt;  but  it  must  be  borne  in  mind, 

lit  the  efi'ects  of  such  a  dose  upon  the  constitution  may  pass  away,  before 

«  hour  for  the  r.oxt  paroxysm.     The  object  in  view,  is  to  secure  the  im- 

'i?5irin  of  the  medicine  on  the  general  system,  at  the  time  when  the  cold  stage 

aid  form.     To  this  end,  it  would  seem  important  to  make  a  liberal  exhi- 

lon  immediately  before  that  event ;  and  many  who  pursue  this  practice 


.vstcm  contrair-dicatc  its  luJ 
'•>        .  ,  .  •,, ^a.  Greaa 


ts 


the'cause  of  autumnalfcurj 
efficacy,  in  all  the  varHic| 


external  scrofula.      f  tk 
,e  diseases,  so  does  the  sulpl 
tveating:-iftbcy.oeei 


now  Lii;ai.i"to-  '     '  ■(  till 

treatment,  so  does  it  ••  it 

.sidering. 

te  of  <iumin=,  as  tbe  xV" 


\\ 


SCDl 


'■i;#js 


.  ..  •I':X'*' 


1,1?* 


.  V'jlil'''-' 


ft'rj'.ihft 

i'ft 


NS 


.r;.'A 


/.  •  ■  1  • 


'liJM'' 


«.; .  ■, '  j 


1'!'. 


5 


'  *   ■ ;  ■ 


:.  I  • 


,'<■  * ' 


'{  '■'■ 


748 


TiiK  nnxciPAi,  nrsnASF.rf  of  tiir 


[Boot  1 


ropanl  nil  tliat  is  previously  adiniiiistorcd,  ns  usoIcsh;  dtlicrs,  Iiowovrr,  an- 
])rclicM(l  l(;i<l  L'fTocts  in  tlio  !ij)|»ro;i(;liiiii5  )»iirox}Hni,  frmn  Miis  adiiiiiii.stratiuii, 
llolyini^  oil  my  own  oxpcriciicc!  niitl  tliat  of  iiiiiiiy  others,  T  would  f;ay,  that 
whatever  provions  administration  may  have  been  made,  the  important  piriod 
of  exhiliitiou  /v  a  short  time  hi-fore  tin'  access  of  the  piirosysm  —  fur  tlitn 
is  the  struggle,  to  speak  lignralively,  between  tlic  ninlicine  and  the  discnso. 
The  peeuliur  ell'iHits  of  this  agent  are  teinpurary,  and  nut  like  those  of  diiri. 
talis,  oil  the  heart,  or  of  calomel  on  the  month,  (Emulative.  NovcrtlicKss, 
evidence  is  not  wanting  to  show,  that  the  disease  may  bo  arrested,  without 
a  special  cxliihitioii  at  that  time;  nor  is  their  a  want  of  proof  that  it  is  sate 
to  give  tlic  medicine  in  the  hot  stage;  especially  if  bloodletting  and  purgin,' 
have  preceded  its  employment. 

3.  Doses. — As  to  the  doses  in  which  the  medicine  should  bo  given,  T  have 
also  found  miieh  diversity  of  opinion  and  practice.  On  the  whole  the  pcoiik', 
and  a  majority  of  our  physicians,  administer  one  or  two  grain  doses,  .it 
short  intervals,  and  the  practice  is  undoulitedly,  on  tlie  nuuii,  .successful.  \\\ 
protracted  cases  this  mode  of  exhibition  may  bo  the  best ;  but  in  the  early 
stages,  and  when  the  (d)ject  is  (as  it  should  be)  promptly  to  arret  :':'; 
disease,  occasional  large  doses  are,  I  think,  to  lie  preferred.  Tn  a  qnotidiiii 
for  example,  live  or  ten  grains  on  the  decline  of  the  Fever ;  a  .similar  (iosu  six 
or  eight  hours  afterward,  and  a  third  before  the  access,  seem  to  me  tlio  lust; 
and  the  ]iractico  is  sustained  by  the  experience  of  many  of  our  most  emiiiuiit 
physicians. 

4.  llcijuircil  omoiait,  —  Much  has  been  said  on  the  quantity  necessar}  tu 
arrest  a  simple  intermittent.     I'hat  it  is  often  given  in  much  larger  ]iortii  i;s 
than  have  just  boon  named,  is  quite   certain.     .But  I  have  met  with  iiiaDy 
physicians  who  regard  such  an   exhibition  as  prodigal,  and  declare  that  the 
characteristic    effect  is  produced,    if    at  all,   by  a    much    smaller  anumiit.rj 
There  is  a  reality  in  this,  as  it  respects  sini]ile  intermittents;  and  where  thi.ro'l 
is  no  reason  to  fear  a  lurking  malignity,  it  will  be  safe  to  rest  upon  aniiro: 
limited  administration. 

5.  Adjuvants.  —  In  regard  to  the  adjuvants,  to  which  recour,'?e  nmy  !a' 
advantageously  had,  I  may  say,  that  if  tlic  symptoms  should  indicate  a  en!.' 
siderable  degree  of  biliary  derangement,  calomel  may  be  advantageuuil 
oomblncd  with  the  sulphate,  and  that,  when  it  is  given,  while  the  excitciiioa 
of  the  system  is  yet  considerable,  or  when  administered  during  the  hot  sta^ej 
the  nitrate  of  potash  may  be  beneficially  unitod  with  it,  in  the  pmportijif 
of  four  grains  to  one;  or,  instead  of  that  refrigerant  salt,  one  grain  oi 
ipecac  may  bo  used.  ]]ut  the  most  important  adjuvant  is  opium,  on  the  wii 
of  which  I  must  dwell  for  a  moment.  Of  the  value  of  this  medicine,  wbci 
administered  before  the  access  of  the  paroxysm,  the  profession  has  long  liaJ 
a  just  apprcciati(m,  though  many  of  our  physicians  employ  it  so  sparin^lyaj 
to  obtain  but  imperfect  results.  "With  my  preceptor,  Dr.  William  Gofi'rtll 
long  among  the  most  popular  physicians  of  the  infant  settlements  uf  Kcnl 
tucky  and  Ohio,  it  was  a  favorite  prescription ;  and  in  his  practice,  as  ivel 
as  my  own  subsequently,  I  often  saw  its  liberal  administration  iu  a  solil 


&'^■i■■^y 


T!IF. 


[boor  II, 


inT  I.] 


INTERIOfi  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


740 


is;  others,  however,  np- 
rom  Miis  aihniiii^'trntiiin. 
(;thors.  I  NV"»hl  say,  tiuit 
iilo,  tho  important  \n:xvA 
tho  i»iiroxj  sm  —  fur  tlicn 
lucdiciiic  aiul  tho  Jiscuso. 
1(1  nut  like  tliiirtc  <if  iligi- 
unuhitivo.     MovcrlliuKss, 
may  be  arrested,  without 
nt  of  Yrnoi  that  it  is  safo 
bloodletting  and  [m-iwy: 

no  should  bo  given,  I  Imvc 
( )n  the  whole  the  vcopk", 
10   or  two  grain  doses,  al 
„  the  main,  HUi;ccssfiil.    In 
the  best ;  but  in  tl.c  early 
o)  promptly  to  arvcit  tl.e 
preferred.     In  a  (luotiaiui 
10  Fever ;  a  similar  di^so  six 
i,.oes9,  seem  tome  tliu  Wst; 
f  many  of  our  most  eminein 

^n  the  quantity  noccssavj  to 
.on  in  much  larger  imrtius 
ut  I  have  met  with  many 
,digal,  and  deelarc  that  ibo 
a   much   smaller  auiuunt.J 

[crmittents;  and  where  tkrof 
0  safe  to  rest  upon  a  mvr^) 


i  to  which  recourse  may  h 
,,,nms  should  indicate  a  cun- 
mel  may  be  advantageous 
s  given,  while  the  exeitcmcui 
nistered  during  the  hot  staj;e, 
.d   witli  it,  iu  the  prciiorti. 
cfri-crant  salt,  one  gram  ol 
.diiwantisopium,ontheus( 
vJluc  of  this  medicine,  wei 
,  the  profession  has  long  li^i 
,ans  employ  it  so  spurini^Jv^ 
:ceptor,  Dr.  WilUam  Oo  . 
1,0  infant  settlements  of  m 
;  and  in  his  practice,  as  ^^ 
■al  administration  m  a  S'i 


i.iui.nn  Lour  or  two  bofor*:  the  expected  jiaroxysm, so  as  to  biingtho  patient 
into  a  Htuto  of  narcoti.siii  bofuro  the  signs  of  eliilliuess  began  to  ahow  thciu- 
;tlvi  .s  productive  tif  tho  Lest  oireets. 

Tho  analugios  iK'twcon  opium,  and  especially  botween  tlio  sulphate  uf  inurpliia 
jiid  the  sulphate  oi'  tpiininc,  would  hail  us  to  cxpoct  sueh  u  result.  At  the 
[Ti sent  time,  the  practitioners  of  tlii.s  eoutitry  very  geiioi ally  unite  <i|iinhi  witii 
:;io  (luininc,  which  they  administer  buforo  the  paroxynis,  but  in  '  ery  ditl'ercnt 
aantities.  Of  those  wlio  are  in  the  habit  of  giving  largo  dost-,  I  nrty  uioiitiou 
Puctors  Henry  and  Merriman,  of  S'p'''"'rft''l'''  Illinois,  who  [ '  ■  Vjni  three  to 
:ixi;rains  ul'  sidid  opium,  with  abuut  the  same  (juuutity  of  sid[  latoof  ijuininc, 
lit  hcforc  the  chill,  and  find,  as  tliey  assured  uic,  a  more  certain  arrest  of  the 
Niroxysni  than  when  they  omit  tlie  o[iium  and  doublo  or  troblo  the  dcse  of 
,aliiiiio.  If  an  apoplectic  tendency  siiould  bo  suspected,  this  practice,  ol" 
.'Ursc,  would  be  improper;  while  in  thu  ease  of  an  intemperate  man  it  would 
Ic  almost  indispensul.ilo. 

Ij.  Continuance  of  the  TicalmciU.  —  As  to  the  length  of  time  the  medicine 
ik'uld  bo  continued,  it  is  impossible  to  s])eak  doUnitoly,  without  being  dog- 
latical.     And  here  I  must  state,  that  many  persons,  including   some  physi- 
bns,  cherish  a  iiiiusi  prejudii'o  against  this  medieino,  on  the  ground   that, 
ikliiiugh  it  will  promjitly  arrest  the  paroxysms  of  an  intormittont,  they  are 
i[it  tu  return.     In  sliort,  that  relapses  arc  frequent  under  its  use.     My 
iLi[uiries  lead  mo  to  adopt  this  opinion.     A,s  already  said,  the  anti-periodic 
iafluence  of  the  ((uiniiio  is   temjiorary,  and  when  it  has  passed  away,  the 
•jstem  vt^maiiiing  enervated,  sliglit  causes  will  occasion  a  relapse.     This  is 
:johjection,  however,  to  tho  admitted  benefits  of  tho  medicine,  in  breaking 
jpthc  morbid  catenation ;  with  which  effects,  in  many  instances,  the  exhi- 
itiou  of  the  medicine  ceases.     If  its  administration  were  continued  longer, 
mny  relapses  would  be  prevented.     The  indication,  however,  is  not  precisely 
:iie  sanio  after  as  before   the  arrest  of  the  paroxysms.     IJel'ore   they  are 
irrcsted,  the  object  is  to  establish  in  the  system  that  peculiar  action  which 
:; iiiconipatiblo  with  their  reproduction  ;  but  after  they  are  interrupted,  the 
%et  is  not  only  to  keep  np  tho  same  aetiuu,  but  to  restm-o  tlie  strength, 
aad reestablish  tlie  functions:   to  whiedi  ends  tho  bark,  from  its  tonic  and 
Siiriiigent  properties,  not  less  than  its  anti-periodic  elements,  is  much  better 
salted.     The  right  practice  then  is,  after  having  broken  in  upon  the  parox- 
ysms with  the  sulphate,  to  resort  to  the  bark,  and  continue  its  use  until  the 
itnio.sphere  of  early  autumn  has  passed  away,  and,  in  cases  showing  great 
icndoney  to  relapse,  throughout  the  sueceeding  winter.     In  general,  a  drachm 
'1  the  powder  taken  before  eaeli  meal  will  be  sufficient. 
Dismissing  tho  bark  and  its  preparations  as  remedies  in  sinqde  intcrmit- 
ient  fever,  we  must  now  turn  our  attention  to  others,  on  whicli  so  much  need 
K't  he  said. 
V.    Vegetable  Eittkrs.  —  3Iany  of  our  native  bitters  have  been  more 
floss  extensively  used  to  arrest  the  paroxysms  of  intermittent  fever.     The 
■ivoritcs   are,  or  have  been,  tho  bark  of  the  Cornus  Florida,  or  dogwood  ; 
^inodcndroii  iulipifcra, or  yellow  poplar,  Pruniis  Vin/i/iiana,  or  wild  cherry 


::;' 


' .  .    •* 


4M 


r   H 


'J*^.?*,-^  • 


wl 


li,,.. 


_Jlf^''  -■■'- 


■p:^'':,\:^:-•.• 


'*  >1 ! 


f 


'( !i. '-0* '■^•1  Lf  «•■;..  '■,.••■■•  '..,■■ 
^h !'■'■ .  .it  r.' ■>  -.■■.      •     ■,.' 

'fc^^-'iii-^-'  ^- •■■'■' ..-v  ■■■'•'  ■ 


'i  III ' 


fm0'^-^' 


at;- !''4l"^  ■■.'■>■■■■■■  ■**     . 

■Ij^v'i  '■'■■■•■.V,  ..-'/V  ■.  .  ' 


■.<.  (    :■:■ 


A   ni'v  ■         ■      ■'■'.■•    .  — ,     '  ^ 


¥ 


*"•! 


fi^ 


v-t'„:'r  :■■*■■•  :'.■•,■  ■• 


t 


Jir  ■    .'v.  ■    e 


7r)0 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book   II 


troo,  awl  the  herbs  Eupalcrhim perfvlialum,  or  thoroughwcirt,  and  Salhiij: 
anguluris  (furnierly  Chironia  ang.^,  or  American  centaury.  As  it  was  an 
old  professional  oijinion  that  the  superior  efficacy  of  the  cinchona  lark,  over 
other  bitters,  arose  from  the  union  of  an  astringent  principle,  it  hus  hoi  ;i 
customary  to  combine,  with  the  bark  of  the  trees  just  menti<ined,  a  (juautitv 
of  oak  or  some  otiier  astringent  bark,  and  to  render  the  whole  ^tiniulatiii'T 
with  wine  or  whisky ;  frequently,  indeed,  to  administer  them  in  the  form  of 
tincture. 

I  cannot  doubt  that  these  bitters  have  often  arrested  the  paroxysms  (f 
intermittent  fever,  but  it  lias  generally  been  after  the  diseases  hud  contiiiUu'J 
for  some  time,  and  were  kept  up  partly  by  debility,  and  partly  by  the  liaint 
of  recurrence.     Hence  the  proper  time  for  using  th.em  is  the  period  of  ^C!^tn- 
ration,  after  the  paroxysms  have  been  interrupted  by  other  means.     Of  the 
whole,  the  dogwood  lias  had  most  reputation  ;  and,  after  the  alleged  disoovciv 
of  a  peculiar  alkaloid  principle  in  it  (cornine),  supposed  to  be  analogous  to  qui- 
nine, considerable  expectation  was  excited  in  its  favor.     I  have  not  myself  u.nJ 
it,  nor  have  I  been  able  to  collect  any  experience  worth  detailing.    Tlio 
testimony  in  favor  of  the  eupatorium  is,  I  think,  fuller  than  that  bearing  <  ii 
the  dogwood.     A  number  of  physicians  ha\  e  assured  me,  that  they  had  f  mii'J 
it  a  successful  anti-periodic;  but  no  one  has  spoken  so  unequivocally  a,>-  \h. 
Herbert,  of  Gallipolis,  Ohio.     His  method  is  to  make  a  saturated  tinitiuc 
•with  aLohol,  of  the  leaves  and  flowers  of  the  plant,  and  adminisU'r  it,  a; 
short  intervals,  in  drachm  duses.     If  the  accounts  which  I  have  received  are 
to  be  relied  upon,  it  seems  probable  that  this  herb  contains  a  peculiar  princi- 
ple, resembling  quinine  in  its  effects  upon  the  body.     And  here  I  cam... 
refrain  from  observing,  that  in  a  country  of  such  \  Lst  extent  as  ours,  mam- 
parts  of  which,  from  their  topographical  structure,  must  forever  remain  sub- 
ject to  intermittent  fever,  it  should  be  regarded  as  a  duty  of  patrioti.sm  ai.-i 
humanit}^  to  test,  by  exhibition  and  analysis,  such  of  our  indigenous  plants  as  ia 
their  sensible  qualities  bear  any  resemblance  to  the  cinchona.     He  who  slioull  I 
discover,  in  our  country,  a  substitute  for  tlie  bark,  out  of  which  the  sulpliati 
of  quinine  is  manufactured,  would  be  honored  as  a  benefactor. 

VI.  Arsenxous  Acid.  —  The  extent  to  which  this  medicine  was  cmiiloyod- 
in  the  intermittent  fever  of  the  interior,  was  greater  before  than  since  tl: 
introduction  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine.  Its  minute  dose  conmicnded  it  hi 
those  who  disrelished  bulky  portions  of  cinchona  bark.  Since  the  use 
the  sulphate  became  general,  it  is  sometimes  combined  with  that  medicine,! 
and  there  seems  to  l)e  no  objection,  chemical  or  therapeutic,  to  tlie  iniiin. 
The  arsenious  acid  has  not  commonly  been  administered  in  the  first  st.'igcj 
our  intermittents;  and,  it  has  seemed  to  me,  perhaps,  without  sullioii: 
reason,  as  better  adapted  to  cases  a  little  prolonged.  K  is  quite  certain  tli; 
it  has  the  power  of  arresting  the  paroxysms,  though  not  so  promptly  as  t!ij 
sulphate  of  quinine.  As  its  etfccts,  however,  are  more  lasting,  it  i-'J 
perhaps,  not  so  often  followed  by  relapses.  Many  of  our  physicians  adiiiii;| 
ister   the  solution  of  arsenito  of  potash   (Fowler's  solution) ;  but  I  liav^ 


wpceturi 
'^i  diaplj 
sioii,,  ovc/ 


m 


rHE  [book  ii. 

ougliwovt,  and  SalhilM 
ciitaury.  As  it  was  an 
;he  cincVioiia  bark,  ovtv 
;  pvinei^ile,  it  li>is  boun 
;t  meuti<inc(l,  a  iiuaiitity 
r  tbc  wbole  >:tiuiulatiiig 
iter  tbcm  in  tbe  form  of 

■cstcd  tbc  paroxysms  (f 
10  (Vi.scases  bad  contiuuL'] 
and  partly  by  tbe  baliit 
em  is  tbe  period  uf  rcstn- 
by  otbcr  means.     f)f  tlio 
iftcr  tbc  alleged  diseovciy 
icd  to  be  analogous  to  qui- 
r.     I  bave  not  my  self  used 
ec  wortb  detailing.    Tlic 
uller  tban  tbat  beaiing  on 
■ed  me,  tbat  tliey  bad  f'.m.J 
en  so  wneciuivocally  as  Dr. 
.lake  a  saturated  tincturo, 
lant,  and  administer  it,  at 
i  'ft'bicb  I  bave  received  are 

contains  a  peeubar  pruici- 
ody.     And  bere  I  c:ir.;... 

N  ist  extent  as  ours,  many  ^ 

,  must  forever  remain  sub- 
is  a  duty  of  patriotism  ai.i 

f  our  Indigenous  plants  as  m 
ceincbona.     HowbosliouH 

:,  out  of  wbicb  tbc  sulphate 

a  benefactor. 

tbis  medicine  vrascmployoi 

.liter  before  tban  since  tl-.c 
nutc  dose  commended  it  to 
,a  bark.  Since  tbc  use. 
nbined  witb  tbat  meibcine, 
tberapeutic,  to  tlie  uiikh 
listered  in  tbe  first  stages. 

pcrbaps,  witbout  suffieij:. 

ged.     I.isquitceevtnmtb 

iitrb  not  so  promptly  as  t 

^are   more   lasting,  it '^ 

,^  of  our  pbysicians  ailmi''. 

er's  solution) ;  but  I  l>a^ 


FART  I.J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA 


'51 


eencrally  given  it  in  substance.     Tbc  following  formula  is  tbat  wbicb  I  bave 
been  accustomed  to  employ : 

l\.  Arsenious  acid,   ------     grs.   j. 

Finely  p-'wdcnd  opium,      -     -     ..     grs.  iv. 

Mix  intimately,  and  divide  into  sixteen  j)ills. 

Throe  or  four  of  tbese  pilLs,  in  the  course  of  twenty-four  bours,  arc  as 
much  as  can  be  long  borne  If  tiie  disease  should  not  yield,  by  tbe  time  the 
itomacb  becomes  irritable,  witb  some  degree  of  epigastric  tenderness,  or  tbc 
fsee  exliibitsan  incipient  tcdema,  it  is  not  advi.sable  to  continue  tbe  medicine 
;i:iy  longer.  Sixteen  grains  of  sulphate  of  quinine,  added  to  this  formula, 
will  make  it  as  effective  in  obstinate  agues,  as  any  other  remedy  with  which  I 
am  acquainted. 


>y 


SECTION  III. 

INFLAMMATORY  INTERMITTENT^. 

I.  DiAiiXosis  AM)  Pathology.  —  Every  autunni,  in  all  parts  of  tbe 
Valley,  tbuugb  least  in  tlio  southern,  we  see  inflammatory  mixed  up  with 
iiniple  intermittents,  but  tbov  are  far  less  in  nundjcr.  In  this  respect,  how- 
ever, different  years  vary  from  each  other.  Thus,  in  some  seasons,  there 
will  be  very  few  —  in  others  a  large  number.  There  is  in  such  yeans  a 
jiilogistic,  atmospheric  constitution,  giving  to  almost  every  form  of  disease 
aa  infla'iimnt.iry  character.  The  modification  of  intermittent  fever  wo  are 
L'jvr  stM  lying,  presents  us  with  tension  of  the  pulse,  a  prohjngcd  Imt  .stage, 
1.1(1  an  imperfect  intermission.  But  tlie  best  diagnostic  symptom.a,  are  those 
tMcIi  indicrtc  an  inflammation  of  some  organ,  generally  one  of  the  following: 

1.  The  Spleen. —  The  morbid  eflfects  of  every  variety  of  intermittent 
:'.vcr  on  the  spleen,  are  well  known  to  all  physicians.  In  every  one  of  the 
till  winters  tliat  I  ^vas  connected  witb  the  University  of  Louisville,  and 
iilivered  clinical  instruction  in  the  hospital  of  that  city,  I  met  with  lesions  of 
tte  capsule  of  the  spleen,  produced  by  inflammation.  They  were  gei.erally 
ipots  or  bands  of  false  membrane.  Most  of  the  subjects  in  which  they 
we  found  bad  been  boatmen;  a  class  Avho  arc  exceedingly  liable  to  intor- 
Kitteut  fever.  From  these  and  other  facts,  I  am  convinced  that  splenitis  is 
iei|uently  present  in  that  disease.  It  is  not,  however,  the  cause,  but  a  con- 
tingent of  the  fever;  for  the  symptoms  of  splenitis  arc  not  present  at  the 
wmmeucement  of  any  case,  as  far  as  I  have  seen  ;  and  immerous  eases  run 
ilirougb  a  long  course  without  their  occurrence. 

The  signs  of  splenitis  are  tenderness  and  pain,  on  pressure  over  the  epl- 
!ijtric  and  left  bypoclnjudriae  regions ;  especially  when  tlie  fingers  are 
|[iisliod  upward  behind  the  cartilages  of  the  ribs ;  a  slight  cough,  without 
«peotrjration,  resulting  apparently  from  an  extension  of  the  inflannnation  to 

K  diaphragm  ;  and  when  the  organ  is  swollen,  a  dull  sound,  under  percus- 
'•JU:  over  the  false  ribs.     When  this  dullness  exists,  the  case  may  bo  distin- 


-r 


'f 


:.Mi1;i 


• .' '  I 


I. 

I, 


:    • 


lii 


t 


t^t 


752 


THE  PRINCirAL  DISCASES   OF  THE 


[book  11. 


m 


■>  '*."■«'  •f  ■  ;  .111  '•  ■    ~,' 

,'■  I  }"^  .■','  '■;.■:• 

'%Ml  ■::'■■::: -' 


■■»,    -  • 


li:f'liJ.1''^'i'H' 


y^  .'■.'-'■■ -i- '•«■■  ■     ■■..■..'.'.'■• . 

WTO"  ■■    •      <  '■         '■  ..  •  '•  '    .  . 

IMft^v  .}■*■■■■■    -•> 


[!t;;',--": 


1,)  ■ 


"4ffl»vj- ;»  -■  r-  ■':'  ■        -•     ■     ■■■■ 


■•  ■;>  ■';■ 


7?  .-.^.m:  .,-v,: 


>fc.^';... 


1. 


«::.>«•■■  ^  ^;:^^-- ■'■■■■  •■  •  ■ 

.  K"'  ■.    .■••■T  I  ,'    i      ■  <         ■■  ■     ■ 


(P^i'"-'"-  '••■•'••■■ '    . 

.41'  ■;       •. 'i  ,-■■ 
Ar-I   i     't\  ■•■■  ■ 


■.*... 'J 


^|t.^,. 


guislicd  from  jmounicinia  by  auscultation,  wliicli  reveals  tlic  normal  resjiiratory 
murmur,  in.stead  of  tlie  c-rojiitus,  wliidi  eliaracterizes  that  form  ol'  |uilmijii. 
ary  disease.  Wiien  sjilenitis  i.s  iiresent,  moreover,  the  intermissioii.s  of  tin;  Fuvcr 
arc  imperfect,  although  the  cliills  and  even  a  shako  may  contimu;  tu 
roc^ur.  A  still  I'lntlur  diagnostic  sign  is  to  he  found  in  the  failure  of  tlic 
suljihate  of  quinine  to  arrest  the  |iaroxysms  of  the  Fever.  It  is  imt  my 
intention  to  go  further  into  the  history  of  this  inflammation  at  this  time,  ns 
the  disorders  of  the  spleen,  produced  by  autumnal  fever,  must  be  luaJe 
the  subject  of  a  separate  article. 

2.  yV/f  Sliiiiiarh.  —  Tlie  nuicous  membrane  of  the  stomacli  is  occasinnally 
the  seat  of  inilanimation  in  these  interiiiittents.  But  wo  must  not  vcjjarJ 
every  instance  of  irritable  stomach  as  the  result  of  {.'astritis ;  for  nausea 
and  vomiting  miiy  occur  independently  of  inllaniniati(ni.  'J'his  is  proved  ly 
their  yielding,  in  some  cases,  to  an  emetic,  and  in  others  lo  a  libcnd  aihiiin- 
istration  (if  ojiiuni  and  the  .sul[ihate  of  quinine,  or  even  to  the  bark  in  s^ub- 
staiice.  T  was  assuri'd  by  l)r,  Picket,  formerly  of  Indiana,  but  now  olMis- 
sissip[ii,  that  he  had  often  seen  his  ])rece[)tor,  the  late  enterprising  and  laimiuted 
Dr.  Ferrinc,  who  once  practiced  in  the  former  state,  compel  his  patients,  wliu 
had  irritable  stomachs,  to  hold  their  hands  on  their  mouths  and  swalluw,  a 
second  time,  the  large  doses  of  bark  whit-li,  before  the  intr(jduction  of  tlie  sul- 
phate of  ({uinine,  he  was  accustomed  to  administer.  Nevertheless,  that  pa.'^tiitis 
is  soinotinies  associated  with  intermittent  fever,  may  be  regarded  as  uiKpicstiuii- 
able;  thoiigli  the  discriminating  diagnosis  between  it  and  mere  morbid  sou- 
sibility  of  the  organ,  may  be  diilicult.  Fullness,  and  great  tenderness  under 
pressure  and  percussion,  with  nausea  and  embarrassment  in  the  dcscuut  of 
the  di'phragm,  would  undoubtedly  re((uiro  us  to  regard  the  Fever  as  coiujili- 
catcd  with  gastritis,  especially  if  these  symptoms  subsisted  through  au 
imperfect  apyrexia,  Tiiat  this  inflammation  may  I'teii  extend  tu  tlic 
duodenum,  giving  a  real  gastro-cnteritis  is,  at  least,  extremely  probable. 

3.  The  lilvcr.  — Although  less  frequently  the  seat  of  inflanuuatiuii  than 
th'^  spleen,  the  liver  is  perhaps  as  often,  or  more  frequently,  inilaiiicd,  tliaii 
the  stomach.  The  hypochondriac  tenderness,  hacking  cough,  irritable  stnm- 
acli.  and  sallow  or  jaundiced  eye.s,  skin,  and  urine,  ■will  sufiicicntly  disdusc  the 
existence  of  hepatitis. 

These  ajipcnr  to  be  the  legitinmte  or  characteristic  inflannnations  acccni- 
pauying  this  variety  of  intermittent  fever:  but  there  arc  others,  of  a  coii- 
tin^out  or  accidental  kind,  wliich  must  not  be  overlooked. 

4.  Th"  JjUiigf^.  —  A  sudden  change  of  weather  may  develop  jndinonaiT 
inflanuuation  in  connection  with  intermittent  fever.  This  will  be  iiitlieatcJ 
by  Cough,  dyspiKva,  jiain.  and  the  orilinary  auscultic  signs. 

5.  T!i<'  Brc'in.  —  If  this  organ  be  largo,  and  the  chest  and  neck  of  tlio 
patient  short;  or  if  he  lias  had  his  mind  or  passions  strongly  excited  bofre 
the  onset  of  the  Fever;  or  should  he  be  subjected  to  mental  perturbation.",  at'tir 
it  has  begun,  some  form  of  cereliritis  may  lie  set  u]).  ]5ut  wc  nm.^tu't 
regard  every  case  of  headache,  sense  of  fullness,  and  delirium,  as  evidence  "t 
inflammation,  for  such  symptoms  arc  not  uncommon,  during  the  paroxysm  uf 


■I 
I 


i  -■# 


F  THE 


[book  II. 


TART  i. 


INTERIOR   VALLEY  OF   VORTII  AMERICA. 


io3 


Is  tlio  normal  respiratory 
js  tliat  form  ol"  |iulniuii- 
itermissious  uf  tliu  rcvor 
sliaki;  may  cnutimu;  to 
ml  in  tho  failure  of  tlie 
10  Fever.  It  is  not  my 
nniatiiin  at  this  time,  ;is 
al   fever,    must  be  made 

ic  st(ima!.'li  is  occasionally 
l>ut  we  must  not  vcgarJ 
of  I'astritis ;  for  nausea 
tion.     Tliis  is  iir(jveil  by 
otliers  (t)  a  lilieritl  admin- 
[jvcn  to  tlie  balk  in  s^ub- 
Indiana,  but  now  of  .Mis- 
enterprising  and  lamented 
e,  comiielliis  patients,  wbd 
ir  mouths  and  swallow,  a 
die  intvoduetion  of  the  sul- 
Novertheless,  that  gastritis 
be  regarded  as  uniiuestluu- 
n  it  and  mere  morljid  sou- 
uul  great  tenderness  under 
assmcnt  in   the  deseent  of 
gard  the  Fever  as  coniidi- 
inis  subsisted  through  an 
nay      I'ten    extend   to  tlie 
;t,  extrenudy  pndialde. 
seat  of  inflamnuition  tlian 
frequently,  intiannd,  tliau 
king  cough,  irritable  stmii- 
will  sufiicicntly  disclose  t'ne 

istic  inflanmnations  accom- 
there  are  others,  of  a  euu- 
}rlookcd. 

iv  may  dcveloii  ]iulinonary 
:r.  This  will  be  indieatid 
tie.  signs. 

the  chest  and  neek  of  tlie 
i(ms  strongly  excited  bef  IV 
1  mental  perturbations,  atttv 
srt  up.  But  wo  mn.^t  mt 
kind  delirium,  as  evidence  -f 
ion,  during  the  paroxysm  ul 


tlie  simplest  intermittent.  'J'he  aeutencss  of  the  symptoms,  their  increase 
under  succussion  and  depres.^ion  of  the  head  to  the  level  of  tin;  liody,  and 
;k'ir  subsistence,  tliough  in  a  diminished  degree,  through  the  pericd  of  in- 
termission, will  ill  general  justify  tho  conclusion  that  inHammution  exists. 
If  with  these  symptoms  wo  have  variableness  in  the  pulse,  a  certain  degree 
{f  altered  expression,  with  redness  of  the  eyes,  and  tho  patient,  without 
lioiiig  [irone  to  disturbance  of  mind,  under  ordinary  attacks  of  fever,  is  acutely 
i]i'liri<ius,  tho  existence  of  inflainmatioii  would  no  longer  be  a  matter  of  doubt. 

The  reactive  efleet  of  a  sn|)ervening  inflammation,  on  tho  Fever,  is  to 
increase  its  aeutencss,  prevent  a  full  apyrexia,  and  tran.sform  it  into  a  remit- 
tent; which  may  be  distinguished  from  an  original  attack  of  that  kind,  by 
tlie  history  of  its  commeneoment,  and  by  the  existing  signs  of  an  actual 
inflainmatioii,  in  some  organ.  If  tlio  inflammation  should  run  high,  and, 
especially,  if  it  should  liavo  been  induced  liy  an  external  cause,  acting  on 
tiiu  lungs  or  brain,  the  Fever  may  assume  a  continued  ty[ic ;  and  pass  for  an 
.riginal  phlegmasia.  The  infhimmation  which  attacks  tho  spleen,  stoiiiaeh,  or 
liver,  above  all.  tlio  spleen,  appears  to  depend  on  tho  same  remote  cause  with 
ilie  Fever;  and  does  not  change  the  type  from  intermittent  to  remittent,  to 
t':ie  same  extent  with  the  cerebral  or  }iulnioiiary  inflammation. 

II.  TuKAT.MKNT.  —  If  ill  pursuiiig  a  routine  practice,  tho  sulphate  of  qui- 
i:ine  lie  indiscriminately  adniiiiistercd,  when  there  is  a  prevalent  atinosjiherio 
cviistitution  of  an  inflammatory  character,  many  cases  will  be  aggravated  by 
;t.  and  in  others  it  will  fail.  Venesection  should  always  precede  its  exhibi- 
tiin  in  such  cases;  when,  the  febrile  excitement  being  reduced,  the  medicine 
will  produce  its  characteristic  anti-periodic  efl'ects. 

If,  however,  one  of  the  organs  which  liave  been  mentioned,  or  any  other, 
slioiddbe  hiflamed,  a  more  extended  anti-plilogistic  treatment  will  be  required 
to  prepare  the  system  for  the  use  of  quinine. 

Of  these  inflammations,  splenitis  yields  most  readily;  a  copious  bleeding, 
fllowed  in  some  cases  with  cupping,  or  a  blister,  with  the  cathartics  em- 
ployed in  simple  intermit  tents,  will  in  most  cases  jireparo  the  system  of  the 
patient  for  a  successful  administration  (jf  the  sulphate. 

An  associated  gastritis  gives  greater  diihculty,  and  must  bo  more  com- 
pletely removed  than  sphinitis,  before  the  quinine  is  administered.  The 
'.aucet  is,  of  course,  indispensable;  and  subscipient  leeching  (jr  cuj>[)iiigon  the 
epigastrium,  will  be  followed  by  more  olivi(jus  bencflts  than  in  .splenitis. 
Subsequently  a  blister  to  the  same  region  will  be  of  great  scrviie.  la  this 
inflannnation  calomel  is  demanded  ;  and  will  be  found  more  efficacious  in 
large  occasional,  than  in  small  and  repeated  doses.  The  following  formula 
wiu  lie  found  convenient  — 

R  Calomel,  ) 

Powdered  Gum  Arabic,  >  a  a  gr.  x,  mix. 
"White  Sugar.  ) 

To  he  administered  every  four  hours.  The  bowels  should  be  0]Hned  with 
injections :  ami  all  drastic  cathartics  avoided,  together  with  tartari/ed  anti- 
mony and  other  emetic  medicines.     As  soon  as  the  inflammation  and  fever 


i{i. 


■'I 


1 


^'i.S'      ... 


'':'*' ... 


3. "I t-1.  ••  ■■♦  '<:■ 


!■•••■:..*>:* 


At^rtH^  '■  ■  ■  ■■ .  ■'■■-.<-:,■ 


• '  ^  'I       •  ■ 


mtmmi'^^^^^^'^.'i''^ if  ^■'''''''-  T  '^■■ 

fil'ftri;U:v.^^'i  ■;■■■-■ 


¥■>«      .'•  '"'/«■■'*'■ 'i  ' 
i^i-    ■:'♦.     ; .f^ 


•■'J  .•' 


'Sip''H^'i.   -•:.'..'-■'.■.■■  ■  ■  ■ 

i  >'-■;*•.! I.-'  \'  r  '  't    ■':   ■•>■••■ 

'tm'^-^r^ '■-■■' ''-'■■■■'■■■  ■■■■*• 


.■(<•,*■ 


-'  "'i  'fi'-'V''  ''■■■; ' 

t  .'    -  '; .  ■    '  .       ^ 


754 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  II. 


begin  to  abate,  one  gi-ain  of  powtlcvetl  opium  may  be  added  to  tlie  calomel  • 
after  wliicli,  the  quinine  may  be  administered,  as  in  simple  intermittont,s. 

When  tliG  Fever  is  compliciited  with  hepatitis,  general  and  topical  blood- 
ing will  be  proper;  but  their  effects,  on  the  whole,  will  be  less  satisfactory, 
than  in  splenitis,  gastritis,  or  gastro-entcritis.  Antimonials,  unless  there 
should  be  a  high  degree  of  sympatlietic  irritability  of  the  stomach,  are  not 
objectionable ;  and  free  purging  will  prove  useful.  The  regular  admiiiis- 
tration  of  calomel  sh<juld,  however,  be  the  main  reliance.  Five  grain  doses 
may  be  given  every  two  or  four  hours,  according  to  the  intensity  of  the 
symptoms ;  and  continued  till  they  abate,  or  a  salivation  is  induced.  "When 
the  inflammation  has  begun  to  yield,  quinine  may  bo  mingled  with  the  calo- 
mel, and  will  soon  arrest  the  i)aroxysras.  Tlic  hepatitis,  however,  may 
remain  in  a  subacute  ■  vm,  or  the  liver  may  fall  into  a  torpid  condition  and 
give  a  tavdy  C(nivalesK.e.iCe.  ^Vhen  this  happens,  one  of  the  following  pills, 
taken  every  six  hours,  will  generally  complete  the  cure  — 

H.  Extract  of  Taraxacum,     -----   3!]. 
Mercurial  Blue  ]\Iass,     -----      3ss. 
Sulphate  of  Quinine,   ------   3ss. 

IMix  and  make  into  thirty  pills. 

The  nitro-muriatic  l)ath  to  the  feet  and  right  hypocondrium,  will,  also,  be 
found  jcrviceable  in  such  cases. 

Should  the  inflammation  be  determined  upon  the  lungs,  the  lancet  will  be 
indisponsal)le;  to  which,  if  pleuritic  pain  exist,  topical  bloodletting,  and  a 
subsequent  blister,  maybe  added.  Drastic  cathartics  will  be  of  little  value; 
but  emetic  medicines,  even  to  full  vomiting,  will  be  jiroper.  Tartarized  anti- 
mony in  large  doses  may  be  given,  or  the  squill,  in  liberal  quantities,  substi- 
tuted for  it.  As  the  inflammation  recedes,  the  sul})hatc  of  quinine  may  be 
combined  with  cither  of  the  latter  medicines,  or  with  any  other  sedative  ex- 
pectorant. 

I-t  is  proper,  here,  to  add  a  word  of  caution  in  regard  to  aflfections  of  the 
lungs  in  connection  with  intermittent  fever.  It  is  well  known,  that  indi- 
viduals wlio  have  experienced  attacks  of  the  Fever  in  autumn,  are  liable, 
througli  the  following  winter,  to  relapse;  and  tlie  change  of  weather,  or 
exposure,  which  reproduces  the  intermittent,  may  generate  an  inflaniniatiou 
of  the  lungs.  I)ut  in  the  south,  or  in  very  unhealthy  places,  that  wlii;:li 
seems  to  bo  an  inflammation  is  often  a  mere  congestion  or  sanguineous  engorge- 
ment, returning  with  the  febrile  paroxysm.  In  this  pathological  condition, 
which  may  bo  recognized  by  the  absence  of  tension  in  the  pulse,  and  by  the  in- 
termittent tendency  of  the  pulmonary  symptoms,  the  powers  of  the  system 
fail  under  copious  bloodletting;  but  full  vomiting,  with  the  subsequent  use 
of  the  following  compound,  may  be  of  great  service  — 

R.  Tartarized  Antimony,  -     -     -  grs.  vili. 
Opium, grs.  iv. 

Sul[)liate  of  Quinine,     -     -     .  grs.  xx. 
Jlix  and  divide  into  eight  pills. 


■'  I- 


THE 


[book  II. 


ic  added  to  tlie  calomel ; 
simple  intcruiittcnts. 
Mieral  and  toiiical  bleed- 
will  be  less  satisfactory, 
.utimoniuls,  unless  tliore 
of  the  stomach,  arc  not 
.     The  regular  aduiinis- 
iance.     Five  grain  duses 
cf  to  the  intensity  of  the 
,'ation  is  induced.    "NVlion 
)e  mingled  with  the  culo- 
hcpatitis,  however,  may 
ito  a  torpid  condition  and 
one  of  the  foUowhig  pill,s, 
iure  — 

-     -   3ij. 
-      -       3S3. 

-     -  3ss. 

rpocondrium,  will,  also,  bo 

c  lungs,  the  lancet  will  be 
pical  bloodletting,  and  a 
tics  will  be  of  little  value; 


PiRT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


(00 


proper. 


Tartavized  anti- 


liberal  quantities,  substi- 

ilphatc  of  quinine  may  be 

th  any  other  sedative  cs- 

•cf^rd  to  affections  of  the 
is  well  known,  that  mdi- 
rer  in  autumn,  are  llablo, 
le  change  of  weather,  or 
generate  an  inflaniniatiou 
lealthy  places,  that  ^Yhi.:h 
jn  or  sanguineous  engorge- 
ils  pathological  condition, 
mthepulse,  andbytliein- 
tlic  powers  of  the  system 
:,  with  the  subsequent  use 

grs.  vlii. 
grs.  iv. 
grs.  XX. 


One  to  be  given  every  two  or  four  hours.  In  addition,  a  large  blister  to 
•Jie  thorax  may  l)e  applied  with  advantage. 

If  the  inflammation  l)e  seated  within  tho  cranium,  a  freer  use  of  clie  la  icet 
..hoidJ  be  made,  tlian  if  seated  below  the  diaphragm.  Tiic  appearance  of  tho 
iiluod  will  assist  in  tho  diagnosis  of  the  case,  and  aid  in  a  decision  as  to  the 
rupetition  of  the  bleeding.  The  usual  means  of  subduing  corobritis,  such  as 
-upping,  elevation  of  tlie  head,  and  cold  or  subtepid  effusiuiLS,  nuist  of  course 
w  cnqdoyed.  Of  medicines,  nothing  is  C([ual  to  copious  purging  with  calo- 
iiiil  and  jalap;  or  with  ealomcl  and  injections,  if  the  stomach  should  l)e  too 
irritable  to  retain  tlie  former.  The  diversion  thus  created  from  tho  brain, 
;u  connection  with  the  evacuation  of  the  contents  of  the  lower  bowels,  will  be 
iitended  with  the  best  efi'ccts.  Counter  irritation  with  blisters,  should  the 
ialiainmation  not  speedily  yield,  will  be  proper.  When  an  abatement  sufH- 
tieiit  to  justify  it  has  been  effected,  the  sulphate  of  quinine  must  be  ad- 
ainisterod ;  but  opium,  except  in  minute  quantities,  or  under  Mnmistakablo 
vji'iis  of  constitutional  irritabilitv,  should  not  be  administered.  In  the  com- 
plication  wo  are  now  studying,  the  disease  is,  as  it  were,  transformed  from 
au  intermittent  into  a  continued  inflammatory  fever;  and  when  the  local 
affection  is  removed,  there  may  not  be  a  return  of  tlie  paroxysms  —  if,  how- 
ever, they  should  return,  the  sulphate  of  quinine  must  be  administered,  as 
for  a  sinqdo  intermittent. 

III.  Hecapitulation.  —  I  have  said  all  that  seems  necessary  on  tho 
aistory  and  treatment  of  our  simple  and  inflammatory  interniittents,  in  their 
early  stages ;  but  they  often  assume  a  chronic  form,  and  occasion  more  per- 
plexity to  the  jdiysician  than  in  their  earlier  periods.  Hence  our  study  of 
ilicm  is  not  finished;  but,  as  malignant  iiitermittcnts  and  remittents  of  every 
kind  occasionally  terminate  in  protractci  and  relapsing  interniitteuts,  I  pro- 
pose to  include  the  whole  under  one  head,  after  we  have  studied  all  tho 
varieties  in  their  early  stages. 

But  before  entering  on  tho  next  variety,  that  I  may  be  understood  as  to 
certain  pathological  and  therapeutic  principles  which  will  be  carried  through 
ibe  whole,  it  seems  advisable,  that  I  should  here  present  them  in  tlie  furm  of 
a  recapitulation  of  the  two  sections  through  which  we  have  just  passed. 

1.  The  remote  cause  of  intermittent  fever  makes  its  impression  pri- 
Diarily  upon  the  nervous  system,  producing  constitutional  depression  and 
irritation,  followed  by  febrile  reaction. 

2.  The  reaction  lasts  less  than  a  day,  and  is  succeeded  by  a  jieriijd  of 
comparative  health;  but  from  the  peculiar  relation  between  the  remote  cause 
Slid  tlic  living  system,  the  depression  and  irritation  recur,  and  aie  again  fol- 
I'jffed  by  reaction. 

o.  There  is  no  primary  inflammation,  nor  is  inflammation  a  necessary 
condition  of  the  existence  of  the  Fever;  yet  it  often  arises  with  or  supervenes 
on  the  Fever ;  tho  spleen  being  tho  organ  oftcncst  affected,  and  frequently 
suffering  from  congestion,  and  perhaps,  also,  from  modes  of  morbid  action  not 
yet  understood. 

4.  In  certain  seasons,  and  iu  the  cooler  climates,  intermittent  fever  mani- 


I 


I 


.  f  ' 


1*.  • 


760 


THE  PRI^'C1PAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  II. 


I 


if 


f; 


f^ii 


'•U/ 


1. 


1, 

■1  ■•-.. 


,1 "  I  fc 


i'fe 


fosts  a  liighor  tone  of  phlogistic  diathesis  than  in  others,  although  no  organ 
uiay  be  iiiflaiiieil. 

5,  Intermittent  fever  is  a  di.seasc  of  a  specific  character,  as  much  as  scar- 
latina, hydrophobia,  or  scrofula. 

().  The  bark,  and  the  salts  formed  out  of  its  alkaloids!,  are  the  true 
remedy  —  the  antidote  —  the  specific.  ]5ut  they  are  not  infallililo;  and,  in 
many  cases,  may  be  aided  by  certain  adjuvants,  of  ^vhich  the  most  important 
is  opium. 

7.  Tlie  object  of  all  the  other  treatment  is  to  prepare  and  keep  the  system 
in  a  proper  condition  for  tlic  action  of  the  specific. 

\\  There  are  other  medicines  which  may  be  regarded  as  imperfect  spe- 
cifics, of  which  the  most  important  are  arsenlous  acid,  opium,  piperine,  and 
the  active  principle  of  the  cupaturluni  pcrfoUaiuni. 

9.  AVhen  the  bark  or  its  preparations  fail,  the  failure  is  generally  refcrabli; 
to  one  of  two  causes  —  the  continued  action  of  the  agent  which  produced  the 
Fevei,  or  an  obscure  inflannnatiuu  of  some  organ. 


A>  I 


I  I*  ? 


|>  Fi 


i 


J' 


t 


i.  a  I  'I.  '  •    'J    . 

iw  ■■■  I 


'  "yfe. 


r.'> 


CHAPTER  VI. 

MALIGNANT  INTERMITTENT  FEVER. 


SECTION  T. 
GENERAL    HISTORY. 

I  shall  comprehend,  under  the  term  malignant  intermittents,  all  the  cases 
known  to  the  Valley,  which  are  not  referable  to  the  two  preceding  heads. 
The  members  of  this  group,  in  their  symptoms,  differ  much  more  widely 
from  each  other  than  those  of  the  preceding  groups.  They  are  all,  however, 
marked  with  a  common  character  of  anomaly  or  irregularity.  The  hariiinny 
of  symptoms,  both  cotemporary  and  consecutive,  observable  in  the  otlier 
groups,  is  here  wanting ;  or  if  displayed  at  the  beginning  of  a  case,  i.s  lust 
in  its  pi  ogress.  They  arc  still  further  characterized,  in  their  obvious  aspects. 
by  a  predominance  of  the  cold  stage  over  the  licit;  and  by  a  downward  man- 
ifestation of  the  vital  forces  and  functions,  not  to  be  mistaken  by  the  most 
careless  observer.  They  agree,  moreover,  in  occurring  chiefly  in  the  epiJomic 
period  of  the  year,  and  in  the  localities  most  subject  to  autumnal  fever  — 
those  whieli  are  branded  as  most  insalubrious  ;  finally,  they  concur  in  a 
strong  tendency  to  an  early  and  fatal  termination,  when  not  arretted  by  art, 

In  different  parts  of  the  Valley,  they  are  known,  by  the  profession,  under 
tlic   general   appellation   of  congestive  or  malignant;  and,    in    their  sub- 


L'j^Vl  ....  •.     ■ 


rHE  [book  II. 

hers,  although  no  organ 

iractcr,  as  much  as  scar- 

alkalditb,  aro  the  true 
I'c  not  infallible ;  and,  in 
fhich  the  must  inipovtaut 

jare  and  keep  the  sys^^.m 

;av(letl  as  imperfect  spo- 
xcid,  opium,  piperine,  and 

ilurc  is  <,'enerally  rcforablu 
agent  which  produced  tbo 


r  FEVER. 


PiRT  !■] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  A:\rERICA. 


(0/ 


intermittents,  all  the  cases 
the  two  preceding  beads. 
,  differ  much  more  widely 
IS.  They  are  all,  however, 
i-regulavity.  The  huniumy 
e.  observable  in  the  otlur 
)eginning  of  a  case,  is  Imsi 
ad,  in  their  obvious  aspects 
;  and  by  a  downward  man- 

be  mistaken  by  the  most 
.■ring  chiefly  in  tlie  epidoniic 
d)ject  to  autumnal  fever  — 
finally,  they  concur  in  a 

,  when  not  arrested  by  art. 

n,  by  the  profession,  under 

;uant ;  and,    in    their  su'u- 


nrietios,  by  the  terms  irregular,  misplaced,  soporose,  or  nlgid,  accoyding  tu 
i!io  prevalence,  in  particular  cases,  of  tliis  or  that  anomaly. 

I  need  scarcely  say  tliat  this  variety  of  interniittents  never  ccnstitutcs  an 
entire  o[(ideniic.  It  is  mixed  up  with  die  otlier  varieties;  and,  in  most 
'.icalities,  tlio  proportion  which  tliese  cases  really  bear  to  the  other.-;,  i.-^  much 
•aialler  than  is  generally  supposed,  at  least  by  the  jieople.  Two  or  three 
circumstances  have  contributed  to  swell  the  catalogue  of  cases  beyond  the 
until.  First.  AVhon  a  case  of  this  hind  proves  fatal,  the  neighborliood  in 
wliitdi  it  happens  is  thrown  into  a  state  of  alarm,  and  every  attacdi  of  intennit- 
lont  which  occurs,  is  liable  to  be  pronounced  of  the  same  kind — thus,  by  a 
itroko  of  the  tongue,  simple  intermittents  aro  transmuted  into  maligiiants. 
i^ecoml.  There  arc  empirics  who  are  willing  to  profit  by  this  delu.sion  of  the 
people,  or  even  to  excite  it,  and  therefore  apply  the  dreaded  ejiithct.  con- 
gestive, to  ordinary  cases,  for  the  purpose  of  magnifying  their  skill  in 
iaving  life.  Th.'ir'l.  Pliysicians,  the  most  skillful  and  conscientious,  are  often 
jt  a  loss  to  say  whether  there  may  not  boa  lurking  malignity  in  certain 
oases;  anil,  therefore,  prudently  speak  of  tl^ein,  and  prescribe  for  them,  as  if 
ttcy  were  really  dangerous  ;  when,  in  fact,  if  let  alone,  they  might  take  tlio 
course  of  common  iiit(.'rmittents. 

The  regions  of  the  Valley  most  infested  with  the  fevers  of  this  order,  as 
far  as  I  am  now  prepared  to  state,  are,  First.  The  level  portions  of  Ala- 
bama, 3Iis«issippi,  and  Louisiana,  including  the  zone  of  estuaries  around  the 
Gulf  Second.  The  southern  shore  of  Lake  ^Michigan,  from  Chicago  round 
to  the  8t.  Joseph  River,  and  of  Lake  St.  Clair  and  Lake  Ph-ie,  from  Lake 
Huron  to  Lake  Ontario,  near  the  estuaries  of  the  creeks  and  rivers.  The 
intervening  region  and  the  country  off  to  the  west  of  Lake  IMichigan,  arc, 
hoM'cver,  not  exempt ;  but  the  proportion  of  cases,  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  limited  localities,  is  much  less. 

In  the  early  settlement  of  the  states  on  the  Ohio  River,  examples  of  this 
fever  now  and  then  occurred,  and  such  is  still  the  case;  but  neither  in  early 
nor  later  times  were  they  numerous,  except  along  the  lower  third  part  of  that 
river;  where  they  seem  to  have  exi.^ted  in  considerable  numbers  from  the 
beginning  of  settlement.  Relying  on  the  answers  to  my  questions,  concern- 
ing the  increase  or  decrease  of  this  fever  in  the  regions  where  it  pircvails 
jost,  I  may  say  that,  ia  latter  years,  it  has  been  increasing,  and  that  this 
insreasc  appears  to  date  from  the  visitation  of  the  Epidemic  Cholera,  in 
lSo"2-4.  Still,  from  the  short  time  that  most  of  the  physicians  of  the  south 
remain  in  practice,  it  is  difiieult  to  gather  up  correct  data  on  this  subject. 
That  the  ciiolcra-atmosphcrc  mai/  have  had  this  eft'ect  must  be  admitted. 
It  was  very  perceptible  in  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati,  for  two  or  three  years 
after  that  visitation  ;  and  the  history  of  epidemics,  in  all  countries  and 
ages  of  the  world,  coincides  with  this  alleged  effect. 

No  class  of  persons  is  exempt  from  this  form  of  intermittent  fever ;  but 
'■)oth  sexes  and  all  ages  aro  liable ;  and,  as  far  as  I  know,  equally  so,  under 
c^iual  exposure  to  exciting  causes. 


ll 


I     'I 


f     f 


f 


•     tti 


75S 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  TflE 


BOOK  II. 


After  tliopo  general  intrciduptory   roniavks,  vic  must  proceed  to  take  a 
closer  view  of  this  difficult  subject,  beginning  with  its  svuiptoms. 


InM^kK^A  '■!••....._.  r  ■.       f.;    .;,,', 


f-  ;'':.      ■      ,.    ■■  ■      ■"•••■•   ■'.   '.    '■  . 
V*  ■!.'   '  : V-   ,'■  ■      ■         .    .,».■■  .   ■/ 

■    >    .  ffl    (  ?    tr',    '-4  1  ■     .     -  '  I  ■      ■    .-    • 


if  \^?;r'-  ;-'^'-';ii.i'Ay.  .■' 

■"-.  1.   -1;.   .vm:,!     ..;. 


mm^ 


i;': 


•i?^^\'^' 


'^>!*.-:.n^   v, 


,  a:;- ■■^••^'"'^^'■■'••■■■- 


SECTION  II. 

SYMPTOMATOLOGY. 

Tlicrc  Is  not  porliap.s  in  the  wliolc  rango  of  syniptdmatology,  a  more  diffi- 
enlt  task  tlian  that  of  making  a  graphical  presentation  of  tlio  symptoms, 
■W'liif'h  accompany  and  characterize  our  malignant  iutermittent  fevcr.s.  This 
results  from  several  causes  :  First.  Their  number :  all  the  functions  hciii" 
morbid.  Scrond.  Their  simultaneous  occurrence;  as  if  the  whole  of  the 
organism  had  been  affected  by  the  direct  action  of  the  remote  cause  at  tlie 
«ame  liinc.  Third.  Tlic  suddenness  of  their  occurrence  on  the  acce.«s  of 
the  paroxysm ;  presenting,  in  a  single  hour,  a  transition  from  a  state  appa- 
rently bdrdcriiig  on  health,  to  one  of  impending  dissolution.  Fourl/i.  The 
deep  involvement  of  one  great  organ  in  one  case — of  a  different  one  in 
anotlier,  and  a  consequent  modification  of  the  symptoms.  Comjiarcd  in  the 
diversity  of  their  phenomena  with  the  most  malignant  cases  of  scarliitiiin. 
typhus  gravior,  or  epidemic  cliolera,  they  are  decidedly  more  difficult  t(i  por- 
tray in  a  methodical  and  faithful  manner  than  cither.  Moreover,  their  ma- 
lignity sometimes  shows  itself  by  the  slightest  possible  anomaly.  Thus  n 
partial  numbness,  or  a  coldness  of  the  great  toes,  instead  of  a  regular  cliill, 
or  a  disposition  to  sleep  at  the  access  of  the  paroxysm,  may  be  all  that  sug- 
gests anything  more  than  the  most  harmless  intermittent.  ITcnce  tlioj 
stand  connected,  on  the  one  hand,  with  a  simple  ague ;  while,  on  the  other, 
they  graduate  into  the  malignant  remittent  type,  in  such  a  manner  that  a 
separate  description  would  scarcely  be  worth  the  trouble,  were  it  not  thut  s 
series  of  morbid  states,  however  intimately  catenated,  must  be  studied  in  its 
links,  before  it  can  be  comprehended  in  its  entireness. 

By  far  the  greater  number  of  cases  begin  as  regular  intermittents,  with  a 
cold  fit  too  slight  to  excite  more  than  a  moderate  shivering ;  sucli,  for  ex- 
ample, as  ushers  in  a  simple  remittent.  The  cold  stage,  is  not  f(dlowcd,  hoiy- 
cver,  by  the  well  developed  and  prolonged  hot  stage  of  that  variety  of 
fever;  but  by  one  so  inconsiderable,  that  the  patient  in  many  cases  is  soon 
upon  his  feet,  and  often  resumes  his  business  till  the  next  da}-,  or  the  day 
after  that.  If  nothing  should  have  been  done,  the  second  paroxy.«m  Avill  bo 
more  severe ;  his  coldness  will  be  greater  and  more  prolonged,  yet  not  pro- 
ductive of  a  shake;  he  mav  have  a  considerable  decrree  of  drowsiness,  or 
dyspncea,  with  a  sense  of  thoracic  oppression ;  his  stomach  may  become  irri- 
table, with  a  sense  of  epigastric  sinking;  or  some,  topical  sweating  may  show 
itself.  To  these  symptoms,  but  more  slowly  than  the  day  before,  will  succeed 
a  reaction  of  moderate  force,  and  when  it  ceases,  the  patient,  if  not  alarmed. 
will  be  again  out  of  bed,  and,  perhaps,  occupied.     The  third,  and  even  the 


TIIC  [nooKii. 

lust  proceed  to  take  a 

S  S}'UH)tulUS. 


riRT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


709 


?. 


omatology,  a  more  diffi- 
ttition  of  tlie  symptonis, 
;tcrmitteiit  fevers.  This 
all  the  functions  being 
ns  if  the  \vhule  of  the 
the  remote  cause  at  tlic 
arreuco  on  the  access  of 
ition  from  a  state  a[ipa- 
issolution.     Fourlii.  The 

1 of  a  different  one  in 

itoms.  Comiiared  in  the 
iiant  cases  of  scarhitiua. 
edly  more  difficult  to  por- 
ler.  IMoreover,  their  ma- 
issiblc  anomaly.  Thu!»  a 
nstcad  of  a  regular  cliill, 
ysni,  may  bo  all  that  siig- 
termittent.  Hence  they 
;ue ;  Avhilo,  on  the  other, 
in  such  a  manner  that  a 
•ouble,  were  it  not  tliat  n 
;d,  must  be  studied  ia  its 

ss. 

■ular  intermittents,  vrith  a 
e  shivering  ;  such,  for  es- 
,tage,  is  not  fidlo\Ycd,  how- 
Htago  of   that  variety  d 
cut  in  raa,.y  cases  is  soon 
the  next  day,  or  the  clay 
second  paroxysm  Avill  he 
re  prolonged,  yet  not  pru- 
dcgree  of  drowsiness,  cr 
stomach  may  become  im- 
„jpical  sweating  may  show 

he  day  before,  will  succeed 

0  patient,  if  not  alarmed. 

The  third,  and  even  the 


tot 


f.iurth  paroxysm  may  thus  pass  away;  each,  however,  presenting  an  increase 
of  intensity  in  tlic  syniptoins,  and  a  full  devel(ij)nient  of  them  be  reserved 
fur  tlie  lifth.  But  this  is  rare;  and,  in  tlie  majority  of  cases,  the  third  fit, 
not  only  dischises  the  danger  of  the  patient,  but  often  pruves  fatal;  or  ho 
<iruggles  through  it,  tu  die  in  the  next.  The  disease,  however,  dues  not 
ahvays  advance  in  this  gradual  manner.  Almost  every  pliysician,  where  it 
prevails  extensively,  has  met  with  examples  of  fatal  termination  in  the 
;ccoiid,  and,  sumetimes,  in  the  first  paroxysm.  Ftill  further,  eases  of  tlio 
most  simple  kind,  wliic-h,  through  several  recurrences,  have  sliown  no  sign  of 
niahgnaney,  have,  under  the  unadvised  ojieration  of  an  anlimonial  emetic, 
ran  active  saline  cathartic,  proved  fatal  iu  the  next  paroxysm.  AVln'n 
i!ie  dangerous  or  fatal  paroxysm  comes  on,  the  functions  of  the  whole  body 
;i'cm  blighted. 

1.  That  of  innervation  is  blunted  and  inactive.  But  little  (and  no  acute) 
]aiu  is  felt  in  any  part  of  the  body;  external  applications  are  not  much  re- 
.'iirdcd,  and  even  the  cuticle,  as  I  have  seen,  may  be  torn  off,  by  rough  frictions, 
without  attracting  the  attention  of  the  jiatieut,  although  neither  asleep  nor 
ililirions.  Tlio  organs  of  special  sensation  are  cijually  impaired.  The  in- 
lelk'ctual  functions,  and  the  feelings,  and  affections  of  the  mind,  are  passive; 
iiid  the  expression  of  the  countenance,  is  vacant,  or  stupid.  In  some 
ases,  a  considerable  degree  of  delirium  supervenes;  but  in  others,  the  fae- 
alties  of  the  mind,  almost  up  to  the  moment  of  dissolution,  show  nothing 
iuore  than  inactivity.  Should  there  be  some  degree  of  delirium,  the  dispo- 
sition to  action  will  of  course  be  greater.  In  many  cases,  however,  the  patient 
sinks  into  a  coma,  from  which  it  is  difficult  to  arouse  him,  and  into  which  ho 
immediately  relapses,  and  continues  until  the  paroxysm  passes  off,  cr  lie 
cxijiics.  These  of  course  are  the  soporose,  or  apoplectic  iutermittents  of 
ivstcmatic  writers. 

2,  The  function  of  circulation  is  not  less  impaired  than  that  of  inner - 
ration.  In  comatose  cases,  the  pulse  is  sometimes  slow,  full,  and  irregular; 
but  in  the  majority  of  cases,  it  falls  rapidly  into  a  state  of  great  feebleness, 
ijeeomcs  extremely  fre(|uent,  shrinks  in  volume,  and,  finally  assumes  a  tliready 
and  vermicular  character.  Before  dissolution,  it  often  ceases  altogether  in 
tlie  extremities  ;  and  has  been  known  to  be  absent  for  a  considerable  length 
of  time,  in  some  cases,  which  have  afterward  terminated  favorably. 

0,  The  function  of  respiration  is  impaired.  The  fref|uency  and  depih  of 
inspirations  is  reduced ;  a  sense  of  fullness  in  the  chest  is  experienced  ;  and 
si;;liing,  with  the  restlessness  attendant  on  embarrassed  respiration,  and  an 
iasuffioicnt  supply  of  air,  supervene. 

4.  The  digestive  functions  suffer  not  less,  than  those  which  have  been 
named.  The  state  of  the  tongue  is  various.  Sometimes  contracted  and  pris- 
matic; but  more  commonly  of  its  natural  breadth  and  form;  generally 
ffioist;  frequently  furred;  occasional  red  at  the  tip,  but  oftener,  pale,  and 
fiabby.  The  appetite  of  the  patient  occasionally  continues,  in  the  inter- 
missions, up  to  the  fatal  paroxysm ;  but  oftener  gives  place  to  nausea  and 
gastric  irritability;  which,  on  the  access  of  the  fit,  may  terminate  iu  obsti- 


,.■  |1V.  , 


'-■i 


.1 


.!# 


I'. 


if- 


/■if*;,*"  fi    '   !   ,     ■■■  ■,  ■ 


,  f 


.Yi'. 


K'V'"j.:'v 


lt*H,.L'c 


f^a^^^'-' 


:':-S;y'i 


:**  ■  .^-v.'^"!:'' 


'■"r- ';,'.'  ' 


1 


•i-u.  •'!'•••'  ■ 


7(10 


TiiF.  riJiNcirAL  Di-EAsns;  of  Tiin 


[book  II. 


iiptf  Vomiting;  wlicii  lie  siiniotinu'S  throws  up  lioaltliy  Ijilc,  and  now  find  tlion 
a  iluid  of  !i  blue  or  groonisli  blue  cidor.  Tn  otlicr  caiJes  the  fluid  eji'Ltcd  is 
acid.  The  uinnbcr  nf  i-sisl'S  in  wlii;'li  a  darlc-Cdlnrfd  liijuid  vesiinililini^  \i,, 
black  V(.i!..L  lit'  yt'lluw  fever  has  beon  discharged,  is  so  lew  eonijiarcd  with 
the  whole,  scarcely  to  deserve  a  rccognitidu;  yet  in  Peoria,  llliii(ji><,  | 
gaw  a  patii'.  .f  Doctor  House,  wli"  ejeetod  a  black  licjuid  from  hU  stDinaili 
a  few  imurs  before  death.  The  liuwels  arc  .soni^'tinies  torpid  and  (•(i.>,tivo; 
bat  in  many  oases  there  is  a  watery  diarrluea.  Ndw  and  tluni,  the  ii'atfcrs 
thrtiwn  oil'  have  rependded  the  washiuirs  uf  beef;  or  water  cohered  with  in- 
digo.  Discharges  of  blood  !ire  exceedingly  rare.  Of  the  condition  nf  the 
liver  and  spleen,  otherwise  than  is  indicated  of  the  former,  by  what  has  just 
been  said  of  its  secretiun,  nothing  special  can  be  recorded.  ]\rany  patient';, 
liiiwever,  com[daiii  of  a  sense  of  fullness  and  anxiety,  through  the  hvpnchiin. 
driac  and  epigastric  regions,  and  S(imo,  especially  of  the  left  side,  apparcitlv 
indicating  great  engorgement  of  the  sideen  ;  which  is  doubtless  the  case,  fi  r 
that  organ  has  sometimes  I'ecn  fouml  in  a  state  of  manifest  enlargoaiiiit. 
innncdiatoly  after  the  recovery  of  the  patient. 

5.  The  urinary  secretion  presents  considerable  variety.  Some  jiliysiciaiis 
have  occasionally  seen  a  great  secretion  of  limjiid  urine,  but  in  the  larg  r 
number  of  cases,  it  is  reduced  in  quantity,  and  sometimes  the  secreti(  n  iicailv 
suspended. 

().  The  fui\ction  of  perspiration  is,  on  the  other  hand,  in  nnjst  instnnco.«, 
greatly  augmented  —  sometimes  partial  in  its  extent,  more  commoidy  gen- 
eral. The  fluid  discharged  is  watery,  and  niay,  almost,  be  seen  cxuilii!,' 
from  the  skin,  wlach  feels  cold,  inelastic,  and  doughy;  sometimes  it  is  blood- 
less and  pale,  sometimes  the  extremities  will  assume  a  dark  red,  and  tiio 
spots  on  which  pressure  is  made  will  remain  white  for  a  time,  indicating  rap- 
illary  stagnatior. 

7.  Lastly,  the  greatest  reduction  of  energy  is,  perhaps,  in  the  caluritii; 
function.  The  heat  of  the  extrcnntics,  and  occasionally  of  the  integunuiit> 
of  the  trunk  and  head,  is  signally  reduced.  It  seems  as  if  none  were  ilc- 
veloped  in  the  system,  and  as  great  exhalation  is  constantly  going  on,  frifli 
the  surface,  external  applications,  both  potential  and  actual,  resigned  to  raise  | 
the  temperature  of  the  extremities,  very  often  produce  no  effect.  In  tlio 
midst  of  this  reduction,  the  patient  will  neither  shiver  nor  complain  of  cold, 
but  on  the  contrary,  if  not  deeply  comatose,  may  declare  that  he  is  burning  iij' 
within,  and  call  incessantly  for  water.  Every  ease,  however,  is  not  attended 
with  this  remarkable  loss  of  heat.  Those  which  manifest  it  most,  must  be 
classed  with  the  algid  intermittents  of  the  systematic  writers. 

A  patient  in  the  condition  here  described,  must  of  course  emerge  froui  it 
in  a  short  time,  or  die.  He  who  might  have  the  greater  part  of  the  symp- 
toms, which,  for  the  purpose  of  a  full  narrative,  have  been  detailed,  cannot, 
of  course,  be  extricated.  Hut  a  majority  of  them  may  be  present,  and  yet 
recovery  take  place.  In  no  other  form  of  fever  could  this  occur.  In  tlii.-. 
it  results  from  the  periodical  and  paroxysmal  character  of  the  disease.  As 
the  violent  symptoms  attendant  on  the  cold  stage  of  a  simple  intermittent, 


I 


TIIR 


[book  II. 


niTI.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


701 


Y  ))ilo,  ami  novp'aml  t1\oii   . 
L-a.^^t'.s  the  ttu'ul  eji'ftcd  is  ^ 
il  liiiuid  vcsuinliling  tlio  ' 
i  so  lew  compari'il  with 
t-ct   in  I'ooria,  llliiiui**.  1 

\\([w\  IViiin  lii.'<  bt'iiiiacli 
iineH  tni-jiiil  ami  festive; 
i,w  ami  tlK'ii,  tlie  iiiattcrs 
ov  \vatL'r  cdli  v(mI  witli  in- 

Of  tlic  comlition  of  tlio 

fdvuu'r,  by  wliat  l\iis  just 
ECordtHl.  Many  patients, 
y,  tliroiigli  tlie  liyii'iclmn- 
,f 'tlie  left  siile.  aifavci  t!y 
1  is  iloubtlosrf  the  ctiso.  tVr 

of  manifest  enlargeiutiit. 

variety.  Feme  jiliyViciaiis 
I  \m\v\  but  in  the  largr 
ctimes  tlio  sccreti(  n  nearly 

r  liarid,  in  most  iiiMnneo?. 
xtcnt.  moro  commonly  gen- 
I  ;,lmo!>t,  bo  seen  cxudiiv: 
liy;  Fomotimcs  it  is  blood- 
umc  a  (lark  veil,  and  tiio 
or  a  time,  imlicating  cap- 

.,  perhaps,  ia  the  caluvilic  j 
si(.vially  of  tho  integuments  ' 
seems  as  if  none  were  de- 
.,  constantly  going  on,  fnm 
nd  actual,  I'osigned  to  rai>e  ^ 

produce  no  effect.     In  tk '" 
liver  nor  complain  of  cold. 
eclare  that  he  is  burning  lip 
;o,  however,  is  not  attcndtJ 
manifest  it  most,  must  1)0 

.latic  vrritcrs. 
St  of  course  emerge  froiu  .t 
creater  part  of  the  ^vlnp■ 
have  been  detailed,  cannot, 
m  may  bo  present,  and  yet 
:  could  this  occur.  In  ^^ 
aractcr  of  the  disease.  As 
ge  of  a  simple  intermittent, 


nvc  place  spontaneously,  to  those  of  the  hot  stage,  which,  in  a  few  hnurs, 
as  spontaneou.sly  cease,  and  are  followed  by  u  eonipkte  inturnii.>!slon ;  so 
tlierc  is,  in  malii:^ti:int  intcrmittonts,  a  tendency  to  reaction  and  sub-sc^ucnt 
iaterniissiun ;  and  these  will  occur  in  every  case,  in  which  the  deprcs.'siun  has 
r..t  gmio  beyond  certain  liniit.s,  nor  any  vital  organ  sustained  a  Ic-ion  of 
structure  or  function,  from  wliich  it  cannot  recover.  To  this  inherent  'irul 
inalienable  property,  we  must  a.scril)o,  a.s  to  a  causa  sine  qua  noii,  tlie  revival 
i)f  the  organism  from  it.s  d('pre.«.sed  and  perverted  condition  :  without  it,  tho 
lihvsifian  would  neither  have  ground  fur  hopo,  nor  encouragmcnt  to  effort. 

Nothing   is   more  common,  tlian  for  midical  gentlemen,  where   the  worst 

tases  of  this  fever  prevail,  to  describe  it,  as  a  compound  of  the  cold  and  hot 

stages;  which,  losing  their  natural  relation  if  se(|uence,  arc,  to  speak  para- 

i'sically,  present  at  the  same   time;  the  pathological  condition  of  the  cold 

fuge,   prevailing  in  some  of  the  functions  —  of  the   hot   stage,  in  others ; 

jccording  as  tho  reaction  is  not,  or  is,  awakened.     No  exiiibition  of  symp- 

;  ms,  could  more  impressively  declare  tho  extent  to  which  an  external  cause 

aJ  violated  the  laws  of  the  organism.     Tlie  prognosis  of  tlie  case,  is  drawn 

',r.'L'ly  from  an  analysis  of  these  phenomena.     In  proportion  as  the  signs 

■' reaction  augment,  is  the  prediction  in  favor  of  recovery;  while,  according 

V'tlicir  feebleness,  and  limited  extent  througli  the  system,  is  the  prophesy 

:a  fatal   issue.     In  a  simple   intermittent,  all  the   symptoms   of  the  hct 

'.ago,  arise  nearly  at  the  same  time,  and  harmonize  with  each  other,  while 

ioy  contrast  strongly,  with   the  eijuaUy  harmonious,    concourse  of  symji- 

:m,  wliicli  characterized  the  cold  stage  an   hour  before.     In  tho  malign;int. 

;tli  the  harmony  and  the  contrast,  are  replaced,  by  a  discordant  assemblage 

:  jilienomcna,  which  belong  to  both  stages,  and  will  contrast  with  neither.' 

In  sum?  cases,  an  abutenicnt  of  the  coma — which  may  give  place  to  a  con- 

i'.krable  degree  of  intellectual  vivacity,  with  or  without  delirium,  and  some 

iiA  of  the  face  and  eyes — will  indicate  cerebral  reaction,  while  tho  other 

ptonis  of  depression  may  remain.     In  others,  the  heart  may  recover  its 

Sirgios,  so  far  as  to  manifesc  reaction,  and  still  tho  capillary  circulation  may 

'-■tbe  restored.     Tho  respiration  may  increase  in  frequency,  but  the  color 

•iibcat  of  tho  surface  not  be  improved.     Tho  thirst  and  sense  of  niteriial 

:':at  may  become  intense,  with  augmented  epigastric  tenderness  and  febrile 

latof  the  trunk  of  the  body,  while  the  extremities  may  remain  icy-cold. 

Hnally.  the   exudation  from  tho  skin  may  diminish,  a  feeling  of  chilliness 

I'ldi  shivering  come  on,  or  the  temperature  of  the  limbs  become  warmer, 

many  internal  functions  continue  depressed. 

If  it  be  a  fatal  paroxysm,  cither  of  the  soporose  or  algid  kind,  even  these 

pble  manifestations  of  renovated  excitement,  may  not  ajipear.     Tho  occur - 

pee  of  some  of  them,  moreover,  is  not  a  guaranty  of  recovery ;  fur  after 

p"ing  la.sted  for  a  brief  period,  they  may  die  away,  and  death  occur,  at  the 

pry  hour,  which  a  too  sanguine  hope  had  fixed  for  a  full  development  of  the 

*  stage.     In  ca.scs  of  a  less  malignant  character,  some  of  the  phenomena 

•tlie  cold  stage  are  apt  to  continue,  anomaloui^ly,  throughout  the  hot;  and 

»i'  intermission  which  succeed.s,  is  seldom  comfortable  or  promising :  but 

49 


|t:ao 


:  :y 


I     '« 


I  >  i'v  •^' .  ■.  •  .  ■    •  •• 

«:"■  ■'''■.:•■=■.■••., 


■-!'■'  .V.    '■  '  ■'     ■■' 


^  ;  ;-'.v;  r.,i-i  :.■..-■ 


\,  k/(r  I.  .     i    ,<  \  ■ 


\'<  ^  ,  - 


'.t 


■■^■\''';W' 

•  ,,* 

fefe: 

.  "S.. 

■4 
■1 

702 


Tin:  PRINCIPAI,  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[■OOK 


displays  sij^'ris  (^f  an  uiilicaltliy  ocuilitioii  of  tlio  vital  proportics,  or  tliu  hsm 
of  Piinic  important  organ ;  giving  a  nielani'boly  presage  of  tlio  mortal  event, 
wliifli  awaits  the  access  of  tlic  Huccccding  fit,  In  proportion  as  the  hot  >Ui'U' 
has  been  full  and  intense,  and  the  intermission  perfect,  is  the  prospect  it' 
safety  in  tlie  next  paroxysm. 

Among  tlio  anomalies  of  this  most  ataxic  fever,  T  may  mention  what  many 
of  my  liretliron  liavo,  occasionally,  seen,  a  transition  from  the  state  of  collai  si; 
to  that  of  healthy  function,  or  the  third  stage,  as  it  is  absurdly  called,  mani- 
fested in  an  o|ten  and  c(ju!iblc  pnlse,  diHuscd  and  natural  heat,  a  wnnn  ikt- 
si)iratii)n,  renovated  mnsuidar  energies,  and  sound  functions  of  nii'.Hl,  \n 
these  cases  the  hot  stage  socnis,  so  to  speak,  to  have  run  its  course  in  com- 
bination with  the  cold.  Thoy  resemble  those  cases  of  epidemic  clidkra, 
which  pass  from  collajjse  to  recover^',  without  the  intervention  of  tlio  I'liij 
paroxysm  of  fever,  which  in  other  cases  succeeds  to  the  stage  of  de]H'('s>iijii, 

When  a  patient  has  been  brought  out  of  a  severe  jiaroxysm  of  this  liver, 
if  neglected  or  improperly  treated,  he  invariably  dies  in  the  next ;  but  uihI  r 
judicious  management  the  disease  either  takes  the  course  of  a  regular  ni."i", 
or  ceasing  altogether,  a  rapid  and  favorable  convalescence  ensues,  wmc!]  i^ 
very  commonly  the  case.  AVlicn,  however,  any  great  (prgaii  has  sullcrcd  in.. 
jury  during  the  paroxysm,  the  recovery  will  be  impeded;  and,  even,  a  rdai-j 
may  be  the  consequence.  That  organ  may  be  the  brain,  when  the  intelk* 
tual  functions  will  be,  to  a  certain  degree,  stultified;  or  the  lungs,  produriig 
more  or  less  of  cough  or  dyspnoea;  or  the  stomach,  which  will  reniain  iri> 
table,  and  incapable  of  a  due  performance  of  its  functions;  or  the  Iiowils  — 
afTected  with  diarrlnva;  or  the  liver,  which  will  mark  the  system  in  its  i^vn, 
peculiar  manner;  but  of  all  the  organs,  the  spleen  ajipears  to  sull'cnii";tj| 
and  often  remains  enlarged,  and  sometimes  tender  for  a  considerabk'  ptii  J 
of  time.  Thus  after  ail  i\'.<>  .-symptoms  of  the  constitutional  disease  lia\i; 
passed  awa^-,  those  of  a  local  afiection  may  remain. 

As  illustrative  of  several  parts  of  the  symptomatology  through  wliieh 
have  traveled,  I  will  here  introduce  the  following  case,  which  fell  uiulcrm; 
notice  in  Springfield,  Illinois. 

Case.  —  September  G,  1S44,  at  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  was  invitcJb] 
Doctor  ]Morriman,  to  accompany  him  in  a  consultation  to  which  ho  had 
called,  by  one  of  his  brethren.     The  history  of  the  case,  as  well  as  vre  coul 
make  it  out,  was  as  follows:  —  The  patient,  a  robust  and  halo  conntryiiiai 
not  3'ct  of  middle  age,  residing  fifteen  miles  in  the  country,  felt  unwell 
the  evening  of  the  first  instant,  while  on  his  way  to  Springfield,  wliiili  H    ]] 
reached  the  next  morning.     He  was  then  chilly,  but  kept  about  the  town  tBnearly  n 
noon,  when  a  fever  came  on.     It  abated,  and  in  the  evening  of  the  son  iiB.'iriia  fr 
he  had  another  chill  followed  by  fever.    The  next  day  (third),  he  had  por.-firBjd  iir  t 
tion  and  was  much  better,  in  which  condition  he  still  found  himself  on  tlicnurB'nil  esci 
ing  of  the  fourth.     In  the  afternoon  of  that  day  the  chill  roturncd,  amll^Hlio  o 
Lands  and  feet,  with  his  legs  up  to  his  knees,  became  cold,  and  contiauei 
till  his  death.     His  stomach  on  that  became  irritable,  and  he  vomited,  cii«  tU'este 
sionally,  for  twenty-foiu-  hours,  that  is,  till  the  evening  of  the  fifth,   TJpsi,  and 


ifO 


•I't  t 
I. In  1 

SiittOl 

::iiie  o 

Af 

I'Vcr,  i 

."ears  s 


11  r 


II! 


l"', 


u 


TIIF- 


[■OOK  II. 


IRT  I.] 


INTF.RIOIl  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA 


7t)3 


1  jirdpt'ttit'S,  (T  lilt;  Icsiijii 
s;;i"<-'  uf  tlu'  niiirtal  uvnit, 
ri.iiortidn  aa  tho  Imt  !*t!\g«! 
lert'oct,  is  the  iiroHpcct  nf 

I  luiiy  nu'iilion  wliat  many 
I  tVniu  tlio  state  of  c.llai*! 
t  is  absurdly  callcil,  muni- 
natural  licat,  a  warm  ikt- 
1(1   fuiicti^iiis  of  miiid.     in 
lavc  run  its  course  in  com- 
•asfS  of  cirulcmic  clinkta, 
e  intfrveutiuu  of  tlie  l"iig 
to  tlie  stage  of  iloiirossimi. 
jro  iiaroxysm  of  this  IV'Vcr, 
(lies  in  the  uext;  Imtuinkt 
,0  course  of  a  rcguhu-  agno, 
iivalescence  ensues,  \\W.\\% 
-rreat  nrjran  has  suiTuvcd  in- 
mpedoa;  and,  even,  a  nlai >» 
the  hvain,  when  the  intellio 
ficd;  or  the  lungs,  prodiuiig 
iiach,  which  wiU  reuiaiii  ini- 
K  functions;  or  tho  hnweU- 
inark  the  system  in  its  uwa 
hien  aiipears  to  suiiVv  m^ 
(Icr  for  a  consiilerahlc  luri'  * 
)  oonstitutioiuil  disease  hv 

lain.  . 

toniutology  through  ^YllK•ll 
ng  case,  which  fell  umlemv 

,  tho  morning,  was  invltcai)] 
tation  to  which  he  hail  1  - 
the  ease,  as  well  as  we  c  ul 
.  robust  and  hale  countryiiiai 
n  the  country,  felt  unwell 
way  to  Springfield,  whi'li 
y  but  kept  about  the  town  t 

in  the  evening  of  the  seeon 
t  day  (third),  he  had  por^^lr| 
still  found  himself  on  the  nv!^ 
day  the  chill  returned,  and! 
became  cold,  and  continued 
irritable,  and  he  vomited,  P- 

ho  evening  of  the  fiftli^    i" 


I 


"(xt  morning  (sixth),  when  T  saw  him,  at  ten  o'clock,  he  was  restlrps  in  tho 

ixtremo;  hit)  forehead  was  warm,  but  not  moist;  his  face  was  overspread 

(tiili  a  coppcrish  Ihic;  his  eyes  were  sufTusod  and  vacant  in  expression.     Ili.s 

lands  ami  wrists  were  er»ld  and  sodth'n,  but  scarcely  moist;  and  (  xliibitcd 

thi'  appearance  of  ;'f;.s7  ?;;K/^m  congestion, —  the  dark   reddish  pati'lies  be- 

niiiig,  and  for  some   time  remaining  white  from  pressure.     J  lis  feet  and 

,.'S  dis|»layt'd  miarly  the  same  a[ipearaneo.     The  trunk  of  his  body  liad  its 

■iitiiral   heat.     The   pulse  of  the  right  wrist  had   ceased;   that  of  the  let't 

MS  f'ee!)le,  moderately  full,  tolerably  regular,  and  one  hundred  and  four  in  a 

•jhiutc.     There  was  no  puNe  l)ehiiid  either  aidvh;.     His  carotid  arteries  beat 

K'l'ldy.     The  hnpulso  of  liis  hciart  was  weak,  and  the  sounds  reduced.     <bi 

rercussing  his  chest,  I  found  the  resonance  loud  and  hollow,  even  over  the 

■:.'i(in  of  tho   S]deen.     His   respiration  was  a  little  bronchial.     He  had  frc- 

j'lont  sighings,  but  no  cough  or  hiccup.     He  had  no  abdominal  tumefaction 

r  tciulerness,  and  no  diarrlnea.     There  was  some  ragged  fur  on  his  tongue, 

iliieh,  with  his  gums,  had  a  very  tolerable  cherry-red  cohir.     His  mii\d  Avas 

.little  wanderii.g,  and  ho  gave  some  indications  of  false,  visual  perceptions. 

Fuur  hours  after  T  first  saw  him,  that  is  at  two  o'clock  P.  31.,  his  rcstlcss- 

r(>s  had  increased;  his  pulse  had  become  smaller,  and  beat  one  hundred  and 

uvonty  in  a  minute  ;  the  coldness  and  parboiled  condition  of  his  hands,  was 

::rtator;  and  his  face  at  times  was  pallid.     His  delirium  had,  also,  increased 

ilittle;  but  he  tried,  as  it  aj)p(!arcd,  to  find  his  pocket,  and  when  questioned, 

•ii'l  lie  wanted  tidiaceo.     Some  was  handed  him,  which  he  put  into  his  mouth, 

a,ul  presently,  used  his   handkerchief,  in  a  natural  manner.     He   then  lay 

Sure  quiet,  and  seemed  ac  though  lie  would  .sleep.     In  a  short  time,  he  asked 

ir  the  urinal,  and  after  an    unsuccessful   effort  at  urinating,  handed  it 

la'k.     T  examined,  and  found  that  there  was  no  distension  of  the  bladder. 

Ho  now  coinphiined  of  the  irritating  applications,  which  had  been  made  to 

sijleffs  two  hours  before.     Such  was  his  situation  when  I  left  him,  at  half 

laet  three.     At  four  he  became  somewhat  convulsed  and  suddenly  expired. 

An  hour  and  a  half  after   death,  I  found  his  feet  strongly  flexed,  with   a 

aiitted  contraction  of  the  muscles  of  his  legs,  which  had  continued  from  the 

im  of  his  dissolution.     A  post  mortem  examination  was  not  permitted. 

.V  further  illustration  of  the  fatal  anomalies  presented  by  our  intermittent 

J'vor,  is  afforded  by  the  following  narrative,  published  by  myself,  several 

■ears  since.     The   cases  mentioned  in   it  were  probably  of  the  kind  which 

•vuld  be  called  apoplectic  rather  than  algid.* 

■  BiRMNdTON  is  a  small  village  on  tho  Ohio  Piiver,  in  our  own  state, 
Marly  opposite  the  mouth  of  tho  Great  Sandy  River,  which  separates  Vir- 
liriia  from  Kentucky.  A  family  by  tho  name  of  Cox.  resided  ono  mile 
3c!ow  tho  villasro,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Ohio  River.  The  shore  is  hi";li, 
ind exempt  both  from  alluvial  accumulations  and  c(dlections  of  water;  but, 
3  tho  opposite  side  of  the  river,  above  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Sandy,  there 

•^Vestorn  Journal  of  tho  Medical  and  Physical  Sciences  (Cincinnati),  for  July,  Au- 
|iJ?t,  and  September,  1835.    Pago  372. 


il 


X 


'■.;:•■  '(■■ 


■'■'1 


tf  - 


I"' 

1%4't'  < 

J  J      '3]  ••        ' 
8*  J  'ft  I.       ' 

m.  ■ ; 

'J  <V    •  ?  f  t        t    .   ( •  < 


7G4 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[hook 


II. 


are  several  largo  ponds.     The  pcuplo  on  both  sides  of  the  Oiilo,  iiKludinn 
those  of  the  village  of  Burlington,  were  generally  aiructcd  with  intermittent 
fever.     Among  the  rest,  Mr.  Cox  and  every  nicnilicr  of  liis  faniil}-,  auioinitin" 
in  all  to  eight  persons,  were  taken  down.     He,  himself,  in  tlic  euuv!>e  of  the 
disease,  was  seized  with  cimvulsious  and  delirium,  of  which  he  died.     One  cf 
the  children,  laboring  under  the  fever,  became  aifected  with   symptoms  cf 
epidemic  cholera,  and  died.     Another,  laboring  under  the  same  fever,  espc- 
rienced  an  attack  with  convulsions,   like  tl)e  father,   which  teruiinatcil  in 
hemiplegia,  from  which,  however,  it  has  nearly  recovered.     All  these  events 
happened  at  the  same  place.     Soon  aftervvard  the   remaining  members  of 
the  family  removed  to  Cincinnati,  and  fell  under  the  care  of  Doctor  llidgliv. 
One  of  the  children,  a  boy  four  or  tivu  years  old,  when  the  Doctor  first  saw 
him,  ajjpeared  to  bo  coming  out  of  the  cold  :?tage.     He  was  able  to  s-it  up  in 
the  bod  and  converse  ratioiuilly.     But  soon  after  the  Doctor  left  the  lioua'. 
he  said  he  was  dying,  and  in  fact  expired  —  having  comphiined  of  scvor 
pain  in  his  bowels,  a  symptom  whic'h  existed  in  the  paroxysm  of  the  prcc;.- 
ding  day.     Not  long  afterward,  a  daugliter,  two  or  three  jears  older,  lali.r- 
ing  under  the  same  form  of  fever,  was  attacked  with  convulsions,  ac':iii!;- 
panied  with  hemiplegia,  and  after  several  repetitions,  througliout  the  intorvalj  | 
of  which  she  remained  senseless,  she  expired.     Two  other  chilJreu  and  t::i 
mother  are  recovering.     One  of  these  children,  according  to  the  stateniontif 
the  mother,  had  a  paroxysm  of  the   fever,  when  it  was  but  three  days  o;]. 
Of  the  two  that  died  in  the  city,  Doctor  l\idgley  was  permitted  to  exaniir.e 
the  body  of  one  only,  the  boy,  but  had  not  an  opportunity  of  inspecting  the  | 
brain  or  spinal  marrow.     The  mucous  membrane  of  the  stomach  and  liiffcIvJ 
was  free  from  inflammatory  lesions.     The  liver  was  unusually  firm,  and  of  a' 
leaden  color.     The  spleen  was  dark-eolored,  engorged,  and  enlarged. 

'•  The  whole  family  had  been  treated,  before  they  came  to  Cincinnati,  u;;'.! ; 
the  sulphate  of  quinine,  and  bloodletting,  both  general  and  loeal,  liad  In 
omitted.     The  Doctor  and  myself  are  of  opinion,  that  the  whole,  at  lir^t,,| 
required  the  lancet ;  atid  suppose  that   ♦'o  its   omission,  and  the  early  ai, 
empyrical  administration  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  the  sinister  termiiiaticnt 
of  most  of  them  might  be  fairly  attributed.'' 


SECTION  III. 

PATHOLOGY  AND  CO.MPLICATIONS. 
I.  PATiioroCiY.  —  So  much  was  said  in  the  preceding  chapter  on  tliepr- 
duction  and  jiathologieal  character  of  the  first  and  second  stages  of  aatuffi^ 
nal  fever,  that  but  little  remains  to  be  added  here.  A  uiali^Mant  parosysni.il 
little  else  than  the  cold  stage  Oi"  an  ordinary  intermittent,  deepened  aiiJl 
prolonged.  The  iiniervation  is  scathed,  the  circulation  is  enfeebled :  t';S 
blood,  largely  retained  from  the  n:ore  citerual  parts,  circulates  with  diilicultyJ 


^% 


fAUT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


705 


:liroiigli  tlie  internal  or  visceral  system,  wliich  is  rendered  plethoric,  and  tlio 
ercat  organs,  as  tlio  f-tumneli,  spU'on..  iiver,  lungs,  lieart,  and  brain,  are,  re- 
crio'.'tively,  liable  to  jiernieions  engi.rgenients,  ur  nbstruetions,  greatly  increasing 
•,k  danger.     A  failure   in  the   lunetinn  of  respiration,  in  the  coiiperativo 
letiou  of  the  brain,  and  in   tlio  prujei'tile  power  of  tlio  lieart.  eoinblne  to 
iimiiilsh  the  aeration  of  the  blood;  wliicb,  deteriorated  in  its  constitution, 
Mitributes  ptill  further  to  sink  the  powers  of  life.     This   condition  of  the 
r^piratory  function,  diininishes  the  heat  of  the  body,   whicli  is  moreover 
:;luc('d  by  the  failure  of  the  calorific  function  of  the  skin,  from  tlio  com- 
iiiiod  lesions  of  tlic  nervous  and  circulatory  systems;  while  the  ready  tran.'> 
xlatioii,  whi(;h    the   relaxed  integument  pcr:uits,  oi   the  serous  portion  of 
::o  blood,   and  the  copious  exhalation    which  takes   place,   accelerate  the 
:).-i!iiig.     Thus  the  patient  dies  under  the  combined  influence  of  do[iression 
!  the  vital  forces,   and    that    conse(|uential    or  accidental  engorgement  of 
ioaie  great  organ,  whieh  has  procured  for  this  fever  the  epitiiot,  congestive, 
ijr  should  a  partial  reaction   occur  —  sliould  he  survive  two   or  tlireo  par- 
'STsnis.  to  expire  in  a  fourth  or  fifth,  as  occasionally  happens  —  a  low  ill- 
umination may  be  superadded  to  passive  hyporaMuia  in  tlie  organs  most  capa- 
;.■  of  reaction,  while  others  remain  torpid,  and  perhaps  engorged. 
I!.     CoMi'UCATioxs.  —  The  diathesis  which  is  present  incur  malignant 
::terniittcnts,  is  observed  to  manifest  its  influence  in  several  diseases,  whieh, 
hsuninier,  autumn,  or  winter,  appear  wliore  tlic}'  are  endemic. 

1.  In  July,  and  .August,  when  dysentery  prevails,  cases  oecur,  and  gener- 
I'Jy  prove  fat.al,  which,  by  the  periodical  sinking  of  the  vital  powers,  evince 
i'lircsencc  of  this  condition  of  the  constitution. 
■-'.  During  the  prevalence  of   epidemic  cholera    in   the   south,   the   opc- 
•Jtivcs  on  some  plantations,  died  in  such   numbers,  so  much  in  despite  of 
ranlies   employed  in  the  very  first  stages,  and  with  such  a  rapid  decline  of 
:iie  powers  of  life,  as  to  leave  no  doubt  of  the  presence  of  the  same  influence. 
•1.  T!ic  same   thing  has  happened  in  tlie  epidemic  erysijielas  of  the  la.-t 
k  years,  several  instructive  examples  of  whicli  have  been  iletailed  to  me. 
4,  This  diathi  is  has  likewise  been  obs(;rved  to  modify  yellow  fever — giv- 
::it  a  tendency  to  a  periodical  tyne,  and  r^'udering  the  treatment  for  inter- 
mittent fever  necessary  to  the  eu'-o  of  that  disease. 
■\  Hut  tlie  most  fre(ment  and  formidable  of  these  complications,  is  that 
;:'?oiited  by  the  paeuniouias  of  the  south;  and.  also,  on  the  sliores  of  the 
Wu'S  in  tlie  north,  where  numerous  cases   occur,  which  the  profession  too 
•ftonfmd  unmanageable,  by  any  method  of  treatment  they  have  been  able 
^  devise. 


:ations. 

u-cceding  chapter  on  the  pt. 

d  second  stages  of  autuuH 
A  malijMant  paroxysm,  ij 

,•  intermittcut,  deepened  aiJ 
irculatlou  is  enfeebled  i  t  .i 
u-t3,  circulates  with  difficulty] 


SECTION  lY. 

TREATMENT  IN  THE  PAROXYSM. 

In  most  instances,  the  physician,  when  first  called  to  a  case  of  malignant 
■  t.rmittent,  will  lind  the  patient  in  a  paroxysm,  and  his  immediate  aim  will 


,1*.. 


l('4  L 


ri,.,-.. 


^.j.iil^' 


7i4i;.ii  *».'   ■■■-  '■-    K 
,1M>'  '  ■;.'-N  :   1 


'','"■■:;■  ■    ..■•;»  v.v 

•   -.  •:':■«     ■    .'  ' 

.■i,-  .;,  ■■•■.  ■ 
!*•     ■  .  ''■'i'  ■■'■■ 


.|s?i"  alji'j:  if,  •.'■''■' '  ''•!'  '■   ,    •' 


t^'i^.' 


!l5  I'"  ■  ■    ■   *         . 


rco 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book 


bo  to  jn'oduco  reaction.  For  tliis  purpose  a  great  variety  of  means  have  been 
trieil ;  which  sufficiently  indicates  that  none  of  them  arc  very  eflcctivo.  I 
shall  hegin  with  — 

I.  EvACUAN'Ts.  —  1.  Bloodlellliig.  —  Some  of  our  phj.sicians,  ou  the 
hypothesis  that  a  malignant  intermittent  is  only  tlic  highest  grade  of  gastro- 
enteritis, have  bled  for  the  reduction  of  inflammation,  but  no  success  lias 
attended  the  practice;  on  the  contrary,  if  certain  things,  injurious  in  iLut 
inflammation,  were  not  done  afte.'  the  bleeding,  the  patient  ])erished. 

Others,  'Mid  a  greater  number,  have  bled  to  j)romote  roii':tion,  by  accuuiu- 
lating  the  excitability  of  the  system.     That,  in  most  forms  of  disease  as  vdl 
as  in  health,  the  loss  of  blood  has  that  effect,  seems  quite  certain.     ])ut  is  ii 
followed  by  such  an  improved  condition  of  the  vital  properties  and  powers  in 
malignant  intermittents  ?    That  it  frequently  is,  in  simple  intermittents,  -wlion 
.:  severe  chill  is  rather  prolonged,  has  been  shown  by  Doctor  IMackintusli,'' 
and  the  experience  of  a  number  of  our  physicians  goes  to  the  same  poii:t. 
But  does  such  an  effect  follow  its  use  in  nnilignant  intermittents,  unattemy 
with  great  congestion  of  the  lungs  or  brain  ?     To    this    question  a  largi 
majority  of  our  physicans  give  a  negative   answer.     There   is  a  degree  uu 
the  scale  of  vital  energy,  lo  wliich  the  functions  often  sink  in  the  cold  .staj;i> 
of  this  disease,  which  renders  bloodletting  not  only  inefficient  as  a  nn'ai:^  m 
restoring  the  exhausted  excitability,  but  causes   the  patient  to  sink  uimi. 
rapidly.     "When  the  forces  of  the  system  are  above   tliat  grade,  wlieu  tl:-, 
danger  from  exhaustion  and  collapse  is  not  imminent,  the  loss  of  blood  iiiiy 
favor  reaction ;    but  precisely,   when  assistance  is  most  needed,  it  La^iicr- 
ally  fails  to  atford  any.     It  is  to  tiie  north,  in  the  basin  of  the  Lakis.  a? 
might  be  expected,  that  the  efficacy  of  this  remedy  has  been  most  a[ip;i- 
rent.     To  the  south,  so  great  is  the  enfecblement  of  the  heart  and  artirid 
system,  that  reaction  will  not  in  general  follow. 

12.  Eniclics.  —  It  is  well  known  that  full  and  free  vomiting  isveryoftea; 
followed  by  an  increase  of  the  excitability  and  sensibility  of  the  stuiuaeli; 
and,  through  it,  of  the  whole  .system.     Hence  emetics,  prima  facie,  woull 
seem  adapted  to  this  stage  of  malignant  intermittents,  and  they  have,  in] 
fact,  been  often  prescribed.     But,  on  the  whole,  their  effects  have  nut  boon! 
saluttiry.     In  cases  not  very  violent,  and  administered  under  certain  restric- 
tions, they  have  often,  it  is  true,  been  followed  by  early  and  general  reactioa; 
but  their  sinister  effects   have  greatly  limited  their  use,  and  deserve  to  Wl 
recorded      First.  The  nausea,  protracted  when  the  stomach  is  torpid,  wliWii 
precedes  vomiting,  sinks  the  jiowers   of  the  system  still   lower.     Soivi'^ 
When  the  vomiting  takes  place,  it  becomes,  in  certain  gastric  cases,  exoe>fivj| 
and  irre^n'cssiblo.     Tkird.  Instead  of  vomiting  the  patient,  or  aftur  liiui.i 
dune  so,  the  medicine  is  apt  to  turn  upon  the  bowels,  and  produce  a  watorrj 
diarrlhoa,  or  hypercatharsis,  under  which  the  patient  sinks.     This  is  ci-po-l 
daily  true  of  tartar  emetic;  whlcli,  at  the  same  time,  reduces  the  vital  fom'-;| 
and,  therefore,  over  the  south  generally,  is  regarded  as  a  most  daiigi'i' 

*Priucii)k'S  and  Practico  of  Mediciuo. 


?reat 


II. 

clotlicp 
oil  of 
pisms ; 
cxtroiii 
It  is  a 
tompci 
may  e\ 
liaving 
jioiaii  I 
ill  iire 
tuo  ex 


THE 


[book  u. 


riKT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


7G7 


iriety  of  means  have  Luen 
m  arc  very  efTeclive.    1 

our    pliy.sieians,   on  tlio 
1  Liglicfct  grade  of  gastro- 
tion,  but  uo  success  lias 
things,  injurious  in  tliui 
patient  ])erishcJ. 
not(!  ve'.i':tion,  l»y  accunm- 
5t  foi-nis  of  disease  as  wull 
s  quite  certain.     V>\xt  is  ii 
.1  properties  and  powas  in 
simple  intermittents,  wkn 
n  by  Doctor  ]NIackintt)sli;' 
3  rrocs  to  the  same  poii;t. 
t  intermittents,  unattciiu.J 

To  this  question  a  lai-. 
;r.  There  is  a  degree  'j;i 
,ften  sink  in  the  cold  m^ 
ly  inefficient  as  a  nuaus  .. 

the  patient  to  sink  wik 
bove  that  grade,  Avheu  tli.. 
nent,  the  loss  of  bloud  nuy 

is  most  needed,  it  gcuer- 
ilic  basin  of  the  Lakes,  a; 
medy  has  been  most  apiji- 
t  of  the  heart  and  avteibl 

free  vomiting  is  very  oiKii 
sensibility  of  the  stuiiiacli;; 
>metics,  prima  facie,  woullj 
mittents,  and  they  have,  r,ij 
,  their  effects  have  nut  bee:ij 
itcred  under  certain  vestiie- 
,- early  and  general  reaction;! 
leir  use,  and  deserve  to  Ui 
the  stomach  is  torpid,  vliilij 
ystem  still   lower.     Sccvik 
i-tain  gastric  cases,  exccs^lv>>j 
the  patient,  or  after  Iwvi.ijl 
(jwels,  and  produce  a  watcrjl 
atlent  sinks.     This  isciv.-l 
time,  reduces  the  vital  fovw-J 

arded  as  a  most  daiigoiW.^ 
udiciuc. 


BiHlicine  in  this  fever.  The  objections  to  ipecac  are  not  so  great,  and  it  is, 
iccasionally,  employed  with  advantage.  Of  tlie  wliole  class,  however,  the 
:tiinulating  salt  and  mustard  emetic,  is  the  least  dangerous,  the  most 
likely  to  do  good,  and  the  oftencst  employed. 

3.  Cathartics.  —  Ilydrogoguo  cathartics  are  regarded  as  inevitably  fatal. 
poctor  Boling,  of  Montgomery,  told  me  that  be  had  known  six  patients  killed 
with  a  solution  of  epsom  salts  and  tartar.  In  cases  preceded  by  costiveness, 
ai'idoratc  purging,  with  blue  mass  or  calomel,  cimibined  Avith  extract  of 
•lannnony,  the  compound  extract  of  colocynth,  and  other  stimulating  cathartics, 
-r  followed  by  an  infusion  of  senna,  with  aromatics,  with  castor  oil,  or,  as  Doc  - 
i.ir  AuiL.,,  of  the  same  place,  prefers,  the  oil  of  turpentine,  is  admi.'^sille  during 
t'jc  paroxysm,  and  occasionally  favors  the  reaction.  But,  on  the  whole, 
drastic  purging  is  held  to  be  injurious;  and  the  change  which  has  taken 
place  over  the  west  and  south,  within  the  last  eight  or  ten  years,  on  this 
point,  has  been  signal  and  decisive.  But  may  not  large  doses  of  calomel  do  good? 
Uf  course  that  medicine  will  not  injure  the  patient  by  excess  of  purging: 
ami,  a  priori,  it  would  seem  likely  to  prove  beneficial ;  but  experience  has  not 
;';iuwn  it  to  possess  the  power  which  is  demanded  in  these  cases ;  ami. 
sithough  still  in  general  use,  the  (quantity  given  is  nmcli  less  than  formerly, 
iiDil  the  reliance  on  its  efficacy  is  greatly  diminished. 

Wc  must  turn  from  evacuants  to  stimi:l.\nt,s,  considering  them  under 
two  heads  —  external  and  internal.  When  the  vital  forces  arc  so  re- 
duced that  the  functions  generally  fail,  and  seem  likely  to  cease,  a  kind 
of  instinct,  strengthened  by  experience,  turns  the  attention  of  the  phy- 
sician, the  friends,  and  even  the  patient,  if  his  mental  faculties  shuuld 
not  be  too  much  impaired,  upon  something  to  excite  the  system.  This 
ieliii"",  not  less  than  observation,  has  jirompted  to  the  use  of  almost 
every  known  means  of  excitation.  I  am  sorry  to  say,  they  have  too  (ifien 
proved  altogether  ineffectual,  and  sometimes  even  inert.  The  susce[)tibili- 
tii'S  of  the  system  are,  in  many  cases,  so  much  diminished,  that  stimuli  pro- 
dace  scarely  any  more  elTect,  than  if  the  patient  were  actually  dead.  In 
cases,  less  deep  and  dangerous,  they  do  good,  by  creating  excitement — the 
great  object  to  be  accomi)lished  in  the  paroxysm.  The  means  employed  for 
t'lis  purpose  may  be  divided  into  external  and  internal. 

II.  ExTKRNAi.  Stimulants.  —  Frictions  witli  the  hand,  with  woolen 
clothes,  or  with  brushes;  pungent  liniments,  as  those  containing  ammonia,  or 
oil  of  turpentine;  mustard,  rubbed  on  dry  or  applied  in  the  furni  (if  a  sina- 
pisms; a  capsicum-bath,  blisters,  alcohol,  and  camphorated  s[)irit,  to  the 
cxtreniities,  epigastrium,  or  over  the  spine,  are  the  principal  applications. 
It  is  a  fact  that  these  articles  will  redden  the  sk  ii,  without  increasing  its 
temperature,  or  raising  the  sunken  powers  of  the  circulation.  The  patient 
may  even  complain  of  them,  and  become  restless  under  their  action,  without 
liaviiig  the  excitement  of  his  constituti(Mi  elevated.  But  in  this  matter  a  phy- 
Mciau  should  be  on  his  guard,  for  friends  and  nurses,  when  a  patient  is  extremely 
ill,  are  prone  to  remove  from  him  everything  of  which  he  comjilains,  whereby 
tlie  expected  benefit  is  sometimes  lost.     The  application  of  sinapisms  and 


m 


fiii' 


I,  ■' 


/  t 


■fl 


•  !• 


iiiii. 


t\\i 


(08 


THE  PRIXCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


1.B00K  II. 


■        ■ 

ri'vU    ...    , 


LlLstcrs  tu  tlio  cxtrcniitiea  is  often  itiaJo  wlien  the  hitter  are  so  f(,l(l  and 
in.soiisililo,  tliat  no  cfrect  cauhc  prnJuL'od.  This  is  seeming  to  (In  SdnictUiifr, 
■when  ii.()lhlii.g,  in  fact,  is  done.  Tiicro  are  two  applications  which  deserve  a 
sejiarate  consideration  from  those  wo  have  just  enumerated. 

1.  Ili'al. — In  a  pathological  state,  so  strikingly  characterized  by  reduction 
of  temperature,  uotliing  seems  more  natural  than  the  apjilicatiun  of  cali  rir, 
through  the  mnlhi  of  air,  lii[uids,  and  solids.  When  we  arc  cold,  the  apjiruiith 
to  a  fire  speedily  warms  us,  and  we  look  to  the  same  result  in  a  niah'^nant 
intermittent ;  hut  are  often  disappointed.  The  reason  is  oltvious.  The 
organized  hody  —  living,  dying,  or  dead,  is  an  exceedingly  imperfect  con- 
ductor  of  caloric ;  and,  when  wo  are  suddenly  warmed  after  exposure  to  coKl 
being  at  the  same  time  in  health,  it  is  partly  because  the  loss  of  caloric  u;is 
superficial,  and  partly  because  the  applied  heat  stimulates  the  calnrili/ 
function  into  increased  activity,  or  reaction;  whereljy  caloric  is  devehiped  in 
the  structures,  as  well  as  received  ]»y  them  from  without.  Lut  in  the  suiiki.ii 
state  of  the  vital  proportithes,  is  stimulus  often  fails  to  rcexcite  the  caln.iii,. 
function,  and  all  the  ^ya^ming  that  follows,  on  our  applications,  is  superficial 
and  tempoiary.  Sometimes,  indeed,  vnae  can  be  observed,  for  the  great 
exhalation  wliich  is  going  on  from  the  skin,  and  which  i,s  actually  proniottd 
]>y  tlie  more  rapid  evaporation  of  the  escaping  vapor,  under  the  inflneiuc  nf 
the  caloric  we  apply,  tends  to  prevent  any  rise  of  temperature;  and  tliis 
will,  especially,  be  the  ease  when  dry  heat  is  applied,  and  the  atmosphere  at 
the  same  time  has  access  to  the  surface.  Baths,  extensive  cataplasin.«.  cr 
the  ajtjdieation  of  flannels  wrung  out  of  hot  fluids,  and  so  covered  witli  oilij 
silk  or  India  rubber  doth,  as  to  prevent  evaporation,  are,  therefore,  the  lo?t 
modes  of  applying  caloric.  Nor  need  their  temperature,  in  these  modes,  bu 
many  degrees,  or,  indeed,  any  above  the  natural  heat  of  the  body :  as  Doctor 
Edw  ;rds*  has  proved  that  heat  tends  to  destroy  the  irritability  of  the  uiu,s- 
cular  fiber,  already  greatly  reduced  in  these  cases. 

I  have  seen  immersion  in  a  general  hot  bath,  made  stimulating  with 
mustard,  salt,  and  whisky,  fail  to  produce  the  least  reaction  ;  and  have,  also, 
seen  the  entire  body  wrapped  in  blankets,  wrung  out  of  a  spiritous  decoction 
of  bark,  cipially  ineffective,  although  applied  as  hot  as  they  could  be  hurne 
b}'  the  hands  of  the  nurses,  and  e\aporation  from  them  prevented. 

2.  CnJd.  —  The  gentleman  just  (puitcd  has  ;;liown  that  cold  tends  to  preserve 
the  irrri;.ability  of  the  fiber,  and  what  has  that  effect  may,  within  certain  limits, 
be  presumed  to  augment  it  when  reduced.  Tlie  sudden  ajiplieation  of  colil, 
moreover,  acts  strongly  on  the  nerves  of  the  skin,  which  are  endowed  with  a 
peculiar  or  specific  sensibility  to  caloric ;  if  then  cold  water  be  thrown  upon 
it,  excitation  will  be  the  consecpienee,  unless  the  patient  be  past  reaction; 
but  the  efl'ect  will,  perhajis,  be  transient,  and  by  continuing  the  application 
too  long,  the  loss  of  caloric,  by  abstraction,  may  do  harm.  Finally,  the  enld 
dash  tends  to  reexcite  tlie  laini'uid  function  of  respiration,  wl'^rebv  exiitc- 
ment  and  heat  may  be  generated.     There  arc  three  modes,  then,  in  whicli 


die 


-loei), 


"Influence  of  Physical  Agents. 


•HE 


LBOOK  11. 


r.vRT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


709 


t. 

^ 


■'  1 


attcr  are  so  cdA  and 
cmiiig  to  tlo  sciincUfuig, 
atloiis  which  du'serve  a 
jratcd. 

iractcrizctl  by  reduction 
J  application  of  cahric, 
•e  are  cohl,  the  apjiroatb 
10  result  ill  a  malignant 
jason  is  ohvious.     The 
sedivi'dy  imperfect  con- 
l  after  expusuro  to  coKl, 
;c  the  loss  of  caloric  was 
stimulates    the    calovitic 
y  caloric  is  developed  in 
out.     But  ill  the  sunkiu 
s  to  reOxcitc  the  cah>nfii< 
pplications,  is  supevfici:d 
observed,  for  the  great 
ich  is  actually  promoted 
:ir,  under  the  influence  nf 
f  temperature;  and  tin- 
il,  and  the  atim  .sphere  at 
extensive  cataplasms,  ot 
and  so  covered  with  oikd 
1,  arc,  therefore,  the  hc?t 
:iture,  in  these  modes,  bu 
it  of  the  body :  as  Doctor 
,e  irritability  of  the  niU5- 

1,  made   stimulating  with 
reaction  ;  and  have,  also, 

it  of  a  spiritous  decoction 

t  as  they  could  be  hurno 

Jiem  prevented. 
that  cold  tends  to  in-oHprU' 

may,  witliin  certain  limit*, 
ulden  application  of  colil, 
which  are  endowed  with  a 
dd  water  be  thrown  upon 
laticnt  bo  past  rcnclimi; 
mtinuing  the  application 
harm.  ^Finally,  tlio  enlil 
piration,  whereby  cx(ite- 
roe  modes,  then,  in  whicli 


cold  may  prove  beneficial  in  those  cases.  T3ut  not  to  decide  anything  a 
priori,  wlicn  wc  can  appeal  to  experience,  let  us  inrpirc  into  the  results  of 
this  practice. 

The  Western  Journal*  contains  a  paper  by  Doctor  Achilles  AYliitloeko,  'if 
N'orth  Alabama,  on  tlie  cold  da.sh  in  malignant  intermittcnts,  from  wliieli  I 
malce  the  following  extracts:  —  "  TIic  common  practiee  in  this  region,  is  to 
ropoat  the  aiVusion,  according  to  circumstances,  until  general  reactiiiu  is 
bnaiglit  on,  whiih  it  seldom  fails  to  produce;  though  like  all  oilier  remedies, 
it  sometimes  falls  sliort  of  our  more  sanguine  expectations.  The  adniinis- 
tration  of  tliis  ageiit  in  the  collapse  of  fever,  so  far  as  I  am  informed,  origi- 
nated with  Doctor  Thomas  Fcarn,  of  Iluntsville,  Alabama;  wlio.s(.' reputa- 
tion both  as  a  pliy.sician  and  surgeon,  is  too  well  known  to  the  profession  in 
die  south,  to  need  my  hr.ml)le  testimony.  Living  in  a  region  of  country, 
where  tlie  diseases  are  generally  violent,  he  resolved,  as  a  dernier  resort,  on 
the  experiment  of  cold  water,  in  the  stage  of  collapse,  of  the  disease  now 
under  consideration,  and  his  experiment  was  not  fruitless,  for  in  niuiierous 
instances,  he  and  his  enliglitened  colleague.  Doctor  lOrskine,  have  employed 
it  with  unpreeedentc  success ;  and  they  do  not  liositate  to  recommend  it  to 
:he  profession,  as  an  agent  of  superior  efficacy  to  any  other  tliey  liavo  ever 
oraplo3-ed.  Tlioy  further  believe,  that,  where  the  susceptibility  of  im]n-es- 
-ion  is  not  entirely  destroyed,  and  where  no  vital  organ  has  sustained  an  ir- 
rcefivera1)le  injury,  the  affusion  of  cold  water,  will  in  almost  every  ease,  bo  at- 
tended with  com[dcte  success.  To  exemplify  its  effects  fully  in  this  maladj', 
I  will  here  detail  a  few  additional  cases,  which  came  under  my  own  care  and 
vhservation,  witliin  the  last  tlirce  years." 

Ti  '  Doctor  has  given  the  details  of  four  cases  in  which  tlie  praetli?e  was 
mccessful.     1  will  introduce  one  as  a  specimen  of  the  wliole : 

"On  the  third  of  September,  l^'-M,  I  was  called  to  see  a  blaek  man,  the 
nropcrty  of  Mr.  F.,  aged  thirty-four  years,  and  of  good  constitution.  I 
i'ound  liiin  very  restless,  witli  a  small,  quick  pulse  of  one  liundred  and  thirty- 
3ve  heats  to  the  minute,  and  he  was  bathed  in  a  ('(dd  el;immy  sweat  over  his 
whole  surface;  he  complained  of  great  weight  in  or  about  the  epigastrium, 
had  an  insatiable  thirst  for  cold  drinks  only ;  his  res[dration  was  difficult, 
snd  his  physiognomy  shrunken.  I  learned  from  the  overseer,  that  ho  had 
iiad  a  cliill  two  days  previously,  and  one  on  the  morning  of  the  present  day 
'it  was  now  near  night),  and  had  become  much  worse  since  the  approach  of 
the  sweating  stage.  Fully  understanding  the  case,  as  I  thought,  I  ordered 
ome  cold  well-water  to  bo  brought,  and  immediately  ptiurcd  on  his  naked 
%  about  twenty  gallons;  having  finished,  the  patient  was  so  mm  h  relieved 
35  to  return  to  bed  withont  assistance.  In  a  short  time,  liis  ojipression  was 
removed,  the  heat  of  the  surface  returned,  and  ho  fell  into  a  rel're.«biiig 
-Wp.  His  pulse  gradually  rose,  and  became  open,  full,  and  less  frerpient, 
i^  respiration  easy,  and  general  reaction  was  present  when  he  awoke.  No- 
t'ling  hut  the  free  use  of  fpiiiiine  and  mild  laxative  was  afterward  necessary 
to  restore  him  to  his  former  health." 


loa 


^(1 

I.. 


,ti]!f;:-. 


For  Januarv,  February,  ami  Marcli,  1837. 


im>: 


Htm'.."  '  '.-'Vl   ■>.  '•': '        ■'  '  "•• 

>•  v  %  s' r-'Jrj.  ••' ^,    '■  ,••■'•••■ 

Mb'J''  •■•?•'  .."         '■■ :  '  ■  i  ■ 
IT' ..."  '?  ■   -M  i.'       1.  ■  ;  '    , 

-   ■->-■  rT',rt,  :..     -Jr.-:.  •-■   ■    \ 


Z'J!     I        .:         .       ... 


■I     .  .'i'X  . 


770 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[I'OOK  il. 


]>y  extensive  itiquiiy,  I  liave  found  that  this  practice  is  not  goneriil,  especi- 
ally to  the  north.  Those  who  have  resorted  tu  it,  reside  chiefly  in  the  soutli. 
Tlieir  reports  conflict  with  each  other.  A  part  have  found  it  beneficial  —  a 
part  injurious,  no  reaction  having  followed.  I  may  say,  of  a  truth,  that  the 
majority  of  our  phy.sicians,  influenced,  perhaps,  to  some  extent  by  popular 
aversion  and  prejudice,  have  not  employed  it. 

The  sudden  alternation  of  hot  and  cold  water,  would,  perhaps,  be  ninvc 
efficacious,  than  the  ex(dusive  use  of  cither.  I  have  not,  however,  met  with 
any  physician  who  had  resorted  to  this  powerful  means  of  restoring  lust 
excitement. 

III.  lNTj;KNAh  Stimui,axts. — Almost  every  kind  of  excitant  and  narcotico- 
stimuhint,  has  been  administered,  internally.  In  this  stage  of  the  paroxysm  of 
malignant  intermittent  fever,  wine,  brandy,  whisky,  and  other  alcoholic  drinks 
have  been  liberally  given;  but  the  results  have  not  been  such  as  to  connneuj 
them.  Tliey  probably  act  unfavorably  upon  the  brain.  The  acrid  and  aro- 
matic stimulants,  such  as  capsicum,  and  the  oils  of  black  pej)per,  clove.-,  am] 
cinnamon,  are  not  liable  to  this  objection,  and  continue  to  be  in  general  use : 
an  evidence  that  they  have  not  been  found  prejudicial;  and  doubtle.s.s  they 
have  sometimes  proved  serviceable.  Camphor  and  annnonia  are  likewise  used, 
a  considerable  number  of  physicians  testify  in  their  favor.  On  the  wholo, 
however,  opium  has,  perhaps,  been  more  constantly  employed  than  any  otlitr 
medicine ;  and  appears  to  be  harmless  (if  not  very  obviously  beneficial),  when 
not  ciintraindicated  by  the  state  of  the  brain.  When  the  bowels  are  torpid,  its 
use  is  apoehryphal ;  but  if  there  be  watery  diarrhoea,  by  no  means,  an  uncom- 
mon complication,  its  effee'ts  arc  every  way  precious;  to  obtain  them,  liow- 
ever,  it  must  be  administered  in  very  large  doses.  Finally,  the  sulpliatc 
of  quinine  has  been  repeatedly  and  copiously  prescribed  during  the  paroxysms; 
but  not,  on  the  whole,  with  much  benefit.  Such  at  least  is  the  result  of  my 
inipiiries ;  to  which  I  must  add,  that  quite  a  number  of  physicians  have,  as 
they  tliiidc,  found  it  injurious,  from  its  depressing  the  vital  forces  still  luwor. 

Stimidating  and  anodyne  enemata  have  not  been  omitted;  but  it  seems 
that  when  the  stomach  is  insuscei)tible  to  the  action  of  medicines,  the  rectum 
is  nearly  in  the  same  condition.  When,  however,  there  is  diarrhoea,  astringent 
and  narcotic  injections  have  done  good. 

Huch  are  the  measures  in  general  use,  for  establishing  reaction,  in  our  ma- 
lignant intermittents.  Their  variety  is  great,  and  they  are,  in  most  casis, 
applied  with  that  energy,  which  is  characteristic  of  our  physicians;  but  tlie 
results  of  their  employment,  have  never  been  encouraging ;  and,  I  see  no 
ground  of  hope,  for  greater  success,  from  the  use  of  other,  untried  agents. 
The  difficulty  lies  in  the  state  of  the  vital  susceptibihties  during  the  paroxysm. 

IV.  Mkans  of  kelikving  tue  Internal  Oroans. — To  relieve  the  or- 
gans which  are  in  a  state  of  congestion  or  incipient  iuflannnation,  is  tbo 
second  object.  In  the  majority  of  cases,  the  patlndogical  condition  is  that  et 
congestion  only.  This  condition  connects  itself  with  tlie  paroxysm,  eif  \Yliicli 
it  makes  in  many  cases  a  momentous  element.  I  propose  to  speak  of  tL 
organs,  seriatim,  in  which  it  occur,^,  beginning  with — 


H 


IIH 


[UOOK  11. 


;  is  not  f^oncral,  cspcc'i- 
ido  chiefly  in  tlic  Sdutli. 
fouml  it  Ijeuuficial  —  a 
ay,  of  a  trutli,  tliat  tlio 
mo  extent  by  poimlar 

oulil,  perhaps,  he  nioiv 

not,  liuwever,  met  witli 

loans  of  restoring  lust 

f  excitant  anil  narcotid.- 
stago  of  the  paroxysm  (if 
11(1  other  uleoholic  thinks 
cen  such  as  to  commend 
in.     The  acrid  and  aro- 
jUick  pepper,  cluve,-,  ami 
luo  to  he  in  general  use : 
cial ;  and  doubtless  they 
nmonia  are  likewise  iiseil, 
ir  favor.     On  the  wliulo, 
oniphiyed  than  any  otlier 
bviously  beneficial),  when 
I  the  bowels  are  torpid,  its 
I,  hy  no  means,  anuucoir.- 
.is;  to  obtain  them,  how- 
i.     Finally,  the  sulpliatc 
ed  during  the  paroxysms; 
least  is  the  result  of  my 
•cr  of  physicians  have,  as 
10  vital  forces  still  luwer, 
u  omitted;  but  it  scorns 
1  of  medicines,  the  rectum 
ere  is  diarrhoea,  astringent 

ishing  reaction,  in  our  ma- 
I  they  arc,  in  most  cases, 
f  our  physicians ;  hut  tlie 
couraging ;  and,  I  sec  no 
,f  other,  untried  agents. 
ities  during  the  paroxysm. 

.VNs._To  relievo  the  or- 
lient  inflannnation,  is  tk 
dogical  condition  is  that  "f 

th  the  paroxysm,  of  ^1"^'' 
propose  to  speak  of  tb 
:li— 


( 


MRT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLCY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


71 


1.  The  Ijrain.  —  The  aflVctions  of  tliis  organ,  manifest  themselves,  as  wo 
have  seen,  by  two  symptom.s — drowsines.s  and  delirium — the  form  or  lieing 
far  more  common  than  the  hitter.  All  soporose  intcrmittents,  may  l»o  re- 
garded as  of  an  apoplectic  character,  and  should  bo  treated  accordingly.  The 
remedies  are  of  cour,se  substantially  the  same,  as  for  ordinary  apojdc.xy ;  but 
tlie  character  of  the  fever,  of  which  this  is  a  more,  but  most  serious  contin- 
gent, limits  their  application,  for  the  vital  forces  do  not  admit  of  their  being 
[iu.-;hed  very  far.     Of  the  wlnde,  that  most  deserving  of  deep  consideration  is: 

a.  Ijloodlettiiig. — After  the  dissemination  in  this  country,  more  than  jirc- 
viously,  of  Dc'itor  Mackinto.sh's  recommendation  of  bloodletting  us  a  means 
uf  j>roducing  speedy  reaction,  in  the  more  common  ftirm  of  intermittent  fe- 
ver, it  became  fashionable  to  resort  to  the  lancet  in  soporose  intermit  tents ; 
and  it  seems  scarcely  admissible  to  omit  it.  In  fact  the  most  beneficial  efl'ects 
Lave  frcipiently  followed  its  use — the  coma  abating  and  reaction  coming  on. 
Nevertheless.,  it  has  often  failed;  the  enervation  of  the  circulatory  apparatus, 
ffliich  lies  at  the  foundation  of  the  dilliuulty,  being  angnicuted  iiy  the  loss 
of  blood.  The  cases  in  which  it  has  been  most  beneficial,  were  such  as  pre- 
sented an  anatomical  and  physiological  predisposition  to  apoplexy,  with  IVdl- 
iiess  of  face,  increased  heat  of  the  head,  and  stertorous  respiration.  In  the 
absence  of  these  symptoms,  and  the  presence  of  more  coma  wHh  palor  of  the 
face,  Its  eifects  have  been  less  beuelicial,  and  sometimes  injurious.  After 
venesection,  or  in  cases  not  seeming  to  admit  of  it,  cupping  over  the  neck 
:aid  temples,  has  beer  employed  with  decided  advantage. 

h.  But,  perhajts,  nothing,  taking  the  whole  range  of  those  soporose  intcr- 
mittents, has  done  more  good,  than  the  continued  application  of  cold  or  sub- 
tepid  water  to  the  head;  while  efforts  wore  simultaneously  made  with  hot 
baths  to  invite  blood  into  the  lower  extremities. 

c  A  sinapism  or  blister  to  the  nape  of  the  ncck,  and  sometimes  to  the 
scalp,  has  been  found  servieeal)lo. 

d.  In  these  cases  the  adminiatration  of  stimulating  and  drastic  purgatives, 
such  as  aloes,  gamboge,  calomel,  'sonna,  and  the  oil  of  turpentine  mixed  with 
castor  oil,  is  beneficial;  and  in  pursuance  of  the  same  object — diverting  from 
the  brain — irritating  injecti(jns  maybe  employed. 

2.  When  the  congestion  is  in  the  heart  and  lungs,  tho  dyspncca,  with  sense 
of  thoracic  oppression,  is  groat,  and  the  danger  uiKjuestionable.  This  stale 
may,  to  a  considerable  extent,  coexist  with  oppressinn  of  the  brain,  to  the 
production  of  which  it  can  indeed  contribute;  but  many  cases  arc  without 
coma,  and  tho  anxiety  and  restlessness  of  the  jiatient  is  then  very  great.  In 
this  iiulmonary  obstruction,  and  congestion  of  the  heart,  the  physician  is  oftcu 
tempted  into  the  use  of  tho  lancet;  and  is  sometimes  rewarded  by  the  relief 
of  his  patient;  but,  (iuitc  as  often  is  disappointed,  no  relief  to  the  suffering 
organs  being,  thereby,  procured:  while  the  powers  of  the  general  system  arc 
sinik  still  lower  by  the  depleti(m.  In  addition  to  bloodletting,  or  as  a  .sub- 
stitute, scarification  and  cupping,  or  extensive  dry  cupping,  over  the  chest 
maybe  cmph»yod;  after  which,  the  parts  maybe  as  extensively  irritated  with 
sinapisms  or  blisters.     Of  internal  medicines,  ipecac,  or  that  medicine  with 


■■'\ 


77-2 


THE  rUINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


r 


,nonK  II. 


>■  ■'  lllfL;, 


gflr-.;- ■■■•■•■  , 

W-0-'.   ■  ■     ■  ■'■ 


m:;,'/ 


'■    J■'^*/.■    . 


■*■'.  '. 


ti'  Ju/  ti'  /       •    >^' '  '.'■■■  ■ 

mky^t'-v.''--     ■■:■•■:■■■■ 


vt  ,-1  . 


■  V  ;m 


F*fif''^'r  1".  ■»."■'»  fr.-a'  v-  •■-•', 


y^JfI.-'J*f-^ 


->.■•'••  r 


8f  1 


.',»:-'■  .■.•;■    V  ■■■• .  ■•■ 


o|)iuin,  cr  tlio  wino  of  ipooai:  wltli  landiuumi  aiul  nnunoniatod  alooliol,  would 
SL'oiri  tit  |ir(Miiis(i  iimst.  1  do  not  know  that  tlio  inlialatiuii  of  steam,  riMidi^rcil 
st'inulatiii^  witli  vinegar  or  aroniatius,  has  hcen  tried;  but,  a  jn-iuri,  it  would 
appear  likely  to  prove  benelieial. 

>l.  The  stoniaidi  may  lie  the  chief  seat  of  hteal  irritation  and  congestion, 
when  incessant  voniiting  tends  still  more  rapidly  to  sink  the  already  sniitt<;a 
vital  I'lirees.  Tn  this  condition,  large  (hises  of  calomel,  opiinn,  and  capsirum, 
are  most  to  lieridied  u[)on,  while  epigastric  cupping,  or  strong  counter  irrita- 
tion, have  been  found  serviceable. 

I .  The  diarrhtca  occasionally  i)resent  in  the  malignant  paroxysm,  may,  per- 
haps, be  the  sign  of  a  congestive  tendency  to  the  intestinal  uuieons  membrane. 
The  jirescriptinn  just  nn^ntioned  is  [iroper  in  such  cases;  or  liLicral  doses  of 
opium  and  aectato  of  lead,  with  astringent  and  narcotic  injections,  may  he 
employed. 

T).  Tiio  liver,  undoubtedly,  suffers  very  frcrpiently  in  tliis  paroxy.-m,  he- 
coming  engorged  and  sometimes  perceptibly  enlarged.  The  secretion  and 
excretion  of  bile  arc  susjtended,  and,  in  some  instances,  bilious  n[)pearanecs 
manifest  themselves  in  the  ca'cs,  tho  skin,  and  the  urine.  Of  course,  under 
such  circumstances,  a  liberal  administration  of  calomel  or  t1ie  lilue  mass,  with 
or  without  opiimi,  capsicum,  or  some  other  stimulant,  is  never  neglected.  I 
do  not  recolh'ct  to  have  learned  that  any  physician  has  tried  sponging  the 
trunk  of  the  body  with  a  hot  and  strong  nitro-muriatic  solution,  in  such  cases; 
but,  as  it  would  be  a  powerful  counter-irritant,  and  might  exert  some  spcfific 
influence  on  the  liver,  it  seems  wortliy  of  a  trial. 

().  That  the  spleen  is  generally  engorged  in  malignant  paroxysms,  can 
scarcely  be  doubted.  It  sometimes  projects  bej'ond  tho  cartilages  of  the  ril).< 
during  the  paroxysms,  and,  of  all  tho  scqiiehr  of  the  disease,  an  enlarged 
spleen  is  the  most  conunon ;  almost  tho  only  one,  indeed,  wliich  remains  for 
any  considerable  time.  Of  tho  different  congestions,  this  is.  perhaps,  the 
least  dangerous;  and  may  even  save  more  important  organs  frran  the  same 
pathidogical  condition.*  I  know  of  no  special  treatment  directed  upon  this 
organ  during  tlio  paroxysm. 

Sucli  arc  tlie  chief  local  affections  attending  tho  malignant  paroxysm,  and 
the  most  approved  means  of  removing  them  employed  by  our  physicians. 
That  these  local  affections  often  pndong  tho  [taroxysm,  and  increase  the 
ditliculty  of  exciting  reaction,  must  bo  admitted.  It  is  still  more  obvious, 
that  the}-  are  frcrpiently  the  immediate  cause  of  death,  especially  when 
seated  in  the  brain  or  lungs.  I  have  spoken  of  them  as  simple  congestions, 
but  post  mortem  examinations  in  Kuropc  have  demonstrated,  tliat  in  the 
malignant  intermittents  of  that  continent,  traces  of  inflammation,  in  all  tlic 
organs  mentioned,  have  been  found;  and,  therefore,  wo  must  conclude  that 
it  occurs  on  this  continent.  In  general,  however,  tho  inflammatory  action 
mnst  of  necessity  be  feeble;  and  cannot  be  admitted  to  bo  tlic  cause  of 
death,  in  those  who  die  in  tlie  first  malignant  paroxysm.     An  inflammation 

*  Doctor  Rush. 


tho 


'If) 


r: 


'^DOOK   11. 


miatcd  alooliol,  would 
lon  of  steam,  rondorcil 
3ut,  a  priori,  it  wouM 

tati<in  and  congestion, 
ik  tlio  already  sniitti;u 
ojiiuni,  and  caii.Hicmn, 
strong  cuiuiter  irrita- 
nt paroxysm,  may,  pcv- 
inal  mucous  nicmlirani'. 
^cs ;  or  lilioral  do.sos  of 
otic  injoctions,  may  Lu 

in  tliis  i>aroxy,-m,  ha- 
il. The  secretion  and 
•OS,  bili'ms  njipearanccs 
inc.  Of  course,  under 
\  or  tlio  blue  mass,  with 

is  never  neglected.  I 
has  tried  sponging  the 
;  solution,  in  such  cases; 
lidit  exert  some  snceilie 

lignant  paroxysms,  can 
he  cartilages  of  the  rib? 
disease,  an  enlarged 
deed,  which  remains  for 
nis,  this  is.  perhaps,  tlio 
it  orr^ans  from  the  same 
nent  directed  upon  this 


la 


lignant  paroxysm,  and 
oyecl  by  our  physician?. 
:ixysm,  anil  increase  the 
It  is  still  more  obvious, 
death,  especially  when 
m  as  simple  congestions, 
.nnonstrated,  that  in  the 
inflammation,  in  all  the 
we  must  conclude  that 
the  inflammatory  action 
ted  to  bo  the  cause  of 
livsni.     An  inflammation 


P\RT  1.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


(  ( -J 


may  commence  with  the  coming  on  of  reaction;  and,  continuing  comparatively 
dormant,  thruigh  the  intermission,  ac((nire  greater  intensity  in  the  sueceed- 
ing  fit,  notwithstaiuling  the  sunken  powers  of  the  .system.  Thus  its  ravages 
are  most  likely  to  bo  found,  in  those  who  die  after  several  paroxy.snis. 
Should  the  inflammation  supervene  at  an  early  ]n'rl(id.  and  ac([uire  consider- 
able activity,  it  changes  the  diatlicsis  from  a  maligiiimt  to  an  inilannnatory 
type,  and  in  that  way  may  ju-ove  salutary.  \\'lien  signs  of  inlhi,"-'  ation 
supervene,  the  remedies  appropriate  to  its  particular  seat,  mu.stbe  enipl  •■,  ed  to 
an  extent  conuncnsurato  with  its  intensity;  but  the  physician  shouli'  never 
forget,  that  lie  is  dealing  with  a  paroxysmal  disease;  and  that  he  inu.'^t  em- 
ploy the  antiperiodic  trcatiueiit  not  less  than  antijthlogistie. 


SECTION  V. 

TREATMExNT  IX  THE  INTERMISSION. 

All  the  medicines  reijuired  in  the  inte.  iii,-  m,  has'e  been  enumerated,  an 
[lortions  of  the  hjng  catalogue,  whi(di  '  ive  iieen  emplnyed,  with  but  little 
effect,  in  the  paroxysm.  The  most  important  arc  the  bark  and  the  sulphate 
iif  ([uinine,  opium,  calomel,  arsenic,  and  certain  aromatics. 

I.  IJakk  .\nd  tub  SuLruATE  OF  Qui.aNE.  —  Ik'fore  the  introduction  of 
the  sulphate  of  quinine,  the  bark,  .  'ministerod  in  large  doses,  was  found  a 
successful  remedy  in  this  variety  ot  xuvcr.  I  have  often  seen  from  two  to 
four  ounces,  administered  in  a  single  intermission;  but  such  (juautitics 
wore  swallowed  with  reluctance,  and  sometimes  thrown  up  by  the  stomach. 
Under  such  circumstances,  the  medicine  was  often  mingled  with  injections, 
and  ctTected  a  cure.  Doctor  Hays,  now  of  Indiana,  who  thirty  years  ago 
practiced  his  profession  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  where  malignant  intermitteuts 
prevailed,  has  lately  informed  me,  that  ho  often  administered  four  ounces  of 
bark  in  that  way  with  the  happiest  effect. 

The  sulphate  of  quinine  is  not,  ho\vever,  obnoxious  to  these  objections; 
and  at  the  same  time  is  probably  more  efiicient;  I  shall,  therefore,  confine 
what  I  am  about  to  say,  to  that  preparation. 

1.  Time  of  Exhibition. —  The  concurrent  experience  of  our  physicians, 
declares  that  this  medicine  is  an  effectual  remedy,  in  malignant  intermittent 
fever,  if  properly  administered  in  the  intermissions;  yet,  there  are  circum- 
stances which  frequently  interfere  with  its  success ;  or,  to  speak  more  defi- 
nitely, either  occasion  or  permit  a  fatal  termination.  To  these  circumstances 
we  must  now  turn  our  attention. 

a.  We  have  already  seen,  that  the  suljihatc  will  not  produce  its  specific 
influence,  if  administered  in  the  paroxysm.  Now  it  sometimes  happens  in 
([iiotidians  or  double  tertians,  that  the  intermission  is  so  short  and  imperfect, 
that  the  medicine  cannot  make  its  proper  impression  on  the  system. 

b.  When  tbo  hyperemia,  cither  passive  or  active,  of  some  great  organ, 


mW 


mi---'' 


774 


TIIR  rRINClPAL  DIriCASES  OF  THE 


[book  II 


rr:     .f 

Tf'  "'I 


't    ' 


survives  tlio  paroxysm,  it  may  prevent  the  successful  admiiiUtration  of  tLo 
modieiiii!  in  the  iiitcrnii.Sf-ion. 

c.  In  cases  acctiniiiaiiicil  with  gastric  irritahiUty.  the  stdnincli  may  refuse 
to  retain  a  snilicicnt  aumunt  of  tlie  medii'lne,  to  arrest  the  paroxysms. 

d.  Tlio  physician  may  he  called  in,  when  t!io  access  of  tlic  fit  is  so  laar, 
that  the  recurring  dehility  of  the  system  may  bo  estahlished,  before  tho 
medicine  whi(di  lie  aihiiiiiisters  can  tal<e  ('(Vect. 

c.  lie  may  through  ignorance,  timidity,  or  a  false  theory,  exhibit  the  incJ- 
ieine,  in  insuilicient  doses. 

J.  A  predisposition  to  apoplexy,  or  habitual  feebleness  of  constitution, 
may  render  the  exhibition  inellectual. 

g.  Do  nKn'bid  accunndations  in  the  stomach,  ever  countervail  Hie  lu'iic. 
ficial  iiilluenee  of  the  medicine  V  It  catun)t  bo  dnubted,  that  an  altenuit  iM 
any  kind,  is  more  elective,  if  the  stomach  1)0  empty;  but  such  a  conditii-ii 
of  the  organ  as  follows  the  operation  of  an  emetic  or  caihartic,  cannot  li' 
regarded  as  indi,-[)ensable  to  the  successful  action  of  tlie  sulphate.  If  jm- 
tients  have  died,  because  of  an  unprepared  state  of  the  stomach  when  the 
medicine  was  given,  I  cannot  doubt,  tliat  a  still  greater  number  have  ht'on 
lost,  by  the  delay,  and  the  debility  occasioned  by  a  course  of  evacuatidii 
from  the  stomach  and  bowels,  designed  to  prepare  them  for  the  receptiuu  oi' 
the  antidote. 

Tlie  ])hysician  who  suspects  that  he  is  grappling  with  a  malignant  inter- 
mittent, should  bo  on  his  guard  in  reference  to  such  evacuations.  IleshouM 
fully  realize  the  great  truth,  that  antimonial  preparations  and  saline  catli;;:- 
tics,  are  often  the  immediate,  or  exciting  causes,  of  a  malignant  paroxysm; 
and  that  cases,  apparently,  of  the  simplest  character,  are  often  transloniiid 
into  the  most  dangerous,  by  their  debilitating  influence. 

2.  Qunalil!/  and  Lderi-ah  of  Exhibition. — When  the  sulphate  of  ipiiiiiiiD 
was  first  introduced  among  us,  it  was  given  in  one  or  two  giain  doses,  in  nr- 
dinary  intermittents,  and,  seldom,  in  more  than  double  that  quantity,  for  tlio 
arrest  of  the  most  malignant.  The  periods  of  exhibition  were  every  two. 
four,  or  six  hours,  according  to  the  apjiarent  gravity  of  each  case.  IJut  :il- 
thougli  such  portions  might  have  proved  successful  in  ordinary  intermitteiit.-. 
they  were  soon  found  to  be  insufficient  for  the  malignant ;  and  the  praetioe 
of  giving  the  medicine,  in  what  would  once  have  been  regarded  as  fatal  por- 
tions, is  now  almost  universal.  Yet,  even  at  an  early  period,  a  few  phy.sici;ir.> 
•went  far  ahead  of  their  brethren;  and  the  late  respectable  Doctor  Pcrrine,  de- 
servos  to  be  named  as  one  who,  twenty-five  years  ago,  in  the  State  of  Indiana, 
led  the  way  in  this  bold  medication.  To  make  known  the  extent  to  wliicli 
this  medicine  is  prescribed  by  many  of  our  physicians;  and,  also,  to  show, 
that  in  quantities  far  beyond  the  limits  of  ordinary  jiraetice,  it  does  not  occa- 
sion any  permanent  bad  effects,  I  will  mention  the  doses  in  which  it  is  given 
by  many  of  our  physicians. 

On  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  Doctor  Tilden,  of  Sandusky,  told  inc  lie 
has  given  forty  grains  at  once  ;  Doctor  Planter,  and  Doctor  Howard,  of  Elyria. 
sometimes  administer  half  or  two  thirds  of  that  quantity  at  a  single  dose,  to 


1 1  \4{ 


]  [dook  II 

adminktration  (if  the 

ic  stmiiafh  inny  rofii«o 
t  tho  iiuruxysms. 
iss  of  tlic  tit  is  HO  iioar, 
ostalilisliod,  before  tliu 

bcnry,  oxliibil  tlio  lucJ- 

blcncss  of  constitution. 

er  countervail  llio  Ikik- 
jtoil,  that  an  alterant  ^  f 
y  ;  but  such  ii  coiulitii.u 

or  eatliartic,  caiiiuit  l- 
of  tlio  suljiliato.  If  ]i:i- 
f  tlio  stoiuoch  wlieii  the 
cater  number  liave  buon 

a  course  of  evacuation 
them  for  tho  nx-cptiun  m' 

with  a  malignant  iiitir- 
cvacuations.  He  sliouli 
ations  and  saline  catlir.r- 
f  a  malignant  paroxysm; 
or,  arc  often  transfoiniul 
inco. 

n  the  sulphate  of  quir.inc 
)r  two  giain  doses,  in  I'r- 
ble  that  quantity,  for  tlio 
:hibition  wore  every  two. 
ty  of  each  case.     ]5ut  al- 
in  ordinary  intcrmittont.^ 
lignant ;  and  the  practioe 
)cn  regarded  as  fatal  por- 
ly  period,  a  few  physician^ 
etable  Doctor  Perrinc,  de- 
0,  in  the  State  of  Indiana, 
own  the  extent  to  wbieli 
uians;  and,  also,  to  shovr. 
jiractiec,  it  does  not  ocoa- 
loses  in  which  it  is  given 

-n,  of  Sandusky,  told  mck 
Doctor  Howard,  of  ElyW' 
antity  at  a  single  dose,  t.i 


FART  M.] 


INTERIOR  VALLKY  OF  NORTH  AMHRICA. 


I  i  >) 


bo  repeated  every  two  hours,  through  tho  iiitermi>.sion.  These  gentlemen 
practiee  in  the  latitude  of  forty- f)ne  degrees  and  thirty  minutes.  At  Memphis, 
near  the  thirty-iifth  degree,  Dm'.'or  Shaidis  ailmini.ster.-^  the  .<:ime  portiuns.  and 
bas  somctinu'S  given  twenty  grains  at  once.  Hetween  the  thirty-third  and 
thirty-second  degree,  in  .Missis.'-ippi  ai.il  Alabama,  Doctor  Votigue  hasgi\iii,  in 
a  single  intermission,  as  nuich  as  lifty  grains,  in  ten  grain  doses ;  Doctor  J)avis, 
ten  grains  every  hour,  or  every  other  hour:  Doet'ir  |)aney.  from  five  to  lil'tceri 
craiiis  at  onee,  repeated  oeeasionaliy  ;  Dnctor  Street,  from  ten  to  liftuen  grains, 
ill  the  same  way;  Doctor  J'biglish  fre([uently  admiiiister.s  from  thirty  to  forty 
grains  in  four  or  six  hours ;  Doctor  Echols,  in  anticipation  of  a  paroxysm,  tnnk 
twenty  grains  at  a  single  dose.  The  lit  was  averted,  and  perspiration  eamc 
on,  with  a  slow  and  full  pulse ;  Doctor  Sini.^  olten  administers  it  in  ten  grain 
(Idscs,  frei[uently  repeated  ;  and  Ddetor  Doling  regard.",  that  do.^e  as  ratlier  l.irge, 
though  he  has  administered  fifteen  or  twenty  at  once,  and  knew  forty  to  bo 
taken  in  one  intermission.  Dut  the  biddest  exhibition  seems  to  have  been 
made  in  Florida,  between  the  thirtieth  and  twenty-seventh  jiaralUls,  by  .^ome 
of  our  army  surgeons.  The  assistant  surgeon,  Holmes,  has  admiui.Ntered 
twenty,  fift}-,  and  even  eighty  grains  at  once;  ami  surgeon  Harney,  one  of 
the  senior,  and  most  authoritative  members  of  tho  medical  staff  of  our  army, 
lia.s  given  from  thirty  to  sixty  grains  at  a  dose,  and  thinks  the  larger  tin;  por- 
tion the  better.  D  is  probable  that  so  many  of  our  soldiers  are,  or  liave  been, 
inteniperate,  that  they  can  bear,  or  may  even  require,  larger  doses  than  are 
demanded  in  private  practice.  To  these  facts,  intended  to  show  the  upward 
limit  of  the  sulphate  in  our  A'alle}',  ami  at  the  same  time  itsharndessness  in 
large  (juantities,  I  may,  in  reference  to  the  latter,  add  th(>  following:  A  man 
in  Cincinnati,  by  mistake,  took  two  drachms  of  tho  sulphate,  withiiut  injury; 
aputient  of  Doctor  Sappington,  of  3Iemphis,  Tciin.,  who  had  a  relapsing  inter- 
mittent, took  eighty  grains  at  once  instead  of  taking  it  in  eiglit  ddses,  as 
ordered,  but  was  not  injured;  Doctor  Fair,  of  Montgumery,  Ala.,  has  told  mo 
of  a  patient,  who  toi^k  an  ounce  in  three  days,  and  recovered;  and  Doetor 
Hiriart,  of  Dla(iuemine,  Louisiana,  knew  of  an  old  lady,  laboring  under  an  algid 
intermittent,  who  took  ten  grain  doses,  every  two  hoiu'.s,  till  an  ounce  waa 
Sffallowed.     No  bad  effects  occurred  and  she  recovered. 

But  are  tho  largo  doses  which  have  been  mentioned  really  necessary  to  ar- 
rest tho  paroxysm  of  a  malignant  intermittent?  To  this  question  I  would 
reply :  Flrsl.  That  a  majority  of  our  physicians  do  not  resort  to  such  ]iortions, 
yet  claim  as  much  success  as  those  who  do ;  and  I  know  not  that  their  claim  is 
groundless.  Sfxond.  Dut  in  very  viident  and  dangerous  cases,  as  tho  medi- 
cine may  bo  administered  in  great  doses  without  any  enqjoisoning  effects,  it 
would  certainly  bo  prudent  to  give  it  liberally. 

In  ordinary  cases,  a  scruple  taken  in  one  intcrmis.sion,  will,  I  think,  accord- 
ing to  the  experience  of  our  profession,  be  found  sufficient;  and  with  the  ad- 
juvants to  be  presently  mentioned,  even  half  that  quantity  may  often  answer. 
But  in  cases  of  a  threatening  character,  forty  or  sixty  grains  should  be  given 
in  the  sauio  space  of  time.  Whether  any  advantage  is  ever  derived  from 
going  beyond  that  ipantity,  is,  I  suppose,  an  open  question. 


.' '     ^ 


.(• 


1 


ir,'.t, 


ii 


■.  '•  ( 

Si"'  ■■  ■  ■ 

|,t'-.i.    ■ 


Plf'-i;-     ■•■■ 

*'»    'lid  ■■;    ■  •'•  •  • 


Hi-,'   '■  -.-  ••<      -'  !.';    ■  "  ' 


Wife  JHT-.'.-  ■'. 


TTti 


TiiK  ri;iNrir.\i,  imslases  or  tiii; 


[book  I; 


Mucli  iliviTsity  of  oipinidii  ami  jirncti'ie  exists  among  us  as  to  tlio  ilistrilm- 
tiou  of  tlio  ini'dk'iiio  tlirouuili  tlio  period  of  iiiturniiMHioii.  I  nocd  nut  rcjifat 
what  was  saM  on  tliia  sulijfcf,,  when  s|i(.'alviiig  of  sinipli!  intrriiiiftciitfj.  My 
own  niiiid  iiii.'lincH  to  lurgo  d^ses,  and  long  intervals;  Intt,  wlai'licvcr  iiiiiy  jjt 
ado|itod,  tlio  [laticnt's  .system  should  be  strongly  impressed  by  ti.e  mudiiine, 
at  the  tinio  fir  the  rceurreneo  of  iho  paroxysm  ;  and  to  secure  this,  a  good 
propf)rtiiin  uf  what  is  used  should  Im;  administered  a  couple  of  hours  lidlro 
the  end  of  the  intermission.  Thus,  if  a  scruple  sliould  be  the  aggreg;itc 
ipiantify,  uno  half  ought  to  precede  the  <hill,  and  wholher  the  other  liali 
should  lie  given  in  ten,  iive,  or  two  grain  doses,  is,  perhaps,  a  matter  oi' 
indifiercnce. 

K.  OruM,  or  tlie  Sulphate  op  ]^roi«riiiA,  is  in  gonrral  use  as  an  ndju- 
vant  to  the  .sulphate  of  quinine,  in  uur  malignant  intermittents.  Of  its  great 
value  no  physician  of  experience,  in  those  diseases,  can  entertain  a  duult. 
If  there  bo  no  dinrrha'a,  however,  it  is  not  necessary  to  admiiuster  it  through. 
out  the  interiuission,  but  reserve  it  for  the  last  dose  of  the  sidphatc,  befori; 
the  npproiu  liiiig  cliill.  The  (piantity  in  v/hich  it  is  then  given,  is  i/ftcr, 
entirely  tou  small,  and  much  better  litted  to  simple  iiiternnttents,  in  wlauli 
the  .suscc)>tiiiilities  of  the  fiystcm  are  lively,  than  to  those  in  which  they  aru 
greatly  redu.i  d.  In  such  a  state  of  the  system,  th.reo  or  fcuir  times  a- 
much  as  would  bo  rcipiired  in  an  ordinary  ague,  is  not  a  Inrj^'c  dusc.  I  have 
met  with  many  physicians  who  had  a  just  ap[ircciatiuu  of  this  state  of  the  sys- 
tem ;  but  with  nunc  who  carried  the  practice,  Idgicnlly  dcducible  from  it,  so  lii: 
as  Doctor  3Ierriman  and  Doctor  Henry,  of  ^>])riiig(icld,  Illinois.  It  has  growi; 
into  a  settled  opinion  with  those  gentlemen,  that  a  mudcrate  ijuantity  of  tlk 
sulphate,  condjincd  with  a  largo  quantity  of  opium,  is  the  very  best  practiou. 
Hence  through  the  early  pcriuds  of  the  intermission,  they  do  lilllc  ir 
nothing;  but,  three  or  four  li<iurs  before  the  chill,  adndnistcr  a  bolus  i. 
four  grains  vf  u[iium  and  eight  grains  of  the  sulphate,  which,  as  they  afliriii. 
scarcely  ever  fails.  Doctor  Henry  has  even  found  that  dose  of  opium,  witl- 
out  the  other  nie'diciap,  .'successful.  ])octor  Jayne  pursues  the  same  pric- 
tice,  but  geniHilly  limits  the  opium  to  two  grains.  While  I  was  in  Spring- 
field, the  ne.\t  morning  after  the  death  of  the  man  whcso  case  is  given  yfli'i 
7U-,  and  who  had  not  been  treated  on  this  plan,  Doctor  ]\Ierriman  invited  nic  t) 
sec  one  of  bis  own  patients.  She  had  labored  for  several  days,  apparently 
under  an  ordinary  quotidian,  and,  by  the  advice  of  an  em[iiric,  had  been 
copiously  purg'.'d.  This  brought  on  a  very  dangerous  paruxysm,  from  wliicL 
however,  she  recovered,  before  Doctor  >\Icrriman  was  called  in.  As  it  rccurrcil 
in  the  morning,  he  directed  that,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  night,  she  shmilJ 
take  his  onlinary  portion  of  four  grains  of  opium,  and  eight  of  sulpls  to  of 
(^uiniuc.  At  nine,  A.  31.,  four  hours  afterward,  I  saw  her.  She  had  a  irlijit, 
degree  of  drowsiness,  said  .she  felt  comfortable,  her  eyes  were  a  little  red,  li' ' 
pulse  was  well  sustained,  and  her  skin  pleasantly  warm.  The  next  mornini. 
I  called  again,  and  learned  that  the  paro.xysm  had  been  averted,  and  she  \T.b 
recovering.     Doctor  Shanks,  of  3Iemphis,  has  also  found  opium  very  valuable, 


i!K 


[door  II. 


PiRT  I.J 


ixri:uit)R  v.\i,i,i;v  of  xortii  a.miiimca. 


1 1 « 


'  113  ns  to  tlic  (listiilm- 
lU.  I  iii-'<-''l  nut  rijuut 
ilo  iiitcrmittfiits.  My 
but,  wliiclicvi  r  niiiy  U 
csscd  I))'  tl'.i?  Jiii;iru  iiiu, 

I  to  secure  tlii.s,  u  ;:(iu(i 
coujilu  of  hours  ItctVrt 
luld  bo  the  nggregjitc 
rlivihcr  tlio  otlior  liuli 
i,  jierlaiis,  a  mutter  o;' 

Tcncrul  iiHO  as  an  ndju- 
•Hiitti'ntH.     Of  it^  fivcat 
(•;iu  entertain  a  iluuU. 
o  adminiHtcr  it  tliroufrh- 
(if  tl\c  rulpliate,  bi'fnn, 
U  tlien  given,  is  often 
intermittent^,  in  \Yl;ii;!i 
tlicse  in  wbieli  tliey  :i:\ 
three  ov   four  times  a-^ 
ot  a  large  dohC.     Hmvc 

II  of  tbis  state  of  the  i-y.v 
l_v  (leilueible  from  it,  M' llr. 
[\,  Ulinuis.  Itbasgr.iwi, 
niudcrato  ijuautity  of  tlit 
is  tlic  very  best  praotiw. 

sion,  tbey   do    liule  ir 
administer  a  bdiis  i.. 
ite,  vliieb.  as  tbey  aftirm. 
at  dose  of  opium,  with- 
lursues  the  same  pric- 
While  I  was  in  Spring- 
licso  ca.'^c  is   given  i'H^^^ 
,r  :Mcrriman  invited  rue  I) 
ovcval  days,  apparently, 
of  an  empiric,  bad  been 
us  paroxysm,  from  ^Yllil-•i:. 
called  in.    As  it  rccurrcil 
of  the  niglit,  sbc  ?liouU 
and  elgbt'of  ptdpl    tc  oi 
nv  her.     She  had  a  ^1:  Jit, 
eyes  wore  a  little  red,  b' ' 
arm.     The  next  morniiii; 
)ecn  averted,  and  she  \y.i^ 
ound  opium  very  valuable 


l)Ut  di."*tribute.s  it  througluuit  tho  Intermi.x.Hion.  llo  has  given  as  high  us 
twenty-fnur  graiii.s  in  the  twenty-funr  luiurs,  witli  deeided  advantage. 

Xeitber  my  own  experi(;nee,  nor  tbe  faet.s  1  have  been  alije  (o  cn.li'pt  from 
ullier.s,  enable  mo  t(t  dueide  bctwei'M  npiuni  and  llie  hulpliale  of  un  rpliiiie,  in 
the  treatment  of  malignant  intcrmittonts.  Tbe  former  i.x,  perliap,-.  the  more 
iluruble,  the  bitter  more  eoincident  witii  the  hulpliate  of  fjuinine,  in  it.s  elfeets. 
In  many  eaae.s  its  limited  bulk  may  render  lbs  udmini.strutioii  easier  than  tbat 
of  opium. 

.111.  AusKNiou's  A<ii». —  [  have  met  with  a  lew  iibyfleians  who  l;:id 
couibiiied  arseniiius  aeiil  with  tho  sulpliate  (f  ([uinino.  in  tbe  treatment  of 
iiialignaiit  iutermittcnt.s,  and  bmnd  it  benelieial.  \\  iietlier,  in  iiniui.  with 
ipium,  tho  pulpbate  being  ('Uiifteib  tb:it  rompuund  would  .><uec(  cd.  in  not 
iaiown.  W'iieu  tbe  approved  anti-periodie  is  !«earee.  it  wouhl  eertainly  be 
well  to  Live  opium  ami  arsenious  aeid,  liberally,  throughout  tho  intermi-.<lou. 
a;id  the  sidpbate  with  opium  near  its  close.  In  bueli  eases,  th"'  ar.venie 
•liouhl  bo  used  in  larger  doses  than  fur  simple  agues.  An  eighth  of  a  gi-ain. 
with  a  grain  of  opium  every  two  hour.-^,  could  imt  bo  too  mueh. 

IV.  I'li'KiaM;  and  the  Uii.  oi-  ]>i..\i'K  I'la'iTii  have  been  added  to  the 
-uI[iliato  <if  quinine;  and  many  physicians  think  well  uf  the  adiliiion.  ope- 
lially  of  the  latter.  1  am  nut  aware,  that  cither  of  them  has  liecn  relied 
u[iipii  to  tlie  exclusion  of  tho  sulphate,  {'apsieuni,  in  ilxi^QH  of  two  or  ton 
L'lains,  has  been  eumliined  with  tlie  latter;  and,  in  cases  of  great  exhanstio'-. 
t'uo  union  of  that  local  stimulant  may  give  eifeet  to  the  princijial  medicine. 

V.  Cai.omki.  is  a  common  adjuvant  of  the  sul[)hate  ;  and  a  favnrite  pre- 
kription  with  some,  is  a  b(dus  of  ten  grains  of  each  of  thii.se  medicines,  and 
;i  grain  of  opium  every  two  or  threo  hours;  during  the  interm'ssl.iii. 
v,!;cu  there  is  a  watery  diarrluca,  or  signs  of  engorgement,  torjjidity,  or  other 
ikrangenicnt  of  the  liver,  tho  use  of  calomel  or  the  blue  mass  is  certaiidy 
iiulieated  ;  but,  in  the  absence  of  .such  symptoms,  that  medicine  dues  m^t 
a[ipcar  to  bo  required;  as  it  certainly  exerts  no  power  as  an  auti-peiiodie, 
whatever  may  be  its  value  as  an  anti-phlegistie. 

VI.  JIixa.MEX  AND  liKi.Ai'SKS.  —  "Whatever  modification  of  the  treatment 
liero  detailed  may  be  adopted,  I  cannot  doubt  tho  indi.'«pcnsable  necessity  of 
t!ie  patient  being  kept  in  bed,  and  restrained  from  conversation  and  every 
kind  of  occupation,  for  tho  purpose  of  maintaining  tho  warmth  and  ca|iillarv 
tii'culution  of  the  skin,  and  promoting  a  gentle  but  sustained  diaphorc-is. 
Through  the  ignorance  and  restlessness  of  patients,  seen  but  seldom  by 
laeir  physicians  from  being  scattered  over  tho  country,  these  salutary  observ- 
Mces  are  jierpetually  violated,  and  the  wisest  nietliods  of  treatnienl  thereby 

I  remlored  abortive.  Nothing  is  commoner,  than  for  men  to  be  walking  about 
up  to  the  access  of  a  most  dangerous  partixysni.     A  man,  whose  case  was 

I  aieutioiied  to  me,  stood  up  and  shaved  himself  only  fourteen  hours  bi iero  he 
tXjiircd ;  and  many  undress  themselves  and  go  to  bed,  to  die  before  tho  next 
Jiy.  Xo  sound  ])athologist  would  expect  to  see  a  patient,  who  kept  on  his 
f'jet  during  the  intermission  of  such  a  disease,  preserved  from  its  f-  il  efl'ects. 
After  having  escaped  ouc  paroxysm,  the  necessity  for  close  coi  .oraeiit  is 


I- 


'  ,'ir 


fit.  rt/^, 


I'y 


.  I 


»  f    I  'I 


^'.3 


J) 


in: 


fMy- 


ffB^*    -J  -        {''.-''■'         '' 


77S 


THE  TRIXCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  )I. 


less  ur^^oiit ;  Init.  still,  before  tlip  period  for  the  next,  the  patient  should  Ije 
warm  in  l)cd,  and  if  jxis.sildc,  asleep. 

Ill  some  casus  a  relapse  may  bt  malignant,  when  the  original  attack  wiw 
simple:  of  which  Isa"  an  example  in  a  patient  of  Doctor  House,  i'euria, 
Illiiiiiis: 

Case.  —  Maynard,  a  citizen  of  Knslvaskia,  in  that  state,  suffered  an 
attiick  of  intermittent,  fever,  from  which  he  had  tolerably  well  recoverc<l, 
when  he  set  otf  to  Peoria.  On  the  journey  ho  was  exposed  to  a  but 
sun  and  relapsed.  On  the  1-lth  of  September,  1J^44,  when  Doctor  Rouse- 
saw  him,  in  the  paroxysm,  he  had  copious  vomiting  and  jturgiiig  of 
bile,  and  was  very  cold.  On  the  l.')th  he  experienced  another  paroxysm  «( 
the  same  kind.  On  the  KUh,  when  I  was  invited  to  see  him,  he  was  in  ;i 
third.  I  found  him  nearly  pulseless,  and  the  force  of  his  heart  very  fcclilo. 
His  respiration  was  bronchial,  and  attended  with  a  kind  of  vibratory  purring', 
recogni/able  both  by  the  hand  and  car.  His  extremities  and  tongue  wcr; 
cold.  The  latter  was  moist,  and  stained  of  a  dark  color,  by  a  fluid,  wliicli 
resembled  finely  powdered  coffee  grounds,  mixed  with  mucus,  wliicli  ]x 
brought  up  by  a  kind  of  eructatiim.  His  intellectual  functions  were  nearly 
unimpaired,  though  he  died  an  hour  afterward. 


SECTION   VI. 

CONCLUSION. 

I  shall  conclude  the  subject  of  malignani  interraittents  with  the  followi.;,: 
observations: 

I.    I  have  several  times  used  the  word  collapse,  to  indicate  the  state  of  tl.o 
system  in  a  very  dangerous  or  fatal  paro.xysm.     Since  the  year  l^oii,  tli.ii 
term  has  been  asso'-iated  in  the  public  mind  with  epidemic  cholera,  and  car. 
jjcarcely  be  used  without  suggesting  that  disease.     In  employing  it  in  tu 
history  of  malignant  intermittent  fever,  it  is  by  no  means  misapplied;  tVr 
the  failure  in  the  power  of  the  heart,  the  reduction  of  animal  heat,  the  sta>:j 
of  blood  in  the  .skin  of  the  extremities,  and  the  post  mortem  spasmodic  con- 
tractio'i  of  the  muscdes  of  the  extremities,  observed  in  some  instances  are 
so   many  jioints    of  identity  in  the   two   diseases.      Dut    there   are  stili 
some  others.     Thus,  as  we  have  seen,  the  subject  of  malignant  intermitteut 
fever  may  keep  on  liis  feet,  and  even  attend  to  business,  up  to  the  access  <A\ 
the  fatal  paroxysm,  as  the  victim  of  cludcra  is  wont  to  do,  while  laborin: 
under  the  diarrlnx-a,  which  may  be  followed  by  collapse  and  death  in  aiwj 
hours.      Such   patients   seom    alike   unconscious  of    their   condition,  ai. 
incredidous  of  the  predictions  of  danger.     In  the  final  stage,  when  death  i.^j 
impending,  their  intellectual  functions  are  often  unimpaired,  or  simply  rcduct.i 
to  an  aspect  of  stolidity,  while  their  feelings  and  emotious  are  subdued  im. 


nr 


1. 

■:llill, 
3  jus 
■!iid 

[Tlipo 

^iiic; 

la 

tliroe 

iiioffic 

^''terii, 

'iiiiiiiiis 

wiijea 

;on2ue 


ri 


rp  [book  II. 

tlic  patient  sliould  Le 

lie  orioiniil  attack  wa^ 
Ductor  House,  i'euna, 

hat  state,  sufTcvcd  ;iu 
leralily  well  vecovevLil, 
ViiS  cxposca  to  a  liut 
4,  wlicii  ]>octor  House 
liting  ami  imrging  of 
•x\  iUKi^licv  paroxysm  of 

0  see  l>im,  ^^<^  ^'"^  "^  '^ 
:,f  his  heart  very  feelilc. 
;ina  uf  vibratory  purriu'', 
nuities  and  tongue  m-n 
,  color,  by  a  fluid,  whini 
with  mucus,  Avbioli  l;e 
lal  functions  vrcrc  ncavlv 


PART  1.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


79 


ijiatliy.  Furtlier,  these  maladies,  so  constantly  fatal  whou  they  reach  a 
cortain  stage,  are,  oven  immediately  before  its  arrival,  enutroUable  by  very 
-imple  and  nearly  the  same  measures.  Finally,  cadaveric  cxaniiiiatiuns  liav;; 
Jisclused  occasional  vestiges  of  iiillannnatiou  iii  both,  but  not  of  suUicient 
extent  to  account  for  the  fatal  termination. 

There  are,  however,  two  striking  differences.  Firsl.  The  Fever  has  au 
Indigenous  cause,  annually  reproduced,  and  is  confined  to  certain  localitioa; 
but  the  cholera  depends  on  a  cause,  which  occasii^nally  visits  countrit-.s  distant 
iVom  those  iu  whicii  it  is  el'iburated.  Second.  The  Fever  is,  essentially,  puri- 
•)dical,  while  the  cliolera  consists  of  a  single  paroxysm. 

TI.  The  well  known  fact,  that  in  the  midst  of  many  cases  of  simple  inter- 
mittent, not  pr(iving  fatal,  alth(jugh  but  little  shall  be  done,  there  may  be  a 
;ew  which  assume  a  malignant  character,  perplexes  both  jili^sicians  and  tlic 
people.  But  this  trait  of  character  is  not  peculiar  to  that  fever.  It  Is 
cipially  true  of  ycU.iW  fever,  cholera,  scarlatina,  and  all  other  diseases  which 
'lave  an  epidemic  prevalence.  The  whule,  iu  this  respect,  are  under  one  law, 
.vliich  doubtless  connects  itself  in  part  with  diversities  of  constitution. 


.  ■•    ..i- 


.r,]l«, 


littcnts  with  the  foUowl.;.: 

Ito  indicate  the  state  of  IL 
>ince  the  year  l^o'i,  tluu 
h  epidemic  cholera,  and  car. 
.     In  employing  it  iu  tii'- 
no  means  misapplied ;  f' r 
n  uf  animal  heat,  the  sta^:. 
id  mortem  spasmodic  con- 
•ved  in  some  instances,  are 
Ls.      l>ut    there   arc  stiii 
It  of  malignant  intermitteui 
kmess,upto  the  access  .i| 
1  wont  to  do,  while  laborui^ 
oUapsc  and  death  in  ak^j 
lis  of    their   condition,  ai.l 
..final  stage,  wlicn  death  1= 
|n-n.paired,  or  simply  rcJuccaj 

emotions  arc  subdued  lut 


CHAPTER  VII. 

REMITTENT    AUTUMNAL    FEVKIl  — SIMPLE    AND    INFLAM- 
MATORY, CONSIDERED  TOGETHER. 


SECTION    I. 
SYMPTOM?^. 

I.  Pi.vuNosis. — If  wo  suppose  an  ague-shako  to  be  reduced  to  a  mere 
•liill,  but  the  subserp.ient  hot  stage  aggravated  and  prolonged,  we  shall  form 
a  just  eonccpiiou  of  tlic  relations,  in  symptoniatolog}-,  between  intermittent 
■!iid  remittent  fever.  We  have  .studied  the  former  under  two  lieads,  but  1 
[Topose,  in  treating  of  the  latter,  to  blend  under  one  head,  all  the  cases 
'•lildi  arc  not  designated  as  eongestivo  or  malignant. 

In  general,  a  remittent  is  preceded  by  a  forming  stage  of  one,  two,  or 
t'.irco  da;,-s,  in  which  there  is  an  increasing  languor  of  tlic  muscular  system; 
liiofReicn-iy  of  body  and  nnnd;  defctivo  perspiration;  rigors,  sometimes 
;i!tcruati  ig  with  flashes  of  beat;  a  torpid  state  of  tho  bowels;  increased  or 
'limiuished  secretion  of  bile;  a  bilious  hue  of  the  eyes ;  loss  of  app"'!co, 
iifiiiJiea,  ;.nd  iu  many  eases  bilious  vomitings;  a  foul  and  generally  wliite 
''■'Dgue,  having  sometimes  a  tint  of  yellow;  hi  most  instances  a  dull  pain  in 


1^ 

ill 

'  >  ^^^^^^HiiflH 

^HHHpBPit 

v:  .■  "M 

j^^^^^^^K'v'' 

H^^j||Kif|l' 

'k-  ■ 

Hfi^i'vIV'' 

'.  *. 

7S0 


THE  riilXCirAL  DI:^F,ASi:!^   OF  THi: 


[book  II. 


■•'l>.''-'  ■>■■  . 

'J.  ':  p.  J  '  • 


-»<■  .: 


iif!.;    •  !■ 


ft 

I' 


■i-l  ■ 

'      3 


th(i  licad  ninl  Isnclc.  Aftor  tlioso  find  varinu.s  kindred  .svni]itoin.«  of  ddiility 
and  perversion,  in  the  difl'ercnt  organs  of  tlio  body,  liavo  continued  tor  ;i  while, 
tlic  riirors  arc,  as  it  Mcro.  r'oncfiitratou  into  a  cliill,  wiiii-li  may  or  may  nut 
anuniiit  to  shivering;  the  patient  noTv  beennics  thirsty,  or,  it'  so  before,  tlic 
de.-firu  is  increased;  iiis  nausea  is  generally  angmoiited  ;  his  pulse  increases 
in  I'rei'nencj',  and  lii^  headache  grows  Avorse.  In  a  lew  minutes,  or  an  In  ur 
or  two,  the  chilliness  ceases,  and  is  succeeded  by  febrile  heat,  over  the  wliole 
surface,  but  especially  in  the  bead,  the  pain  in  which,  as  in  the  back,  hc- 
conies  more  acute;  the  month  loses  nnieh  of  its  moisture;  the  wbite  fur  on 
the  tongue  rapidly  augments;  the  ejiigastrium  Iiecomes  tender;  the  soero- 
tiun  of  urine  lessens;  and  the  pulse  aciuiircs  preternatural  freipiency,  fore. 
and  fullness:  there  is  also  intolerance  of  lu,t  and  conlined  air;  a  tendency  to 
deep  inspiration,  or  sighing,  and  great  restlessness.  The  chill  generally  occur-: 
betv.'cen  midiiigld  and  noon,  connnonly  in  tlic  forenoon,  and  the  hot  stage,  .i' 
whieb  1  liave  drawn  the  character  in  brief  (uitline,  runs  on  till  after  midtiig!,t. 
wben  it  begins  to  abate;  and.  by  morning,  the  patient  is  found  with  greally 
diminished  heat,  and  a  limited  pcrsjiiratiim  ;  his  pulse  has  become  slower, 
and  lu,--t  its  preternatural  force;  his  thirst  has  dinniiislicd,  and  he  is  more  't 
less  inclined  to  sleep.  ]''celings  of  health,  bowever,  are  not  present;  there 
remains  a  dull  aching  of  tlie  bead  and  back;  the  ejiigastrium  is  more  i.r 
less  tender,  ami  pressure  upon  it  may  excite  nausea  ;  in  shoi  t  the  paticiit 
has  Udt  passed  intu  a  state  of  intermission  :  but  returned  nearly  into  llie 
eondition  which  preceded  tlie  chill,  the  day  liefore.  After  continuing  in  this 
t-tate  a  few  hours,  an  iiureasc  of  thirst,  headache  and  freipier.cy  of  the  piilso, 
usher  in  a  second  chill,  which,  instead  of  being  move,  is  iften  less  vioh  'if. 
than  the  first;  and  is  soon  succeeded  by  the  full  development  of  a  liot  stii^'o. 
commonl}'  more  intense  than  the  preceding;  which  la  succeeded  by  a  reiiii.v 
sion,  nut  ([uite  as  great  as  that  which  followed  the  first  paroxysm.  In  tli- 
manner,  the  cxascerbations  and  remissions,  are  repeated  dail}';  the  forrat'i' 
being  S'imetines  more  vidont  every  other  day,  giving  to  the  case  the  charac- 
ter of  a  doid)'e  tertian. 

IT.  Ti-'NnivveiKs  and  TKUMix.Arroxs.  —  1.  ^Mild  attaek.s,  in  persons  of 
good  constitution,  even  ■when  but  little  is  done  to  ui'iderate  tlieir  viok'ucc,  will, 
in  man)'  cases,  terminate  by  a  sort  of  crisis  at  snme  period  of  the  S''e  'lul 
week,  and  recovery  or  a  regular  iuternuttent  follow. 

■J.  In  more  violent  attacks,  it  may  soun  be  discovered  that  some  organ  !•' 
becoming  inflamed.  T'le  one  which  is,  perhaps,  more  fro(|ucntly  attiu'kol 
than  any  other,  i;)  the  spleen;  but  that  organ  does  not  always  nnd<e  kmv'a 
its  condition;  next  to  it,  in  the  o[iuio!i  of  many,  is  the  liver,  of  which  tlio 
mflammailon  is  less  obscure  in  its  signs ;  then  come  the  stomach  and  duo- 
donum  :  then  the  head,  and  lastly,  the  lungs.  In  prnjiortion  to  the  intensity 
rf  the  inllaminatiou  thus  awakened,  is  the  danger  of  the  case;  and  tlK.?e 
who  perish  within  the  second  week,  generally  die  of  iuflanmiation  of  some 
great  organ. 

o.  I'assing  beyond  the  period  hero  mentioned,  the  disease  may  lo.'c  it:^ 
acutcues.s  and  periodicity,  and  begin  to  cshibit  typhous  symptoms,  wliich  may 


]  I  k 


TIIC 


[poor  I'l. 


I  ?ym|itnras  of  doliility 
)  continued fuv  awhile, 
rliidi  may  ov  iimy  not 
V,  or,  if  so  liofiii'i',  tlie 
"il ;  liis  puls<"  in(;n'n<;i  ■: 
cw  iniinitL'S,  or  an  In  uv 
ik'  lioat,  ovrr  the  whole 
•h,  as  in  the  Imck,  he- 
ituro;  the  wliitc  fur  on 
mcs  tcnilor;  the  sccrc- 
atural  fretiuoncy,  tVii-c". 
lined  air;  a  tendeneyto 

'!ic  chill  2t-'n^''"'%f"''^"'' 
,11,  and  the  hot  stiigo,  .1 
IS  on  till  after  miaiiight, 
iiit  is  found  with  greully 
rdsc  has  liceomo  s-lowor, 
lishcd,  and  h<!  is  more  f-r 
,  are  nut  [iresent :  thviv 

cjiiicastrium  is  niovo  m- 
ca;ln  ^hoit  the  imti-m 

returned  nearly  iiit'.'  A<- 

After  continuing  in  tl.' 
id  fre«[uer.cy  of  the  puis ' 
ore,  is  ''t'tcn  less  viol.-' 
volopnicnt  of  a  hot  ^tiiL  ■ 

is  sueeecded  by  a  rewb- 
'  lirst  paroxysm.     In  0 

joateddailv;  the  forr.v 
]rf  to  the  ca:-e  the  caai;!- 

1  attae1-:s,  in  persons  ^ 
lerute  their  violence,  wi" 
,nio  period  of  the  !-ec<>nd   ■ 

vered  that  some  ovgari  i^ 

more  frequently  attaclio:! 

s  not  always  make  knora 

IS  the  liver,  of  which  tlio 

iiic   the  stomaeh  and  duo- 

,vMi)ortion  to  the  inteuj^ity 

rcf  the  ease;  and  those 

,  of  inllammation  of  some 

,  the  disease  may  h^so  us 
iious  symptoms,  which  maj 


r.iriT  I.] 


IXTERIOU  VALLEY  OF  XiHiTIl  AMERICA. 


781 


gradually  increase,  until  a  fatal  termination  oeeurs  at  the  end  of  two.  three,  or 
fuiir  weeks.  In  this  eonditiuii  a  clu.^e  diagnostic  inspoetiun  will  generally  dis- 
cuver  s  )me  organ  in  a  .state  of  sniiaeute  iuflainmatinii,  and  the  one,  perhaps, 
the  m  'St  freijuently  iiivolvLd  is  the  hrain;  bui-  nmrc  of  tlii.s  hercafte;'. 

■I.  In  some  ca.ses.  especially  in  the  south,  it  is  observed,  lliaf.  alter  a  few 
rcLfular  paroxy-iuis,  the  hands  and  feet  will  continue  Cold  through  the  hut 
stage,  and  only  recover  their  heat  in  llio  remis:.-iun  ;  and  this,  with  other 
•ymptuins,  to  be  mentioiicd  elsewhere,  indicates,  to  the  experienced  observer, 
rongestion  of  some  oC  the  great  organs,  continuing  throughout  the  wumIc 
twenty-four  hours,  and  admonishes  him,  that  lie  has  to  deal  with  a  lurking 
malignancy. 

i"),  i'ar  in  the  north,  remittent  fever  often  ])reseiits,  almost  from  the  begin- 
ning, a  tendency  to  the  euntiiiui  d  type,  displaying  the  characteristics  of  the 
.synocjuis  of  Culleirs  Xusology.  It  is  [iroperly  called  aiituninal  lever,  becan-e 
it  prevails  most  lii  that  .season,  and  is  an  eipiivalent  for  the  true  remittent 
lever  of  tlie  warmer  climates.  Nearly  the  same  remark  is  apirlleable  to  this 
I'lVcr  when,  in  th"  middle  latitudes,  it  appears  in  the  long-cultivated  ar.d 
dryer  jxntions  of  'I'ennes.-eo,  Kentucky,  \Ve»terii  I'emisylvania,  and  Oijio. 
Furmerly  it  often  abated  into  an  intermittent ;  latterly,  it  is  apt  to  degenerate 
into  a  continued  typo. 

0.    All  these  tend>  neies  and  modes  of  termination  may  oeeur  in  the  same 

locality,  and  in  tiio  same  autunni ;  but  some  are  more  common  iu  one  jilacc, 

thers  ill  another.     Moreover,  in  r^ne  sea.-on,  the  ea^es  may  bo  generally  mild 

•uul  simple;  in  another  highly  inllammatory ;  in  another  disposed  to  assumo 

I  typhous  character;  in  another  a  malignant  or  congestive  type. 


«  E  C  T  1 0  -\    II. 

TREAT.MEXT. 

The  concise  history  of  the  symptoms  ami  pathology  nf  simple  and  infiam- 
iiatory  remittent  fever,  which  I  have  .sketched,  belongs  to  the  middle  latitudes 
rather  than  the  northern ;  where,  as  wo  have  seen,  the  tendency  to  a  con- 
liaued  fnrni  prevails ;  or  the  .southern,  where  the  malignant  or  cimge-tive 
;ype  nn)st  freijuently  manifests  itself.  And  what  I  am  about  to  say  on  the 
treat au'ut,  will  apply  more  ajttly  to  the  fever  of  our  temjierato  elimales  than 
any  others. 

I  propose  to  speak,  successively,  of  the  various  methods  of  cure  wi;ieii 
have  been  in  vogue  among  us;  and,  as  far  as  possible,  a.ssign  the  principle  on 
which  each  was  based, 

A  referenee  to  the  times  of  setlleinont  of  the  Interior  Valley  (linuic  /, 
/'.uf  ///),  will  sh'iw  that,  with  the  exeeptiou  of  the,  French  and  iSjiani.^li 
i'lhaliitants  around  the  (Julf  of  3bjxico,  and  the  French  and  British  on  ' .m 
^i.  Lawrence  and  tl:e  ],.akes,  nearly  all  the  «ettleuKMits  of  the  \'.i!l(;y 
•  ave  been  made  Avithiu   the  present  century;  it   is  po.^sible,  thcrefure,  to 


.!l]"' 


J-'J 


m^A 


pi?-''..-, 


7-S2 


THE  PRIX!  TPAIi  DISEASF/^  OF  THE 


[book  II. 


i.    !'■ 


'f       ,       >  J 

4  ■; 


review  tlio  plan  of  troritiiicnt  from  the  cornmeiiocinf irt  '•''  (vestcrn  sociut}, 
\v'-i''li  prmnot  l/o  done  in  ai-y  r.ti!._v  i)-...t  :f  the  world  wlio'  »  ' '.igo  masses  of 
pojiulation  exist. 

1.  FinsT  TincATMKNT  IN  Tin;  V.'t:?t. --Tliere  never  lias  lieeu  a  time 
when  our  feve:-  was  re<:;arde(l  .tud  tveatpd.  as  a  s^implo  inflammatory  afTto- 
tion  —  a  mere  plilogiiiasia.  In  the  caiuost  jieriod  nf  immigration,  it  was 
believed  to  have  something  in  its  patlu  logy,  wliich  reipiircd  other  agencios 
than  the  antiphlngistic,  although  a  portion  of  that  treatment  might  ho 
refpiisite.  Two  facts,  especially  fixed  the  attention  of  the  physicians  of  tluit 
day:  First.  Tlio  derangements  of  the  biliary  function :  Second.  The  inhe- 
rent poiiodidty  of  tlio  Fever;  and  th.S'j  facts  suggested  the  treatment. 
The  disordered  funeli(>mil  action  of  tl  :;  liver  was  to  bo  corrected  ;  tVj 
stomach  and  bowels  relieved  from  their  morbid  secretions:  the  arterial 
excitement  reduced  nntil  intermissions  av ere  obtained;  and,  tlien,  the  bark 
was  to  be  administered,  to  prevent  the  recurrence  of  the  paroxysms,  aiul 
complete  the  cure. 

For  the  accnmplishment  of  these  ends,  the  lancet  was  emph.ycd  in  t!;'; 
more  violent  ca.ses,  especially  when  signs  of  inflammation  in  any  organ  were 
present;  and  blood  was  drawn  several  times  in  certain  cases  by  some  physi- 
cians. Others,  however,  scarcely  cmjiluyed  tlie  lancet  in  any;  and  refeniiig 
to  tlic  admitted  fa't,  that  the  drawn  blood  was,  in  most  eases,  free  from  Imfl' 
they  argued  that  venesection  could  do  no  good,  and  might  do  harm,  by  in- 
ducing the  typhous  state. 

Emetics  in  those  days  were  stardmg  remedies  in  this  fever.  The  patient 
generally  thrw  up  a  liberal  nuantitj'  of  bile,  and  felt  more  comfortable  afttr 
the  oprratinn.     In  many  cases  they  were  repeated  several  times. 

Cathartics  were  in  etpial,  or  even  greater  use,  and  consisted  chiefly  cf  calo- 
mel and  jalap,  or  of  calomel  followed  by  castor  oil,  Glauber's  salt  [suJjiliafi 
of  aofJii),  ,r  an  infusion  of  .senna-  .-sweetened  with  manna.  A  close  inspectici; 
of  the  di.?ch arises,  from  the  stomach  and  bowels,  was  rea-ardcd  as  an  iiuli.v 
pcn.-able  duty  at  every  visit;  and  the  slightest  indication  of  a  return  to  a 
htt.'''ii<'r  state  of  the  secretion.s,  was  seen  with  hope  and  satisfaction. 

T  ff.v'ized  antimony,  generally  used  as  an  emetic,  and  often  combined  with 
a  catliartic  medicine  was,  also,  administered  In  nau.-eating  doses;  sonictlnuf: 
in  simple  solution,  but  oftcner  in  combination  with  saline  refrigerants,  of  wlii':!i 
the  most  rclialilo  wore  the  nitrate  of  potash,  and  the  acetate  of  potash,  or 
common  saline  mixture,  formed  with  sub-carjioiiate  of  pntash  and  diluted  vin- 
egar, sometimes  administered  in  a  state  of  eff'crvesence.  The  sjiirit  of  nitroib 
other  was  lik(!wi«e  in  universal  use.  and  often  added  to  the  saline  dran;^l!t. 
But,  Professor  I'nsh.  wlio  controlled  the  medical  mind  of  the  whi'le  couiitrj 
more  than  any  otlier  physician  has  since  controlled  it,  proposed  the  followini' 
recipe,  which  was  almost  universally  adopted: 

H.  Nitrate  of  pot.ash,  -  .  .  -  .  -  3-  j. 
Tartarizcd  antlmonv,  -----  nr.  i. 
Calomel, grs.  vj. 

Triturate  together,  and  divide  into  sis  pnpers. 


poinl 
Tl 

I'lnce 
tioii  ■ 

Were 

C'oidd 
mctlic 
rect 
purgi 


'^iR.: 


^mg^im 


I 


li: 


[nooK  n. 

t  'S  western  sociuty, 
,lu"  •  ',;•!:'■'  masses  >i 

:or  lias  Itcou  a  time 
i  iuilammatory  affto- 
'  immigration,  it  wa-- 
;(^nirctl  Dtlior  agencies 
treatment   might  1)c 
tlic  pliysieians  of  tli:it 
, ;    Sramd.  The  iiil;c- 
rcstetl  the  treatment, 
to  be   corrected ;   t!io 
crctii'ns:   the  arterial 
[;  anil,  then,  the  hark 
f  the  paroxysms,  ami 

was  cmph;yc(l  in  tli'j 
tion  in  any  organ  wore 
II  cases  by  some  \>\\p'.- 
I  in  any;  and  referring 
st  oases,  free  from  huff, 
mi^rht  do  harm,  by  in- 

his  fever.  The  patient 
more  comfortable  aftti 
eral  times. 

;onsisted  chiefly  cf  c;ilo- 
'.lauber's  salt  {sulpliaU: 
ma.     A  clo.se  inspection 
s  regarded  as  an  iiulis- 
■ation  of  a  retnrn  to  r, 
and  satisfaction, 
nd  often  combined  witli 
ating  doses;  sometiuK:- 
ne  refrigerants,  of  whieli 
acetate  of  potasli,  or 
pctash  and  dilut''d  vin- 
.     The  spirit  of  nitron - 
to  the  saline  dranglu. 
1(1  of  the  ^Yh(ilo  coniitry 
:,  proposed  the  followin: 


o 

,1- 

gr. 

i. 

e 

rs. 

^■j- 

PART    l.J 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


•CO 


One  of  these  powders  was  given  every  two  liours,  thrnngh  the  hot  ctage. 
They  always  nauseated,  and  sometimes  p)  oduced  both  vumiting  and  jairgiii/.', 
while  the  nitre  acted  a.-i  a  retrigf^ron*  nad  .'•idative 

If  iiie  calomel  thus  or  otherwise  administ'/red,  :  fleeted  the  mnuii,  no  v- 
^rct  was  felt  by  the  physician,  fur,  in  fact,  i  mercurial  action  was  thought  }•' 
be  curative.  It  was  generally  held,  that  calnmel,  on  the  whob',  was  the  J  ust 
iii)]iortant  remedy,  inasmuch  as  it  would  act  on  the  liver  (assumed  to  i  •  :'no 
"•irgan  primarily  affected),  and  at  the  same  time  arrest  the  fover,  by  its  ■  iiu- 
once  on  the  constitution.  With  tlicse  satisfactory  reasons  for  its  adu  i,;- 
tratiun,  it  was  generally  continued  for  such  a  length  of  time,  tiiat  but  few 
patients  got  through  an  attack  of  tlio  Fever  without  a  salivation. 

0[iium,  in  connection  with  sudoriOes,  was  in  general  use,  and  after  free 
evaci-^tiu;;  from  the  bowels,  through  the  afternoon  and  evening,  Dover's  pow- 
der, or  *he  spiritus  3Iindercri  with  paregoric,  was  administered  to  produce 
sleep  and  di^iphoresis  tln'ough  the  night. 

Cupping  was  seldom  practiced,  and  leeching  nearly  unknown.  Ibit  instead 
of  these,  blisters  were  employed,  not  only  to  relieve  local  inflammation,  but 
to  subdue  the  Fever,  when  no  •  ign  of  inflannnation  existed;  and,  hence,  almo.-^t 
every  patient  had  a  blistered  surfaci^  on  some  pMi-t  of  his  body,  throughout 
the  whole  jieriod  of  his  confinement. 

The  object  of  all  this  treatnioiit,  v.'as  to  prejiare  the  .system  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  bark  and  other  tonics.  The  length  of  time  re(|ulred  to  elfuct 
what  was  regarded  as  the  necessar}'  preparation,  varied  in  diflercnt  cases, 
but  was  scarcely  over  less  than  a  week.  In  many  re,sj)ects  this  method  was 
judicious;  and,  although  I  have  spoken  in  the  past  tense,  it  still  maintains 
it.self  (with  some  modifications),  in  the  confidence  of  a  large  portion  of  our 
physicians. 

II.      AdVANT.VC!E,3  and  DISADVANTAGES  OF  THIS  TllEATMENT. — Tho   in  iioa- 

tiuiis  proposed  to  be  fulfilled  by  this  treatment,  were,  on  the  main,  correct; 
but  Some  received  too  much,  others  too  little  attention,  ai  <  a  part  T  tho 
means  employed  acted  violently  on  the  system,  without  supf  .-  '^iiig  tl;  ;  mor- 
bid action. 

Those  who  regarded  tlie  Fever  as  arising  independenl'v  of  inflammation, 
often  omitted  bloodletting;  when,  even  in  tlic  ab.-tuee  of  influiiinnuiun,  thevc 
wore  reasons  for  employing  it;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  they  wh>  ''iM  to  tho 
inflannnatory  origin  of  tho  Fever,  jdaced  too  much  reliance  oii  tiiai  leuiedy. 
The  Irut'  reason  for  resorting  to  the  lanctt  was  not  pcrceivc.l;  but  on  tl.d.^ 
nuint  I  shall  speak  presently. 

The  exhibition  of  powerful  emetics  and  cathartics,  L(Jurc  resoi  ting  to  tho 
lancet,  was  wrong,  for  they  would  not  operate  kindly,  and  their  daily  repeti- 
tion sometimes  produced  gastro-enteritis.  The  signs  f^r  their  di-tontinnaneo, 
wore  a  healthier  aspect  of  the  tongue,  and  of  the  alvine  discharges ;  but,  Iiow 
oould  they  assume  a  natural  appearance,  under  the  daily  irritation  of  drastic 
niodieines  V  Too  nnieli  stress  was,  in  fact,  laid  ujion  the  iiidi>.ation  —  '  tu  cor- 
rect the  state  of  the  secretions.'  iMoreover,  many  jihysicians  prescribed 
I'urging  for  the  purpose  of  lowering  the  excitement  uf  the  va.-oul,ir  >ysteui, 


rsi 


TlIi:  rilLNXIPAI.  DISl^ASES  OF  TIIH 


LBOOK  II. 


hM 


tm. ;■■■■;;. 

i#.i'.#;f  •   •■ 


„    t  I.  I   I     T     -      t ,■        , 

•f""v.:.;r.; 


[tJ^fl 

,t-.,.-   •: 
■(.  r  ■ 

,v  ■  • 

^ 

^ 

fC^ 

m 

ii 

(,'*."■>■' 

nr^ 

■  .'" 

wlicMi  voiK  ^section  woiild  liavc  acecmiplislu'd  tliat  object  niucli  better,  and  with- 
out the  risk  of  excitiiipr  iiiueuu.s  irritatimi  iii  tlio  ^tdiiiacii  and  Itnwi'ls. 

As  caliiiiud  is.  perliajis,  the  most  eilieaeiniis  of  all  autl[ililn!.fistie  alterniit.'^. 
and,  as  the  liver  hcomcd  to  jio  inuro  involved,  tliaii  any  other  organ,  it  wa.s 
not  fitrange,  that  pliysieiaiis  sliould  have  assumed,  tliat  a  mercurial  actimi 
would  su|iersedo  tlic  i'ever;  and,  therel'ure,  should  have  administered  that 
medieino  both  liberally  and  jierscveringly.  The  curativt!  results  of  this 
practieo,  wore  seldom  satisfactory,  however  ;  while  its  pernicious  ctteets  wero 
sonu'tinics  of  the  saddest  cluiraetcr. 

The  extensive  blisterina  which  made  a  part  of  that  treatment,  was  every 
way  ol)jcctionable.  It  was  sometimes  resorted  to,  while  the  arterial  excite- 
ment wa.s  hidi,  when  all  the  etVects  obtained,  were  an  increa.se  of  that  ex- 
citement: and  an  extensively  ulcerated  surface,  which  added  to  the  sutferiiiL's 
(jf  tlie  paiient,  and  occasionally  became  gangrenous. 

Jiastly,  the  administration  of  the  bark  was  deferred  too  long;  thmigli,  wc 
must  admit,  that  it  cannot  be  safely  administered,  at  as  early  a  period  of  tin; 
Fever,  as  the  sul[ihato  of  (piiiiine. 

AVe  coine  now  to  speak  of  curative  plans,  carved,  as  it  were,  out  of  tliat 
which  has  been  discussed.  IMethods  founded  respectively,  on  a  single  idea; 
and,  tiierefore,  connueiuled  to  us  by  their  simplicity. 

HI.  Tui:.vT.Mi;.NTAS  I'Oii  G  .vsTito-KXTKiut'is. — The  fascinating  sini[iliiifatii-ii!s 
of  linmssais,  could  not  fail  to  meet  with  advocates  among  us;  but  they  liavf 
never  amounted  to  more  than  a  respectable  minority.  The  assumption,  that 
remittent  autumnal  fever  is  but  a  jirimary  gastro-entcritis,  had  the  appear- 
ance of  a  pathological  discovery;  and  the  proposed  tnatinent  was  acerpt- 
able  to  all,  biith  physicians  and  jiatients,  wlio  had  become  tired  of  the  ji'^ly- 
pliarmacy,  and  the  nuccrtain  results,  of  the  prevailing  method.  To  withlioM 
emetics  and  cathartics,  opium,  stimulants,  and  food;  to  give  dennd<-ijnt  aiiil 
acidulated  drinks;  to  use  the  lancet  in  some  cases,  and  cup  or  leech  the  epi- 
gastrium ill  all,  was  at  once  eas^^  in  practice,  and  captivating  in  jiromise.  In 
cases  which  were,  really,  attended  witli  mucous  inflammation,  tliis  method  was 
beneticial ;  and,  its  adoption  by  a  number  of  our  physicians,  exerted  a  salutary 
iafluencc  on  the  rest,  by  restraining  them  from  the  erc'^tsln;  administration 
of  tartar  emetic,  calomol.  and  drastic  cathartics.  'Without  having,  therefiri', 
superseded,  it  has  modilicd  the  older  method.  Two  or  three  things  have, 
perhap-^,  contributed  to  limit  its  more  general  adoption.  Fir.it.  The  extreim' 
dilliculty  of  ade((uate,  topical  bleeding,  in  the  country,  to  which  most  case< 
of  the  l-'ever  belong.  Second.  The  desire  of  our  people  for  strong  measures. 
Third.  The  general  propensity  in  our  jdiysicians  to  employ  them;  that  i?. 
to  be  doing  a  great  deal. 

1\.  Tug  Pi-R(iT.\(i  Pu.vcricn. — At  all  times,  and  with  all  our  ]iliv>i- 
cians  (except  tlmse  who  aduptcd  the  opinions  of  liroussais),  purging,  as  vo 
have  seen,  has  been  an  important  part  of  our  mithndm  vn(h'ndi.;  but  it  re- 
ouired  a  jieeuliar  hypothesis,  to  resolve  tiie  irlioh  treatment  into  tliat  ope- 
raticii.  This  was  at  length  supplied,  in  congestion  of  the  [lortal  cin-Ie  ami 
the  vena  cava  asceudeus.     The  removal  of  thi.s  con/irestion  constituted  tin' 


Mm 


IF- 


I  DOOK  n 


much  bettor,  ami  \vitli- 
ch  niid  Itnwrls. 
iitiiililoL'istic  altvrniits, 
iiy  (itlior  orgiui,  it  \va.s 
hat  a  mcrcuvial  actimi 
avc  Jicliiiiiiistiji'l'il  that 
irativc  results  df  tliis 
pernicious  etlccts  were 

it  treatment,  A\-as  every 

hilo  the  arteri;il  cxoiti- 

.11  increase   of  that  ex- 

aiUled  to  tlie  sutVeriiigs 


(1  toe  Innj.';  though,  \V( 
as  early  a  periud  nt  tli 


,  as  it  were,  out  of  tliat 
tively,  on  a  single  iiha: 

ascuiatingsiniiiliticatlons 
imongus;  but  tliey  have 
The  assumiition,  tliat 
iiteritis,  had  the  aiqitar- 
l  treatment  vas  accept- 
come  tired  of  the  i''.ly- 
methud.     To  withhcM 
to  five  denndceut  and 
id  Clip  or  leech  the  opi- 
ivating  in  iirnmiso.     In 
miation,  this  metliiMlwas 
iciaus,  exerted  a  salut:iry 
cxc'^f^irc.  administration 
Ithdut  having,  therefvo, 
wo  or  tln-ee  things  have, 
1,     First.  Tlie  extreme 
try,  t(i  which  most  case>' 
o].ie  for  strong  measures, 
em^iloy  them;  that  i^. 


nd  with  all  our  i^hyM- 
ruussais),  purging,  as  vo 
nihin  midnifli ;  but  it  re- 
treatment  into  that  ope- 
n  of  the  [lorlal  cir<-le  and 

inL'estion  constituted  tin 


TAUT  1.] 


INTERIOR  VALI-KY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


bo 


sclo  indication  of  euro,  and  was  in  bo  accomplished,  by  inoreasiiig  secretion 
fmni  the  liver,  and  tlic  mucous  membrane  of  tlie  stomacli  and  Imwcls.    Those 
who  ailojitcd  this  hypothesis,  as  simple  as  the  gastro-i'nteritis  of  t!ic  French 
seliDdl  (but  suggesting,   in  the  opinion  of  its  advocates,  a  ti'lally  dilferont 
jivai-tii'O),  built  tlieir  hopes  on  drnstii-  purging,  and,  consisti-ntly.  made  calo- 
mel tlio  governing  article  of  th(jlr  prescription?.     Tims  the  nioreurial  and 
ratliartic  treatment  became  miitcd  info  one  method,  which  in  it.s  ap[diratliin 
substituted,  for  tlu;  discriminating  ,«liill  of  tlie  physician,  the  rtli'iitless  punc- 
tuality of  the  apothecary  and  the  nurse.     Calonicl,  in  doses  which  the  world 
]a>\  not    hithert  '  known,  was  given  to  excite  the  liver  and  nnirons  niem- 
lirane  into  increased  secretion,  and  drastics,  in  eorrespiiiiling  ihiseis.  to  drain 
tlic  biiwcls,  as  fast  as  those  fluids  were  poured   into  (hem.     The  object  was 
not  to  supersede  the  febrile  action,  hy  a  mercurial  irritation  of  the  general 
system;  bill   to  rouso  the  liver  and  gastro-enteric  membrane  iijo  .secretory 
eseitemeiit :  ami  thus  transform  the  blood  of  the  portal  viscera  into  bile  and 
l!(|Uor-intestiiialis.     To  this  end,  scruple  doses  of  calonicl  were  regarded  ati 
■^uihciiMit  for  the  mildest  cases  only;  and  draelim  dose.s.  at  short  intervals,  be- 
caiiie  a  familiar  prescription,  in  (irdinaiy  epidemics  :  while,  in  tie  -•■  (f  greater 
violence,  portions  of  half  an  ounce,  an  oin.ee,  or  an  ounce  and  a  1i;ilr.  were  swal- 
luwed  by  the  ]»atii'nt  several  times  a  ilay  ;  till  in  some  instances,  a  jiound,  or  a 
jif'und  and  a  half,  wa.<  administered  to  a  single  p.'vtiont,  and  gave  to  his  ex- 
oretioiis   the  appearance  of  chalk  !     I  am  not  at  liberty  to  doubt  the  tcsti- 
meny  collected  in  the  south,  on  which  I  m;d^e  tliis  statement.      In  tlie  Stato 
of  Mississipjii,  a  jihysician  assured  me,  that  he  liad  given   a   pati'-nt,  one 
tliousand  grains  fur  three  successive  days  !     As  the  purgative  eficcts  of  cal- 
omel do  not  increase  Avith  the  dose,  and  yet  purging  was  an  essenti;  1  part 
of  the  cure,  medicines  better  calculated  to  excite  it,  were  either  allernated 
T  combined  with  the  calomel;  and  these  were  very  eonnnonly  given  in  vast 
'1  scs.     A  respectable  jdanter,  in   tin-  same  state,  assured  me,  that  he  had 
L'ivL'ii,  by  order  of  his  physician,  such  (juantities  as  I  thought   incredible; 
till  I  met  Avith  a  ncidiborins   phvsician,  who   dcelared  tliat  he  had  adminis- 
t'l'ed,  ill  a  single  case,  six  hundred  grains  of  a  tri[ile   eoinp'euid  of  aloes, 
rliuharb.  and  cahinu'l,  in  equal  quantities,  for  six  consecutive  days !     Such 
instances.!  am  happy  to  think,  embrace  the  extremest  abuses  of  this  method; 
and  the  number  who  readied  these  criminal  limits,  was  perhaps   mjt  very 
yy^t.     It  cannot  be  denied,  however,  that  the  practice,  iiere  reprfdiatcd.  was 
firr  several  years,  that  on  which  numerous  physicians  of  the  west  and  south 
rested  their  hopes ;  atul  although  in  general  they  stopped  short  of  the  reck- 
le«.?ncss  of  a  few,  they  carried  their  single  idea  to  an  excess,  which  at  length 
[•roduced  a  revulsion  in  the  public  uiind  ;  and  in  nunuTous  instances  led  to 
tbi'ir  being  superseded  by  emjtyrics,  who  declaimed  equally  against  the  judi- 
wus.  and  the  headlovig  administration  of  calomel.     Under  this  reaction,  it 
k'fame,  at  least,  diiTicult  to  exhibit  that  medicine  in  any  dose,  and  the   Idue 
pill  is  now  often   substituted,  when  calomel  would  be  preferable. 

It  does  not  appear,  I  think,  that  the  immense  doses  of  calomel,  adminis- 
tered by  a  few  fanatics,  did  any  more  injury,  than  the  drachii'  fh-i<  of  the 


780 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DI.-^EASES  OF  THE 


[book  II, 


f-" :  1*  ■■  ' 


Mr-".,:  ;•■■■'..,:-'■■ 


.  ,i.'i  '  .■■, 


majority  of  j)1iy,sic'ians.  Those  doses  often  passed  tlirouirh  tlio  IjowcI.s  uti- 
dissulvcd,  nnd  iiKietive.  Tlicy  did  imt  saliviitf  or  jmrge  iiioro  tliaii  the  Miuillor 
portions.  They  were,  hoNvcver,  a  revolting  absurdity.  The  drastic  purging  tu 
uliieli  the  patients,  day  after  day,  were  hulijeetcd,  Mas  no  doubt  as  periiitidu.-i, 
tliougli  not  so  frightful  to  the  people,  as  the  mercurial  ravages,  which  in 
many  instances  accomjiaiiied  this  practice.  The  former  were  invisible,  tlic 
latter  visible,  to  the  public  eye.  That  the  purgiiig  practice  was  often  Cdii- 
tra-inllcated  liy,  or  pru<luced  inflainmatiou  of,  the  mucous  membrane,  nu 
.«ound  palliologist  can  doubt;  and  therein  consists  one  of  the  weightiest 
objections  to  (h(>  practice.  Another  is,  that  in  oases  which  bad  any  latent 
tendeiu'y  to  those  paroxysms  of  collapse,  which  arc  called  malignant  or  con- 
gestive, e.vcessive  purging  soon  developed  it,  so  that  it  has  grown  into  a 
paying  in  many  parts  of  the  south,  tliat  congestive  fevers  are  made  by  []\U 
practice.  Further  north,  the  same  purging,  has  often  led  to  tlie  productinn 
of  a  typhous  state,  eijuall^',  though  not  so  immediately  dangerous.  Fiiiallv, 
lioth  this  and  the  practice  of  tlie  IJroussais  school,  are  liable  to  the  gnivi; 
objection,  that  they  aspired  to  be  curative,  when,  in  their  most  judicious  apjili- 
cation,  they  were  but  ])reiiarative. 

Having  given  this  brief  narrative  of  the  methods  of  treatment,  wliic'i 
have  prevailed,  and  indeed  still  prevail  among  us,  I  proceed  to  speak  of  tliat, 
to  which  public  ojiinioii  has  for  sonic  years  been  tending,  and  which  scciii.s  tv 
me  yrel'erable  to  any,  which  has  yet  been  followed. 

\.  Tkm'Kncv  at  Tiiio  Pi!i:sKXT  TiMK.  —  Both  the  methods  of  treat- 
ment we  have  ^,  t  discussed,  are  modifications  of  the  first,  and  that  whirli 
wo  are  imw  to  stml}',  can  claim  nothing  more.  Its  fundamental  principles  aiv, 
that  autumnal  fever  is  the  product  of  a  specific  cause,  and,  tlierefore,  con- 
sists in  a  morbid  action  of  a  peculiar  land,  recpiiring  a  .specific  remeily:  tli.it 
we  possess  such  an  antidote  for  the  intermittent  variety  of  the  I'evcr;  aii'i, 
that,  we  have  only  to  abate  all  the  causes  and  points  of  difiereiice  botweoL 
the  two  varieties,  to  render  the  sulphate  of  ijuininc  as  efficacious  in  one  as 
the  otlu'r. 

But  what  arc  the  pathological  difFerences  between  thcmV  The  answer 
must  be,  that  we  do  not  find  them,  in  tiio  functional  disturbances  and  mnvV'A 
secretions  of  the  liver  and  primed  via,  which  are  generally  as  great  iu  t!;o 
iiittrmlttent  as  the  remittent  typo.  They  seem  to  mc  to  consist  in  a  higln.:' 
febrile  excitement  of  the  whole  system;  a  greater  tendency  to  visceral  liy- 
periemias  and  inflammations;  a  much  longer  hot  stage;  and  the  consei|uciit 
want  of  a  complete  intermission.  These  conditions  being  obviatcil,  tI:o 
antidote  will  take  efiect,  as  iu  an  ordinary  ii'termittent.  The  old  treataicnt. 
it  is  true,  proposed  all  this;  but  the  ch?nge  in  the  condition  of  the  .sj.v 
icra  was  ti  be  accomplished  gradually  ;  and  as  each  exascerbation  of  the 
Fever,  added  to  the  lesions  of  innervation,  or  renewed  the  inflammatiun -f 
Bome  organ,  it  often  happened,  that  a  suitable  condition  for  the  adminLstru- 
tien  of  the  antidute  was  never  reached. 

The  new  modification  of  treatment,  consists  in  transformini;-  a  remittent 
into  an  intermittent  in  a  single  day,  and  by  a  single  agent.     As  stimulatieu 


fiil-c; 

i';ji.'OtiM! 

may  be 
fjnanfi* 


'■M 


MIR 


[book  II. 


iUT  1.1 


INTERIOR   VALLI;Y  OF  NORTH  A.MCRICA. 


i."^i 


liroujili  tlic  bowels  uu- 
:  more  than  llie  >uuillor 

The  tlrastu!  pur^'injrto 
no  doubt  us  iicnikinii.s, 
nivial  ravages,  wliitli  in 
nnev  wirr  iuvi>ilili'.  tliu 
|)raetk-e  was  often  ciai- 
imicous  nieiiibrane,  no 
rj   Olio  of  tbe  weiglitiust 
es  wbich  bad  any  bitiut 
called  malignant  vr  wn- 
bat  it  bas  grown  into  a 
levers  are  made  by  tlds 
en  led  to  tbc  iivoductidii 
cly  dangerous,     rinally, 

arc  liable  to  tbc  grave 
lieir  most  judieioiLs  appli- 

ods  of  treatment,  wliii'i 
proceed  to  speak  of  tliat, 
ding,  and  wbicb  scculs  U' 

li  tbc  mctbods  of  treat- 
tbc  first,  and  tbat  wliiili 
iindamcntal  princiiiles  aiv, 
ause,  and,  tberefore,  cuu- 
r  a  .'iiiceilic  remedy:  tliat 
icty  of  tbe  Fever;  aiui, 
ints  of  dilVercncc  botwceu 
as  eiBcacious  in  one  as 

ween  tbcm'.'     Tbe  au^ffci 

disturbances  and  nmrlul 

generally  as  great  in  i!:o 

me  to  con.sist  in  a  bigln.: 

:  tendency  to  visceral  hy- 

:ta<'-e;  and  tbc  conseiiueui 

iuns  being    obviated,  tiic 

tent.     Tbc  old  treatuu'iit. 

tbo  condition  of  tbe  .-^y!- 

.■acb  exasccrl).itiun  of  tlie 

ncwed  tbc  infiammatiun  uf 

ditlon  for  tbc  admiiii.sti'a- 

tran,>^fornilng  a  remittent 
Silo  aii-ent.     As  stiuiulatiuU 


ffill  ral.^^o  an  intermittent  into  a  remittent,  so  an  ojijiin'^ltc  treatment  may 
fiiddfidy  cliange  tli<'  latter  into  tbo  former;  or,  at  least,  so  reduce  llie  excito- 
iiioiit  of  tliu  lieart  and  arteries,  tliat  tbe  jjatliologieal  state  of  tbc  patient  is 
ail  ei|uivalent  for  tbe  apyrexia  of  an  intermittent. 

IJloodletting  is  tbc  means  fur  accomplisliing  tins  end.  Tn  be  sueeessfnl, 
l.owever,  it  must  be  employed  in  tbe  first,  second,  or  tliird  paroxysm,  tliat  i.s, 
Icf'trc  infl.innnation  in  ;iiiy  organ  lias  become  establislied.  The  quantity 
tiiken,  must  be  snob  as  will  bring  (be  jiatieiit  to  the  verge  of  syncope.  Val- 
If  ar.ii  perspiration  of  tbc  face,  yawning,  nausea,  and  a  feeble,  cmjtty.  and 
laiiid  pulse,  must  declare,  tbat  tbc  excessive  excitement  of  tbe  .system  is.  for 
tlio  time  being,  en"ectually  bruugbt  down.  If  llieso  effects  be  nid  produced, 
tlio  preparation  of  tlie  .<y.^tum  for  tbe  antiperiodie  is  not  accompli.sbed. 

After  sueli  a  bleeding,  wo  may  or  may  not  administer  an  cvaeunit  ;  but, 
if  decided  on,  it  should  be  given  n-il/iaiit  <hhnj.  In  the  bigber  latitudes, 
tea  grains  of  caloint'l,  ten  of  jalap,  and  one  of  tartar  emetic,  mixed,  i<v  a 
dilution  of  the  last,  with  sulpluito  of  magnesia,  may  be  adiniiii.'^tered.  To 
;;ic  soutb.  two  or  four  grains  of  ij)ecac  may  be  combined  with  ten  or  fifteen 
of  calomel,  and,  in  a  few  hours,  worked  off  with  castor  oil,  and  oil  of  tur- 
j 'iitiiie,  mixed,  or  an  i!ifusi(in  tif  senna  and  manna.  l>y  the  sudden  and 
[infuse  eva<'uation  tliiis  effeeted,  the  condition  of  tbc  system,  jirodueed  by 
v.fi  bleeding,  will  be  aiiginented,  and  the  priiixr  ri.-r  ]irepared  for  the  recep- 
i;  111  of  tbe  antidote.  Uut  if  the  signs  of  gastric  am'  liiliary  disorder  should 
;..t  be  great  —  if  tlio  stomach  has  not  been  previously  irritable,  nor  the 
'•  iWols  obstinately  costive,  nor  the  eyes  and  skin  tinged  A\ith  bile  —  tlio 
ratliartlc  niay  be  omitted. 

Having  thus  lessened  tbo  vfdume  of  blood,  reduced  tbe  power  of  the  heart, 
iial  increased  tbe  susceptibility  uf  tbe  .system;  having,  in  other  words, 
Ir'lUglit  about  a  transient,  artilieial  intermission,  the  sulphate  of  (piininc,  as 
iiiC  specific  alterant,  must  be  immediately  and  liberally  adininislered.  If  it 
W  deferred,  another  paroxysm  will  form  ;  just  as  we  sec  the  fever  in  scar- 
Lttiua  or  small  pox  return,  after  bleeding,  even  to  (Ic/iijt/inm  un'mi'i.  Those 
diseases,  respectively,  depending  on  spceitio  causes,  will  not  yield  to  a  simple 
uiitiphlogistic  treatment;  in'  like  manner,  the  Fever  we  are  now  studying 
ipeiids  on  a  specific  cause,  and  demands  for  its  cure  sonietiiing  that  can 
-  (icrsedc  tbc  morbid  action.  To  this  end,  ten  grains  of  the  sulphate  of 
iuiiiiue,  with  one  or  two  of  opi'mi ;  and,  if  no  calomel  have  been  given,  ten 
Ijiaiiis  of  tbat  medicine,  should  be  exhibited  in  a  single  dose.  The  results 
I'liiili  may  be  expected  arc  sleep  and  perspiration,  with  a  full,  slow,  and  soft 
[ulse.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  fullowing  night,  the  dose  of  fjuiniue  must 
le  repeated,  with  or  without  the  other  medicines,  and  again  rcjieated  iibout 
r .urn  the  next  day.  It  dues  not  follow  that  the  patient  will  not.  at  that 
tiiii'.',  have  some  degree  of  thirst,  pabi  in  the  head  or  back,  and  increase  of 
[ulso;  but  his  warm  perspiration  will  continue.  In  this  exascerbation,  an 
i^'joetion  may  bo  administered,  if  be  bad  not  been  previously  purged,  or  be 
nmy  he  bled  again.  At  bed- time,  a  f..urth  dose  of  the  nulnine,  with  an  c^ual 
'I'lautity  of  Dover's  powder,  should  be  taken,  and  another  portion  of  ijuiniuc 


7^8 


TUB  riUNCirAL  DISKASDS  Of  Till: 


[loni  II. 


WflTT. 


1'  < 


\./- 


'i 


»(''* 


slioulil  lio  oxlilliitctl  early  tlio  next  unfiling.  Tf  lio  liail  luit  Itci'ii  tVn.!.- 
pur^rt'd  at  tlio  liouimiiiiL'.  lio  may  ihiW  take  a  stiimilatiii;r  fatliaitic ;  luit.  a 
|io<siI)lc,  slioiilil  UM' till,"  ]iaii,  ami  imt  Iravc  his  bed  (liiriii<,'  tlio  <'iMTatiMi, 
111  tlio  t-arly  |i;irt  nf  llio  IuIIdwIii!.'  niu'lit,  !io  must  repeat  tlio  cpilhinc  ;ii.  1 
Dnver's  jii.wilrr,  after  wliieli  a  repetiliuii  will  (-rarcoly  be  roipiireil.  |[. 
ou'Jit,  limvuver,  to  keep  in  iioil  for  twn  or  tlirec  tlay.s  lu!i;rer  ;  a  ;rL'iitle  clji. 
plidpois  sluaild  be  kt'[it  up,  and  the  lioalthy  action  of  tln^  liver  re.-toni],  '  , 
i-niall  iloyi'H  (.f  the  blue  pill  and  ((uiiiiiio,  with  a  gentle  opiate  at  ui^'ht. 

Ill  principle,  this  method  is  tlie  same  which  we  find  sueeessful  in  pnouiiii. 
Ilia,  hi'iiatitis,  and  suuio  other  phle^tiia.siii.',  oxeejit  that  tlie  alterant  u-.ii;, 
dillVront.  In  pncniiiniiia  wo  du  many  thi  .us,  but  the  detraction  of  a  irreat 
(piaiitity  of  iilood,  followed  by  tlie  immediat.'  Kbiiinistratluu  of  lar^iu  dn.v.s 
of  tartar  omotie,  will  cfleet  a  cure  :  in  aentu  hepatitis  a  similar  bleediii;r.  sii'.- 
eceded  l>y  full  doses  of  oaluniel,  will  brinu'  out  the  dotsired  result.  The  sm;.' 
is  true  of  acute  peritfiiiiti<,  which,  readily  vieldiig  to  these  nicasuns,  pn  vi.: 
fatal  witliout  them,  iiotwithstaiidiiig  many  other  thiii;i.s  inaybeiloiie.  lathe-} 
]ihh)<ristie  fevers,  tartar  enietii^  and  calomel,  respectively,  exert  an  altui'a/. 
influence,  Avliidi,  without  the  previous  bleedinu*.  they  could  not.  7'/,t'_//  havj 
power  over  runmo/t  phlegmasial  lever  and  inflammation;  but  not  over  ,' 
spi'cific  fevor.  and  its  associated  inflamniatioiis,  whieli  eoiistitnte  the  di-sca-j 
we  are  now  studying.  To  supersede  ///<•/«,  wo  must  establisli  in  the  systiu 
(rendered  unresisting  by  the  loss  of  blood),  an  aetimi  ine(imi)atlble  witli  t'  ■ 
febrile  and  inflammatory — a  transient  ([uinii;  disease,  which,  cca&iiig  spciita- 
neously,  leaves  the  patient  freo  from  his  oriuinal  disorder. 

])Ut  this  h;ippy  result  is  not  always  attaiiuiljle,  and  we  must  iifiw  coiisi!  ; 
the  causes  of  failure.  1  have  limited  i\vi  coininenecnient  of  the  projio-.  1 
treatment  to  the  third  paroxysm;  but  there  may  be  cases  in  whieii  it  v,i] 
siieceed.  if  begun  in  tiie  lourtli  or  fifth;  iievorthiless,  the  earlier,  the  hotter: 
for.  if  iiiflanimation  have  become  cihihlishad  in  any  organ,  it  may  not  yicM  ii 
bloodletting,  the  quinine,  or  any  other  means.  .Moreover,  the  longer  the  fe- 
ver has  continued,  the  loss  is  tlie  (juantity  of  bloi.d  which  can  be  taken  away  l 
with  impunity.  Tin;  vital  energies  have  begun  to  fail;  the  susceiitiliilitivj 
have  become  more  perverted,  and  tlio  blood  has  fallen  into  a  vitiated  cnii.li- 
tiun.  Viuler  these  eireumstanees,  if  a  freo  bleeding  should  be  iiracticcil,  .i 
dangerous  constitutional  irritation  may  follow;  for  copious  venesect iuii  ren- 
ders the  heart  and  arterial  svstem  irritable ;  and  thus  t'ives  to  the  deteriuralvl 
blood,  a  reactive  influenco  u[ion  tlieiii.  which,  before  the  operation,  it  C'V,.! 
not  exert.  The  practice  of  bleeding  to  relievo  inflammation,  in  au  al- 
vanccd  stage  of  the  Fever,  has  been  condemned,  even  by  those  who  bled  fii  i  y 
in  the  beginning.  Hut  may  not  an  iiuniediate  exhiliition  of  (luinine  oLv;.;: 
the  objeetiou  to  such  a  bleeding?  ^lay  not  that  medicine,  even,  coiitrihuto 
to  the  curoof  thointlainniationV  Is  imt  the  inflaiiiniation  as  much  apart  of  ii:;i 
Fever,  as  the  pustule  is  of  variola,  a  (piiiisy  (jf  scarlatina,  or  the  abscess  of  a  lyni- 
])hatie  ganglion,  of  the  chronie  fever,  present  in  some  cases  of  scrofula '.'  Tlicso 
questions  must  be  answered.  I  thiidc,  in  the  aflirmative;  and,  if  so,  we  might  vX- 
pcct  advantages  from  the  quinine  in  remittent  fever,  even  when  iiiflauuiuiiiv:. 


r'ltoni: 
VI 

IliC 

fiiod, 
mend 

(A      IV 

Calf 

wliicl 

At 

llcivei 

■'iiie 

;:iiiii<t 

Til 
ti'.o  tr( 
same 

Chi 
is  flir 


'  I  >1 


Tin: 


[BOOllI. 


llO  lliul  IHit  lici'll  \'\iv]:- 
ilaliii;.'  ciilliiiilif  ;  l.ut.  .; 
il   iliiriii'.'  tlio  (iiicrutii  n. 

n'iM':it  tlio  (|iiiiiiiio  ai.  I 
:ircL'ly  bo  iL'(|uiicil.  II.. 
i\  s  luiipT  ;  il  ^'L'litlo  c!i  I- 

(jf  tlio  livci-  rf>tiiieil.  '  , 

tie  ojiiatc  nt  uijil.t. 

ml  sufcfssful  ill  iiiioniin- 

that  tlio  iiltonnit  u-nl ;, 
tho  (lotruetioii  of  ti  L'l'cat 
iiiiir«ti:itiijii  (if  large  ilnsu- 
Is  il  similar  blociliii}.',  sv,..- 
loslrod  rofult.     'J'lio  -ain.' 

to  tllCSC  llHilftm(.«.  |:ri  Vu- 

igs  maybeiloiic.    in  tin-} 
:ctivoly,  cxevt  an  ulteni!/. 
cy  couUl  not.     77,(7/  Liiv 
iiiiation;  but  not  over  ;' 
lioli  constitnto  the  diji'a-j 
st  ostiililisli  ill  tliC  sy.-tvi.i 
[imi  iiKMimpatUilo  witli  t 
so,  wliioli,  ccuhiiijr  spi'ii;.;- 
isortler. 

ml  Avo  must  now  ooiis;!  ; 
oncenicnt  of  tlio  pniiif-.  1 

be  cases  in  wliicli  it  v,i.! 
CSS,  the  earlier,  the  butl-i': 

orgiin,  it  may  not  yiiM  :j 
orouver,  the  longer  tho  tV 

which  can  be  taken  a\v;iy 
0  fail;  the  suscciitiVului'^ 
alien  into  a  vitiated  c-niidi- 
hig  should  be  praeticcd,  ,1 
ir  eo^iiuus  venesect  ion  riu- 
us  "ives  to  the  deteriuratc'l 

ore  the  operation,  it  couM 
iiifhinimation,    in  an  :id- 
(Ml  liy  those  who  blu<'dfnty 

liiliition  uf  quinine  ohviuf 

medicine,  even,  eoiitriluto 
nation  as  much  a  piirt  cf  !-■- 
tina,  or  the  abscessof  a  lym- 
e  eases  (jf  serofula '.'  Tlkr: 
ive;  and,  if  so,  we  might  iV 

cr,  even  when  inthimuiutiv:. 


r»r>Ti.] 


I.VTKRIOR  VALLHY  ('F  .NuKTII  AMKUICA. 


:>:» 


isi''t«.  Tf,  however,  it  «hMuld  not  jios.-'css  a  power  <  f  that  hind,  it  Wdild  iii't,  I 
iJI'poso,  ineroasc  tho  intiamiiKiliiui ;  while  its  peculiar  sedative  and  seiui- 
iiaiTOtie  oiieratioii.wuuhl  aid  in  n^pn'^^ing  the  eoustitnlional  irrilatiiii,  which 
iiiidit  fi/llow  bleedinj^  in  tho  stage  of  the  Fever,  wo  iirc  now  eonsideiing. 

Although  inllainnuition  Is  not  the  cause,  Imt  arises  with,  or  snporvoncs 
v.p'n,  remittent  fever,  still,  it  is  not  on  that  iiei.'ount  tiie  less  daii^ijerous. 
When  it  lirglns  with  I  ho  Irver,  it  gem.'rally  yields  to  a  copious  Meedliig,  and 
t'le  ful»sei(aent  use  <if  (piinine;  but  when  its  devilojinuiit  i>  late,  it  often 
M.'ts  our  ufniost  elicits  nt  defuime.  Among  the  means  which  may  be  eni- 
rhycil  fin*  ils  abatement,  there  are  three  external  appli(  atioi;^,  in  whleh  eon- 
"idcralilo  confidence  may  bo  phiced :  I'lrsf.  Long  continued  Jcpid  alilutioiis 
:.ii(l  fomentations  over  the  all'ected  orgaii.  S-roml.  I'lcpoiited  t'lpical  bleed- 
i'lj.  Tiii'-d.  IJlisteriiig,  wliieli,  however  useless  when  there  is  no  inlhinnnation, 
i>  v^  much  value  wlnn  thiit  condition  exists.  There  arc,  moreover,  several 
iiirdiciiios.  whicli  may  be  employed  with  advaidago.  Thus,  if  the  inlhnnma- 
li'  11  be  seated  in  tho  liver  or  spleen,  cajcmel  should  be  administei'  d  in  doses 
f  fnu-or  six  grain  doses  every  two  or  four  hours,  iieeording  to  the  v'.o'encc 
:'  the  symptoms;  if  seated  in  the  mm-iius  membrane  of  t!:o  sioi.  ic'i  and 
lii'idenum,  the  same  medicine,  triturated  with  gum  arable,  refined  sugar,  nd 
(Ilium,  or  tl:e  sulphate  of  morphine,  should  be  employod;  if  the  lungs  be  the 
-at  of  the  inflammation,  tartari/ed  antimony,  and  other  sedative  e.vpoeto- 
rants  may  bo  used;  if  tho  brain,  eidomel  with  cathartics,  will  bo  propter. 

Should  iiny  one  of  these  inl1;iminations  become  intense,  the  fever  may  as- 
■uiiie  a  continued  typo;  when  (piinine  would,  pcrhap.?,  prove  u>-ele.-s:  but, 
'i  remissions  still  manifest  tlienisclves.  that  uiedieine  should  bo  mingled  ur 
r'.ternated,  with  the  other  mi;ans  whiidi  have  been  roeommended. 

Yl.       ]'\\fTS  m:.\lll.\"(i   lAVOKAJlLY  ox  Till:  KAIlLV  KXUIlUTIoX  (.(b'  (.Jll.MNK. 

The  treatment  roeommended  under  the  last  head,  is  one  which  1  have  p'lr- 
■iC'd,  as  occasional  opportunities  offered,  since  tho  year  ISoS  or  I'^'-W).  The 
effects  have  been  highly  eiicour;iging,  but  I  am  not  under  the  necessity  of  com- 
Duiiding  it  on  such  limited  grounds,  for  in  several  long  journeys,  from  1S1() 
to  !>>  14,  I  collected  the  experience  of  a  multitude  uf  physicians,  from  the 
I'iilf  of  3Ioxico  to  Lake  Superior,  and  will  present  an  ab.straetof  that  portion 
wliich  is  in  favor  of  tlic  early  adniinisti.ition  of  (juinine. 

At  ]Milwaukio,  N.  L.  4o°,  remittent  fever  is  almost  unknown;  but  Doctor 
Ilewet,  bad  treated  cases  sueeessfuUy  on  the  old  method  of  venesection  (in 
'onic  cases),  emetics,  cathartics,  and  dia}dioreties,  fur  a  week,  when  he  ad- 
lahiistered  the  sulphate  of  ((uinino. 

The  Fever  is  soi,  what  more  prevalent  at  Eacinc,  a  little  further  south; 
t'lie  treatment,  as  I  learned  from  Doctor  Dlanehard,  and  Doctor  (Jraves,  the 
j;imo  as  that  just  mentioned. 

Chii'ago,  still  further  south,  on  the  same  western  coast  of  Lake  ^licliignn, 
i>  fiir  more  infested  with  the  Fever.  Its  treatment,  as  stated  by  Doctor 
liraiiiard,  Doctor  Jirinckerhoff,  and  Doctor  Kimberly,  is  substantially  the 
same  as  at  the  two  other  towns. 


fi 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


7 


A 


■^ 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


■-IM 


2.5 


12.2 


1^    III  2.0 

ill  1.8 


U    11.6 


J: 
'si 


V] 


<^ 


/2 


7 


■^ 


/J. 


'W 


v 


Photogr^hic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


fl? 


>■    ,'■]■'  ?.'''    •     '■  V  .-r 


m'l 


VI  r*. 


/..'r^; 


'     'iff..  ■  ^      "  ••■<         ■' 


I,  >  '.'y'.'f  -I  .-ll-'-  . 


-4!^^'    !•'•:■■. .)..,■■  ■■      '     :■■■:■;, 
(.%*;'        ■  .*  :  ■  •■■.■  .•■,  .^  ..'■ 

#l4]— '■'.;■■ '■''"''■■' '^ 


;.  vails-. ^'  '.:•;  '.  ,.  1.     •'  .y 


.f.-i|  :;f  i;i.  »,*  ;'  i-  . .    ,■  ■.. . 


790 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[BOOK  i;. 


At  Puvt  Huron,  N.  L.  43'',  the  Fuver  is  frequently  cpidcniic.  Doctur 
Nublo  informed  nie  tliat  lie  j^eldoiu  bleeds;  but  after  the  operation  of  an 
cmeti(3  and  mercurial  eathartic,  administers  J)over's  powder  and  camphor,  lill 
an  intermission  with  porspiiation  is  obtained,  when  he  resorts  to  (|uiuine. 

At  Oetroit,  Dortnr  I'otter  regards  bloodletting  as  a  most  impurtmu 
remedy.  Doctor  Pitcher,  a  gentleman  of  ripe  experience,  resorts  to  the 
lancet  early,  gives  a  cathartic  of  calomel,  and  then  administers  quinine,  iu 
five  or  ton  grain  doses. 

Doctor  Denton,  of  Ann  Arbor,  west  of  Detroit,  is  a  strong  advocate  for 
bloodletting;  to  which  he  resorts  in  the  cold  stage,  rather  than  tlie  hot,  ainl 
sometimes  bleeds  twice  in  one  paroxysm  ;  but  does  not  administer  quinine, 
till  after  the  lapse  of  six  or  seven  days. 

Doctor  Landon,  of  Monroe,  south  of  Detroit,  has  bled  freel_y,  and  saw  tlio 
blood  sizy;  then  purged  copiously,  and  proceeded  to  the  administvatinu  of 
quinine ;  which  ho  has  often  given  with  success,  when  the  tongue  was  .>till 
heavily  coated. 

Tlie  estuary  of  the  ]\Iauniee,  at  the  south  Avest  angle  of  Lake  Erie,  is 
infested  with  this  fever.  Doctor  St.  Clair  bleeds  freely  and  has  often  sce.i 
the  blood  sizy;  uses  emetics,  and  cathartics;  but  does  not  begin  to  employ 
the  (juininc  for  several  days  afterward. 

Doctor  Deck  bleeds,  vomits  with  tartar  emetic,  and  }iurges  with  calomel  ami 
other  cathartics  till  an  intermission  is  obtained.  In  this  condition,  when  the 
tongue  has  become  clean,  and  the  patient  seemed  convalescent,  the  uoxt 
paroxysm  has  set  in  with  coma,  and  that  which  followed  proved  fatal.  Li 
other  cases,  this  sinister  eft'ect  has  been  averted  by  five  grain  doses  of 
quinine,  in  conjunction  with  the  same  ([uantity  of  calomel. 

Doctor  Dwight  has,  in  some  autumns,  bled  freel}',  and  seen  the  blood  bully, 
purged  with  calomel,  and  then  administered  quinine. 

Doctor  Van  Every,  in  the  autumn  of  1838,  bled  in  almost  every  case, 
sometimes  to  twenty  ounces  —  after  which,  cathartic  medicines  operated 
freely,  when  he  gave  three  grains  of  quinine  every  two  hours. 

Doctors  Smith  and  Perkins,  did  not  bleed  very  often,  but  found  the  early 
use  of  ((uinine,  in  two  grain  doses,  every  t  vo  hours,  successful. 

In  the  same  fever,  Doctor  Ackly  gave  the  blue  mass,  or  calomel  whh. 
morphine  and  ipecac,  or  tartar  emetic  every  three  or  four  hours,  till  a  ilia- 
phoresis  occurred ;  when  he  administered  a  cathartic,  and  then  resorted  Vj 
quinine.     All  those  observations  were  made  in  the  same  region. 

Doctor  Cochran,  of  Sandusky  City,  south  side  of  Lake  Erie,  has  bk'il 
freely,  given  a  few  large  doses  of  calomel,  and  then  administered  ten  grains 
of  quinine  every  eight  hours,  till  perspiration  came  on. 

Doctor  Tilden,  of  the  same  city,  has  seen  bleeding,  vomiting,  and  purging, 
do  harm,  when  not  followed  by  an  early  administration  of  quinine. 

At  Norwalk,  near  Sandusky,  Doctors  Baker  and  Kitteridgc,  have  bleJ.iii 
some  cases  several  times,  and  found  the  blood  sizy;  administered  calouiul 
freely,  purged  with  extract  scammony  aud  coloeyuth,  followed  with  castor  oil. 


I  i\ 


;e 


[book  i: 


TAUT  I.] 


LVTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


7'Jl 


ly  c'liUloiiilo.  I'oeti.r 
tlic  opovalion  of  un 
alov  and  caiiiiilujr,  till 
resorts  to  iiuiiiuio. 
as  a  most  iiuiinrtunt 
•icuee,  resorts  to  tliG 
Ldministcrs  (iuiuiuo,  in 

a  strong  advocate  tor 
Ltlicr  than  the  hot,  ami 
A  administer  (quinine, 

jledfrccl>,and  saw  tk 

tl\e  adniinistvati(jn  of 

;u  tlio  tongue  ^Yas  still 

angle  of  Lalio  Eric,  ij 
:eely  and  has  often  s^ce.i 
ocs  not  licgiu  to  einpLiy 

inirgcs  -witli  calomel  and 
this  condition,  when  tlie 
I  convalescent,  the  uost 
lowed  proved  fatal,    lu 

by  five  grain  doses  of 

omel. 

nd  seen  the  hlood  huffy, 

d  in  almost  every  case, 
■tic  medicines   operatoJ 
two  hours, 
ften,  hut  found  the  early 

successful, 
e  mass,  or  calomel  witK 

or  four  hours,  till  a  dia- 
•tic,  and  then  resorted  to 
same  region. 

of  Lake  Erie,  has  lUd 

.  administered  ten  grains 

on. 

g,  vomiting,  and  purging, 

ition  of  ([uinine. 
Kitteridge,  have  hled.ni 
',y;  administered  calumul 
1,  followed  with  castor  oil, 


and  as  soon  as  the  remissions  were  made  a  little  more  perfect,  administered 
(juinino 

Doctors  Planter  and  Howard,  of  Elyria,  on  tlic  same  lake-terruce  with 
Xorwalk,  have  fjund  (quinine  injurious  in  the  Fever,  before  it  was  hronglit, 
by  one  or  more  hlecdings,  to  an  intermittent  type.  Have  often  seen  the 
Ijluod  s.zy. 

Doctor  "Wallace,  of  Massillon,  (Jliio,  lilceds  freely,  once  or  twice,  and, 
without  waiting  for  an  intermission,  proceeds  to  give  quiuino  iu  five  grain 
duscs. 

At  Joliet,  on  the  Illinois  Ilivcr,  Doctor  Scliolfiold  informed  mo  that  he 
was  in  the  hahit  of  giving  his  jjatient  fmrn  twenty  to  fort3-  grains  of  calo- 
mel, witli  half  a  grain  of  sidpliate  of  morphine,  while  in  tlio  exa^icerhation, 
and  folhjwing  it  the  next  day  with  castor  oil  or  salts,  immediatel}'  after  which, 
lie  administered  the  quinine. 

Doctor  Ilowland,  of  Ottawa,  on  the  same  river,  bleeds,  and  if  the  patient 
have  been  costive,  gives  a  cathartic  of  blue  pill  and  rhubarb;  otherwise  ho 
proceeds  at  once  to  admini.'stcr  (|uiniuc. 

Doctor  Whitehead,  of  Lasalle,  on  the  same  river,  in  an  epidemic  remittent, 
omitted  bleeding,  administered  a  dose  of  calomel  and  pulvis  antimonialis,  as 
1  cathartic,  and  then  gave  cpiinine  iu  two  or  three  grain  doses,  sometimes 
combined  with  Dover's  powder,  every  two  or  three  hours.  It  arrested  the 
liot  stage,  and  brought  on  perspiiation,  with  a  slow  and  full  jiulso. 

In  Springfield,  the  capital  of  Illinois,  I  found  Doctors  Todd,  Henry,  Jayne, 
Merriman,  and  Frazier,  concurring  in  the  practice  of  vei-y  moderate  j)repara- 
tory  evacuation,  either  from  the  bloodvessels,  or  tbo  I'owds,  and  an  early 
administration  of  (quinine  and  opium. 

At  Jefferson  City,  on  tlie  ]\Iissouri  Ilivcr,  Doctors  Abbott  and  Edwards,  iu 
the  declining  stage  of  the  first  paroxj'sm,  without  any  previous  preparation 
of  the  system,  begin  the  administration  of  quinine  in  two  or  three  grain 
doses,  at  short  intervals,  till  the  paroxysms  ceast;  to  recur,  when  they  give  a 
mild  cathartic.  "When  the  fever  is  strongly  remittent,  they  bleed  before 
Using  the  i{uinino. 

Doctor  I'rice,  of  Arrow  Rock,  further  up  the  Missouri  Piivor,  is  accustomed 
to  resort  to  quinine  after  the  operation  of  a  single  cathartic  or  emetico-cathar- 
tic,  notwithstanding  there  may  be  head  or  back  ache. 

Doctor  Yaughan,  of  Dover,  near  the  same  river,  docs  not  often  use  the 
laneot,  nor  adnuiuster  cvacuants,  but  begins  the  treatment  with  (quinine  and 
calomel. 

Doctors  Shanks  and  Frazior,  of  Memphis,  Tennessee,  are  accustomed  to 
employ  the  lancet,  c(dd  to  the  head,  some  small  doses  of  calomel  and  ipecac, 
Md  then,  at  an  early  period,  to  complete  the  cure  with  qninino.  Doctor 
Christian,  of  the  same  city,  in  latter  years,  bleeds  once,  gives  a  few  doses  of 
spirit  of  nitrous  ether,  and  tlien  the  quinine ;  in  six  or  eight  hours,  a  gentle  ca- 
thartic, and  quinine  again ;  which  method  cures  iu  one  third  the  time  of  that 
which  he  formerly  pursued.  Doctor  Grant,  of  the  same  city,  formerly  of  the 
hill  country,  in  Alabama,  while  there,  bled  freely,  cupped,  blistered  when  the 


•ia 


.!# 


■  ^''ffl' T"  ■  ,      "i  '  '(■■'*■     •',■,■■   ■ 


70:2 


Tin:  i'i;L\cirAL  disea.^e.s  of  the 


[nooK  II. 


sLoniacli  ^Yas  iirit;iblo,  gave  a  lull  dose  nf  caloiiiel,  and  in  tliu  first  ix'iiii.-.vii.n 
a  ft  rr  ward,  -•:ivt,'  twenty  grains  ui'  (iiiiiiii>e  in  a  sulutiuii  ol"  tailaiic  acid.  A 
sluw  and  i'lili  ['ulse,  uitli  [icrspirati'iu,  ri.lluwcd. 

Doctor  J  licks,  of  VicksLiirg,  ]Mississii)iii,  after  one  lilccdini;',  and  a  dnso 
of  calomel,  or  blue  jiill,  with  ipecac,  administers  tjuinine  with  liapjiy  results. 

]>oct()r  (Tist,  and  Doctor  (,'aliannis,  of  Jackson,  .Mississijijii,  purge  mcdcr- 
atclv,  in  nuiHt  cases  with  cantor  oil,  and,  in  tlic  first  remission,  give  qiiinii.L'. 
^vlli^•!l  they  i.:ink  tends  to  promote  intermissions.     In  some  cases  tlicy  Ijkxd. 

Doctor  ]>.  Yaiidcll,  of  Denton,  3Iississippi,  oi'tcii  cmjiloys  the  lancet,  ai.d  be- 
gins the  cxhiliilion  of  quinine,  before  the  cud  of  the  paroxysm. 

Doct(jr  I'a\is,  of  Natclieii,  bleeds,  and  resorts  almost  immediately  to  tliat 
medicine.  It  abates  the  thirst,  and  the  force  and  frequency  of  the  ])iil<o,  in- 
creases its  fullness,  and  promotes  pers[)iration.  In  the  cases  iu  which  it  f;iils 
to  pri.duoe  tlr.'se  efiects,  he  throws  it  aside.  J)octor  Jones,  of  tiie  saniocitv. 
.seldom  lileods,  but  after  the  operation  of  a  dose  of  calomel,  or  blue  muss,  al- 
lowed by  castor  oil,  proceeds  to  administer  the  quiiiine,  iu  five  grain  dusos, 
every  three  or  four  hours. 

Doctors  Tate,  ILstes,  and  Vt'iiitcr,  of  Columbus,  Mississippi,  have  fuuiid 
that  many  .ases  of  remittent  fever,  treatetl  only  with  aperients,  and  culd 
acidulated  drinks,  assume  an  intermittent  type,  and  arc  cured  with  the  (jui- 
nine.  These  physicians,  witli  their  brethren,  Doctors  Smith,  Jones.  Lijis- 
comb,  and  the  31ul()iies,  have  found  the  lancet  unnecessary,  or  injurious,  ai.d 
drastic  purgatives  still  more  so.  After  gentle  alvine  evacuations,  they  de- 
pend on  quinine. 

Doctors  Deall,  MeCuno,  and  AVilkins,  of  I'ickensvillo,  Alabama,  on  tl) 
Tonibeckbee  lliver,  below  Cidumbus,  condemn  free  j)urging,  and  do  not  em- 
ploy the  lancet,  without  following  it  inunediately  with  quinine. 

Doctor  J»;'ish,  of  Tuscaloosa,  in  the  same  state,  frequently  bleeds,  some- 
times vomits,  purges  with  calomel,  or  the  blue  mass,  combined  with  oiiiura, 
and  then  gives  one  or  two  grains  of  quinine,  with  piperinc  or  morphine,  ever, 
hour  or  two.     lie  has  seen  large  doses  of  calomel  produce  watery  disehur-es. 

Doctor  IVilIingslea,  on  the  Tallapoosa  llivor,  lias  used  large  doses  of  quinine 
immediately  after  bloodletting. 

Doctor  Echols,  of  8elma,  bleeds,  but  generally  omits  active  purging,  and 
proceeds  to  administer  quinine. 

Doctor  Englisli,  of  Cahawba,  bleeds,  cups,  administers  a  mild  catliurti/. 
and  then  gives  quinine. 

Doctor  Ilogan,  of  the  same  regi^m  of  country,  as  liis  partner,  Doctor  Stone, 
informed  me,  stimulates,  and  administers  r^uinine  from  the  beginning,  witli 
admirable  success. 

When  at  2\atcliez,  in  lS-14,  I  was  told  by  Doctor  Cartwright,  that  Mr. 
Charles  Crr-ssgrovo,  a  respectable  superintendent  of  a  cotton  plantation,  in 
Concordia  I'arisli,  Louisiana,  iiad  administcrec^*  quiuine  with  great  success. 
I  had  a  conversation  with  him  on  the  subject,  and,  ho,  also,  gave  me  a  writ- 
ten statement,  of  which  the  following  is  the  substance  : 

Oa  the  plantation  there  arc  fifty-live  negroes,  and  a  white  family,    ^'i.'  i 


II 


■jnelu.s 
rti 

kit  I 

!'iiiiii](. 
I  ^iitipori 

■  'iigcr 

["'orlioci 

Miiey  ai 

1 5f'\V,s  — . 

jljly  111 

m. 

»Tho  . 

■•■^'i,  iiiul 
■?  catalo 

-m  iu  !•' 


•  I 


vh 


lU 


[P.OOU   11- 


?>nT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLCY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


70:) 


in  tliiJ  iii'^t  vcnu.-^:iou     - 
ui'  tiiitaii^  ueiil.     A 

l)kH'iVni-',  anu  a  (Lso 
no  uitli  Imviiy  vcsuhs. 
^-ih^^lpi'i,  I'lii'g*^  luf.ikT- 
;mls;-'niii,  givo  iminiiic. 
some  cases  tliey  Ijleid. 
,l(,vritlielaucct,  ul.dk- 
.^•uxy!^^n■ 
,Jstimmea•ult('1y  t)t!iat 

,iueiu-y  of  llie  pulso,  In- 
to cases  in  v.liieli  it  iVils 
Junes,  ofthe  same  city, 
l„niel,  or  blue  mass,  i' .1- 
line,  in  five  grain  dusc;, 


:^Ii<si^riillpi.  ^i^^'*^  ^-™'-^ 
^itb  aperient?,  and  oM 
[  are  cured  witli  tlic  iiuh 
tors  Smitl),  Jones,  Liys- 
^cessary,  or  injurn.us,  aul 
ine  evacuations,  tiny  ui- 

^nsville,  Alabama,  on  tl* 
f  purging,  and  do  nut  m- 
ih  (quinine. 

iVeciuently  bleeds,  s.inc- 

.s,  eombined  ^^■itlr  opium, 

jipevine  or  morpbinc,  every 

.voduee  ^vatery  disebav^es. 

^iscd  large  doses  of  »iuu!iu 

Dmits  active  purging,  aivl 
lunistcrs  a  mild  cathavti. 

bis  partner,  Doctor  Stone. 
IVum  tbc  beginning,  ^uli 

jtor  Cartwrigbt,  tbat  Mr. 

of  a  cotton  pbiutalion,  v. 

iuinine  ^vitb  great  sue.e?>. 

i,  be,  also,  gave  me  a  w«. 

lanco:  ,- 

and  a  wbito  tamdy.    ^^^ 


physician  bad  l)pen  employed  fur  tbrce  years.  Autumnal  fuvor.  in  its  diftVr- 
pnt  varieties,  had  brcn  tlio  cliiuf  (Urease,  lie  began  tht  adniiiiistralatiuu  id' 
(piiniiic  without  any  previous  evacuation.  Tlio  first  day,  ho  gave  two 
'loses,  of  ten  grain.^  each;  the  next  day,  three  doses,  of  the  .sann^  size.  Hi 
never  had  occasion  to  administer  the  niedieine  beyond  the  third  day,  and  it 
li.ad  never  failed,  in  a  siiigle  ease,  to  "  lireak  the  fever."'  It  is  wnrtliy  ol'  re- 
mark, tliat,  on  the  plantiitiniis  of  the  south,  the  treatmeiit  is  liegun  witli  tho 
beginning  of  the  Fever,  bef.jre  deep-seated  eungcstions  or  influnnnatiuns  have 
tieen  formed. 

Finally.  T  may  add,  tliat,  when  ox]di>ring  tho  statistics  of  the  great 
Charity  Ilo.spital  (d'  New  Orleans,  in  1'^  U,  I  fumid  that  a  eliange  had 
taken  place  in  tho  method  of  treating  patients  there,  as  great  as  I  have  found 
over  tho  country  at  largo.  The  mercurial  and  drastic  practice  had  given 
oy  to  mild  aperients,  occasional  Idoodletting,  and  an  rar/// exhibitiiii  of  (jui- 
nino  ;  the  efl'eet  of  which  h.ad  been  a  iliniinuti"n  in  the  nundjer  of  deaths,  e  im- 
nared  with  the  munbi'r  of  eases  aihnitteil  into  the  hospital. 

These  citations  show  that,  in  all  parts  of  tho  Interior  Valley,  there  arc  }diy- 
<ieians  who,  for  several  years  i)ast,  have  been  clianiriiiir  their  nif.ides  of  prac- 
tice in  tho  same  direction  ;   and  that,  too,  without  borrowing  from  one  another. 
The  reform  may  be  said  to  have  arisen  spontaueou.sly  in  each  portion  of  the 
"■'lUiitry;  and  is,  therefore,  entitled  to  tho  greater  conlideneo.      1'he  I'act.s 
irliich  I  have  presented  were  collected  from   1S40  to  1841.  inclu.-ive,  and.  at 
the  end  of  the  latter  yeai',  transcribed  and  arranged.     During  that  jieriod, 
and  since,  more  has  been  jiublishcd  on  tho  treatment  of  tho  Fever,  than  for 
.l.ng  time  before;  and  almost  every  paper  tcstillcsto  M'hat  I  am  attempting 
•.'cstaMish.     I>ut  I  do  not  think  it  necessary  to  make  a  transcript  of  this 
';'iblishcd  experience,  as  it  is  within  tho  reach  of  our  physicians,  and   docs 
3"t  materially  extend  our  knowledge  on  this  point,  beyond  the  unpublished 
'jitos  which  have  just   boon  presented,  however  strongly  it  may  confirm  tho 
conclusions  to  be  drawn  from  f'     '^  * 
Tt  may  be  said,  that  I  have  given  the  evidence  on]one  sidconl^'.    This  Igrart, 
.It  I  know  of  none  on  the  other.     All  our  physicians  are  ;;dvocates  of  the 
I'lininc-practicc;  and  even  those  who  po.stpjiic  the  administration  of   ti.o 
intipcriodic  to  a  late    tage  of  tho  I'uver,  and  subject  their  patients   to  ;i 
iiigcr  preparatory  treatuiont,  do  not,  in  general,  profess  to  have  given  the 
aerhod,  hero  recommended,  a  trial,  and  rejected  it  as  injurious  or  ineffectual. 
Tliey  are  only  more  conservative  than  their  brethren — more  attached  to  eld 
^ns  —  and  yet,  even  the  most  cautious  among  them,  have  abated  con&ider- 
%  ill  their  diversified,  and  often,  porturbating  measures. 
VII.     Rkquirkd  3Iodifications  of  Theatment. — 1.  F/-om  the  Epide?nic 


'Tlie  papers,  to  wliicli  I  allude,  may  bo  chiefly  I'oniul  in  the  American  Journal  of  the 
iMndical  h^eiiMiccs,  anil    iu  the  Journals  of   New  Orleans,  St.  Louis,  Louisville,  Ciucin- 


-■ai,  ami  Bairalo. 


<^ov 


ral  of  them  are  from  gentlemen  whoso  names  arc  in  the  forcgo- 


?c;\talo;rue  of  authorities.     Of  thosf!  with  whom  I  hud  not  the  opportunity  of  cju- 
■rsincf,  I  may  mention  Doctor  McCormick,  and  Doctor  Porter,  U.  S.  A.;  whose  observa- 
m  iu  Florida,  confirm,  iu  the  amplest  manner,  all  that  has  been  said. 

51 


?■■' 


H  ' 


■>, 


[• 


■>..v 


I    ■ 


701 


THE  I'RIXCfPAL  DJ.-^RASE.S  OF  THE 


[book    1! 


Comlllurici).  —  At  (liflLTi'iit  times  diir  Valley  has  been  vi.-itecl  by  an  cpiJeraic 
coiistitiitinii  (if  the  ty|iliiius  Idiid.  T.hc  eiruct  of  such  an  atiiiosphcrio  iiiflu- 
eneo,  is  t'l  (■mivcrt  our  rcuiittout  into  a  continued  i'cvor,  or.  at  least,  to  ^ivc  i;, 
a  set  in  that  direction.  This  eoniplii'ation  of  t\V(j  diatheses,  jrrcatly  increases 
the  difliculty  of  the  treatment;  for  neither  the  copious  detraction  of  hlooij, 
nor  the  liberal  exhibition  of  iiuiiiliie,  is  apt  to  prove  Ijcneficial  in  such  cases. 
They  are,  in  fact,  exceedingly  difficult  to  manage,  and  demand  from  us  tlie 
most  careful  considci'ation  ;  but  Avhat  may  bo  said,  can  bo  best  introduced 
under  the  liead  of  tyjilious  fevers  ;  wh(  re  the  trt'atmeiit  of  the  so-cullej 
"tvphoid  stage"  of  remittent  fever  will  also  bo  presented. 

'1.  From  a  Northern  dimnb'.  —  In  the  northern  part  (jf  the  Vallcv, 
■where  autumnal  remittents  often  incline  to  a  continued  foviii.  ([uininc  is.  per- 
hajJS,  not  as  efficient ;  and  is,  certairdy,  not  admini.stcred  in  as  largo  doses,  a,s 
are  given  further  south.  Copious  bleeding  W(;uld,  j)erhaps,  increase  tlio  effi- 
cacy of  that  medicine  in  the  higher  latitudes,  while  it  would,  in  turn,  prevent 
any  bad  effects  from  the  loss  of  blood. 

o.  Fri.m  a  Soulhcrn,  Climnlc.  —  The  niodilication  of  the  proposed  troat- 
nicnt,  which  is  re(iuired  in  the  south,  relates  chiefly  to  tl.j  use  of  the  lancet. 
The  heat  and  moisture  of  the  southern  climates,  in  connection  with  the  noent, 
whatever  it  may  be,  which  occasions  the  Fever,  so  act  upon  the  constitution, 
that  acute inilanimation,  and  a  high  pldogistic  diathesis  are  not  easilj' induced; 
nnd  copious  venesection,  as  a  prejiarative  for  the  q.iinine,  is  not  so  necestiarv. 
as  in  more  northern  latitudes.  At  the  same  time,  that  medicine  seems  tu  act 
more  kindl}-,  and  to  iic  borne  in  larger  quantities,  in  those  climates:,  tliaii 
further  north;  of  which  more  will  be  said  in  the  next  chapter. 


-3|f '"■••'■ '  ■■k'^""''^'-'''  ■ 

i*'^fe^«^j     ■■  * 

^■•RSl'''  '1*  *  ''■ '' v"    » 

^•ffl^W'rf' *^'- '■■■'>' '.''*   '     '■' 

'f'«^Hp'''fc.*»''''- "      ■  ■'  '■  "' '    '■' 

'fwi'f'li''^ 

■■■i""  '--i  i^'fei-Ni' ' '.    .,'■ '      ■■ '    '■''.'' 

fel^ifT^t'.  ■  ■■-  -'      ■■■■■ 

A.    Wm 

1  *■;  •"t'*!* 

If 

■,''  '■'  ■■  •' ''  ..  ■•   '      : 

WmMJ^^K  H-> 

't  •     '.• 

MWKB^mR  '■■  -'-!  "4- ..'- 

hF^F^*'^'---  ■' 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

MALIGNANT    RP]  MIT  TENT    FEVEE 


SECTION  I. 
GENERAL    REMARKS. 

The  malignant  remit  tent,  is  the  most  dreaded  form  of  our  autumnal  fever 
Malignant  intormittents,  when  left  to  take  their  course,  will,  it  is  true,  teniii- 
nale  in  death;  yet  they  are   curable;  but,  under  evei'y  known  nietbodof; 
treatment,  malignant  remittents  often  prove  fatal.     I  sjieak  of  cases  to  wlmli 
the  alarming  ei)ithct  is  truly  applicable ;  and  not  of  all  which,  in  tlic  loi>o | 
Y)hraaeology  of  the  people,  or  even  of  the  profession,  are  called  malignant. 
In  the  middle  latitudes  they  are  rare ;  and,  although  more  fre(jucnt  in  ti- 
south,  especially  below  the  thirty-third  parallel,  they  are  nowhere  as  cijnirauaj 
as  malignant  intormittents.      In  some   seasons,  and  in  certain  districts 
country,  they  are  more  prevalent  than  in  others.     In  the  year  lS4o.  Ij 


:*t.;-;. 


1; 
7 


\h 


[book  II. 

i.-itcd  by  an  cpiJomic 
111  iitmoj'plicrk'  intlu- 
,,r.  at  least,  to  give  it 
.'irL'S,  jrroatly  increases 

detraction  I'f  l)l""«l 
ncticial  in  suoh  cases. 

domanil  from  us  the 
n  1io  Ijcst  introduced 
nuT.t  of  tl>o  so-calknl 

iti'd. 

,  ^,;irt  of  tlio  Valley, 
I  form,  (luinine  i;'.  per- 
L-d  in  ay  l^ivgo  doses,  as 
•havs,  increase  the  cffi- 
would,  in  turn,  prevent 

of  tlic  proposed  treat- 
to  t;..  use  of  the  lancet, 
mncctiouwitli  the  agent, 
t  upon  the  constitutioiv 
iis  are  not  easily  induceil; 
nine,  is  not  so  necessary, 
,at  medicine  seems  tu  art 
5  in  those  climates,  tlian 
xt  chapter. 


I'AUT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  .\MERICA. 


71)5 


traversed,  on  difTeront  lines,  a  zime,  e.KtoTiding  from  Arlsan.-^as  to  Florida, 
whie]i  i.s  more  infested  witli  thi.s  fi;ver  than  any  other  portion  of  tlic  soutli. 
It  lies  uhiefly  between  the  thirty-Hrst  ami  thirty-tliird  dejjrces,  and  includes 
what  are  called  the  jirairies  and  ''aiicln-akes.  The  si./d  of  those  district.'^,  ''osts 
ou  cretaceous  or  •'rotten"  limestouo.  A.«  every  other  form  of  autumnal  fever 
prevails  in  the  same  Zdue,  wo  are  re{iuirt'd  to  refer  the  whulu  to  one  remote 
cause ;  and  confess  our  ignorance  of  the  sul)ordinatc  iutluences  which  gene- 
rate the  diversities  which  have  l)een  described. 

I  have  conversed  with  nuuiy  jdiy.'^ieians,  who  had  not  recognized  a  remitting 
form  of  malignant  autumnal  fever,  'i'liey  .<piike  only  of  the  intermitting. 
Others,  however,  had  ol'served  the  distinction,  and  from  them  T  collected 
fact.s,  which,  i  \ed  with  my  own  ob,<ervations,  give  the  iollowiiig  differential 
diagnosis. 


FEVER- 


,rm  of  our  autumnal  fever 
,urse.  ^vill,  it  is  true,  tenm- 
,r  every  known  mcthca.  ■ 
I    I  speak  of  cases  to  vvhK' 
t  of  all  which,  in  the  k^e 

Lion,  are  called  vnahguam. 
Ivdi  more  frciuent  m  t- 
L;  are  nowhere  as  cornm-u 
Ud  in  certain  distm  J  =^ 
Irs.    I"  the  year  1-^^^  | 


SECTIOX  II. 

DIAGNOSIS   AND   PATIIOLOdY. 
I.     There  is   no  daniior  of  confounding  a  case  of  malin;nant  with   one  of 

o  o  o 

simple  or  inflaunnatury  remitto-  t  fever  ;  for,  in  tlio  i'ormer,  certain  symptoms 
whicli  belong  to  the  cold  stage,  continue  in  tlie  hot,  and  even  run  tiu-ough 
the  remission. 

1.  The  pulse  docs  not  rise  in  fullness  and  force  during  the  exascerbation,  as 
in  the  other  forms  of  remitting  fever,  but  remains  undeveloped  ;  being  gen- 
erally small,  frc(|uent,  weak,  and  more  or  less  variable.  1  Jut  when  the  remis- 
sion begins,  it  generally  improves  in  every  ipality ;  yet  it  does  not  become 
as  healthy,  as  in  the  remission  of  a  simple  or  inflammatory  case. 

2.  The  feeling  of  abdominal  oppression,  and  the  anxiety,  restlessness,  and 
gastric  irritability,  are  deeper  in  this  than  in  otlier  forms  of  reniittent  fever; 
and  these  symptoms  never  cease  entirely  in  the  remission. 

3.  A  coldness  of  the  hands  and  feet,  or  of  tlie  ends  of  tlie  toes  and 
iincrcrs  onlv,  continues  throua;h  the  hot  stage,  wliile  the  trunk  of  the  body 
and  the  head  are  in  high  fever  boat.  With  the  arrival  of  the  remission  this 
coldness,  in  the  milder  cases,  is  replaced  by  a  natural  temperature ;  but,  in 
the  more  malignant,  it  continues,  tliough,  in  general,  with  some  abatement. 
Ductor  Pickett,  of  Mississippi,  and  many  other  experienced  physicians,  regard 
this,  as  the  most  characteristic  sign  of  the  form  of  fever  we  are  now  sLudying. 

^Malignant  remittents  may  be  distinguished  from  malignant  intcrmittents; 
First,  by  presenting  remissions  oidy :  Srcond,  by  showing  less  reduction  of 
temperature:  77u/(/,  by  the  comparative  absence  of  cold  sweats:  Fourth, 
by  more  delirium,  and  less  apoplectic  drowsiness.  With  these  exceptions, 
the  description  of  malignant  intermittents  already  given,  answers  very  well 
for  malignant  remittents.  In  fact,  the  symptomatica!  diversity  between 
thom,  is  chiefly  the  difference  between  intermission  and  remission  —  between 


•.  m. 


.ifS»,;f:>.:':-" 


m 


700 


TflH  PRI.VCIP\L  ni.-EASEM  OK  TFIK 


[book   II. 


cossation  am)  nliatcmoiit.  Yet,  tlii.-.  clifTovoiicc  is  iuclifatlvc  of  iiatluilo^icul 
inndidcatloiis,  wliicli,  from  their  i)l)seiirity  Jiml  daiigor,  domaiid  a  rigi'l  iiivi\«ti- 
galioii.  Til  al<.'iil  iiitorinittciits,  the  fcoliiig  of  thonicic  o|ijiri.;-^ioii,  the  tl}s[i- 
lut'a,  tlio  thirst,  and  tho  icy  cohliicss  of  the  liiiihs,  arc  cither  f'.lhiwud  hy 
death  ill  a  In'ief  jieriod  of  time,  or  they  cease,  and  a  eon  jortahlo  int'.'riiii.-.-ifii 
folh)ws.  Til  sojMiro.';!)  intermiUonts,  the  ajiojilei'tie  stujinr  ends  in  deatli,  or 
the  patient  revives  at  the  end  of  the  paroxysm,  and  remains  free,  fill  the 
reeiirren'-e  of  the  next.  In  liot'  ,rms,  ihrre  is  sueh  a  eoiiqdete  snspen.-iuii 
of  morbid  aetioii  —  sueh  a  restoration  of  healthy  funetioii  in  tlie  internal 
oi-crans  —  that  the  jiatient  seems  almost  froo  from  disease,  although  the  next 
paroxysm  may  prove  fatal.  TTo  has  neitlier  fever,  congostion,  nor  inflainiiKi- 
tion;  hut  there  is,  in  his  systeni,  a  dlyposition  to  fall,  again,  into  tl'o  patln*- 
logleal  state  of  the  jireeeding  day;  and  the  cure  consists  in  changing  or  de- 
stroying this  disjiosition,  hy  the  known  anti]ieriodi(s. 

Now,  in  nialignaiit  remittents,  there  is  no  time  wlien  the  Fever  is  ali.-ent; 
and  whatever  irritations  or  congestions  are  fonneil  in  tlie  cold  stage — whutevir 
inflammations  arc  set  up  in  the  T.ot  stage — remain,  llnuigh  moderated  ii^  de- 
gree, throughout  the  remission.  Their  continuanee  is,  perhaps,  at  eiiee  tho 
reason  Mdiy  intermissions  do  not  take  place;  and  the  cause  that  this  form  of 
fever,  is  iint  as  curahlo  as  the  intermittent.  AVlienever,  in  simple  remittent.*, 
a  complete  intermission  is  effected,  tlij  antiperiodic  jiuts  an  end  to  the  discasi', 
as  certainly  as  if  it  had  been,  originally,  of  that  type ;  and  we  may  presume, 
tluit  if  a  perfect  apyrexia  covdd  be  brougiit  about  in  malignant  renlittent,^. 
they  worild  lie  as  easily  cured  as  malignant  intormittents.  The  ta.sk  lies  in 
effecting  this  transformation  —  iii  procuring  this  absidute  iiucfmi.ssion. 

IT.  To  roach  a  full  apprehension  of  the  diffi'-ulties  in  the  way  of  tlii- 
enterprise,  it  is  necessary  to  iiupiiro  into  the  pathological  condition.s,  wliii!; 
have  to  be  overcoinc. 

1.  Ill  every  case  there  is  an  original  morbid  state  of  the  inncrvatidn. 
which  may  be  designated  by  the  terms,  prostration  and  irritation  :  and  wliicIi, 
moreover,  is  peculiar  or  specific,  febrile  and  jieriodieal.  To  this  affection 
of  tlie  solid.-i,  mueli  of  tho  feeling  of  exhaustion,  the  anxiety,  the  restlessness 
and  the  suspended  or  morbid  state  of  the  secretions,  is  attiibutablc.  TIil' 
same  condition  exists  in  intermittents,  and  is  doubtless  the  chief  cause  of 
death,  when  they  prove  fatal,  M'ithout  the  supervention  of  apoplexy. 

2.  To  the  prostration  and  irritation  of  tlie  solid.s,  we  must  ascribe  the  con- 
gestions, whieli  have  give  i  a  name  to  the  cases  we  are  now  considering. 
Our  hydraulic,  or  mechanical  path.ologists,  have  too  often  overlooked  tlii- 
antecedent,  pathohigical  state,  and  found  nothing  to  dread  or  avert,  but 
these  congestions.  They  have  forgotten,  that  this  uncijual  di!jtribution  of 
tho  blood,  is  the  effect  of  an  altered  condition  of  the  apjiaratus  of  circulation: 
that  the  greater  the  congestion,  the  stronger  is  the  evidence  of  a  deeply 
smitten  state  of  the  containing  solids;  and,  consequently,  tho  greater  the 
danger.  Still  further  co  narrow  down  this  theory,  many  of  them  regard  tlic 
congestion  as  taking  place  chiefly  i.u  the  g.-eat  vesijcls,  and  in  the  cavities  of 
the  heart;  to  these  alledged  stagnant  accumulations  of  the  bloud,  they  as- 


:it  on 

jios.'-i 

pas.,, 

temp 

of  th 

prosti 

pires : 

pain, 

dues 

and  )•, 

been 

tivo  ii 

'■isf.ee 

the  pe 


mr 


\r 


■h 


TAUT  I. 


[book  11. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AAIKl.'ICA. 


IV  t 


0-U;Lll 


tiv(!  (if  "ii:itlnil 
i;iii(l  a  i'\M  iiiVL'sti- 

|,piv.->i"ii,  til''  'b*"!'" 
I'itlier  f'lUuwtjd  liy 
inrtiililo  iiifnui.-^.-U'ii 
lor  ciuls  in  dcatli,  or 
loniains  free,  till  the 
odiniilcte  siis'lieiifion 
lion  ill  tlio  interuul 
;i«.  althi.ugli  the  next 
;oslinn,n'ir  inlhunnia- 
gain,  into  tl"^  iiatliw- 
Is  ill  changing  w  dc- 

1  the  rover  is  aliscnt; 
;  culd  stage— wliutuver 
nvh  nicilcruteil  iu  *h'- 
S  iievliaps^,  tit  <.'nee  tin: 
:ause  tliut  this  form  of 
r,  in  i^imi'le  vomittent?, 
s  an  cnii  to  the  discaiio, 
and  we  may  propuwe, 
[\  iiialigiiant  rrniittcnt.v 
I'lits.     The  task  lies  in 
lute  iniennission. 
ies  in  the  Avay  uf  tlii> 
;:ical  conditions,  which 

|ate  of  the    innervation, 
„d  irritation;  andwhii^b. 
ieal.     To  this  affoctiou 
Imxicty,  the  restlessness, 
s,  is  attiibutable.     Tk 
tless  the  chief  cause  of 
lu  of  apojilexy. 
['c  must  ascribe  the  con- 
■c  arc  now  cunsidevin:^-. 
often   overlooked  tlib 
to  dread  or  avert,  hut 
unc(iual  dii.tributiun  el 
apparatus  of  circulation: 

he  evitle-ncc  of  a  deeply 
huently,  the  greater  the 
Lany  of  them  regard  the 
bis,  and  in  the  cavities  oi 
L  of  the  blood,  they  as- 


cribed the  danger.  I'nt  \vhile  wc  grant  that  the  vena  port.o,  the  vena  cav;v, 
and  the  right,  ain'irlc  and  vciilricle,  are  overcharged  and  embarrassed,  we 
must  extend  our  views  beyond  them. 

In  the  fever  now  under  conhiduratiou,  the  blood,  whiodi.  Itcfnre  the  attack 
was  (lilbi.-ed  through  (he  wlmlc  bndy,  l)ecomes  largely  aecunnihitcd  in  the 
central  parts.  'J'hu  subclavian  and  external  iliac  arteries,  which,  in  health, 
receive  a  largo  (piantity,  and  carry  it  far  away  ir.ini  Ihe  heart,  to  bo 
slowly  retiuMii'd,  now  receive  very  little;  and  an  inordinate  (juantity  takes 
thecour>e  of  the  carotids,  the  vertelirals,  tlic  intereostal.s,  the  bronehials,  the 
coronar:es,  the  c(eliac,  the  mesenteries,  and  thi'  eniulLrents,  establisliinjr  a  cen- 
tral  or  vi>.'cral  plethora,  in  which  all  (lie  cavities  of  the  heart,  the  arteries, 
veins,  and  capiTiries,  parliei])ate ;  liy  wliich  the  whole  arc  oppressed 
and  liumy  new  ^yniptcjins,  or  aggravations  of  tlmse  previously  cxi.-ting,  are 
produced.  T  do  not  suppose,  however,  tliat  the  bhiod  continni.'.i  to  cireidato 
cijually,  and  freely,  througli  all  tlio  organs;  fur  it  is  sonn  di-eoverablu  that 
some  are  nmre  oppr(Sscd  tiian  olliers;  and,  they  are,  of  course,  the  special 
seats  of  irritation  and  eongeijtion. 

I!.  Tu  this  pathidiigical  condition,  the  scercliiins  of  the  liver,  stdnnich,  and 
biwels.  Iici-iiine  highly  nmi'Iiid;  aid  liy  their  rt'aetion  vipun  the  surfaces  on 
which  they  are  poured  oat,  increase  the  very  irritations,  of  which  tluiy  arc 
the  products;  thus  augmenting  the  anguisli,  ami  the  feeling  of  epigastric 
heat,  which  are  such  proniiiieiit  symptoms  in  every  stage  of  thu  Fever. 

4.  riut  of  the  [lalliolugical  conditions  just  described,  arise  inflammations.  A 
morbid  state  of  tlie  vital  properties  of  the  viscera,  in  eonnectinn  with  con- 
gestion, It  may  be  safely  ailirmed,  caimot  continue  long,  without  (/riginating 
inthuumation;  but,  we  are  not  compelled  to  rely  on  this  apriori-view%  for  many 
eases  of  the  Fever  are  attended  with  symjitoms,  which  canniit  be  interpre- 
ted, except  on  tlte  theory  of  infhinnnation ;  and  uiu|uestionable  ravages  of 
that  local  affection,  have  been  found  after  deatli. 

"When  infhinnnatieiii  is  tluis  added  to  tlie  previous  debility,  irritation,  mor- 
bid secretion,  and  congestion,  the  complication  is  complete,  livery  element 
of  dlilicultyand  danger  is  present;  and  the  concourse  of  symptoms  displays, 
at  once,  ahighly  ad^nainlc,  and  ataxic  character.  Should  any  one  donlit  tho 
[los.'^lbility  of  inflammation  in  one  organ,  while  another  remains  in  a  state  of 
pusMve  congestion,  and  all  are  prostrated  In  their  vital  energies,  let  lilm  con- 
toniplate  for  a  moment,  the  phenomena  which  follow  tlie  escape  of  a  portion 
of  the  contents  of  the  bowels,  into  tlie  sack  of  the  po"'  rncuni.     Fxtreme 


prostration  and  irritation  immediately  ensue,  and  contin 


the  patient  ex- 


pires; before  which  even'.,  howevei',  the  tenderness  on  pressure,  the  swelling, 
pain,  and  heat,  clearly  indieato  a  supervciing  peritonitis.  The  ]ihysiciun 
duos  not  doubt  its  existence,  notwithstanding  tl)e  feeble  and  tliready  pulse, 
oud  resolves  on  venesectiun.  AVhen  only  four  or  live  ounces  of  blood  have 
been  drawn,  however,  the  patiout  faints,  and  no  rise  of  tlie  pulse,  no  reac- 
tive iin[ndse  of  the  heart,  follow;  yet,  the  blood  is  sizy,  and  a  post  mortem 
!n.speetioii  disoloses  active  hypenvmias  and  effusiiuis  of  coagulating  lymph  in 
the  peritoneum,  with  pnssive  congestions  elsewhere. 


'■■i\ ' 


'A 


i;ijte. 


■>■'•(;- 


m 

S:^  '': 

«^  1 3 

A          '   ,             ^' 

^ 

'<  '^''1 

" « 

'•  ,'  ■ 

■!i>.i 

;'•   ■:*  1 

f'v-" 

.'j'-fi:! 

fv;,;: ;-:  ■ 

■'■  J  (''  J] 

■/;■.-■■.    •■ 

■»lfcj 

',.'  ■    ■ 

'^if 

■ .'    ' :     '    *    ■ 

u.n 


ro8 


Tin;  I'liiNcirAF,  dishasks  of  'iiin 


[dOOK    II. 


'I'liiiH  it  is  (Ii.'inonstnUcd  lli:it  inflaiiinuitldii  nipy  l)c  wt  up,  wlicn  the  power 
of  tlio  heart,  and  tho  td.io  nf  tho  iirtciial  .system,  are  in  a  fffatc  of  cxtr(■In^ 
rodiictiuii ;  ami,  alsn,  that  it  may  coiitiiiiio  until  death,  withmit  armi.'-iii;:  tlirrn 
into  ciiergcti(3  rcuctiuii ;  wliicli,  iiu  (Unihf,  liajijic'iis  in  tho  fuini  of  fovor  we 
are  now  stiulyini:-. 

Indued,  great  energy  in  tlic  licart  i-^  not  necessary  to  llic  production  of 
inflammation,  whicli,  h<-hvj^  an  atrcoliun  of  tho  capllhiry  extremities  (if  an 
artery,  arises  iiidependentl_)  of  tlie  lieart ;  and  may,  therefoie,  ho  as  readily 
cstalillshed  in  one  eomlition  of  tliat  or;:an  as  annther.  J*ut  the  leijitimate 
oft'eet  of  any  inflannnatinii,  is  to  musi'  tin;  central  (irgan  <if  the  circulation 
into  greater  activity  and  stronger  impulse.  In  a  cuniiuon  phlegmasia,  fcr 
example,  this  is  done.  Jii  nrdiiiary  aulumnal  fever,  of  the  hind  denominated 
inflanmiatory,  wo  ohserve  tho  same  ell'cct ;  hut,  in  the  malignant  variety,  sufli 
a  consc(pienec  may  or  may  not  result  frem  inflannnation.  Hence  comes  the 
variety  which  has  been  observed  in  tlie  mii\cmcnts  df  the  heart ;  some 
jdiysicians  having  ob.served  them  to  he  essentially  tVehle,  others  'strong,  hut 
tumtdtuous,  and  inenicieiit  in  the  propul-^ien  of  the  blood  to  distant  parts  of 
the  body. 

In  proportion  as  the  inllamed  organ  is  incapable  of  exciting  the  heart  Into 
vigorou.s,  phlogistic  action,  the  ea.-e  i.s  malignant;  and  the  diathesis,  which 
prevents  that  reactive  influence  on  the  central  organ  of  the  circuhitinii,  cun- 
.stitutcs  the  true  distinctiim  between  malignant  and  inflammatory  reniittoiit!5. 
Neither  the  simple  cdugestion,  uor  the  inflanunatiuii  which  occurs  in  tln« 
fever,  seems  to  Iiave  any  special  nr  invariable  seat.  There  is  no  fixed  law  of 
localization,  like  tliat  whiid;  dotermines  the  inflammation  in  variola  upon  the 
,skin,  or  in  scarlatina  upon  the  throat;  yet.  as  we  shall  sec  hereafter, 
the  abdominal  org.ans  sviU'or  more  than  those  of  the  other  great  cavities. 
It  is  not  likely  that  inflanmiation  occurs  in  every  case  of  malignant  remit- 
tent ;  and  if  its  ravages  were  found  in  all  who  die,  they  would  ov.ly  show 
that  inflammation  was  probably  the  cause  of  death;  while  the  patients  in 
whom  it  did  not  occur,  on  that  very  account  recovered. 

Of  the  lour  pathological  conditions  —  constituti(jnal  irritation,  simple 
hypera'mia,  morbid  secretion,  and  inflammatory  congestion,  the  first  and  last 
are  most  to  be  deprecated.  'When  the  first  is  so  deep,  that  the  excitement  of 
the  heart  will  not  rise  after  bloodletting,  or  under  the  exciting  inlluence  of 
un  inflamed  organ,  the  jjrognosis  is  bad.  On  the  other  hand,  whenever,  from 
treatment,  or  the  occurrence  of  inflammation,  tlie  heart  rises  in  powrr.  and 
the  pulse  becomes  full  and  firm,  the  prognosis  is  better;  for  however  intense 
the  inflammation,  it  may  be  subdued  or  abated  by  treatment.  Such  a  case 
presents  the  metamorphosis  of  a  malignant  into  an  inflammatory  fever. 


E 


[book    II. 


lART  I. 


I.NTKItlOR  V.\M,I;Y  (JI"  NoinH   AMl.lMCA. 


700 


up.  wlion  tlic  rower 
11  a  Htatc  of  cxtr.•In^ 
itlinut  tir"u/iii^'  tluiu 
1,0  I'.aiu  of  fever  wo 

o   till'   iiroAuclion  of 
ry  cxtvumitios  f>f  nn 
tvj'f'iio.  V)0  iis  roiidily 
15ut  tl:o  lojritimato 
an  (if  tlic  eirouliitidu 
[iimon  i>liU'irniiisia,  f'V 
the  l<iial  (loiioniinatod 
aligiuiiit  vari(>ty.  sui.'li 
„i.     ITencc  comes  tlic 
„f  tlio  lioavt  ;   soino 
bk',  otlicrs  strong,  l)Ut 
„ocl  to  (listiint  ptirts  of 

cxi'iting  the  licfivt  info 
a  the  \lmt1\esis,  wliieli 
,f  the  circulation,  an- 
flammatory  reniittoiit^. 
11  whicli  occurs  in  thi- 
Hiere  is  no  fixed  law  of 
on  in  variola  \\\mi  tlic 
c  sliall   SCO  hereafter. 
0  other  great  cavities. 
so  of  niali.L'iiaiit  rciiiit- 
tlu'y  wouhl  oi.ly  show 
Avhile  the  patients  in 

.1. 

i„nal  ivrltatiou,  simple 
^stion,  the  first  and  last 
,  that  the  excitement  of 
e  exciting  iulluenec  of 
V  hand,  whenever,  from 
art  rises  in  po\vfr.  and 
■v ;  for  however  intense 
■eatnient.  Such  a  case 
flamuiatory  fever. 


si:cri()\  iif. 

T  I!  i;  A  ']•  .M  i;  \  T. 

I.  TniiIi  ATIovs  ANii  |)ii  I  hi  I  Ills.  —  No  physiriaii  ciitcrH  on  the  ti'i  al- 
ment  of  a  case  of  our  nialiL'iiant  rcinitlcnt  fever,  witliout  a  fcrrnij;  of  doubt 
as  to  tlio  mcaiLS,  and  of  forehii(liiii.f  as  to  tliu  rcsnlt.  Tn  uiidii^tami  the 
sources  of  this  misgiving,  we  must  recapitulate  tlie  points  set  I'ortli  in  the 
la.st  section.  /•'(/■</.  There  is  a  pecnliar.  ori;iiiial  enfeeljjement  and  irritation 
of  tli(!  vital  organ.s,  tlie  first  ell'eet  of  the  remote  cause.  SiCd/n/.  Tiiis  enii- 
dition  of  the  solids,  occasions  an  internal  aeciinudatinn  of  tlie  lilc  d  and  pas- 
sive coniicstioiis  of  some  ortiaii,  or  (.iLaiis;  uliieli  do  not  cease,  but  oiilv  sui- 
fer  aliatemeiit  in  the  remission.  'I'liiil.  Jn  many  eases,  S"me  of  the  cm- 
gcstions  liecomo  iiiflaininatioiis.  I'l.Krili.  Under  the  iiidiienco  of  one  or 
more  of  these  patholojrieal  states,  the  special  functions  of  the  organs,  aro 
cither  suspended,  or  incica.sed,  and  at  thi'  same  time  perverted,  in  this 
nmrliid  condition,  tlic  sujjihate  of  i|uiiiiiie,  as  experience  has  shown,  cannot 
exert  the  .s[iecifie,  alterant  and  antiperiodic  ericcf.  wliieji  fi.llnws  its  cxhilii- 
tioii  ill  the  api/rc.ilii  oi  a  malignant  intermittent;  and  of  course  tin-  lirst 
olijuct  should  be,  to  hring  tlie  .-iystcm  into  a  state  favoralile  to  the  aeli'ii  nf 
tliat  medicine.  The  accoinplislimeiit  of  this  end  has  taxed  tlie  ingenuity  of 
our  Inx'thren,  in  regions  wliere  malignant  remittents  prevail;  but  no  imthods 
f  practice  have  as  yet  given  satisfaeto,  •  results. 

IT.  A''j;nkskctio\  amj  Cui'i'i.vc.  —  ^\'llen  the  lancet  has  been  employc<l, 
the  most  o[iposite  cficcts  have  I'olloweil.  in  some  in>taiiees  the  pulse  has 
sunk  still  lower,  and  the  feelings  of  oppression  and  anxiety  have  increased. 
The  physician  lia.s  lookcid  anxiously  for  reaction,  .and  a  more  viu'orons  pulse, 
but  none  have  occurn.'d.  In  these  cases,  the  jirimary  reiluction  of  the  vital 
forces,  had  been  great,  or  the  congestions  were  pa.ssive  and  uninflammatory. 
A  pathognomonic  .symjitom  for  this  condition  is  certainly  desirable  ;  and  it 
may,  perhaps,  be  found  in  the  feehle  impulse  of  the  heart,  discoverable  by 
applying  the  ear  or  stcthoseojie,  to  the  pre(;ordial  region. 

Jjut  venesection,  sometimes,  dues  not  ju'oduce  .syncope,  Itnt  is  follov.ed  by 
favorable  reaction,  or  optMi  exciteinent.  In  tlios(!  cases,  the  pulse  may  be 
empty,  feehle,  and  freijuent,  yet  the  heart  generally  manifests  a  firm  though 
struggling  impulse.  AVhcii  a  more  open  ai\il  well-declared  exeiteinent  fol- 
lows the  bleeding,  the  operation  can  generally  be  repeated  with  advantage, 
in  the  next  exascerbation ;  and  may  even  be  required  in  the  third,  for  the 
piirp(jso  of  moderating  reaction  —  the  h'cver  having  been  transformed  into 
an  inflammatory  typo. 

Cupping  or  leecliing,  may,  of  course,  be  advantageously  employed,  when 
venesection  is  inadmissible;  and.  as  a  further  means  of  rcvulsiiiii,  the  .surface 
operated  on,  should  be  covered  with  emollient  poultices.  There  are  two  re- 
gions which  should  be  preferred  for  topical  bleeding — the  sub-diaphragmatic, 
;uid  the  spinal.  A  row  of  cups,  should  be  applied,  from  one  hy[)ochondrium 
to  the  other,  traversing  the  epigastric  region,  where  a  greater  numher  should 
k'  placed,  than  to  either  side.     l>y  such   cupping,  the  stomach,  duodenum, 


I': 


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Tin:  riM.Ncii'AL  i>i.><i:asi:s  or  tiii: 


[hook  i;. 


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lIvM.  ;mtl  ?j»locii,  till-  t'liii!"  si'at«  of  !ili<liiniiiiiil  Initalinn,  cdiipostiiin,  nr  iu- 
flaiiiiiiatiiiii,  aru  nn  ^t  (nVctivcly  ri'iiclicd.  Of  tlio  txtcnt  to  wliidi  llio  s]  iiiil 
poril  is  iiivolvfil  ill  tliis  fovir,  it  is  iniiMi.^-^iMo  tn  ^iiiak  with  cfrtaint}-;  Imt 
Tvo  fan  liunlly  tlniil.t  tliat  it  jiartiii)i:itt.'s  in  tliu  irritation  nml  cmi<:c.sti(in  (if 
nut  iiiflatiiiiiatioii),  vitl;  wliii'h  wr  liavi;  to  ('iiitci;(l.  A  jk  rtii'ii  df  llw  cnl'ic- 
bli.'il  ami  irrc'giilar  laliim  ul'  tlii;  lionrt,  dt|ii'iiils.  |i('rlia|is,  on  a  niurljid  ci mli- 
ti'in  iif  tliit)  iii'rvuus  axis;  and  a  jiart  uf  tin-  dilV'ctivc  i-irculation,  limiti  .1 
dc'VC'lojiincut  of  caliiric,  and  rciluci'd  jL'ii.^iliilit)  v(  tlio  I'Xt remit ic.<,  ma} 
bo  {ilau^ilily  rcfiTii  d  to  tlu'  same  ciJiiditicn,  Man}'  of  onr  |ili)«ieians,  umlcr 
tlii'SL',  iiY  similar  vii/ws,  Iiave  ajiiiliod  iii|is  alm^  llu'  wlinlc  Ini'^th  uf  the  sjii- 
lial  fnlumn;  and  llio  roults  df  tlie  [iracticc  liavo  lieen  such  as  tn  jn.>lif|  ii.- 
re'-oinmendatinn. 

fir.  Iatkiinai,  Stimi-i.ation.  —  Wlietlier  vtMic^i'dinn  uv  ciqijiln^'  I, 
resorted  to,  it  is  Ijenelitdal  licforu  comiiit'iiciii^u;.  and  tlin  u^liout  the  o|ioratii)ii. 
tu  ininiorso  the  hands  and  feet  <if  the  [latient  in  hut  water,  rendered  .stimula- 
ting hy  mustard,  caiisienm,  or  enmnion  salt.  Tn  (-ases.  mnreover,  in  wliieli 
we  doiiljt  the  adniissihility  of  bloedletling,  it  is  safe  and  benelieial,  befori' 
[)rocecding  tu  the  ojioration,  to  apjdy  .stimulant.s  of  a  pungent  kind,  over  the 
^vliolo  .sjiine,  tlie  preeordial  region,  or  the  eiiigasliinm  ;  surfaces  on  \Yhiih  wc 
can  eertainly  make  a  strong  imjiression,  when  it  might  not  be  made  on  tlie 
extremities,  llevul.sion,  from  the  internal  organs,  attends  the  eutaiuuiv.- 
hyjier;emia  thus  exeited;  the  whole  innervation  feels  the  same  infkienci>, 
and  the  loss  of  a  greater  (juantity  of  Iilood  ean  be  lioriie,  tluni  might  (jtliLT- 
wise  bo  safe. 

In  faet,  eutanomis  i^timulatiou  and  bloodletting  eoinbined,  arc  among  our 
most  powerful  means  of  cxeiting  reaction.  Ibit  we  too  often  apply  our  stira- 
ulants  to  parts  whieh  are  benumbed  and  nearly  in.sen.siblc  ;  when  their  eflVct; 
are  limited  to  drawing  into  the  cutaneous  capillaries,  a  little  of  tlie  stagnant 
blood,  whicli  still  lingers  in  tbo  muscles  below.  AVo  sec  the  redness,  anu 
suppose  the  organism,  at  largo,  must  be  acted  on,  wlien  it  is  not.  "We  deceivi 
ourselves  by  supjiosing  that  derivation  has  been  made  from  the  alfectcil 
organs,  when  it  has  only  been  made  from  the  subjacent  parts. 

We  nndio  hot  applications  to  the  extrcinitics,  and  when  their  temperature 
is  raised,  with  Iraiismillel  beat,  we  illogically  and  illusively  regard  the  etfei.t, 
as  identical  with  restored  warmth  from  di'i-Jopi^l  caloric  —  thus  confounding 
:i  physical  operation  with  a  vital  function  —  and  arc  disajniointed  if  the 
oxcit(;ment  of  tlie  heart  and  brain  sliould  not  rise  with  the  tenjperaturc  ('' 
the  heated  limbs.  If  the  same  ap[dieations  Innl  been  made  to  surfae'cs  where 
the  vital  forces,  the  capillary  circulation,  and  the  calorific  function  were  hut 
little  reduced,  they  would  have  acteil  with  such  energy  as  to  carry  an  exci- 
ting influence  into  the  central  organs  of  innervation  and  circulation,  whoii 
the  loss  of  blood  would  have  been  better  sustained. 

I>ut  wlieu  no  inflammation  exists,  the  internal  irritations  and  congestion- 
are  often  relieved  by  these  powerful  revulsives  ;  which,  in  fact,  make  a  pan 
of  the  treatment  of  all  our  physicians,  however  tlioy  may  diifer  on  other 
points  of  practice. 


;» 


•J-:  !: 


' !  h 


in; 


[nofiK  It. 


PaKT  I.] 


INTKIiloii  VAI.LKV  •  »F  NoKTII  WIKiilCA. 


801 


ii'ii,  cijiit'ostiiiii,  iir  111- 

.|,t    [,)  wliirli  till'  i-jil.lil 

U  uith  CL'ilaihty;  lint 
inii  iii:il  (wii^fi'^tiiiii  (if 

i    |)(   rtinll   lif    tin-   I'lllll  • 

lis,  I'll  ;i  nmrliitl  n nill. 
ivo  rireuh'.ti'Mi,  liiuitol 
tlie  I'Xtnniiliis,  iniiy 
f  inir  iiliy«"H.Kiii;<.  uinlii 
hull'  li'ii^itli  <'f  tlu'  !^i/i- 
n  such  :i,s  U>  j uglify  il.- 

octiuii    or   riili|i"mj.'   1" 

roll^lllJUt   lllL-  (UllTatinl) 

,-ut(;r,  ruiulL'rcd  stiiimlu- 
JL'S,  niiivcover,  in  wlTuli 
J  ami  IxMicficial,  bulov 

puiigoiit  \i\nd,  oVL'i-  tlie 
I ;  surlacus  ou  wliicli  wx 
ilit  not  l^  wmIv  on  till' 

iittcmls  tlio  I'vituni'uv,- 
Is  tlic  siniio  iutluciiei-, 
uruo,  than  luiijUt  utlicr- 

inbinoil,  arc  among  our 
(Ml  ol'ton  apiily  our  t^tini- 
iiljlo  ;  wlit'ii  thoif  oflVd.- 
,  a  little  of  the  stagnant 
To  pec  the  retlness,  ami 
nit  is  not.  We  ileciivi 
made  from  the   afTuctt'l 

it   J'UltS. 

wlien  their  tomperaturo 
isively  regard  the  elU'et, 

,].ie  —  thus  oonfounihiig 
are  disa])[iointed  it  the 
with   the  temperature  (f 

made  to  surfaces  \vlicn' 
lorifie  function  were  Imt 
rgy  as  to  carry  an  exii- 
111  and   circulation,  -ffhen 

itations  and  congestions 
kh,  in  fact,  make  a  pari 
:>y  may  diiTer   on   other 


If  I  have  iidt  .xpokcn  of  lili.stcrt*,  it  was  not  liocauNO  they  an;  u.«eli'sa. 
For  the  purpose  nf  exciting  reaction,  they  are  inferior  to  »iiiapi.'.ii;> ;  but,  n.s 
means  of  rcviilsinn,  they  are  ^'reatly  to  lie  prized.  A  lar:;e  hlLstur  t)  tlio 
iiech,  when  the  hraiii  is  the  siat  of  irritatimi  or  inflanimaliun,  i.s  nf  nuich 
<."vii'(>;  and,  whi'ii  the  .'^tuiii.'ich  and  diinilmiim  are  specially  alVccted,  it.s 
inlliie'ic,.  is  still  L'reatcr;  particularly  il  the  surface  ho  afterward  c.  \cicd,as  I 
have  all.  ady  siiirL-'c'-teil,  with  a  si.i.thiiijL',  eimillicnt  poultice,  which  will  pro- 
mote a  mild,  suppurativi-  inflammaticm  of  the  shin,  without  pain  I'V  irritation. 

And  iliis  leads  me  to  s;iy.  that  when  our  (diject  in  this  fi^wr,  is  not  tu 
cxi  ite  the  sy.-tem,  Iml  to  relii  ve  the  ahdmniual  oiltmiis  fnni  iiiilamiiiatinn  ir 
sewre  irritatlMii,  it  is  decidedly  advantageous  to  allay  nniiliid  sen^iliility  with 
geiith;  mirci-tics,  while  onr  sinapisms  or  Misters  are  in  action.  Ff  the  patient 
he  kept  in  a  state  of  siilU'ring  hy  the  external  application  —  if  In.'  lie  rest- 
Ic-s  and  irritalile  —  thv  revulsion  will  never  he  as  favorahle  and  cll'ective  as 
if  he  lie  kept  comp'ised.  And  to  the  admiiihstratinn  cf  an  ipiatu  thciL'  can 
he  no  iphjection,  since  inllainiiKitinn  is  the  (.nly  prohihiting  condition,  and  its 
L'rade  is  ton   Lay  and  irritative,  to   make   it    ,-nch,  in    the  cases  wo  are   i 


IDW 


r(jl 


chain 


isidering;  nr.  if  it  slnnihl  he  otlicrwi.-e,  if  the  iiillammat'  ry  actiiui  should 
'  t.p  run  high,  the  lancet  wrndd  prepare  the  way  fur  the  aiHiilvne. 

I\'.  lv\Ti:i!\Ai,  IvMOi.i.lK.NTs, —  I  havi'  iimre  than  once  rercricd  to  the 
iipplicatiuii  i)f  poultices  to  the  irritated  or  inH;imed  ,-kiii.  I  conu!  now  to  say, 
that  when  the  Iirain  is  the  scat  of  irritation  or  inllammatioii,  the  conlinued 
application  of  tepid  water  to  the  head,  tlie  hair  having  been  shorn,  i.-  of 
imn-li  value;  and,  tliat  for  the  relief  of  gastro-duodiiial  irritations  or  inflain- 
iiuitioiis,  it  is,  perhap.s,  still  more  valuable.  A  stream  of  tcjiid  water  cannot 
lio  made  to  fall  for  an  hour  on  the  epigastric  and  umbilical  regions,  without 
soothing  the  organs  within.  ]5nt,  as  inconveniences  may  atteinl  that  mode 
of  application,  the  wliole  trunk  of  the  body  may  be  wrapped  in  a  drijipiiig- 
wct  sheet,  covered  willi  any  fabric  that  will  conline  the  water,  and  thus  keep 
tilt!  skill  bathed  in  aqueous  vapor  of  its  own  tem[ierature.  The  revulsive 
and  soothing  etl'ects  of  such  an  a[iplicatioii  are  very  great. 

V.  A'oMiTiNd.  —  As  in  malignant  iiitcrmittcnts,  so  in  the  remittents  wo 
are  now  considering,  antiinonial  emetics  are  inadmissible.  Tiidced,  in  tho 
Miuth,  they  arc  a  generally  admitted  cause  of  the  metamorpho.'^is  id'  simple 
into  malignant  remittents.  They  pro.'-trate  tlie  general  .system  still  lower, 
goiierate  gastric  irritability,  and  excite  serous  diarrluea.  Yet  vi/initing  is 
not  always  injurious.  AVlien  the  system  is  sunken  and  torpid,  and  passive 
longcstions  exist,  a  salt  and  mustard  emetic  often  does  good;  but,  in  cases 
accompanied  by,  or  tending  to  inflammation  of  tho  stomach  or  duodenum, 
U'itli  acrid  secretions,  the  mustard  is  too  stimulating,  and  the  wine  of  ijiecac, 
or  a  hot  infusion  of  tho  Eiqialorliivi  yerfDlialunt,  or  of  Lol'Llia  injlafn,  .should 
he  chosen.  Of  the  whole,  the  last  is  perhaps  tho  best.  While  visiting  tho 
states  of  Alabama  and  31i.ssissippi.  in  tho  year  1n4.">,  I  learned,  from  many 
reliable  persons,  both  in  and  out  of  tho  ]irofession,  that  vomiting,  with  that 
meJieine,  had  been  found  signally  beneficial;  and,  in  iJ^dd,  Doctor  31oaette, 


-i 

1.1 


W 


■4  /  <i    .  f 


.k  ) 


802 


THE  PRINXIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[DOOK   II, 


in  a  vuluablo  papor  on  tliis  form  of  fc\er,'''  l"jr'>  uiujualificcl  testimony  to  its 
t'fiicacy  in  tho  Ibllowiiiir  lai)";ua£:o: 

"Kinetics  of  tlic  oi'diiiary  kind,  tliat  is  of  ipceaeuanlia  or  tartrate  of 
antimony,  tlie  latter  cs])eci;il!y,  arc  uiisalo  in  most  cases  of  oongostive  lover: 
Tinl^is  the  ai.'tion  and  sensiliility  of  tlio  stomach  have  been  ])rcvionsly  excitod 
by  pepper  and  brandy,  or  some  oMicr  pungent  aromatic.  AVithout  a  pn. ^iou.- 
use  of  these  precautionary  measures,  the  ipecac  or  tartar  emetic  may  pros- 
trate witliout  vomiting,  or  it  maj"  possibly  pass  otT  by  tlic  b(nvels,  and  jjro- 
ducc  liypercatliarsis  instead  of  emrsis  as  desired.  Yet  there  is  a  vahiaLli.' 
article  of  the  emetic  class  which  is,  at  the  same  time,  stimulant  and  emetic. 
This  is  tlic  L('bdi(i  injlata,  which  excites  immediate  vomiting,  without  any 
attendant  prostration. 

''This  article,  when  properly  used,  is  one  of  tiie  most  valuaLlc  emetics  ami 
stimulai.ts  in  tho  materia  medica,  for  tho  treatment  of  congestive  I'cvor. 
Its  action  is  prompt,  snecdy,  and  easy,  in  the  evacuation  of  the  stomach,  and 
in  developing  excitement.  Xothlng  is  nioregoutle,  nothing  more  safe,  nothing 
more  salatar}-. 

'•There  are  cases,  wherein  it  is  desirable,  after  the  excitement  and  reaction 
have  been  partially  restored,  to  discharge  the  morbid  secretions  and  ingcsta, 
from  the  stomach,  when  they  have  become  a  source  of  morbid  irritation.  In 
such  eases,  to  insure  the  prompt  action  of  tho  emetic,  the  patient  should 
first  take  a  wine-glass  fidl  of  warm  todd}-,  with  the  addition  of  a  few  grains 
of  capsicum  to  rouse  action  and  sensibility  in  tho  stomach.  A  few  minutes 
having  ehqised,  a  full  dose  of  fifteen  or  twenty  grains  of  ipecacuanha,  mixed 
in  a  wine-glass  full  of  w-arm  toddy,  may  be  taken  with  great  advantage. 
The  operation  is  prompt,  and  instead  of  ^irostrating  the  patient,  it  excitos 
the  general  action  of  the  system,  and  promotes  a  salutary  excitement  in  tlie 
stomach  itself,  and  the  collatitious  viscera.  Soon  after  free  cmcsis  has  taken 
place,  the  system  and  the  stomach  specially,  should  bo  calmed  and  equalized 
by  a  gentle  anodyne  of  morjdiia,  or  camphorated  tuicture  of  oi»ium.  A  tea- 
spoonful,  or  less,  of  the  .strong  tincture  of  tho  seeds  of  the  iMbelia  hijlala. 
will  often  be  preferable  to  the  ipecacuanha,  as  acting  more  promptly,  and 
inducing  less  tendency  to  prostration." 

The  advicG  to  administer  a  narcotic,  after  ;.iio  operation  of  a  vomit,  i? 
higidy  judicious.  Among  other  good  efleets  wh.ieh  it  may  produce,  is  that  in 
determining  to  tho  suri'aco  of  tho  body;  and,  consecjuently,  of  making 
revulsion  fnnn  the  internal  organs ;  to  tliis  end  the  vomit  is  an  efficacious, 
predisposing  remedy ;  fir,  as  long  as  the  stomach  is  oppressed  or  irritated 
by  peccant  matters,  in  any  form  of  disease,  perspiration  cannot  be  excited. 
Moreover,  vomiting  at  all  times  promotes  tliat  function. 

VI.  PuRiiiNG.  —  AVhen  congestion,  either  passive  or  inflammatory,  oc- 
curs in  the  brain,  cathartics  are  demanded;  but  the  saline  and  hydrogogue 
arc  not  proper.  Pilh  composed  of  Cipial  parts  of  cahimel,  rhubarb,  and 
eompouiul  extract  of  colocyncth,  make  one  of  the  best;  and  tho  first  dose  should 


*Xew  Ork'uiis  Medical  Journal,  Vol.  I,  No.  III. 


rilE  [book  II. 

aalificd  testimony  to  its 

?acuanlia  or  tartrate  of 
scs  of  oovigpstlve  t'tver; 
been  ])rcviun!^ly  excited 
ic.  "NVitliout  a  previous 
artar  emetic  may  pros- 
)v  tlie  bowels,  au.l  pro- 
i'ot  tberc  is  a  valualdo 
0,  stiimilaut  aiul  emetic, 
te  vomiting,  without  any 

lost  valuable  emetics  and 
}nt  of  congestive  iVvor. 
,tion  of  the  stomach,  ami 
.othing  more  safe,  nothing 

3  excitement  and  reaction 
id  i^ocvetion?  and  ingos-ta, 

of  morbid  irritatinu.  Tn 
metie,  the  patient  should 
;  addition  of  a  few  grains 
stomach.  A  few  minutes 
ins  of  ipecacuanha,  mixed 
Ml  with  great  advantago. 

,g  the  patient,  it  excite? 

ahitary  excitement  in  tlie 

fter  free  emcsis  has  taken 
be  calmed  and  equalized 

ucture  of  opium.     A  tca- 

ds  of  the  Lobelia  wjkila. 

;ting  more  promptly,  and 

operation  of  a  vomit,  is 
it  may  produce,  is  that  of 
consequently,  of  making 
le  vomit  is  an  effica.;ions. 
is  oppressed  or  irritated 
■ation  cannot  be  excited. 

:tion. 

;sivc  or  inflammatory,  oo- 

10  saline  and  hydrogogue 
of  calomel,  rhubarb,  and 

St;  and  the  first  dose  should 

I,  No.  III. 


1  1 


PART  I. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


803 


be  sufficient  to  effect  a  perfect  evacuation.  Should  the  cerebral  disorder 
continue,  the  medicine  may  bo  repeated;  unless  a  state  of  exhaustion  sliould 
fullow  the  first  oi>cratiipn.  The  great  object  is  to  make  revulsiim  fjoni  tlie 
brain:  but  this  method  may  reduce  the  vital  energies,  taster  than  it  diverts 
from  the  brain  ;  and.  still  further,  it  may  establish  a  mucous  irritation  in  the 
stomach  and  bowels,  which  in  the  end  may  prove  dangerous.  Notwith- 
standing the  great  ofhcacy,  then,  of  purgn^'Mn  in  ordinary  apoplectic  conges- 
tion, and  in  cereliritis  from  common  oa  ,-es,  there  is  a  narrow  limit  to  its 
utility  in  the  cerebral  affections,  which  sometimes  accompany  our  malignant 
remittents. 

When  the  topical  affections,  or  localizations  of  the  Fever  are  found  In  the 
abdominal  organs,  a  much  greater  ali.stinenco  from  active  cathartics  is  re- 
quired. If  the  ])atient  liave  been  costive,  a  freer  evacuation  is  necessary; 
Imt  even  then,  the  operation  sliould  not  continue  after  the  exi.«;tiiig  Cunteiits 
if  the  bowels  have  been  removed;  nor  should  tlie  subse([uent  administrations 
!iavc  anything  for  their  olyect,  but  the  evacuation,  from  time  to  time,  of 
what  may  be  poured  into  tlie  bowels  fro.n  their  own  mucins  membrane,  and 
the  liver;  the  retention  of  which  is  always  injurious.  When  diarrhiea  is 
present,  a  moderate  cathartic,  followed  b^'  opium  and  stimulants,  may  bo 
^afe,  and  productive  of  a  ((uieter  condition  of  the  bowels.  Tn  all  ca.-es.  how- 
ever, hyper-catharsis  must  be  avoided  as  eminently  pernicious. 

Great  care  is  necessary  in  the  .seleetiou  of  eathartics.  A  portion  of  cal- 
omel—  five,  ten,  or  fifteen  grains  —  worked  off  with  a  decoction  of  rliuliarb, 
is  proper;  or  the  latter  may  be  replaced  with  two  drachms  of  castor  oil,  and 
one  drachm  of  oil  of  turpentine,  mixed;  or  with  a  powder  of  rhub'vb  and 
miignesia,  should  the  previous  discharges  have  evinced  acidity.  Another 
method  of  safe  purging,  in  these  cases,  is,  to  give  pills  composed  of  two 
.'rains  of  blue  mass,  two  of  rhubarl),  and  one  of  i[)ecac:  which  maybe 
ipickened  in  their  operation  by  any  of  the  mixtures  just  mentioned,  ov  b}' 
tlic  compound  tincture  of  senna.  A\'liatever  medicines  may  be  clidsen,  they 
^llOuld  not  be  permitted  to  operate,  on  the  same  day,  more  than  two  <ir  three 
times;  and  even  a  single  copious  evacuation  will  be  suffieient ;  the  oliject 
(properly)  in  view,  being  the  evacuation  —  not  the  production  —  of  niorliid 
-eeretions. 

Such  is  the  present  state  of  medical    ractic(>,  among  the  best  observers, 

ffhere  malijxnant  remittents  most  iirevail;  aud  it  contrasts,  strikinelv.  with 
the  prac-tice  which  it  has  superseded.  Of  the  pernicious  efi'ects  of  inces- 
sant, and  drastic  purgation,  I  have  already  spoken,  niwlcr  the  head  of  simple, 
ind  inflammatory  remittents ;  which  were,  sometimes,  transformed  by  it,  into 
vidont  gastro-enteritcs;  at  other  times,  into  still  more  dangerous  maligntnit 
fevers.  The  pernicious  efl'ects  of  tlie  practice  were,  ho\\evcr,  incomparaldy 
^eater  in  the  form  of  fever  we  are  now  studying,  than  in  the  open  inflam- 
matory. Those  who  pursued  the  ju'actice,  ;saw  in  the  cases  before  tliom 
Jinthiiig  but  an  oppressive  accumulation  of  blood  in  tiie  abdominal  organs  — 
tliey  had  no  end  in  view  but  its  removal  —  they  employed  no  means  but 
■tioso  which  would  convert  it  into  secreted  fluid-,  aud  then  evacuate  them 


'ill 

■  ■  •  m 

■  v 

■  m' 

• 

f.'. 

. 

■y. 

'ill ' ' 

!> 


U- 


•:   '■•.I      ■ 


.-■^ 


■  ]■ 


,  |',J'I|' 


Sift" 


804 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  II. 


A'om  tlio  l)0\vcls.  The  certainty  of  increasing  tlie  ik'1)ility  of  tlie  jiationt 
\^•;ls  uiiliooded;  and  tlio  danger  of  exciting  or  aggravating  irritatiuns  and 
inflainuiations  of  tlic  stomacli  and  iiiijicr  bowels,  was  overlxjkud.  IJul^ 
apart  from  these  serious  objections  to  tlie  practice,  was  it  fitted  to  ao 
coniplish  the  end  they  had  in  viewV  It  certainly  was  not;  for  juirgincr, 
produces  an  introversion  of  the  blood,  the  ver}'  condition  fur  whii-h  it  wti^ 
prescri))ed.  In  the  treatment  of  erysipelas,  scarlatina,  and  other  acute  in- 
flammations of  the  skin,  the  bcnehcial  influence  of  cathartic  medicines  is 
produped  by  their  diverting  from  the  surl'ace.  On  t;ie  same  principle,  aftir 
cxteu>ivc  burns  or  scalds,  a  favorable  suppuration  is  prevented  by  purgiiif. 
which  rediK'es  the  cutaneous  circidatinii.  l''iiially,  the  free  opcratiijii  of  a 
catliartic,  when  an  individual  is  in  health,  never  fails  to  produce  [)alliir,  re- 
duction of  surface  heat,  and  a  shrunken  aspect  of  the  superficial  parts  of 
the  body,  showing  a  centripetal  tendency  of  the  blood;  which,  of  courso, 
accumulates  in  the  vessels  of  the  interiijr.  A  therapeutic  agency  wliidi 
produces  such  eftects,  can  never  be  adapted  to  the  removal  of  the  assumed 
abdominal  congestions,  in  malignant  remittent  fever.  The  organs,  it  i.>  true. 
may  bo  de[)leted  bj  the  increased  secretion;  bat  the  means  em]iloyed.  aiul 
the  secretory  actions  Avhieh  they  excite,  keep  uj)  the  sujiplies  of  blood  from 
the  outer  parts  of  the  body,  and  thus  maintain  the  congestion  for  the  cuiv 
of  which  tile  drain  was  established. 

VIT.  ('ai,omi;i,.  —  In  the  last  chapter,  an  estimate  was  made,  of  t!;e 
use  of  caloiiiel  in  the  tre-vtmcnt  of  simple  and  inflammatory  remittent  foviT. 
If  we  found,  that  two  high  a  value  had  been  placed  upon  it,  in  the  treat- 
nient  of  those  varieties,  and  that  its  liberal  administration  had  often  olone 
liarm ;  we  may  expect  to  find,  that,  in  the  cases  wo  are  now  studying,  it 
has,  still  o!'tei\er,  disappointed  the  expectations  of  those  by  \Yhoni  it  La.- 
boen  proscribed;  for  it  is  unquestionably  true,  that  it  acts  more  kindly  ami 
efficiently,  in  cases  of  an  inflammatory  character  (after  bloodletting)  thaiiiL 
the  adynamic  and  ataxic.  The  susjiended,  or  morbid  condition  of  the  .'^e- 
crotions  of  the  liver,  in  conncctiim  with  epigastrii;  tenderness  and  anxiity, 
so  often  present  in  this  fever,  suggested  that  cahmiel  could  not  fail  to  provo 
salutary  be3-ond  every  other  remedy,  and  for  many  years  it  was  administoriJ 
in  large  quantities,  especially  in  the  South  ;  but,  in  Ibio,  and  1^-14,  I  foiiiul 
that  this  practice  had  been  generally  renounced ;  yet  the  memory  of  ifi^ 
failures  and  ravages,  h.ad  not  faded  from  the  minds  of  the  professiun,  or  the 
people.  It  was  exhibited  for  the  fulfillment  of  various  speculative  con- 
ditions, as  fur  exciting  the  liver  into  increased  secretory  action,  that  the  por- 
tal circle  might  be  relieved  from  congestion;  for  subduing  gastro-diio- 
denitis,  extending  into  that  organ,  and  for  allaying  simple  irritation  of  tb 
same  jiarts.*  The  greater  number  had  the  first  of  these  objects  in  vltw, 
and    seemed  to  have  lost  sight  of  the  fact,  that  the  suspended,  or  riiorbid 


*  Som(!  years  licfore  tlio  visits  of  wliioli  I  Iiuve  spoken,  a  pliysician  of  Louisiana, 
flippantly  and  liypcrbolically,  wrote  mo,  tiiut  in  a  certain  cpiileinic,  lie  luui  drawu 
"  blooil  enougli  to   float,  and  given  culomel  eaoiigh  to  froigiit,  iLe  steamboat  Geiicrai 


is  foil.; 
adniini 


\h 


ii  t 


HE 


[book  II. 


TAUT  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


805 


debility  of  the  patient 
ivatiiig  irritatiuus  and 
S'iis    overloola'd.     I>ii!, 
,  was  it   fitted   to  iio 
Avas  iii't;  i'ur  l)iiv;:ing, 
lition  i'.'i-  wliirli   it  wa:- 
iia,  and  utliev  aeute  in- 
cathartic   iiiedicip.es  i.s 
,;ic  same  jiriiuiiile,  after 
s  prevented  by  puvging. 
tlic   free   (iperatiDii  <>(  ;i 
Is  to  produce  pallor,  rc- 
tlic    supevlieial   parts  of 
dutid;  Avliieli,  of  course, 
;rapeutie   agency  wliicli 
removal  of  the  as.suincd 
The  organs,  it  i^  true, 
lie  means  employed,  ami 
c  sujiplies  of  blood  from 
congestiuu  for  the  euri: 

mate  was  made,  of  tit 
imatory  remittent  fevir. 
ed  upon  it,  in  the  tro;u- 
dstration  had  often  dont 
,vc   arc   now  studying,  it 
f  those  by  whom  it  lia.- 
it  acts  mure  kindly  ami 
fter  bloodletting)  thank 
rbid  condition  of  the  se- 
tenderness  and  anxiety, 
cl  could  not  fail  to  [irnvo 
cars  it  was  admini.'^tercl 
1843,  and  IS-U,  I  fuuiui 
yet  the  memory  of  i'' 
of  the  profession,  or  tk 
various  speculative  con- 
tory  action,  that  the  pi'i- 
r    subduing   gastvo-diio- 
ct  -simple  irritation  of  tli' 
of  these  objects   in  view, 
he  suspended,  or  morbid 


;n,  a  pliysician  of  I,ouiHi;in;t 
11  epidemic,  lie  liad  <iniwu 
eight,  the  steamboat  Gi.iicrai 


}■ 


action  of  the  liver,  was  secondar}-,  and  the  eoiisoipionee  of  a  localization  of 
the  Fever,  in  the  form  of  irritation  or  iiillammation,  upon  tlie  hepatic  system; 
or  if  they  admitted  the  existence  of  those  patlndogical  states,  they  assumed, 
that  calomel  was  the  best  means  of  curing  them. 

Tliat  moderate  portions  of  tliat  medicine,  in  connection  with  other  reme- 
dies, are  nseful,  cannot  be  denied ;  but  their  exclnsivo  and  im  luliiate  u.^e 
is  greatly  to  be  deprecated.  After  local  bleeding,  and  tl.e  evaen:nii  n  of  the 
existing  contents  of  the  jirivuc  via,  by  the  means  just  pointed  out,  the  ad- 
uiinistratioii  of  three  or  five  grain  doses  of  calomel,  in  combination  with 
small  f[muitities  of  opium,  morpliino ;  or  Dover's  powder,  ami  a  iVee  use  of 
slightly  acidulated  demulcent  drinks,  with  abdominal  fiimeiitatioi;.«,  are  safe 
and  bcnefieial.  ]>ut,  the  epigastric  irritation  may  he  allayed,  aitil  tlie  biliary 
secretion  reestablished  by  other  means.  Thus,  Doctor  Monette"  declares, 
that  since  he  has  discoiili/iucil  the  exhiliition  of  calomel,  his  practice  has 
been  more  successfid  than  before.  One  of  his  furmuhc  for  allaying  gastro- 
duodeual  irritation,  is  the  foHowing: 

R.  Sulphate  of  magnesia,     -     -     -  oij. 

Ipecac, grs.  iii. 

Tincture  of  opium,     -     -     -     -  ^i. 

Water, gvi.  3Iix. 

The  dose  is  half  an  ounce  every  hour,  or  evciy  two  hours  ;  according  to 
die  judgment  of  the  physician  in  each  case. 

"This  mixture,  continued  for  twelve  or  fifteen  hour.«,  and  sometimes,  in 
less  time,  is  followed  by  an  abatement  of  the  gastro -duodenal  irritation,  a 
general  relaxation  of  the  skin,  and  a  full  and  soft  pulse.  Besides  these  sal- 
utary effects,  a  perseverance  in  the  use  of  this  mixture,  for  a  longer  time, 
\i  followed  by  a  free  and  gentle  discharge  of  t/ticfc  yellow  hUc.  During  this 
administration,  if  the  intestinal  canal  be  in  a  high  state  of  irritation  from 
previous  purgatives,  or  copious  watery  discharges,  anodyne  and  emollient 
eiicmata  are  not  to  be  neglected,  nor  demulcent  drinks,  of  whieli  none  is 
superior  to  the  mucilage  made  of  the  prickly  pear  by  cidd  infusion."' 

Doctor  Monette  acknowledges  himself  indebted  to  D(.ictor  Mcl'heters, 
one  of  the  most  sagacious  practitioners  of  IMississijipi,  for  a  knowledge  of 
t!io  efficacy  of  sul[)hato  of  magnesia,  in  small  quantities,  with  laudanum,  in 
the  irritations  we  are  now  considering.  The  addition  of  ipe(^.c,  made  by 
iiimself,  gives,  according  to  his  experience,  additional  eflicacyto  the  prescrip- 
tion. When  there  is  much  developed  fever,  he  adds  to  the  mixture  an  ounce 
of  sjiirit  of  nitrous  ether. 

"  The  proportions  of  each  ingredient  may  bo  varied  to  suit  peculiarity  of 
cases.  If  the  irritation  was  extreme,  the  first  rei  ipe  Avas  used ;  and  the 
([uantity  of  sulphate  of  magnesia  diminished  one  half,  and  the  tincture  of 


Jackson  I"     During  my  firit  visit,  another  who  had  given  it  by  tlio  oniice,  said  his  ob- 
ject was,  to  had  down  t!io  irritahle.stoniach, so  as  to  prevent  vomiting  !   While  imiltitudos 
fcolievcd,  that  when  they  did  not  obtain  bilions  disclinrges,  by  ouuco  iloses,  it  was  be- 
cause they  were  too  timid  in  tlie  administration  1 
*  New  Orleans  Journal,  loco  citato. 


V 


t 


SOG 


TlIK  rULXCU'AL  IM^EASES  OF  THE 


[book  ii. 


flit. 'r  ! '     '     >  "     . 


opium  increased  in  the  same  pvoportiDn.  If  the  duodenal  irrltatiun  wa.- 
ijiodci'iite,  and  the  bowels  appeared  irritated  with  a  profuse  secretion  of  acrid 
Lile,  the  quantity  of  sulpliatc  of  rnairiiesia  was  increased;  and  suuietiinos  the 
tincture  of  upluiu  was  diminished  in  tlie  same  pr(i[iortion." 

A'lir.     lJi:riai;i;iiANTS,  J>i:i)Ativks,  CiiOLooociLKS,  Diuketics,  and  .Sldor- 
iFics. —  [    liavc   joined    these  ditJ'ercnt    heails    together,   because  of  tlicir 
rchitioiis  in  practice.     As  long  as  the  treatment  <.f  our  lualignant  re'nittcuts 
was  conlided  to  unlimited  doses  of  calomel,  and  unrelenting  i)urgation,  variou? 
incaus  of  a  gentle   character  were  entirely  neglected,    as   inconvenient  (.; 
inconipatalde  ;  yet  their  adaptation  to  the  form  of  fever  now  before  us  cannot. 
1  think,  be  doubted ;  especially  wlicn  the  local  congestions,  irritations,  and 
inflaniiuati.iiis  are  seated  in  the  alidominal  organs.     The  continued  intro- 
duction of  pellets  of  ice  into  the  stomach  is  often  productive  of  relief;  hut 
they  act  merely  as  local  coolers,  by  absorbing  their  calorie  of  fluidity  from 
the  parietes  of  the  organ.     Of  all  refrigerants,  I  suppose  water  to  be  tlic 
greatest ;  and  am  quite  convinced,  that  its  powers  in  this,  as  well  as  mam 
other  forms  of  fever,  have  not  yet  been  fully  tested.     After  the  stomach  ami 
bowels  have  been  evacuated,  if  the  former  should  not  lie  irritable,  watci 
should  be  drunk  in  large   quantities:    and,  to  give  it  greater  efficacy,  the 
s^'stem  should  be  brought  slightly  under  tlie  influence  of  an  opiate.     As  a 
topical  application  to  the  irritated  or  inflamed   mucous  membrane  of  tlii. 
alimentary  canal,  it  is  one  of  the  most  soothing.     But  passing  readily,  by 
endosmosLs,  into  the  gastric  veins,  it  is  carried  not  only  through  the  liver,  lu; 
the  entire  organism;  diluting  the  blood,  and  allaying  the  febrile  irritation  cl 
the  solids,  abdimiinal,  tlioracic,  and  cranial.     This  is  at  once  a  cooler  and ;, 
soother;  and  being  one  of  the  sustainers  of  lii'e,  refreshes  and  invigorates,  wliil' 
it  allays  morbid  action.     Other  effects,  however,  result  from  its  liberal  intro- 
duction into  the  blood  vessels.     All  experience  proves  that  the  system  maki- 
unceasing  efforts  to  keep  the  amount  of  water  in  the  blood  uniform ;  and 
hence,  when  the  quantity  is  increased,  the  secretory  apparatus  is  immedi- 
ately escitcd  into  increased  action,  for  the  purjiose  of  throwing  off  the  super- 
abundance.    To  what  extent  the  secretion  of  the  liver  may  be  promoted  V 
this  agency  wo  cannot  decide  ;  nor  do  we  know  in  what  degree  the  pulmonar;. 
exhalation  may  be  augmented ;  but,  from  analogy,  may  presume,  that  Lutl.. 
and  especially  the  latter,  are  increased.     As  to  the  other  secretions  there  cai. 
be  no  dotibt,  for  a  How  of  urine  or  of  perspiration,  according  to  the  circum- 
stances under  which  the  i'ldividual  is  placed,  invariably  occurs.     To  ohtuii. 
the  former,  the   nitrate  of  potash  or  the  s]jirit  of  nitrous  ether,  may  be 
administered  in  appropriate  quantities  during  the  period  of  aqueous  dilutiu:: 
The  first  has  long  been  regarded  as  a  valuable  refrigerant,  and  the  last  liiu- 
maintained  a  high  rank,  as  a  febrifuge,  under  every  modification  of  the  theory 
of  fever;  while  both  direct  the  superfluous  water  r.pon  the  kidneys,  and  b; 
increasing  their  secretion,  eliminate  from  the  blood,  many  things  developcu 
or  thrown  into  it  during  the  Fever,  which,  reactively,  keep  up  the  febrile 
irritation.     But  the  action  of  the   diluent  upon  the  skin,  is  still  greater  thai. 
upon  the  kidneys,  if  the  patient  be  placed  under  circumstances  favorable  tr 


Ill 


HE 


[book  II. 


IMRT    I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  xXOllTII  AMEIilCA. 


so: 


uodeiial  irrltatiun  \va.~ 
•ufuse  secretion  of  aeiiu 
jud;  and  souietlmcs  tin 
loll. 

)iuiirrics,  AND  Sldok- 
ther,  Lecauso   of  their 
ir  nialigiuint  re'nittoiits 
uting  imrgatioii,  vani)U> 
L'd,   a.s   iticoiiVL'uiuiu  i,i 
or  now  before  us  eainiut 
(fostions,  irritations,  and 
The  continued  intro- 
L-oduetive  of  relief;  Lut 
■  calorie  of  fluidity  from 
lUpposo  water  to  be  tlit 
in  tbis,  as  well  as  nmii_\ 
After  tlie  stomach  ami 
not  bo  irritable,  \Yatci 
;  it  greater  elTieacy,  tlit 
inco  of  an  opiate.    As  s 
lucous  membrane  of  tlii. 
But  passing  readily,  by 
nly  through  the  liver,  bu; 
(r  tlie  febrile  irritation  ti 
is  at  once  a  cooler  aim  u 
;bes  and  invigorates,  wliili 
ult  from  its  lilioral  iutro- 
cs  that  the  system  make- 
tlie  blood  uniform;  ami 
vy  ajiparatus   is  iinmeJi- 
if  tlirowiug  off  the  super- 
iver  may  be  promoted  1 ; 
lat  degree  the  pulmuiiar; 
may  presume,  that  bull;. 
other  secretions  there  cai, 
according  to  the  circurn- 
iably  occurs.     To  obtuii. 
f  nitrous  ctlier,  may  bo 
riod  of  aqueous  dilutlf.; 
igorant,  and  the  last  ha.- 
modification  of  the  theory 
ipou  the  kidneys,  and  b,^ 
d,  many  things  develupiu 
ively,  Iceep  up  the  febrile 
skin,  is  still  greater  llun. 
ircumstances  favorable  t 


perspiration.  These  are  rest,  silence,  and  diminished  light;  adcuuate  cov- 
ering;  heat  to  the  extremities,  and  the  administration  of  gentle  narcotics 
ami  diaphoretics,  such  as  a  hot  infusion  of  ser]ieiitaria,  balm  or  orange  b  avcs. 
with  small  portions  of  l^over's  powder,  or  the  fulb.iwing  mixture: 

R.  Spiritus  Mindereri, Sviss. 

Spirit  of  nitrous  ether,     ------  3ss. 

Camphorated  tincture  of  opium,     -     -     -  ;5ss. 

Wine  of  ipecac,     --- ^ss.         Mix. 

Ifalf  an  ounce  of  this  mixture,  taken  every  twn  hours,  will  seldom  fail  to 
bring  on  perspiration,  if  the  jjatliological  condition  of  the  patient  be  such  as 
to  admit  of  the  restoration  of  that  function  of  the  skin.  On  the  value  of 
such  an  effect  there  can  be  but  one  opinii-n.  The  ceutrifical  determinatiou 
of  the  blood,  without  which  the  per.spiration  cannot  bo  established,  of 
courso  tends  to  relieve  the  internal  organs  from  congestion ;  the  reactive 
influence  of  an  improved  state  of  the  skin,  upon  the  liver  and  tlie  mucous 
membrane  of  the  stomach  and  bowels,  must  lie  admitted  as  a  reality  ;  finally, 
the  blood  is  depurated  of  peccant  matters,  which  often  give  to  the  perspired 
lluid  an  offensive  odor  ;  and,  retained,  irritate  the  interior  of  the  arteries. 

IX.     Sui.i'UATE    OF    QfixixE.  —  The    various    moans    whirli    have    been 
pointed  out,  have  for  their  object  to  convert  the  remittent  into  an  intermit- 
tent :  to  produce  a  state   of  apyrexia,  unaccompanied  by  visceral  conges- 
tiiju,  irritation,  or  inflammation.     In  many  cases  this  is  slowly  accomplished, 
oaeh  remission  becoming  more  perfect   than   the  last;  but  in  some  the   end 
is  much  sooner  attained.     "When  it  is  reached,  the  patient,  as  in  the  common 
inflammatory  form  of  remitting  fever,  treated  with,  active  antiphbigistics,  will 
sometimes  recover  if  left  to  himself;  but  this  shduld  never  be  assumed;  for, 
on  the  succeeding  day,  the  paroxysm  may  return  and  prove  as  fatal,  as   the 
tit  of  a  malignnnt  intermittent.     Had  his  fevor  been  of  a  continued  type, 
from  some  common  cause,  such  an  event  could  nnt  occur;  but  being  essen- 
tially periodical,  the  anti-periodic  should,  on  no  aci'ount,  be  now  omitted. 
The  quinine,  which  up  to  this  time,  when  the  remission  has  become  more  jierfcct, 
could  not  have  been  administered  with  advantage  or  even  impunity,  will  now 
begin  to  establish  in  the  system  its   peculiar  efi'ect ;  and  the  recurrence  of 
the  paroxysm  will,  at  length,  be  piecluded.     It  is  not  necessary  to  dwell  ou 
the  mode  of  administering  the  (juiiiine  in  such  a  ease.     Before  an  iiitennis- 
siem  is  effected,  it  must  be  used  in  small  quantities.     But  when  that  state 
is  brought  about,  it  may  be  given  in  five  or  ten  grain  portions,  in  connection 
with  solid  opium,  and  repeated  every  two  or  four  hours.     If  great  exhaustion 
should  be  present,  it  will  be  requisite  to  stimulate  the  patient  with  camphor, 
ammonia,  or  tincture  of  capsicum,  wine-whey,  wine,  or  ardent  spirit ;  and, 
at  an    early  period,  to  give  him   a  moderate   quantity  of  nourishing  diet. 
Ills  feet  should  bo  kept  warm,  and  a'gentle  diaphoresis  maintained.     Should 
there  be  a  tendency  to  diarrhoea,  which  the  opium  does  not  arrest,  injections 
of  starch,  and  a  decoction  of  Peruvian  bark,  with   laudanum,  will  be  effica- 
cious. If  bile  do  not  appear  in  the  evacuations,  small  doses  of  blue  pill  nnay  be 


'f 


m 


m 


SOS 


THE  rRI.NCUWL  DISEASES  (JF  THE 


[hook    II. 


J,* 


.^^ 


^?V'    ! 


*.I4 


'it 


conjoined  witli  the  (luiiiinc  ami  oiiiuni,  or  tlic  region  of  tl.o  liver  may  lie 
SfjonL^fd  with  a  strung  iiitro-niuriatii;  solulinti. 

"Wlion  one  day  lias  pa.^.sed  without  a  rcciirremc  of  the  iiaroxysni,  tlio 
patient  will  probably  go  on  to  recovery;  but  tl  e  (piiniiie  must  not  be  ;lis- 
cmtiiiued,  for  the  type  may  now  ehango  from  (juotidian  to  tertian;  anti, 
on  the  third  day,  the  fever  may  return,  unless  the  system  bo  htpt  uiid.T  t'lo 
influenee  uf  the  speeifif. 

X.  Casi'3  AM)  Hi:marks  rno.n  Doctor  Ames. — The  following  condensed 
aceonnt  of  seven  fever  eas;\s,  from  Dootor  Ames,  of  iM(mtgomery,  Alabama, 
shows  that  in  noiiToes,  at  least,  a  manifest  irritation  of  tho  brain  dues  nut 
contra-iiidicato  the  emjdoyuu'nt  of  the  suljihatc  of  quinine  without  ^irevi'ius 
cv"eur.tion.  Tho  symptoms  and  treatment  were  nearly  the  same  in  n.II, 
and  all  recovered. 

"  Tongue  slightly  coated,  ash-colorcd,  yellowish,  or  natural :  sometimcL;  dry, 
but  never  hard  or  fissured.  Heat  of  the  trunk  and  head  natural,  or  a  little 
below;  log-sand  arms  eo(d ;  feet,  hands,  nose,  and  ears,  cold.  Pulse,  iV'm 
one  hundri'd  and  twenty  to  one  hundrctl  and  forty,  small,  feeble,  and  indis- 
tinct. TIjo  brain  strongly  aifectcd  —  coma  and  delirium  alternating;  tlio 
latter  violent  wlitii  the  patient  was  disturbed;  indisposition  to  speak; 
aversion  to  swallowing,  with  obstinate  resistance.  The  stomach  and  bowels 
uatuial,  except  a  little  nausea  in  two  or  three.  Trcatnicvl  substantially  tlic 
same  in  all.  IJlisters  to  the  neclc ;  mustard  to  tho  extremities  ;  and  sul- 
phate of  quinine  in  largo  doses,  without  regard  to  the  stage  of  tho  disca^o. 
Convalesce  in  tho  wdiolo  ])egun  before  the  'ourth  day." 

Another  case  affords  evidence  coincident  with,  this: 

"A  young  gentleman,  aged  sixteen,  was  attacked  with  a  chill,  wdiich  was 
quiekly  succeeded  by  convulsions.  His  pulse  Avas  about  eighty  beats  in  a 
minute,  nearly  as  full  as  in  health,  but  soft  and  hollow:  ho  soon  boc;inie 
comatose,  but  was  sometimes  wakeful  and  restless  ;  tlie  temperature  of  his  skin 
was  everywhere  natural ;  his  pupils  were  dilated ;  he  refused  to  swallow 
anything  but  water;  and  screamed  and  struggled  violently  when  disturbed; 
did  not  speak,  or  even  attempt  to  articulate.  lie  continued  in  this  state 
about  forty-eight  hours,  during  which  he  was  bled  to  ten  ounces,  with  a  bad 
eflect.  IIo  was  repeatedly  immersed  in  a  warm  bath,  having  cold  applica- 
tions to  his  head ;  ho  took  a  cathartic,  wdiich  operated  promptl}' ;  blisters 
were  applied  to  his  neck,  arms,  and  thighs.  Attempts  were  made  to  admin- 
ister quinine;  but,  for  sometime,  very  little  was  s>vallowed;  atlengtli,  how- 
ever, ho  took  it  regularly  and  freely,  with  immediate  benefit  and  complete 
recovery." 

The  following  observations,  from  the  same  gentleman,  present  still  further 
the  results  of  his  experience  in  the  soporose,  malignant  fever,  of  the  region 
around  ]Montgomery : 

"  The  coolness  of  the  surface,  in  ihesc  cases,  is  never  tho  coldness  of 
collapse;  nor  is  there  ever  tho  profuse  sweating,  tho  diarrhu-a,  vomiting, 
epigastric  oppression,  sighing,  jactitation,  and  general  restlessness,  cliarac- 
tcriotic  of  abdominal,  congestive  remittents ;   neither  have  I,  at   anytime, 


[DOUK  II. 

of  the  liver  may  lie 

f  tlio  jiaruxysni,  tlic 
,110  niuht  not  be  dis- 
ian  to  teitiaii;  atnJ, 
L'ln  lie  lv4it  uhcl.'r  t'lo 

0  fdlliAviug  cciidonaMl 
I(int<^(iiiicry,  AlaLiiuia, 
it'  tho  nrain  il"'^'S  iiut 
iiiino  viihiivit  ^<rc\i  us 
avly   the  same   in  all, 

atuvn'l:  somctimccdry, 
cad  natural,  or  a  little 
ars,  wU.  Vuhc,  \\-<m 
mall,  iocblo,  and  indis- 
iiiuin  alternatiug ;  the 
ndisiio.-^it'Kin  to  Pi)cal<; 
die  stomach  and  Imwh 
ilmevt  substantially  tlic 
e  extremities  ;  and  sul- 
he  stage  of  the  discujo. 


?ART  I.j 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


809 


observed  muttering  delirium,  or  jiiekiiig  of  the  bedclothes;  headache  is 
never,  spnutaneously,  spoken  of  after  the  disease  U  fully  developed,  tliough 
it  is  fx  ei  nimcii  precursory  symjitom.  The  as[)eet  of  most  of  the  eases  is  that 
of  prolouiid  slee[),  but  without  the  stcrtur  or  pulse  of  a|)0ple.\y.  Ni  w  and 
then  Ihave  seen  a  casein  Avhieh  the  skin  was  above  the  natural  temperature, 
with  throbling  of  the  carotids,  Imt  the  jiulse  had  no  firmness.  In  that  con- 
dition the  cnma  is  less  profound.  The  refusal  to  swallow  mcdiuine  is  a  ehar- 
acteristic  of  this  form  of  fevT.'' 

"  Quinine  is  better  borne  in  congestive  remittents  and  intermittents,  than 
in  any  other  form  of  fever.  It  is  tolerated  by  the  system,  as  tartar  emetic  is 
lolerated  in  pneumonia,  and  bloodletting  in  cerebral  inflamuiation.  i  lately 
gave  a  negro  boy,  under  twelve  years  of  age,  about  fifty  grains  of  (piinine, 
within  twelve  hours,  without  })roduciiig  deafness  or  ringing  in  the  ears.  Its 
good  effects,  however,  were  none  the  less  evident,  lileeding,  as  far  as  I  have 
seen,  even  in  small  quantities,  does  harm.  Blisters  and  sinapisms  are  valua- 
ble adjuncts,  particularly  tho  former,  and  so  is  the  hot  foot  bath.  xSothing 
can  be  said  in  favor  of  purgatives ;  though  I  have  occasionally  seen  full 
vomiting  with  tartar  emetic,  produce  the  best  ellects.  When  the  pulse, 
under  the  use  of  ([uinine,  gets  more  feeble  as  it  becomes  slower,  with  a  C(jpious 
supervening  sweat,  I  know  of  no  remedy  equal  to  carbonr.te  of  ammonia,  tho 
quinine  being  at  the  same  time  suspended." 


-r; 


.  /  • 


;'lf' 


tt'lll!: 


with  a  chill,  which  was 
about  eighty  beats  in  a 
ollow.  he  soon  became 
temperature  of  his  skin 
he  refused  to  swallow 
jolently  when  disturbed; 
continued  in  this  stntc 
ten  ounces,  with  a  bad 
,th,  having  cold  applie-a- 
|ated  promptly;  blisters 
ts  wore  made  to  adniin- 
aUowed;  atlength,  how- 
i  benefit  and  complete 

lan,  present  still  further 
[ant  fever,  of  the  region 

L  never  the  coldness  of 
Ithe  diarrhu;a,  vomiting, 
Iral  restlessness,  charac- 
ler  have  I,  at   anytime 


CHAPTER    IX. 

PROTRACTED,  RELAPSING,  AND  VERNAL   LNTERMITTENTS. 


SECTION  I. 
CHRONIC  AND  RELAPSING  CASES. 

I.  We  have  already  soon,  that  many  f\iets  conspire  to  prove  that  all  the 
varieties  of  autumnal  fovor,  depend  on  one  specific,  remote  cause,  and,  wc  now 
fonie  to  an  additional  fact  in  support  of  the  same  conclusion.  It  is,  that  in 
many  cases,  the  different  forms  of  remittent  fever,  at  last,  assume  an  inter- 
mittent type  ;  and  continue  to  recur,  for  an  indefinite  period,  in  the  manner 
of  original,  uncured  intermittents ;  from  which,  in  fact,  they  cannot  be  dis- 
tinguished. This  being  the  case,  I  have  postponed  an  account  of  their 
character  and  treatment,  until  all  tho  acute  varieties  of  the  Fever,  of  which 
tliey  arc  properly  the  chronic  form,  should  have  been  studied. 

II.  Regular,  Chronic  Riocurrente. — "When  an  intermittent  becomes 
chronic,  it  generally  shows  a  disposition  to  rn  ur,  at  more  distant  intervals. 


^^im 


IJ  ];;'■■■  -It 


^M^r:-^"^  .■'■     ■■:■■■ 


'MM 


sio 


Tiir;  PRiNTirAL  diseases  of  the 


[dOOK  II. 


A  nu'iddiiin.  it  is  truo,  if  noglci'tod.  iii;iy  continue  as  siieli  for  sovcrnl  wih'I^s; 
liut  sufli  cnscs  arc  imt  tiunit'nuis,  and  a  eliance  to  the  tertian  tYjic  is  a  Cdin- 
ninii  event.  'rii(>  e  are,  niiir"f)vcr,  many  oviL'inal  tertians,  wliidi  lici-oinc 
clirnnie.  In  tlii:-'  form,  'vvlicn  not  arrested,  tliey  may  run  (Ui  for  iiKiutliH. 
Sunietimes  a  reeurreiicc  on  tlio  fniirtli  day,  ineludin^^  that  ef  tlie  itreccdiiif; 
parexysni,  gives  us  a  quartan  ;  mndi  more  rarely,  the  return  is  im  tlie  (ilth 
day,  eon.«tituting  a  quintan.  \  reenrrcneo  on  the  sevcntli  day  (septan)  is. 
however,  eomnion.  This  is  the  day  on  wliieh  the  third  paroxysm  of  a 
tertian,  and  the  seeniid  of  a  quartan,  would  return:  which,  perhaps,  explain^ 
the  liability  to  rcurrence  on  that  day.  J5ut  discarding  all  speeulation,  I 
may  state,  as  a  fact,  that  the  helidomadal  })eriod  h,  preeminently,  that  of 
many  protracted  interniittents ;  the  recurrence  of  the  paroxysm  heiiiL',  in 
some  instances,  between  the  thirteenth  or  fifteenth,  in  others  the  twentietli. 
twenty-first,  or  twenty-second,  and  in  others  the  twcnty-eiglitli,  twenty- 
ninth,  or  thirtieth  day.  Still  further,  in  some  instances,  after  the 
Fever  seems  to  have  eeased  entirely,  it  returns  at  a  multiple  of  this 
hebdomadal  jieriod.  The  following  case,  from  Doctor  Piayinond,  illustrates 
this  pi.int:  In  tlie  autumn,  he  had  three  paroxysms  of  intermittent  fever. 
The  next  spring  it  returned,  and  was  arrested  by  an  emetie  and  half  a  draelini 
of  quinine.  In  twenty-one  days  it  recurred,  and  continued  its  visits,  at  the  end 
of  that  ])criod,  until  August.  lie  was  then  bled,  after  which  its  recurrences 
,vere  at  the  end  of  the  fifth,  instead  of  the  third  hebdomadal  period,  until 
December,  when  it  was  finally  stopped  by  arsenic. 

The  eausf^s  whieh  render  interniittents  protraeted,  deserve  eonsideratio.i; 

1.  Of  the  mIioL.^  we  slioidd,  undoubtedly,  ascribe  the  greatest  influence  to 
the  agent  whieh  jiroduces  the  disease.  It  is  of  the  very  nat-aro  and  essence 
of  tliat  agent,  to  generate  an  intermittent  irritation ;  whieh  shall  soon  pass 
awa}',  hut  return  at  the  end  of  twenty-four  hours  fmm  the  begi'.niing  of  t!ie 
previous  fit,  or  at  the  end  of  some  multiple  of  that  period,  ^^'c  cannot,  I 
apprehend,  go  further  than  to  recognize  the  fact.  In  some  constitutions,  t!io 
primary  impression  wears  out  much  sooner  than  in  others  :  the  latter  present 
us  with  the  disease  in  a  ehronie  form.  It  is  common  lO  say,  that  the  ft.s 
recur  from  habit ;  Lut  habit  is  custom  confirmed ;  and  the  question  in 
these  cases  is,  what  maintains  the  custom  until  it  grows  into  a  habit?  One 
person  has  a  habit  of  waking  at  a  certain  hour  in  the  morning ;  another  r.t 
a  different  hour;  in  both  cases  some  agent  was  employed  to  create  tlie 
custom ;  but,  after  a  time,  that  agency  may  be  withheld,  and  the  cfl'eet  will 
continue  from  habit.  Intermittent  fever,  then,  cannot  becomo  chronic  from 
habit;  but  having  been  made  so  by  the  influence  of  ';omo  caucc,  habit 
may,  at  last,  contribute  to  reproduce  the  paroxysms. 

'2.  The  Fever  is  sometimes  kept  up  by  the  unabatingaetiju  of  the  remote 
cause.  Thus,  there  arc  many  instanecs  of  its  continuance  as  long  as  the 
patient  remains  iu  the  locality  in  which  it  was  produced,  and  cf  its  ceasing 
on  his  removal  to  a  more  salubrious  spot. 

3.  It  is  probably  rendered  chronic,  in  certain  cases,  by  the  permanent  cori- 
gestion  or  subacute  inflammation  of  some  organ. 


\i\\ 


;  [dook  II. 

•h  f(ir  sovciiil  wct'l^s; 

tiaiis,  wliirh  liciMnue 
run  fin  for  innntliH. 
liut  of  tlic  pn'coliiig 
vctavu  i.-*  •">  the  fit'tli 
cnth  (liiy  (sq>t:>'>)  i"' 
third  privoxysm   of  a 
icli,  pcvliap,  oxiilaiv^ 
iiiT  all   ppL't-ulatidii,  I 
pvoi'iniiiently,  tluit  of 
>  paroxysm  bciiiLf.  in 
,  ,,tl\crs  the  twciiti'-'tli. 
iventy-oighth,  twerity- 
iiistauccs,   after  the 
it   a  niiiltiii^c  of  this 
r  Raynioiul,  illustrates 
of  interniittout  fever, 
iictie  ami  half  a  drachm 
ued  its  visits,  at  the  end 
er  which  its  recurrences 
L'bdomadal  period,  until 

idoscrvc  considcratio.i : 
:hc  greatest  iiiiluouce  to 
■cry  Tiat'ire  and  essence 
;  \vhl(.'h  shall  soon  \mi 
m  the  liogi'Miing  of  tlio 
period.     V'eeanaot.  I 
^:oine  constitutions,  tlio 
lors  :  the  iattei  pre.'^ont 
,1  tO  say,  that  the  iits 
ai.d  the  questiun  in 
0W3  into  a  habit  V     One 
0  morning  ;    another  r.t 
niployedlo  create  tlio 
leld,  and  the  cfleet  will 
ot  become  chronic  from 
c  of  ':omc  cause,  habit 

f  ing  action  of  the  remote 
tiiiuancc  as  long  as  tk 
luccd,  and  ( f  its  ceasing 

s,  by  the  permanent,  cori- 


PART  I. 


INTERIOR  VAIJ.EY  OF  N'OPTH  A.MCRIC.\. 


811 


It  is  held  by  many  of  our  people,  a  id,  perhaps,  liy  .some  physicians,  tluit 
if  elirnui(!  iiiteriiiitteiit  fever  be  not  interrupted  by  iiiedieiiies,  but  allowed  to 
run  its  course,  until  it  (;eases  spimtaneously,  the  individual,  altlhuigli  eontiii- 
uiiig  in  the  same  locality,  will,  ever  after,  reiiu'.in  free  from  an  attack.  Ili:^ 
sy.-lem  loses  its  suscoptiliility  to  the  poi.sijii.  A  gentleman,  in  Illinois,  assured 
me  that  this  li.'id  been  tile  result  in  hi.s  own  ca.'je;  and  that  lie  wa.-i  led  to 
make  the  experiment,  by  the  as.suraneo  of  others,  that  they  h  d,  by  that  methoil, 
obtained  a  pL:'nianent  immunity.  I'lio  greatest  objection  to  such  a  course  in, 
that  home  organ  may  become  seriously  deranged  in  structure. 

11.  lli:r,Ai',sKS.  —  llelapsing  intermittent  fever,  is  but  a  variety  of  cbronic. 
The  paroxysms  cease  fr(jm  tint  influoneo  of  treatment;  but  the  tcmUiiK ^ 
tu  recurrence  remains,  and  constitutes  a  true  predisposition.  An  cxeitihg 
cau£o  is  generally  necessary  to  the  reproduction  of  the  paroxysm.  Au  indi- 
vidual in  tliis  conilition,  is  ci'inpcUed  to  be  circumspect,  in  regard  tu  what  the 
old  pathologists  called  the  non- naturals.  The  los.s  of  a  night's  sleep,  a  day 
of  protracted  fatigue,  exposuri.  ti)  cold  and  moisture,  au  excessive  and  indi- 
gestible meal,  or  a  strong  mental  emotion  of  the  depressing  kind,  may  bring 
back  the  disease.  In  this  predisposition,  moreover,  a  cold,  saline  cathartic, 
often  proves  an  exciting  cause,  and  slioulil  be  carel'ully  avoided.  IJut  of  all 
these  causes,  the  exposure  which  chills  the  surface  of  the  body,  is  un.'St 
injurious.  IJciicc  it  is,  that  thoso  who  have  had  the  Fever  in  August  oi" 
iSeptember,  and  may  have  been  free  from  it  in  October,  and  the  mild  and 
dry  portions  of  November,  are  liable  tu  relapses  afterward.  These  may 
occur  uncomplicated  with  any  other  aifection;  but  it  uvquently  happens,  that 
the  sudden  change  of  weather,  whi'jh  excites  aa  inilammation  of  the  lungs  cr 
some  other  organ,  reproduces  the  Fever,  so  far,  at  least,  as  to  give  a  parox- 
ysmal character  to  tl;e  plegmasia,  and  render  great  mudilication  of  its  treat- 
ment necessary.  In  addition  to  the  external  exciting  causes  which  have 
been  enumerated,  we  ought,  perhaps,  to  recognize  an  internal  pathulogical  intlu- 
cuce,  in  the  enlarged  &[iken,  which  so  generally  occurs  in  ])rotracted  eases. 
That  local  aifection,  it  is  true,  results  from  the  Fever ;  but  it  often  begins  iu 
the  first  paroxysms;  and  tlie experience  of  the  profession  is,  I  think,  that,  m 
long  as  it  continues,  the  patient  is  more  subject  to  relapses  than  others,  iu 
whom  that  organ  is  not  disordered.  Thus  it  seems  to  maintain  tlie  pre- 
disposition ;  and  without  being  one  of  the  exciting  causes,  renders  the  sys- 
tem still  more  susceptible  to  them,  than  it  would  otherwise  be. 


SECTION  II. 

VERNAL  INTERMITTENTS. 

I.  The  intermittents  which  occur  in  winter,  are  generally  pporadic,  and 
this  may  also  be  the  case  in  spring.  Nevertheless,  the  Fever  often  displays 
an  epidemic  character  iu  the  latter  season.     Whatever  may  be  the  number  of 


-,':^* 


■-    %::■ 


h' 


t<l*J 


Tin;  ri;i\ciini,  diskashs  or  tiii; 


[hook  II. 


I 


:»!iiv,Ti''      i,   .    ■   '.•It  ■  ■'    .  ■'. 

mf'  *i    ■  I  .        »       '     ■   '■     ■  , ' 
■,,  ■l-:-V.    f  ■"'■,!,•'   . 

S^'l;r:; ■-.'■•. ^;  -■;■■• 


.'Ir-' 


•  •  >  .^ 


•■■  1.  ■ 


ftt-: 


i-nsi'S  ill  Jiiiy  ^ealily,  \\v  sire  not  tn  (■(iiK-lmlo,  tliat  tlioy  nrc  tlic  ofTftiirinpr  <<{' 
a  poi^ot)  (k'vclii|iL'tl  ill  tliiit  M'iisdii,  luL  rcLipscs,  liiii!  tlinso  ni'  NvinttT.  'J  licy 
arc,  L't'iiLTulIy,  lumicniu.s  in  iirnjiDrtiiMi  tu  tlie  jutvuIc'IK'L'  ol'  tlic  Fcvir  in  tliu 
jircci.'ilini  iuituinii;  tliu  .sulijoct.s  are,  cirnjfiy,  tlin.^o  wlio  had  Hiitl'LTcd  at  tbat 
time;  and  tlio  syuiptonij*.  '  d  most  hnieccs.sl'ul  treatnioiit,  mark  tlieiii  u.s 
n'la|i.«es,  instead  of  uttarK.  n  a  iiuw  application  cd*  tlic  remote  cause.  It 
would  appear,  tliat  tin;  .stiai.  d  of  winttT,  is  nuu.'li  1(  ,«s  injnrioiis,  than  the 
diurnal  and  oecasii>iial  viu'-isitiiucs  ol"  T'clriiary  ami  .^larcll,  in  (lie  South  — 
rd'  iMavcli  and  April,  in  the  middle  latitudes  —  and  of  April  and  May  in  the 
nortlicrii.  After  the  hot  weather  has  set  in.  they  cummonlycea.se;  and  this!.* 
the  termination  of  the  epldt'iiiie  of  the  ]ireeediii^r  yoar  ;  whieh,  Iteglnnlng  in 
the  last  month  (d'  summer,  ends  in  the  last  month  of  spriiii.'.  The  Fever  of 
tlio  next  autumn,  depends  on  a  new  development  and  ajiplication  of  tlie 
remote  cause;  to  the  action  of  which,  however,  those  who  suffered  the  year 
before,  are,  very  eummonly,  as  liable,  as  those  who  might  not  have  resldcil 
in  the  locality  at  that  time,  and,  in  many  instances,  more  ^o. 

The  exciting  (pauses  of  M'inter  rel.ipses,  are  c(pially  [M'oihictive  of  the  vernal: 
and  one  <<(  them  —  undue  and  ehilling  exposiu'e  of  the  surface  of  the  body  — 
ia  far  more  general;  from  the  imprudent  and  premature  disuse  of  flannel, 
and  of  M-inter  clothing,  upon  the  access  of  warm  weather.  Those  who  are 
obnoxious  to  the  Fever,  shoidd  therefore  wear  their  flannel,  till  the  hot 
■wer.ther  is  established,  or  even  throughout  the  summer;  and  should  careful- 
ly avoid  exposure  to  the  stormy  weather  of  the  equinox,  or  the  sudden  show- 
ers of  April,  both  of  which  are  more  injurious  than  the  snows  and  north- 
west Vr'iiids  of  winter. 

It  is  a  popular  opinion,  that  standing  or  sitting  in  the  sun,  in  .spring,  will 
bring  on  a  relapse ;  but  this,  I  apprehend,  is  an  example  of  false  observation — 
the  transposition  of  cause  and  effect.  Those  who  arc  relajising,  find  such 
exposure  pleasant;  a  full  development  of  the  disease  follows,  and  is  falla- 
cioii.sly  ascribed  to  the  influence  of  the  .sun's  rays. 

The  relapses  which  occur  late  in  spring,  are  a[it  to  jircsent  more  of  gnstiii' 
and  biliary  derangement,  than  those  which  happen  early.  This  results  from 
the  impress  of  heat,  and  the  same  cause,  gives  to  the  hot  stage  of  the  par- 
oxysm, more  intensity  than  it  displays  at  any  earlier  period.  These  fact; 
have  led  to  the  opinion,  that  the  special,  remote  cause  is  generated  de  novo. 
at  that  time;  but  I  see  no  reason  for  the  supposition. 

As  a  general  fact,  vernal  intermittents  are  not  violent  nor  dangerous,  but 
tlicre  are  exceptions;  and  the  following  observation,  communicated  to  me  by 
Doctor  France,  is  one  of  the  evidences.  Tn  rowell's  Valley  Virginia, 
intermittent  fever  was  epidemic  in  the  autumn  of  ISdO.  January  wa.n  coW, 
])ut  early  in  February,  the  weather  became  so  warm  as  to  give  an  impulse  to 
vegetation;  during  which  the  Fever  rea])peared  in  a  great  number  of  jior- 
sons,  and,  in  many,  assumed  a  malignant  character. 

II.  Dki'khukd  Attacks.  — The  intermittents  of  winter  and  spring,  as  vm 
have  seen,  are  chiefly  relapses,  but  there  are,  also,  new  cases.  These  are  not 
to  bo  ascribed  to  a  reproductiou  of  the  special,  remote  cause,  in  those  sea- 


'h 


[]  [iJOOK  II. 

,'  nrc  the  nflViiriup  <1" 
80  of  winter.     'Jliiy 
;  (,f  tlic  Ft'V*r  ill  tlif 
liatl  sutVortnl  at  tbut 
out,    iiiailc    tlu'iii  iis 
he  vcmntc  cause.     It 
89  injurious,  thou  the 
,v(;h,  ill  tho  South  — 
April  and  May  in  tlu' 
(jiily  ccasL';  ami  this  is 
;  which,  hogiiinii'l^  in 
spring.     Tlie  Tcver  of 
lul  ajiiiVu^ation  of  the 
Avlii,  siiflevc'l  the  joar 
light  not  have  resided 

uro  so. 

odiictiveof  thcYOvnal: 

surface  of  the  body  — 

it\iro   dii-ui-c  of  flannel. 

athcr.     Those  vvlio  aro 

ir  flannel,  till  the  hi 

ur ;  and  should  careful- 

,x.  or  the  sudden  ^how- 

,,  the  snows  and  novth- 

the  sun,  in  spring,  will 
)c  of  false  oLservation— 
I  re  relapsing,  And  such 
se  follows,  and  is  falla- 

present  more  of  gastric 
lavlv.     This  results  from 
lie  hot  stage  of  the  pur- 
er period.     These  facts 
1^0  is  generated  de  novo. 

1. 

olcnt  nov  dangerous,  hut 
j  conununicated  to  we  by 
Lvcirs  Valley  Virginia. 
P40.  January  wan  coW, 
las  to  give  an  impulse  ti' 
I  a  great  number  of  por- 

wintcr  and  s])ring.  as  w 

.w  cases.     These  are  not 

tiote  cause,  iu  those  soa- 


r.\iiT  I.J 


INTF.RIDU  V.\I,M;Y  of  XoUTII  AMKf!lC.\. 


S13 


sons,  but  to  its  Iin|ire.>^s  in  autuinii;  which  iiiipro.s,s  wa.-'  n.it  fMlliwd  1  y  tho 
Fever,  ac  that  tiiiic.  <>ii  /^/.^'C  oTO,  a  Case  ii  related,  in  which  the  Fever 
appeared  within  tliree  iliiys  after  an  exposure  to  iLs  leiiiute  eau.- ■ :  The 
case  now  under  eoii,>idcratiou  prove.s  that  man}  nioiitLs  may  elap-i.,  In  lure 
its  developiaeiit.  For  liie  existciiee  iif  .sucli  ease,-,  I  may  refer  tn  th<'  i  xpe- 
rieiiee  ol'  every  oh,  cr\iiig  phy.>iciaii,  whu  resides  in  regions  inl'e.>ted  with  au- 
tumnal fever.  Indeed,  the  jii'ul'essioii  are  I'amiliar  with  viriial  inteimilteiits, 
ill  tho.se  who  had  not  hull'ered  iu  aiituuiii;  all  of  whuiii,  in.wever,  liadbieii 
exposed  to  the  remote  cause.  Many  years  .-iiiee,  the  following  fact  tell  under 
my  own  observation.  A  Ciiieinnati  family  made  an  overland  journey,  iu 
autiunn,  to  tho  State  of  New  York,  traveling  .slowly  on  the  terraces  ot'  Fako 
Frio  and  Luke  Ontario,  which  ut  that  time  were  aiuutally  scourged  with  lii- 
termittent  fever.  Some  of  them  Were  .seized  with  the  disease  on  the  way, 
and  others  escaped.  I)uring  the  next  spring,  when  tho  Fever  was  nut  pre- 
vailing in  t!ie  part  of  the  city  where  they  resided,  soiiiu  members  of  the 
family,  who  had  .sullered  in  aulinnn.  were  seized  with  it;  and  at  the  .>aiiie 
time,  one  uf  the  party,  who  had  e,-ica[ied,  was  attacked  with  the  .same  disease. 
Another,  and,  more  conclusive  ubservatidii,  was  commuiiicateil  to  me  by 
Doctor  Siiiilh,  of  llaciiie,  ^Viseoii>in.  \Vlien  ho  resided  in  ^'erm^nt,  two 
men  made  an  aulimuuil  vi.-lt  to  western  New  York,  where  tho  Fever  was 
prevailing;  and  returned  without  experiencing  attacks.  In  tho  iullowing 
winter,  however,  one  of  them  was  seized,  and,  in  the  spring,  the  other,  with 
the  sanie  disea.-e.  No  other  pei:M)US  were  attacked;  and,  indeed,  no  case  of 
the  kind  had  before  occurred,  in  the  part  of  tho  state  in  which  they  resided. 
At  Quebec,  where  the  Fever  does  not  (jriginate,  Dcjctor  J.  Douglas  informed 
me,  that  he  had  repeatedly  known  persons  attacked  with  it,  several  months 
after  their  return  from  more  southern  regions,  where  it  was  ^  v'ailing ;  al- 
though they  coiiunned  in  health  while  there.  These  cases  arj  analogous  to 
those  of  Irish  immigrants,  who  are,  sometimes,  taken  with  ty[»huus  lever, 
several  months  after  t!ielr  arrival  in  the  ^Vest. 

It  is,  perhaps,  not  correct  to  apply  tho  term  incubation,  to  the  jicriod 
wliich  elapses  in  such  cases,  between  the  application  of  the  poison,  and  the 
outbreak  of  the  Fever.  In  the  ease  of  small  [lox  and  of  hydro[iholila,  there 
is  a  progressive,  or  Ingraveseent  change,  perha^is  iu  tho  iniiervati'.ii,  which 
ends  ill  the  [U'oduction  of  specific,  morbid  j)lienomena,  that  do  ui.t  re([iiire 
au  exciting  cause  to  bring  them  out.  Iiufc  in  deferred  intermit tent.s,  the 
morbid  iiii[ires.-ion  constitutes  a  mere  preJis[tositioii,  which  slowly  wears 
•uv 


^)' 


d 


ami  canno 
ence 


Ou   the  evid 

cause,  I  have  already  spoken. 


t,  without  the  aid  of  e.<eiting  ca 
which  these  cases  afford,   of  a 


Uses,  originate   tho  Fever. 
<pecifie.   efhcient,   remote 


■'f^ 


I 


■  -1'  '       ■!* 


.u 


IK 


BU 


Tirn  riMvciPAL  diskaf^i;.^  of  tiii; 


[book  II. 


W- 


Mf^' .';.*■ ., 


■.•"^  .    . 


I'll/i,  '' 


■>h. 


STX'TION  III. 

TRRATMRN'T  — IIYCIKMC  A\D  MF-DirAT,. 

r.  Tiii;ATMi;Nr  or  Wisriit  Ca.-'!:-. — 1.  I  liavi'introilnci'dtli'fword  liygi(.Miir'. 
into  tliu  titlo  ut'  this  st'cliuii,  lur  tlic  jmrpi'so  of  ,«tri)iiL'ly  dirc'ctiii;,'  tliu  attcntii  u 
of  thn  reader,  to  tlio  more  iinitorhitit  jiait  of  the  troatinunt.  Tt  may  bo  truth- 
fully nfl'irnu'd,  that  after  iiitennitti'iit  fever  has  lieeii  arrested,  it  wrndd  not  often 
— iierhapH  never — recur,  if  all  exeititi;.'  eaii:Jes  euuld  lie  avoided.  Of  eoiir.-i' 
that  is  not  praetiealile;  lint  every  |)redi.'J|ioscd  [lerson  shoidd  withdraw  lioiii 
thent.  as  perfectly  a'-«  poffnihle.  Thus,  the  liygieiiie  rei^ulatioiis  deserve  gre;it 
attention.  AVmni  elothiii,-;;.  uilli  llainicl  next  the  skin,  and  shoes  that  will 
keep  the  feet  dry,  are  nec-essary ;  l)Ut  the  patient  .should  not  house  himself: 
for  that  wi>uld  proluio,'  his  liaMlity.  On  tlu;  contrary,  with  the  surface  >)i 
his  body  adoipiatidy  protei'tiMJ,  ho  .should  boldly  encounter  tlu-  cold  of  win- 
ter,  and  take  a  great  deal  of  active  exercise.  The  nniscnlar  efVnrt  will  in- 
ercaso  the  doj»nration  of  his  blood,  by  prriuioting  pulinonnry  and  cntimccpu.^ 
trans]iir;ition.  while  it  invigorates  all  bis  solids.  It  will,  nioreiiver.  give  im- 
pulse to  the  portal  circulation,  and  assist  in  rousing  the  sluggish  abdomiiKil 
organs  into  healthier  action.  The  b'ss  of  slee[>  .should  be  guarded  against. 
To  lodge  warm  i.s  essential;  but  nn  rising  in  the  morning,  the  surface  of  lii.s 
body  should  be  dashed  with  cold  water;  and  then  wiped  dry,  the  friction 
boiuir  continued  until  it  rcdd'Mis  the  skin.  Finallv,  his  diet  should  be  .sa- 
vory,  nutritious,  and  digestible. 

-.  The  medical  treatment  of  tbcso  eases,  lias  been  in  jiart  anticipatoil 
when  .speaking  of  the  cure  of  siinplo  iiitermittents.  It  resolves  itself  into 
tliat  which  is  jiroper  to  prevent  the  return  of  the  disease,  and  that  reijuiieil 
•when  it  lias  recurred;  and.  A'r.^.  of  the  former. 

Some  ]iersons.  are  in  the  liabit  of  taking  small  dnses  of  quinino  for  this 
purpose;  but  they  often  fail.  They  do  not  establish  a  quinic  diathesis. 
which,  for  the  time  being,  would  always  arrest  the  paroxy.sms;  nor  do  tlioy 
give  tone  to  the  system.  x\s  a  prophylactic,  in  these  cases,  the  l)ark  is 
niuch  to  bo  jireferred,  on  account  of  its  tonic,  not  less  than  its  antiperiodio 
properties.  A  tea.spoonful  before  eai  h  meal,  will,  in  general,  answer  the 
purpose.  The  impoveri,s1icd  state  of  the  blood,  moreover,  suggests  the  use 
of  chalybeates;  (jf  which,  perhaps,  no  preparation  is  better,  than  the  proto- 
carlionate  of  iron.  It  may  be  given  in  an  electuary  with  the  bark;  for  I  am 
not  aware,  tliat  the  latter  will  lose  any  of  its  efficacy  by  yielding  up  a  part 
of  its  tanno-gallic  acid  to  the  iron  ;  or  that  the  salt  thus  formed,  will  not  pro- 
duce all  tlio  effects  of  any  other  chalybeate  preparation.  Recently,  a  new  jiro- 
paratiim,  the  ferro-cyanato  of  quinine,  has  been  introduced  in  practice, 
and,  prima  facie,  seems  likely  to  be  usefid;  but  I  have  not  tried  it.  nor 
informed  myself  of  the  experience  of  others.  Arscnions  acid  and  opium, 
sometimes  root  out  the  predisposition  to  recurrences;  but  to  do  so,  their 
administration  should  be  continued,  until  the  arsenical  oedema  is  producinl. 
The  preservation  of  a  regular  habit  of  body  is  inqiortant;  but  in  ol)viating 
costiveisess,  the  cold  and  debilitating  laxatives  .'should  be  avoided.     "When 


tice 


ri!K 


[DDOK  II. 


(V(Uli<'Wonl1iy,!:iLMiii'. 
lircctiii^'  the  iilti'iifnn 
out.  Tt  iniiy  1)0  tnilli- 
sti'tl,  it  W'liiM  not  often 
3  tivuulcil.     Of  cimiv  • 
sliniild  witlnlriiw  tVoiii 
;ulutiniis  (leservu  gvt'ut 
in,  anil  sliucs  tliiit  will 
iU\  not  liduso  liiuisclf: 
ry,  with  till-  siirt'iu'o  "i 
uiitcr  till!  Cdlil  (if  wiii- 
iiusnilar  olVort  will  in- 
inionary  :uul  cutnnomis 
viU,  ninroiivi.'r.  give  im- 
i]\i'  sliigLHsli  jiliiloniinal 
il,l  l)c  giiaviL'tl  against, 
niiiir,  tlic  surface  of  liis 
wiikmI  ilry,  the  friction 
•,  his  ilict  f'h'Uihl  bo  sa- 

■cMi   in  part  antieipatcil 
It  rcsnlvcs  itself  into 
icase,  and  that  reipurcil 

npos  (if  ([iiiiiiiit^  fin-  tills 
dish  !i  quinic  di:ith(\*is. 
iroxysnis;  nor  do  tiny 
eso  cases,  the  hark  b 
pss  than  its  antipeviodic 
foneral,  answer  the 
roovor,  su.agosts  tlic  use 
1  better,  than  the  prnto- 
with  the  bark;  f(n- 1  am 
•^y  by  yielding  up  a  part 
us  l^)rincd,  will  not  pro- 
n.     Recently,  a  new  pre- 
ntvodnced    in  praeticP, 
T   have  not  tried  it.  nor 
^onidus   acid  and  epinm, 
,>s ;  but   to   do  so,  tlicir 
i,  mI  .edema  is  produced, 
rtant;  but  in  obviating 
uld  be  avoided.     >Vlicn 


yh 


rART  I.] 


I.NTKIUOR  \ALl.t:V  Ol    NuUTll  A.MKIUCA. 


Mj 


retniin.Ml,  powdered  rhubarb  may  be  added  to  the  Lurk;  or  the  tincture  of 
rlii"l)arb  and  gentian  may  be  chosen;  or  pill.s  ciini|i(i.-<ed  of  bine  ma.s.H,  rhu- 
barb, >:all)aiinm,  and  aloet^,  made  int')  a  nia.'^.'-  \silh  extract  of  ^icnliaii,  may  bo 
given.  Whatever  mediciuo  id  jhosen,  it  shuuid  not  bo  allow cil  in  uptrate 
more  than  once  itr  twice. 

]{nt  all  these  things  fail  in  SoJlu;  Iiistam-ei*,  and  a  treutnn'iit  of  the  oppo- 
.'itu  kind  hueeeed-S.  In  such  cases  there  i.i,  probaldy,  a  subacute  iidlanuiia- 
tion  ol' some  organ,  a.s  the  Hpleen  or  ulimeiitary  inendjrane.  I'riiiii  l>oetor 
i'"rye,  of  Illinois,  I  have  learned,  that  he  has  i'renuently  bUcceeded  in  thcso 
refractoi'y  cases,  by  laying  aside  tonics  and  stimulant.'^,  and  adlnilii^tl•ring  an 
eighth  of  a  grain  of  tartari/.ed  antimony,  with  ten  grains  of  hydruM  hh.rate 
of  aiuiiioiiia  (sal  ammoniac),  given  e\cry  two  (..r  four  liours. 

\\'e  collie,  in  the  second  place,  to  the  treatment  reipdred  in  the  paroxv-m. 
If  tile  existing  sympt(Mns  should  indicate  i'nuctioiial,  biliary  deraiigciin  iit,  a 
niereinial  cathartic  will  be  proper;  and  if  the  btounudi  should  be  dv-pcjitie, 
an  active  emetic  will  do  mueh  good  ;  but,  in  many  cases,  all  e\acuatii.-n  may 
be  dispensed  with,  and  immediate  recourse  had  to  ([uiiiiiie  and  opium ; 
which  will,  almost  infallibly,  arre.>t  the  disease  so  promptly,  that  iii,t  even 
another  paroxysuMvill  occur.  The  prop'ation  of  opium  sin. uld  be  large; 
for,  ill  the  cnnditioii  of  the  system  we  are  now  cuusidering,  there  is  great 
toleration  of  that  medicine. 

We  must  n(;t  forget,  that  along  with  these  relajiscs,  may  come  an  inflamma- 
tion (d"  some  organ,  that  will  render  these  mca.-urcs  abortive  m-  even  inju- 
rious. Thus,  the  very  cause  which  r(-'produeed  the  paroxysm,  may  revive  ov 
generate  a  hepatitis,  a  splenitis,  or  a  pneumonitis,  in  which  (^aso  a  certain 
amount  of  the  treatment,  reipiired  for  the  inflammation,  will  be  nece.-.^ar}'. 
In  proportion  as  the  iiillammation  is  severe,  the  signs  of  its  exi.-teiice  will  bo 
nun-e  or  less  present  during  the  intermission.  1  have  had  numy  patients  of 
this  class,  wdiom  it  was  necessary  to  bleed  eopiuusly;  but,  further  south,  or 
in  places  wdiere  intermittents  greatly  prevail,  co[iious  bluodletting  is  iuadmis- 
sible,  and  calomel,  tartar  emetic,  cupping  and  blistering,  must  be  omployed. 
Everywhere,  however,  it  is  necessary  to  comicet  the  ojiium  and  ijuinine  prac- 
tice with  the  de[det(n'3'. 

IT.  TuE.VTMKNT  OF  Vekxal  Intehmixxkxts.  —  The  hviiieiiic  means  of 
preventing  vernal  intermittents,  are  the  same  as  for  those  of  winter.  In 
.spring,  as  we  have  already  seen,  one  exciting  cause  is  the  great  diurnal  change 
of  temperature.  The  elevated  heat,  after  the  system  has  had  its  suscepti- 
bility to  caloric  increased  by  the  cold  of  winter,  renders  many  pcr,<ons  im- 
patient of  warm  cluthing,  and  prompts  the  imprudint,  to  throw  it  ojf  too 
soon.  In  doing  this,  Innvever,  they  begin  wrong.  Instead  of  laying  aside 
their  winter  coats,  they  take  off  their  flaiiind;  thus  depriving  the  skin  of  a 
stimulus  to  which  it  had  become  habituated  :  whereupon  it  readily  falls  into 
torpor.  Those  who  are  strongly  predisposed  to  attacks,  generate  but  little 
animal  heat;  and,  as  we  have  already  seen,  instinctively  expose  themselves 
to  the  hot  sun ;  which  greatly  increases  the  influence  of  low  tcmjicrature,  in 
the  following  night  and  morning.     In  addition  to  all  this,  damp  south-west 


I'  \ 


T'l  ■■ 


[<* 


81 G 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DL'^EASES  OF  THE 


[book  II. 


^Bf^-ifcW  V 

\l- 

t 

) 

if'-' 

*   **     ^    i 

It 
* 

t 

* 

4     '  ! 

El'MIk^  > 

*          f 

If 

\ 

' 

ami  noiHi-oast  winds,  about  tlio  time  of  tlic  vernal  ef|uinos,  act  with  sinister 
oifcft  on  the  inatlofpately  protected  surface. 

The  required  treatment  of  vernal  iiitermittents,  is  somewliat  intermediate, 
between  tliat  of  autumnal  and  that  of  winter  cases.  In  spring,  the  returning 
.solar  hcnt  ([iiickens  tlie  liver  into  action,  and  bilious  appearances  are  then 
more  '■jommon  than  in  cold  weather:  the  appetite  oftener  fails,  and  nausea, 
with  other  signs  of  gastric  derangement,  occurs  in  a  greater  number  of  cases. 
Hence,  active  evacuation  of  the  stomach  and  bowels,  is  useful  in  many  cases, 
and  in  some,  almost  indispensable.  Witli  tliis  preparation  of  th(>  system,  or 
without  any,  in  cases  of  a  simpler  kind,  the  antiperiodies  may  l)e  adminis- 
tered, as  in  winter  intermittents:  and  generally  with  the  same  inmiediatc 
advantage.  Now  and  then,  however,  a  case  will  prove  refractory,  and  con- 
tinue until  arrested  by  the  heat  of  the  summer  solstice. 

TIT.  CuANdE  OF  LocATJTY.  —  Some  persons  arc  so  susceptible  to  the 
impress  of  the  remote  cause  of  intermittent  fever,  or  the  habit  of  recurrence 
is  so  readily  ai\d  firmly  established  in  their  systems:  that  as  long  as  they 
contirj'.io  in  an  infested  locality,  the  disease  will  set  all  the  cfTorts  of  art  at 
defiance.  Change  of  place  must,  then,  l)e  submitted  to,  or  the  constitution 
will  be  ruined.  In  this,  two  objcets  should  always  be  had  in  view :  First. 
To  seek  a  locality  where  the  Fever  is  not  endemic.  Second.  To  reach  a 
cooler  climate,  by  change  of  latitude,  or  change  of  elevation.  The  former 
end  maybe  accomplished  by  entering  tlie  depths  of  a  city;  by  s.ijourning 
on  the  sands  of  the  Pine  woods ;  by  wandering  in  the  desert  M'ost  of  the 
Mississip]ii,  or,  emigrating  to  Santa  Fe ;  all,  without  reference  to  a  cooler 
climate.  The  latter  end,  is  attained  by  ascending  the  Appalachian  Moun- 
tains, where  the  Fever  is  nearly  unknown,  and  the  air  invigorating.  Of  the 
regions  fitted  for  this  purpose,  one  of  tlic  most  eligible,  is  that  around 
Chautauque  Lake,  described  at  pas-e  397.  I>ut  all  the  benefits  of  mountain 
air  may  bo  enjoyed,  without  ascending  above  the  mean  level  of  the  Valley, 
— six  hundred  feet — ly  going  northerly.  To  this  end,  a  voyage  up  the  Mis- 
sissijipi.  and  a  summer  residence  in  the  neighborl  ood  of  the  Falls  of  St. 
Anthony:  or  a  voyage  to  IMackinac  and  Lake  Superior;  or  down  the  St. 
Lawrence  to  ()ueboc,  and  the  deep  chasms  of  the  Sagucnay,  in  the  latitude 
of  forty-eight  degrees,  may  bo  performed  M'ith  great  facility.  As  soon  as  tlio 
patient  reaches  a  region  in  which  the  Fever  is  not  endemic,  he  feels  that  ".is 
reilemption  has  begun;  and,  in  a  few  weeks,  finds  himself  quite  restored. 
In  the  autumn  of  tlie  next  year,  however,  lie  may  experience  a  new  attack, 
when  ho  should,  if  practicable,  change  his  residence  for  a  city  or  a  colder 
climate. 

When  the  constitution  of  a  citizen  of  the  south,  has,  by  fever,  or  climatic 
influences,  become  seriously  enervated,  it  is  sometimes  necessary  to  seek  a 
colder  climate,  in  winter,  for  the  purpose  of  invigorating  his  constitution; 
that  of  the  south  being  too  mild  for  that  purpose.  By  going  north,  in  sum- 
mer, he  may,  it  is  true,  escape  the  Fever;  but  the  beat  of  that  sea.son  is  there,  for 
a  while,  high,  and  ho  may  return  without  all  the  reinvigoration  that  h 
desired.     Under  such  circnmstances  tlieinfaeuL^  of  cold  is  ncccssary.     ^A  ith 


p  [nooK  n. 

nox,  act  ^vitll  sinister 

niewliat  iiitevmecliate, 
spring,  tlio  rotiiviiing 
ippcnnincos  are  tlion 
,\cr  fails,  and  nausea, 
jatcr  number  of  cases. 

useful  in  ninny  cases, 
tion  of  tiie  >_vsteni.  or 
dies  may  l.'C  adminis- 

tlio   same  innuediato 

0  refractory,  and  con- 
so  pusceptililo  to  the 
lie  liabit  of  recurrence 

that  as  long  as  they 

1  the  efforts  of  art  at 
to,  or  the  constitution 
>  had  in  view  :     t\)'^t. 

Second.  T.>  rcacli  a 
devation.     Tl-.o  former 
a  city;  l>y  s.'journing 
he  desert  west   of  the 
■j  reference  to  a  cooler 
he  Appalachian  Moun- 
invi,^orating.     Of  the 
if^ible,   is  that  around 
10  benefits  of  mountain 
an  level  of  the  Valley, 
1.  a  voyage  up  the  Mis- 
d  of  the  Falls  of  St. 
rior;  or  down  the  i^t. 
ziienay,  in  the  latitude 
leility.     As  soon  as  the 
lomie,  he  feels   that  Ms 
himself  quite  restored, 
lericnce  a  new  attack, 
lor  a  city  or  a  colder 


lis,  by  fever,  or  climatic 
■s  necessary  to  seek  a 
xtinir  his  constitution; 
}v  frying  nortli,  i  i  sum- 
that  sea.son  is  there,  for 
reinvigoration  that  is 
old  is  necessary.    'N\  itli 


PART  !.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  A:.IERICA. 


817 


this  conviction.  Doctor  Cartwright,  of  Xatiliez,  not  long  since,  spent  the 
greater  part  i)f  a  winter,  in  tlie  latitude  of  St.  Louis,  Louisville,  and  Cin- 
cinnati ;  fearles.sly  exposing  himself,  as  ho  infurined  mo,  to  the  niost  rigorous 
winds;  ami  returned  home  with  a  renovated  constitution. 

IV.  PortJL.VR  Emi'UUCISm,  —  AVIiere  agues  ]irevail,  many  eases,  not  sub- 
jected to  enlightened  medical  treatment,  become  chruiiic,  and  are  at  last 
broken  nji  by  some  sudden  impression  on  the  nervous  system.  I  refer  to 
these  ex|-.eriments,  not  to  legitimate  them  in  our  catalogue  of  remedies,  but 
as  throwiii!]:  li^xht  on  the  natlioloLMcal  condition  of  tlio  system;  —  as  evlneiuir 
that  the  disease,  when  thus  prolonged,  becomes  a  neurosis. 

A  case  of  the  kind  wo  are  eoiisidering,  is  sometimes,  permanently  ar- 
rested, by  a  violent  emetic,  taken  just  before  the  chill.  It  imparts  a  stioek 
to  the  nervous  system,  wliiidi  destroys  the  disposition  to  recurrence.  A 
countryman  informed  ine,  that,  he  stojiped  a  tertian  ague  of  eleven  months 
duration,  by  taking,  just  before  the  fit,  a  quantity  of  guii|iowdcr,  mixed 
with  rum.  It  produced  on  his  .system  a  ]iowerful  impression;  ai.d  excited  a 
profuse  sweat,  which  continued  for  twenty-four  hours,  after  whii/h,  tlie  dis- 
ease did  not  return.  A  very  copious  perspii'ation,  produced  by  otlier  moans, 
has  sometimes  succeeded.  The  same  beiiefii-ial  result  has,  iu  other  eases, 
been  attained,  by  rapid  riding  on  a  liard-trotting  horse,  just  before  the  par- 
oxysm. The  sudden  afl'usion  of  very  cold  water  has  produced  the  same 
result.  Doctor  Josliua  ^lartin,  of  Xenia,  (.)]ii(),  knew  the  disease  perma- 
nently cured,  in  a  small  boy,  by  'standing'  liim  on  ]u^  head,  at  the  access  of 
tlio  fit.  Here  was  both  a  cor[ioreal  aiid  mental  efTcct.  In  many  instances 
the  recurrence  has  been  arrested,  liy  means  wliich  acted  entirely  in  tlie  ima- 
f'  intion  and  feelings.  Of  this  kind  arc  various  loathsome  notions,  which 
the  patients  have  swallowed  with  disgust;  and  difler'^pt  charms  or  incanta- 
tions, wlii(di  raise  powerful  emotions,  that  change  the  innervation,  and  de- 
stroy tlie  habit  of  recurrence. 

y.  Salutauy  Eitects  ok  Cinioxic  Inteiimittexts.  —  It  has  often 
been  said,  that  protracted  agues  sometimes  cure  chronic  diseases,  and  im- 
prove tlie  lioaltli.  That  one  disease  may  supersede  another,  from  iiicora- 
patiljility  of  action,  is  certain;  but  I  have  not  met  with  facts,  which  establish 
the  remedial  influence  of  intermittent  fover.  On  the  contrary,  impairment 
of  the  constitution,  has  been  the  general  result  of  protracted  cases. 

The  alleged  benefit  to  the  consumptive,  of  a  sojourn  in  localities  produc- 
tive of  ague  and  fever,  will  be  discussed  hereafter;  and  I  will  only  remark, 
in  this  place,  that  I  once  saw  a  palludal  intermittent,  unite  itself  with  hectic 
fever;  but  not  to  the  cud  of  effecting  a  euro, 


:if^ 


'I 


■> 


818 


THE  PRINCirAL  DISEASE.-:  OF  TliE 


[dOOK    II. 


CHAPTER    X. 

PATHOLOGICAL   ANATOMY',   AM)    CONSEQUENCE.S   OF   AU- 

TU3INAL  FEVEll. 


\    '  •» 


SECTION  I. 

."MORTALITY  OF  AUTUMNAL  FEVER. 

A  simple  iiiteniuttcnt  fever,  even  Avlien  left  to  tako  its  course,  rarely,  pcr- 
liap.s  never,  proves  directly  fatal ;  but  it  may  derange  the  structure  of  some 
organ,  or  generate  a  kind  of  cachexia  or  spauitinia,*  from  which,  as  patholo- 
gical causes,  other,  and  at  last  fatal  consequences  may  follow. 

Many  simple  remittents,  in  the  new  settlements,  are  allowed  to  run  their 
course  witlmut  the  superintendence  of  a  physician;  thougli  seldom  without 
some  kind  of  medical  treatment.  In  the  early  settlement  of  Kentucky,  and 
Ohio,  tliis  was  oftener  the  case,  than  in  any  of  the  new  settlements  of  the 
present  day;  for  cunsideraLle  distrirts  of  country  were,  then,  without  phy- 
sicians. In  the  former  state,  more  than  fifty  years  ago,  I  saw  numerous 
ca:::os,  for  which  hut  little  was  done.  In  refeience  to  these,  as  they  occur 
in  the  mlildlo  latitudes,  it  may,  1  think  be  said,  that  they  are  not  often  mor- 
tal; l)ut  sdmetimes  run  a  course  of  ten  or  fifteen  days,  and  gradually  cease, 
or  de^iMjcrate  into  au'ues. 

Inihunniatiiry  intermittents,  demand  tlie  interposition  of  art,  to  bring 
them  to  a  favorable  termination.  Left  to  themselves,  it  is  true,  they  will 
not  in  general  destroy  life,  immediately;  but  the  persisting  inilannnation  of 
some  vital  organ,  may  at  last  give  a  fatal  termination.  Under  a  well  known 
treatment,  however,  such  cases  may  generally,  be  cured. 

It  is  otherwise,  with  inflammatory  remittents,  whicli,  in  their  advanced 
stages,  often  take  on  a  typhous  character,  and  prove  fatal.  Of  tlie  propor- 
tion wlio  die,  it  is  impossible  to  speak.  I  have  proposed  to  our  brethren,  in 
various  places,  to  send  me  returns  of  the  annual,  relative  mortality  from  tlie 
different  diseases,  occurring  in  their  practice;  but  the  amount  of  material 
thus  obtained,  is,  as  yet,  t<io  small  to  justify  its  presentation.  I  do  not 
believe,  that  simple  and  inflammatory  remittents,  arc  more  fatal  in  the 
south,  tliau  in  the  higher  latitudes  ;  but  the  mortality  from  them  is  greater, 
because  they  occur  more  frei{uently. 

Malignant  intermittent  fever,  is  always  mortal  when  not  arrested  by  art : 
and  many  die  from  ifc  every  autumn,  its  true  character  not  being  perceived 
in  time,  or  tlie  patient  residing  beyond  the  range  of  enlightened  medical 
practice,     ^\'llere  this  variety  prevails,  therefore,  it  constitutes,  in  autumn, 


*  From  ^l///ia,  blood,  and  spanos,  poor  —  poverty  of  the  blood:     Simon's  Animal 

Clu'iuibirw 


i '  k 


[IF, 


[book    II. 


UEXCES   OF   AU 


/■ER. 

its  course,  rarely,  per- 
I  the  [Structure  of  soiiio 
roin  wliicb,  as  patbulo- 
r  follow. 

e  allowed  to  run  tlicir 
though  seUloin  without 
iient  of  Kentucky,  and 
icw  scttlenicuts  of  the 
;ro,  then,  without  phy- 
;  ago,  I  saw  numerous 
0  tiiese,  as  they  occur 
:hey  are  not  often  nior- 
,B,  and  gradually  cease, 

dtion  of  art,  to  bring 
es,  it  is  true,  they  will 
sistius  iullannnation  of 
Under  a  well  known 
cd. 
lieh,  in  their  advanced 

fatal.  Of  the  proper- 
oscd  to  our  brethren,  in 
tivc  mortality  from  tlie 
the  amount  of  material 
rescntation.     I   do  nut 

arc  more  fatal  in  the 
y  from  them  is  greater, 

en  not  arrested  by  art : 
ter  not  Ijeiug  perceivcil 
of  enlightened  medical 
constitutes,  in  autumn, 


:  blood  :     Siinou's  Animal 


TART  1. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


S19 


the  chief  outlet  of  liuman  life  ;  notwithstanding  a  successful  mode  of  treat- 
ment has  been  discovered. 

3Ialignant  remittents  are  not  so  common  as  inteniiitteiits,  but  more  diffi- 
cult of  euro,  and,  tliereforo,  much  oftener  fatal. 

In  traversing  the  Interior  A'allcy,  from  north  to  south,  we  find,  that  the 
number  of  deaths  from  autumnal  fever,  as  compared  with  the  number  from 
all  other  diseases,  constantly  increases.  In  the  higher  latitude.s,  the  preva- 
lence of  this  fever  is  less,  the  variety  of  diseases  greater,  and  tlio  deaths 
distributed  more  eipially  through  the  year.  In  the  south,  llie  cliief  mor- 
tality is  from  July  to  November;  though,  in  certain  \\ inters,  large  numbers 
die  of  pneumonia,  engrafted  on  constitutions,  enleebled  and  deranged,  liy  tlic 
ins;  al)rious  air  of  t^'.e  previous  autumn.  Still,  it  may  be  aflirnii  il,  that  below 
the  thirty-third  [laiallel,  tlie  inliabitants  enjoy  nmro  uninterrupted  health, 
for  ciglit  months  of  the  year,  than  in  any  otlier  ])art  of  the  A'alley  ;  and 
lienee  it  was  not  withinit  reason,  that  the  distinguished  Professor  Caldwell, 
several  years  since,  attempted  to  show,  tliat  taking  the  year  ruund,  New 
Orleans  was  tlic  healthiest  city  on  the  continent. 


SECTION  II. 

CONDITION  OF  THE  BLOOD  IN  AUTUMNAL  FEVER. 
Observation  has  established  the  fact,  that  the  blood,  in  our  autumnal  fevers, 
may,  or  may  not,  show  the  butly  coat.  In  my  own  practice,  it  has  been 
much  oftener  absent  tlian  present,  and  [  have  seldom  seen  it  cu|))ied.  In 
most  cases,  the  amount  of  fibrinous  crust  is  not  great;  and,  in  tlie  majority, 
it  shows  itself  only  in  i.slets,  or  patches,  which  are  sonietimes  iiulistinet. 
With  these  observations,  I  have  found  tliosc  of  a  great  number  of  the 
pliysieians  in  the  middle  and  higlier  latitudes  of  the  Valley  entirely  corres- 
pondent. It  is  obvious,  then,  that  a  state  of  hyperinosis,"'  is  not  essential 
to  these  fevers;  and  that  when  it  does  exist,  and,  is  made  manifest  by  sizy 
blood,  it  is  at  once  the  effect  and  siu'n  of  an  accidental  inflannnation.  In 
general,  the  clot  is  largo  and  soft,  resting  on  the  bottom  of  tlie  bowl,  and 
not  swimming  in  serum,  because  the  contraction  has  not  been  close  enough, 
to  press  out  that  fluid,  in  largo  quantities.  Ibis  may,  in  some  cases,  arise 
from  the  plethora  of  the  ])atient  before  his  attack,  in  which  condition  the  red 
corpuscles  are  increased  in  quantity;  in  others,  tliero  may  be  a  state  of  hy- 
piiiosis.t  or  deficiency  of  fibrin.]:  In  reference  to  tlie  former,  1  may  say,  that 
men  of  a  sanguineo-lymphatic  temperament,  the  usual  subjects  of  plethora, 
are  oftenest  the  sulijects  of  autumnal  fever.  1'ho  serum  in  this  disease,  is 
sometimes  yellow  from  the  coloring  matter  of  the  bile;  but  I  liave  not 
t'uuiid  it  bitter. 


*Froni  Inj/ter,  e.\cos.s,  ami  is-inns,  the  fiber  of  tlie  flesh.       fFrom  hypo,  deficiency,  and 
h-iima:   Million. 
t  Essay  on  tlio  BlooJ  in  Disease  :  ^Viulral. 


ft 


I  ■ 


IP 


'^. 


820 


THE  PRIXCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  II, 


afk 


m 


I  tlo  not  know,  tliat  any  cxperitnonts  havo  boon  made  on  tlie  relative  pvo- 
])Ovtioii  of  the  proxiiiiato  elements  of  tlio  blootl,  iu  our  autummil  lever.  Au- 
(Iral  aiul  (javanct,  in  tlio  hospitals  of  Paris,  made  such  expLrlnieiits  ou  tlie 
blood  of  seven  patients,  laboring  under  iiitermitteiits  of  long  standing;  and 
found  tlie  mean  proportion  of  fibrin  to  be  three  and  a  third  of  one  thousand 
parts,  the  normal  <|Uantity  being  three.  As  many  chronic  cases  of  the 
Fever,  arc  made  such  by  iiiflamiiuitioii  of  some  organ,  we  m;iy  presume,  that 
iu  these  cases  some  were  complicated  with  such  inflanimatioiis.  As  to  the 
other  [iroximato  elements  of  the  blood,  the  solid  residue  of  the  serum,  was 
eighty  [piivts  in  the  thousand,  the  natural  ))roportion;  but  thoblnod-corpuscles 
were,  on  an  average,  one  hundred  and  four  parts  in  a  thousand,  while  one 
hundred  and  twenty-seven,  is  the  norimd  number.  Thus,  it  appears,  that 
|.rotract(>d  intcrmittents,  produce  iin[)ovcrisliment  of  the  blood  —  SjuUia.iiiia  — 
the  Condition  [)resent  in  chlorosis ;  and  this  accounts,  in  part,  for  the  peculiar 
hue  and  ]iutl'y  visage,  of  old  ague  patients,  who  so  closely  simulate  ehlo- 
rotics,  ill  their  appearance. 


,^1 


I  I 


-  .i'^ 


P.*,"4    ...  .     ; 


lit. 


'      '      [■      1 


[■y\ 


.'t  *. 


5  is 


.*'; 


SECTION  III. 

PATnOT-OGICAL  ANATO.MY  OF  INTERMITTENT  FEVER. 

It  has  been  already  said,  that  our  simple  intcrmittents  do  not  prove  fatal ; 
liow  then  can  we  know,  by  anatomy,  whether  any  single  organ  always  suf- 
fers'.' If  any  one  bo  invariably  affected,  it  is,  undoubtedly,  the  s[ileen,  if 
we  may  depend  on  what  is  presented  by  patients  laboring  under  chronic  and 
relapsing  agues.  Our  inilammatory  intermiticnts,  moreover,  but  seldom 
prove  mortal;  but  they  often  show  signs  of  s[denitis;  and  when  tlic  subjects 
of  them  die,  subsequently,  of  other  diseases,  it  is  comuiou  to  iind  vestiges 
of  serous  S[denitis,  in  old  and  lirni  patches  and  liands,  of  coagulated  lymph; 
which  sometimes  distort  the  organ,  and  at  other  times  compress  it,  and,  by 
limiting  its  circulation,  produce  a  state  of  atrophy.  Puring  the  ten  winters 
in  which  I  delivered  clinical  instruction  in  the  Louisville  Commercial  Hos- 
pital, my  colleague,  Doctor,  now  Professor  Baylcss,  and  myself,  met  with 
many  exam[ilcs  of  what  is  here  described;  the  patients  having  died  of  other 
maladies  tliau  intermittent  fever. 

The  anatomy  of  our  malignant  intcrmittents  ought  to  be  well  known,  but 
it  is  not;  for  in  the  country,  tlie  prejudices  of  the  people  igainst  post  mor- 
tem inspections,  especially  after  death  from  common  diseases,  is  almost  un- 
con(|uerable ;  and  in  our  cities  the  disease  scarcely  ever  occurs.  It  mu.«t 
be  confessed,  moreover,  that  from  want  of  practice  in  dissections,  many  of  our 
brethren,  living  in  new  and  remote  settlement.s,  infested  Avith  this  fever,  arc 
not  as  well  prepared  to  report  on  morbid  appearances,  as  some  of  those  who 
have  greater  oi)portuiiities  of  cultivating  patliological  anatomy,  in  jilaees 
where  the  Fever  seldom  occurs.  In  traveling,  I  was  only  able  to  collect  the 
subjoined  observations. 


;  [book  II. 

rill  tlie  relative  [ivo- 
atumiuil  ruvor.     An- 
1  cxpcvimoiits  oil  the 
f  long  staiuliiig;  ami 
liiril  of  one  tlioubuud 
cliroiiic  caries  of  the 
vc  may  presume,  that 
amatious.     As  to  the 
lie  of  the  :^orunl,  was 
ittlieljl'HKl-ccrpusilo.s 
I  tlioiisaud,  ^Yllile  one 
TluiH,  it  appears,  tliat 
sIjIuoJ  — spauiemia  — 
1  pavt,f(irtlie  peculiar 
ilusfly  simulate  clilo- 


'TENT  FEVER. 

nt.s  tlo  not  prove  fatal; 

[Ugle  organ  always  suf- 

jiilitcJly,  the  spleen,  if 
•iiig  under  chronic  and 

moreover,   but    seldom 
and  when  the  subjects 

nnmou  to  find  vestiges 

of  coagulated  lymph; 

I'S  compress  it,  and,  by 

during  the  ten  winters 

iville  C'onnnercial  ILjS- 

:uid  myself,  met  with 

t shaving  died  of  other 


to  be  well  known,  but 
iple  \gainst  post  mor- 
diseases,  is  almost  un- 
cver  occurs.  It  nui?t 
issections,  many  of  our 
cd  with  this  fever,  arc 
as  some  of  those  who 
■al  anatomy,  in  places 
only  able  to  collect  the 


PART    I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


821 


1.  Assi.-lant  Hurgeon  Holmes,  gave  me  the  following  case.  A  soldier,  in 
Florida,  of  iiitempcrate  liabits,  luit  vignrous  ooiistitution,  died  in  sixteen 
hours,  tliat  is,  in  the  iirst  lit  of  a  malignant  iiiteru\itti;nt.  The  chief  signs 
of  congestion  during  life,  were  in  tlie  chest,  tlie  jjarietes  of  whicli,  displayed 
an  ecchymosed  appearance.  IHood  could  not  be  o])tained  by  venesection. 
Eight  grains  of  tartar  cnujtic  oj)erated  as  a  eatliartic ;  after  which  he  took 
largo  (loses  of  the  .sul[)hato  of  quinine.  On  examination  after  death,  the 
nuieons  membrane  of  the  stomach  was  found  healthy;  that  of  the  l)owels 
had  more  or  less  congestion;  the  liver  sliowed  signs  of  tlie  same  condition; 
and  tlie  sploen  was  double  its  natural  size;  but  healthy  in  texture  and  ap- 
pearance. The  cavities  and  substance  of  the  heart  were  engorged,  and  the 
lungs  were  loaded  Avith  blood.  The  brain  was  not  examined.  This  indi- 
vidual had  prol)al)ly  ex])erienced  a  previous  attack  of  intermittent  fever, 
which  produced  the  enlargement  of  the  spleen,  and  hence  its  r.atural  ap- 
pearance, except  in  size.  The  fatal  cor.gestions  were  in  tlie  lnng.«,  as  the 
symptoms  indicated. 

2.  Another  case  from  the  same  gentleman:  A  soldier,  who  had  labored 
under  chronic  diarrhoea,  was  taken  in  the  morning,  and  died  at  iiight.  His 
brain  seemed  to  be  deeply  implieated;  as  he  experienced  numbness,  liad  a 
vacant  gaze,  lost  the  power  of  speech,  and  became  insensible;  but  still  con- 
tinued to  sit  up,  until  ho  was  about  to  ex)>irc.  lie  was  cupped  on  tlie  neck, 
had  a  stream  of  cold  water  poured  on  his  head,  wliile  his  feet  were  innncrsed 
in  a  hot  l)atii,  and  took  large  doses  of  the  sulphate  of  quinine  and  carbonate 
of  ammonia  —  all  without  etl'ect.  Po.<t  moiiem  appearances. — The  external 
parts  of  the  head  were  in  a  state  of  congestion,  and  the  brain  was  covered 
with  engorged  vessels,  but  its  substance  sliowed  very  little  hyper.Tmia.  The 
lungs  were  moderately  engorged.  The  stomach  and  bowels  showed  traces  of 
inflanmiation.  As  this  patient  had  labored  under  chronic  diarrhoea,  it  may 
ho  presumed  that  the  latter  condition  existed  before  the  fatal  attack. 

o.  The  following  observation  was  given  me  by  Doctor  .!>olii)g  and  Doctor 
Baldwin,  of  Montgomery,  Alabama  :  A  man  had  the  characteristic  symp- 
toms, but  the  fits  were  so  mild,  that  he  rose  from  his  bed,  and  'kept  about' 
between  them,  for  five  or  six  days.  The  fatal  paroxysm  then  came  on, 
and  he  died  in  twenty-four  hours.  During  tlie  disease,  his  tongue  was  dry, 
smooth  in  the  middle,  furred  on  each  side,  and  red  at  the  edges  and  tip. 
Post  morlcm  appearances. — His  stomach  was  empty.  In  its  greater  curva- 
ture, near  the  pylorus,  patches  of  hypera}mia,  with  softening.  The  small 
intestines,  'particularly  the  lower  part  of  the  ilium,  exhibited  the  same 
appearance.     The  spleen  and  liver  were  healthy. 

4.  I  am  indebted  to  Doctor  Sims,  of  the  same  city,  for  tlie  following :  A 
man,  not  attended  by  him,  was  said  to  have  died  in  the  second  or  tliird  par- 
oxysm, with  the  usual  symptoms.  The  dissection  was  commenced  before  the 
body  had  entirely  lost  its  heat.  The  lungs,  liver,  and  spleen,  witli  all  the 
venous  trunks  connected  with  them,  were  distended  witb  uncommonly  dark 
blood.  The  stomach  contained  the  medicines,  not  spread  over  it,  but  was 
natural  in  appearance,  and  so  were  the  bowels ;   but  near  the  ilio-coccal 


1    At' 

.r" 


.J'|i; 


k 

t 

'mE  i 
i 

■i 

822 


TIIR  TRTNCirM,  ni^^EASES  OF  TIIF, 


[book  I!. 


■I.-'',,,  i  .  ■ 
hi  '''•'*'  '■ 


1 


valve,  tlicrc  was  a  quantity  of  I'laek,  tar-lilco  matter,  f^iuiilar  to  tlic  contcnt.s 
of  tlic  ;:all-l)l;i(l(lor. 

5.  Ddftur  IV'iiiiielc,  nf  "Wctninplca,  Alabama,  oljsorvccl  tlio  fdlowinp:  case: 
A  mail  was  taken  wifli  wliat  a|i])Piired  tn  lio  an  onlinavy  cliill,  Imt  iHcanic 
dizzy;  and  fallinfr,  cut  liis  ?oa1p  tliruugh  to  the  sliull.  In  the  first  fit,  lii.-i 
ljreatliii'2  was  cniljarrassed  :  in  tlic  second,  it  became  stevtoronn,  and  In' 
died.  On  examination,  liis  brain  was  fonnd  in  a  f^tate  of  eoiigestidii,  with 
sernm  in  tlie  ventriilos.  The  mncons  membrane  of  tlic  stomach,  exhibited  ;i 
spot  (if  a  dark,  mudeiia-red  culuv,  and  that  of  the  bowels,  two  others  of  the 
sanu!  kind. 

(').  Hcvcr;'.!  physioians,  of  Greensboro',  Alabama,  in  the  course  of  tlieir 
jnint  conversation  witli  me,  on  malignant  iiitcrmittents,  mentioned  two  j./ist 
inorlcm  inspections,  which  they  liad  witnessed.  In  one,  there  was  consider- 
able enniorircment  of  the  brain  :  in  the  other,  a  crreat  concrestion  and  cnhir^o- 
ment  of  the  siileen.  Tlic  splenic  region  was  tender,  before  death,  ivj 
other  morbid  appearances  wore  recullccted. 

7.  Doctor  Haywood,  of  Tnscalonsa,  in  tlie  same  State,  infdrmod  me,  that 
he  had  made  a  nmiiber  of  dissections  of  pc/sons  dying  of  tliis  fever,  in 
■which  ho  conld  detect  no  morbid  appearance,  except,  in  a  [lart  of  thoni,  a 
slight  hypcrtcmia  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  stomach,  whicli  ho  sup- 
posed to  have  been  produced  by  medicines. 

8.  Doctor  Kchols,  of  Selma,  in  the  State  just  mentioned,  informed  me,  that 
he  had  examined  several  wlin  had  died  of  the  disease,  without  finding  any 
morbid  appearances,  except  enlarged  spleens  in  a  ]iart  of  them. 

9.  Doctor  Christian,  of  IMcmpliis,  Tennessee,  had  examined  a  few  subjecfH. 
in  which  lie  found  the  stomacli  but  little  altered;  in  one  case  (which  iiiu.-t 
have  been  protracted),  tlie  liver  was  supjiurating;  in  others  tliat  organ  v.;,- 
cnlarged;  in  most  of  tliem  the  spleen  and  brain  were  engorged. 

10.  Doctor  Frye,  of  Peoria,  Illinois,  had  examined  two  subjects,  dead  from 
the  same  fever.  One  of  the  patients  had  labored  luider  incessant  ami 
uncontrollable  vomiting.  The  stomach  and  liver  were  found  in  a  state  c 
congestion.     The  spleen  was  enlarged  and  softened. 

11.  Doctor  Ridgely,  of  Cincinnati,  examined  the  abdominal  organs  of  a  bey 
five  years  old  {see  page  764),  who  died  of  the  Fever,  and  found  the  stomach 
and  bowels  free  from  lesion ;  the  liver  was  unusually  firm,  and  of  a  leaden 
luio  ;  the  spljen  enlarged,  engorged,  and  of  a  dark  color. 

12.  A  gentleman,  living  in  the  interior  of  Indiana,  had  his  constitutiiii 
impaired  by  several  attacks  of  the  Fever.  Three  years  elapsed  without  any, 
though  he  continued  in  the  same  locality;  but  he  was  none  of  the  time  in 
perfect  healtli.  lie  then  undertook  a  summer  visit  to  Cincinnati ;  and,  on 
the  way,  had  a  malignant  paroxysm.  On  reaching  the  city  it  recurred,  and 
Doctor  Ridgely  was  called  in.  He  found  the  skin  of  the  patient  cold,  and 
of  a  dark  and  dirty  coj)pcr  hue,  which  it  had  exhibited  for  sometime  before; 
his  pulse  was  feeble  and  rapid ;  his  mind  wandering,  with  short  periods  el' 
drowsiness.  In  a  few  hours  ho  expired.  A  po^it  mortem  inspection  rcveak"! 
the  following  lesions;     The  lungs  slightly  engorged;  heart   softened  and 


11 J p^  [book  i;. 

Himilav  to  tlic  contents 

v,..l  tlio  fcllnwingcnpc: 
iiKivy  chill,  l)ut  lu'cnmc 
II.  In  tlic  first  lit,  lii^ 
lino  Ftfvtorous,  and  li^-' 
iitc  of  congostiim,  with 
lie  stomacli,  oxliihittd  :i 
3wcb,  two  others  of  thu 

in  the  course  of  theiv 
iitfi,  mcntionoil  two  j^osl 
one,  there  was  connidcr- 

congostion  nnd  cnlargn- 
dcr,  "before  death.     i> - 

State,  informed  me,  thiit 

(lying   of   tliis  fever,  in 

pt,   in°a  i.art  of  thcni,  a 

stomach,  which  he  Mip- 

ntloned,  informed  mp,th;it 
ease,  without  (hiding  any 
)art  of  them, 
examined  a  few  suhject?, 
in  one  case  (which  nni.t 
in  others  that  organ  ^v;,^ 
}re  engorged, 
ed  two'^subjects,  dead  from 
,vcd  under  incessant  and 
were  found  in  a  state  ti 

abdominal  organs  of  a  boy 
er,  and  found  the  stomacli 
lally  firm,  and  of  a  leaden 
■  color. 

iana,  had  his  constitution 
years  elapsed  without  any, 
0  was  none  of  the  time  in 
sit  to  Cincinnati ;  and,  on 
ig  the  city  it  recurred,  ami 
in  of  the  patient  colJ,  and 
ibitedfor  sometime  before; 
•ing,  with  short  periods  ol' 
\mortm  inspection  revealod 
Irgcd;  heart   softened  and 


rvnr  i.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


S'23 


apparently  atrophied;  mucou.?  coat  of  the  stomach  and  bowels  .softened; 
liver  somewhat  cnlurgr'd,  tender,  and  friable  ;  spleen  enlarged,  and  alnmst 
dooompo.sfd  into  a  grum(m.«  mass*.  Finally,  a  most  uffensive  jjutrefaction  fol- 
lowed in  a  few  hours  after  death.  In  this  cas<\  no  dniibt,  many  of  the 
lesions  had  been  produced  by  pre  ious  attacks  of  the  Fever. 

Although  these  observations  offer  very  little  tliat  meets  the  demands  of  ex- 
act pathology,  seeing  that  the  brain  and  spinal  cord,  with  a  fewcxco[itii>ns  in 
favor  of  the  former,  were  not  examined,  and  that  the  lesions  of  the  other 
organs  are  given  in  a  vagnc  and  general  manner,  still  they  are  not  altogc'ther 
valueless,  and  we  may  devote  a  jiaragrajih  to  their  generalization. 

1.  In  several  cases,  very  few  traces  of  disease  wore  found.  The  patient.s 
died  from  nervous  depression;  and  whatever  congestions  may  ha\e  been 
formed,  nearly  disappeared,  while  the  patient  was  /?«  nrliciih  mnrli<i. 

?..  In  the  cases  in  which  the  brain  was  examined,  it  was  generally  foiurl 
in  a  state  of  congestion;  which  is,  perhaps,  its  invariable  condition  in 
soporose  cases. 

8.  In  the  first  ease,  characterizr'l  bv  nvdmonarv  svniiitonis.  the  lun^s  were 
found  in  a  state  of  creat  consrestioii  ;  and,  in  several  others,  thev  were  more 
or  less  in  that  condition. 

4.  The  stomach  and  bowels  in  each  patient  were  in  nearly  the  same  degree 
of  lesion  ;  but  in  none  were  the  traces  of  disease  great.  In  several  those 
organs  were  natural ;  in  about  an  equal  number  more  or  loss  congestion 
existed ;  but  in  two  or  three  only  was  it  regarded  as  inflammatory. 

5.  The  liver,  in  several  of  these  subjects,  exhibited  signs  of  congestion ; 
in  others  it  was  quite  natural ;  in  one  suppurating;  in  anotlier  dense  to  the 
touch ;  both  of  which  conditions  probably  existed  before  the  attacks,  of  which 
the  patients  died. 

G.  The  sjdecn  was,  on  the  whole,  oftcner  affected  than  any  other  organ; 
but  in  one  case  it  was  renorted  natural;  in  several,  not  mentioned;  when 
we  may  presume  it  was  in  the  same  condition;  in  a  majority  of  the  subjects, 
it  was  enaorired  and  enlarced. 

To  sum  up,  we  may  say,  that  the  signs  of  inflammation  were  few  and  uncer- 
tain ;  that  passive  congesti(ms  were  common  ;  that  they  occurred  in  the 
brain  and  luncs,  but  still  oftcner  in  the  abdominal  orcans  ;  above  all.  iu  the 
spleen ;  but  that  no  organ  was  always  affected,  and  eonsequently  that  none, 
according  to  these  observations,  is  the  invariable  and  charaeterinic  seat 
of  lesion. 


SECTION   IV. 

PATHOLOGICAL  ANATOMY  OF  REMITTENT  FEVER. 

I.  A  remark  already  made,  concerning  our  knowledge  of  tlic  lesion.s  of 
structure  in  simple  inteimittonts,  is,  to  a  certain  extent,  applicable  to  simple 
remittents.     As  they  generally  terminate  ui  health,  we  can  only  judge  from 


■  W 


» s 


J^;::#! 


Sl24 


Trie  riiiNCirAL  diseases  of  the 


[nooK  II. 


'fe  -';■'■  ■ 
'If.'-'  '■>'■ . 


f.iij.ii 


M4"  ■■■   ■  *.    '■  •■  '■:;•'•■■ 


''%'-::\ 


4,1   , 


the  .«yiii|jf  iiuv-,  what  organ  or  organs  tiro  cspccliiUy  afl'octod  In  many  cases  tliey 
ilo;^oiioraU;  or  fluuigo  into  tigncs ;  and  v.\  time  briii^  about  the  vlsi.-iral 
(leraiigcnioiits,  fjiiHcquent  on  clironic  iiiterniittoiits.  ]Jut  .sluii^lo  roniit- 
teuts  liavL'  a  niudc  oi'  tcrniiiuitiDn  which  distiuguiBlies  them  I'roni  jd] 
interniitti'iils.  It  is  the  tyiihuus  .state  or  stage.  In  this  niotauiurjdiic  fovor, 
the  brain  i.-'  always  alliuted,  either  v.ith  simple  hyperiomia,  mere  irritation, 
or  inflaniiiiaU'ii.  ^\'llen  cuiua,  RUjicrvening  at  an  early  period  of  tlie  ehaiigo. 
is  the  ]iroinhii'iit  .symptom,  the  first  of  these  pathological  eouditions,  hs  per- 
ha]is  prjdomi.iant ;  when  the  supervention  of  cereiiral  symptoms  has  been 
suddeii ;  ami  ihey  consist  of  eonia-vigil  and  doliriuiii,  with  Iteble  and  fre- 
quent [lulse,  active  subsultiis  tendinum,  and  a  loeonKtive  ))ropciif^ity,  the 
second  or  irritable  state  of  the  brain  exists;  wdicn  tlie  vigiuuice  becomes 
morbid,  with  wild,  loijuacious,  and  singing  ddlrium,  cold  feet,  hot  forehead, 
red  C3'cs,  eoniracted  pupils,  pulsating  carotids,  and  mere  or  less  subsultu.', 
with  efforts  at  loconuMion,  inflammation  maybe  assumed  to  exist;  yet  I 
have  peon  thcie  symptoms,  not  execjiting  a  closely  contracted  pujii!,  innuc- 
diately  relieved,  and  recovery  follow  a  large  dose  of  laudanum;  proving  that 
they  may  depend  on  irritation  only.  iN'evcrtijcless,  it  may,  I  think,  bu 
received  as  a  fact,  that  when  patients  die  in  what  is  called  the  typhous  stagi: 
of  simple  remittent  fever,  it  is  generally  from  cerebritis ;  and  tliat,  al'ttr 
death,  tlio  piiuei[)al  lesions  woidd  be  found  in  the  brain,  in  the  form  n! 
bypericmias,  and  serous  or  tibrinous  secretions;  to  which  softening,  jierhujij, 
may  s<>metimes  be  added.  This  cerebritis,  however,  cannot  be  adnuttcd  a- 
iui  original  ail'eetion,  characteristic  of  the  Fever. 

Hut  we  must  turn  from  the  brain  to  other  organs.  The  lungs,  it  is  well 
known,  are  liable  to  inilanimation  in  tins  fever ;  and  instead  of  occurring; 
late  in  the  di.sease,  like  cerebritis,  it  generally  arises  at  an  early  period. 
Such  inthimuuuion  may  prove  fatal;  and  then  a  post  mortem  inspection  will 
show  the  lesions  resulting  from  bronchitis  or  pleurisy  ;  but  more  fre(|uentl' 
still  those  of  pneumonia,  such  as  sanguineous  engorgement  and  hepatiza- 
tion. rHut  tlicy  cannot  be  regarded  as  constant,  essential,  or  characteristic 
of  autumnal  fever;  for,  first,  a  vast  majority  of  cases,  even  those  wliiol 
prove  fatal,  do  not  present  a  single  symptom  of  pulmonary  inflammation, 
and,  second,  this  inflammation,  in  most  instances,  is  the  undoubted  cfl'eet  cl 
the  sudden  changes  of  weather  in  the  latter  part  of  autumn  ;  and  nnist. 
therefore,  be  taken  as  the  offspring  of  an  incidental  cause,  acting  subsi- 
cjucntly  to  that  which  produced  the  Fever. 

We  are,  thu.s,  driven  to  the  abdominal  viscera,  in  our  search  after  a  Icsiou 
which  may  enter  into  the  definition  of  remittent  fever;  and,  which,  being 
shown  by  symptoms  during  life,  nuist  be  found  by  dissection  after  doatli.  Ii. 
all  times  and  places,  it  has  been  ob.servcd,  that  this  fever  is  accompaniid. 
from  the  beginning,  with  functional  derangements  of  the  abdominal  organs: 
and,  in  many  case.s,  there  are  unmistakable  symptoms  of  inflammation. 
The  functional  disturbances  are  found  chiefly  in  tlie  liver,  stomach,  and  duo- 
denum. To  speak  of  functional  disorders  of  the  s])leen,  when  we  know  net 
what  its  function  is,  would  be  au  absurdity.     Should  the  life  of  the  patient 


dilFc 


m  1 1 


B 


[nooK  II, 


1 1    In  many  cases  thoY 
r  iiljwut   tl.o    visceral 
]>ut.    hiUil)lo   reniit- 
iftlics    them    from    all 
lis  uietamuriiliic  Iovlt, 
iciuia,  mere  irritation, 
•  periud  of  tlie  eliange, 
ical  couditiuns,  is  \ier- 
1  symptoms  lias  l)ecn 
I,  witl)  ftel>lii   "<.(1  fiL- 
inotive  proia-iisity,  lliu 
tlio  vigilance  lioconics 
;ol(l  feet,  but  forolioad, 
(lore  or  less  foubsultu?, 
smued  to  exist ;   yet  I 
•ontractcd  \n\\)\\,  i"'"it- 
audaiium ;  vruving  that 
iS,  it  may,  I  ll'i"!^'.  li- 
•Mlled  the  tyi-lious  stage 
;brltis;   and  that,   aftur 
e  brain,  in  tli';  form  u! 
vbicb  softening,  jierbaps. 
,  cannot  be  admitted  a« 

Is.     The  Imigs,  it  is  well 
and  instead  of  occurriii,:: 
,scs  at  an  eai'ly  period, 
st  mortem  inspection  v;\a 
iy  ;  but  more  frc(iucntly 
lovgcmcnt  and  hcpatiza- 
^jcntial,  or  eharacterisH- 
cases,  even  those  uliii- 
pulmonary  inflaimiuition . 
the  undoubted  effect  C 
t  of  autumn ;  and  unist. 
ital  cause,  acting  subsi- 


our  search  after  a  lesion 
fever;  and,  wldeh,  being 
isscction  after  death.  ^  Ii. 
lis  fever  is  aceompanioil. 
of  the  abdominal  organs- 
iiptoms  of  intlanuiiatioii. 
liver,  stomach,  and  duo- 
b])leen.  "when  vjo  kuow  not 

,ld  the  life  of  the  patient 


PART   I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  A.MITJCA. 


825 


bo  destroyed,  while  mere  functional  derangements  prevailed,  no  morbid 
appearances  miglit  bo  found  after  death.  They  are  but  porturliatinns  of  the 
inncrvatidn,  wliicli  carry  into  the  circulation  and  secretions  an  altered  action, 
ditleront  from  that  of  inthimmation.  In  .^inqile  remittents  tlie.se  disruptions 
of  function  may  continue  without  generating  derangements  of  structure, 
until  the  fever  spontaneously  ceases,  or  is  reduced  by  art ;  in  the  highest 
grade  of  malignant  remittent  fever,  the  irritation  and  ju-ostration  of  the 
v/hole  nervous  .sy.ttem  may  be  so  intense  as  to  destroy  life  in  two  or  three 
paroxysms,  leaving  no  lesions  of  structure  to  be  revealed  by  the  knife. 

But  abdominal  inflammation  does  occur  in  both  inflammatory  and  malig- 
nant remittents.  J^Ioreover,  it  often  commences  with,  or  early  in  the  Fever, 
and  declares  itself  by  logitimat(>  signs,  ft  arises  indopondiMitly  of  any  co- 
operative or  exciting  cause;  and,  therefore,  results  from  the  same  agency 
with  the  Fever.  Finally,  by  its  ravages,  it  shows  itself,  to  the  anatomist 
after  death.  But  is  it  always  in  the  same  part  V  ^'-  is  not.  There  are 
three  organs  in  which  it  is  chiefly  found.  They  arc  the  spleen,  gastro-duo- 
denal  mucous  membrane,  and  liver.  Occasionally  it  invades  the  whule  at 
the  same  time;  but  oftcner  limits  itself  to  two,  and,  in  many  cases,  aflects 
one  only.  None  of  them  is  affected  in  some  cases;  and,  therefore,  there  is  no 
injlammatory  lesion  in  the  abdominal  viscera,  which  constitutes  a  peculiar 
anatomical  character  of  remittent  fever;  any  more  than  there  is  an  ever 
})rcsent  uniform  lesion  in  those  who  die  of  intermittent  fever.  But  we 
must  proceed  to  iiKjuiro  into  the  evidences  afforded  by  nutopsie  examinations. 

II.  Post  Morikm  Revelations.  —  The  facts  supplied  by  our  Valle}-,  for 
illustrating  the  pathological  anatomy  of  remitting  fever,  are  still  fewer  than 
for  our  intermittents.  lam  compelled,  therefore,  to  look  abroad;  but.  rim 
sorry  that  in  doing  so,  I  caiaiot  lind  materials  for  a  very  full  and  satis- 
factory hi.story. 

At  all  times,  occasional  examinations  have  been  made  in  Ihirope,  the 
Atlantic  States,  and  the  Interior  A^nlley ;  but  they  only  announced,  in  gen- 
eral terms,  the  existence  of  congestion,  softening,  and  inflammation,  found  in 
diUcrent  cases,  in  all  the  organs  of  the  cranium,  thorax,  and  abdomen.  A 
series  of  careful  post  mortem  inspections,  by  an  able  pathologist,  was  still 
wanting;  and,  a  few  years  since,  Doctor  Stcwardson  undertook  to  supply 
the  desideratum.*  His  dissections,  seven  in  number,  were  made  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Hospital,  in  the  months  of  August,  September,  and  October, 
which  constitute  the  true  period  of  prevalence  of  this  fever. 

The  following  is  his  summary  of  the  pathological  appearances : 

"  Brain.  —  This  organ  was  examined  in  only  five  of  the  cases.  The  sub- 
arachnoid effusion  was  cither  entirely  wanting,  or  moderate,  except  in  one 
ease,  where  there  was  a  considerable  quantity  of  reddish  serum.  In  the 
same  case  the  ventricles  contained  an  ounce  of  bloody  serum,  whilst  in  two 
of  the  others  they  were  empty,  in  a  third  nearly  so,  and  in  the  fourth  contain- 
ed scarcely  a  drachm  of  fluid.     In  one  the  walls  of  the  ventricles  were  of  a 


53 


*American  Journal  of  Iho  Medical  Sciences,  for  1S41  and  181^. 


'■m 


• 


I 


82() 


Tin:  nuNCirAL  disi;asi:s  of  tiih 


[book  II. 


1-V-J'T-'     I,  -A       .    ■.  r   i  ,.  * 


T'''  ''■■■  ;■ 


'  my}  -     ' 


■li    "HI  »V   .'  '       J    .'    ■ 


:i--- 


i.rlr:'v 


yellow  color.  Tho  pia  muter  was  (Icejily  iiijoctcJ  in  ono  case,  in  wliieli  also 
tborc  :iii[)car(Ml  to  l»u  !i  ,sli;^]it  cfTusioii  of  Mootl  into  the  ccIIh  in  a  stiiall  cir- 
cuniscriljcd  ppaco ;  its  voiii.s  niucli  distunJod  jiosteriorly  in  aiiotlior.  The 
cortical  siihstaiieo  wa.s  of  a  dceji  sliailo  in  Iwu  eases,  and  in  none  is  it  men- 
tioned as  being  paler  than  natnral  or  presenting  other  alteration.  In  two 
cases  tho  medullary  .substance  was  natnral ;  in  a  third  it  felt  pasty  without 
giving  the  sensation  of  softness ;  while  in  a  fourth  it  was  soft  and  pasty, 
being  at  the  same  time  dry  and  of  a  milk-Mliite  color,  with  few  bhuidy  p(jints. 
In  a  fifth  its  color  was  a  dirty  white,  mixed  with  a  faint  reddish  brown,  its 
consistence  natural,  witli  the  exception  (jf  .slight  central  softening.  Tho 
same  condition  was  presented  by  the  cerebellum,  which  was  natural  in  three 
other  eases;  its  condition  not  noted  iii  the  lifth. 

"  The  above  alterations  are  similar  to  those  found  in  other  acnte  diseases, 
and  must  be  regarded  as  slight  and  comparatively  unim[)ortaiit,  if  wo  except 
tho  individual  in  whom  there  Avas  large  bloody  effusion  in  the  ventricles,  etc., 
and  wlio.se  case  will  bo  reported  further  on. 

"Respirator!/  Apparatus  —  Pleura.  —  Old  adhesions  were  found  in  a 
few  cases,  but  very  limited  in  extent.  In  two  instances  tliere  was  elfusiuu 
in  each  pleural  cavity,  of  about  half  a  pint  of  a  reddish  brown  or  bloody 
fluid.  In  l)oth  of  these  cases  tho  heart  was  flaccid,  its  lining  mendjrane 
deep  red  or  reddish  brown,  and  in  ono  tlie  pericardium  also  ctmtained  several 
ounces  of  bloody  serum.  The  lungs,  on  the  contrary,  in  ouu  of  these  cases, 
were  health},  in  tho  other,  very  durlc,  deeply  congested,  without  hepatiza- 
tion. It  is  most  likely,  then,  that  the  pleural  effusion  was  tlic  result  rather 
of  an  altered  condition  of  tho  blood,  combined,  ]»erhaps,  with  some  softening 
of  the  tissue,  than  upon  obstruction  to  tho  pulmonary  circulation.  That 
pleural  effusion  was  generally  absent  or  slight  in  the  other  cases,  I  have  little 
doubt,  but  its  absence  is  not  positively  noted. 

"Lungs.  —  Of  the  six  cases  in  which  these  organs  are  particularly  de- 
scribed, hepatization  was  found  in  ono  case  only,  and  that  at  the  summit 
merely  of  the  middle  lobe.  They  were  generally  more  or  less  supple  ami 
creiiitant,  sometimes  dark  posteriorly ;  in  one  instance  yellowish  in  the  uj)per 
lobes,  but  deep  reddish  brown  in  the  lower,  in  which  case  also  spunous  fluid 
of  corresponding  color,  but  most  abundant  in  tho  lower  lobes,  issued  from 
the  several  parts  when  si|ueezed.  Indeed  these  organs  presented  nothing 
particularly  remarkable,  except  in  one  instance  (Case  III),  where  they  were 
highly  cong')sted,  their  color  throughout  nearly  their  whole  extent  being  very 
dark,  almost  black,  and  the  tissue  but  slightly  crepitant,  though  not  granu- 
lated or  very  easily  penetrated. 

"Tho  condition  of  tho  lungs,  then,  was  much  tho  same  as  in  most  other 
acute  diseases,  not  especially  seated  in  these  organs.  It  is  worthy  of  remark, 
that  in  no  instance  were  there  any  of  those  luemorrhagic  masses  frequently 
occurring  in  the  yellow  fever,  according  to  the  description  given  us  by  31. 
Louis,  while,  in  both,  he^  atization  Avas  very  rare. 

■'Circulatory  Organs. — The  pericardium  contained  a  .  aall  quantity  of 
serum  in  one  case,  and  several  ounces  of  bloody  serum  in  another. 


\i\ 


[book  II. 

case,  in  wliu-'l*  also 
•ills  in  IV  J^iinill  cir- 
y-  ill  aii(itlH;r.     The 
ill  none  is  it  mon- 
iilteratiuu.     In  two 
;  I'flL  I'usty  witliout 
ras  soft  ami  pasty, 
,li  few  bloDcly  points. 
1  reddish  brown,  its 
rid  softening.     The 
rt-as  natural  in  three 

otlior  acute  diseases, 
^lortant,  if  wo  except 
n  the  ventricles,  etc., 

)n3  -were  found  in  a 
cs  there  was  etfusiou 
lish  Wown  or  Uoody 
,  its  lining  niendjrane 
also  contained  several 

ill  one  of  these  cases, 
:ed,  without  heputiza- 
was  the  result  rather 
js,  with  some  softening 
iry  circulation.     That 

ler  cases,  I  have  little 

IS  arc  particularly  dc- 
that  at  the  summit 

,rc  or  less  supple  and 
yellowisli  in  the  upper 

jasc  also  spu'  aous  fluul 

wer  lobes,  is.sued  fmn 
ans  presented  nothing 
III),  wlierc  they  were 
diolc  extent  being  very 
,nt,  though  not  grami- 


rvRT  I. 


IXTERIOIl  VATJ,I;Y  of  north  A.MF-llfCA. 


827 


a 


same  as  in  most  other 

Itiswortbyof  reuuul-, 

lagic  masses  frequently 

•iptiou  given  us  by  M. 

icd  a  .  aall  rpantity  of 
n  in  anotbor. 


"//.(/ '7.  —  This  organ  was  flabby  in  three  of  the  six  eases  in  which  it  is 
particularly  described,  and  cdiiibincd  with  this  fiabbyiiL'SS,  tlicre  was  dimin- 
ished eniL^ivtciice  at  least  iti  two  cases.  In  tlit;  same  three  cases  its  lining 
membrane  was  reddish  brnwii,  deep  red,  or  vioU^t;  in  two  of  these  the  color- 
ing being  decjiest  on  the  right  side  and  in  tlio  ueighboriiodd  of  the  valves, 
and  extending  into  the  pulnnaiary  artery  and  aorta  h\  the  other  three  cases 
the  heart  presented  iiotliing  remarkable;  in  all,  ii.t  valves  were  supple,  and 
in  one  ca^e  of  u  yelluw  color.  'I'lio  aorta  was  of  a  bright  or  lemon  yellow 
ill  two  Ciiies. 

"  In  tlie  five  cases  in  which  the  state  of  the  blood  is  mentioned,  this  fluid 
was  foui;il  ill  the  cavity  (jf  the  lieavt.  In  one  case  there  were  black 
coagula  mixed  with  red  scrum;  in  the  otliers  iibrinous  enagula,  soft  in  two, 
somi-traii-ijiaront  and  grcenisli  in  another,  and  generally  small.  No  large, 
linn,  iibiiiious^cougiiUiin  was  found  in  a  single  iiistanec.  Although  it  is  im- 
possible to  say,  at  present,  whether  or  no  blood  in  remittent  fever  ])resents 
any  characters  which  arc  altsolutely  peculiar,  it  is  perfectly  evident  that  it  is 
the  seat  of  morbid  changes  M-hich  deserve  especial  kttontioii. 

"  A/i:!"i,iv/i.  —  A  few  ounces  of  a  bister-eolored  I'iuid  were  found  in  the 
peritoneal  cavity  in  one  case;  in  another  a  part  of  the  peritoneal  coat  of  the 
gall  bladli.i',  and  of  the  neighboring  folds  of  the  small  intestine  were  of  a 
rose  color,  and  covered  with  false  membrane.  Tlio  omentum,  and  many  of 
the  folds  of  the  small  intestine,  are  i.oted  in  one  case  as  olive-colored,  there 
being  no  elTusion  in  the  cavity;  in  another  the  iiitesiiues  were  of  a  dingy 
ash  color,  and  pasty  feel. 

"  Lii-'  r. —  Enlarged  in  three  cases,  and  in  one  of  them  to  a  great  degree; 
in  the  otliers  it  was  of  natural  or  moderate  size.  The  consistence  of  the 
organ  ajipi  ars  to  have  been  generally  diminished,  being  flabby,  or  softened, 
or  both,  in  four  cases,  a  little  soft  in  a  fifth,  and  moderately  firm,  but  still 
readily  penetrated  by  the  finger,  in  a  sixth  ;  in  the  seventh  the  consistence  is 
not  menti  med. 

"The  Color  was  nearly  tlie  same  in  every  case,  but  very  dilTorent  from 
natural.  In  most  of  the  cases  the  liver  is  described  as  being  of  the  color  of 
bronze,  or  a  mixture  of  bronze  and  olive;  in  one  as  a  dull  lead  color  exter- 
nally, internally  bronzed  with  a  reddish  shade;  in  another  as  between  a 
brcvn  and  an  olive,  the  latter  predominating:  and  finally,  as  a  pale  slightly 
C'.oenisb  h  ad  colur,  with  a  tinge  of  brown,  in  one  in.stancc.  Few  things 
ui'C  more  uilficult  than  a  description  of  color.  The  n.ost  correct  idea  of  that 
before  un  would  perhaps  be  con\eycd  by  stating  its  predominant  character, 
the  same  in  every  case,  to  be  a  mixture  of  gray  and  olive,  the  natural  reddish 
orown  being  entirely  extinct,  or  only  faintly  to  be  traced.  This  alteration 
ixistcd  uniformly  or  nearly  so  throughout  the  whole  extent  of  tlie  organ, 
except  in  a  single  instauce,  where  a  part  of  the  left  lobe  was  of  the  natural 
reddish  brown  hue.  As  the  alteration  of  color  pervaded  both  substances, 
the  two  were  frequently  blended  together,  and  the  aspect  of  the  cut  surface 
remarkably  luiiform,  la  one  case,  however,  there  was  a  marked  distinction 
of  color,  tlie  olive  being  predominant  in  the  parenchyma,  the  brown  in  the 


Hii 


>-■„ 
!'ii- 


828 


Tlir,  I'lil.NCll'AI,  DISMASKS  01'  TIIK 


fnnoK  II. 


■llv  ■- 


•km.' -■■-:.. 


'»*=■■ 

S.''^^ 


f'- 


acini.  Of  tlio  four  oases  in  wliidi  tlicso  diuracters  aro  nicntioiicJ,  tlic  cut 
surrai'L'  in  doscribcil  as  sinuuth  iu  tliici',  of  a  Hli!i;.;roiiioil  a|ipiiiran(!i',  and 
runL'li  iu  the  loft  lobo.  in  the  fnurtli.  Tliin  last  cliaractcr  was  (.'vitlently 
(k'|ieniloiit  iipun  liy|ii'itri'|iliy  nf  tlif  li;^iiUr  eoKircil  .snlistancc,  wliii'li  existed 
also  in  aiidtliu'r  instanct",  hniU  vh^vh,  however,  being  exauijdes  of  a  vrry  [iro- 
truetfd  form  of  the  difuasi;. 

"  The  nature  of  the  lesinn  of  the  liver  above  de.^cribed,  characterized 
essentially  by  a  peculiar  alteratinu  of  ccdnr,  is  nut  cosily  deterndncd.  That 
it  is  tli(!  ri'sult  (pf  iiillanimafinn  will  hardly  be  contended,  and  even  if  attended 
witli  congestion  (which  1  thiok  very  doubtful),  thi.-j  eould  not  accmunt  for 
it,  as  congestion  is  fre(iuently  present  in  other  discasea  where  no  such  alter- 
ation of  color  is  obscrvalde,  and  where,  on  the  contrary,  its  eltett  is  to  pro- 
duce a  deeper  red.  H«^nie,  perhajis,  will  look  upon  it  as  depci'deiit  upon  the 
iidiUration  of  bile  into  the  tissue  of  the  organ,  but  still  it  will  at  once  be 
perceived  that  this  prcsuppo.scs  a  jteculiar  alteration  of  the  bile  and  liver, 
inasmuch  as  the  ap|)earaiiee  presented  is  n  k  louiid  in  other  diseases,  at  least 
so  far  as  I  am  aware.  In  saying  that  this  le.^iv!'. '«  found  in  no  othi'r  disease, 
1  wish  to  be  midorstood  as  excepting  those  eases  of  pernicious  and  other 
intermittentd,  which  prove  fatal  in  the  early  stage,  or  before  giving  rise  to 
Wi'U  developed  cirrhosis,  abdonunal  efl'usion,  etc.  Iiulecd,  1  think  it  highly 
|)i'ol)able  that  the  same  alteration  of  the  liver  will  be  found  to  exist  in  iiitcr- 
nuttcnts  w  hich  thus  prove  fatal ;  an  opiiuou  coulirnied  by  the  cade  last  detailed. 
In  speaking,  therefore,  of  thi.-i  altorati(jn  being  peculiar  to  remittent  fever,  1 
1  wish  to  be  distinctly  understood  as  not  excluding  intermittent  lever,  which, 
in  my  opinion,  is  essentially  the  same  disease. 

'•  The  lesion  iu  (luestioii,  then,  being  peculiar  to  the  disea.se  before  us,  and 
the  only  one  which  is  so  (all  the  other  leslon.s  being  common  to  it  and  utlior 
diseases),  and  at  the  same  time  being  found,  as  already  observed,  in  every 
case,  we  arc  obliged  to  admit  that  it  eon.stitutes  its  essential  anatomical 
characteristic,  or  at  least  that  sucli  is  the  ciiiclusion  to  be  derived  IVum  tin 
cases  before  us.  Their  number,  I  am  aware,  is  iusuflicient  to  establish  surli 
a  point  cuuclusively,  anil  it  therefore  remains  for  future  observers  to  determiiic 
whether  or  no  the  lesion  we  have  described  belongs  to  the  disease  unilir 
all  circumstances.  That  such  wiil  be  found  to  be  the  case,  I  confess,  secm.s 
to  mo  very  probable,  wlicn  I  recollect  that  the  cases  wo  have  been  examiniiii;' 
were  distributed  over  three  successive  season.s,  and  originated,  not  iu  a  sin- 
gle locality,  but  in  dillerent  and  widely  separated  places,  and  also  that  b\  a 
reference  to  the  description  of  autliors,  it  is  apparent  that  a  sinular  condition 
of  the  liver  has  been  fre{{uently  observed  by  tliem,  without,  however,  attract- 
ing that  attention  which  it  seems  to  me  it  demands. 

"  Whatever  may  be  the  results  of  future  observation  in  reference  to  t!ic 
constant  occurrence  of  tliis  lesion,  and  even  if  the  conclusion  to  which  I  have 
arrived,  that  it  constitutes  the  essenlkd  anatomical  characteristic  of  remittent 
fever,  bo  found  erroneous,  owing  to  its  absence  in  a  certain  portion  of  cases. 
it  is  still  worthy  of  attention.  It  certainly  constitute.^  a  most  peculiar  ami 
important  puatomical  feature  of  the  disease.    Its  connection  with  certain 


u 


;<  fmioK  It. 

nuMitiiiiieil,  the  cut 
nil  iii>iMaranft',  anJ 
•Mlcv  was  i;viiloiill.v 
>t;in<i',  wlii<;li  l•xi^U•^l 
iiii>lo.s  .»!'  a  very  I'Vo- 

crilicil,  I'lianu-tfri/.t'il 
V  (loterniiiicd.     'i'liat, 
"iiiul  cvoii  it'  atti'iuled 
uuld  iM)t    acci'uut  tor 
wliorc  no  sueh  alter- 
',  its  ctti'tt  is  to  jivd- 
s  tU«iicrvu'iit  u[M.ii  tlic 
11   it  will  at   tiuco  liu 
(,!'  tli<!  bilo  uiiil  liver, 
uthcr  iliseascs,  ut  lca>t 
u(l  in  no  otliiT  disi'ase, 
'  jierniciuus  ami  otlicr 
Ijot'oi-e  j^iviiii,'  riso  t-j 
ilecd,  1  think  it  hi-rhl} 
found  to  exist  in  intov- 
y  tlic  case  hisL  ilclailuil. 
•ir  to  remittent  I'evci",  I 
tcvniittent  lover,  whiuli, 

>  disease  before  us,  and 
(iinnion  to  it  and  other 
ady  observed,  in  every 
ts  essential   anatoniienl 
to  be  derived  IVoni  tin. 
•lent  to  establish  such 
observers  to  deteruiii.c 
to   the  disease  unthr 
:0  ease,  I  confess,  seem.- 
rt-c  have  been  exauiiniuL; 
iti'inated,  not  in  a  sili- 
ca, and  also  that  h\  i 
tliat  a  similar  condition 
lUout,  however,  attraet- 

.o\\  in  reference  to  the 
)uelusion  to  which  I  have 
haractcristic  of  remittent 
certain  portion  of  caso.>. 
ies  a  most  peculiar  aiul 
connection  with  certain 


lie 


11 


aec 


PART    I.] 


INTEIIKJR  VAFJ-IY  (M  XOIITII  AMIMIICA. 


S:20 


gyniptoniH  duriii;^  the  early  mid  middle  period  of  the  disease.  Its  tendcin  y  tf» 
pass  into  eirrliohis  in  protracted  cnses,  mid  thus  lay  the  fouiidatimi  nf  certain 
cliroiiii-  orj^'aiiio  alterations,  aliduiniiial  cll'iision,  etc.,  and  thu  nsj-i-tam  o  it 
mn.st  atl'ord  in  ileteriiiiiiiiifr  in  fatal  cases  the  diagnosis  In  twceii  reniitteiit  and 
other  fevers,  nre  fullieieiit  to  convince  us  of  its  claims  upon  our  attention. 
The  htrikini;  ditrereiuc  between  it  ami  the  alteration  of  the  liver  which 
belongs  to  yellow  fever  is  particularly  interestiiij.',  tspccially  as  it  was  found 
(juiti;  as  slroiinjy  marked  in  the  case  wliirh  im  st  iicarly  approached  to  the 
lattcT  disease,  as  in  any  of  the  others.  While  in  remittent  the  liver  is  of  a 
dull  bronze  or  between  a  gray  and  olive,  in  yellow  fever  it  is  jMile  and  of 
various  shades  of  yellow,  as  .straw-yellow,  gnni-yellow,  ete.  In  typh(id 
fever  tin;  liver  appears  to  present  no  other  change  of  color  than  what  sirises 
from  an  increase  or  diminution  of  the  red  tint,  being  sometimes  of  a  darker 
red.  at  others  paler  than  natural." 

After  Doctor  Stewardsoii,  Doctor  Power  made  a  number  of  :nitopsic 
observations,  on  the  same  fever,  in  tlie  D.iliimore  Almshouse.  He  found 
the  spleen,  in  every  case,  enlarged  and  .softened.  The  liver,  was  generally. 
large,  soft,  and  friable;  but  not  inn  stati;  of  congestion.  Its  color,  in  dill'cr- 
ciit  cases,  was  grayish-bronze  —  slaty-la-onze,  and  dark  slaty-gray. 

Doctor  Swett,  has  since  extended  these  researches,  in  the  New  Yo)k  llns- 
])ital.^'  His  cases,  five  in  iiunilier,  were  from  the  south  and  west :  but  not. 
in  general,  as  well  marked  as  those  of  Doctor  Stewardson.  'J'lie  brain,  in 
most  of  the  sulijects,  w;is  lualthy,  although  they  had  (hjliiinm  and  coma 
during  life;  the  heart  was  cither  natural,  or  flaliliy  and  ,<iofteiied  :  in  tvro 
cages  the  lungs  showed  signs  of  pneumonia:  and  taking  the  wli.ih' of  the 
cases  together,  he  found  more  decided  evidence  of  inflammatory  action  in 
them  than  any  other  organ,  licferritig  to  the  stress,  which  Doctir  Stew- 
ardson  had  laid  on  the  pathological  condition  of  tlie  stomach,  tuid  bowels, 
as  suggesting,  that  mucous  inflammation  is  an  important  and  frtipiint  fea- 
ture of  the  Fever,  Doctor  Swett  remarks  —  "lamunalilo  to  confirm  this 
opinion.  3Iost  of  the  changes  that  T  have  observed  in  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  stomach,  have  appeared  to  me  of  a  chron'c  nature;  ami  jirob- 
ably  long  antecedent  to,  and  entirely  iiidejiendcnt  of  the  acute  disease.  I 
refer,  particularly,  to  the  thickened  and  mammillated  cfnidition  of  the  organ. 
The  injection  of  the  mucous  membrane,  although  {ircsent  in  all  the  cases  to 
a  certain  extent,  did  not  appear  to  me,  beyond  what  is  commonly  noticed  in 
other  acute  diseases,  and  might,  in  some  cases  at  least,  bo  referred  di.s!inctly 
to  simple  post  mortem  venous  congestion.  'J'he  symptoms  during  life,  a]ipear 
to  mo,  to  strengthen  this  idea.  The  patients  very  soldoni  complained  of 
pain  in  the  region  of  the  stomach,  and  although  slight  tenderness  on  pres- 
sure was  fretpu^ntly  noticed,  yet  this  did  not  exceed,  I  think,  what  i.-?  noticed 
with  e([ual  frequency,  in  other  febrile  affections." 

"Doctor  Stewardson,  also  remarks,  that  traces  of  infiamniation  exist  on 
the  mucous  membrane  of  the  duodenum,  and  notices  particularly,  an  enlarged 

*  American  Journal,  ."Meilical  irchool,  for  January,  15  1j. 


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TilE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[dock   II. 


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condition  of  tlio  mucous  follicles.  Tlii.s  view,  also,  I  have  been  unable  to 
confirm."  *  *  *  "  Tlie  mucous  nionibraiic  of  the  intestinal  canal,  exclu- 
ding II, o  evidences  of  clii'ouic  disease,  or  of  disease  that  had  })r(iljably  fnr  a 
long  time  ceased  to  ex?  't,  was  found  hcaltliy.  The  synijjt'  ms  during  life 
confirmed  this  opinion.  The  absence  of  diarrhwa,  of  abdominal  |iain,  and 
tenderness,  of  tympanitis,  the  ease,  and  even  the  feeling  of  relief  with  which 
purgatives  acted,  all  go  to  jirove  the  absence  of  at  least,  inflammation  in 
those  important  organs." 

In  every  subject,  the  spleen  was  more  or  loss  enlarged,  and  enfrorgcd  —  in 
some  softened.  The  state  of  the  liver  will  be  best  given  in  his  own  words. 
"  Tt  will  b'j  perceivetl  that,  in  the  five  cases  above  detailed,  the  peculiar  con- 
ditidu  of  the  liver,  Avhich  Doctor  Stewardson  has  assumed  as  tho  c/ialomical 
chartir/cristic  of  YQunttcut  fever,  was  unifdrmly  iViund."  *  *  *  "Two 
important  considerations  naturally  present  themselves  here.  Fi'rsI,  what  is 
the  nature  of  this  condition  of  the  liver V  The  only  positive  change  that  I 
have  been  able  to  observe,  is  that  of  color  —  tho  slaty,  and  bronze  tint  ex- 
ternally, tlic  olive  tint  internally.  Tt  is  true  that  a  .«light  degree  of  soften- 
ing of  tho  tissues  seems  to  exist,  in  connection  with  this  change  of  color, 
but  this  has,  in  all  my  cases,  been  very  moderate  in  degree,  and,  in  one  of 
the  best  marked  cases  of  tho  disease,  extremely  doubtful.  All  will  admit,  I 
think,  wlio  have  examined  such  cases,  that  there  is  no  evidence  of  inflamma- 
tion in  the  changes  noticed,  for  although  some  degree  of  capillary  injection 
existed  in  two  of  tho  cases,  yet  in  the  remaining  three  it  was  entirely  absent. 
Tiie  natural  si/;o  of  the  liver,  the  absence  of  lymph  or  \\u?,  the  small  quan- 
tity of  blood  yielded  by  prcs.sure,  as  well  as  the  local  sympt(mis  dr.ring  life, 
especially  the  absence  of  pain  and  tenderness  over  the  region  of  the  liver, 
tend  to  conlinn  the  same  id(\T.  It  appears  to  me,  not  an  u'lreasonable  con- 
clusion, to  su]ipose  that  tlio  change  of  color  is  produced  by  the  action  of  the 
bile,  especially,  when  wc  remember  tho  appearance  of  this  secretion  as  ob- 
served in  the  gall-bladder. 

'•Another  important  fact  to  establish  is,  whether  this  appearance  of  the 
liver  may  not  iie  found  in  other  diseases,  and  particularly  in  other  forms  of 
fever,  'I'his  question  can  onlv  be  settled  by  long  and  multiplied  observation. 
I  can  only  say  that,  in  six  fatal  cases  of  continued  fever,  four  of  which  ori- 
ginated on  ship-board,  and  two  in  this  city,  no  such  condition  was  found, 
and  that,  after  careful  examination  with  this  object  in  view." 

IMy  own  occasional  autopsies,  have  afforded  results,  which  correspond  very 
well  with  those  which  have  been  detailed;  but  I  must  confess  that  my  at- 
tention was  not  attracted  to  the  ycculiur  color  of  the  livei',.  first  distinctly 
pointed  out,  I  believe,  ])y  Doctor  k^tewardson  ;  though  a  modifi'-ation  of 
color  in  that  organ,  had  been  often  mentioned  before.  Doctor  J>wett  has 
intimated,  that  such  a  change  might  be  looked  for,  in  the  organ  which  se- 
cretes tho  bile.  Wc  know,  that  green  discharges  arc  not  uncommon,  and  a 
bluish  fluid  is  occasionally  ejected.  Doctor  Ilollingsworth,  of  IMississijipi, 
has  communicated  to  me  a  case,  in  whicli,  for  many  days,  the  patient  con- 
tinued, to  have  copious   evacuations  of  that  h"e.     As  ihc  febrile  action  in 


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[E  [dock  h. 

have  beoii  uimljlo  to 
ntcstiinil  canal,  esclu- 
at  bad  jiroljably  t'"i'  a 
syiiipt'  '.lis  (luring  lifo 
abdi'iuiiinl  iiaiu,  and 
T  of  rtdiol'  uitb  wbieh 
least,  iiifltiunnatiou  in 


PART  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


S31 


;d,  and  engorged  —  in 
vcn  in  bis  oAvn  words, 
iled,  tbe  peculiar  eon- 
nied  as  i\\ci'iiatomlcal 
J "     *     *     *     "  Two 

;  bcrc.  1-lrsl,  ^\'liat  i^ 
positive  cbangc  tbat  I 
;y,  and  bronze  tint  ex- 
igbt  degree  of  soften- 
1  this  change  of  color, 
deirree,  aiub  in  one  of 
■fuL     All  will  admit,  I 

evidence  of  intlanima- 
,e  of  capillary  injection 
!  it  was  entirely  absent. 
-)r  pus,  the  small  quan- 

symptonis  during  life, 
he  region  of  the  liver, 
t  an  u'lveasonablc  con- 
ed by  the  a?tiou  of  tbe 
:)f  this  p'jcretion  as  ob- 

this  appearance  of  the 
ularly  in  other  forms  of 
niuUiplied  observation, 
ver,  four  of  which  ori- 
]\  condition  was  found, 

view." 

which  correspond  very 
ust  confess  that  my  at- 
;he  liver,  first  distinctly 
)uoh  a  modification  of 
n-e.  Doctor  Swett  has 
11  the  organ  which  sc- 
c  not  uncommon,  and  a 
esworth,  of  Mississippi. 

days,  the  patient  con- 
As  ;hc  febrile  action  in 


this  fever  is  of  a  peculiar  kind,  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose,  that  the  orgau 
charged  with  forming  thu  yellow  coloring  matter  of  the  bile,  may  produce 
a  tint  of  a  different  kind.  Thus,  the  change  of  complexion,  does  nut,  ne- 
ces.sarily,  reijuire  us  to  infer  a  structural  lesion  of  the  liver.  In  fact,  apart 
from  the  altered  hue,  the  liver  is,  apparently,  much  less  affected  than  the 
spleen.  Another  evidence,  that  it  is  not  always  deeply  implicated,  is  to  be 
found  in  the  fact,  that  during  many  remittents,  there  are  daily  di.-cliarges  of 
healthy-looking,  yellow  bile;  and,  that  during  convalescence,  the  organ 
generally  acts  very  well ;  finally,  that  fewer  hepatic,  than  splenic  diseases, 
follow  ou  the  Fever.  The  results  which  have  been  recounted,  show  that  the 
spleen  is,  generally,  if  not  always,  involved;  aud  the  mucous  membrane  of 
the  stomach  and  liowels  very  fre(|uently. 

But  the  admitted  ravages  of  inflammation,  are  neither  constant  nor  stri- 
king;— not  sufficient,  I  think  in  most  instances,  to  account  for  the  death  of 
the  patient ;  unless  we  include  among  them,  all  eases  of  congestion  and  soft- 
ening ;  which  would  certainly  be  gratuitous.  Passive  hypenumia,  is  an  un- 
questionable path(jlogical  fact;  and  fever  softens  every  tissue  of  tlu;  body. 
To  the  latter  type  of  morbid  action,  we  may  refer  the  soft  and  flabby  state 
of  the  heart,  not  less  than  of  the  liver,  i^pleen,  and  mucous  membrane  of  the 
stomach,  and  duodenum.  In  a  case  communicated  to  Doctor  Stewardson, 
by  Doctor  Howland,  of  lialtimore,  the  .sjileen  did  not  bear  lifting,  any  better 
than  a  clot  of  drawn  Idood  bears  it ;  and  many  others  have  observed  the 
same  phenomenon;  which  indicates  a  tlecomposition  of  the  vascular  and 
fibrous  tissues  of  the  organ.  Tiie  soft  and  pulpy  state  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane, with  but  little  appearance  of  liypcr;x;mia,  is  doubtles.s,  of  a  febrile,  rather 
than  phlogistic  origin.  In  a  post  mortem  examination,  by  Doctor  IJarper, 
which  I  attended,  at  the  Vicksburg  nos])ital,  in  1>^  14,  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  stomach,  was  soft,  tender,  thickened,  and  easily  detached ;  but 
there  was  only  here  and  there  a  spot  of  hyporivmia.  It  is  worthy  of  remark, 
that  the  duodenum  in  this  case,  was  sound. 

We  may,  on  the  whole,  conclude,  that  although,  more  or  less  inflammation 
arises,  perhaps  in  every  severe  and  protracted  case  of  this  fever,  and  may 
often  be  the  cause  of  death,  it  is  not  ncce.'-sary  to  the  ixislvncc  of  the  Fever; 
which  ill  many  cases  proves  fatal,  independently  of  the  lesions,  whicii  in 
others  it  produces. 


SECTION  V. 

CONSEQUENCES  OF  AUTUMNAL  FEVER. 
T.  Chronic  action  ov  tiik  Cause  of  Aitv.v  ;al  Fever.  —  This  seems 
to  be  a  suitable  [dace,  in  which  to  in([u:re.  whether  the  cause  of  autumnal 
fever  can  act  upon  the  system,  to  the  production  of  morbid  conditions,  other 
than  the  Fever  itself.  There  arc  cti(dogical  agents,  as  the  variidous  poison, 
which  either  produce  no  eff'ect,  or  occasion  a  full  development  of  the  disease; 
there  are  others,  equally  specific,  as  that  uf  epidemic  chulera,  which  aflect  the 


.■  Is. 


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T  '■ 


frli' 


832 


THE  PRI^■CIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  h. 


system  with  every  grailc  of  violence,  from  tlic  sliulitcst  diarrhoea,  to  mortal 
collapse  ;  tiiially,  there  are  others  still,  as  vicissitudes  of  weather,  ^vhieh  pro- 
duce in  one  ])crsou  catarrh,  in  a  second,  tonsilitis,  in  a  third,  rheumatism,  in 
a  fourth,  a  lit  of  dyspepsia.  There  is,  then,  no  objection,  a  priori,  to  the 
opinion,  that  the  cause  of  autumnal  fever  may  exert  injurious  influences  of 
a  lower  grade,  and  a  diiferent  kind,  from  tliat  Fever.  Whether  such  he  the 
fact,  can  oidy  be  known  by  observation. 

Thiit  the  agent  we  arc  now  considering,  can  act  in  a  gradual  and  feeble 
manner,  to  the  end  of  slowly  developing  intermittent  maladies  of  a  mild  charac- 
ter, is  what  I  can  testify ;  and  as  the  consequences  of  autumnal  fever,  as  found 
in  difl'erciit  [larts  of  the  body,  we  may,  I  think,  conclude,  that  the  .'<low  and 
insidious  operation  of  the  noxious  agent,  may  generate  various  disease.^,  (.r 
at  least,  diatheses  and  predispositions  to  them.  J>ut  for  the  full  illustration 
of  this  subject,  a  more  ample  store  of  facts,  than  I  possess,  is  recpiired. 

Over  most  of  the  Interior  Valley,  a  ruddy  complexion  is  rare;  and  often 
replaced  by  a  slight  turbid  hue,  or  a  tinge  of  sallowness.  "When  standing 
before  the  medical  classes  of  Lexington,  Louisville,  and  Cincinnati,  com- 
l)0sed  chiefly  of  young  men  between  twenty  and  thirty  years  of  age,  I  have 
seen  very  few,  with  plumj)  and  rosy  cheeks.  In  general,  the  malar  bones 
appear  prominent,  from  defective  cellular  developmeiit  of  the  cheeks.  These 
deliciencies  exist  in  various  degrees ;  and  are  greatest  among  the  people  in 
what  are  called  malarial  districts.  "When  we  mingle  with  them,  we  see  con- 
clusive evidence,  that  their  physiology  is  not  sound,  although  they  vmij  re- 
gard themselves  as  in  health.  Those  of  the  wo.-st  aspect,  have  generally 
experienced  one  or  more  attacks  of  fever,  which  have  left  them  inlirm  ;  but 
others  have  never  suffered  from  that  disease,  and  yet  they  are  not  vigorous. 
in  appearance  or  reality.  They  who  have  constantly  breathed  the  atmos- 
phere of  such  localities,  and  have  suifered  attacks  of  fever  while  young,  arc 
often  stunted  in  their  growth,  and  never  reach  the  port  or  portraiture  of  per- 
fect manhood.  IJut  liefore  we  ascribe  these  effects  to  an  empoisoned  at- 
mosphere, only,  we  must  recollect  that  heat  and  moisture  generally  prevail 
in  such  localities ;  and  grant,  that  an  undelinable  portion  of  the  injury 
should  be  attributed  to  them. 

if  wo  admit  the  reality  of  what  has  been  set  forth,  and  connect  with  it, 
a  periscope  of  the  Valley,  but  recently  become  the  abode  of  civilized  man  — 
as  yet,  in  its  oldest  settled  portions,  but  in  the  transition  state  —  many  parts 
abounding  in  swamps  —  others  intersected  vith  alluvial  streams,  and  almost 
everywhere  overshadowed  with  forests,  we  may  ])resume,  that  a  national  physiol- 
ogy, with  its  peculiar  infirmities  and  predispositions,  is,  or  must,  necessarily,  he 
the  conse([uenco.  This,  if  I  mistake  not,  is  actually  the  case  at  the  present 
time ;  and  constitutes  a  reason,  why  bloodletting  and  other  active  evacuatioDS. 
are  not  borne  as  well,  by  those  who  live  in  low  }ialudal  districts,  as  those  who 
inhabit  higher  and  dryer  localities.  In  the  former,  many  diseases,  not  inhe- 
rently periodical,  di-^phiy  more  or  less  of  that  type;  evincing  that  the  con- 
stitutions of  the  inhabitants,  have  been  acted  upon  by  the  cause  of  autum- 
nal fever. 


•■I   .• 


'^ 


[dook  u. 

;t  diarrhoea,  to  mortal 
)f  \Yfatlior,  wliioli  T'''^- 
,  tliiril,  rlieumnti^ni,  in 
ction,  a  priori,  to  the 
iiijiu'ious  iiiflucnocrf  of 
Vviicther  Kuth  he  the 

I  a  gradual  and  fcehle 
hidics  of  a  iiiihl  chura?- 
.itumnal  fever,  as  found 
ade,  that  the  shjw  and 
ite  various  diseaser^,  or 
tor  the  full  illustration 
ossess,  is  reijuired. 
xion  is  rare ;  and  often 
rncss.     "When  standing 
,  and  Cincinnati,   com- 
ty  years  of  age,  I  have 
-neral,  the  iiudar  bone? 
,t  of  the  cheeks.     These 
est  among  the  people  in 
Avith  them,  we  sec  con- 
,  although  they  may  re- 
i  aspect,  have  generally 
ve  left  them  infirm  ;  but 
t  they  are  not  vigorous, 
y  breathed  tlio  atmos- 
:  fever  while  young,  arc 
n-t  or  portraiture  of  pcr- 
ts  to  an  empoisoned  ai- 
.uisturc  generally  prevail 
portion  of  the  injury, 

•th,  and  connect  with  it, 
bode  of  civilized  ma"  — 
itidii  state  —  many  parts 
;ial  streams,  and  alinn:-' 
c,  that  a  national  physiol- 
nr  must,  necessarily,  be 
the  case  at  the  present 
other  active  evacuations, 
al  districts,  as  those  who 
many  diseases,  not  iulie- 
evincing  that  the  con- 
by  the  cause  of  autum- 


PART  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


833 


11.  l)ut  we  must  inquire  whether  the  people  in  such  places  are  liable  to  any 
acVutl  diseases,  periodical  fevers  excepted,  which  may  be  regarded  as  the 
])rodi!ets  of  the  conditions  undrr  which  they  live. 

Conipiiring  the  early  and  the  latter  frequency  of  biliary  derangements,  in  the 
same  localities,  it  seems  to  me,  that  with  the  progress  of  cultivation,  and  tl:o 
density  of  pojmlation,  the  present  has  a  decitled  advantage  over  the  past ;  and 
a  eom[)arison  of  country  and  city,  leads  to  the  same  conclusion.  In  former 
times,  I  have  witnessed,  more  than  once,  an  epidemic  jaundice,  in  autumn, 
whi'.-h  it  a])peared  natural  to  refer,  to  the  cause  which  produced  fever,  in  that 
season.  Dyspepsia  has,  also,  seemed  in  many  cases,  to  be  the  offspring  of 
the  same  agency.  Ciironie,  or  subacute  hepatitis,  I  am  almost  convinced, 
has  often  been  generated  by  the  same  agencies;  and  it  is  an  admitted  fact, 
that  the  sideen  may  becoino  enlarged  in  these  localities,  without  the  previ- 
ous occurrence  of  a  single  paroxysm  of  fever. 

Finally,  net  to  press  a  debatable  principle  to  its  utmost  limits,  T  will 
only  add,  that  neuralgias,  and  many  irritations  and  oppressions  of  the  brain 
and  nervous  system,  unattended  with  ])ain,  appear  to  be  insidiously  gener- 
ated by  tlie  same  influence;  in  illustratiun  of  which,  I  may  introduce  the 
following  statement,  made  out  from  memoranda  handed  me  by  a  gentleman 
of  this  city. 

Mr.  N.  L.,  who  had,  for  many  years,  resided  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
city,  near  the  junction   of  Deer  (,"reek   with  the   Ohio  lliver,  and,  conse- 
quently, in  what  is  called  a  malarial  atmosphere  ;  became  airt'cted  with  dys- 
pepsia, from  which  he   had  been  exempt  through  the  earlier  period  of  life, 
when   that  disease  generally  occurs.     His  feelings  became  depressed  and 
irritable,  his  strength  declined,  and  ho  gradually  lost  much  ,)f  his  flesh.     At 
length,  under  a  full  and  luitritious  diet,  and  the  daily  use  of  wine  or  brandy, 
those  symptoms  were  removed;  and  he  recovered  his  cheerfulness,  strength, 
and  flesh.     Some  time  afterward,  however,  he  began   occasiunally,  to  expe- 
rience, in  the  night,  the  premonitory  feelings  of  a  paroxysm  of  dyspepsia, 
succeeded  in   the  morning,  by  vertigo,  and  a  momentary  loss  of  conscious- 
ness, followed  by  transient  perspiration.     These  fits  usually  returned  several 
times  for  a  day  or  two,  when  a  slight  diarrhoea  would  supervene,  and  termi- 
nate the  attach.     After  seven  ur  eight  months,  it  struck  him,  that  the  dis- 
order had  been  recurring  at  regular  jieriods ;  whereupon  he  determined  to 
record  the  times  of  future  returns,  and  soon  found  the  periods  t(j  be,  invari- 
ably, of  thirty  days.     Becoming  familiarized  to  them,  and  being  a  man  of 
talents  and  observation,  he  noted,  that  every  jiaroxysm  was  ushered  in  by  a 
peculiar  vision  of  the  mind,  so  that,  at  length,  he  would  exclaim,  '  there  is 
the  sa;ie  strange  idea,'  but  the  instant  it  was  g<ine,  'he  never  could  have 
tlic  lea;t  recollection  of  what  it  was.'     This  continued  for  more  than  ajoar. 
Medicines  then  checked  the  paroxysm  for  one  or  two  monthly  periods,  when 
it  recurred,  as  severe  as  before,  every  twenty-one   days,  and   continued  at 
that  rate,  for  five  or  six  months;  when,  under  the  use  of  medicines,  the  rc- 
purrenee  came  to  be  on  the  sixteenth  day,  the  violence  of  the  lit  remaining 
the  same.     Throughout  the  second  night  after  the  access  of  the  paroxysm, 


i  ',1  f"'' 


834 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  II. 


fill  ^ 

*      *  if 


.<>■ 


lie  would  invariably  lie  awuke,  but  was  calm  in  niiud,  and  without  fever. 
For  nioi'e  than  two  years,  he  continued  to  note  the  recurrences  of  the  fit,  and 
found  them  constantly  on  the  sixteenth  day.  During  that  jicriod,  as  soon  as 
the  paroxysm  was  gone,  he  felt  well,  and  his  mind  was  clear  and  active ;  but 
gradually,  it  became  so  enfeebled  and  gloomy,  that  he  made  no  further 
records.  After  about  five  years,  the  fits  began  to  abate  in  violence ;  and  to 
become  irregular  in  recurrence,  sumctiines  not  returning  for  six  weehs.  At 
the  present  time,  when  he  is  sixty-five  years  of  ago,  they  still  recur,  but  with 
great  mitigation.  He  is  never  kept  awake  through  the  night,  nor  docs  be 
any  longer  lose  his  consciousness.  Ilis  health,  is  otherwise,  good,  and  no 
impairment  of  memory  or  intellect  seems  to  have  been  produced. 

III.  CoxsEouKNCKS  OF  Aui'UMXAL  FKViin. — Tlic  reader  will  perceive,  that 
a  distiiujtiiiu  is  made  between  the  slowly  dcveluped  effects  of  the  agent 
which  produces  autumnal  fever,  and  the  morbid  states  or  conserjiuences  which 
follow  it.  As  an  illustrative  contrast,  I  may  anticijiate  what  must  be  re- 
peated horeal'ter,  and  say,  that  yellow  fever,  even  when  not  skillfully  treated, 
leaves  but  few  vestiges  behind.  Death,  or  sound,  even  improved,  health,  is 
the  fate  or  fortune  of  the  patient.  It  is  far  different  with  the  subject  of 
autumnal  fever.  When  combatted  with  skill,  in  its  early  stages,  his  recov- 
ery, it  is  true,  may  be  perfect,  and  this,  in  mild  remittents,  may  be  the  case, 
if  no  medical  aid  be  administered ;  but  no  fact  is  better  established,  than 
that  many  eases  are  followed  by  consequences,  from  which  patients  slowly 
recover,  or  fimilly  die.  Some  of  these  lesions  arc  found  in  the  innervation; 
and  manifest  themselves  as  neuralgias  in  various  parts  of  the  body;  others 
exist  in  the  blood,  which  remains  impoverished  ;  others  in  the  exhalent  and 
absorbent  vessels,  generating  dropsies;  others  in  the  stomach  and  bowels, 
originating  dys[iepsia,  diarrhoea,  or  constipation ;  others  in  the  liver,  which 
may  remain  torpid  or  inflamed,  with  an  attendant  jaundice;  lastly,  others  :" 
the  s[iloen,  left  inflamed  or  enlarged  and  softened.  These  various  secondary 
and  tertiary  lesions,  must  be  studied,  to  complete  the  pathological  and  thera- 
peutic history  of  the  Fever ;  arid  to  tliem  we  must  now  give  attention, 
begmning  with  the  mostfrccpeut  and  formidable — the  disorders  of  the  spleen 


'•i 


t   ^ 


11^ '4' 


i 


■' 


^\\i 


IE 


[book  II. 


1,  and  without  fever, 
irvonccs  of  the  fit,  and 
hat  period,  as  soon  as 
clear  and  active  ;  but 

he  made  no  further 
tc  in  violence;  and  to 
112  for  six  weeks.  At 
ev  still  recur,  but  with 
;hc  niglit,  nor  docs  he 
hcrwiso,  good,  and  no 

produced, 
ider  will  perceive,  that 

elfocts  of  the  agent 
ur  conse([uences  which 
ate  what  must  be  re- 
11  not  skillfully  treated, 
en  improved,  health,  is 
;t  with  the  subject  of 
early  stages,  his  recov- 
tonts,  may  be  the  case, 
ettcr  established,  than 

which  jiatients  slowly 
lul  in  the  innervation; 
fts  of  the  body ;  others 
rs  in  the  exhalent  and 
c  stomach  and  bowch-, 
icrs  in  the  liver,  which 
mdice ;  lastly,  others  ''^ 
'hesc  various  secondary 

pathological  and  thcra- 

st  now  give  attention, 
;  disorders  of  the  spleen^ 


PART  I.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


835 


CHAPTER  XI. 

CONSEQUENCES  OF  AUTUMNAL  FEVER. 


SECTION   I. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  SPLEEN :— GENERAL  VIEWS. 

I.  It  is,  I  think,  an  unquestionable  fact,  that  a  vast  majority  of  the  people 
of  this  country,  if  not  of  our  race,  live  and  die,  without  experiencing  any  dis- 
ease of  tlio  organ  wo  arc  now  considering.  Abuses  of  tliet,  whirh  carry  a 
morbid  condition  into  the  alimentary  canal,  liver,  kidney-'  ],eart,  and  brain, 
do  not,  as  far  as  wo  know,  often  disturb  the  spleen.  Alcoholic  potations, 
which  light  up  inflainniations  in  the  same  organ;,  and  above  all  in  the  liver, 
leave  tlie  spleen  unafleeted.  A'icissitudes  of  temperature,  which  inllame  all 
the  pulmonary  tissues,  the  peritoneum,  and  the  joints,  are  not  known  to  oc- 
casion splenitis.  All  the  viscera  enumerated,  may,  moreover,  be  inflamed, 
or  otherwise  diseased,  without  nccc  sarily  carrying  into  this  deeply  caverncd, 
and  unsocial  organ,  any  recognized,  sympathetic  disturlnmce. 

This  exemption,  from  the  sinister  influence  of  many  external  and  patliolo- 
gical  causes,  may,  perhaps,  be  ascribed,  in  part  at  least,  to  the  following 
causes : 

1.  The  organ  is  placed  more  beyond  the  influence  of  external  agents  than 
any  other  abdominal  viscus,  except  the  pancreas;  which,  at  the  same  time, 
it  may  bo  remarked,  is  still  more  exempt  from  disease  than  the  spleen.  The 
spleen  is  also  more  secluded  from  outward  influences,  than  the  lungs,  heart, 
and  brain. 

2.  Its  tissues  are  few  and  simple,  consisting  chiefly,  of  arteries,  veins,  a 
fdjrous,  or  celhdo-fil)rous  membrane,  containing  a  red  jiulpy  matter,  and  an 
external  fibro-serous  tunic.  Now  the  simpler  the  structure  of  an  organ,  ccderis 
paribus,  the  fewer  are  its  diseases. 

3.  The  few  nerves  which  enter  it,  upon  the  vessels,  are  derived  fro.n  the 
system  of  the  great  sympathetic,  and  do  not  bestow  on  it  nuu-h  animal  sensi- 
bility; nor  establish  between  it  and  the  other  organs  of  the  body  any  lively 
sympathy. 

4.  Compared  with  most  of  the  organs,  its  function  is,  manifestly,  more 
simple  than  theirs.  "NVliat  that  function  is,  we  do  not  know ;  but,  it  is,  evi- 
dently, limited  to  tho  blood;  which  it  is  either  designed  to  receive  and  re- 
tain, from  the  other  organs  in  certan.  .xcited  states  of  the  circnlati(jn,  as  sug- 
gested long  since  by  Doctor  Kush ;  or  it  works  out  some  change  in  the 
constitutiiMi  of  that  fluid,  or  both ;  functions,  especially  tho  former,  requi- 
ring far  less  complication  of  structure,  than  tho  oflice  of  the  liver,  lungs,  or 
brain. 


.    ( 


83(5 


tut:  principal  diseasc^^  of  the 


[book   II. 


,   h 


h 


mil'  r  *•' 


'.•■I,' 


JI.  T  sliall  not  stop  to  iiKiuiro  into  tlic  relative  influence  of  tliesc  difleroiit 
anatumiciil  and  pliysiological  reasons',  for  the  comparaf'  •  exenijition  of  this 
orjian  frimi  original  disease;  but  proceed  to  remark,  i.,;.,t  wliile  tbi.s  exeniji- 
tion  is  a  fact,  that  must  bo  aibiiitted,  there  are  three  forms  of  fever, 
vhieli  carry  disease  into  that  organ.  I  say  three  forms,  for  all  fevers  do 
not.  Thus,  most  or  all,  of  the  iihlegmasia\  may  run  on  with  extreme  violence 
for  many  .lays,  or,  in  a  subacute  grade,  fur  vceks,  without  occasioning  dis- 
order fif  tlio  spleen  ;  wliile,  on  the  other  hand,  two  (»f  the  forms  of  i'cver  to 
whicii  I  alludo,  very  ofion,  and  the  thiril,  almost  eonstai.'tly,  aifect  it;  they 
are  yellow,  typhous,  and  autumnal  fever. 

1.  nissections  have  shoM'u,  that  the  spleen  is  sometimes  enlarged,  and 
softened  in  yellow  fever,  but  these  lesions  are  not  even  so  fretjuent  as  in 
typhous  and  autunuial  fever. 

2.  Tiie  typhoid  fever  of  the  French  writers,  occasions  derangement  of  the 
spleen,  as  one  of  its  most  common  characteristics.  They  are  not  generally 
known,  hovvever,  during  life,  though  sufficiently  manifest  after  death.  They 
hove  not  only  been  observed  in  Paris,  but  in  various  jiarts  of  the  United 
States.  They  consist  of  ;nlargement  and  si'ftening.  without,  in  most  cases. 
many  of  the  more  common  and  certain  signs  of  inflan'mation;  neither  pus 
being  found  within,  nor  coagulating  lymph  without  the  organ.  The  variety 
of  fever,  properly  denominated  tyj)hous,  also  presents  us,  in  fatal  cases,  witli 
lesions  of  the  S[ileen,  though  less  frequently,  and  strikingly,  than  the  typhoid. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  tliat  yellow  and  typhous  fevers,  do  not,  in  cases  of 
recovery,  leave  behind  tlieni,  as  consequences,  either  siilenitis  or  cidargement 
of  the  organ;  showing  tliat  they  affect  it  difforentlj' from  autumnal  fever. 
I  have  never  yet  seen  an  enlarged  spleen,  f(dlowing  on  any  form  of  typhus. 
There  is  nothinsr,  then,  to  be  said  as  to  the  treatment  of  diseases  of  the 
spleen,  consequent  on  these  continued  fevers. 

3.  The  great  source  of  diseases  of  tlio  spleen,  in  this  country,  is  well  known 
to  be  autumnal  fever.  In  the  present  state  of  our  knowdedge,  it  would,  per- 
haps, be  most  proper  to  content  ourselves  with  tlie  knowledge  of  tliis  con- 
nection, as  a  fact,  and  not  attempt  to  speculate  n[)on  it  Nevertheless,  it 
can  do  no  harm  to  review  the  suggestions  which  have  been  made,  if  we  do 
not  rest  any  treatment  upon  a  mere  hypothesis. 

a.  It  lias  been  conjectured,  that  autunnial  fever  commences  in  the  spleen: 
whence  a  morbid  action  spreads  itself  throughout  the  organism.  But  if  tlii? 
were  the  ease,  we  ought  to  lind  that  organ  diseased  he/ore  any  other ;  which, 
as  far  as  wo  eau  judge  by  symptoms,  is  not  the  case.  As  remittent  fever, 
moreover,  is  generally  more  violent  and  dangerous  than  intermittent,  tbo 
signs  of  disease  in  the  spleen  should  be  more  decided  in  the  former  than  tlio 
latter;  wliicli  we  all  know  is  precisely  tlie  reverse  of  the  fact.  Finally,  tlic 
manifestations  of  splenic  disease,  are  often  greatest  on  the  decline  of  the 
Fever,  wiiieh  is  directly  opposed  to  what  should  be  the  case,  if  the  Fever 
arose  from  the  disease  of  that  organ. 

b.  It  has  been  conjectured,  that  in  these  fevers,  the  spleen  becomes  invol- 


ii 


IE 


[book  II. 


iico  of  tlioso  ilifl'evoiit 
•  exei)ijitii)ii  ol'  this 
.X  svliilo  tins  exeni[i- 
ireo  I'uvms  ut'  I'uvcr, 
iiis,  fur  till  fovors  ilo 
with  oxtrcnio  viilfiicc 
lioiit  occasioning  di.-i- 
tlic  forms  of  fovov  to 
itai'tly,  alfcct  it;  tlicy 

nctimcs  cnltirgeil,  and 
3vcn  so  frc(|ucnt  as  in 

ns  (lorangcmcnt  of  tlie 
Ilicy  arc  not  generally 
;st  after  deatli.     Tlicy 
IS  parts  of  the  United 
^vithout.  in  most  cases, 
[Ui'nration;  neither  pus 
he  organ.     The  variety 
us,  in  fatal  cases,  with 
ingly.  than  the  typhoid, 
vers,  do  not,  in  cases  of 
^plenitis  or  oilargement 
y  from  autumnal  fever, 
on  any  form  of  typhu.-. 
ncnt  of  diseases  of  the 

country,  is  w  ell  known 
)wledge,  it  would,  per- 
knowledgc  of  this  con- 
it  Nevertheless,  it 
c  been  made,  if  wo  do 


PART  I. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  A.MLRIC.A. 


^Ol 


on 


innucncos  in  the  spleen : 

omanism.     But  if  tins 

'fore  any  other  ;  which, 

',     As  remittent  fever, 

than   intermittent,  the 

in  the  former  than  the 

the  fact.     Finally,  the 

on  the  decline  of  the 

the  case,  if  the  Fever 

le  spleen  becomes  invol- 


ved, during  the  cold  stage,  from  a  recess  of  tlio  blood  from  the  exterior  parts 
of  the  body,  and  its  accinnuhition  in  the  portal  circle.  Such  a  de>truetion 
of  the  oriuilibrium  of  the  circulation,  must  bo  admitted  as  a  pathological 
fact ;  and  that  it  is  a  cause  of  the  disorders  of  that  organ,  may  ])e  inferred 
from  another  fact,  which  is,  that  remittents,  in  which  the  cold  stage  is  less 
violent  and  protracted  than  in  intermittents,  disorder  the  S[deen  much  los, 
than  the  latter.  On  the  other  hand,  however,  typhoid  fcvir  injures  iho 
sideen  frequently  and  seriously,  although  it  be  a  eontimied  fever;  and.  of 
course,  is  exempt  from  those  jteriodical  revulsions,  which  characterize  intermit- 
tents ;  ar.d  hectic  fever,  attended  with  protracted  diurnal  chilliness,  contin- 
ues for  a  long  time,  wiihout  occasioning  disease  of  the  spleen. 

c.  A  third  hy[iothcsis,  is,  that  malaria,  or  whatever  may  be  the  remote 
cause  of  autunnial  fever,  has  a  specific  tendency  to  act  on  the  s[»leen  :  jn.-^t  as 
the  remote  cause  of  typhoid  fever  directs  its  influence  on  the  glands  of  I'eyer, 
and  the  remote  cause  of  plague,  on  the  ganglia  and  other  organs  of  the 
axilla  and  groin.  I  tliink  it  can  scarcely  be  doubted,  that  this  is  a  reality. 
For,  JirKl.  The  great  frct|uency  of  splenic  disorders  in  autumnal  fever, 
would  seem  to  prove  it.  Second.  Tlie  influence  of  the  sulphate  of  (piiiiine, 
in  removing  some  of  thcni,  looks  to  the  same  conclusion.  T/uril.  In  pidudal 
districts,  the  spleen  sometimes  becomes  disordered,  by  the  slow  or  feeble 
action  of  some  agent,  the  individual  never  having  had  an  attack  of  either 
intermittent  or  remittent  fever. 

tl.  Tt  is  well  known,  that  diseases  of  the  spleen,  are  almost  incurable 
while  the  individual  continues  to  reside  in  the  locality  which  generated  tiieni; 
but  arc  curable,  and  sometimes  spontaneously  cease,  when  he  seek,--  a  more 
salubrious  residence. 

On  the  whole,  we  may,  perhaps,  combine  two  of  these  hypotheses  and  say, 
that  the  spleen  is  not  only  engorged  during  the  cold  stage,  but  that  it  is 
the  nature  of  the  remote  cause  of  autumnal  fever,  to  determine  a  morbid 
influence  on  that  organ,  more  than  any  other;  and  heiico  tlic  frecpiency  uf 
its  disorders  in  autumnal  fever.  We  must  not,  1- juevcr,  lose  sight  (.f  the 
fact,  that  we  are  entirely  ignorant  of  the  fuuction,  which  is  performed  by  or 
ill,  the  red  Jtulpy  matter  of  the  spleen  ;  that  we  know  nothing  of  the  rela- 
tions which  it  bears  to  the  blood;  nor  of  the  influence  of  the  remote  cause 
upon  the  blood;  and,  therefore,  that  the  disorders  of  the  organ  may,  pos.-i- 
bly,  lie  induced  through  those  humoral  elements. 

In  persofis  of  strumous  habit,  the  spleen  is  apt,  like  almost  every  other 
organ,  to  become  the  seat  of  tubercle:  but  passing  this  by,  wi-  may  say, 
that  alniust  every  case  of  disease  of  that  viscus,  known  to  us  in  this  country, 
grows  out  of  autmnnal  fever  ;  and,  in  what  I  shall  say  through  the  reuuiinder 
01  this  section,  I  ]iropose  to  limit  myself  to  its  disorders  consequent  on  that 
fever,  most  of  which,  moreover,  connect  themselves  with  the  intcnuitteut 
form. 

III.  Simple  intermittents,  if  protraclcd,  scarcely  ever  fail  to  disorder  the 
spleen.  Such  disorder  at  first  shows  but  few  signs  of  an  inflammatory  charac- 
ter, presenting  nothing  but  enlargemeut;  but,  in  the  succeeding  winter,  under 


il!ljf 


f 


i 


Mm' 

B-,T'4ii  I  ■  ■■  VV'i 


•■  ,'■; 

.  'i 

■■•;■■*' 

V  ' 

■<■* 

':-»>''' \l.'  ','"' 

*1  i?-^     f 

,,     ■  '  • 

.■  _  ■ 

'  ?  :  • 

.:'5|;-; 

.■     ;-^'  ■, 

l-h-^     ■ 

~  '^  ■  ,; .. 

\ 

,'    '- 

•',|:;;; ; 

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■  Ji^t^ 

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i  ' 

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.  .'  ■ ' 

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L       ,     ,       >    . 
11'-''  J  /' 

X\    i-      -I 


88S 


THH  rruN'cirAL  diskasi's  of  the 


[book  ir. 


vieissitmlcs  of  temperature,  inllaniniatidu  may  bo  suporadiled.  Of  the  true 
nature  of  tliis  simple  oulari^eiiiunt,  we  know  nothing  very  positively;  but  it 
must  ooiihist,  T  think,  either  in  an  increase  of  the  peculiar  pul])y  matter  of 
tile  organ,  with  increased  (levchipment  of  the  fibrous  i-tructure  ;  or  the  aeeu- 
mulati<jn  ami  .stasis  of  the  blood,  or  both.  To  the  former,  only,  should  the 
term  hypertrophy  be  applied.  The  latter  is  a  species  of  permanent  erec- 
tion, and  T  jiresume  it  is  by  far  tlie  more  eominon  of  the  two.  I  once  sup- 
posed, it  might  sometimes  be  a  h^'droiiie  condition  of  the  organ,  or  a  .secre- 
tion of  serum  into  tlie  cells  of  the  spleen,  where  it  would  be  colored  by  the 
red  pulpy  matter;  but  can  cite  no  facts  in  support  of  this  conjecture. 

During  tlie  paroxysms  of  a  malignant  intermittent,  this  organ  suffer.s  se- 
verely. This  is  proved  by  two  facts.  First.  Those  who  recover  are  often 
left  with  enlargement  of  the  spleen,  although  they  might  have  had  but  two 
or  three  paroxysms.  Second.  The  organ  in  those  who  die,  is  almost  always 
found  more  or  less  swollen,  greatly  softened,  and  .sometimes  almost  diffluent; 
but  it  rarely  exhibits  any  acknowledged  vestiges  of  inflammati(jn. 

Inflammatory  iiitormittents  generate  most  of  the  cases  of  sph.Miitis,  with 
which  we  meet.  This  inflammation  may  be  accompanied  by  mauifcst  swel- 
ling of  the  (jrgan,  or  exist  without  it  —  it  ma}-,  again,  bo  either  serous  or 
parenchymatous.  It  may  invest  the  organ  with  bands  of  lymph  ;  or  fdl  it 
with  factitious  tissue,  thereby  h.ardcniiig  it;  may  soften  it  in  the  absence  of 
such  tissue  :  or  may  end  in  suppuration.  It  may  manifest  itself,  during  the 
Fever,  as  a  decided  complication,  and  cease  with  it ;  or,  escaping  observation 
in  the  midst  of  the  general  overthrow  of  the  functions,  may  attract  our  at- 
tention, for  the  first  time,  when  the  patient  has  begun  to  convalesce.  In 
whatever  stage  of  the  Fever,  or  the  convalescence,  it  may  be  developed,  its 
diagnosis  is  essentially  the  same.  This,  Avhen  enlargement  and  iiifhimmatioii 
are  combined,  is  comparatively  easy ;  but  when  inflammation  exists  without 
enlargement,  the  diagnostic  difficulty  is  sometimes  considerable. 

"We  como  now,  to  consider  the  symptoms  and  treatment  of  splenitis. 


SECTION  II. 

SPLENITIS. 

I.  Symptoms.  —  These,  as  they  occur  during  an  attack  of  inflammatory 
intermittent  fever,  have  been  stated  on  ^nigc  752,  and  therefore,  a  brief  re- 
cognition will,  now,  be  all  that  is  necessary.  The  characteristic  .^ymittouis 
tu'c  pain,  not  often  very  acute,  in  the  left  hypochondrium ;  tenderness  or 
soreness  on  pressure,  over  the  intercostal  spaces,  or  below  and  behind  the 
cartilages  of  the  ribs ;  frequently,  a  hacking  cough ;  a  sense  of  oppression 
and  anguish  in  the  region  of  the  diaphragm ;  sometimes  a  hiccup  —  two 
examples  of  which  were  mentioned  to  me,  as  occurring  in  their  practice,  by 


'  «  ' 


E  [dook  ir. 

aildcd.     <H'  tlu!  true 
I'l-y  iiOi>itivi-ly  ;  l)Ut  it 
uliar  puljiy  mtittcr  of 
iictiiro  ;  or  tlio  iictu- 
iiaT,  only,  slioiikl  tlio 
s  of  pcnuaiiciit  erce- 
,l\c  two.     I  once  sup- 
tlio  organ,  or  a  s^ccro- 
iiild  1)1!  colored  liy  tlio 
Ids  conjoeture. 
this  organ  suiVcr.s  se- 
vho  recover  are  often 
iidit  liave  had  but  two 
I  die,  i.s  almost  always 
times  almost  diffluent ; 
lannnation. 

;ases  of  splenitis,  with 
lied  liy  manifest  swel- 
n,  bo  either  serous  or 
ds  of  lymph  ;  or  fdl  it 
en  it  in  the  absence  of 
iiifest  itself,  during  the 
ir,  escaping  observati'm 
IS,  may  attract  our  at- 
fun  to  convalesce.     In 
t  may  be  developed,  its 
nnent  and  inflammatif  u 
mmation  exists  without 
nsiderable. 
nieut  of  splenitis. 


attack  of  inflammatory 
d  therefore,  a  brief  re- 
haracteristic  symptoms 
)ndrimu;  tenderness  or 
r  below  and  behind  the 
a  sense  of  oppression 
ctimes  a  hiccup  — two 
ing  in  their  practice,  by 


PARTI.] 


INTERIOR  VAI.LKY  OF  iN'ORTII  A-MKIJUA. 


S;J9 


Doctors  Ilonry,  and  Merriman,  of  Illinois;  in  violent  cases,  a  pnlii  in  the 
left  shoulder,  of  which,  Professor  Cross*  has  met  with  one  example;  and 
I  have  myself  seen  (wo  or  three;  finull}',  more  or  less  fever,  acci'rdiiig  to  the 
degree  of  inflaniniation.  To  (■(unphte  the  diagnosis,  the  altseiiee  of  several 
symptom,^,  must  be  nnted.  The  stomach  and  bowels  are  much  less  affected 
in  splenitis,  than  In  hepatitis;  tlicre  is  no  exjiectoration,  and  the  respiratory 
murmur,  can  be  heard  over  the  splenic  rcgiiai;  but  when  the  organ  is  enlar- 
ged, which  is  almost  invariably  tlie  ease,  there  is  a  dull  sound  under  percus- 
sion;  finally,  the  patient  can  lie  on  the  opposite  side,  much  better  than  in 
hepatitis. 

II.  3IoniiiD  Anatomy.  —  splenitis  may  be  either  capsular  or  parenehy- 
matmis.  I  know  of  no  distinguishing  symptunis  ;  but,  from  analogy,  we  nniy 
presume,  that  the  former  variety  is  aceonipauied  by  greater  pain  and  tender- 
ness, tlian  the  latter.  The  effect  of  the  first,  is  to  throw  out  cnagulable 
lymjih ;  whic.-li  more  or  less  invests  the  organ,  producing,  by  its  contraction, 
deformity  and,  sometimes,  atrojihy  of  that  organ,  esamjiles  of  which  I  have 
seen  in  the  Louisville  Hospital.  The  effect  of  the  second,  in  some  cases,  is 
induration  of  the  organ  from  infiltrations  of  lympli;  in  others,  softening,  or 
sujipuration. 

Occasionally,  the  spleen  becomes  adherent  to  the  diaphragm ;  the  inflam- 
mation may  then  permeate  the  latter,  and  enter  the  pleura  and  lungs,  which 
will  attach  themselves  to  it  above.  Thus,  splenitis,  iliaphragmitis,  plciu'isy, 
and  ]incumonia.  may  finally  coexist;  and,  if  the  physician  should  not  be 
called  till  the  last  is  established,  ho  miglit  pronounce  it  the  only  disease. 
This  extension  of  the  inflammation  to  the  diaphragm,  explains  the  produc- 
tion of  cough  and  hiccup,  in  splenitis;  and  afi'ords  a  beautiful  example  of  the 
influence  of  an  inflamed  smiaee,  in  exciting  its  own  morbid  condition  in 
another  surface,  with  which  it  i.s  in  contact. 

III.  Exciting  Causes.  —  The  cases  of  splenitis  now  under  consideration, 
arc  those  which  follow  on  autvunnal  fever,  especially  inflammatory  intermit- 
tonts.  beginning  in  the  early  stages,  the  inflammation  may  .survive  the 
cessation  of  that  fever;  but  in  other  cases,  the  organ  is  only  brought  into  a 
state  of  sanguineous  engorgement  by  the  Fever,  and  the  inflammation  is 
awakened  by  an  exciting  cause.  This  is  generally  one  of  those  sudden  chan- 
ges of  weather,  which  are  so  fre(|ucnt  in  our  middle  and  higher  latitudes, 
where  it  is  more  common  than  in  the  South.  Being  thus  awakened,  it  gen- 
erally occurs  late  in  autumn,  and  through  the  following  winter.  l>ut  violent 
exercise  may  start  the  inflammation,  when  the  organ  is  in  u  slate  of  conges- 
tion. Lastly,  an  accidental  blow  or  a  fall,  on  the  left  side,  may  bring  out 
the  same  result. 

lY.  TuEATMENT.  —  Thc  fcvcr  which  accompanies  splenitis,  very  conmionly 
displays  a  remitting  type;  and  this  paroxysmal  character  has  often  restrained 
the  physician  from  active  antiphlogistic  measures,  when  they  were  impera- 
tively demanded.     In  our  warmer  climates  it  may  not  be  admissible,  in  most 


*  Pathological  Anatomy,  Second  Edition,  p.  07 


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S40 


Tin:  riii.NcirAL  diheashs  or  the 


[book  II, 


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m' ■■■■■■ 

%.  ♦;'■,        . 

^■'■''•^;■  ■'.   ■■' 


casos,  to  uMipluy  tliL"  lanoct;  but,  in  tlio  cold  and  variablo,  vonoscctiDU  is 
iiiilisjiiiisaliU- ;  tlio  blmd  i.s  si/y,  and  much  reliot' folluw.s  its  detraction.  A 
casi!  in  tlio  Co.ninci'cial  lbis|iital,  of  this  city,  duriii!,'  tiic  [ircsent  winter, 
rc([iiircd  no  K'.-s  than  (our  bleciliii,is,  al'ter  each  of  which  the  synijitoniH  were 
mitigated ;  and  tie  s\v(!lli?ig  of  the  organ,  whicli  was  so  great  aw  to  cause  a 
buli.ing  out  of  tlic  cartihigcs  of  the  rib.s,  was,  also,  diminished  by  every 
operation.  In  inik  eases,  and  e.«jiccially,  wlien  tlie  constitution  is  iruidi 
broken  down,  cupping  over  and  beh)\v  tiic  ribs,  may  answer  tlie  end  proposed 
by  the  h^ss  of  blood:  after  which  the  counter  init;ition  of  a  largo  lilister  will 
bo  useful.  In  acute  cfises,  calomel,  in  two  grain  doses,  may  be  given  every 
two  h(jurs,  for  a  few  days,  the  bowels  having  been  jiveviour-ly  evacuated,  or, 
in  its  stead,  active  chologoguc  and  hydrogogue  piu'ging  i\iay  bo  cifected  by 
the  conip(jund  power  of  jalap,  infusion  of  senna  with  sulphate  of  magnesia, 
or  ]tills,  composed  of  calomel  or  blue  mnss,  compound  extract  of  colocynth, 
and  S((uill,  in  equal  jiavts.  In  the  south,  however,  and.  in  very  paludal  local- 
ities further  north,  these  medicines  must  be  administered  wltli  some  reserve. 
At  a  com|)aratively  early  period,  tlic  suljihate  of  ([uinine  is  demaiuled.  At 
first  it  sliould  be  given  in  couil)inatiou  with  nitrate  of  potash  or  muriate  of 
auiniouia,  in  tlic  proportion  of  five  grains  of  the  former  to  fifteen  of  tlic 
latter;  but,  as  the  intliimniation  declines  ojiiimi,  in  the  (piantity  of  half  a 
grain  or  a  grain,  may  be  substituted  for  the  latter,  under  which  treatment 
the  swelling  and  iiiflaniniatioii  will,  in  general,  rapidly  abate. 

Hubacute  splenitis  is  often  attended  with  fe^'er,  and  the  local  symptoms  arc 
such  as  to  suggest  a  mild  inflammation,  kr^uch  cases  do  not  rei^uiro  tlio 
lancet,  but  cupping  will  always  be  jiroper.  As  to  the  remainder  of  tlie 
treatment,  it  should  be  a  diminutive  of  that  for  the  acuto  form. 


SECTIOX  III. 

SUPPURATION  OF    THE  SPLEEN. 


Parenchymatous  splenitis  frequently  terminates  in  suppuration.  A  want 
of  acute  sensibility,  in  the  interior  structure  of  the  organ,  prevents  a  degree 
of  pain  sutliciont  to  alarm  either  the  patient  or  the  physician  ;  and,  in  niativ 
cases,  the  fever  is  inconsiderable,  and  hence  the  inflammation  is  left  to  pur- 
sue its  course.  I  once  supposed  hepatic  abscesses  commoner  than  splenic; 
but  more  extensive  inquiries  have  shown  mo  the  reverse.  In  my  inter- 
course with  physicians,  I  have  collected  the  following  facts  : 

Doctor  Flournoy,  of  Lexington,  Jlissnuri,  has  met  with  two  cases.  The 
pus  was  discharged  into  the  bowels.  In  one,  when  the  patient  continued  in  a 
recumbent  posture  for  sometime,  a  swelling  in  the  direction  of  the  left  hy- 
pochondi'ium  would  manifest  itself;  on  pressing  which,  the  flow  of  pus  into 
the  bowels  could  be  heard;  and,  in  a  few  minutes  aft(;rward,  there  would  ho 
a  diapuirge,  j/o'  anum.  of  that  fluid  —  the  tumor  having  disappeared.     Tl.c 


!  'm 


1-: 


[DOOK    II. 


PART  I.] 


INTF.RIOIl  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


S41 


.•iublo,  vriit'Hcetiou  is 
■s  its  (k'tractutii.     A 

th(>   jin'sont  winter, 
\i  tlio  symiili'iiis  wcif 
„   L'voat  as  t.)  cau!ic  a 
tllu.iui^liea  by  every 
constitutiun  is  "lutli 
jwcr  tlic  cikI  iiv(f  osc'd 
1  of  ii  largo  blister  will 
s,  may  lie  given  every 
cviuuf-ly  cvaeuiitcil,  nr, 
ig  may  be  ciTcctcd  by 

suli.balc  of  magnesia, 
1  cxtrar't  of  colocyntli, 
l1,  ill  very  iniUulalloeal- 
L^red  with  some  reserve, 
line  iri  ilemantleil.     At 
of  potash  or  murial*^  uf 
jrniov   to   fil'toen  of  the 
the  nuantity  of  half  a 
unilur  which  treatment 

y  abate. 

I  the  local  symptoms  arc 

ses  do  not  riMiuiro   the 

the  remainder  of  the 

aeuto  form. 


:ek. 

1  suppuration.     A  waiu 

organ,  prevents  a  degree 
ihys-ieian  ;  and,  in  many 
immution  is  left  to  piir- 
;ommoncr  than  splenic ; 
reverse.     In  my  intcr- 

j  facts : 

ct  with  two  cases.  Tlie 
he  patient  continued  in  a 
direction  of  the  left  hy- 
■h,  the  flow  of  pns  into 
ftcrward,  there  would  he 
aving  disappeared.     Tic 


patient  seemed  every  way  convalescent,  wlien,  from  indnluitig  in  a  largo  meal 
of  meat;  fever  and  '  colioy  paiii.s'  supervened,  and  lie  died  in  two  days.  A 
hasty  po.st  mortem  in.';[ieetioii  sliowefl,  in  place  of  tiic  organ,  only  a  small 
sack ;  the  aperture  from  which  into  tlie  bowel,  no  duubt  the  colon,  was  not 
found. 

Tlio  other  case  was  marked  by  this  peculiarity.  A  tumor  formed;  a  ili.s- 
clmrgo  of  pus  took  place  from  the  bowels,  and  the  swelling  abated;  the  di.«- 
cliarge  fmrn  the  bowels  cca.sed,  tlie  swelling  ro.se  higlie.-  than  before,  ])uinted 
externally,  was  opened  with  a  lancet,  and  several  ounces  of  pus  eseaped, 
after  wliii;h  recovery  to(jk  plaee. 

J'l  I  tur  Twyman,  of  St.  Charles,  in  the  same  State,  has  seen  two  cases  uf 
splenic  suppuration.  One  occurred  in  a  child,  three  years  old,  and  the  di.s- 
chargo  was  into  the  bowels.  In  the  other  case,  the  abscess  pointed  exter- 
nally, and  was  ojiened  behiw  the  cartilages  of  tlie  ribs  —  both  recovered. 
The  Doctor  has  been  informed  of  another  in  the  ncisjfliborhood  of  St.  Charles, 
wliirli  terminated  in  the  same  nannor  with  the  la.'^t. 

T'lie  following  case  was  givc.i  me  by  Doctor  Henry,  of  Springfield,  Illinois. 
Altliough  the  subject  of  it  lived  in  a  region  where  autumnal  fever  abnunds, 
he  was  not  known  to  have  liad  that  disease.  He  was  a  robust  man,  who  had 
been  subject,  for  several  year,*,  to  attacks  of  what  was  called  colic;  when, 
in  the  winter  of  184"2-o,  immediately  after  one  of  tl'.em,  a  painful  swelling 
rose  rapidly  in  the  left  hypochondrium,  for  which  liis  physician  bled  him  once, 
and  purged  him.  The  catliartio  operated  kindly,  but  afforded  no  relief. 
After  a  wliih.'.  Doctor  IF.  was  called  in,  and  found  the  left  side  of  tlie  abdo- 
men much  cuhirged,  and  both  sides  tense  and  tender.  A  fluctuation  was 
obscurely  perceptible  on  the  splenic  side,  and  the  attending  physician  was 
treating  him  for  ascites.  Ho  had  a  considcrablo  degree  of  dy.^pnrea,  a  dry 
hacking  cough,  and  would  'hiccup  by  the  hour.'  Ilis  stomach  had  been  irri- 
table, but  was  not  so  at  that  time.  Every  morning,  he  iiad  a  slight  chill, 
for  which  his  physician  had  administered  sulphate  of  quinine.  Ductur  11. 
did  iiot  advise  any  active  treatment,  but  rather  to  wait  and  watch  the  pro- 
gress of  the  disease.  In  a  nnjiith,  a  sudden  and  cnjiious  discharge  of  jms 
and  blood,  came  on  from  the  bowels,  with  subsidence  of  the  swelling ;  and  a 
perfect  recovery  followed. 

Doctor  Boone,  now  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  saw,  at  Ilillsboro',  in  that  State, 
a  case  of  splenic  abscess  following  on  intermittent  fever,  which  pointed  ex- 
ternally, was  opened,  and  the  patient  recovered. 

Doetor  Christian,  of  Memphis,  Tennessee,  met  with  a  case,  preceded  by 
intermittent  fever,  in  which  the  organ  vas  greatly  enlarged,  and  an  abscess 
p'linted  in  a  mammary  form,  on  the  left  side  of  the  navel.  It  opened  spon- 
taneously, and  discharged,  at  least,  two  quarts  of  pus,  after  which  the  patient 
recovered, 

I>octor  Shanks,  of  the  same  city,  saw  two  cases,  in  which  an  accidental 

blow  given  to  the  spleen,  when  enlarged  from  intermittent  fever,  brought  on 

suppurative  action,  with  a  discharge  of  pus  by, the  bowels.     Both  the  pt^ticnts 

(lied ;  but  no  post  mortem  inspection  was  made. 

54 


i 


m 


'I- 


*  1 


.4 


..,,, 


yf 


842 


THF,  PRINCIPAL  DISRASKS  OF  THC 


[book  ir. 


•"MB 


Pot'tnr  Frazior,  of  tlic  ,«niiio  ])lac(>,  ro]atc(]  tlio  following:  A  rivcr-nian, 
who  liiid  liccii  often  !itr<'ctoil  witli  iiitLTiiiittont  fuvcr,  HuH'crcd  an  injiiry  of  the 
ankle,  wliieh  remhTed  ani|nitatioiineeCH.sary.  Two  weeks  after  tho  operation, 
ho  (lieil.  On  examination  of  the  Ixuly.  an  alisecs.s  of  the  s|ph'en,  without 
any  enhir<renient  of  tiic  (jrgiin.  was  foiintl.  The  churaiter  of  this  easo  is 
ninhi;;uous,  as  the  piiH  nii;:ht  have  been,  ami  jirohably  was,  absorbed  from  the 
stump  and  deposited  in  the  Kpleun  —  an  example  of  the  C(dd  abscess,  of  the 
siirjiieons. 

(,>f  these  deven  caso«,  tlio  discliar^'e  of  pus  in  six,  was  by  the  Ixiwels;  in 
tliree  externally;  in  one  by  both  nioch's  ;  and  in  one  no  evacuation  ti  ok  plaec. 

It  deserves  remark,  that  none  of  tlio  abscesses  made  their  way  into  the 
stomach,  jioritoneal  Ciavity,  or  lungs.  It  should  likewise  bo  noted,  that  the 
discharge  of  pus  was  not  followed  by  liectii^  fever;  and  that  all  the  patients 
recovered  excejjt  one,  who  fell  a  victim  to  the  iiididgenco  of  his  ajipetite 
during  convalescence:  and  two,  who  had  sulVcred  external  injury.  Lastly, 
all  the  ea-es  occurred  north  of  the  thirty-lifth  degree,  and  most  of  tiicu) 
above  the  thirty-eighth.  Not  one  case  was  mentioned  to  mo  south  of  the 
f(jrmor  jmrallcl  of  latitude;  and  hence,  we  may  conclude,  that  suppuration 
of  the  sjilcen  is  a  northern  rather  than  a  southern  disease;  we  are  also  ad- 
monished, by  tho  issue  of  two  cases,  that  those  who  have  enlargement  of  the 
organ,  ari>  in  danger  from  mechanical  injuries. 

Tliu  treatment  of  suppuration  of  tho  spleen,  after  tho  discharge  of  pus 
lias  commenced,  must,  of  coiu'se,  bo  restorative,  and  consist  of  nutritious 
diet  (all  inordinate  indulgoncics  being  avoided)  ;  the  bark,  rendered  still  more 
necessary  than  in  ordinary  suppurations,  from  tho  jieculiar  diathesis  of  the 
patient;  elixir  vitriol,  in  cond)ination  with  that  medicine;  tho  blue  ])ill,  as 
an  ajiciient,  when  one  is  re({uired;  ojiium,  especially  at  night,  and  flannel 
next  the  skin. 


■J. 


S1'.CTI0N  IV. 

EXLARGEMENTS  OF   THE  SPLEEN. 

T.  T5y  enlargement  of  the  spleen  wo  are  not  to  understand  the  swclliiig 
which  accompanies  s[)lcnitis,  which  may  be  inconsiderable,  especially  whcr 
the  inflamniati.in  is  sercms.  Tho  enlargement,  wh.ich  now  occupies  us,  vunj 
exist  independently  of  inflammation,  and  certainly  does  not  arise  from  it. 
Tho  same  pathological  cause,  which  produces  enlargement,  may,  also,  gener- 
ate inflammation  ;  but,  in  many  cases,  it  docs  not ;  in  all,  however,  it  so  pre- 
disposes to  that  disease,  that  slight  exciting  causes  may  bring  it  on.  In- 
flammation is,  then,  a  contingent  of  cidargenicnt.  Now  and  then  it  is  acute, 
and  may,  pcrliaps,  prove  fatal;  but  I  have  not  witnessed  such  a  termination. 
jMorc  conmionly,  however,  it  assumes  a  chronic  form,  or  returns  at  irregular 
intervals,  in  a  subacute  grade. 

IT.     ]"]nlargemcnts  of  tho  spleen  arc  spoken  of,  by  some  pathologists,  as 


t  f ,  >  .  '^.  j . 


'I 


■  »l 


[book    II' 

^.\nr,;  A  rivor-nian, 
\'YvA  ail  injury  '-f  tlio 
nsiirti'rtlu'«iiM'V(ition, 
the  Jil-lc'i'l),  Nvitlinut 
•actiT  of  tills  raso  is 
•us,  ul)S(.r1»eil  IVoin  tin: 
10  cold  absecs.s  of  tlic 

ivas  by  the  bowels ;  in 
ovacuiitltm  ti  ul<  iiliu'C. 
do  thelv  way  into   tlio 
:iso  bo  noted,  tliat  the 
„l  that  all  the  paticijts 
Igoneo  of  hi3  appetite 
tiiMial  injnvy.     Lastly, 
roe,   and  most  of  tlieiu 
.od'to  me   south  of  the 
elude,  that  Mipi'i^'ation 
isease;  wo  are  also  ad- 
havc  enlargement  of  the 

jr  the  discharge  of  pus 
,nd  eonsist  of  uutvltious 
bavh,  rendered  still  move 
peculiar  diathesis  of  the 
lifine;  the  blue  pill,  a« 
lly  at  niuht,  and  ilamicl 


I'AllT  l] 


INTEUIOIl  VALLF.Y  ()F  .NOIMlf  AMMIMCA. 


&4;j 


Leen. 

[understand  the  swelling 

Iderablc,  especially  when 

Ich  now  occupies  us,  may 

\  docs  not  arise  from  it. 

o-cmcnt,  may,  also,  gcncr- 

iu  all,  however,  it  so  pro- 

U  may  bring  it  on.  Tn- 
[Now  and  then  it  is  acute, 
licssed  such  a  termination. 
L,  or  returns  at  irregular 

I  by  some  pathologists,  as 


liypertropliics.  l>nt  tlil.--  is  ;i  ini.-iapplioutioii  ni'  the  term.  'J'lic  ;;iipimiita- 
tioii  of  hi/.o,  whii-ii  eaii  ho  l)rou;j;lit  about,  in  a  few  days.  In  a  p:itlinlii^'i('iil 
cause,  cannot,  witli  projnioly,  I»e  t  alleil  an  iiurcn.se  of  growth.  A.'<  well  mi'rlit 
wo  call  aiia.sarca,  a  liyperlrophy  of  the  ecllular  nieiiiliraiic.  'J'iio  .splocn  i!», 
uudmilttedly,  a  peculiar  variety  of  cnictili'  tissue;  ami  wlicii  it  beronu'.s  mid- 
deidy  enlarged,  wo  are  Imuiid  to  regarii  tlio  material  whiili  gives  it  (listeiisiuii 
as  bl'K  il.  It  may  bo  alledgeil,  however,  that  it  is  net  iiloud,  but  an  inereaso 
of  the  peculiar,  pulpy  matter,  which,  at  all  tiiiu'.s,  lills  tlio  nrc(  lar  .strinturc 
of  the  organ;  but  it  seems  e  mtrary  to  analogy,  that  a  jtatliLli  gleal  condi- 
tion slinuUl  augment  the  pniduet  of  the  healthy  lunetion  of  an  i^'gaii.  The 
rapid  reduction,  in  bulk,  which  recent  enlargements  of  tlio  .ipleeii  s-'unetimcs 
undergo,  is  anolhor  argument  fur  the  tln'ory  of  .'■•iiiple  congcstiim  aid  .stasis. 
If  the  contents  of  the  ,'^plenio  .sack  bo  examined,  when  the  organ  is  in  such  a 
,'tate,  we,  of  course,  have  a  mixture  nf  black  or  ."stagnant  blood,  and  the  pecu- 
liar pulp  of  the  organ,  with  its  .^lalplligiaIl  cor[iuseu!e.s.  I'mler  this  exces- 
sive diston.slon  and  iininer.sion,  for  sometime,  in  the  same  blood,  the  internal 
iibrous  structure  will,  of  coMrse,  hjse  much  of  its  cohesiini ;  ami  the  wliolo 
substance  of  the  organ,  when  its  capsale  is  penetrated  with  tlio  linger,  bo 
found  almost  as  tender  as  a  coagnlum  of  IjIocaI;  and  this,  as  we  have  seen,  i,s 
the  condition  of  tlio  t)rgau  in  many  who  die  of  autumnal  fever. 

II  [.  Hut  enlargement  very  commonly  romain!»  long  afti^r  t!ie  fever,  which 
occasioned  it,  has  been  cured.  On  what  then  doe.s  it  depend'.'  Douljtles.s, 
ill  some  cases,  it  depend.s  on  the  eoaguhition  of  the  blimd,  wlicrcliy  its 
fibrinons  p  irtion,  in  detaehe'l  or  adherent  lilanients,  is  mingled  with  the  more 
fluid  ji'irtions;  and,  sometimes,  <iii  the  inliltratioii  of  coagulatiiitr  Ivnipli, 
from  subat  lite,  parenchymatous  iiitlamnnition,  giving  increased  density  to  the 
organ,  and  rendering  its  reduction  to  the  original  size  an  impracticable  under- 
taking. But,  in  most  instanees,  it  would  seem  there  is  notliing  more  than  a 
loss  of  contractility  in  the  areolar  and  vaseular  tissues,  by  which  it  continues 
to  receive  and  Civ.ituin  a  largo  ([uantity  of  bl.H.d,  as  in  the  f(jllo',viiiir  — 

Case, —  Doctor  liurlbert,  of  Ottawa,  llliiioi.?,  in  the  year  h^'l"^,  was  eallcJ 
to  SCO  an  Irish  iiinnigraiit,  who  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  "West  Indies;  while 
there,  he  sufrercd  from  intermittent  fever,  and  the  enlargement  of  the  spleen 
which  followed,  had  continued  lor  liftoen  or  twenty  years.  The  ora'an  pro- 
jected across  tlio  abdomen  to  the  right  iliac  region.  When  the  Doetor 
arrived,  the  patient  had  high  fever,  with  hard  pulse,  abdominal  tenderness, 
pain  ill  the  left  hypochondrium,  irritable  stomach,  and  ?in\\o  diTuulty  of 
hrealhing — in  fhort,  labored  under  acute  splenitis.  He  was  bled  live  times, 
hlistcred.  and  look  freely  of  calomo)  and  diaphoretles,  which  subdued  the 
iiiflanimation.  During  his  convalescence,  the  swelling  of  his  spleen  began  to 
abate;  and  two  years  afterward,  when  the  Doctor  saw  him,  it  was  entirely 
gone.  It  can  scarcely  bo  sup]ioscd  that  this  reduction  would  have  taken 
place,  if  the  organ  had  been  hypertr.iphiodor  undurated,  for  tifteen  or  twenty 
years. 

IV.     I  have  already  loferred  to  two  cases  of  s.ppuration,   in  cnlarired 
spleens,  from  blows  on  the  left  hypochondrium.     It  remains,  now,  to  add. 


Ml 


I  .• 


•  !• 


I 


m 


w 


l.- 


•■I 

n1 


844 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


!  DOOK  II. 


\^-0''^ 


b  '4] 


Kg* ail-., ■?.•■,  /;,;'.  ;;  ■  ■■ 


tli.'it  such  violence  may  occasion  a  ru])turo  of  the  organ,  and  the  consequent 
death  of  the  j)atieiit,  as  ai)pear.s  from  the  foHowing  — 

Case.  —  An  Trishmaii.  who  liad  h'lhorcd  on  tlio  canal,  between  Lake  3Iich- 
igan  and  the  Tllinois  iliver,  for  a  twelve  month,  during  whicli  he  had  expe- 
rienced several  attacks  of  intermittent  fever,  came  to  Peoria,  llliiuiis.  in  a 
state  of  emaciation,  but  with  a  tumid  abdomen.  His  comjilexlon  was  of  a 
greenish-yellow  tint ;  while  the  whites  of  his  eyes  showed  a  bluish  tinge. 
Ill  a  ((uarrel,  he  received  a  kick  on  the  region  of  the  spleen,  which  he  survived 
four  days.  iJoctur  Dickinson  and  Doctor  Tucker  made  a  post  mortem 
exaiiiiiiatinn.  The  intestines  were  adherent  from  recent  inflammation.  The 
spleen  was  six  or  seven  times  its  usual  size;  some  parts  of  it  were  in  a  state 
of  induration,  and  of  a  gr?cnish-yellow  color  ;  others  were  softer  and  darker. 
It  was  ru])tured,  and  a  ((uantity  of  I'lood  had  escaped  into  the  peritoneal  cavity. 

J>ut  tlio  ru[ituro  may  be  spontaneous,  as  appears  from  the  following  — 

CVrsr.  —  A  putient  of  Doctor  Cross,  in  the  same  town,  had  intermittent 
fever  for  eiglit  or  ten  days,  from  which  he  recovered.  About  a  month  afterward, 
ho  was  attacked  with  ague,  of  which  he  had  several  relapses.  On  a  certain 
mornin  while  walking  about,  in;  vas  attacked  with  a  cliill,  followed  by  fever. 
lie  to  ':•:  a  catliartic,  and  on  rising,  :luring  the  hot  stage,  ho  fell  down  and 
cxnived.  Twenty  hours  after  death,  his  body  was  examined.  Th.c  spleen 
presented  a  large  circular  and  ragged  aperture ;  and  was  so  tender  that  it 
could  not  bear  its  own  weight.  About  a  gallon  of  blood,  taking  that  whicli 
had  already  escaped  into  t1i(!  peritoneum,  with  what  was  forced  by  compres- 
sion, made  the  quantity  which  the  organ  had  contained. 

V.  In  its  early  stagos,  enlargement  of  the  spleen  may  bo  detected  by 
dullness  of  sound,  on  percussion,  over  the  false  ribs  of  the  left  side,  the 
res])iratory  murmur  of  tliat  region  being  unaltered.  But,  that  this  sign  may 
lead  to  a  false  diagnosis,  I  was  lately  taught  by  the  subjoined  — 

Case.  —  I  was  called  into  consultation  1)}' Doctor  ]>odgo,  of  this  city,  on  a 
patient  v.lio  labored  under  cerebral  inflammation,  of  which  he  died.  In 
attempting,  by  percussion  and  auscultation,  to  ascertain  whether  his  disease 
might  not  bo  eomplieated  with  pneumonia,  we  found  a  manifest  dullness  over 
the  left  hypochondriac  region;  but  tlic  respiratory  murmur  was  entirely 
normal.  ^Vc,  of  course,  concluded  that,  from  an  attack  of  autumnal  fever 
at  some  former  period,  ho  had  an  cnlargonicnt  of  the  spleen,  though  not 
groat  enough  t)  project  below  the  ribs;  but  to  our  surprise,  on  examining 
the  body  after  death,  we  found  tho  left  lobe  of  the  liver  so  liypertropiiieil, 
that  it  was  jammed  against  tho  spleen,  which  had  its  natural  size. 

After  the  tumor  has  advanced  below  tiic  cartilages  of  the  ribs,  it  cannrit 
bo  confounded  with  any  other  swelling,  except  that  attendant  on  suppura- 
tion of  tho  kidneys,  from  whicli  it  may  bo  distinguished  by  the  previmis 
history. 

The  subject  of  enlarged  spleen  is,  generally,  more  or  less  emaciated  in 
his  limbs,  while  his  abdomen  is  tumid.  His  complexion  is  wan;  yellowish. 
but  less  so  than  in  afli'ections  of  the  liver;  indistinctly  greenish,  or  cIiI'Tc- 
tic,  dirty  leuco-phlegmatic ;  or,  finally,  that  of  cancerous  cachexia.     The 


bi 


[£  [book  n. 

I,  and  tlic  consequent 

between  Lake  3Iicli- 
r  wliicU  lie  Imd  exiic- 
rooria,  Tllumis.  hi  ;i 
conipli'xlMU  was  of  a. 
lowed  a  l)luish  tinge. 
cen,wliich1\esm-Yived 
made  a  post  mortem 
nt  inflammation.     Tlie 
•ts  of  it  were  in  a  i^tatc 
;\-cre  softer  and  darker. 
to  tlie  peritoneal  cavity, 
fim  tbc  following — 
town,  liad  intermittent 
Iviut  a  month  uftcrward. 
relapses.     On  a  certain 
chill,  followed  hy  fever, 
stao-o,  he  fell  down  and 
examined.     Th.c   spleen 
d  was  so  tender  that  it 
jlood,  taking  that  which 
was  forced  hj  eompres- 

,d. 

n  may  he  detected  hy 
,s  of  the  left  side,  the 
Jnt,  that  this  sign  may 
pnlijoined  — 
>(,dge,  of  this  city,  on  a 
of  which  he  died.      In 
tain  whether  hi.s  ai.=ea-e 
a  manifest  dullness  over 
■y  mnvmur  was   entirely 
ttack  of  autumnal  fever 
th.e  spleen,  though  not 
.surprise,  on  exanuning 
liver  so  hypertrophied, 
s  natural  size, 
eves  of  the  rihs,  it  cammt 
t  attendant  on  su]ipur;i- 
guished  V)y  the  provious 

ore  or  less  emaciated  i'.i 
-xion  is  wan;    yelhiwi^li. 
nctlv  crcenish.  or  chlom- 
ancerous  cachexia.     i-W 


TART  1.] 


IxNTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


845 


whites  of  the  eyes  have  not  tlio  sallowness  produced  by  liver  disease.  This 
change  of  coni[!k;:ion,  deserves  to  be  taken  into  account  in  our  investigations 
iutu  the  fvuictions  of  the  .sjjleeu.  Is  it  probable  that  the  organ  ei.orts  any  iu- 
flueiicu  on  the  heiuatu!?!.-,  of  the  blood V  Tluit  the  blood  is  in  a  pathoh^gical 
condition,  cannot,  I  think,  be  duubtcd;  not  only  from  tlw  altered  conqilexion 
of  the  patient,  but  from  the  luemorrliages  from  the  stomach  and  bowels,  to 
which  he  is  liable.  I  knew  a  gentleman  with  enlarged  spleen,  whd  had  two 
copioii.-i  liitnuorrhagcs  of  thi.s  kind;  and  a  nundjcr  of  our  physicians  have 
witnessed  the  same  thinir.  As  illnstratiiiii;  tliis  assertion,  and  showinjx,  at 
the  same  time,  two  other  interesting  facts,  I  will  cite  a  case  s^iven  nic  by 
Doctor  AVallace,  of  Akron,  Ohio. 

Case.  —  A  man  e.xpcrienced  an  attack  of  remittent  fever,  with  relapses,  in 
an  intermittent  form,  and  was  severely  salivated.  There  followed  on  this 
treatment,  so  great  a  susceptibility  to  the  action  of  all  mercurial  pro|iara- 
tions.  tliat  fur  years  afterward,  he  could  detect  the  sn'allest  quantity,  admia- 
istercd  to  liiin,  by  the  constitutional  irritation,  morbid  vigilance,  and  diarrha-a, 
that  would  inevitably  follow.  AVben  exposed  to  a  cold  and  damp  atmos- 
phere, his  s[)k'eii  would  suddenly  swell,  so  as  to  bulge  out  below  his  rilts;  and 
in  the  course  of  the  following  niglit,  under  the  influence  of  opium,  and  dia- 
jthoretics,  it  would  recede,  lie  was  never  without  tenderness  in  the  splenic 
region ;  but  had  no  drop.sy.  He  used  iodine  with  some  benelit,  but,  while 
his  health  seemed  to  bo  gradually  improving,  he  died,  suddenly,  of  hiemor- 
rhage  from  the  stomach  and  bowels. 

Of  tlie  influence  of  enlarged  spleen,  in  favoring  relaj)ses  in  intermittent 
fever,  I  have  a^-:ady  spokf^n.  Some  patients  have  observed,  that  active  exer- 
cise was  followed  bv  a  return  of  the  Fever.  The  connection  between  this 
aifection  of  the  sjtleen,  and  dropsy,  will  be  considered,  in  anotlier  section. 
In  many  cas,cs,  the  appetite  of  the  patient,  and  his  digestion,  are  very  tol- 
erable ;  and  ho  regards  his  ague-cale,'  as  a  mere  inconvenience.  In  some 
instances,  however,  it  becomes  a  buiden,  for  it  may  extend  into  the  right 
iliac  region,  and  rest  upon  the  brim  o.'  the  pelvis.  In  general,  the  enlarged 
spleen  does  not  leave  its  position;  but,  a  shoit  time  since,  Doctor  IMcjflit.  one 
of  the  house  physicians  of  the  Commercial  Hospital,  in  this  city,  called  my 
attention  to  a  patient,  who  some  years  before  had  suffered  from  intermittent 
fever,  in  whose  abdomen  there  was  a  hard,  spleniform  tumor,  three  or  four 
times  the  size  of  the  spleen,  which  coidd  be  moved  to  any  part  of  tlie  abdo- 
men, though  it  inclined  to  the  left  side;  and  could  be  nothing  else,  I  think, 
but  that  organ  in  a  state  of  dislocation. 

yi.  TiiE.VTMKNt. — When  the  symptoms  of  siilenitis  are  present,  tlie  ap- 
propriate antiphlogistic  treatment,  must  be  first  employed;  under  which  the 
enlargement  sometimes  rapidly  diminishes.  But  the  nnijnrity  of  cases  do 
not  thus  yield;  and  tlicn  the  practice  becomes  in  a  great  degree  empirical, 
consisting  of  various  therapeutic  agents,  which  we  must  consider,  scritiliin. 

1.  An  occasional  vmelic  is  beneficial.  It  agitates  the  affected  m-gan,  and 
thus  promotes  the  circulation  of  its  stagnant  blood;  increases  the  activity  of 
tlie  abiurljeut  vessels;  determines  to  the  surface  of  the  body;  and  pre[iare.-j 


s\ 


.  f 


•1 


r 


I 


84G 


TIIF,  PRINCir.M-  DISEASES  OF  THE 


fnooK  II. 


-I'l 


^     • 


i'^ 


B  " 


>  -I, 


Iff        J       r 


the  stumafli  for  the  reception  of  otiier  niodipiiics.  l>iit  tlio  lo«3  of  (IciiHlty  ami 
strciiii'th,  ill  the  capsule  ami  lihroiis  texture  of  tlie  spleen,  is  sometimes  so 
great,  tliat  in  vomiting,  a  rnjiture  niiglit  occur;  and,  therefcire,  emetics  should 
not  he  ordered,  without  care  and  circumspoctidn. 

2.  Cathnrlia  are  not  liable  to  that  ohjcction;  and,  those  whicli  act  as 
hydrogofrues,  often  prove  beneficial.  Care  nuist  be  taken  m^t  tn  n-jiroduce 
the  Fever,  by  continuing  their  action  too  long.  One  of  the  best  is  the  com- 
pound powder  of  jalap  with  the  baric.  Another  is  a  pill  ('(imposed  df  one 
grain  of  blue  mass,  one  of  aloes,  two  of  rhubarb,  aiMl  a  fourth  (if  a  grain  of 
claterium.  ^  Free  jiurging  may  be  effected  with  two  or  tliree  of  these  pills; 
and  a  single  one  will  oprrate  as  an  aperient.  A\'hen  the  liver  is  tmMiii!.  and 
the  discharges  arc  not  colored  with  bile,  the  claterium  sIkiuM  be  ('Ujitted, 
and  the  (piantity  of  blue  mass  dimbled. 

o.  Diurclirs  are  frujuently  })rescribed  in  this  affection.  They  were  prob- 
ably, at  first,  suggested  by  tlic  dropsy  which  is  often  present.  I  am  not 
certain  as  to  their  effects  in  mv  own  nractice.  but  have  thought  them  bene- 
ficial.     The  following  fonnula  is  as  good  as  any  other: 

R.  Pulverized  si[uill,     -----     gr.  xxiv. 
Nitrate  of  ]iotasli,       ------      vji. 

jMix  intimately,  and  divide  into  twelve  pajiers:  One  to  be  taken  throe 
times  a  d:iy.  ^\'hen  inflannnation  is  present,  this  refrigerant  diuretic  will  be 
peculiarly  proper.  In  an  opposite  diathesis,  or  when  the  tendency  to  relapse 
is  great,  two  grains  of  the  sulphate  of  (juininc  should  be  added  to  the 
powder. 

4.  The  I>irl:.  combined  with  an  equal  quantity  of  cream  of  tartar,  ha^ 
often  done  good.  Should  this  :om])ound  purge  too  much,  the  pr('p(jrtiun  of 
the  latter  must  bo  diminished. 

But  tlic  sulphate  of  quinine  has  attained  a  higlier  reputation  than  tlic 
hark.  Tt  is  peculiarly  demanded  in  recent  cases,  while  the  original  nu.rbiil 
diathesis  still  lingers  in  the  system.  "When  given  in  the  declining  stage  of 
splenitis  its  effects  on  the  enlargement,  are,  perhaps,  more  favor;il)lo  tlnin  in 
any  other  condition.  Ami  this  leads  me  to  say.  that  when  no  inflammation 
is  iireson.,  an  occasional  bloodletting,  if  the  powers  of  the  system  should  not 
bo  greatly  reduced,  will  much  increase  the  efficacy  of  the  bark.  f(uinii;e.  ami 
otlicr  bitters,  stimulants,  and  alterants.  JMany  ])hys!eians,  who  practice 
where  malignant  intermittents  prevail,  speak  in  high  terms  of  quinine,  in 
the  splenic  eidargements,  wliieh  are  so  rapidly  giMicrated  l)y  that  Au'in  of 
fever;  lint.  T  have  not  mot  with  anv.  who  had  witnessed  the  instantaneous 


effects  which  Piorry  declare? 


no 


has  seen  in  the  hosoitals  of  I'aris.      "When 


infiannnation  still  lingers  in  the  organ,  the  uni(m  of  nitrate  of  jiotash  with 
•  the  quinine,  is  highly  beneficial.  Ten  grains  of  the  former,  ^^ith  five  grains 
of  the  lattiM'.  nuiy  bo  given  three  or  four  times  in  the  twenty-four  hours. 
On  the  other  hand,  if  the  exciti^ment  be  low.  it  will  be  ]);oper  to  sub.sti- 
tute  for  the  nitre,  five  grains  of  Dover's  jiowdcr. 

5.  loi/i/ir,  from  its  [iromoting  the  absorption  of  goitrous  tumors,  has  liccn 
extensively  employed  for  enlargements  of  the  s[deen ;   and  was  ex[)eeted  to 


I:  I 


iin 


[nooK  II. 


llio  loss  of  donsity  atul 
;i)lcoii,  is  sometimes  so 
lorel'oro,  emetics  bliould 

(1,  those  v.iru'li  act  as 
:a1ven  ui.t  in  n'pvoducc 
of  the  best  is  tlie  cora- 
i  |iill  e(!mposcd  of  one 

I  a  fourth  of  a  gviiin  of 
or  tln-ee  of  tliese  pills; 
the  liver  is  torpid,  and 

ium  should  l.e  omitted, 

tion.     They  were  proh- 

en  present.     T  am  not 

avo  thought  them  hene- 

r : 

cr.  xxiv. 

-      si'- 
One  to  ho  tahoa  three 

fricerant  diuretic  Avill  he 

II  the  tendency  to  rehqisc 
;hould  he  added  to   the 

of  cream   of  tartar,  has 
much,  the  pr<. portion  of 

cr  reputation  than  the 
while  the  original  morhid 
in  the  declining  stage  of 
s.  more  favorahle  th:in  in 
lat  wlien  no  intlammation 
(,f  tlio  system  slmidd  m't 
r  the  hark,  fiuiiiine.  and 
lysii-ians,   wlm  ]irai;tioe 
in-h   terms  of  (luinine,  in 
lieratcNl  hy  that  form  of 
iie^sed  the  instant aneoii.s 
oitals  of  Paris.     AVhen 
■  nitrate  of  potash  \Yitli 
e  former,  ^^\ih  five  grains 
1  the  twenty-four  liours. 
will  he  ])roper  to   suhsti- 

goitrous  tumors,  has  hccn 
,.u;   and^Ya3  expected  to 


I'AIIT    I.] 


INTERIOR  VALL[:Y  OF  NORTH  A.MKRK    \. 


S4i 


act  on  the  absorbent  .system.  It  lias,  undoubtedly,  effecte  1  the  (dject  for 
whieli  it  was  adiaiiiistered;  but  not  so  constantly  as  to  meet  the  anticipations 
under  whicli  it  was  at  first  preseribed.  An  extemporaneous  forniul.i,  con- 
sisting of  iodine  or  its  tincture,  adniiiiistered  in  a  solution  of  tlie  hydrio- 
datc  of  potash,  may  be  readily  devised;  or  the  latter  may  ]:e  given  alone, 
in  ([uantities  varying  from  lialf  a  draelim  to  two  drachms  in  the  di.y  and 
niijrht. 

In  the  hands  of  some  of  our  piiy.-ioians,  bromine  has  proved  useful ;  but 
I  cannot  sjieak  of  it  from  experience. 

0.  Ileferring  to  the  imp(jverislied  or  span;emic  condition  of  the  blood, 
chaliihculcs  seem  indicated.  I  have  seen  good  ellects  from  the  pro-carbonate 
of  iron,  in  combinatiim  with  tlie  bi-tarlrate  of  potash:  ])ut  the  best  prejiara- 
ratiun,  when  pro[ierly  made  and  pre.-erved,  is  the  iodide  of  iron.  It  may  be 
presumed  that  the  fcrro-cj'anato  of  ([uinine  would  be  elTicacious,  in  cases 
demanding  a  chalybeate,  but  I  do  not  kiiow  that  it  has  been  cm[doyed. 

7.  Couiilcr  irrilalion,  with  blisters  or  antimonial  ointment,  is  a  common 
remedy.  The  former  are  to  be  preferred.  To  be  of  service,  the  plaster 
should  be  large. 

8.  Throughout  the  whole  treatment,  the  patient  should  bo  supported  by 
nutritious  diet,  and  have  the  excitement  and  perspiratory  function  of  the 
skin  maintained  by  stinmlatini:  batlis,  frictions,  and  the  use  of  flannel. 

1).  In  many  instances  it  is  inij)ossible  to  reduce  the  enlargement,  while  the 
patient  continues  in  the  locality  where  it  originated ;  and  it  has  been  known 
to  disappear,  without  remedies,  under  a  change  of  jdace.  Tims,  I)(jetor 
Echols,  of  ydma,  Alabama,  went  to  Lexington  for  the  jirosecution  of  his 
studies,  while  laboring  under  an  enlarged  spleen  ;  and  returned,  in  eighteen 
luontlis,  free  fnnn  the  disease,  although  he  had  discontinued  all  medicines. 

A' 11.       ACTL'AI.     r.UACTlCi:   OF    MANV     OK     OUIl     rilVSICIANS. I     wili     UOW 

mcnti(ni  the  modes  of  practice  pursued  by  a  number  of  physicians,  beginning 
with  the  northern : 

Doctor  Conant,  of  ^raumoo,  <_>hlo,  treats  subacute  inflannnatory  eases  with 
oil  of  turpentine,  externally  and  internally.  Professor  Jjrainard,  of  Chicago, 
Illinois,  uses  the  blue  nniss.  sulphate  of  quinine,  and  extract  of  taraxicum, 
with  blisters.  Doctor  Henry,  of  .Springfield,  in  tlie  same  State,  after  tr\ing 
iodine  ointment  and  mild  mercurials,  with  some  success,  was  led  to  employ 
the  sulphate  of  quinine  and  the  blue  mass  emnbincd;  from  whieh  ho  obtained 
much  greater  benefits.  Doctor  Fryo,  of  I'eoria,  in  the  State  just  mentioned, 
uses  sulphate  of  quinine  and  sulphate  of  iron  comliined,  keeping  the  bowels 
open  with  jala[)  or  the  extract  of  t:iraxicum.  Has  seen  tlie  hydrobronuito 
of  ])otash  cure  twc  cases,  and  do  good  in  a  third.  Doctor  llowland,  of 
Ottawa,  in  that  State,  sometinu.'S  bleeds  once ;  bul  relies  upon  the  external 
ISO  of  iodine,  aiul  the  internal  administration  of  extract  of  coninm  maculu- 
luni,  sulphate  of  inni,  and  aloes,  conihincd,  and  given  in  pills,  D(jCtor 
Thomas,  of  Doonvilh,'.  31issouri,  has  used  muriate  of  annnonia  with  advan- 
tairo.  l^octor  Hutchinson,  of  the  same  place,  has  cured  the  disease  with 
blue  jiill  and  blisters.     Doctor  Flournoy,  of  Lexington,  often  bleeds  in  the 


I. 


i: 


I    ■ 


P!« 


I: 


i'f  I 


.1'. 


^*i. 


^\( 


,r* 


848  THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE  [book  ii. 

Loirimiiiig.  tlien  gives  tlie  imiriato  of  atiinioiiia,  Itluc  pill,  and  tartar  cuietic, 
coiiibiiictl,  ciiiployiiig  external  irritants  at  the  same  time.  Doetur  ])igges, 
nf  tlic  8anie  tnwii,  uses  iodine  and  entaneous  irritation.  lie  lias  tried  tlic 
muriate  of  ammonia  only  in  old  cases,  wlieu  it  failed.  .l>(K-tor  ]>cing,  of 
^larsliall,  in  that  State,  has  found  the  sulphate  of  quinine  lenelieial.  Doc- 
tor I'lice,  of  Arrow  Hock,  uses  external  irritatimi,  and  administers  the 
hydrindate  of  potash,  with  aj)erients,  internally.  Doctor  Cliriatian,  of  i^leui- 
jthis,  has  used  small  dieses  of  calomel  or  blue  pill,  with  tartar  emetic,  and 
nmriate  of  ammonia,  followed  by  tlie  bark;  but  has  often  louiid  a  change  of 
locality  indispensable  to  recovery,  {doctors  Shanks  and  Frazier,  of  the  same 
city,  have  employed  scarification  and  cnjiping,  dry  cupping,  blistering,  and 
the  deuto-ioduret  of  mercury,  externally,  with  bitters  and  stimulating  aperients, 
internally. 

Doctor  S.  ]5.  Malonc,  of  Columbus,  Mississipni,  blisters,  apjilies  a  plaster 
of  cicutn,  and   administers   calomel  and  the  suljihate   of  ([uinino.     Doctor 
Searcy,  of  Tuscalocsa,  Alaliama,  has  found  the  following  compound  useful: 
li.  Sidphate  of  (juinine,     -     .     -     -  )      ^ 

Castile  soap,      ------  ^ 

Aloes, \ 

Rhubarb,      -     .     -     -     ~     -     -  \    each  Zsa. 

Blue  nuiss,  -------) 

3Iix,  and  make  into  pills  of  the  onnnon  size  —  one  to  be  given  three  times 
a  day.  Doctor  Cuild,  of  the  same  town,  bleeds,  purges,  and  then  administers 
quinine.  Doctor  Haywood,  also  of  the  same  town,  has  found  the  disease  to 
disappear  spinitaneously ;  but  smnelimes  uses  calomel  and  tartar  emetic  in 
small  ddses.  Doctors  Daney,  Parish,  and  Davis,  of  Crceiisboro',  in  the 
same  State,  have  observed  the  spontaneous  disappearance  of  the  disease; 
but,  occasioinilly,  prescribe  blisters  or  tartar  emetic  ointment,  and  small  doses 
of  calomel.  Doctor  Echols,  of  Selma,  treats  it  with  cathartics  and  external 
liniments.  Doctor  Fearn.  of  Mobile,  has  used,  sncc(;ssfully,  the  blue  mass 
and  rhubarb  at  night,  with  carbonate  of  potash  and  powdered  mustard  as 
diuretics,  and  the  sulphate  of  quinine,  with  infusion  of  gentian,  as  a  tonic. 

yilT,  Concluding  Remarks.  —  T  find,  on  examining  my  notes,  tluit  in 
many  inetances,  the  treatment  of  enlargement  of  the  spleen,  was  overlooked,  in 
my  conversations  with  medical  gentlemen;  but  quotation.^  enough  have  been 
made,  to  show  the  state  of  medical  practice  among  us.  in  that  ailection.  On 
the  whole,  I  am  disposed  to  believe  it  more  inflammator}-  and  obstinate  in 
the  north,  tlian  tlie  south;  as  well  as  more  frequent,  in  jiroportion  to  the 
number  of  cases  of  intermittent  fever.  In  the  warmer  latitudes,  the  en- 
largement seems  to  partake  more  of  the  character  of  simple  congestion, 
than  in  the  colder  climates. 

It  has  sometimes  been  supposed,  that  a  premature  use  of  the  bark  con- 
tributed to  the  production  of  enlarged  spleen.  If  this  ever  happened,  it  was 
because  the  lancet  had  not  been  ade([uatoly  cnqdo}ed  before  resorting  to  that 
medicine;  which,  from  its  tonic  and  stinudating  (jv.alitics,  may,  at  the  same 
time  that  it  arrests  the  paroxysms  of  fever,  contribute  to  disorder  the  viscera. 


M 


[E 


[book  11. 


I'ART    I.J 


LXTERIOll  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


S49 


ill,  ami  tartar  ciuotic, 
inc.     Doctor  Diggcs, 
II.     He  has   tried  tlic 
■J.     Doctor  Long,  of 
!iinc  Lcncliciul.     Doc- 
aiid  administers  the 
or  Christian,  of  Mem- 
ith  tartar  emetic,  and 
ftcu  found  a  change  of 
id  Frazier,  (jf  the  ^ame 
ijiping,  hliwteriiig,  and 
1  atimulating  aperients, 

stcrp,  apiilics  a  plaster 
,0  of  (luininc.  Doctor 
ing  compound  useful : 

each    o'l- 

each  Sss. 

;()  be  given  tlirec  times 
2S,  and  then  administers 
las  found  the  disease  to 
1  and  tartar  emetic  in 
of  CJreensboro',  in  the 
^nrnnee  of  the   disease; 
ntincnt,  and  small  doses 
cathartics  and  external 
essfully,  the  blue  mass 
powdered  mustard  as 
'  irentian,  as  a  tonic, 
niii"-  my  notes,  that   in 
een,  was  overlooked,  in 
tion.5  enough  have  been 
.  ill  that  affection.     Ou 
atury  and  obstinate  iu 
t,  in  proportion  to  the 
mer  latitudes,  tlie   en- 
of    simple  congestion, 

re  use  of  the  bark  con- 

s  ever  happened,  it  was 

before  resorting  to  that 

lilies,  may,  at  the  same 
etu  disorder  the  viscera. 


Sucli  an  oltjection  will  not  lie  against  tlie  sidpliate  of  (juininc;  and  the 
sooner  the  Fever  is  checked,  the  less  h  the  danger  of  enlarged  spleen;  as  it 
is  the  repetition  of  the  paroxysms,  more  tluai  anything  else,  which  produces 
that  organic  derangiment.  Nevertheless,  venesection,  in  the  hi^'ner  latitudes, 
is  of  great  value,  as  a  prejiarative  of  the  system  I'or  tlie  (piinine;  and  it  is 
the  omission  of  the  l;iuect,  which  in  many  cases  jiermits  a  result,  that  throvrs 
discredit  on  the  (quinine. 


I. 


SECTIOX  V. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  1-IVER  FROM  AUTUMNAL  FEVER. 
There  is  mudi  in  tlie   symptomatology,  and  pathological  anatomy  of 


our  autumnal  fever,  lo  raise  and  perpetuate,  in  our  minds,  the  idea  of  a,  deep 
impli(;itioii  of  the  liver;  much  to  justify  the  epithet  '  biliou.-?,'  so  generally 
ajiplied  to  them  ;  which,  indeed,  would  be  a  very  convenient  and  ajipro]»riate 
term,  if  it  could  be  so  used,  as  not  to  suggest  the  idea  of  their  originating, 
from  some  ;.  unary  affection  of  the  liver.  All  this  implies,  that  the  biliary 
function  is,  in  general,  greatly  disturbed  iu  these  fevers;  which,  we  have  al- 
ready sliown,  both  by  the  pheiujinena  during  life,  and  the  ap[iearauces  after 
death,  to  ])c  the  case.  The  proper  treatment  of  the  morbid  conditions  of  the 
liver  during  tlie  Fever,  has  been  already  pointed  out:  and  we  come,  now,  to 
iiKjuire  into  its  condition  after  ihc  Fever  has  been  a  rested.  In  doing  this, 
the  first  fact  which  meets  us  is,  that  in  many  cases,  the  functions  of  the 
organ  are  natural  and  healthy,  from  the  termination  of  the  Fever;  the  next, 
that  when  they  are  morbid,  the  liver  appears  in  some  eases  to  lie  free  from 
inflannnatioii,  iu  others  to  be  inflamed.  We  must  study  these  eonditiuns 
separately. 

II.  Mkre  Fuxction'AT.  Lesions.  —  1.  Torpor,  or  inactivity  of  the  organ, 
in  its  secretory  or  excretory  function,  appears,  sometimes,  to  constitute  the 
only  morbid  condition.  I  am  disposed  to  believe,  that  the  liver  is  not,  like 
the  kidneys  or  the  lung.>!,  an  organ  which  secretes  contiiuuuisly,  but  that  its 
action  is  essentially  intermittent.  Its  relations  are  with  the  stomach  and  duo- 
denum, whose  functions  are  periodi<;al ;  and  the  whole  may  be  presumed  to 
work,  under  the  same  law  of  iutermittonce.  The  universal  habit  of  taking  food 
at  itilarrals,  and  the  certainty  with  which  digestion  is  impaired,  by  the  intro- 
duction of  new  aliment,  while  that  previously  taken,  is  undergoing  conversion 
into  chyme,  denujiistrate,  that  hunger  and  the  functions  of  digestion,  are 
essentially  periodical.  That,  while  they  may  be  modified  by  haliit,  they  are 
the  cause  and  not  the  effect  of  habit.  The  reason  of  this,  lies  quite  on  the 
surface.  If  food  were  taken  continuously,  much  of  it  would  neccs.sarily 
pass  the  pylorus  undigested;  and  not  having  experienced  the  action  of  the 
stomach,  could  not  be  converted  into  chyle,  and  would  be  lost  to  tlie  nour- 
ishment of  the  system.  The  natural  ]ierii;dieity  of  the  functions  of  the 
stomach  being  established;  a  corresponding  periodicity,  must  be  admitted  in 


fi:' 


t : 


I 
I.. 


(Hm 


y 
i'l 

i; 


r 


850 


THE  PllLNCIPAL  J)1o1:A.S1:;s  of  Till'; 


[llOOK  II. 


■Jr.-? 


tlic  functions  of  tlio  (luodt'iiitm.  Tlio  cliyiDc  liuiiip:  prepare d,  tlio  pyldrus  cx- 
piiiids,  ami  tlio  stniiiacli,  oliaiigiiie  its  nnulo  of  imiscular  mi/V(  iiifiit,  from  a 
gestatiry  fn  a  jioristaltic  or  (.■ximl-ivo,  jmslics  tlic  aliiiH'iitar}  mass  into  tlio 
sn])[)leiiH'iil;il  oriraii;  tlirre  to  rc'civo  an  iiiipi'(".Miati(^ii  of  Lilc  ami  paiicruatio 
juice;  aft.  r  \v!;ii!i,  tin-  (■liiipiaiml  is  to  Ih'  transinittod  to  tl;c  small  intestines, 
for  alisorptioii  into  tlio  system.  iNuw,  it  would  be  a  pliysiological  alisurility, 
for  tlio  liver  ami  pancreas,  to  pour  out  contiiii..')US  currents  of  secreted  fluid, 
wlion  tlio  ends  fur  wliicli  fliey  aro  fonm  il,  can  only  bo  aceomplisiied  at  inter- 
vals. ]  ciiiicludc,  tlicii,  that  tlioso  orti'aiis,  wlieii  tbi-  iii(li\idu;il  is  in  health, 
are  stiniulalcd  into  activity,  ]i_y  the  impress  of  food  in  the  stoiiKu-ii,  tl;i!  ex- 
cited state  of  wliic'i,  invites  into  the  ca-liao  artery,  more  blood  than  before; 
v.'heroby  m^ro  is  sent  through  the  liver,  liy  the  lie|iatic  artery,  and  especially 
by  tlio  vciia  ])orta  ;  and,  thus,  it  is  n.it  only  roused  into  action  by  its  nervous 
associati.iii  witli  the  stomaeh,  but  by  the  increased  supply  ol'  blnod.  The 
secretion  of  bile  and  pancreatic  jnico  <^'ces  on  v.iili  activity,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances: the  e.\cret(iry  du'-ts  become  tilled;  and,  by  the  time  the  chyme 
begins  to  j.ass  the  pylorus,  the  currents  of  secreted  iluid,  are  jiouring  into 
the  duodenum,  to  mingle  with  it  —  secretion,  then,  giving  place  tu  excretion, 
to  be  revived  on  the  next  call  of  the  stoinai  h.  If  those  physiologieal  spec- 
xdatioiLS  be  correct,  it  follows,  that  while  the  liver  pcrform.s  a  contiiuuais  func- 
tion of  circulation,  in  transmitting  the  blood  of  the  vena  porta,  it  executes 
a  periodical  function,  of  se(:retioii  and  excreticn. 

Now,  an  organ  whoso  I'unetion  is  pcriddieal.  is  much  more  likely  to  fall 
into  toi'por  or  inaction,  than  one  whoso  function  is  incessant.  Hence  the 
froi[uenc3'  of  torpidity,  or  sus[ienued  secretion,  in  the  liver,  and  its  eoutinu- 
anee,  in  so  many  instances,  alter  attacl's  of  autumnal  fever.  In  this  condi- 
tion, the  elements  of  the  bile,  which  arc  developed  in  the  blood,  arc  not  col- 
lected and  coniliiiud  in  that  organ  :  and  one  of  them,  the  c(.loriiig  matter, 
manifests  itself  in  the  complexion,  the  urine,  and  the  serum  of  the  blood.  In  tiiis 
uiainier.  a  variety  of  juiuidice,  more  or  less  intense,  may  arise.  ]]utwhen  the 
secretiuii  of  bil.;  is  not  suspended,  the  c.rrnt/o/r  may  be.  The  biliary  ducts 
may  ni  t  a'l  with  energy;  or  duodenal  inilammatiou  or  irritation,  during  the 
Fever,  may  have  extended  to  the  ciiiimnn  gall  duet,  and  caused  a  thickening 
of  its  mucous  membrane,  or  a  spasmodic  constriction  ;  which,  remaining, 
may  interrere  with  the  excrcition  of  the  bile.  In  these  pathological  condi- 
tions, the  sallowness  may  be  even  deeper  than  in  the  other;  and  in  all,  the 
stomach,  fnin  its  symjiathy  with  the  liver,  and  the  bowels  from  the  same 
cause,  and  also  from  tlie  absence  of  their  natural  stinndus,  the  bile,  snou  show 
a  variety  of  functional  disturbances,  such  as  anorexia,  llatuleiice,  acidity,  con- 
stipation, or  diarrha-a.  As  long  as  these  conditions  of  the  liver  coniinue.  tlio 
couvalescence  of  the  ]iatient  will  be  slow  and  unsatisfactory;  his  muscles  of 
loconiiiiii'ii  will  be  weak;  his  heart  leeble  and  irritated;  his  nervous  system 
morbidly  sensitive,  and  his  spirits  gloomy.  All  this,  I  suppose,  may  exist 
without  the  sliiihtc.-t  inflamnialory  aft'ectiou  of  the  oi^an;  but  it  constitutes 
a  good  [iredi.spositiou  :   and,  if  allmved  to  continue,  vicissitudes  of  tempera- 


',  [hook  II. 

arcd,  tliopylt'iiis  cx- 
:ii-  miiV(  iiiiMit,  I'l'i'iu  a 
('i;l:ir_>  nii;ss  into  tlio 
i"  Lik-  iiiul  jiinurentic; 
I  till!  siiuiU  iutestiiios, 
vt^ioli'Liicul  alisurclity, 
■  ut.s  vX  cccviteil  iluiil, 
n;L'(iiiiiili>-'iH'(l  ill  iiitcr- 
dlNiiliial  is  in  liualth, 
tl,o  ^^tuiiKu-li,  tlit;  cx- 
rt!  liliiiiil  tiiaii  lu't'tive  ; 
arlcTV.  a;;il  t>i)tcially 
actidii  liy  its  ik-vvous 
iipiily  of  lilontl.     Tho 
tivity,  uudcr  f-iuli  (-iv- 
y  the  tiiiK'  the  cliyiue 
ihiid.  aro  i>(mriii<:-  into 
iig  jilaco  to  exfvctioii, 
so  physiiili'.uival  s|iec- 
■i\is  a  (.•Diitiiir.diis  luiic- 
ciia  pdvta,  it  exeoiitcs 

icli  more  lilu'ly  to  fall 
ncCf^Hant,     llouec  the 
livi'V,  and  its  rcntiuu- 
I'uvcr.     Ill  thi.s  oiaidi- 
10  bhiiid,  arc  not  col- 
tho  L'(J(jviiip;  inatter, 
uiof  tholilood.   Ill  tills 
arise.    ]>iit  wlioii  the 
L'.     The  biliary  ducts 
irrltathm,  duriii,!;'  the 
d  caiiSLd  a  thii-keiiing 
u  ;  wliii-h,   roiiiainiiig, 
so  i;Kitliolo<;ical  eoiuli- 
(itl'.er;  and  in  all,  the 
io\wls  iVtini  the  same 
IS,  the  liile,  snou  show 
atuleiieo,  acidity,  cou- 
hc  liver  Cdniiiiue,  the 
ctdry  ;  his  muscles  of 
I ;  his  nervous  system 
I  supposo,  may  exist 
;an:  hut  it  cuiistitutcs 
issitudes  of  tempcra- 


PAIIT  !. 


INTERIOR  VALLF.Y  OF  NORTH  .■\:\inn[CA. 


S51 


tiii'o,  or  some  other  cause,  may,  at  leiiirth.  cxciti'  iiiflammatin'i.     Jjit  lis  now 
direct  our  attcntini  t  i  the  rciii'ival  of  these  I'uuctiuiial  disorders. 

in.  TiiK  liKMinjiKs.  —  l>i;fi)rc  jircsciiljiiicr  for  tho  patli(>!'igical  condi- 
ti(ii;s,  the  physician  should,  by  his  IviinwlcdLio  of  dia,L'nosis,  ascertain  that 
inflammation  docs  not  exist,  when  he  may  pursue  tho  follewiug  mctlied: 

1.  An  a^'tive  em'^tic  is  generally  of  signal  service.  Xothiit'.;'  amuses  the 
liver  t'l  renewed  secretory  action,  (jr  einuhics  its  ducts,  mnre  succc.»sfullv. 
One  of  the  best  is  an  illusion  of  the  rooi  of  the  s;iii,'ininnria  I'andeiisis  with 
ipceae.  'I'artarized  aiitimony  is  too  sedative;  and,  if  it  be  us' d,  shouhl  be 
dissdlved  in  some  stimulating  draught,  as  a  t.'a  of  valerian  r^rl  ;  an  oi)iato 
to  be  uiveii  after  the  uprmtidn. 

'J.  Au  active  cathartic  should  next  bo  administered.  If  the  patient  should 
labor  under  diarrlnen,  a  large  dose  of  caleincl  and  rhubarb,  folhwid  by  an 
opiate  at  night,  will  be  jirojier.  If  costive,  a  portion  of  cah'mel  at  night, 
with  infusiipii  of  senna  the  next  morning,  or  a  dose  of  pills,  coiiipesed  of 
equal  parts  of  calomel,  gamboge,  and  ah:cs,  should  be  given:  and.  after  the 
operation,  au  anodyne. 

.".  The  patient  may  now  be  put  upon  the  use,  every  night,  of  two  or  more 
of  the  following  jiills  : 

K.  J)lue  mass. ^ 


Aloes, /    each  ,3ss. 

Tpecae, ) 

Extract  of  taraxacum,    -----  3iss. 

Mix,  and  nndvc  into  thirty-two  pills. 

4.  In  tlio  day,  as  much  tincture  of  rhubarb  with  'gentian,  as  may  be  neces- 
sary to  secure,  with  tho  pills,  two  or  three  alvino  cvacualious,  shmdd 
bo  administered  ;  or  the  pills  being  suflicient  to  keep  up  the  action  of  the 
bowels;  a  cold  infusion  (made  by  displacement)  of  tho  bark  rf  the  wild 
cherry  tree  [Pninua  Viri^hua/ui),  may  be  substituted  for  the  timtni'e,  which 
will  be  especially  rorpiired  when  there  i-;  strirture  of  the  coniniou  gall  duct — 
tho  prus<ic  acid  of  the  infusion,  being  well  iitted  to  relieve}  tliat  condition; 
while  it  stimulates  the  patient  into  greater  cheerfulness, 

f).  Antacids  will,  in  most  cases,  be  required.  Tho  subearbor.a'cd  alkalies, 
answer  very  wi'U  in  ordinary  cases;  but,  if  the  bowels  should  bo  ol:,-tinately 
torpid,  magnesia  will  be  better;  or,  on  the  other  hand, if  diarrlio.a  be  present, 
lime-water  and  lioiled  milk  shouhl  be  preferred. 

(i.  Tho  region  of  the  liver  should  be  sponged,  and  tlie  feet  iiiimorscd,  In  a 
hot  nitro-niuriatic  solution,  and  flanmd  should  bo  worn  next  tho  skin. 

7.  The  diet  of  the  patient  ouii'ht  to  be  nutritions,  savorv.  and  slimulatin!?, 
but  moderate  in  i|uantity. 

8.  Kc  should  '  e  exhorted  to  take  as  much  exercise  as  possible,  on  horse- 
back, or  on  foot,  in  tlie  open  air. 

9.  Throughout  tho  M'holc  treatment,  his  nervous  system  will  ileniar.d  gentle 
narcotics  and  stimulants,  especially  at  night,  of  which  more  v, ill  be  saiil 
under  the  next  head. 

IJy  these  means,  the  uniiiflammatory  hepatic  torpor,  following  cv.r  autunuial 


li'' 


§ 


■'ft'--      •      •  <l      ■  '  ■>■■•,<       ■■ 


■& 


.**«:: -sr 


852 


THE  riUNcn'AL  diseases  of  the 


[book  II. 


fevti"  iii;iy,  in  gonoral,  bo  soon  removed.     Let  us  now  turn   our  attention  to 
tlic  iiiilainiiuitory  contlltion  of  the  liver. 

I\'.  Si-ii.vcLTi;  lIi,i'ATixi,s.  —  'J'lie  acute  inflammation  to  wliieh  tlie  liver 
is  liable,  during  the  Fever,  may  remain  in  ti  subacute  form,  after  that  disease 
has  been  arrested ;  or  the  organ  being,  at  the  close  of  the  Fever,  in  a  state 
of  torpor  or  engf)rgement.  ii.ilammatii^n,  under  the  influenec  of  exciting 
causes,  may  supervene.  On  the  relatidiis  between  subacute  hcjiatitis  and 
the  Fever,  of  which  it  is  a  consequence,  the  foUuwing  remarks  may  be  made  ; 

1.  V.'hile,  as  we  have  seen,  splenitis  oftcner  follows  intermittent  than 
remittent  fever,  hepatitis  is  more  frcfjucntly  the  effect  of  the  latter  tlian  the 
former.  Tt  would  be  erroneous  to  say,  that  cither  is  conlined  to  a  particular 
form  of  the  Fever;  but  that  each  has  a  closer  connection  with  one  tlian  the 
other  is,  I  think,  certain.  I  cannot  explain  the  more  freijuent  occurrence 
of  hepatitis  than  splenitis,  in  remittent  fever,  except  it  be,  that  a  gastro-en- 
teritls  is  oftener  present  in  the  fonner  than  the  latter,  and  by  continuity  of 
mucous  membrane,  or  sympi.lhy,  excites  he[iatitis. 

-.  Of  the  relative  fre(|uency  of  these  two  aifections,  as  consequences  of 
autiunnal  fever,  I  cannot  speak  with  statistical  or  numerical  accuracy,  but 
believe  tliat  tlie  s])lcen  suffers  oftcner  tlian  the  liver.  Slight  degrees  of 
inflammation  may  pass  undetected  in  the  former  organ ;  but,  when  seated  in 
the  latter,  thoy  numifest  themselves  in  an  obvious  manner.  Thus,  it  seems 
proljable.  from  the  luunber  of  known  cases  of  s^ilenitis,  that  if  all  were  dis- 
covered, the  catalogue  would  much  exceed  that  of  hepatitis,  from  the  causes 
we  arc  now  considering. 

o.  Of  the  relative  prevalence  of  hepatitis,  from  the  Fever,  in  the  north 
and  the  siuitli,  I  cannot  speak  pusitively;  but  in(|uiry  has  satisfied  mc,  that 
there  is  (juite  as  much  of  it  in  the  former  as  iu  the  latter,  in  proportion  to 
the  number  of  fever  cases. 

4.  Hepatitis,  I  thiidc,  is  more  apt  to  run  into  suppxu'ation,  in  the  southern 
than  in  the  northern  portions  of  the  Valley.  The  number  of  hepatic  suppu- 
rations, of  which  I  have  collected  an  account,  is  less  tlian  the  number  of 
splenic  abscesses.  A  large  majority  of  them  were  south  of  jMemphis;  the 
reverse  of  wliat  is  true  in  regard  to  abscesses  of  the  spleen.  Of  the  cases,  the 
mode  of  tevmination  of  which  1  have  ascertained,  five,  occurring  in  the 
practice  of  Doctor  Drish,  of  TuscaLiosa,  Alabama,  discharged  themselves 
through  the  lungs  ;  one,  a  patient  of  Doctor  Shanks,  of  31em[)his,  opened  ex- 
ternally :  anil  one,  mentioned  to  me  by  Doctor  Vivian,  of  Dover,  jMissouri, 
took  the  direction  of  the  bowels.  Doctor  Fearn,  of  Mobile,  has  bad  several 
cases,  the  termination  of  which  I  did  not  record. 

5.  In  estimating  the  influeuoc  of  autunnial  fever  in  producing  hepatitis,  we 
must  not  forget  the  effects  of  alcoholic  intemperance,  in  exciting  or  predis- 
posijig  to  tliat  affection  ;  and  thus  causing  it  to  occur  more  frecjueiitly  than 
it  would  from  the  Fever  alone. 

C).  ^Vhen  :it  [Memphis,  Doctor  Shanks  took  mo  to  see  a  river-woman,  who, 
after  an  attack  of  intermittent  fever,  had,  at  the  same  time,  an  enlarged 
spleen,  and  a  suppurating  liver  which  pointed  externally. 


\  [noDK  II. 

urn  our  attontiuii  tu 

n  to  wlik'li  llio  liver 
nil,  uftor  thut  diycusc 
the  Fever,  iu  a  sttitc 
iiiilueiico  of   extltiiig 
iLaeute  liciiatitis  and 
niiarksuKiy  l)o  made  : 
ws  intenuitteut   tlian 
of  the  latter  tliau  the 
(iiliiied  to  a  jiartieular 
ion  with  one  than  the 
i  frcfjucnt  occurrence 
,  be,  that  a  gaiitro-en- 
aud  by  continuity  of 

IS,  as  consoquonecs  of 
luerieal  aecuraey,  but 
■r.  flight  degrees  of 
;  but,  when  s-eated  in 
liner.  Thus,  it  seems 
s,  that  if  all  were  dis- 
atltis,  from  the  causes 

!  Fever,  in  the  north 

has  satisiied  mo,  that 

attcr,  ill  jiroportion  to 

ration,  in  the  southern 
iber  of  hepatic  suppu- 
s  than  the  number  of 
jutli  of  ]Memphis;  the 
cell.  Of  the  eases,  the 
e,  occurring  in  the 
seharged  themselves 
Memphis,  oi)cned  cs- 
II.  of  Dover,  31issouri, 
ubile,  has  bad  several 

iroducing  hepatitis,  we 
iu  exciting  or  predis- 
murc  fretiuently  than 

■c  a  river-woman,  who, 
me   time,  an   enlarged 

Iv. 


li 


PART  !.] 


INTERKMl  VALLEY  OF  .NORTH  AMKllICA. 


853 


7.  Tf  honatic  ah; 


labh 


/ .  II  ncpanc  aiLscesscs,  as  appears  jtroiiahle,  are  more  common,  in  |i 
portion  to  the  numlior  of  cases  of  hepatitis,  in  tlie  snutli  tlian  in  thr  imith,  it 
follows  that  the  iiilhimmatinn  is  oftener  parenchymatous  in  the  fnrnicr  — 
membranous  in  the  latter;  and  this  may  exjilain  the  fact,  that  bilious  nj)- 
pcarancos  are  rather  more  conspicuous  to  the  south  than  the  north,  while  the 
number  of  cases  of  hepatitis  is  not  greater. 

S.  There  arc  few  iiiflammatiDiis  mure  apt  to  recur  than  lie]iatitis,  I  know 
a  lady  in  whom  the  disease  followed  autumnal  fever,  while  she  was  !>till  a 
child,  that  relapsed,  at  various  times,  for  the  next  thirty  years;  several  of 
the  attacks  being  prolonged  and  violent. 

IT.  The  symptoms  of  subacute  or  chronic  hepatitis,  are  constipation  or 
diarrh<ea;  a  suspended,  dej)raved,  or  increased  secretion  of  bile;  acidity  and 
irritability  of  stomach;  variable  appetite;  in  general,  a  foul  ami  yoUuwish 
tongue;  more  or  less  jaundice  of  the  skin  and  eyes,  with  yellowness  of  the 
urine;  tendernes.s,  and  sometimes  pain  in  the  epigastric  and  right  h}pti(:lion- 
driac  regions ;  arhing  about  tlie  riglit  shoulder,  sometimes  descending  into 
the  arm;  inconvenience  in  lying  on  the  left  side;  a  hacking  cough,  without 
expectoration;  a  dry,  harsh,  and  insensildo  skin,  witli  coldness  of  the  feet; 
occasional  flushes  of  fever,  according  to  the  degree  of  inflammation;  almost 
constant  frequency  of  the  pulse,  with  fits  of  palpitation  of  the  heart;  redu- 
ced activity  of  mind,  whimsicality,  despondenc}',  irrcsolutiuii,  and  fear  of 
death.  In  addition  to  the  direct  sympathy  of  various  parts  of  the  body 
with  tlio  liver,  tliey  sympathize  with  the  stomach,  which  is  dyspeptic;  with 
the  bowels,  from  whicli  the  liver  witliholds  a  due  supply  of  bile,  or  irritates, 
with  that  which  is  nnhealthy  ;  but,  above  all,  the  whole  nervous  system,  and, 
indeed,  nil  the  tissues  of  the  body,  arc  irritated  ])y  tlie  bile,  or  its  elonients, 
which  float  with  the  circulating  current.';,  and  act  on  the  exquisitely,  suscept- 
ible, interior  membrane  of  the  arteries. 

ITT.  1.  In  tlie  treatment  of  the  hepatitis  following  on  autumnal  fever,  a 
copious  bloodletting,  in  the  higher  latitudes,  is.  in  some  cases,  indispensable  ; 
but  tlicre  are  very  few  patients  that  will  bear  its  repetition;  and  tliC  greater 
number  do  not  demand  the  lancet.  The  dejircssing  influence  of  biliary 
matter,  mingled  with  the  blood,  seems  to  be  the  reason  why  copious  vene- 
section is  not  supported  iu  tliis  inflammation;  but  we  must  ascribe  a  part  of 
tho  intolerance  of  this  remedy,  to  the  paroxysmal  cliaracter  of  the  Fever, 
which  generated  the  inflammation.  When  general  bleeding  seems  inadvisa- 
ble, cupping  may  be  employed  with  advantage. 

'2.  The  administration  of  small  doses  of  calomel  or  the  blue  mass  —  but  I 
regard  tho  former  as  preferable  — should  be  continued  to  the  extent  of  ten  or 
twenty  grains  a  day,  until  the  mouth  is  slightly  affected.  If  much  l\'Vor  be 
present,  and  the  stomach  Irritable,  nitrate  of  jiotash  may  bo  advaiitagcou,sly 
combined  with  tho  calomel ;  but  when  that  organ  is  not  specially  involved, 
and  the  phlogistic  action  is  considerable,  minute  doses  of  tartarized  anti- 
mony or  ipecac  will  prove  benefii.'ial. 

3.  An  occasional  emetic  or  cathartic  does  t'ood,  by  cmula'ing  tlie  crall  ducts 


•iiih 


\i5l 


THE  riilNCirAI-  Dl.^EASErf  OF  TIIH 


[dock  II. 


'Wh 


m^ 

^\li 


—  the  iiinamiiintiiinl)'-iiig  of  a  low  yraJo  —  ami,  at  all  times,  the  latter  will  be 
|)Vuiicr,  to  1<|'('[>  iii>  tilt'  |)eri.-<tal.-ii;  ai^tiuii  of  llio  bnwel.s. 

4.  In  (ib.siiiiatu  ca^^es,  nitric  aciil  internally  may  bo  triwl ;  ami,  in  every 
sta;io  and  uradc  of  tliu  disea.se,  tlie  nif'-o-uuiriatiu  lution  to  the  rigiit  liypo- 
clirndriao  rei^iun,  and  lIio  i'cct,  will  bo  '    "  eliclal. 

0.  The  oxtra(;t  of  taraxacinn  often  d.  ,  good  in  this  disease;  but  to  [iro- 
ducc  e'luM-t,  it  should  be  administered  in  larj>er  (|nantities  than  iire  ennnnonl}- 
given.  Its  powers  are  fcebh;;  and  le.ss  than  two  drachma,  every  twenty-fuur 
hours,  will  not  bo  likely  to  aeeoniidlsh  anything'. 

().  ^VluM\  the  disease  continues  till  the  sneceeding  siinmier,  and  is  aec(jm- 
panied  by  constipation  of  the  bowels,  !^ul]ilnir-water,s,  drank  for  a  few  week.*, 
are  often  txeecdingly  bcnelieial.  liut,  to  [jrove  so,  the  keen  appetite  which 
the^-  produce,  must  not  bu  indulged  ;  and,  by  the  use  of  an  opiate  ut  bed 
time,  the  sulpliur  should,  if  possible,  bo  detcnnined  to  the  skin. 

7.  In  every  >tage  of  the  disease,  the  morbid  sensibility  and  irritability  of 
the   system,  must  bo  paliated,  with  gentle  nareoties.  and  anti-sjiasm.dies : 
which,  as  far  as   practicable,  should  be  so  combined  with  diaplioretics,  as  to 
act  upon  the  skin.     To  this  end,  it  is  advantageous  to  conddno  Dover's 
powder,  with  the  cvcinng  dose  of  calomel;  but  the  constitutional  irritation 
often  reipiires  tlie  administration  of  gentle  narcotics,  and  stimulanl.s  in  the 
day,  Avhcn  a  pill  of  four  grains  of  assaf(otida,  and  a  fourth   of  a  grain  of 
opium,  may  be  administered,  at  such  intervals  as  seem  necessary.     Or,  in  its 
stead,  the  following  formula  may  be  used : 

K.  k?ulphate  of  morphine,    ------  gr.ii. 

I'^uljihuric  ether,        -------     jij. 

Simple  syrup,      --------     '^u.         Mix. 

A  teaspoonful,  diluted  with  cold  water,  to  b(3  taken  at  discretion. 

As  all  modi -ines  of  this  class,  soon  lose  their  effects:  and  many  cases  of 
subacute  hepatitis,  continue  for  a  longtime;    a  change  of  tliu  narcoticn- 
antispasmodie,  often  becomes   necessary;  and  therefore,  I  subjoin  (he  fol- 
lowing : 

R.  Tincture  of  valerian,        -     -     -     -     -     -  Jii. 

Ammoniated  alcohol,       ------   3ii. 

Tincture  of  opium, 5i.  Mix. 

A  teaspoonful  to  bo  occasionally  administered. 

"When  wo  Iriok  at  the  value  of  +he  sulphate  of  rpiinino.  in  cl'.rr  nic  splenitis, 
we  may  suppose  ihat,  it  must  bo  serviceable  in  chronic  hepatitis  from  autum- 
nal fever,  and  as  it  coincides,  in  action,  with  the  medicines  we  are  now  con- 
sidering, it  is  proper  to  employ  it.  Condjincd  with  Dover's  jiowder,  in  the 
proportion  c^f  five  grains  of  one  to  ten  of  the  other,  it  may  be  given  at  night : 
or  it  may  be  administered,  now  and  then,  throughout  the  twenty-four  hours. 
according  to  the  following  formula  : 


'4    '. 


i1 

V  > 


iiu-A    [ 


•1 


Z  [dook  II. 

es,  the  latter  will  be 

rL'd  :  and,  in  every 
1  to  tliu  riulit  liy^iu- 

llf<ea!>c;  but  to  jiro- 
j  tlian  arc  ctiiiiiininly 
s,  every  twenty-lour 

uuier,  and  i.s  accom- 
ank  for  a  few  weeks, 
keen  appetite  wLicU 
of  an  opiate  at  bed 
be  nkin. 

ty  and  irritability  of 
nd  anti-spasnicdies : 
li  diiiplioretics,  as  to 
tu  combine  J)uver's 
istitutional  irritation 
id  stiniulanls  in  tlic 
fourtli  of  a  grain  of 
leccssary.     Or,  in  its 

-  gr-i'- 

-  oij. 

-  2ii-  J^lix- 
discretion. 

and  many  cases  of 

o-c  of  tbe  nareoticn- 

,  I  subjoin  I  lie  fol- 


!      V 


5ii. 
51. 


Mis. 


.  in  clirouic  splenitis, 
?patitis  from  autum- 
ncs  we  arc  now  con- 
over's  powder,  in  the 
iy  be  given  at  niglit : 
c  twenty-four  lionrs, 


PART  I.]  INTllUIOll  VAIJJIY  or  XOIITII  AMllUICA.  fc,53 

11.  .Sul[)liatc  of  fpiiniiie, Gi. 

"  morpliine,      -     -     -     -     .       pv  1. 

Arouiati<'  snlplmric  aiiil, gt.x. 

Sul[iinu'ic  ether, ^i. 

Simple  syrup,    -     - ^i.         .AHx. 

A  toaspoonful  to  be  given,  as  occasion  may  rcnuiro. 
■'^.     Tn  many  instances,  a  cliange  of  climate  becomes  iiulispcnsablo.     It 
must   always  be  madn  from  a  wanner  tn  a  colder  latitude:  cboosing,  at  tlie 
same  time,  a  locality  but  little  infested  witli  autumnal  lever. 

!',  1  do  not  give  a  sejiarate  con.'^ideratlou  tu  the  diarrluea,  v.l.ii'h  in  S'  nic 
cases  follows  on  autunnial  fever,  as  it  is,  generally,  syinptouuitic  of  liver  dis- 
ease, and  ceases  when  its  pathological  cause  is  removed. 


SECTION    VI. 

DROrSY. 

I.  TIisToiiv.  —  Dropsy  is  another  consc({nencc  of  autunmal  fever.  In 
slight  cases,  the  serous  inliltration  is  limited  to  the  lower  extremities;  but 
in  the  graver,  extends  to  llie  whole  sub-cntaneous  cellular  tissue,  giving  uni- 
versal  anasarca.  Ascites  is  less  common;  and,  never  occurs,  I  believe, 
without  cellular  inliltration  of  tlio  legs  and  feet.  Ilydrothorax  from  this 
cause,  is  exceedingly  rare,  ami  hydropericardium,  still  rarer. 

Dropsy  seldom  follows  «.n  remittent  fever,  except  it  terminate  in  the  in- 
termittent form.  "When  intermittents  are  cured  at  an  early  period,  dropsy 
seldom  appears.  Chronic  eases  arc  commonly  its  pathological  cause.  Some- 
times, when  the  anasarca  commences,  the  jiarox^'sms  of  fever  cease  to  recur: 
and,  after  the  lapse  of  a  little  time,  the  cii'usion  ceases,  that  which  had  accu- 
luulated  is  absorbed,  and  the  patient  is  restored.  la  other  cases,  b(;th  the 
paroxysms  and  the  iniiltratioii,  keep  on,  until  the  liiidjs  .swell  to  a  great  size, 
and  the  ascites  assumes  a  lormidable  character.  In  such  cases,  tbe  Fever 
has  been  peculiarly  obstinate,  and  of  long  duration ;  or  the  constitution  has 
been  j)reviously  broken  down  by  other  diseases,  or  b}' intemperance.  A  high 
grade  of  the  lymphatic  temperament  niay,  however,  lead  tu  the  same  result. 
Under  these  sinister  circumstances,  the  disease  may  prove  intractable;  and 
hydrothoras,  or  even  hydropericardium,  may,  at  last,  supervene,  and  prove 
fatal.  Drijpsy  from  autumnal  fever,  prevails  as  extensively  as  the  Fever 
itself;  but  -„hether  it  occurs  more  frcfjuently  to  the  north  or  to  tlie  south,  I 
am  unable  to  say. 

II.  Patiiologv.  —  A  difference  of  opinion  prevails  as  to  the  immediate 
cause  of  this  serous  accumulation. 

1.  One  theory  is,  that  the  absorbent  system  is  left  in  a  torpid  condition 
by  the  Fever,  in  conse(|ucnco  of  which  the  serum,  which  naturally  bedews 
the  cellular  tissue,  and  the  peritoneal  suck,  become,?  accuniulated ;  aud  the 


1    -sf-i  ■ 


n 


8uO 


Till';  riihNcii'AL  1)1si:asi;s  (ir  'nu; 


[bouk  :i. 


practiet!  fMinuloil  on   this  assuniptlnn  is  gcucnilly  sucix'.sHful;  a  fii(!t  wliieli 
su]ij)(irfH,  tliMUL;li  it  iiiiiy  not  ustiiMisIi,  tlio  liypntlicbis. 

li.  Anntlii  T  tliL'ory,  refers  it  in  iiiereasi  U  seeretii»u.  Tliis  l;!is  lu  I'li  aji- 
|ilie(l  ti)  iisiMtes,  ot'teiiei-  tliaii  to  iiiin^aivii;  the  |ici'itiiiieiim  luiVTig  iKeii  left, 
it  WiiM  salil,  iii  a  .stati.'  of  .subiieute  iiiflaiiiuiiitinu.  Such  a  comlilioii  of  tliat 
iii(iiilir;;:ie  may  uiidoubteilly  exist  niter  tlie  Fever,  and  produeo  aMMlcs;  Imt 
wc  liavu  no  evidence  of  tlio  fact ;  or  tliat  any  de;^rec  of  inflaiuniatory 
action,  firevailrt  in  tho  eellidar  ti^ssuo  id'  the  extivniitie.s.  ily  ex|ieriinent3 
on  tlio  mine,  1  iiavo  found  that,  soinetinies  it  is  allniniiuons ;  ofti-ner  is  nut. 
Hut  if  tliat  conditiun  should  be  present,  and  as  Doctor  Hlncl;all  helievcH, 
indicate  inflannnation,  it  does  not  lolluw,  thnt  it  would  he  in  tho  jieiitu- 
ucuni,  seeing  that  both  the  liver  and  the  ,>;[d('en  are  more  inobuMe  seats, 

.'].  Tlio  popular  oj)inion,  both  in  and  out  ol"  the  profession,  is,  that  those 
dropsies  are  occasioned  by  diseases  of  the  sph.'cn;  which  operate  to  produeo 
cfrnslviii,  in  two  modes;  c.  V,y  tin;  increased  secretion  from  the  inllanied 
surface,  generating  ascites;  L  ]>y  tho  cnmiiression  of  the  vena  jiortic,  when 
the  organ  is  enlarged,  obstrui-tiiig  tho  return  of  blood  from  tlu!  abdominal 
viscera,  arid  thus  occasioning  cifusion  into  tlio  peritoneal  cavity  :  wliile  by 
compression  of  the  ascending  vena  cava,  it  di'ternnnes  a  state  of  venous  coii- 
gcstion  in  the  lower  extremities,  and  a  conse<(n(  nt  incnase  of  scr'Us  efi'u- 
sion.  That  a  subacute  inflamnuition  lA'  the  serous  covering  of  the  spleen, 
may  cause  increased  secretion,  is  undeniable;  but  in  many  cases,  the  extent 
of  that  surface  is  so  entirely  disproportionate  to  the  amount  of  dropsic 
effusion  into  the  cavity  of  tlin  jierltoneum,  as  greatly  to  invalidate  this  hy- 
pothesis; which,  moreover,  will  not  in  any  degree  explain  the  production  of 
anasarca.  ]Jut  may  not  compression  of  the  vena  jiort.o  be  adapted  as  the 
pathological  cause  of  ascites  V  The  answer  must  be  in  the  negative ;  for 
in  the  lirst  place,  many  cases  of  ascites  occur  when  tho  spleen  is  not  so  en- 
larged as  to  reach  to  tlio  linea  alba;  and  in  the  second  ph'ce,  it  is  idmcst 
impossible  that  ani/  enlargement,  however  great,  or  in  whatever  direction, 
shoidd  exercise  a  compres;ang  power  over  that  vein.  ?ti!l  less  can  it  be  ex- 
ercised upon  the  hejcitic  veins.  IJut  in  reference  to  anasarca,  tho  oi»inion  is 
held,  that  the  eidarged  organ,  exerts  itself  on  the  asceiiding  cava.  In  this 
case,  however,  tho  ascites  is  left  unexplained.  Nevertheless,  as  tho  two 
forms  of  dropsy  may  depend  on  difTercnt  pathological  causes,  it  is  proper 
that  S]ilenic  enlargement,  as  a  cause  of  anasarca,  should  be  more  carefully 
considered. 

I  assume,  then,  that  this  enlargement  is  not  n  nicolianical  cause  of  anasar- 
ca, and  rest  tho  assumption  on  tho  following  facts  : 

a.  It  seems  nearly  impossible,  tliat  enlargement  of  the  spleen  should 
compress  the  ascending  cava;  which  not  only  lies  to  the  right  side  of  the 
vertebra,  but  is  protected  by  the  aorta,  the  diameter  of  which,  however,  it 
must  be  admitted,  is  not  equal  to  that  of  the  cava.  And,  as  tho  organ  advances 
across  tho  abdomen,  its  convex  surface  ermtinucs  in  contact  with  the  anterior 
walls,  and  tho  stomach  and  bowch  are  consequently  behind,  and  interjioscd 
between,  it  and  the  great  vein. 


M 


[ROUK  !I< 

•sfnl;  a   f:i<a  wliii-'li 

This  lias  lu  iMi  aii- 
m  having  I'tcii  li'Tt, 
ii  coiidiliuii  nl"  that 
iniiluL'o  iii^cid's'.  ^"it 
rcc  vi  iiilhiuiiiKitury 
s.     lly  I'Xpoviiiit'utd 
lous;  ot'ti'iHT  is  nut. 
r  r.laclcall  beliovcH, 
.1  Iju    ill  the  pc'iito- 
probalilo  seats, 
cssioii,  is,  that  thoso 
h  diiorati'  to  pritluL-c 
I  Iroiii  the   iiiilamt'il 
hi;  vena  iiort;r,  when 

iVom  thi!  abiltiiniiKil 
ical  i-avity  :  while  hy 
1  jitatu  of  venuurf  cou- 
•rcasc  of  scr':us  ffi'ii- 
vcrliig  of  the  silken, 
lauy  cases,  tlio  extent 
e  iiniiiimt  of  ilmi'^ie 
to  invalidate  this  hy-^ 

uin  the  j.iMiluctiun  uf 

iv  be  ailopted  as  the 

iu  the  negative  ;  fur. 
siileen  is  not  su  cn- 

iKl'iili'-ce,  it  is  almost 
whatever   dircetion, 

till  less  can  it  be  ex- 

lasarca,  the  oiiininu  is 
r.iiiiig  cava.     In  this 

LTtheless,  as   tlio   two 
causes,  it  is   proinT 

uld  lie  move  carefully 


\\ 


lical  cause  of  ana^^ar- 


of  the  spleen  should 

tlio  right  side  of  the 

of  ■wliicli,  however,  it 

as  the  organ  advances 

ntact  with  tlie  anterior 

lolund,  and  interposed 


PAW  I.] 


INTKRIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMKRICA. 


857 


h.  .Many  cases  of  anasarca  follow  intermittent  fever,  when  tliu  spleen  is 
su  little  enlarged,  as  not  to  reach  the  median  line  of  the  abdomen,  nor,  evuii, 
project  beyond  the  cartilages  of  the  ribs ;  and  when,  of  course,  its  mechan- 
ical action  on  the  vein  is  an  impossibility. 

c.  It  is  a  fact  of  gonoral  notoriety,  that  m.iny  persons  have  their  spleens 
enlarged  to  great  dimensions,  even  for  years,  without  expfrii'iitiing  anasarca. 

d.  It  is  c((iuilly  true,  that  when  both  affections  exist,  the  anasarca  may 
be  removed,  and  the  enlarged  Kjjlcen  still  ninain. 

e.  Wo  frofpiently  see  a  consiilerable  dogrec  of  anloma  of  the  face,  and 
other  portions  of  the  body,  coiixisting  with  the  anasarca  of  tho  lower  ex- 
tremities, and  this  too  when  the  jiationt  has  not  just  risen  from  a  recumbent 
posture,  favoring  the  diffusion  of  the  serum  thronglmut  the  ctdlular  system 
generally,  but  after  ho  hu3  boon  on  his  foot  throughout  tho  day;  showing 
that  tho  efl'nsion  had  taken  place  in  the  npjicr  parts  of  tin;  body. 

From  these  facts  wo  may  conclude  that  altliough  enlarged  spleen  and 
dropsy,  often  coi'xist,  after  intermittent  fever,  the  former  is  not  a  incrhaui'-n/ 
cause  of  tho  latter.  And,  yet,  it  .seems  probable,  that  enlargements  of  the 
spleen  do,  l)ut  in  a  ditferent  manner,  favor  the  production  of  drop.sy.  The 
blood  which  sojourns  in  the  organ,  may,  perhaps,  undergo  changes,  which 
contribute  to  a  vitiation  of  the  wlnde  mass.  We  nuist.  1  thiidv,  admit  such 
changes,  though  we  arc  unable  to  show  their  exact  nature.  Wo  know  tliat  in 
many  cases,  of  rupture  of  the  organ,  or  of  cutting  into  it  in  post  mortem  in- 
spections, the  blood  which  escapes  is  unusually  black  and  will  not  spontjine- 
ously  coagulate.  Professor  Gross,*  has  cited  a  great  number  of  authorities, 
for  tho  fact,  that  in  fevers,  both  the  peculiar  jiulp,  and  tlie  blood,  of  enlarged 
spleens,  may  assume  a  dark,  dirty  hue,  a  black-currant-jelly-like  appearance, 
or  the  as]icct  of  tar.  Now,  this  blood,  if  tho  patient  should  not  die,  must 
of  necessity,  sooner  or  later,  make  its  way  through  the  vena  jiorta-,  to  the 
general  circulation  ;  and  thu.s,  if  a  morbid  state  of  that  fluid  can  be  a  cause 
of  dropsy,  it  may  be,  that  enlargement  of  the  spleen,  contributes  to  the  pro- 
duction of  that  disease. 

4.  The  diseases  of  the  liver,  studied  in  tho  last  section,  have  been  recarded 
as  the  cause  of  dropsy.  Let  us  look  at  the  facts  in  support  of  this 
opinion : 

a.  Diseases  of  the  liver,  from  intemperance,  produce  permanent  jauiuh'co 
and,  finally,  all  the  different  forms  of  dropsy;  and  why  may  not  hepatic  dis- 
eases, from  autumnal  fever,  originate  the  same  effusions? 

b.  But  it  may  bo  said,  that  remittent  fever  disorders  the  liver  more  than 
intermittent,  while  dropsy  oftener  follows  tho  latter  than  the  former.  Thi.« 
however,  may  be  for  the  reason,  that  intermittents  so  often  follow  remittents. 
Tho  mischief  to  the  organ,  may  have  been  done  in  the  early  sta^e  of  the 
fever :  its  consequences  may  show  themselves  after  the  fever  has  ceased,  or 
changed  to  an  intermittent.     Original  intermittents,  however,  do  themselves 


*  Pathological  Anatomy  :  Article  Spleen. 


55 


1 K" 


IV'' ' 


r 
.-,■,•( 


1       1  •  -".  « 


'^. ' ' 


■     ■•■l>  : 


858 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  11. 


produce  lesions  of  that  oigan,  of  wliich  every  physician,  in  the  Valley,  must 
Lave  seen  examples. 

c.  Wo  can  perceive  how  organic  disorders  of  tlic  liver  may  produce  dropsy : 
First.  An  obstructed  circulation  through  the  organ,  necessarily  leads  to  a 
state  of  venous  congestion,  in  all  the  portal  viscera ;  which  may  be  the  prox- 
imate cause  of  increased  serous  secretion  into  the  peritoneal  sack,  and  tho 
production  of  ascites.  Second.  When  tumefled,  the  organ,  from  lyingnoar 
to  and  on  the  same  side  of  the  vertebral  column  witli  tho  vena  cava,  may 
compress  it,  and  thus  generate  anasarca. 

d.  Beside  tlie  function  of  transmitting  the  blood  from  the  other  abdom- 
inal organs,  the  liver  is  charged  witli  separating  fnmi  it  tlio  elements  of  the 
bilo,  wliich,  failing  adequately  to  do,  tliey  accumulate  in  that  fluid.  It  ap- 
pears, moreover,  tliat  in  autumnal  fever,  there  is  an  extraordinary  development 
of  biliary  elements ;  and  that  a  copious  secretion  and  excretion  of  biio  is,  in 
general,  a  condition  of  perfect  recovery.  Here,  then,  we  have  an  abundant 
sourcf  of  impurity  of  the  blood ;  and  to  this  pathological  state,  wo  may, 
perhaps,  in  part,  ascribe  the  hydropic  effusion. 

5.  It  is  well  known,  tliat  in  protracted  intermittent  fever,  the  sweats, 
which  follow  lIio  occasional  paroxysms,  arc  generally  offensive.  Even  while  I 
am  writing  this  article,  a  student,  laboring  under  a  relapsing  intermittent,  with 
subacute  inflammation  of  tho  spleen,  but  without  liver  disease  or  dropsy, 
assui'es  me,  that  the  perspiration  whicli  follows  eveiy  return  of  his  chill  and 
fever,  is  sour  and  di.sgusting  in  its  odor ;  a  sufficient  evidence  of  a  patho- 
Ic^iical  state  of  the  blood. 

().  The  state  of  the  urinary  secretion,  in  autumnal  fever,  has  not  been  well 
studied.  We  know,  however,  that  tho  ((uantity  of  urine  is  often  deficient; 
and  that,  in  chronic  cases,  it  frequently  throws  down  sedimouts;  another 
evidence  that  the  blood  is  unhealthy. 

7.  To  these  sources  of  impurity  wc  may,  perhaps,  add  one  more  —  the 
constitutional  morbid  action  of  the  solids.  Wliatever  difficulty  may  now 
exist,  or  may  forever  exist,  in  comprehending  the  reciprocal  actions  and  reac- 
tions of  the  blood  and  tlio  containing  solid  tissues,  no  accurate  observer  can 
fail  to  notice  many  proofs  of  their  reality.  The  blood  and  the  solids  are, 
in  fact,  so  united  anatomically  and  physiologically  —  placed  in  such  relation 
to  each  other  —  that,  a  priori,  it  seems  quite  impossible  for  one  to  be  in  a 
morliid  cond'tion,  without  affecting  the  other ;  and,  hence,  in  the  course  of  a 
protracted  and  relapsing  intermittent  fever,  the  blood  may  become  impover- 
ished in  its  red  corpuscles  or  fibrin,  or  be  otherwise  deteriorated. 

To  the  morbid  condition  of  that  fluid,  generated  in  so  many  different 
ways,  we  should,  no  doubt,  ascribe  the  leucophlegmatic,  wan,  leaden,  or 
3ailow  appearance  of  those  who  have  lon^  Lad  ague  and  fever ;  and  wc 
may,  perhaps,  refer  to  the  same  patliological  cause,  the  copious  luemorrhages 
from  the  stomach  and  bowels ;  which,  as  we  have  already  seen,  sometimes 
follow  tliat  disease,  and  wliich  are,  commonly,  but  not  intelligibly,  ascribed 
to  enlarged  spleen.  Of  tho  tendency  to  h.-cmorrhage,  created  by  a  deteri- 
orated state  of  tho  blood,  we  have  instructive  examples  iu  scurvy. 


[jE  [book  u. 

in  tlio  Valley,  must 

may  proiluce  dropsy : 
leccssarily  leads  to  a 
ich  may  be  tlie  prox- 
itoncal  sack,  and  the 
gan,  frcni  lyingncar 
the  vena  cava,  may 

m  the  other  abdom- 
it  the  elements  of  the 
in  that  fluid.  It  ap- 
lordinary  development 
jxcrction  of  bi'io  is,  in 
we  have  an  abundant 
ogical  state,  tvc  may, 

Bnt  fever,  the  sweats, 
fensivc.  Even  while  I 
psing  intermittent,  with 
ver  disease  or  dropsy, 
return  of  his  chill  and 
it  evidence  of  a  patho- 

fcver,  has  not  been  well 
rine  is  often  deficient; 
wn  sediments;  another 

IS,  add  one  more — the 
ver  difficulty  may  now 
jrocal  actions  and  reac- 
)  accurate  observer  can 
ood  and  the  solids  arc, 
placed  in  such  relation 
l)lo  for  one  to  be  in  a 
ence,  in  the  course  of  a 
id  may  become  impover- 
ctcriuruted. 

in  so  many  different 
niatic,  wan,  leaden,  or 
guc  and  fever;  and  we 
10  copious  lucmorrhages 
already  seen,  sometimes 
,ot  intelligibly,  ascribed 
jc,  created  by  a  deteri- 
lies  iu  scurvy. 


PART  I. 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 


859 


Let  us  now  proceed  to  inquire  wlwther  we  can  deduce  the  dropsy  conse- 
quent on  autumnal  fever,  in  whole  or  in  part,  from  this  sanguineous  vitiation. 

b*.  In  proceeding  t<i  do  this,  we  must  exclude  from  the  in(|uiry.  First.  The 
cases  of  ascites,  wliicli  arise  from  subacute  inflammation  of  the  peritoneum. 
Second.  Those  which  result  from  obstructed  transmission  of  blood,  tlirouirh 
the  hepatic  ramifications  of  tlio  vena  port;v! ;  and  Third.  Tlioso  anasarcas,  if 
any,  which  are  caused  by  the  pressure  of  an  enlarged  liver  un  the  ascending 
vena  cava.  After  excluding  all  the  cases  wliich  result  from  these  patholog- 
ical causes,  I  suppose  a  much  larger  number  remain  unaccounted  for,  and  to 
them  wo  must  now  give  attention. 

Tlie  patliological  data,  which  lie  before  us,  are  the  following :  First.  A 
relaxed  and  inactive  state  of  the  solids  generally ;  Second.  An  impaired 
activity  of  the  organs  of  excretion,  especially  of  the  skin,  liver,  and  kidneys. 
Third.  A  deteriorated  state  of  tlie  blood. 

Now,  it  is  a  physiological  law,  tliat  if  ma'.tcrs  foreign  to  the  constitution 
of  the  blood,  find  their  way  into  it,  by  absorption,  either  external  or  interstitial ; 
or  are  developed  in  it  by  disorder  of  the  solids;  or  retained  in  it  by  defect  of 
cxcornont  action,  tliey  must  either  be  decomposed  and  become  a  part  of  that 
fluid ;  or  be  eliminated  through  sonic  of  the  cmunctories  of  the  system,  or  into 
its  cavities.  In  the  case  of  poisons  injected  into  the  blood  vessels,  some  take 
one  direction,  others  another.  Iodine  and  nitrate  of  potash  seek  tlie  kidneys 
— emetin  and  pliospliorus  the  lungs — tartar  emetic  the  mucous  membrane  of 
the  bowels.  But  in  the  case  of  de  ''  organic  matter,  such  as  we  suppose  to 
pollute  the  blood  in  the  pathological  condition  we  are  now  studying,  there 
may  not  be  an  eclec*:ic  tendency,  for  the  reason  tliat  it  has  lately  belonged,  as 
it  were,  to  the  whole  system;  and  if  it  should  direct  itself  upon  the  great 
organs  of  excreti^  n,  it  might  not  be  able  to  rouse  them  from  tlieir  torpor.  It 
is  left,  then,  to  irritate  the  serous  and  areolar  membianes,  and  increase  their 
cxdosmosis :  a  passive  function,  for  which  they  are  at  the  time  so  much  the 
better  fitted,  as  they  arc  the  more  relaxed  or  reduced  in  texture  and  vital 
force  by  the  previous  fever.  In  this  way  appear  to  bo  generated  those  drop- 
sical accumulations,  which  we  are  now  studying;  to  the  more  rapid  increase 
of  which  a  defective  absorption  may  be  an  auxiliary  cause. 

III.  Treatment. — Let  us  test  these  hypotheses  by  studying  the  thera- 
peutics which  they  demand,  and  comparing  ihem  with  wliat  cx|ierience  has 
shown  to  be  successful.  /Vn7.  Should  a  sv.bacute  inflammation  of  any 
abdominal  organ  or  tissue,  still  remain,  it  should  bo  subdued.  Second.  The 
great  excretory  functions  most  be  reexcited ;  and,  some  one  at  least,  brought, 
for  a  while,  into  greater  activity  than  in  health.  Third.  Absorption  must 
be  jiromotcd.  Fourth.  The  blood  must  be  renovated,  and  the  tone  of  the 
solids  restored. 

Sucli  are  the  indications  to  be  fulfilled,  and  they  demand  the  very  means 
vhieh  are  known  to  be  most  efficacious;  tlie  study  of  which,  in  detail,  must 
now  receive  attention. 

1.  When  subacute  peritonitis,  hepatitis,  or  splenitis,  or  any  complication 
of  them,  is  known  to  exist,  bloudl 


^1 


"O' 


genci 


jpicaj, 


860 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES  OF  THE 


[book  ii. 


Ir  r  Jw- 


Mi-  ■■ 


first  remedy  ;  under  the  free  resort  to  wliich  an  immediate  improvement  often 
takes  place ;  for  secretion  will  be  diminished  and  absorption  pronidted.  As 
to  other  antiphlogistic  measures,  they  are  so  much  the  same  with  those 
reijuired  to  fulfill  the  next  indication,  that  they  need  not  be  here  enumerated. 

2.  To  rei-xcite  the  excretory  functions,  the  means  specifically  adapted  to 
each  must  be  employed,  but  not  at  the  same  time.  In  fixing  on  any  one 
with  which  to  begin,  the  physician  must  exercise  his  sagacity.  If  the  bowels 
have  been  torpid  and  costive,  he  may  select  them ;  if  the  liver,  it ;  if  the 
kidneys,  them;  he  may  oven  choose  the  skin  and  be  successful.  In  adminis- 
tering the  agents,  respectively,  appropiiate  to  these  great  secretory  outlets, 
if  there  be  some  degree  of  pidogistic  diathesis,  from  visceral  inflammation,  he 
must  choose  the  refrigerant  and  sedative.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the  vital 
forces  be  greatly  reduced,  he  should  select  the  most  exciting,  and  often  ad- 
minister stimuli  al.  ti-  ^  same  time,  or  the  evacuants  will  not  promote  excre- 
tion. But  a  meas vxC,  preli.iiii.ary  to  all  others,  may  be  the  administration 
of  an  emetic,  wine',  tends  to  arouse  the  organs,  generally,  into  increased 
activity,  and  gives  greater  efficacy  to  all  that  is  subsequently  done. 

If  the  liver  and  bowels  bo  fixed  upon,  as  the  first  to  which  our  remedies 
are  to  be  directed,  five  grains  of  calomel  or  blue  mass,  witli  an  equal  quantity 
of  Dover's  powder,  should  be  administered  at  bed  time ;  and,  the  following 
day,  two  scruples  or  a  drachm  of  a  powder,  composed  of  equal  parts  of 
jalap,  nitre,  and  cream  of  tartar ;  to  be  aided  in  its  operation,  if  necessary, 
witn  an  infusion  of  uonna  and  epsom  salt.  On  the  following  night,  the  calo- 
mel and  Dover's  powder  should  be  repeated,  and,  on  the  next  day,  the  h;dro- 
gogue.  This  course  may  be  pursued  for  three  or  four  days,  according  as  the 
strength  of  the  patient  seems,  or  does  not  seem,  to  admit  of  it.  But,  as  a 
substitute  for  the  cathartics  mentioned,  a  sixth  of  a  grain  of  elaterium  and 
a  scruple  of  cream  of  tartar,  may  be  administered  every  two  hours,  beginning 
early  in  the  morning,  and  continuing  it  until  purging  is  produced.  If,  by 
these  means,  copious  watery  discharges,  colored  with  bile,  are  eff"ectcd,  a 
rapid  absorption  of  the  efi"used  fluid,  and  a  consequent  reduction  of  the 
swelling,  will  take  place.  Sliould  the  (juantity  of  Dover's  powder,  mentioned, 
be  found  too  f-mall  to  produce  tranquillity  and  sleep  at  night,  it  must  be 
increased;  and  should  the  purging  reproduce  the  ague,  five  or  ten  grains  of 
sulphate  of  quinine,  must  be  added  to  the  opiate. 

If  this  course  should  not  have  been  adopted,  or  have  been  prosecuted 
without  eflTect,  the  physsician  must  determine  his  eilbrts  upon  tlie  kidneys. 
Ho  may  still,  however,  act  upon  the  iiver  with  calomel  or  the  blue  mass,  in 
conjunction  with  diuretics.  A  composition  which,  perhaps,  exerts  more 
power  in  these  cases  than  any  other,  is  two  grains  of  one  of  the  mercurials 
just  mentioned,  two  of  squill,  and  eiglit  or  ten  of  nitre,  intimately  incor- 
porated, and  administered,  in  the  form  of  a  bolus,  every  two  hours,  until  the 
secretion  of  urino  is  augmented;  and,  then,  every  four  hourj,  omitting  the 
mercurial,  if  signs  of  approaching  salivation  should  appear.  As  it  will  not 
afl"ect  the  kidneys,  should  it  act  on  the  bowels,  opium  may  bo  necessary. 
After  this  course  has  been  continued  for  a  few  days,  a  copious  flow  of  uriuc 


■»v 


;  [book  II. 

,c  improvement  often 
)tion  promoted.  As 
he  same  witb  those 

be  here  enumerated, 
pccifically  adapted  to 
n  fixing  on  any  one 
acity.     If  the  bowels 

the  Uver,  it;  if  the 
cessLl.     Inadminis- 
cat  secretory  outlets, 
ceral  inflammation,  he 
her  hand,  if  the  vital 
xciting,  and  often  ad- 
11  not  promote  excre- 
jc  the  administration 
erally,  into  increased 
[uontly  done. 
;o  which  our  remedies 
with  an  equal  quantity 
lie ;  and,  the  following 
)sed  of  equal  parts  of 
operation,  if  necessary, 
Uowing  night,  the  calo- 
hc  nest  day,  the  hydro- 
■  days,  according  as  the 
idmit  of  it.     But,  as  a 

jrrain  of  elaterium  and 

to  .       . 

ry  two  hours,  beginnmg 
ig  is  produced.  If,  by 
th  bile,  are  effected,  a 
quent  reduction  of  the 
cr's  powder,  mentioned, 
at  night,  it  must  be 
le,  live  or  ten  grains  of 

lave  been  prosecuted 
orts  upon  the  kidneys, 
el  or  the  blue  mass,  in 
perhaps,  exerts  more 
one  of  the  mercurials 
nitre,  intimately  incor- 
ery  two  hours,  until  the 
iir  hourj,  omitting  the 
ppear.  As  it  will  not 
urn  may  bo  necessary, 
a  copious  flow  of  uriuc 


PART  I.]  INTERIOR  VALLEY  OF  NORTH  AMERICA.  8G1 

will,  in  general,  take  place  ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  a  diminution  of  the  swel- 
ling will  denote  the  progress  of  absorption.  Other  sedative  diuretics  ai'C 
employed  in  tlio  Valley ;  of  which  I  will  only  mention,  as  the  })e3t,  an  infu- 
sion of  digitalis  with  the  spirit  of  nitrous  ether,  taken  in  a  Kolution  of  cream 
of  tartar;  and  the  hydriodate  of  potash,  in  ten  or  fifteen  grain  doses,  three  or 
four  times  a  day. 

Of  stimulating  diuretics,  the  oil  of  turpentine,  in  such  doses,  as  will  not 
purge,  often  does  good;  and  in  cases  of  great  torpidity,  the  tincture  of  can- 
tharides,  may  be  given  until  strangury  is  excited,  after  which  one  of  the 
compounds  mentioned  above,  will  keep  up  the  discharge.  Gin  and  water,  or, 
even  whisky  and  water,  are  well  adapted  to  ca,ses  of  this  kind.  An  infusion 
of  green  tea,  taken  cold,  often  produces  a  decided  eff"ect.  iMy  preceptor. 
Doctor  Goforth,  was  exceedingly  partial,  in  these  cases,  to  the  following  pop- 
ular and  d(jmestic  fornmla : 

R.  Parsley  root, ^ 

Horse-radish,  -------I  ,.,., 

!>,    1.         ,     1       1  >  each  2iv,  bruised, 

lihick  mustard  seed,   -----    f  "    ' 

Juniper  berries,     ------  J 

Squill, } 

llust  of  iron, \  ^    ' 

Mix  and  infuse  in  a  gallon  of  hard  cider,  for  three  days,  in  a  covered 
vessel,  and  then,  immediately  after  strong  agitation,  pass  the  liquid  througli 
a  thin  strainer,  and  liotile.  The  dose  is  from  two  to  four  ounces,  four  or  six 
times  a  day.  That  the  undissolved  carbonate  of  iron,  may  bo  taken,  the 
bottle  should  be  agitated  before  pouring  out  the  dose.  I  have  repeatedly 
prescribed  this  compound  with  the  happiest  effects ;  and  it  is  generally  ac- 
ceptable to  the  patient,  beeause,  he  regards  the  ingredients  as  simp/cs. 

In  general,  the  diuretic  treatment  sliould  be  continued  longer  than  the 
purgative  ;  but  there  are  limits  beyond  which  it  should  not  be  carried,  and 
the  physician  ought,  at  length,  to  turn  his  attention  to  another  great  func- 
tion, that  of  the  skin.  This  may,  indeed,  have  been  already  d(jne  to  some 
extent ;  for  when  Dover's  powder  was  administered  at  night,  and  the  purg- 
ing was  suspended,  some  influence  was  necessarily  exerted  on  the  external 
surface.  The  restoration  of  its  functions  should  now,  however,  become  the 
main  object,  and,  therefore,  neither  cathartics  nor  diuretics,  should  be  ad- 
ministered. In  the  prosecution  of  the  diajihorctic  plan,  warm  battling,  local 
or  general,  with  frictions  and  shanipo(jings,  should  beenqiloyed;  and  ton 
grains  of  Dover's  powder,  with  five  of  sulph'ite  of  quinine,  given,  once  or 
twice  every  night,  with  hot  infusions  of  balm,  sage,  sassafras,  thorongliwort, 
or  serpontaria.  When,  however,  the  powers  of  the  system  are  greatly  reduced, 
hot  gin,  or  whisky  toddy,  sliould  be  preferred;  or  one  of  those  stimulants 
shoidd  be  added  to  one  of  the  infusions  just  mentioned.  In  the  day  time, 
the  patient  should  be  kept  in  bed,  or  at  least  witliin  doors,  otlierwise  the 
perspiration  will  bo  cheeked.  IMany  years  ago,  Doctor  Allison,  who  had 
been  Surgeon-Goneral  of  Wayne's  Army,  told  me,  that  he  had  cured  a 


802 


THE  PRINCirAL  DISEASES  OE  THE 


[nooK  II. 


Uh, 


.»,• 


^1   V     <; 


.1* 

.(;.     • 

'  V' 

M:'.. 

female  patient  of  anasarea,  following  on  intermittent  fever,  by  making  lier 
drink  hot  gin  todd}',  and  dance  daily  to  fatigue,  in  a  warm  room. 

The  excitation  of  the  absorlients,  has  been  stated  as  one  of  the  objects 
to  be  acconiplished.  Tt  may,  indeed,  be  said  to  be  the  great  end  in  view. 
But,  it  will  be  perceived,  that  very  little  remains  to  bo  .said  under  this  head; 
for  all  tliat  has  been  advised,  has  contributed  to  fidfill  this  indication.  More- 
over, of  nu'dicines  that  act  specilically  on  tln^  absorbent  system,  we  know 
but  little.  Nevertheless,  it  seems  probable,  that  digitalis  exerts  an  effect 
of  that  kind ;  as  wc  seldom  observe  diuresis  under  its  administration,  except 
■when  there  are  dropsical  effusions ;  which,  being  absorbed,  irritate  the  kid- 
neys into  increased  secretion.  There  is  little  doubt,  moreover,  that  iodine 
exerts  an  influence  on  the  absorbent  system  ;  and  hence,  pcrhajjs,  in  part,  the 
efficacy  of  the  hydriodatc  of  potash,  in  the  diseases  under  consideration. 
But  there  arc  means  of  a  different  kind,  for  promoting  absorption  —  these  arc 
compression  and  exercise.  As  a  general  rule,  bandages  will  accomplish  but 
little,  till  tlie  absorj)tion  has  cnnnnenced;  when  they  should  never  be  omitted, 
from  both  the  lind)S  and  abdiunen,  if  the  disease  exist  in  both.  Of  the 
power  of  exercise  over  the  absorbent  system,  there  can  be  no  dou1)t.  ^Vlicn 
the  abdominal  distension  is  great,  it  cannot  be  taken,  because  the  diaphragm 
cannot  descend  ;  and  if  there  be  eidargcd  spleen,  the  difficulty  will  be  much 
increased.  But  in  the  treatment  of  anasarca,  the  value  of  active,  or  sus- 
tained locomotion,  will  be  decisive.  Its  effects  are  not  limited  to  the  action 
of  the  muscles  upon  the  veins  and  lymphatics ;  but  found,  likewise,  in  the 
increased  exhalation  from  the  lungs,  from  deeper  and  more  frequent  inspira- 
tions, which  tend,  at  once,  to  the  elimination  of  the  absor])ed  fluid,  as  if 
from  tlie  skin  or  kidneys;  and  to  an  ini|)roved  condition  of  the  impoverished 
blood.  And  this  brings  us  to  our  last  indication  —  the  restoration  of  the  flesh 
and  strength  of  the  patient. 

Tonics,  scarcely  ever  to  be  omitted,  after  the  absorption  of  the  serum  has 
been  effected,  may,  in  many  cases,  bo  advantageously  ad-iinistcrcd  before. 
For  example,  when  there  is  still  a  strong  tendency  to  the  recurrence  of  the 
felirile  paroxysm,  under  slight  exposure,  or  at  ([uartan,  or  heptan  periods, 
the  bark,  alone,  or  combined  with  cream  of  tartar,  will  contribute  to  dimin- 
ish effusion  and  promote  absorption,  as  well  as  arrest  the  recurrence  of  the 
Fevei'.  And,  when  the  effusion  has  suddenly  become  very  great,  with  a  fee- 
ble pulse,  and  cool  or  cold,  bloodless,  and  semi-transparent  skin,  that  medi- 
cine, and  the  proto-carbonate,  proto-tartrate,  or  proto-sulpliate  of  iron,  arc 
powerful  means  of  arousing  the  system  into  increased  absorption  and  secre- 
tion ;  while  they  contribute  to  augment  the  solid  materials  of  the  blood,  and 
thus  diiniiii.sh  the  tendency  to  the  effusion  of  serum  into  the  cavities.  <  »f 
the  whole,  tlic  proto-carbonate  ha,s,  perhaps,  been  mostfrcipiontly  cmployt'd; 
and  there  is  much  testimony  in  its  favor.  The  iodide  of  iron,  and  the  hydru- 
cyanate  of  quinine  r.ro,  also,  well  adapted  to  such  cases. 

The  absorption  of  the  serum  having  been  effected,  some  of  the  medicines, 
just  named,  alternated  with  vegetable  bitters,  must  bo  coiiHinued  for  a  con- 
aiderablo  length  of  time ;  great  care  being  taken  to  keep  the  secretions,  in  a 


;iR 


[dook  ii. 


Part  i.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OK  NORTH  AMERICA. 


8G3 


fever,  by  making  licr 
rami  room, 
as  Olio  (if  tlio  objects 
;he  great  ciul  in  view, 
naicl  under  tliis  head; 
bis  indication.     Morc- 
bcnt  .system,  we  know 
ritalis  exert.s  an  cfli'ect 
aihuinistration,  except 
i)rl)ed,  irritate  tlic  kid- 
moreover,  that  iodine 
;e,  pcrbaps,  in  part,  the 
iS  under  consideration, 
absorption  —  these  arc 
Tcs  will  accomplish  but 
liould  never  be  omitted, 
ixist  in  both.     Of  the 
in  be  no  doubt.    ^\  hen 
because  the  diaplnagm 
difiiculty  will  be  much 
•aluc  of  active,  or  sus- 
ot  limited  to  the  acti(m 
t  found,  likewise,  in  the 
more  fre(]nent  iiispira- 
e   absorbed  fluid,  as  if 
ion  of  the  impoverished 
)  restoration  of  the  flesh 

•ption  of  the  serum  has 
y  ad-iinistored  before. 
1)  the  recurrence  of  the 
tan,  or  lieptan  periods, 
ill  contribute  to  diniin- 
it  the  recurrence  of  the 
very  great,  with  a  fec- 
;parent  skin,  that  medi- 
to-sulphalc  of  iron,  arc 
d  absorption  and  sccrc- 
erials  of  the  blood,  and 
into  the  cavities.     Of 
st  freipicntly  emjiloyed ; 
i  of  iron,  and  the  hydro- 
's. 

some  of  the  medicines, 
be  coiftinued  for  a  con- 
vcep  the  secretions,  in  a 


healthy  condition,  liy  such  means  as  arc  least  debilitating.  If  l/icij  should 
fail,  the  effusions  will  recommence.  At  the  same  time,  comi)rossion,  frictions, 
and  percussions,  should  be  applied  to  the  limbs ;  and  kneading  with  tlie  fists 
to  the  altdonien,  should  there  be  nothing  in  the  state  of  the  liver  or  spleen 
to  forbid  them.  The  diet  of  the  patient  should  be  mixed  and  nutritious, 
but  not  in  excess ;  and  ho  should  take  as  much  exercise  in  the  open  air  as 
possible  ;  iiaving  the  surface  of  his  Itody  well  protected. 


SECTION  Vil. 

PERIODICAL    NEURALGIA. 

I.  PiiEVAr.ENCE,  Seasons,  and  Subjects. — llelying  upon  the  information 
received  of  others,  in  connection  with  my  own  experience,  I  may  say,  that 
neuralgia  is  decidedly  the  most  freipient  of  all  the  cunscqiicnces  of  autumnal 
fever.  It  prevails  from  north  to  south — everywhere,  indeed,  that  our  j)eri- 
odical  fevers  occur;  but  most,  wliu-io  interiuittcnts  are  most  prevalent  in 
comparison  with  runiittents.  I)i)ctor  Flournoy,  of  Lexington,  Missouri,  ia 
the  oidy  pliysician  wlio  has  told  me,  that  he  had  seen  it  precede  the  fevers  of 
autumn.  Its  subjects,  then,  were  probably  those  who  had  experienced 
attacks  of  the  Fever  the  year  before.  In  general,  it  follows  the  annual 
epidemic;  and,  therefore,  occurs  chiefly  in  winter,  and  in  spring  when  vernal 
intermittents  prevail.  Occasionally,  in  certain  localities,  the  number  of 
winter  cases  is  so  great,  as  to  constitute  it  a  kind  of  epidemic.  Troni  June 
to  December,  it  is  Cv^iuparatively  rare.  It  affects  adult.s  more  than  eluMren, 
and  men  more  than  women ;  at  least,  this  is  what  I  have  observed  in  my  own 
practice.  In  some  cases  it  becomes  so  established,  as  to  return  with  great 
frcfiuency  for  years.  Such,  for  a  long  time,  was  the  condition  of  the  lato 
President  Harrison,  who  resided  in  a  locality  infested  with  intermittent  fever. 
Many  years  ago,  I  knew  a  IMiiladelpliia  niereiiant,  who  traveled  much  in  the 
West,  and  was  obliged  always  to  carry  with  him  a  (quantity  of  the  bark  —  the 
only  medicine  which  afl'orded  him  relief. 

II.  Skats  and  Symi'Toms. — The  true  typo  of  this  painful  affection,  and, 
by  hr,  the  most  connnon,  is  known  under  the  popular  name  of  'suii-p;iin  ;' 
by  the  profession  called  periodical  hemicrania.  Its  common  seat  is  the  right 
or  left  extremity  of  the  forehead;  but  it  often  spreads  over  the  entire  orbit 
of  the  eye.  Occasionally  it  runs  back  to  the  occiput,  limiting  itself  to  ono 
side;  but  now  and  then  it  attacks  the  whole  head;  raging,  however,  with 
greatest  intensity  in  the  frontal  region,  and  generally  more  on  one  side  than 
other.  In  some  cases  the  skin  of  the  forehead  shows  a  consideraljle  degreo 
of  hyperaJinia;  but  I  never  saw  evidences  of  inflammation.  AVhen  it  ex- 
tends to  the  orbit,  the  eye  becomes  red,  there  is  a  copious  secretion  of  tears, 
and  considerable  intolerance  of  light.  It  commonly  shows  a  distinct  (jnoti- 
dian,  intermittent  type ;  but,  in  some  cases,  is  tertian;   and  now  aftd  then 


f  "•*'•■?»»-, 


864 


TIIR  riUNCIPAL  I)ISEAyi:S  OF  TIIK 


[book  II. 


'"Jl 


B>-?' 

'  1  .,- 

Il-^ 

l^ 

|Vj'  '^  '  ■ 

>f^ 

P^^.' 

V'' 

' '  i',  -'■'  J 

'4-* 

jfi  , 

M 

■  ■•^' •' 

''Xi 

f ,-.  :\ 

Ci' 

f                      > 

'  f;' 

i     'i       .        ' 

(' 

U- 

lii^iit 


only  reiiiittciit.  I  caiiiKit,  say,  tlmt  tlio  pamxysnis  arc  never  u.sliered  in  with 
u  (listinct  eliill ;  but  ilu  nut  rectillect  its  occurreiico  in  my  own  practice,  nor 
has  it  beon  mentioned  to  mo  l>y  otliers.  Altliough  the  jiaroxysm  may  recur 
at  any  time  in  tlic  twenty-four  liours,  its  Icgitiinato  period  is  the  hitter  part 
of  tii(^  night  or  early  in  the  morning;  which,  with  it.s  gradual  increase  during 
the  forenoiion,  and  its  abatement  or  entire  cessation  toward  night,  has  pro- 
cured for  it  the  name  of  '  siiii-pain.'  As  it  ceases,  the  redness  of  the  eye, 
when  that  organ  is  involved,  diminishes  or  disapiieurs,  and  the  tolerance  of 
ligiit  returns. 

As  to  ciiiistitutiiinal  symptoms,  (he  liver,  stomach,  and  bowels,  arc  much 
less  disturbed  than  in  relapses  nf  intermittent  fever.  The  pulse  is  a[)t  to 
bo  accelerated  during  the  paroxysm,  and,  occasionally,  there  is  some  develop- 
ment of  heat  in  the  skin;  but,  in  many  eases,  scarcely  a  single  symptom  of 
fever  is  jircsent. 

1  must  now  enumerate  other  parts  of  the  body,  in  which  this  affection  ha^ 
been  observed,  by  those  witli  whom  I  have  conversed;  having  also  witnessed 
several  of  them  myself. 

In  the  north,  Doctor  Conant  has  seen  it  in  variims  parts  of  the  body; 
Poetor  White  saw  one  ease,  in  which  it  occurred  about  tlie  middle  of  the 
humerus:  Doctors  Hakeraiul  Kitterage,  have  seen  it  in  the  extremities  ;  .Doc- 
tor AVallace.  in  the  teeth  and  side  of  the  chest;  Doctor  Dresbach,  in  the  sacrum, 
coccyx,  and  lower  extremities:  In  one  case  it  attacked  the  spermatic  cord 
and  testicles,  and  the  paroxysms  alternated  with  otliers  in  the  head,  feet, 
and  stouKich.  In  the  west,  Doctor  Price  has  fre(|uently  seen  it  attack  the 
stomach — in  one  instance  that  organ  and  the  diaphragm,  the  paroxysms 
coming  on  regidarly  at  midnight ;  Doctor  iMcCuUough  has  known  it  assail 
the  OS  (iccipitis,  the  right  side  of  the  chest,  and  the  wrist.  To  the  south. 
Doctor  Christian  has  had  two  cases  in  which  it  occurred  in  the  splenic,  and 
four  in  the  uterine  region;  Doctor  Kittral  has  twice  seen  it  in  the  ear; 
Doctor  AValkly  had  a  case  in  which,  under  the  influence  of  electro-magnetism, 
it  shifted  to  a  tooth,  then  to  the  external  angle  of  the  eye,  then  to  the  tem- 
ple of  the  opposite  side,  and  then  to  the  arm,  when  it  ceased;  Doctor  Barnett 
has  seen  several  cases  in  which  it  fell  upon  the  uterus,  and,  also,  upon  the 
tongue;  D.ictm-  McMurtery  has  seen  it  affect  the  testicle  and  the  liver; 
Doctor  II.  ('.  Lewis  saw  a  ease  in  which,  after  a  white  swelling  of  the  knee- 
joint,  it  attacked  the  gastroenemii  muscles  of  the  same  limb,  and  returned 
the  next  autumn  i;i  the  same  part.  Finally,  it  is  a  familiar  fact,  that  the 
membranes  of  the  jaws,  and  even  the  teeth,  are  often  attacked.  Thus,  I 
have  seen  the  pain  of  decayed  teeth  return  at  regular,  diurnal  ])eriods. 

In  addition  to  tliese  citations,  which  show  that  various  parts  of  the  body 
are  affected,  I  may  add,  that  nuiny  cases  of  what,  from  their  history,  are 
called  chronic  rheunnitism,  have  such  diurnal  or  nocturnal  exascerbations  as 
should,  ])crhaps,  entitle  them  to  a  place  in  the  catalogue  of  neuralgias. 

Although  the  aflections  we  are  now  studying,  very  commonly  follow  at- 
tacks of  autumnal  fever,  many  cases  do  not.  They  depend,  however,  on  the 
same  cause ;  but  occur  without  the  intervention  of  the  Fever.     This  is  proven 


!•: 


[door  ii- 


icvor  ushered  in  with 
ny  own  practice,  nor 
jiaroxysin  may  recur 
iod  is  the  hitter  jiart 
idual  increase  during 
ward  night,  has  jiro- 
rcdnosH  of  tlio  eye, 
and  the  tolcranco  of 

id  howelH,  arc  much 

The  jiulsc   is  apt  to 

licrc  is  sonic  dcveh)p- 

a  single   symptom  of 

lidi  this  alVcction  haS 
laving  also  wituessed 

}  parts  of  the  hody ; 
ut  the  middle  of  the 
the  extremities  ;  Doc- 
•cshach,  in  the  sacrum, 
;d  the  spermatic  cord 
crs  in  the  head,  feet, 
tly  seen  it  attack  the 
ragni,  tlie  paroxysms 
has  known  it  assail 
wist.     To  the  south, 
ed  in  the  splenic,  and 
seen  it  in  the  car; 
of  electro-magnetism, 
eye,  then  to  the  tem- 
ased ;  Doctor  Barnctt 
s,  and,  also,  upon  the 
sticle  and  the  liver; 
swelling  of  the  knee- 
e  linih,  and  returned 
iimiliar  fact,  that  the 
attacked.     Thus,   I 
diurnal  jicriods, 
)us  parts  of  the  body 
ira  their  history,  are 
•nal  cxascerbations  as 
of  neuralgias, 
commonly  follow  at- 
pciul,  however,  on  the 
ever.     This  is  proven 


r 


PART   1.] 


INTERIOR  VALLEY  OK  NORTH  AMERICA. 


805 


by  their  jircvailing  in  the  same  places,  having  the  saino  symptoms,  and  being 
cured  or  relieved  l)y  the  same  trcntnieiit.  In  general,  the  cases  which  have 
not  been  jircceded  by  fever,  arc  of  the  mildest  grade.  The  disc  ase  we  are 
now  consid,  ring,  doubtless  attacks  many  parts  of  the  body,  not  highly  en- 
dowed with  K(,'iisibility,  and  disturbs  their  functions,  without  giving  the  acute 
pain  of  neuralgia.  iSucli  cases  may  be  detected  by  their  periodicity,  and 
the  absence  of  the  signs  of  influnimation.  i'rofessor  Gross,  whose  popu- 
ularity  as  a  physictian  e(pials  his  fume  iis  a  surgeon,  has,  as  he  informs  me, 
met  with  such  cases,  from  the  country  around  Louisville;  and  they  have  also 
occurred  in  my  own  practice. 

in.  PATiroi.oiiV. — I'eriodical  neuralgia,  is  a  pain  or  aching  of  the  white 
fibrous  tissues;  but  sometimes  of  the  red;  and,  jierhaps,  also  of  others. 
The  nervous  irritation  is  not  generally,  or  necessarily,  of  that  kind  which 
invites  blood  into  the  part,  though  such  a  fluxion  may  be  jiroduced.  A  true 
inflammatory  action  is,  however,  not  set  uji;  for  the  irritation  cca.ses,  and 
with  it  the  hypcrapiiiia,  before  the  inflammation  can  be  established.  When 
it  attacks  the  fibrous  membranes  of  the  cranium,  it  is  sometimes  mistaken 
for  aiachnitis  ;  and  I  have  scon  the  paroxysms  be  ;orae  progressively  worse 
under  an  antiphlogistic  treatment.  Why  it  is  oftener  seated  in  the  extremi- 
ties of  the  fifth  pair  of  nerves,  than  any  others,  I  cannot  tell ;  but  we  have  long 
known,  that  ordinary  tic  douloureux  has  its  chosen  scat  in  the  same  nerves. 
The  reason  that  a  part  which  is  aflected  with  periodical  neuralgia,  does  not 
suflfer  organic  changes,  is  to  be  found,  I  suppose,  in  the  absence  of  inflamma- 
tion, the  immec'.atc  cause  of  most  lesions  of  structure.  This  negative  char- 
acter, taken  in  connection  with  its  jieriodicity,  places  the  disease  among  the 
neuroses,  and  reveals  to  us  the  true  character  of  intermittent  fever,  as  far  as 
the  primary  impression  of  the  remote  cause  is  concerned.  It,  also,  teaches 
us  why  that  fever  cannot,  in  general,  bo  arrested  by  means  which  only  lower 
the  excitement  of  the  system;  and  why  it  readily  yields  to  o|)ium  and  qui- 
nine, when  the  system  is  brouglit,  by  depletion,  into,  a  state  favorable  to 
their  action.  T5ut  the  disease,  in  both  its  febrile  an  I  its  neuralgic  stages,  is 
of  a  peculiar  kind,  and,  therefore,  not  every  agent  which  acts  powerfully  on 
the  nervous  system,  will  arrest  it. 

IV.  Tkeatment.  —  I  know  of  no  disease,  in  the  treatment  of  which  our 
physicians  are  so  unanimous,  as  of  that  now  bof(yro  us.  From  north  to  south 
it  is  essentially  the  same.  Everywhere  the  sulphate  of  (|uiiiine  is  the  popu- 
lar remedy ;  and  by  nearly  all  it  has  been  found  infallible.  15ut  this  infal- 
libility, in  many  cases,  is  limited  to  an  arrest  of  the  paroxysms ;  which  after 
a  while  may  recur.  In  fact,  this  jiainful  aS'ection  obeys  the  same  laws  as 
protracted  and  relapsing  intermittent  fever.  Uy  some  physicians,  the  fjui- 
ninc  is  administered  without  any  preparation  of  the  system ;  while  others 
always  subject  their  patients  to  the  operation  of  emetic  and  cathartic  medi- 
cines. There  are  cases  which  do  not,  and  others  which  do,  re(iuire  that 
preparatory  treatment.  As  a  general  rule,  the  longer  and  oftener,  the  dis- 
ease has  returned,  the  less  is  the  necessity  for  those  evacuaiits :  and,  of  the 
two,  emetics  arc  more  beneficial  than  cathartics.     Sometimes,  when  the  qui- 


WW 


'iiSmB^!^ 


■W.r   ,' 

',10    , 


8GG 


THE  PRINCIPAL  DISEASES,  ETC. 


[book  II. 


/  ^^ 


nine  lias  failed  Lcf'iro,  it  lias  succcoiloJ  after,  tlio  oporation  of  an  active 
emetic.  When  tlio  attaek  is  violent,  and  distinctly  niaiked  with  diurnal,  t 
nocturnal  parox}  iiis,  opium  is  a  valuahli;  adjuvant  t(t  the  quiiiinc.  Thus,  a 
grain  of  that  medicine,  or  ten  grains  of  Dover's  jxiwdcr,  with  ten  of  quinine, 
may  ho  administered  at  bedtime;  and  another  doso  of  the  same  kind,  be- 
fore day,  in  antieipatiou  of  the  paroxysm;  which  it  will  generally  avert, 
provided  the  j)atient  continue  in  bed  durinf]f  the  forenoon.  ]>ut  in  soino 
cases  the  proportion  of  opium  may  bo  doubled.  Tlio  next  night,  half  tho 
quantity  of  those  medicines  will  be  suflicient.  In  obstinate  cases  of  long 
standing,  a  method,  not  so  prompt,  will  bo  preferable.  Thus,  the  bark,  iu 
substance,  may  be  administered  in  drachm  doses,  throe  or  four  times  a  day. 
Or  a  compound  of  (piininc,  opium,  and  arsenions  acid,  as  for  relapsing  in- 
tormittents,  may  bo  sul)stitnted  for  it.  Doctor  Vivian,  of  Missouri,  assured 
me,  that  he  I'll  found  the  carbon  a  s-ferri,  of  much  service  in  some  cases  of 
this  1  .  V  variety  of  local  applications  have  been  made.  In  my  own 
practit'  ;'iey  u  .e  done  but  little  good.  Yet  a  blister  to  the  nape  of  tho 
neck,  ha^,  ,,i;casio-  "."v.  given  immediate  relief,  the  pain  being  seated  in  tho 
face  or  head.  Of  uUier  applications,  over  tho  affected  part.  Doctor  IJarnott, 
of  iMississippi,  and  Doctor  W.  A.  Davison,  of  Missouri,  informed  me,  that 
that  tiiey  had  scon  veratria  afford  relief;  and  Doctor  Talbot,  of  the  latter 
State,  has  employed  a  saturated,  alcoholic  tincture  of  stramonium  seeds  with 
advantage. 


'S.r 


i..L.»4 


■k 


The  article  Autumnal  Fkvku  is  now  brought  to  a  close.  It  lias  ox- 
tended  through  many  jtages;  but  a  smaller  number  would  not  have  sufficed, 
to  present,  even  an  outline,  of  its  etiological,  and  therapeutic  history ; 
through  Hi)  wide  a  geographical  range,  as  that  of  the  southern  half  of  our 
Interior  Valley ;  in  almost  every  part  of  which,  it  is  an  annual  cndomio- 
cpidemic.  Of  all  our  diseases,  it  is  the  one,  which  has  the  most  intimate 
relations  with  soil  and  climate — that,  in  which,  peculiarities,  resulting  from 
topographical  and  atmosjtheric  influences,  are  most  likely  to  appear.  Ilonco 
it  was  clioseii,  to  stand  next  to  tho  Book  of  General  Etiology;  as  illustra- 
ting, better  than  any  other  disease,  the  importance,  of  the  facts  which  make 
up  that  Book.  It  is,  moreover,  the  great  cause  of  mortality,  or  infirmity  of 
constitution,  especially  in  the  southern  portions  of  the  Valley ;  and,  there- 
fore, entitled  to  severe  and  patient  attention.  "What  I  have  collected  and 
presented,  has  ref[uired  more  labor,  than  many  of  our  brethren  might  sup- 
pose ;  and,  yet,  tlicy  will  not,  perhaps,  realize  so  fully  as  I  do  myself,  how 
much  must  bo  added  —  how  many  errors  corrected  —  before  the  i)agca 
through  which  they  have  traveled,  can  be  entitled  to  universal  acceptance. 
Meanwhile,  if  what  has  been  written,  should  stir  up  a  single  young  physi- 
cian, to  a  more  diligent  observation  of  the  Fever,  or  save  the  life  of  one 
individual,  who  might  otherwise  have  become  its  victim,  my  labor  will  uot 
have  been  in  vain. 

END   OF  VOLUME   FIRST. 


[book  II. 


)cr.ition  of  an  activo 
vkod  with  diurnal,  '  f 
lio  fjuiiiiiic.     Thus,  a 
,  with  ten  of  ([uiiiino, 
)f  the  sanio  kind,  bc- 
will  gi'nerally   avert, 
cno(in.     l)ut  ill  sonio 
3  next  night,  half  tho 
bstiiiato  cases  uf  long 
'rhuH,  the  hark,  in 
3  or  four  times  a  day. 
,  as  for  relapsing  in- 
,  of  Missouri,  assured 
rvice  in  some  cases  of 
n  made.     In  my  own 
,er  to  the  nape  of  tho 
in  heing  seated  in  tho 
part,  Doetor  IJarnctt, 
iri,  informed  me,  that 
Talbot,  of  the  latter 
stramonium  seeds  with 


INDEX. 


a  close.     It  has  cx- 
ould  not  have  sufficed, 
.   therapeutic  history; 
13  southern  half  of  our 
i   an  annual  endemio- 
has  the  most  intimate 
iaritios,  resulting  from 
ely  to  appear.     Ilenco 
Etiology;  as  illustra- 
f  the  facts  which  mako 
ortality,  or  infirmity  of 
10  A'alley ;  and,  thero- 
,t  I  have  collected  and 
ir  brethren  might  sup- 
y  as  I  do  myself,  how 
a  — before   the    jtagcs 
)  universal  acceptance, 
a  single  young  physi- 
ir  save   the  life  of  one 
:tiui,  my  labor  will  uot 


A. 

Abiiomi-n  in  romittent  fovcr,  837. 
Adiroiidiii  k  ci'iilcr,  15. 
African  Viirii'ty,  G!)?. 

Agricuil  11  ml  laiior.s,  influcnco  on  health, GS'l. 
Akron,  371. 

Aliihiunri  River,  IP,  .17,  182. 
Alnoholic  beverages,  CGci. 
Alcxaniiria,  IGl). 
Alle;^iKiiiy  River,  27.'>. 
Town,  27 1. 
Alpine  snniiner  resiilcnee  for  invalids,  397. 
Altitudes,  curves  of,  l!)-2(i. 

iiitlnoucc  on  mean  temperature, 
4(J4. 
Alton,  1 13. 

American  bottom,  121-137. 
Amherstbiirfj,  .■!.')  1. 
Amusenieni.i,  G'J6. 
Analysis  of  soils,  silt,  and  water,  75-70-77, 

24:j,2i»:i-:to;j. 

Anglo  of  the  delta  of  the  Mississi|)pi,  107. 
Animal  food,  054. 
Animalcnlar  hypothi'sis,  723. 
Animals,  distribntion  of,  G30. 
Ann  Arbor,  357. 

Annual  mean  temperatures,  455, 47.3-479. 
temperature,   curve  of    for 
the  Interior  Valley,  530. 
Anthony,  Falls  of  St.,  148. 
Appalachian  Mountains,  7,  28. 
Appalachicula  Bay,  and  River,  178,181. 
A(lueous  meteors.  5>7. 
Arctic  Kasin,  SI,  412,  60G. 

Ocean,  444. 

regions,  winds  of,  570. 
Area  of  Interior  Valley,  5. 
Arid  south-west  wind,  577. 
Arkansas  river,  14,  122, IG3. 
Arrow  rock,  1G;1. 

Arsenious  acid  in  internilttents,  750-777. 
Artesian  wells,  195. 

Arts    and    manufactures ;     influeuco     on 
health,  G95. 


Aspects  of  Interior  Valley,  G. 
Atchafalaya,  (i'i. 

Athabasca  river,  and  lake,  8,  442. 
Atlantic  Ocean,  580.     » 

States,  G41. 
Atmospheric  pressure,  531. 

etl'ects  of,  55G. 
Atmospheric  and  terrestrial  meuu  temper- 
atures, compared,  1G9. 
Attakapas,  79. 
Augusta,  2.57. 
Autumnal  Fever,  lO'.i. 
Autumn,  temperat     e  of,  .)04. 
A.xes,  hydrographical,  9,  449. 
uiouutain,  13. 

B. 

Balizo,  88. 

topography  and  scenery,  88. 
geology,  90. 
inhabitants,  94. 
town,  95. 

inod(!s  of  living,  9G. 
diseases,  9G. 
Barometric  observations,  531. 

at  St.  Louis,  .531. 
at  Cincinnati,  53G. 
at  Hudson,  541. 
at  Toronto,  545. 
generalizations,  550. 
extreme  annual  ranges,  553. 
monthly  ami  (iuarti'rly,554. 
pressure,  elllxts  of,  55G. 
Barrens,  237, 
Barren  ground,  414. 
Bar-room  drinking,  GG9. 
Baslu  of  tho  up[)er  lakes,  3>^4. 

tides — daily  thictuations — ground 

swells,  3'-4. 
annual  rise  and  fall,  385. 
prolonged   rises,  386. 
temperature,  387. 
marginal  forests,  368. 
Bathing,  G79. 


:!>Mt-^-M- 


868 


INDKX. 


■r'.ull 


I  ,^'- 


:'  t 


.1/^ 


Ifit 


•VK 


'     .1 


Butoii  Roii|rc,  108. 

IJatture,  1(12. 

liuyuu  Atcluifiilnya,  ^2. 

J{larU,!^l--^.l. 

I. a  Foil  relic,  (53. 

IburvillM,  Gl. 

Maiicliac,  ()1. 

i'laqiicininu,  81,  107, 

Toclie,  G2. 
Bayous  around  Now  OrlouiiH,  91). 
Ilayou  Sura,  town  of,  110. 
Heaver  and  Krio  cuiial,  282. 
Beulou,  2():». 

Big  Beaver  river,  12,282. 
Bijr  niack  river,  208. 
Dig  Sandy  river,  17,  25!). 
Big  Stone  lalie,  11). 
Biloxi  l)ay,r>S, 
Birds,  migration  of,  G33. 
BitterB  as  tonics,  741). 

morning,  GGB. 
Black  hills,  171. 
Black  river,  N.  Y..  105, 
Black  river,  Ohio,  371. 
Black-elato,  valley  plain,  307, 
Black  swani]),  3()5. 
Black  Warrior  river,  11)1. 
Blood,  detorioiation  of  731-732-733,  739, 

771,819. 
Bloodletting,  713,  771. 
Bloomiiigton,  322. 
Blue  licks  2.")5. 

mound  region,  328. 
Bluff  zone,  204, 
Bolivar,  212, 
Booneville,  1G8. 
Boothia  Felix,  445. 
Braiu,  slate  of  in  intermit  tent  fever,  752, 771. 

remittent  fover,  825. 
Brazos  river,  158. 
British  immigrants,  641. 
Brownsville,  2G9. 
Buchanan,  2GG. 
Buffalo,  380. 
Burlington,  143. 

bay,  408. 
Buttermilk,  058. 
Bytown,  417. 


Cahawba  river  and  town,  184. 

Cahokia,  140. 

Cairo,  135. 

Calculated  mean  temperatures,  467. 

Calms,  586. 

Calomel  ia  intermittents,  777. 


Calomel  in  romittentH,  S04. 
Canada,  autumnal  fever  in,  709. 

West,  3.53. 
Cunadiaii  river,  1 63. 
Cunalw — Ni'w  Orlians,  100. 

IVniiHylvania,  272. 

French  creek,  281. 

Conneaut,  282. 

Ohio  and  l'>ie,  2S6,  374. 

Cincinnati  and  Dayton,  297 

Whitewaler,  297. 

Beaver  and  Erie,  379. 

Erie,  403. 

Uideau,  418. 

Welland,  390. 

life  upon,  6s8. 
Canebrake,  Alabama,  195. 
Cane,  native,  nurthern  limits  of,  254. 
Canton,  287. 
Ca|>o  Diamond,  424. 

Catoche,  32. 
Caribbean  Sea,  5rtl). 
Carver's  Cave,  472. 
Carondelet,  138. 

Carroll  county,  Mississippi,  210. 
Carrolton,  249. 
Castalia  and  Cold  Spring,  367. 
Cathartics  in  iiitermittoiits.  745,  767. 
Caucasian  variety,  637. 
Cayuga  marshes,  401. 
Cedar  creek  dam,  717. 
Cellars,  681. 
Centers,  hydrographical,  9. 

mountain,  13. 
Chagrin  river,  376. 
Chainbly,  Canada  P/ist,  421. 
Change  of  locality  in  intermittents,  816. 
climate,  effects  of  647. 
food,  effects  of,  6  18. 
political,  moral,  and  social  con- 
dition, 648. 
Chattahoochee  river,  181, 
Chautaiuiuo  lake,  277. 
Cheat  mountain,  265-267. 

river,  264-267. 
Cherokee  country,  231. 
Chicago,  341. 

Chickasaw  bluffs,  133-134. 
Chihuahua,  154. 
Chillicothe,295. 
Chippewa,  .390. 
Chocolate,  661. 
Choctaw,  Mississippi,  210. 
Chronic  action  of  the  cause  of  autumnal 
fever,  841,  833. 

intermittents,  809. 


.[ 


m.: 


itH,  804. 
ever  iiii  708. 


ms,  100. 

niii,  '21± 

rk.'JCJl. 

2HtJ. 

irio,  2SG,  374. 

luiid  l).iytoii,297 

LT,  2!»7. 

J  Krio,  37'». 

,8. 
390. 

iia,  I'Jri. 

loru  liiuiU  of,  S34. 

4. 


ississippi,  210. 

spring,  3G7. 

rmitlciits.  71.'),  7G7. 

,  637. 

101. 

717. 


hical,  9. 
13. 


East,  421. 

in  iiiterrnittents,  816. 

,  cflVcts  of  G47. 
fleets  of,  fi  18. 
,  moral,  and  social  con- 

n,  G48. 

r,181, 
277. 
:G.J-2G7. 
:G7. 

231. 

133-134. 


ppi,  210. 

ilie  cause  of  autumnal 
S4 1,833. 

nts,  80!). 


INDEX. 


8G9 


Cider,  fifiO.  Cubo,  inland  of,  4C. 

Ciiicinnuti,  201).  Culinaiy  vcjji-talil.'s.  Cjfi. 
moan  temporaturo  of,  525.  artH,  G.'itl. 

harDinutricai  observationBat,  530.  Culnilna'lii|r  lino  of  the  Valldy,  19-23. 

Claibornw,  184.  Cultivated  plants,  G28. 

Clarksburtr,  2CG.  Cumberland    -nountains,    22.'),    228,   232, 
Clear  an.l  cloiKly  days,  594.  250,  250,  G29. 

Cleveland,  375.  river,  233-236. 

Climate,  iLfoneral  views  of,  447.  Cupping  in  remittents,  700. 

mean  temperature  of  theyoar, 453.  Curative  treatment  of  interniittents,  745. 

of  tlie  Interior  Valley,  449.  Curves  of  altitude  from  east  to  west,  22. 
Climatic  etiology,  447.  migration  from  Kurope,  G38. 

distribution  of  planti  and  animals,  Cuyahoga  basin,  river,  and  falls,  372-5. 
<;23. 


native  plants,  G24. 

cultivateil  plants,  623. 

•luadrupeds,  G31. 

birds,  G33. 

replili's,  634. 

tislies,  G.'i5. 

insects,  G35. 

man,  G3G. 
Clothing,  G7G. 
Coal  mining,  GOl. 
Coasts  of  the  Mississippi,  84. 
Coft'ee,  659. 
Cold,  pole  of,  1 1.')— 1S4. 

in  iiiterrnittents,  7G8. 
stage  of  intermittents,  737. 


I). 
Danville,  2.")2. 
Davenport,  145. 
Debris  of  rocks,  26. 
Decatur,  224. 

Delta  of  the  Mississippi,  GO,  70, 73, 77,  111. 
Demopolis,  108. 

l)e|)tli  of  tile  Lower  Mississippi,  66. 
Detroit,  3,55. 

straits  351. 
Dew,  C06. 
Dewpoint,  601-tjU9. 
Diet,  653-657. 
Diluvium,  27. 
Diseases,futuro  increase  and  decrease, of,701 


Coldest  and  hottest  months  compared  with  Diurnal  changes  of  temperature,  510. 

mean  temperature,  506.  Dodgeville,  329. 

Colorado  river,  l,j7.  Donaldsonville,  106. 

Color,   peculiar  of  liver  in  autumnal   fo-  Dresa  of  men,  676. 


vcr,  830. 
Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  284. 
Columbus,  (ieorgia,  181. 

Mississippi,  193. 

Ohio,  294. 
Commercial  pursuits,  685. 
Complications  of  intermittents,  7G5. 
Concordia  bottom,  122. 
Conewango  creek,  277. 
Configuration  of  the  Valley,  19. 
Conneaut  lake,  282. 

Consequences  of  autumnal  fever,  831-835. 
Continental  extretnes  of  climate,  484. 

aqueduct,  20. 
Coosa  river,  188. 
Copper  mine  river,  442. 

region,  334. 
Cordilleras,  151,  556. 
Corsets,  677 

Coteau  des  Prairies,  7, 19,  20,  24. 
Cotton  limit,  215. 
Covington,  301. 
Croghansville,  368. 


women,  677. 

children,  678. 
Drift,  27. 

of  Mississippi  and  St.  Lawrence,  430. 
Dropsy  from  autumnal  fever,  855. 
Drummond's  Island,  349. 
Duck  river,  232. 
Dundas,  408. 
Dunnville,  383. 
Du  Poisson's  voyage,  112. 
Dykes  at  New  Orleans,  100. 

E. 

Eastern  townships,  Canada  East,  421 . 

Electricity,  atmospheric,  611. 

Elk  river,  226. 

Elyria,  371.  ';- 

Emetics  in  simple  intermittents,  744. 

malignant  intermittents,  766. 

remittents,  782. 

malignant  remittents,  801. 

vernal  iiitermittentB,  815. 
English  immigrants,  643. 


870 


INDEX. 


7i^  '  Ml 


"1         'k 


!»'  ft 


^r 


)i  i 


,« 


J 


Ei>i.lfmlr  fever,  18.10-30;  1820,991,30.1; 

ll^r.t,  ;)7(). 
Erio  I.ukc,  HaHiii  of,  35H. 

Houtlicrii,  3.')!). 
nortlierii,  ',ibi, 
town  of,  3T{?. 
Esraniliiii  river,  r)0. 
ENi|uiiimiix,  lilt],  -Hi,  C3H. 
KHttiarion  ('uin|iuro(l,  55,  I'M, 
Esluury,  Mobile,  .'>!. 

I'nHriifjonJji,  58. 

Alnliaiim,  18'J, 

Oiiio,  'JID. 

Muiunee,  3()1. 

St.  Lawrence,  l'2G, 
Evan<4ville,  308. 
Evaporatlun,  GO3-G0G. 
Everjjiade.s,  178. 
Flvii  of  winds,  586. 
Exercise,  GUG. 


Fall8ofOIiio,2lfi. 

St.  Anthony,  1 18. 
Febrile  diseases,  703. 
Fever  river,  MS. 
Fever  uiitnmnal,  703. 

variety  ami  identity  703. 

gcograpiiiim!  liiiiils,  704. 

at  twenty-six  niiiilary  posts, 706. 

at  Canadian  posts,  708. 

canses  of  geograpiiical  limits,  709. 

soil,  709. 

living  vegetation,  710. 

surface  water,  710, 

temperature,  712. 

assigned  remote  causes,  710. 

meteoric  hypothesis,  716. 

malarial  hypothosia,  719. 

vegeto-animal(;ularliypothe8is,723. 

value  of  these  inquiries,  727. 

first  elVects  of  remote  cause,  728. 

action  on  the  skin,  728. 

on  the  stomach  and  bowels,  729. 
lungs,  730. 
blood,  732. 

intermittents,  734. 

remittents,  735. 

development,     and     pathological 
character,  736. 

cold  stage,  737. 

hot  stage,  7.39. 

local  nll'ections,  740. 
Fever  intermittent,  741. 

simple,  7'42. 

history,  742. 


Fever  Intermlttpnt,  pathology,  742. 

preparative  treutniPiit,  743. 

curative  treatment,  745. 

■ul|ihato  of  (piinine,  74G. 

vegetiihle  bitters,   719. 

tirseniouH  acid,  7.iO. 

intlirmiiatory,  751. 

diagnosis  and  pathology,  751. 

treatment,  753. 

recapitulation,  755. 

malignant,  75G. 

general   history,  750. 

symptomatology,  758. 

pathology,  7G1. 

complications,  7().">. 

treatment  in  the  paroxysm,  7G5. 

evacuauls,  7G(J. 

external  sliniulants,  7G7. 

internal  stimulants,  770. 

means  of  relieving  the  internal  or- 
gans, 770. 

treatment  in  the  intermission,  773. 

bark    and     the    sulphate   of    qui- 
nine, 773; 

opium,  77G. 

arsenious  acid,  777. 

piperine,  777. 

calomel,  777. 

regimen  and  relapses,  777. 
Fever  remittent,  779. 

simple  and  inflammatory,  779. 

diagnosis,  779. 

tendencies  and  terminations,  780. 

treatment,  781. 

first  treatment  in  the  west,  782. 

advantagesand  disadvantages  of  this 
treatment,  783. 

treatmentas  for  gastro-enteritis,784. 

purging  practice,  784. 

tendency  at  the  present  time,  78G. 

facts  r(>lativo  to  quin  lie,  789. 

modifications  of  treatment,  793. 

malignant,  794. 

diagnosis  and  pathology,  795. 

treatment,  799. 

indications  and  difficulties,  799, 

venesection  and  cupping,  799. 

external  stimulation,  800. 
emolients,  801. 

vomiting,  801. 

purging,  802. 

calomel,  804. 

various  remedies,  806. 

sulphate  of  quinine,  807. 

cases  and  remarks,  808. 
Fever  intormitteat,  809. 


mB4^ 


INDKX. 


871 


patliology,  742. 
Irfiilinciit,  743. 
atiiioiil,  74j. 
(luiiiiiie,  74G. 
ilUTM,   711). 
ci.l,  7,-.(). 
ry,  751. 

11(1  piUliology,  751. 
75:1. 
011,755. 
75(5. 
ftory,  7.1(i. 

olo(;y»  '^^• 

701. 

Jim,  7G5. 

11  tlic  paroxysm,  703. 

7t;t>. 

iimilants,7G7. 
liiiulaiitH,  770. 
relifviiig  tlio  iiitfiriial  or- 
0. 

ill  the  intiTinissioii,  773. 
\\w    sulpliuto   of    qui- 
f:»; 

acid,  ( 47. 
777. 
77. 

111(1  relapses.  777. 
77!). 
(1  inflammatory,  779. 

77'J. 

and  torminationa,  780. 
781. 

ment  in  the  west,  782. 
•sanddisadvantagesof  this 

nt,  7c<.3. 

as  for  gastro-enteritis,784. 
ractice,  784. 

at  the  present  time,  786, 
ve  to  quin  lie,  789. 
011s  of  treatment,  793. 

794. 

and  pathology,  795. 
,  799. 

IS  and  diftlculties,  799. 
on  and  cupping,  799. 
itimulation,  800. 
imolients,  801. 

801. 
802. 
304. 

■emedies,  806. 
of  quinine,  807. 

remarks,  808. 
it,  809. 


Fever  intcrmllHntN,  chronic  cases, 809. 
relapses,  HU. 
vurniil,  811. 
deferred  attacks,  812. 
treatment  of  winter  cases,  81  i. 
vernal  cases,  815. 
rhiingo  of  locality,  HIG. 
popular  empiricism,  r^ll, 
Hulutary  ellects  of,  1^17. 
Fever  auliiiiiiiul,  patholugicul  unat.  of,  ^^^IH, 
mortality,  81H. 
condition  of  the  blood,  819. 
pathological  uaatoniy  of  intermit- 
to  11  ts,  820. 
])atliologi(Ml   anatomy    of   remit- 
tents, 823. 
coiiseqiKMices  of,  831. 
First  plowings,  .'i2o,  357. 
t'iorenco,  222. 
Florida,  47, 178;  town,  53. 
Fog,  (iOG. 
Fond  (III  Lac,  334. 
Food,chang»i  of,  G48. 

solid,  648. 
Forests,  50,  .'i.'),  59,  71, 77,90, 101, 105, 130, 

179,  219,  G21-G25-G2G-G27. 
Fort  Adams,  124. 

Armstrong,  145. 
Urady,  3:«5. 
Brooke,  19. 
Clinch,  51. 
Crawford,  14C. 
Dearhorn,  342. 
Gibson,  1G4. 
(Iratiot,  351. 
Henry,  413. 
Jackson,  87. 
Jpssup,  IGl. 
King,  179. 
Leavenworth,  172. 
Livingston,  8G. 
Maiden,  354. 
McComb,  181. 
Mackinac,  34G. 
Mississaga,  407. 
Mitchell,  181. 
Pickering,  134. 
I'ike,  tti. 
t-    lith,  1G4. 
Smiling,  146. 
St.  Philip,  87. 
Towt.Mn,  IGl. 
Wacassa,  180. 
Wayne,  361. 
White,  180. 
Winnebago,  339. 


Fort  Wood,  P7. 

U'i Ilium,  3:M. 
Four  Lakes,  :»27. 
i'ox  riv«r,  339. 
Frankfort,  251. 
Franklin,  Missouri,  1G9. 

I'ennsvlvaiiia,  276. 
French  Creek,  280. 

Immigrauts,  638. 
Frost,  GOG. 


naloiia,  145. 
Callipolis,  291. 

Ualvi'stou,  island  and  town,  45. 
(Jauley  valley,  2G2. 
Genealogies,  national,  613. 
Geiioseo  river,  394. 
flats,    .395. 
above  the  flats,  396. 
Geograpliical  and  (reolngical  outlines  of  re- 
gions  east  of   .Alissisaijipi,   and  south  oi 
(Jhio,  176. 
Geological  outline,  26. 
section,  215. 
Geology  of  the  falls,  247. 
Georgian  bay,  350. 
(ferman  immigrants,  642. 
Glades,  2G2-2Gt;. 
Good  effect  of  winds,  5nG. 
Grand  gulf,  town  of,  127. 
river,  Canada,  383. 
Ohio,  377. 
Great  Bear  Lake,  442. 

Fish, or  Back's  river, 442. 
plains,  173. 
J<lave  lake,  442. 
Green  Buy,  337. 

Brier,  valley,  261. 
Greensboro,  Alabama,  197. 
Grog,  GG8. 
Gros  Cap,  335. 

Groups  of  climatic  stations,  486. 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  32. 

position,  form,  and  area,  32. 
depth,  33. 
currents,  34. 
temperature,  36. 
tides  and  inundations,  39. 
coasts,  40. 
St.  Lawrence,  429. 
Guyandotte  river,  259. 

H. 

Habitations,  681. 
Hamilton,  Canada,  403. 


872 


INDEX. 


»';  .. 


■v. » , 


fe;*..: 


<  ► 


.1 


Ilariiiony  New,  .'II 1. 

UlirrOllslllll-ir  S|uill(rs,  1212. 

]liivaii;i,  Id. 

lloart  ill  riMiiittciit  fever,  H'J7. 
Heat,  and  cold  i-xtrcmcs  ol",  •17(f. 
ill  alL'id  iiilcniiittcnlM,  7(i8. 
Helena,  i:cj. 

Hill  coil  niry,  Mississippi  and  Aialiainn, 17(5- 

lll!». 
Holstoii  river,  '.'•JG. 
Hoiikiiisville,  'J.'t7. 
HotspriiifTs,  Washita,  IM. 
Howard  coiinly  Mis.souri,  109. 
Hudson,  Ohio,  .■|7.'l. 
bay,  W. 
basin,  liydrorrrapliy  of,  4,1^. 

phys.  {r,.o(.rraphy  of,  l.'l'J. 
Iiydro;;r;ip|iical  basin,  •I;t7. 
Humidity,  (idl. 
Humid  south  west  wind,  571). 
Hunt-svillc,  e-JI. 

to  Kno.xville,  2'J5. 
Huron  Lake,  .1 15. 

eastern  Bhorc,  Il.'iO, 
western  shore,  .'ISO. 
river,  .Micliin^iui,  HSG. 

Ohio,  :uiit. 
town.  ^)tiD. 
Hurricanes,  GIG. 
Hydrograpliical  basi-  line,  .'I. 
system,  8. 
axes  and  contcr,(in  tlieval- 

ley),  !). 
axes  and   center   (moun- 
tains),  13. 
axes  ai.]  centorj,  number 

of,  IH. 
curve   longitudinal,  21. 
basins,  28. 

southern,  32. 
Arctic,  412. 
rcfjions   west  of  ita   lacus- 
trine axis,  443. 
regions  cast  of  tiifuxis,4 14. 

L 

Iboria,  Nc-,v,  lOG. 
Ice  cream,  GjS. 
Illinois  river,  320. 

lower  part  of,  321. 
Indianapolis,  .'111). 
In<iian  country,  173. 
summer,  GO^. 
Interior  Valley  of  North  America,  2. 
Intermarriages,  61,5. 
Intormitteiits,  734. 


Inlerniittents,  simple,  742. 

inllainii,.itory,  7r)l . 
maligiianl,  75(i. 
chronic,  8(>!». 
relapsing,  Hll. 
vernal,  81  I. 
deferreil,  H12. 
nnaioniy  of,  820. 
<'onse([ueiices  of,  834. 
Introduction,  1. 

invalids,  temporary  residence  for,    3!iG. 
sn miner  voyages  for,  ,'147. 
alpine   residence  for,  .'l!(7. 
northern  summi-r  voyage  for,  432. 
voyages  up  the  iVIississi])pi,  I  ID. 
upper  'reniiessuo  river,  230. 
Irish  immigrants,  G  12. 
Iron  mining  and  Hinelting,  C93. 
IsL-dn  Noix,  121. 
I.^o'tliermal  curves,  475. 

J. 
Jackson,  Miss.,  2(l.'l. 
Jacksonville,  Illinois,  321. 
Jetr  'SOU  Barracks,  1,'I8. 

'•:;>,  HH. 

Jcllersonville,  .''OG. 

Jews,  ()4II. 

.lonrney  of  health  on  tho  great  plains,  174. 

Juliet,  32G. 

Junction  of  Mississippi  and  ]\Iissouri  riv- 
ers, 112. 

Jussieua  grandillora,  purifying  influence 
of,  7U. 

K. 

Kankakee  river,  326. 
Kanzas  river,  171. 
Kaskaskia  rivi-r,  .'120. 
Kenawha  river,  2G1. 

lower  valley  of,  2G3, 

its  salines,  2G3,  G!)5. 

Little,  2G4. 
Kentucky,  north  oast,  254. 
river,  24!). 

effects  of  dams  and  locks,  250. 
Key  West,  47. 
Kingston,  Caiuuia,  413. 

Tennessee,  22C. 
Kingwood,  2G7. 
Knoxville,  22G. 

L. 

Lab.ador,  25. 
Lu"hiiie,  411). 
Lacustrine  axis,  443-444. 


1  '.;■■ 


INDEX. 


S7--5 


lo,  7.1-2. 

;mi.:itory,751. 

iriimil,  75(i. 

iic.H(»!). 

siiiji,  Hll. 

il,  f^ll. 

•r.'il.Hl'i. 

ji.iy  of,  820. 

I'qucnoes  of,  HJW. 

V  r('siclonc(>  for,    'M')C>. 
oyafTi's  for,  IM7. 
<i(lciire  for,  3it7. 
siiiiiiiu'r  voyii^rt'  fcir, 'IH". 
ip  the  iVlississippi,  I  !'.•• 
>t>r  TeiineHSiiO  river,  2'JO. 
Iil2. 
ini'lt'.iig,  C93. 

J. 

\:i 

ois,  321. 
1, 138. 


on  the  great  plains,  174. 
ssippi  ami  Missouri  riv- 
ora,  purifying  iufluoiice 


120. 

il. 

ill.^y  of,  2C3. 

•s,  2G3,  G'J5. 

CI. 

i^<t,  2:>i. 

:■!!). 

of  (lams  ami  locks,  250. 

113. 

usee,  22G. 


L. 


i4>J-  444. 


I.nfuycltf,  312. 

Ijaki;.9  of  tlir  liiliMJor  Valley,  y, 

Luko   Atliabasc'i,  112. 

liiU  ."^lonc,  20. 

Ilorgiie,  <)l. 

Ca)Kin(lai;riia,  400. 

Ciitaiiodla,    122. 

Cayu^ra,    400. 

Cliutiiplain,  420. 

('hatau(|iio.  277. 

('Iietiiiiac.lic.'-',  02. 

Concordia,  122. 

Crookofi,  400. 

V.v'iv,  .'(.')."■'. 

(heal  Hear,  412. 

(iroal  Slave,  412. 

Huron,  343. 

Lovelace,  122. 

Maurepas,  (il. 

,Miei)i{r;ii!,  330. 

Of  the  Wo.>il.s,24. 

Oneida,  40lt. 

(Juondaga,  403. 

Ontario,  3S!I. 

ronleliarlraii;    (il. 

IVovidenco,  lii2. 

Sandy,  331. 

Seiieea,  400. 

St.  Clair,  :t."»l. 

St.  I'.ter,  432. 

•Superior,  3.33. 

Traverse,  20. 

Winnebago,  10. 

WJan.pc.,',  8,  I'J,  130. 

AVoilaston,  i-'. 
Lancastur,  Ohio,  2'JO. 
Ijawrenceburg,  305. 
licnionade,  fi.j8. 
Lexington,  Ky.,  2.53. 

country  uround,  252. 
Iii'xington,  Missouri,  170. 
laurd's  river,  443. 
Licking  rivor,  254. 
Licking  rivor,  Ohio,  288. 
Life  upon  tho  gulf,  G86. 

our  rivers,  68G. 
northern  lakes,  Gc^S. 
canals,  CS8. 
of  voyageurs,  CH'J. 
of  Santa  Fc  traders,  GJl. 
Liquid  diet,  (i57. 
Little  Rock,  Uil. 
Living,  modes  of,  G53. 
Liver  in  remittent  Fever,  827. 
Iiliuio  estacado,  (5. 
Lodgings,  (!79. 
6() 


Locidities,  eomparixon  ol,  207,  1229. 
Louisville,  24d. 

AT. 
.Maekinack,  island,  town,  and  fort,  346. 

residcnco  for  invalidg,  347. 
Madison  barr.K  Uh,  40G. 
.Madison,  Indiana,  30G. 
Madison,  Wisconsin,  32"^. 
Magnetic  dip,  and  direction,  [)oli>  of,  145. 

intensity,  pole  of,  411. 
Malarial  hypothesis,  71'.). 
.Malignant  intermittent  fi'ver,  75fi. 

remittent  fever,  794. 
Malt  licpiors,  GC9. 
Mammoth  cave,  2.39. 
Manhattan,  .302. 
.Marietta,  289. 
-Marion,  loG. 
Mutanioras,  153. 
M;iumeo  Kiver,  3G0. 

IJay  and  estuary,  SGI. 
Canal,  3G2. 
Maysville,  2.'7. 
McKenzic'.'?  River,  143. 
Meadville,  281 . 
Mean  annual  temperature,  153. 

general  table.  455. 

calculated  tabli',  4G7. 

by  int-uetion,  51 G. 

St.  r.onis  tables,  519. 

Cincinnati  tables,  525. 

of  Interior  \'alley,  5.3(1. 
.Mechanical  arts,  GI)5. 
Melvilb-  island,  445. 
.Memphis,  133. 
Mercer,  P.  'insylvania,  283. 
IMeti'oric  h_  itotbesis,  71 G. 
.Methodist,  Indian  manual  labor nciiool,  lil. 
Mexican  ba.sin,  28. 
Miami,  Missouri,  170. 
.Miami  Valley,  297. 
Michigan  City,  313. 
Michigan  Lake,  33G. 
.Microscopic  discoveries,  723. 
Middl.^  Tennessee,  2.32 
.Migration  from  Europ  ,  G39. 
Milk,  G57. 
Milneburg,  105. 
Mihvaukie,  340. 
Mineral  Point,  329. 
Mineral  water   artificial,  G(j7. 
ilining,  coal,  G9i. 
iron,  G93. 
lead,  C93. 
.Minuesota  River,  9. 


1 


lADEX. 


Miuo"-  bays,  57. 

I'ascugoiila,  58. 
Biloxi,  5H. 
St.  Louis,  5D. 
.Mississippi,  above  tho  Delta,  1:J1. 

Toiisas  or   Coiiconlia   bot- 
tom, 122. 

Yazoo  bottom,  121). 

at.  Francis  bottom,  1^1. 

American  bottom,  137. 

Upper,  141. 

sources  of,  3.T1. 
Mississippi  River,  Delta  of,  GO-Gl. 

descriptive   liyilrojrrapiiy,  CI. 

rise  ami  fall  of,  C4. 

depth,  CU. 

temperature,  67. 

susjiendcd  and  dissolved  ma- 
terials, 7(1. 

age,  growth,  composition,  73. 

vegetation,  77. 

Jussieua  grandillora,  71). 

rice  lands,  i^~. 

marine  extremity,  88. 

passes,  G-l. 
iMissouri  River,  166. 

settlements  north  of,  172. 

voyages  up,  171. 
Mobile  Bay,  51. 
citv,  55. 
Modes  of  living,  653. 
.Moisture   of  climate,  603. 

rec;ion  of  the  (!ulf,  604. 

West  of  Gulf  and  Missis- 
sijipi,  601. 

East  of  the  Mississippi,  and 
north  of  (Julf,  605. 

of  northern  Lakes,  605. 

Arctic,  606. 
Monclova,  15 
Mongolian  variety,  638. 
Mouongahcla  River,  264. 

lower  basin,  26!^. 
Monroe,  Michigan,  350. 
Monroeville,  Ohio,  370. 
Monterey,  152. 
Monto  Sano,  224. 
Montezuma  marshes,  401. 
Montnromi'ry,  187. 
Months,  ttfiiiperaturo  of,  40G. 
Montreal  island,  418. 

city.  no. 

to  Quebec,  42;(. 
]\loral  condition,  ciiungeof,  Gi'. 
Morning  bitters,  668. 
.Mortality  uf  autumnal  fever.  t'lP 


Mountain,  Adirondack,  15,  23,  406,  420. 
Appalachian,  5,  7,  10,  25,  176, 
229,   261,    264,  278,  .i27, 
450,  475. 
Cordilleras,  22,  151,  150,  475, 

541,582,  621. 
Cumberland,    225,    227,     231, 

234,  62!l. 
O/ark,  7,  28,  165,  6.iO. 
Rocky,  .'')-6,  13-14,  22,  25, 167, 
173,175,436,  442,  451-4.")2, 
46!^,  475,-481,484,  515,554, 
557,  501,  604,  631-633. 
Hwcet-water,  6. 

White  and  Green,  15,  30,  420. 
Muscle  shoals  of  Tennessee  River,  223. 
-Muskingum  River,  2^4. 

below  Zanesville,  285. 
above  /anesville,  286. 
pool,  28a. 

N. 
Nashville,  234. 
Natchez,  124. 
Natchitoches,  161. 
Navarino,  337. 
Navy  Yard,  Pcnsacola,  52. 
Nebraska  River,  14. 
Negro  variety,  637. 
Nelson's  River,  10. 
Neuralgia,  periodical,  865. 
New  Albany,  307. 
New  Madrid,  132. 
New  Orleans,  97. 

position  and  plan,  97. 

lakes  and  swamps,  08. 

b.iyous,  9i). 

dykes,  100. 

canals,  100 

street  currents,  100. 

inundations,  101. 

forests,  101. 

fevers  of  the  swatnp,  101 

batture,  102. 

city  filth    along    the     riv- 
er, 102. 

boats  aud  shipping,   102. 

fever  on  tji?  liver  side,  103. 

condition  of  the  city,  103. 

composition  of  society,  104. 
Newport,  .301. 
Niagara  Kivor,  391. 
Fulls,  ;)91. 
town.,  407. 
Nomenclature  of  fever,  70.3 
North  AMcrican  variety,  63'' 


k,  15,  23,  406,  420. 

m,  5,  7,  10,  25,  ITO, 

2G1,    264,  278,  ^27, 

i75. 

,  22,  131,  ir.3,  47:), 

.  624. 


kI, 


OQ? 


oo 


Mi, 


231, 


29,  165,  6.)0. 

(i,  13-14,  22,  25, 167, 

),  436,  442,  451-452, 

i,' 481,  484,  515,  554, 

L,  604,  631-633. 

tcr,  6. 

.1  Green,  15,  30,  420. 

nnessee  River,  223. 

s4. 

anesville,  285. 

iinosville,  286. 

?'J. 

N. 


la, 


1,  865. 


on  and  plan,  !)7. 
and  s\vanii)S,  08. 

s,  ity. 

,  100. 
),  100 

currents,  100. 
ations,  101. 
ts,  101. 

3  of  tho  swamp,  101 
re,  102. 

fillli    along    the     riv- 
102. 

and  wluppin^,   102. 
on  tin  liver  side,  103. 
lion  of  tlio  city,  103. 
osition  of  society,  104. 


v,r.703 
iriely.  63'" 


INDEX. 


ua 


North-west  passage,  445. 
Nortlicr.s — Los  Norles— 582. 
Norwalk,  370. 
Norwegians,  (i4.'t,  048. 
Nnecc3  liivcr,  157-158. 

0. 
Oakland  collefe,207. 
Op-densburn^,  415. 
Oliio  I3;tsii),  -JAl. 

I'Liver  trough,  21!). 

gi-ncral  views,  2.'>7. 

remainder  of,  .'(!(). 
Okie  and  Erie  Ganul,  286. 

City,  :i7(;. 

Opelonsas,  lUS. 
Dsi.ge  River,  16^!. 
Oswego  liivyr,  10.). 
town,  105. 
Ottawa,  .325. 

River,  417. 

i\ 

Painer>vilie,  378. 

r.iirs  of  nioutiis,  temperature,  of.  507. 

Pascagoula  13a;-,  58. 

River,  201, 
Pusso  (]<?.]  Norte,  153. 
Passes  of  tho  IVIississippi,  61. 
Patiioloj^iculanatjiny  of  iiitermittonis,  820. 

remittents,  .^23. 
Putholojry  of  intcruiittents,  7.36,  742,  751. 
761. 
rciniltent.s.  781),  7!I5. 
Peare  River,  413. 
Pear!  River,  2!)3. 
Pemhinn,410,  518. 
Penetanc^uishine,  .'il!). 
Pensacola  i!uy,  4!). 

lown,  51 . 
Peoria,  323. 
Perdido  Bay,  ^X 
Pern,  325. 
Physiolo;;ical  characteristics,  614. 

etiology,  637. 
Pliy.=iology,  statistical,  fiiJO. 
PiJkensville,  1!12. 
J'ino  woods,  53,  5;j,  165,  ]7.-^-171),  18'),  20-..', 

205. 
Pittsburgh,  271. 
Plains,  great,  173. 
Plants,  nativ,  eIin!itic.]^goograi)hy  of,  621. 

cnllivaled,  628. 
Plr.quemine,  107. 
Plymouth  towns'iip,  356. 
Po"lar  Sea,  444,452,  4S4. 


Polar  Basin,  412,  4113. 
Polo  of  cold,  445. 

magiieticdirection,  1 15, 
intensity.  111. 
Poles,  613. 

Political  condition,  change  of,  6H. 
Port  (iibson,  2.)7. 

Hudson,  110. 

Huron,  353. 

Sarnia,  351. 
Portsmouth,  296. 
Prairies  of  .Mississippi,  11)4. 
Prairio  du  Cliien,  1  l(i. 

Trenildanto,  80,  .327. 
Pri'dictions  on  change  of  diseases.  701. 
Pii  soott.  116. 

Presi.iio  del  Rio  (Jrand'',  15,3. 
Pressure,  haiomeirie,  531. 

phy.siological  cllect.s  of,  556, 
Pulaski,  2-3. 


Quebec,  424. 
Quincy.l  13. 
Quinti^  Bav,  U !. 


Q. 


R. 


Rain,  587. 
Rainy  day•=,^''^»  I. 
Raisin,  Rivi'r  and  Basiu  of,  35i). 
Randolph,  1.34. 
Ravenna,  .'iV3. 
Recrealiou,  6116. 
Red  River,  t!io  north,  lil,  41:). 
south,  14,  151). 
Relapsing  intermittiMiN,  bl  1. 
Rcniitteiit.   fe/er,  siniiilc  and  iiillammato- 
rv,  77:i. 

malignnnt,  71)1. 
Reservoir  of  Ohio  and  Erie  Canal,  2!'.7. 
Rice  kind.s,  .'7 

Richelieu,  valley  of,  1.1,  421. 
Rideau  Canal,  418. 
Rio  del  Norte,  1  1,  1.V2. 
Rivers. !). 
River  w.iter,  662. 
Ro(  liester,  334. 
liock  Island,  111 
Rocky  .'Mount;, in  iixis,  I,'!. 
Rodney,  127. 
RuthorforLl  cnunly,  235. 

S. 
Sackett's  Harbor,  406. 
Saginaw  Bay,  .350, 
Saguonay,  11!,  42>. 


rflf. 


876 


INDEX. 


i 


fig ; 

I..'.  I 


M    ? 


■K 


Palina,  -l.'ll. 

•S'nlinf  county,  Missomi,  170. 

Salines,  Keiuiwhn,  ;3GH. 

Kaiiillo,  1.'2. 

Suli  1,  ;ikinf,r,  (;:)!. 

liiver,;.>l:.». 
Saiuiusky  liasiii,  'M'lt'. 

City,  ."Jilt;. 

I.owor,  H()S. 

Upper,  31!!). 
Sandwich,  llftl. 
Sandy  lUvor,  2.')8. 

Suntu  iV',  ir)r>. 

trad<>rs,  CDl. 

Santa  I!osa,  5(1,  .M. 

Saskutcliawau  River,  1  l/JO, -Klit,  111. 

Sault  dcSt.  .M'lrie,  'Xi'u 

Sciionl,  manna!  labor,  Indian,  171. 

Seas,  8, 

Seasons,  tempiTatiiro  of,  IS.'), 
talji''  of,  J87. 

Selkirk's  Colony,  -l-lO. 

Sclnia,  IH6. 

Sii-rru  Aladre,  1.">1,  ir)S. 

Sliado  trues,  (js.'i. 

Sliawneetown,  1)17. 

^'iiieltinfr  iron  and  load.  (i''.'t. 

Snioku  I'o;^,  (iOi^. 

Sinytlitfeld,  :2(i7. 

Snow,  .'):;7. 

Snowy  days, 594. 

Soeial  eondition,  H-H. 

Soil,  7(lit. 

Sources  of  tlio  IMissisaijjpi,  331. 

SoiitliriM)  Basin,  ill-.'U. 

South  Pass.  ;2-}. 

Spaniards,  tJ'l(J. 

Sparta,  2-JU. 

S[)le('U,  diseases  >f,  835. 

fininrjremen'..  of,  ill'2. 
inllaniination  of,  8:itf. 
suppuration  of,  810. 
Splenitis  in  intemiittents,  7.')I. 
.Sprinfjfield,  .'J'J2. 
Si)rinfr  Hill,  :,(i. 
Statistical  physiology,  6.')0. 
Staliiro  of  man,  G.'>L). 
Stephenson,  1  l.j. 
Stillwater,  330. 
Strength  of  men,  G.")2. 
St.  Catharine,  407. 
St.  Charles,  14:2. 
St.  (JIair  Jiako  and  Strait.s,  3,'>I. 
St.  Croix  Lake  ami  River,  330. 
St.  Francis  Bottom  and  River,  131. 
St.  Franfisville,  110, 


St.  Lawrciirn  n^^^'i,  30,  .M2. 

River,  from  Ontario  to  Mou- 

li'"0l    i\'t 

fiom  A.'o.itreai  'u  (^ue'>ec.4"?3. 
Kstiiary  •  f,   i~-ii. 
(ailf  nf,4-  . 

KUiiii.H'r    resnii,     fo,     inval- 
ids, 432. 
and  Missis3i])picompared,430 
St.  Louis  River,  3.'i4. 
St.  .Mary's  Straits, 3.34. 
St.  r.-ter's  River,  147. 
Summit  level  between  Southern  and  North- 
ern Uasiiis,  10. 
Superior  T^ake,  3.'I3. 

southern  coast, 334. 
Surface  water,  710. 

Sulphate    of  (juininu    in   simple   intermit- 
tents,  '4  4G. 

malignant  intcrmittents,  773. 
simple  remittents,  7^(). 
c.xperienco     of     many      physi- 
cians, 7S0. 
maljfrimnt  remittents,  807. 
Sweetwater  Alountains,  G. 

River,  22. 
Synclinal  axis  of  the  Valli  y,  7,  10. 
Syracuse,  404. 


Table  drinks,  G;)7. 
Tampa  Bay,  40. 
Tampico,  44. 
Taos,  Valley  of,  15G, 
'lV.;i,  (^:»^. 

Temperature  oi"  the  interior  Valley,  4.')3. 
mean  of  llio  year,  4,")3. 
dilliculties  ,)t  the  subject, 453. 
object  to  beke|)t  in  viow,  15.3. 
Hsccrtained    mean    tempora- 

turo,  4.")3. 
general  table  of.  455, 
«lecreaso    from    increase    of 

latitude,  4G0. 
decrease  from  altitude,  4G4. 
by  calculation,  4GG, 
table  of  tlij  same,  4G7, 
decrease    abovo     tlio    forty- 

eighth  parallel,  4()7. 
table  of  the  same,  4GS. 
furthtr   use    of    the   forego- 
ing tabli's,  4Gt?. 
atmospheric    and    terrestrial 

compared,  4G0. 
influence  of  Northern  Lakes 
upon, 473 


.M^'^rn 


INDKX. 


877 


roin  Oiiiario  to  Mou- 

jntr<!:iiti>Uuel>ec,423. 

:  .»f,  'I'iG. 

■-'*-■  .        , 

I-    rc's'ni,    f'l.     inval- 

:!2. 
-sissippicomiiared.'l^O 


11  Southern  !\iui  Nortli- 

):ist,  331. 

J   in   Hiinplo   iiitiTiiiil- 

it  intcrinitteiitw,  "li. 

inittcnls,  7^l). 

CO     of    iniiiiy     I'liY'^i- 

7y'.>. 

lit  vfiuittciils,  HOT. 

[liiis,  G. 

,0  Vull.  V,  7.  11). 


Interior  Valley,  •■iri3. 
if  til')  yeiir,  -1.');!. 
Itiosot  the  sul)ji.'C't,453. 
to  bckopliu  view,  133. 
ii;ied     intnui    tc-inpora- 

t;ible.  of.  'i^'i. 
ISO    from    iunreaso    of 
lude,  4G0. 

;i:)o  from  altitude,  4G4. 
Iculalioii,  4GG. 
jf  thj  s:mii',  4G7. 
■a»o    abovo     llio    f>irty- 
litli  paralli'l,  4t)7. 
of  the  samo,  4GS. 
ir    use    of    tho    forcgo- 

tahles,  4G8. 
spheric    and    terrestrial 
nparod,  4li'.>. 

•  nco  of  Northern  LuUes 
on,  473 


Temporatur ',  variation  .ii  (iiflVrent  yoar.9, 
47:). 
greateat  variation,  tahlo  of,  474 
isothomal  curves,  475. 
Interior  Viliey  and  Atlantic 

pi  in,  47(i. 
no  change  from  cultivation, 
477. 
Temperature — extremen  of  cold  and  heat, 
47o. 
table  of  tho  same,  479. 
extremes  and  moans  com- 

pareil,  4~(). 
intlnenco  of  moutttaius  on 

tho  ranpo  of.  ''81. 
Northern  Lake..,  4S2. 
Hudson  Bay   492. 
Polar  Sea,  4rt2. 
relation  of  tho  minima   and 
nrixima  to  mean  heat,  W.l. 
contincuital  extremes,  4S4. 
lesser  variations,  4^0. 
Temperature,  mean  of  tho  seasons,  4'^5. 

table  of  the  .seasons,  485,487. 
deductions,  4!)1. 
of  tho  months,  436. 
tabular  view,  4')G,  40?. 
summer  months,  5IJ0. 
winter  months,  501. 
HpriufT   nionths,  50.'!. 
full  months,  504. 
diverge  nco    of     tho    hottest 
from   tho  coldest  months, 
501. 
hottest  aud  coldest  compar- 
ed with,  50(;. 
pairs  of  monllis,  507. 
Temperature,   diurnal   aud  siiddeu  varia- 
tions, 510. 
regular  diurnal  changes,  510. 
occasional    sudden    changes, 
514. 
Temperature,  mean,  determined  by  induc- 
tion, 51(). 
of  St.  Louis,  510, 
of  Cincinnati,  525. 
curve    of    tho    Interior  \'al- 
ley,  5;30. 
Tfinsas  bottom,  122. 
Tennessee,  middle,  225,  232. 

comparison  between    cast   and 
west,  223. 
Tennessee  river,  17,  222. 

Miiror  waters,  230. 
voyages  upon,  2.')0. 
Teire  Hu.ife,  3K}. 


Texa.i,  southern,  157.' 
Thames,  ,')54. 
Thi.st,  (i(il. 

Tluuiip-.un'.s  Island,  ii. 
Thousand  Islands,  414. 
Tluuuli'jing  spring,  5b 
Tbund'T  storms,  (illJ. 
Tierras  calientes,  151. 
templailas,  151. 
fria;,  151. 
TilFin,  3GS. 

Tipton  Co.,  Tcnn.,  212. 
Tobacco,  (J73. 
Tombeckbee,  132,  13^). 
Tonawanda  creek,  3'JO. 
Tornadoes,  GIG. 
Toronto,  4'J'J. 
Torlugas,  47. 

'I'rcatmcnt  of  simple  intermitteuts,  743. 
preparative,  741). 
curative,  745. 

of  indammatory  intormittents, 
75;i. 
malignant  into rmittents,7G5, 

773. 
simple  remittents,  781 . 
malignant  remitlonts,  7  93. 
chronic  intermittents,  814. 
vernal  intermUteuts,  815. 
Trent,  valley  of,  4I)--41 1. 
Trois  Rivieres,  423. 
Turn  again  river,  41!). 
Tuscaloosa,  100. 

river,  191. 
Tuscnmbia,  221). 
Tygart'.s  \-AU'\,  2G5. 

U. 

Union  Town,  209. 
Unjigah  river,  443. 
Upper  Mississippi,  149. 

V. 

Vapor,  weiglit  and  i   nsion  of,  G02. 
Varieties  of  population,  G37. 
Variety  Caucasian,  fi3^. 
^'eg|■to■aninlalcular  hypothesis,  723. 
\  ouice,  .'1G7. 
Vera  Cruz,  12. 
Vicdisburg.  12-^. 
\'idalia,  125. 
Vincennes,  314. 

Voyage  early  up  tlio  Mississippi,  111. 
Voyages  on  Upper  Tennes.seo,  2;)0. 
Voyageurs,  689. 


its 


'.i    M  ' 


%m\ . 


''mm:' 


878 


v 


INDFX 


r'- 


Wabaali  hclow  Now  Harmony,  .115. 

ri'^riou  wost  of,  .'ilG. 
Wiiliash  river,  .'til. 
W.-irreii,  Si7G. 
Wa.sliiiigton,  j\Ii.,  12.'». 

Oliin,  21)1. 
Wasliit.i,  lGi». 
Water,  (iGI. 

river,  u'oll,  ami  npriiifr,  CG2. 

rlll'cts  of,  (IC.l. 

iin[)iir(>,  CCG. 

from  Icadi'u  iiioi's,  (iOG. 

rain,  GG7. 

Kurfaiu-  water,  710. 
AVoijrlit  of  men,  ()■")'). 
Wells  Artesian,  ID.'i. 
Western  Dislriet  of  Tcnne.s.sei>,  212. 
Wetumpka,  1S8. 
Wlieelin;r,  'JGO. 
White  river,  309. 
Wiiitesbnrpr,  2:25. 
Wilson  Co.,  Teuii.,  2:)5. 
Wiiiil.M  of  the  interior  Valley.  557. 

introilnelory  ol)servations,  557. 
tabular  viowaat  our  military  posts, 5,5i). 


Winds,  tabular  views  at  various  civil  sta- 
tions, 5(54. 
order  of,  572. 
relative  prevaleiine,  57.'1. 
the  sonlli  east,  571. 
wontli  west,  570. 
north  west,  571), 
north  east,  58."). 
roduceii  to  somi-circles,  581. 
calms,  5.^0. 

{;ood  and  evil  of  our,  58U. 
Win(ls'>r,  351. 
Wine,  ()GS. 
Wisconsin  river,  330. 
Woodvillo,  20G. 

Y. 

Y.-llnw  fever,  .Jl-l.')- 10-17- IS,  52,  .57-5S, 
DO,  103,  1(10-107,  110,  12G-127,  12'.),  131, 
KiU-lG  1,21)1. 
Yazoo  bottom,  12D. 
river,  130. 
city,  131. 
Youi^hiojj;heny  river,  207. 


\V3  at  vBrious  civil  sta- 


ilcnno,  T)?;). 
St,  .'jTI. 
st,  57(5. 
St,  :>79. 

4, 53;t. 

iini-circloB,  5HI. 


1  of  our,  rjSG. 


330. 


Y. 

..i:,_.iG_.i7-.i«,  r.2,  .'■)7-.^s, 

7,110,l^G-l-J7,J2'J,  i:il, 


1). 


cr,  207. 


